A Summer Dress in Winter

Patriotism is a jean jacket.

Lean into it.

Where am I?

Dress (Topshop, similar here), Jean Jacket (GAP - this mofo is seriously from 7th Grade, no joke - similar here), Shoes (Happy Socks x Keds, similar here), Necklace (Dogeared), Watch (Fakety-fake-fake $20 at BP. here)

Guess what? It's Springtime in Livermore! Guess what else? Livermore is apparently a place in California! (...and a lovely one at that.) These things are worth noting because it's February, and the fact that I stood bare-legged in a summer dress in the middle of a field on a Saturday morning, and totally forgot where and when I was for a moment is something, to say the least. Any place capable of such witchery is worth a visit. Especially if, like me, you're impatiently (not)waiting for the arrival of Spring.

Livermore is like Napa's sort-of-look-alike-but-not-as-popular cousin (the one you hang out with as like, a consolation prize when you can’t really get to the popular cousin because she’s too busy hanging out at Nick’s house drinking wine coolers and sitting on top of his pool table because um, THAT’S JUST WHAT COOL PEOPLE DO). Digressions aside, Livermore gave me an excuse to get crayzeee and put a sundress on and frolic in a field unapologetically, hopped up on wine and my polka dot shoes. LIVERMORE IS THE BEST (when it’s where you are). Spring is coming, guys. Ready your sundresses, your plimsoll sneakers, your field daisy head wreaths—‘k not those—your tattered jean jackets.

And in the meantime, go to Livermore and pretend you're in a Free People catalog.

Photos © Rose Garrett

Potato, Poh-tah-toh: Check Mates

Left: Kate Spade 'Davis' Capri Pants, Right: Topshop 'Bauhaus' Printed Tapered Pants

Checks are IN. Polka dots are OUT [said with a dismissive flourish of the hand]. Ok, polka dots, maybe not...but checks are definitely IN. In any case, the ferocity of my (and seemingly everyone else's) addiction to monochrome checks, stripes, and well, everything, incited by Marc Jacobs last Fall at his S/S '13 show, continues to astonish and delight me each day. Case in point, this blazer I refuse to put in my closet after weeks because I like looking at it too much (IT GOES WITH OUR WALL COLOR, OKAY?!). 

Next stop: checkered pants. These Kate Spaders on the left are, as her aesthetic would have us expect, crisp and clean with a slight aroma of sickly sweet vintage (you can just about picture them on a Gidget-type coquette, sipping on a strawberry milkshake, noisily and unapologetically, as she scans the jukebox for her favorite Franky Valli tune). CUTE, but the Topshop pair has a slightly more classic trouser cut—notice the pleating at the waist—with a print that's not nearly as in-focus. I like both, but the Topshop pair seems a little less obvious to me (that's a good thing), and it comes with a much nicer price tag. 

Either way, I like strawberry milkshakes.

Newspaper

I reeeeally like putting my hands in my pockets, OKAY?

Shirt (Forever 21, similar here), Pants (Vince Camuto, similar here), Shoes (Zara, similar here and here), Watch (Fakety-fake-fake-fake $20 at BP. here)

What's black, and white, and re(a)d all over? Me! (...and newspaper.) GET IT?? It is a tried and true color combination, and one that I always turn to when I'm in doubt. The trio always seems to be at its best when it's taken on a rather graphic, bold, color-block-y kind of form (the Preen A/W '13 collection does a marvelous job of illustrating this notion), and the much-discussed Winter-to-Spring trend of graphic black and white geometric prints and shapery (yup, making that a word) is ripe with opportunity for crimson collaboration. 

And of course, a leopard print shoe sets the whole world right.

Spunky Punky

Blazer (Zara), Shirt (Forever 21 - they make a mean $5 band tee, similar here), Skirt (Urban Outfitters, similar here), Tights (Hue via Anthropologie, similar here), Shoes (Dolcetta by Dolce Vita, similar here), Necklaces (Dogeared and Urban Outfitters), Watch (Fakety-fake-fake-fake $20 at BP. here) 

This past week, the shows at London's Fashion Week, with all of their re-envisioning of, commenting on, and appropriating of fashion tropes and trends of the past—specifically of the british persuasion, those like punk, "Brit pop" and even some throwbacks to medieval couturier techniques(!)—had me inspired to do a little interpretation of my own. That, and my recently sprained ankle has forced me to get creative with my oft-overlooked supply of flats and sneakers, which I have been neglecting for quite some time.

Not surprisingly, punk was a pervasive theme in many of the Autumn/Winter '13 shows in London. Of them, Preen was one of the lines I found to be the most inspiring (and covetable), as it employed numerous subtle and not-so-subtle punk hallmarks and references (HELLO OVERSCALE ARGYLE), ingeniously woven into one thoroughly modern collection. Obviously, I do not even come close to looking like this. But I did decide to give my version of punk a go, sans cigarettes and snarly facial expressions a la Johnny Rotten during his early-Vivienne Westwood days.

