ankle layers

Ah, layers.  I grew up in Wisconsin so I like to think of myself as something of a layering expert.  In my early days I used to take it to extremes - in college I would often layer flannel pajamas under wool skirts to keep warm in the winter.  I'd like to think my layering habits have matured a bit since then (I really make an effort not to wear my pjs out of the house now), but I still rely heavily on the basic techniques.  And one thing that I've learned is to embrace the layer, rather than hide it.

So here I am, with my wool trousers worn over some cashmere and silk blend leggings, draped over the tops of my boots rather than tucked in.  I sort of like this backwards sock effect.  Sort of Dickensian, no?  Not something I usually look for in my styling, but I think it works here, so I'm going to go with it.  All winter long.

Do it yourself...

skirting the issue

A simple outfit that's becoming my go-to uniform for summer weekends: a T by Alexander Wang classic pocket tank, a jersey maxi skirt from Zara, Rag & Bone Vespa sunglasses, Hawaiana flipflops (invisible, but there), a great big silver cuff from a market in Peru, and a solid leather tote I picked up at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul many moons ago.  Most of that's not available anymore, but you can come pretty close.

Some options, and some secrets...

da bomb

What the what? This insanely intricate, decadent, shiny and gorgeous bomber from Zara stopped me in my tracks.  Practical?  Possibly not.  But I seem to care less and less about that lately.  It also reminds me of a black and hot pink satin bomber I had when I was a kid, embroidered with sunglass-wearing cherubs and the word "Angelinos".  Yeah, I was that kind of a kid.

It also got me thinking about bombers in general, the new incarnations we're seeing (again, obviously), and then when I saw  this neoprene one from T by Alexander Wang I was convinced this issue needed further investigation.
Most folks online are showing it mini and shrunken, which is very cute, but I'm more inclined to wear it like the lovely Ivania does, oversized and cozy, like a big neoprene hug.  (If you're not familiar with her blog check it out, she is a brave minimalist if ever there was one.)

More bombers...

dear santa

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

Sometimes shopping for others leads to certain, ahem, distractions.  So in the process of putting together my gift guides and getting my christmas shopping done, I've come up with a little wishlist for myself.  These are the things, great and small, that would make me extremely happy to find under the proverbial tree this year.  Hope Santa reads my blog. 

The details...

the hunt goes on

Well obviously my dream coat is out of my price range, but I am now officially obsessed.  I must have a new coat.  Hang with me over the next few weeks while I sort this out, and if anyone else out there is on a similar quest, join me and we can hunt the elusive perfect coat together.  In this preliminary phase of research (yes, I am oh so scientific about it) I'm including coats that range from $100 to $2500.  Think of this as the fantasy phase, where we're really just trying to narrow down what it is we're looking for (is it a pea coat?  a men's coat?  a car coat?  what the hell is a car coat?).

 Big Peacoat from Emerson Fry, $495

More potential dream coats...

mad hatter

I've been wishing for a new hat for a while now, and while I was lusting after this one from Madewell, I missed out, leaving the country before I could convince myself it was a reasonable expense (it totally would have been).  It actually worked out for the best because I found me a hat that went beyond all my expectations for what a hat can do.  This guy can sit low on your forehead, or high and back, it will handle hair sticking out from under it or tucked away underneath.  It's part fedora, part grandpa's fishing hat, part Pete Doherty rocker hat.  I don't usually post too many self-portraits here but I figured, what's a hat without a head to put it on?  So here it is in action:

There you go, I've outed myself for the love of a hat.  It's by Italian brand Forte Forte (creators of a lightweight jacket which totally bewitched me this summer), which sadly is extremely hard to find online, but it has made me really really excited about hats in general for fall.  Here's a few other options worth considering...

counting sheep

I am smitten with this cozy sheep sweater from Oysho.  I'm not usually a fan of cutesie animal prints, but this one got me.  Also love the boyish boxy shape, I think it would be perfect for layering over a button-down (with a pop of color on the lips)

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A few more greys from what is easily one of my favorite spanish fast-fashion labels...

sukita

I swear I am not here to bore you with yet another post on the wedge sneaker.  Isabel Marant started what I'm sure we all thought was going to be a fleeting trend, and it has stuck.  In the weirdest way.  I contemplated it for a minute, but quickly discovered (after trying a pair of the originals as well as a pair by Marc Jacobs) that these are best left to lanky teenage model types.  And despite the fact that they are now everywhere, and available in all price ranges, I have resisted.   Have not even felt the least bit tempted.  Until now.  Yohji Yamamoto has created a version in the Y-3 Sukita that I am almost sure I need.

Check it out:

leather and lace

While everyone else seems to be putting studs on their oxfords (not that I'm against it, I'm actually loving these, these and these), Valentino went a little softer for something that is totally unexpected.  A little tongue-in-cheek, these laser-cut patent leather lace applique brogues play on the feminine/masculine duality in the most charming way.  If I had the money to spare I would put these in my everyday rotation for sure.

yes please

What, Vicki B?  Did you really come up with this stunningly beautiful coat?  I'm sorry my prejudice sometimes makes me doubt you as a designer.  You have done a lovely job.  Now just send one over, k?

