I know camel is the neutral that’s all the rage this season, but honestly, it’s not the most flattering color for my complexion—pale with yellowish undertones. There just isn’t enough contrast and I end up looking washed out. (Ladies with darker skin, you look gorgeous in camel. Keep it up!) Instead, I lean more towards darker tones, like caramel and, my new favorite, rust. I’m really drawn to it this season. I love it’s warm red-orangeness which really complements my coloring. In fact, I think rust looks good on everyone—light skin, dark skin, and everything in between. Not to mention there’s just something so utterly fall about it, no doubt because it’s part of the fall foliage color palette. So, if you’re a little bummed that camel isn’t quite doing it for you, or you just want to break away from the pack a little, rust is a great option.
Clockwise from top left:
Zara Woollen Jersey with Leather Elbow Patches, $90
Hidden Spectrum Peasant-Smock Dress, $315
Topshop Shawl Collar Tux Blazer, $135
Ettika Braided Bracelet, $59
Zara Buttoned Wedge Shoe, $100
RGB Cognac Nail Polish, $14
Schuler & Sons Sepia Saddlebag, $268
And if money is no object:
With temperatures still in the seventies here in New York, it’s difficult to think about sweaters. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be prepared the instant sweater weather kicks in. Mohair is a particularly good baby step towards cold-weather dressing because, while it has all the hallmarks of a a warm, cozy knit, it’s actually quite light and airy. Yes, it will keep you warm, but it will also let you breathe. And, because mohair is generally such a loose, open knit—not to mention it can be a bit itchy on the skin—it’s ideal for layering. A simple camisole under a pullover or a sheer blouse under a cardigan give the knit added dimension.
Mohair’s fuzziness is also great for experimenting with different textures. Try pairing it with something smooth and structured, like a supple leather skirt or crisp pleated pants. Or go the opposite route and wear a cardigan with a silky, ruffled dress peeking out from underneath or a pair of skinny corduroys. The possibilities really are endless.
Left to right:
Alexander Wang Mohair Boatneck Sweater, $475
Graham & Spencer Mohair Oversized Sweater, $205
MinkPink Mess Hall Sweater Tunic, $118
August is bittersweet for me. On the one hand, I’m sad to see summer dwindling away. On the other, I start to get a bit lethargic by mid-August, the sweltering summer days droning on and on. I’m eager for a change, something new.
It’s really no surprise then that I still associate the end of summer with getting ready to go back to school. There’s that same ambivalence: the excitement of starting fresh versus, well, having to go back to school.
Predictably, one of the things I loved was shopping for new clothes and school supplies. The one thing I never bought though was a proper school satchel to carry my books. Sure, I went through backpacks and messenger bags, but never anything as studious and scholarly as a leather satchel. The kind that looks better the more worn in it gets. I love the roomy, rectangular shape, the abundance of pockets to keep everything organized, and all the options for wearing them (crossbody, on one shoulder, or held like a briefcase). But, more than anything, I love the buckles. What can I say, hardware makes me drool.
Here are a few of my top picks for bringing back a little of that going-back-to-school kind of excitement:
Clockwise from top left:
Anthropologie Zipways Bag, $188
Sabina Fold and Buckle Bag, $89
Topshop Medium Buckle Leather Satchel, $100
ASOS Leather Twist Lock Satchel, $118
Marc by Marc Jacobs Saddlery Sophie Leather Shoulder Bag, $478
And if money is no object:
Mulberry Oversized Alexa, $1250
African wax print textiles have been popular in West Africa since the Dutch began bringing them from Indonesia in the late 1800s. So it’s about time they’re finally making their way over the Atlantic. I’m really drawn to them; the big, bold, and brightly-colored prints are perfect for summer. They even seem to be influencing a number of American designers lately (i.e. Marc Jacobs, Rachel Comey, and Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent). Form-fitting mini dresses and skirts look great made in this fabric (like this and this), but if you’re like me and want to take baby steps with the trend, may I suggest a few accent pieces?
