New Arrivals: Phoebe Philo

Phoebe Philo’s latest drop from the B Collection: great sandals that I will try in Paris later this week, and I love the gold hardware on this trifold clutch, the silver clasps on her other bags look cheap to my eye. I have a similar old Céline clutch that I wear all the time.

Hermès FW25

Love the doubling down on equestrian codes — the house’s heritage first and foremost  — in the Hermès FW25 collection. The show even felt like it was held in an indoor ring. I don’t usually like palladium hardware, but it looks magnificent here. The belted coat and Birkin 35(?) make me happy.

Paris Chic

Spied in Paris: Barbara Martelo‘s coat and pumps, Suzanne Koller‘s coat cinched with a Carven belt, and these The Row sandals on Lauren Santo Domingo — they’re keeping it chic in Paris.

A Bold Lip, Less Lashes

This stunning Alaia SS25 campaign image caught my eye. The beautiful Daria Werbowy — in a fabulous pink, shaggy coat and a bold lip — is certainly impactful, but the natural eyelashes are a happy surprise. False lashes have been my pet peeve since they roared onto the beauty scene a number of years ago; I hope this signals an end to the hideous trend.

Bits & Bobs

March 1! We head back to Paris soon, so a trip to LA to see Helmut Lang: What Remains Behind at the MAK Center will have to wait. Same with Cecily Brown: Themes and Variations at the Barnes Foundation. I am in Philadelphia Monday for the PHS Flower Show, however the Cecily Brown exhibition does not open until March 9. Book clubs are chicer than ever and both Air Mail and New York Magazine ran articles on their exploding popularity, especially with younger women. I am in three book groups, and in one we only read short stories. Next in my queue is Show Don’t Tell, a collection of stories by Curtis Sittenfeld. As a boarding school alum, Sittenfeld’s Prep is an all-time favorite. Finally, a grey and brown outfit snippet on a Milan FW25 show week attendee, and my tan suede Belgian Shoes are going into rotation.

Prada FW25

There is a lot of black in the Prada FW25 collection and, I’m not going to lie, it looks great with the white bag and brown shoes. Love the skinny belt cinching an oversized coat. I’ve been doing this with my Carven belts, however, I will absolutely add Mrs. Prada’s skinny belt to my collection next fall.

The Updated Gucci 1955 Horsebit Bag

I spied these Gucci 1955 Horsebit shoulder bags on Milan FW25 show-goers. I like the suppleness of the one on the left, and in suede is a timely option.

Grey & Brown

My dearest friend loathes that I wear so much black, grey, and brown, and she especially disliked my last post. So, I thought I would share one of my current favorite grey and brown outfits in hopes that she’ll agree that it’s a good combo, even if she wouldn’t choose to wear it herself. Helen, this is for you!

Skirt and shoes from previous posts.

Winter-To-Spring: Brown & Grey

Brown accessories with thick grey tights are my jam — a fave combo for transitional dressing. I’m starting to give my parkas the side-eye and readying my peacoats and Barbour-esque waxed jackets for spring. I have an ancient grey J. Crew waxed jacket that I wore last fall with a Max Mara vest underneath. It was great in London, even in December. The Valentino 9 to 5 shoulder bag is reminiscent of the Gucci Horsebit 1955 shoulder bags that I carry all the time. This is not surprising since both were designed by Alessandro Michele. The Lemaire pumps arrive tomorrow. I first bought them with the higher heel, but I will wear the medium height version more often — with and without grey tights. Now is the time to waterproof.

Where Are We With Fur?

At the Harper’s Bazaar reunion on January 19, my friend asked if I know a good fur repair. Circa 2002, we asked Pologeorgis to make us each a mink pullover jacket — see the very first kic post below.  “Are we wearing fur again?” I asked. “Yes”, she said, “ours are now vintage, and vintage fur is okay.” Two days later Leandra Medine Cohen clocked a number of New Yorkers in their fur coats,  Feed Me’s Emily Sundberg, also, mentioned the return of fur, and just last week The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times followed suit with similar stories.  There are certainly a lot of fuzzy coats everywhere, and I love the Toteme shearling I bought a few weeks ago — cream sleeve above. I pulled my furs out of cold storage (the closet in the front guest bedroom that is unheated) and I’m deciding if I will wear them again. Thoughts?

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Welcome to Keep It Chic!  February 10, 2010