Sweater Search

After posting this picture of Vogue Ukraine’s fashion director Julie Pelipas to Instagram, I tracked down her Joseph sweater. The Viviane is online and in UK stores now, and in US stores soon after that.

Image courtesy of Vogue

Investment Shopping

There’s an article in today’s WSJ about investment fashion pieces and calculating the CPW: Cost Per Wear. This way of thinking dovetails with my overly-careful-consideration approach to purchasing a big ticket item — I ask myself “will it go the distance.” The above Saint Laurent SS15 pea coat is a perfect example — I deliberated over buying it and left the tags on until I was sure. Now I can’t wait to pull it out as soon as the weather cools — this coat is a forever piece in my wardrobe and I never regret having spent a pretty penny on it. After three years of wear, the CPW is very low.

White Ankle Boots x The Midi

When I posted on white ankle boots a lot of folks weighed-in with their thoughts on the trend, and most love it. I’ve always liked the look but wasn’t sure I’d wear them enough to justify the cost. Then I bought a black satin midi-length skirt that’s become a workhorse in my wardrobe and it would look great with a white ankle boot as seen below. NET-A-PORTER is spot-on: #dressfromthefeetup

Alexander Birman, Balenciaga, The Row.

To a T-Strap

Does three make a trend? I think so, especially when it’s these three T-Strap pumps  by Manolo Blahnik left, Chanel top right, and Céline bottom right.

Images courtesy @barbaramartelo, @carolinedemaigret @carineroitfeld

‘Cornflake Girl’ Redux

Florence and the Machine recorded a fantastic rendition of Tori Amos’ 1994 hit “Cornflake Girl” for Spotify’s latest “Singles” sessions. The track is so good I think I prefer this version, and that’s saying a lot.

These Boots Were Made for Cold Weather

I had an ‘aha’ moment when I spied these Mansur Gavriel shearling-lined ankle boots. I have Penelope Chilvers Incredible boots with lug soles and No.6 clog boots, both shearling-lined, but these MG boots take it up a notch and fill a hole in my winter shoe wardrobe. Problem solved.

All colors here and here.

Fall Arts

Fall is the best season for all-things art and here is my to-do list:

Out this Tuesday, ‘Ninth Street Women’ by Mary Gabriel, a story that focuses on five female Abstract Expressionist artists “who dared to enter the male-dominated world of twentieth-century abstract painting–not as muses but as artists.” Helen Frankenthaler was in my mother’s class at Bennington and Mum tells hilarious stories about sharing a studio with the brilliant painter.

My dear friend Molly Pfohl Rand is an art consultant and I keep begging her to let me tag along on studio visits. The three images upper right, by the artists Serban Ionescu, Amanda Valdez, and Lauren Luloff, are on Molly’s Instagram feed.

Bottom pictures are from The New York Times’ story on Glenstone, a large private art museum in Potomac, MD. I have family in Maryland and will do a field trip the next time I’m down there.

Trend Challenge

Stripes and white ankle boots are everywhere so I challenged myself to assemble a weekend outfit that incorporates both trends. I spied a number of women at the NET-A-PORTER headquarters yesterday wearing white booties and we’ve all seen them on show-goers – they are ubiquitous right now. I championed the white boot in 2016, but didn’t go there. If I were to get a pair now, I might revisit the Chloé Susanna — they’re great for running around. Regarding stripes (also everywhere), I couldn’t justify another top until I saw this one by Acne Studios — it’s so me I practically swooned.

On second thought, the boots + grey sweater and grey jeans would be super chic and less busy. Céline makes 2 versions of the Elliptic Heel ankle boot and these — they are really good, too. You can see the first pair in an earlier post.

Acne Studios sweater, Rag & Bone jeans, Chloé Susanna booties.

The Classic Pump x The Midi

These pictures, from August 2011 Vogue Paris, are on my inspiration board. Goals.

Photography by Inez & Vinhoodh

The Classic Pump

Last week I posted on a midi-length, black satin skirt that I paired with boots and strappy sandals. Neither shoe would work for a meeting tomorrow, however, both have a low (kittenish) heel and that got me thinking. I can’t believe that I’m writing this but, after 6 years, I need an alternative to block-heeled pumps — Lord knows I have a number of them.

My obsession with the block heel started with the Valentino Tango in 2012 — I bought 3 pairs. Then came the Gucci Marmont (2 pairs), the Chanel slingback and Chloé Perry followed. I still love and wear them all, especially with jeans while running around, but it’s time to shake up my shoe choices.

Not only does the kitten heel feel fresh, the classic pump, in any heel height, is back on my radar. Thankfully, there are many to choose from.

Jimmy Choo above and more Jimmy Choo here, Manolo Blahnik BB here and here,  Prada and here.