Wish List: Silver Linings Shoebook...or something

From Top to Bottom: Joe's Jeans Dakota (very 3.1 Phillip Lim, non?), Jeffrey Campbell Townsend, Bass Ely 3, Loeffler Randall Joanna (absolutely perfect)

Metallic footwear is not a feat of fashion (<--pun totally intended) that everyone can pull off (without looking crazy, that is). But that doesn't mean one should shy away from such a challenge. In fact, it means you should probably endeavor to tackle a gilded shoe as your next fashion to-do.

Next to leopard print shoes in all shapes and sizes, silver kicks are one of my greatest shoe-loves; I've got a few different pairs stashed in my closet, but my most recent craving for the flavor has come in the form of silver oxfords and brogues. This is all thanks to Loeffler Randall's Joanna Oxford that came on the scene last Fall, looking sexy as all get-out with a sleek oxford silhouette in a perfect silver patent finish. (Is it no wonder why they sparked an obsession that spanned the seasons?) Take your cue from the Joanna: As you explore the resplendent realm of sterling footwear, remember to stick to simple, classic-feeling forms—like pointed-toe pumps, low-top sneakers, and menswear-chic brogues—without too much (if any) ornamentation. The shoe itself will be your built-in bling.

Jump Around

Blazer (Forever 21, similar here), Jumpsuit (Zara on MAJOR sale over the holidays, similar here) Shoes (KORS Michael Kors, similar here), Necklaces (Dogeared and Urban Outfitters), Watch (Fakety-fake-fake-fake $20 at BP. here)

Jumpsuits are weird! Especially within the context of a Silicon Valley web start-up office environment (I'm still trying to decide if I could ever wear this to work...probably not). But Bianca Jagger knew what was up—for like, a million reasons—and sometimes jumpsuits, when not worn frivolously or ironically, can look über chic and super sexy (despite the fact that you're basically wearing a sack).

The um, bag-like nature of the garment needs the structure of a piece like a classically crisp black blazer (a girl, or guy for that matter, can never have enough blazers; load up), and the no-fuss, strappy sandals balance out all of the fabric and volume happening above, by keeping things light and clean, and by showing a little bit of skin (since the rest of me is basically in a blanket). The look is simple, but the forms and silhouettes do all the talking for you. When daring to jumpsuit, do as The Wolf does and keep it clean.

Photos © Rose Garrett

Date Night

Just hangin' out by some construction OBVIOUSLY.

Collar? Popped.

Headless.

VRRRRRRROOOOMMMMMMM....

Jacket (Zara, similar here), Shirt (Work It via Urban Outfitters, similar here), Skirt (Forever21- hollah!, similar here), Shoes (KORS Michael Kors, similar here), Necklace (Dogeared), Bracelets (Asos and Urban Outfitters, similar here) 

I wore this cheeky little number to Cotogna recently, on a date with my lovely sister, and I’m thinking I might take it for a spin again for Valentine’s Day with the man. The Rain is only one of the best songs (and videos!—seriously, garbage bag jumpsuits?!) EH-VAR and probably one of the only things that made 6th grade bearable, now that I think about it. The fact is, this shirt, and its Missy references, does nothing but make me inordinately happy. So why not wear it out for a happy occasion like a date with your man, or a stuff-your-face-til-you-want-to-cry rager of a dinner with your sister?

I think wearing a white T-shirt out “for a night on the town” is a bold move, and one that more people should attempt. The key is not wearing a hooded sweatshirt or TOMS—for god’s sake NO TOMS—also. Pair it with extra shmancy pieces in luxe materials, like a metallic jacquard skirt that screams NYE or high gloss (and high heel) patent leather strappy sandals. (Sidebar: if you’re looking for more inspiration, or instruction as it were, on tee styling, Zara does a phenomenal job of styling T-shirts in all kyna ways, especially for the dressed up affair.)

Oh and incidentally, I, in fact, got the keys to the Jeep. (No really, I drive one.)

Photos © Rose Garrett

Potato, Poh-tah-toh: Rumble in the Jungle

Zara Leopard Print Ankle Boot Sandal (here), Jimmy Choo + Rob Pruitt Difuse Glitter-Finished Zebra-Print Sandals (here)

I. LOVE. ANIMAL PRINTS. I have not one, not two, but SEVEN pairs of leopard print shoes (of various heights and styles) in my closet, and that doesn't include my dalmatian-print pumps or my giraffe-print loafers. So when I saw these Jimmy Choos, naturally I wanted them—the zebra print, the fashion/art harmony, the 5 inch heel, the lace-up styling, the fluorescent, sherbet-colored sole —and also naturally, the price tag made my face hurt.

