Prada FW22

The Prada FW22 show had a Depeche Mode soundtrack, 5-star casting, and Guido Palau’s divine hair — bravo. The white turtlenecks seemingly attached to crewneck sweaters and multi-tiered skirts were the highlights of the collection for me.

Terry Time

Now that I’m kitted out for skiing, I’m turning my eye to warm-weather wear. I have a terrycloth wrap skirt — a beloved beach cover-up from the last century — that is begging to be retired.  So, it was kismet when I spied this Terry skirt — a perfect replacement, and then some. The A Emery + Matteau sandals are really nice, and nicely priced, too.

Missing Marc Jacobs + Early Aughts Revisited + The Blouse

Please bear with me on this one. Marc Jacobs’ FW20 collection was fantastic and I was hoping for more of the same this season. However,  the designer skipped NYFW and, instead, released a look book of 10 images — interesting silhouettes — but not what I was hoping for. What I really want is Marc Jacobs from the early aughts. The low-slung, midriff baring looks that are making a splashy comeback were not the only style at that time, there was, also, a pulled-together look of knee-length skirts with blouses. Marc was the king of this look. I was a huge fan of his nod-to-the-’70s sensibility, a welcome breather from slip dresses and strict minimalism. Marc’s early designs for Louis Vuitton epitomized this vibe.

Where am I going with this? I’m looking for a blouse — not a white button down, and no pussy bows, pilgrim collars, peasant, or boho — just a classic silk blouse to tuck into a skirt or pants, please.  I’m starting with L’Agence, Saint Laurent, Equipment. The hunt is on.

Image left Marc Jacobs Spring 2000   Image right Louis Vuitton Spring 2004

On Coveteur: Leaning Into Personal Style

I’ve been thinking about an article on Coveteur titled “One writer makes the case for eliminating universal closet staples,” which asks the question “(i)n an effort to truly embrace personal style, how are ‘closet staples’ still a thing?” The image of a rack of beige and black clothes the author, Shanna Battle, chose to illustrate her piece made me laugh out loud. My wardrobe and the kic shop are, for the most part, neutrals-only. But, that’s not what Ms. Battle is addressing really, she’s poking at the idea of creating a stringent wardrobe of prescribed basics. She found that a little black dress and turtleneck, foundation items in many a wardrobe, are not her thing and ended up letting go of them. My favorite nugget — “(i)t wasn’t until my fourth pandemic closet cleanout that I decided to divest my closet from the idea of needing “universal closet staples” and lean into the pieces that made sense for my personal style.” Furthermore, I completely agree with Ms. Battle when she says of the drumbeat of posts on basics “you will no doubt find more than a few people drained from this idea ready for more creativity in their style arsenal.”

This all got me thinking about my own wardrobe of neutrals and similar silhouettes and I realized that they are my personal style, my own universal basics if you will. However, I could shake things up a bit and not be so neutrals-all-the-time. I collect wool vests and Gucci 1955 Horsebit bags, perhaps a color and pattern outside my comfort zone would be good. The bag in cherry red and a brown diamond patterned vest (I’m besotted with brown these days) would go quite nicely with my predominantly grey and beige wardrobe. I already lean into my personal style, it’s just that my personal style could use a bit of zing.

Peter Do FW22: “The PD Woman is an Outfit Repeater”

Lots of beautifully tailored and wearable clothes in Peter Do’s FW22 collection. The designer spoke with WWD about Donna Karan’s Seven Easy Pieces concept and how he took 18 pieces and created 450 looks. “It’s a new way to think about wardrobe, to just buy a few things and reenergize, and not constantly seek out newness all the time,” he said. “The PD woman is an outfit repeater.” Hear, Hear!

LSD at NYFW

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Lauren Santo Domingo’s personal style and consider her a style icon and muse. She makes a gold headband, bangle, and loafers — the most classic of classic accessories — look chic and modern.

Images courtesy Vogue

Ski Gear Help

In the next few weeks I’m going on two ski trips to two different mountains. The first with my older daughter, the second with my younger. I have not skied since we moved and I’ve torn the place apart looking for my gear — helmet and ski pants are nowhere to be found. Frankly, both were as old as my oldest and should’ve been replaced ages ago. I know that many of you are serious skiers and I welcome your gear recommendations.

Watercolors by Suzy Malloch

Gabriela Hearst FW22: Cool Coats

The leather coat with woven leather cape overlay, and the chicest utilitarian raincoat caught my eye at the Gabriela Hearst FW22 show yesterday —  cool coats.

The Kitten Heel, Cont.

Sorry to keep banging on about kitten heels — how I’ve rediscovered them, with socks, on my wish list — but I realized that a sandal, not a closed toe, is something I don’t already have. This Celine pair is winging it’s way to me.

Khaite FW22: Evening Wow

I’m a huge fan of Khaite’s cashmere cardigans and jeans but, for some reason, I tend to post on Catherine Holstein’s evening looks. In the FW22 collection shown yesterday, the puffer over a floor-sweeping dress is a bit of styling I love and “the crocheted column studded with crystals that was the collection’s showpiece” is a wow. Most looks were shown with kitten heels and low wedges — current and chic.