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...

cut it out

mk and rumi in balenciaga

Remember these?  That was over two years ago, and those damn Balenciaga cutouts still look so good to me.  Time passes though, and since then everyone else has been getting in on the game too.  I, for one, am pretty happy about it.  I know it's a little early to be looking at anything other than flip flops in this heat, but I am already starting to yearn for days when I can wear actual shoes.  But maybe they need to be shoes with holes in them, for built-in ventilation.

minimarket oxfords

So many good options out there right now, so many styles to choose from...

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...

tassels and fringe

Back in Spring 2012 Ann Demeulemeester went a little tassel crazy.  While I honestly have no desire to look like a lampshade or drapery (Carol Burnett's Went With The Wind anyone?), I do think that this distilled version of it is totally beautiful and absolutely wearable.

Granted, it's sold out everywhere but here, so obviously I'm a little late on this one.  But doesn't it seem like we could just loop a beautiful long tassel through a buttonhole somewhere?  Doesn't that seem like a wonderful idea?

Barneys layered the blazer over some more tassels, and even though that's a lot of fringe, I actually think that works beautifully too.  What do you think, will you add a tassel to your life?

sisii

I recently discovered Sisii, a japanese label that makes leather outerwear.  Washed leather.  Washable leather.  Yup, you heard right.  Washable leather.  I have seen these in person and I have to say the effect of the leather treatment is amazing.  They look like aged, worn-in canvas, they drape like heavy fabric, but they feel buttery soft like only good leather can.  Truly amazing.  This fishtail parka over at Totokaelo is available in all these scrumptious colors.