But of course Zara is there, as it always is, to deliver designer dreams at real-life prices right to my doorstep, and make my face pain go away. And honestly, part of me actually prefers the Zara pair, if not only for the leopard print—Look at my face when I tell you this: A GIRL CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY LEOPARD PRINT SHOES—but also for the fact that they do not include glitter. (Seriously, glitter is the WORST.) 8 pairs of leopard print shoes and counting...

Borrowed from the (School) Boys

Distinguished.

 STOP. Hammer Time.

Those SHOES.

 Like a boss.

Blazer (Zara, similar here), Shirt (J.Crew, similar here), Tie (The Tie Bar via Nordstrom, similar here), Jeans (J.Crew, similar here), Shoes (Boutique 9), Watch (Fakety-fake-fake-fake $20 at BP. here)

In my not-humble opinion, there is nothing quite as sexy and empowering as looking better in a suit and tie than a man. There's just something about those sartorial signifiers of masculinity that can't be denied; they're imbued with a kind of power—SIMMER DOWN, FEMINIST READERS—that reads even on a woman (sometimes even more so than a man). What's more, appropriating classic menswear pieces like a tuxedo jacket or a tartan tie, and pairing them with more blatantly feminine pieces like a ferocious pointed-toe pump or a hip-hugging leather skirt, turns the entire aesthetic on its head, and transforms that power into something wholly and uniquely WOMAN. (Really I just like ties because they're fun to fiddle with during meetings. WHAT GLASS CEILING????)

While many might consider my aesthetic to be hyper-feminine—those people would be wrong, by the way—more acute observation reveals that I actually have a slightly (slightly) menswear-inspired slant to my wardrobe (blazers and button-downs 'til your face falls off). And this outfit is one of my favorite examples of that. Mixing plaids is fun, and wearing ties is even funner(?), and red patent stilettos are just OFF THE CHARTS when it comes to fun, and really, that's the key to a look like this: fun, or rather, playfulness.

Don't take yourself too seriously when incorporating some menswear pieces into your wardrobe. But above all, OWN IT. And slap on some 5-inch stilettos and you'll shut everyone up.

Photos © Rose Garrett

Dream the Dream: NYFW Outfit Inspiration

Huzzah! New York Fashion Week, and the month of Fall runway shows and related global fashion happenings that ensue, starts TODAY, and consequently, so does my bout of biannual longing. It's that time of year where I sit idly and frustratingly by, pouring over the latest fashion publications each morning, as I renew my status as an ogler and envious non-participant of this hallowed affair.

While other fashion bloggers are running—RUNNING!—Cannon EOS T3is in hand, gifted Minkoff clutches shoved up their armpits, pounds of clever invites jammed in their totes, to the tents and studio presentations and fabulous parties, I'll be watching back episodes of 30 Rock crying about how much I'm going to miss Liz Lemon, reading a British Vogue mumbling something to myself about Cara Delevigne's legs, and feverishly checking my Instagram for any and all FW tidbits and runway snaps.

But a girl can dream, and that's how I celebrate Fashion Week every twice-a-year—by drinking dreaming. That, and an unhealthy amount of aggro shopping. So here's what I would wear if I were attending NYFW (or any of the Fashion Weeks for that matter), and if I slept on piles of money.

Blazer (Lanvin), T-Shirt (Celine), Skirt (MSGM), Shoes (Tibi) Necklace (DANNIJO), Clutch (Lulu Guiness)

I said it was a "DREEEAM OUTFIT", okayyy??? In the meantime, I'll settle for a cheaper version that's just as chic and much easier on the pocket books: Blazer (similar here), T-Shirt (similar here), Skirt (similar here), Shoes (similar here), Necklace (similar here), and Clutch (similar here). KICK-OFF THE FASHION WEEK PARADE BY BUYING THINGS.

Flomo

Dress (Tinley Road via Piperlime, now on sale!), Blazer (H&M, similar here and here), Shoes (Nine West - I know, what?! - similar here), Necklaces (Dogeared and Dogeared), Bracelet (Urban Outfitters, similar here)

So Camouflage and Floral had a spunky little baby together, and they named it Flomo (obviously this is what Jay-Z and Beyoncé will name their next child), and last Fall we heard tell of this printbaby's coming in all of its conspicuous, statement-making glory. Ever since, Flomo's been making a sartorial splash all over the place, despite the fact that she's still got some baby fat on her. (Ok, I think I've had my fill of that baby metaphor.)

Anyway, this blazer is of course fantastic for Spring with all of its flower-obsessed trends, but the cooler color palette also makes it the perfect piece to perk up your Winter wardrobe. (PERK IT UP, LAYDEEZ.) And anyone who sees me on a regular basis will tell you that the last 6 months have brought to light my weird addiction to leather (and faux leather) EVERYTHINGS, and this dress is just one bangin' example of that. (I have a strangely leather-centric closet—I don't know what that says about me, if anything, other than the fact that I'm probably really ok with wearing dead animals. EEESH, sorry.) Also, these shoes: face is melting.

Photos ©Rose Garrett