Look at this detail at the waist:

Damn good.

church's on sale

What?!  I was on my way home from Cos (yes, again, we'll talk about that later) when on a whim I decided to pop my head into Church's.  You know I have a weakness there, remember my rock star boots?  Well, I just wanted to see if maybe, by some sweet miracle, they'd have a pair of light-colored oxfords (still looking after a year!)  Well LOOK!  These gorgeous skin-toned Burwoods are 50% off at my local Church's.  That makes them actually kind of reasonably priced!  Only problem?  They're a little big on me.  They feel great, and they don't slip in the heel or anything, but there's quite a bit of room in the toe.  So, what to do?  I have to decide this fast because 1) it's a sale, someone else will snatch them up if I don't, and 2) I'm leaving the country in a few days and I'd like to take them with me. 

Help!  What would you do?  Have you ever bought shoes that were not exactly the right size?  Did you later regret it?  I've regretted shoes that turned out to be too small, but don't think I've ever complained that my shoes were too loose and roomy.

By the way, they also had these at 50% off.  Insane distressed denim effect on one of the classiest shoes ever, somehow I actually think it works...

I could always get both and pretend it's Buy One Get One instead of 50% off.  Self-delusion can be so useful sometimes...

acne

The kind you want.

suede biker jacket

Rocking the blue right now.  In all the right ways.

chambray blazer, crepe blouse

Acne is pretty much rocking everything right now actually.  See more on my fantasy wishlist after the jump...

sleep silk

I am always on the lookout for a beautiful set of men's cut silk pajamas for women.  Why is it so hard to find?  And while normally I wouldn't even look twice at a set that costs over $400, this one caught my eye because a) it's from Equipment, masters of the silk shirt*, and b) it looks just about perfect to me.

Of course I'm not seriously considering it.  But wouldn't it just be the ultimate in luxury?  With a diptyque candle and freshly cut flowers on your artfully aged bedside table, a mongolian sheepskin rug at your feet... Yeah, these are the things I daydream about.

*while I've been in love with the idea of an Equipment shirt for years, I tried to fall in love with one this past winter, and just couldn't.  So sheer!  Not what I was looking for at all.  Anyone else have that issue?

After the jump, some silk pajamas that are slightly more reasonable...

krackin' krakoff

He's done it again.  In fact, it's the same shoe that I lusted after before, but now it's dressed for the summer.

Reed Krakoff's raffia oxford seems like the perfect slightly dressy shoe for these gorgeous spring days, and it would take you nicely through the summer and fall too.

After the jump, a few more Krakoff pieces that I wouldn't say no to...

hood rat

I know what you're thinking: How could I possibly need another hoodie?!  Well, I do.  At least, Rick Owens says I do.

And I believe him.  I totally need this leather-sleeved hoodie.  I mean, who doesn't?

from net-a-porter

grand bazaar, grand ring

The Gaia Repossi rings for Zadig & Voltaire are pretty cool.  But can I say that I think the ring I picked up last year at the covered bazaar in Istanbul is even better?  And it was most certainly less than the $320 they're charging for this one. 

I realize this is basically a gloating post, because I can hardly guarantee you'd be able to find this ring even if you made the trip to Istanbul tomorrow.  But you'd probably find some other wonderful gem.  And I guess what I'm saying is, shop online, yes, shop at net-a-porter, of course, but also hunt for treasures in unexpected, personal, out of the way places; both the booty and the process of finding it are often infinitely more rewarding.

more photos after the jump (can't resist playing with my new camera)...

hello moto

3.1 Phillip Lim, making moto jackets like no one else.

 If I had an extra $1,500 lying around, for which I had no real practical use, I think I'd pick up one of these two jackets.

Gorgeous as these they are, I have to admit I still dream about this one from way back when.

sleeveless

How do we feel about sleeveless coats?  Apart from the fact that I personally think they're gorgeous, I wonder if the impracticality of them outweighs the cool factor?  Before you answer, keep in mind that you can layer them over all kinds of things, like leather jackets (to end up with one of those so on-trend leather-sleeved coats we're seeing everywhere), bulky sweaters, even other lightweight coats and blazers.  And that makes them somewhat more practical, right?  Also keep in mind that I just bought one today and am trying to decide whether or not to keep it.   Some inspiration while you mull it over:

Rachel Comey Dunn coat at La Garçonne

Alexander Wang suede sleeveless peacoat at Forward

more photos and factors after the jump...

jamison

Anyone out there looking for ankle booties like the Isabel Marant Dicker, Rachel Comey Mars, or even the Madewell Zipcode but at a much lower price, need look no further.  I have the answer for you in these DV Jamisons.  They're only $119 and ridiculously comfortable.  Available in both black and taupe, I have been wearing mine almost every day for months now and still think they are the bee's knees.  Even contemplating getting a backup pair, which you know means it's true love.

a new edge

I fell in love with all the oxfords and brogues at Church's in London, literally visiting them every day after class to try on different styles and colors (the store on Regent St. has tons of women's styles, even though online there's only a few to choose from), but I ultimately failed to make a decision before my time ran out.  I had been under strict orders from my mama to get myself a birthday present there, so, rather than incur her wrath, on my actual birthday I went to the Church's store here in Madrid.  They have styles and colors that they didn't even have in London!  (And vice versa.)  I went there planning on walking out with some wingtips, but instead I fell in love with these bad boys.   Meet Ketsby:

image from net-a-porter
 

Rock 'n roll menswear power boots.  They are unlike anything I own or have ever owned.  I don't want to anthropomorphize these guys too much, but I was really awed by how much they affected the way I felt about myself when I slipped them on.  That's the power of fashion, people, don't underestimate it!  They bring out a side of me I didn't even know was hiding in there.  And so they're not just a new pair of boots, they're part of the new me.   Pretty exciting stuff.