Posts Tagged ‘Zara’

Inspiration of the day

I first saw this picture of Velvet Underground-era Nico back when we were putting together the second Lucky book, and it totally obsessed me, and then I ran across it Sunday and it got me going all over again. I love that she looks all slouchy and louche and glamorous, and of course that she’s reading the paper, because she’s probably sitting backstage waiting for sound check to happen and is bored out of her mind. One fact I learned in my days of writing about bands is that they spend a surprising amount of time sitting around waiting—for planes, for equipment to be loaded off the bus, and of course always for their turn up onstage. And I like how this picture kind of captures that mood—of the stall before the rush.

1.Equipment  2.Frame Denim  3. Zara 4. Acne  5. Apolis 6. Karen Walker

I continue to surprise myself

A tuxedo-style blazer has never been much my thing, but suddenly I’m craving one; specifically one with angular-cut hems like you see here. This is the kind of piece that spiffs up half your wardrobe—and provides a welcome alternative to the office cardi, and that’s never a bad thing.

The snake print is too much but in a very good way.  Dress it down instead of up and you’re aces.

Ye olde under $100 option that doesn’t look like it’s under $100.

I could live all summer in crisp white tops

And I mean that quite literally: if somebody came into my closet, filled it with dozens of attractive and light tunic-y  shirts in varying shades of white, and then packed up every other blouse I owned until Labor Day, I would be one thousand percent fine with that. No one other summer garment pulls off the excellent trick of being both surpassingly comfortable and pulled-together at the same time. And when the weather starts getting all wilty—as it most definitely already has here in New York—that’s the type of thing I like to put at a premium.  This one’s definitely on the beachy side of things, but I’d totally wear it out with jeans and sandals.

I am not an inevitable fan of eyelet—you know how I get about things that skew girly—but this band-collar top has such nice, clean tailoring that I can totally get with it.

The white on white here is pretty elegant.

I tried on this Theory top a few weeks ago and dream of it still: light as air, nicely flowy, brilliantly junk-camouflaging.

A very lady-ish variation I would butch up with my most worn-in jeans.

 

A slightly less predictable choice, but I like the shape, the dots amuse, and it’s on sale.

Taking requests

JP writes to say that she needs help figuring out what to pack for an upcoming trip to Italy. She’s got nothing fancy planned,  “…just touristy stuff. Eating, walking, wine,” she says, then adds, “I would love to see your tips on what you tend to pack on a minimal packing trip.”  Fun challenge, JP: I’m a chronic over-packer who used to be a brilliant under-packer, and who has been reminded—thanks to your request—how nice it can be to go light.

Clockwise from top right:
•  Black tee
• Drapey white jersey top
• Pretty bright printed top
• Tube skirt
• Chinos
• Skinny slouchy jeans
• Bucket hat
• Walkable platforms
• Clogs
• Worishofer sandals (as comfortable as Birkenstocks for all-day walking)
• Bright, light scarf
• Cashmere cardigan
• Casual but interesting dress
• Striped tee
• Light tunic

Print of the week

A palm tree print executed in a palette of black and red is a palm tree print I can get behind.

Capsule wardrobe: spring pants

I have received a few requests from readers to share my must-have list of spring pants—much like the one on tops I quite recently provided for you. And I’m actually glad you asked, because I’m looking to stop defaulting to denim so constantly and rotate in some new options, many of which already exist in my closet, lonely and starved for attention. First up: The easiest thing in the world to sub in for jeans is a pair of casual chinos; they’re always so nice and unexpected in a color other than khaki. Traditionally, I have liked them sized up and super-slouchy, but lately that’s striking me as possibly a bit sloppy. This pair from J Brand is roomy enough to let me feel like myself, but tailored enough to look neat.

 

What could be better than the classic black trouser being given the elastic waist pull-up treatment? This wins my vote for the pant I most want to wear on a plane when I need to look good after the flight. (Check out this less pricey option)

Seasons come, seasons go, my love for cargo pants  remains. They’re a classic by now, and nothing looks better than when you wear them with a white tee or button down and a big pair of earrings. (here’s a somewhat more casual pair I love from Current Elliott).

I am coming around to the idea that we might all be better off with one wildly printed pair of pants in our closets. These have such a classic cut that it keeps the crazy in check—which is what makes them work.

A classic black cropped pant never hurt anyone.