Clockwise from top left:
Super Snap Spring Flowers Ankara Clutch, $85
ZUBA Africa Coral Bead Necklace Set, $198
naKIMuli Dookie Bracelets, $10
Yoobu Madame Dakar bag, $70
Anthropologie Josef Wingback Chair, $1698
I once spent an hour staring at Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night. It was for a paper I needed to write for an art history class in college. I stood there, inspecting the canvas the way a teenage girl inspects her pores in the bathroom mirror. I noted every line, every stroke of the brush, every streak of color. I’m sure I kept the security guard on his toes, expecting me to grab the painting and run off based on the intensity and duration of my viewing.
Before that assignment, I’d never spent so much time looking at the details of a painting, opting instead to look at artwork as a whole. I took art in high school and enjoyed painting, but, being the perfectionist that I am, no matter how hard I would try to fight it, all my colors just blended together. The brushstrokes were smooth, melding together and disappearing as if I were frosting a cake. So the thing I’ve always admired so much in others’ work was their ability to use thick, bold, independent strokes, with colors that butted up against each other like boxers in the ring. It was like seeing all the moving parts of a machine in order to fully understand how it works even if you could never recreate it.
I’ve been seeing this painterly abstraction in fashion lately and I like it. A lot. The prints are wild and colorful, adding a depth to the clothing that repeated and symmetrical prints don’t. Every stroke of color and every splatter of dye calls out for your attention. So while you might not get hour-long stares from passersby wearing any of these pieces, they will make people’s eyes linger just a bit longer.
Clockwise from top left:
Olivia Rubin Gaudi Strapless Paint Splash Dress
Ecote Silk Sundress
Anthropologie Watercolor Cosmetics Bag
Topshop Painted Stripe Skirt
Anthropologie Splatter Sneakers
And if money is no object:
I wouldn’t exactly describe my style as extremely feminine—I like black, I like jeans, I like studs. But something pink and frilly has been bubbling up in me as of late and I can’t seem to get enough ruffles. It doesn’t help that they seem to be popping up everywhere. And every time I see something frilly I get a little weak in the knees. Maybe I do have a girly girl buried deep down inside me, who knows?
If you’re anything like me, the ruffle trend is a great way to add a dose of femininity to your wardrobe especially when mixed with something a bit more structured (i.e. a blazer or pencil skirt) for balance. Just make sure not to wrap yourself in ruffles from head to toe or you might end up resembling a 7-year-old girl’s birthday party decoration.
Some ruffled options:
Clockwise from top left:
Anthropologie Moment’s Pause Scarf
Vince Camuto Ruffles Shopper
Rebecca Taylor Summer Soiree Dress
Jessica Bennett Maya Ruffle Flat Thong in Petalo
Grayson Mae Flutter Necklace
Anthropologie Silk Road Blouse
And if money is no object:
Cobalt blue has been used throughout history—from ancient Egyptian tomb paintings to beautiful frescoes painted in the Middle Ages to Maxfield Parrish’s gorgeous skies. Not surprising—it’s a gorgeous color and a bit otherworldly in the way it sort of glows. I mean when was the last time you saw something cobalt blue in nature. Maybe I’m used to the dingy grays and smog-muted colors of New York City, but it’s not often that I see such a brilliant color when I’m out and about. Which is why I’m so happy to see it popping up lately.
I just bought a pair of pleated, tie-waist cobalt blue shorts (below) from H&M’s new garden collection that I can’t wait to wear. The color looks great paired with black (the contrast really makes the blue pop), which is why I might just get impatient and throw them on over some black opaque tights until the thermometer gets back up to 80.
Here are some other great cobalt options:
Clockwise from top left:
Bordeaux Asymmetrical Knot Top
Anthropologie Precious Cobalt Sling Bag
Gemma Redux Blue Agate and Chain Necklace
American Apparel Mount Royal nail polish
Built By Wendy Fine Art Scoop Dress
Marais USA kitten heels
H&M Garden Collection Shorts
And, if money is no object:
