Tomato red

I was not a fan of the cherry red jeans that were all the rage last year, but I quite like the tomato red pieces that are popping up here and there. The Stella McCartney look above from Resort caught my eye and Nikki Kule has a great matching topper and pant in the same orange-y red in her Spring collection.

Parisienne sophisticate

Celine © Style.com

What do I love best about the Paris shows so far? The grown-up, feminine sensibility. There are no wacky prints here, no “ironic” designs (except for the fuzzy bedroom slippers at Céline, which I have this to say to my favorite designer Phoebe Philo, “Really?”). The best shows are sophisticated, subtle and gorgeous. While pieces like the top from Céline, above, wouldn’t be an everyday staple for me, it would be an investment I’d keep forever. I’ll take one of each please! Continue…

Can classics age you?

Stella McCartney

When I recently decided to send my classic Chanel jackets, though much loved, to a resale shop, it got me thinking. Once you’re past your late 20s certain classic designs can age you. My classic Chanel jacket would be ironically chic on say Alexa Chung, but last time I wore it, even though I paired it with a leather Carven skirt, I felt dowdy. All classics don’t fit into this category–a button-down men’s shirt is always modern and sexy, but some items are better left shelved or sold.

I am now convinced it’s not about aging gracefully (at least not until I am well into my 60s or 70s), but about funking it up a bit. Perfect poster girls (or women) for this are Stella McCartney, Gwyneth Paltrow and Charlize Theron (whom I posted on last week). Whether they are in jeans for day or night, or dressed up for an event, there is always an edge to what they are wearing. These women are willing to break, ever so slightly, the normal fashion boundaries that start to take shape as you get older. I think so many of us get the “is it age appropriate?” mantra stuck in our heads, we forget that it’s okay to still take a fashion risk once in a while. But it’s also about dressing in a streamlined, bold manner, where every item you have on really counts. I ignored the “can I still wear this?” whisperings of my fashion conscience recently when I bought a Balenciaga dress, that like Stella’s above, is above-the-knee, in a very bold print and with an unusual silhouette. But you know what? I feel really good in that dress. Next time I need another cocktail dress, I’m going just as bold–the little black dresses can wait.

What’s my plan to funk up my wardrobe?  I’ll replace the Chanel jacket with a leather one. Embrace my love for slightly out-there shoes. And bolder, but fewer pieces of jewelry. Instead of asking myself “Am I dressed properly for the occasion?” I will strive to feel confident, feminine and sexy. I think these women feel that way, so something’s working.

Charlize Theron

Gwyneth Paltrow

What season is this?

Gwyneth Paltrow last month in Stella McCartney Fall 2012-2013 boots

As I add things to our shop, I am struck by the quickening pace of the fashion seasons. I get why there are swimsuits in December since many people go on holiday in the winter, but pre Fall in May stumps me. Resort is slowly going on sale and Spring is soon to follow. Leather jackets and wool trousers are starting to pop up here and there and you can pre-order Fall at Bergdorfs.

I know what I want for fall but am not sure I want to buy it now and have it sitting around. Why? Because I will wear it. And maybe that’s okay. Perhaps I need to be less rigid about seasons and buy what I like when it’s available. Actually, I have always sort of shopped this way- like grazing. I see it, love it, buy it. Who cares when it’s meant to be worn. If the temperature is in the 50′s and you just bought a pre-fall moto jacket, by all means, wear it!

Blue and white is so right

Stella McCartney ss 2012 courtesy of the New York Times

I am a huge classic sportswear fan and as much as I love a good dress, perfectly put-together separates can send me. Stella McCartney’s look above and Victoria Beckham’s below epitomize the best of this clean and very wearable genre for spring.

The blue and white is a welcome nod to the sea and reminder that summer days are coming.

Victoria Beckham ss 2012

Like you just rolled out of bed

Stella McCartney

Last spring, pajama dressing started to take hold and Celine’s printed tops and bottoms were worn by everyone from editors to Kayne West. Now, I am seeing literal translations of classic men’s pajama tops. I love the one Shala Monroque wore to a morning breakfast presentation in Paris, especially how she played off the masculine with a feminine long strand of pearls.

Shala Monroque © Garance Dore

Instead of going the designer route, I think the best option might be to go to the source itself. Olatz Schnabel makes the most gorgeous silk pajama sets that are super classic and come in an array of colors. At $750 a set, they are a commitment. Of course, I’ve honed in on the J. Crew nightshirt at $59. Will I wear it out of the house? Who knows. Maybe with black pants. If I fall in love with the idea, I might splurge on at Olatz pair at one point.

J. Crew