Found: Acne Studio's Andromeda is THE Little Black Dress of the Season

LBD's are passé, you say? Well then you obviously haven't met the micro-mini, body-con awesomeness that is the Andromeda, the latest Acne Studio creation. The 90's-inspired textured black number features a sexy ribbon back zip and just screams mischief.  Though my partying days are long behind me, this one makes me want to come out and play.

Don't know how much it costs yet, but I'll be stalking it online. If you can't wait, head down to the studio to check it out for yourself.

Photo: www.openingceremony.us

Cuffs to Covet: Low Luv x Erin Wasson, Dream Collective, and Pamela Love

My friend Lekha and I went shopping last weekend and as we stood eyeing a jewelry display, I discovered that she too suffers from the same, scrawny, child-sized wrists that prevent the wearing of lovely bracelets. Other than the children's section, our only option is the cuff. Lucky for us, I stumbled across these lovelies:

Low Luv x Erin Wasson Welded Cuff, $100 @ Need Supply.

Dream Collective Bow Hunting Cuff, $83 @ Need Supply.

Pamela Love Single X Rope Bracelet in Bronze, $363 @ Forward.

Photos: 
1-2) www.needsupply.com
3-4) www.forwardforward.com

Mission Impossible? The Hunt for the Perfect Anorak

I've been searching high and low for a good army green parka or anorak for a long while, but every time I find one I like, it turns out to have some off-putting detail that just kills it for me -- it either looks hideous with my skin tone, is the wrong length, or is festooned with excessive doodads. However, this fall I've already come across two that look more promising than any I've seen before. Here's hoping one of them works (and here's hoping it's the less expensive one)!

Though I haven't bought anything by them since the 7th grade, Quiksilver's Evolution Jacket is the exact shade of olive I've been looking for! At a wallet-friendly $118, this one's a no-brainer. If you're as smitten as I am, hurry - it's already sold out at Need Supply, but you can still find it at Revolve.

On the more chic (and subsequently more expensive) end, we have this sophisticated Ali Ro Anorak Jacket. I love the way it's cut and the design details add interest without making it too busy. $325 @ Saks. It's much shinier in person than it appears in these photos, and has a very soft, silky texture.

Photos:
1) www.needsupply.com
2-3) www.revolveclothing.com
4-5) www.saks.com

Eyewear Obsession: Han Kjobenhavn

While perusing the men's offerings at Blackbird, I fell hard for these brown gradient frames by Danish eyewear and apparel label Han.


Han Wolfgang Frames in Cola, $175.

The Wolfgang also comes in several other colors, including a really nice Tortoise . . .

. . . and is also available as sunglasses, which make an excellent alternative to Ray Bans.

Photos: www.blackbirdballard.com

My Crush on Frances May, Continued: Silky Blouses from Vena Cava, Dusen Dusen, and Shabd

I'm on a silk blouse kick and once again, Frances May has come to my rescue. I should really just move to Portland already. With all the amazing shopping to be had there, it would surely lead to my financial ruin, so I think I'm actually safer in NYC, where I can only afford to window shop.

I adore the cutout detail on Vena Cava's Sinew Blouse. Features include a button-off collar, elastic cinch waist, and a tiny puff sleeve. $310.

I am in love with the beautiful print on Dusen Dusen's Storm Tee. The boxy shape is great for contrasting with a body-hugging pencil skirt (and it's also the most affordable of the three). $125.

The perfect dye job: Shabd's simply stunning Solaris Blouse. $310.

Photos: www.francesmay.com

Fantasy Friday: Gucci, 1973

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.

I'm not one for flashy logos, but this vintage Gucci reissue is a treasure. With its extra-long gold chain strap, I can just picture it dangling glamorously from a shoulder by night and bouncing happily against a hip by day. It comes in black and olive, and while not priced entirely out of range, I don't think I could justify the expense for a mini bag. If they could dream one up in a deep, rich hunter green I might be in trouble.


Gucci Leather 1973 Mini Shoulder Bag, $760 @Saks. Currently available in black or olive.

 Photo: www.saksfifthavenue.com

More from Dunderdon: A Dashing Sweater

Another winner from Dunderdon -- I love the dashed stripe pattern on this crewneck sweater. $165 @FrancesMay.

Photo: www.francesmay.com

Menswear Obsession: Surface to Air Sailor Sneakers

Part boat shoe, part sneaker-boot, Surface to Air's Sailor Sneaker is the perfect shoe for making the summer-into-fall transition in style. The sandy hue and nautical lace-through detail is appropriate for the still warm days but the boot styling gives it a more substantial feel than your summer Sperrys. $220 @ Frances May.

Photo: www.francesmay.com

From Rachel Comey Cardigans to Viva Vena Dresses, Frances May's Got the Goods

I can't get enough of Portland boutique Frances May these days. Their Fall 2010 picks are all so covetable that I'm glad I live a safe 3,000 miles away, lest I be tempted to stop in and try on these lovely wares. Some pieces I've been eyeing from afar:

Viva Vena by Vena Cava Paper Knife Dress, $187.

Rachel Comey Reversible Cardigan. Perhaps a justifiable expense, considering you get two in one. Black Ostrich on one side, Camel on the other. $364.

Love these Surface to Air Desert Grey Bat Wedges (on sale for $231 but alas, only available in a 41).

Photos: www.francesmay.com

Menswear Must-Have: The Dunderdon Jacket

Sigh. I love this brand (and perhaps all Swedish brands, I'm beginning to think). Dunderdon's outerwear for Fall 2010 perfectly exemplifies former carpenter/founder Per-Ivan Hagberg's guiding philosophy:

“Honest, simple designs are timeless. Our products should represent the highest craftsmanship and innovation, while never compromising on fit and style. We respect the past, but we don’t rely on it." 

Is it just my imagination, or have their price points dropped a bit from previous years? I don't remember it being this affordable. Whatever the case, snatch up one of these before you're left out in the cold:

Dunderdon Short Parka in Army, $195 @FrancesMay.

Lined in a cozy faux-sherling . . .

Dunderdon Outdoor Jacket in Navy, $186 at Frances May. This one takes you from fall to winter and back to spring with a button-out lining and button-off hood. UPDATE: I took bf to the Dunderdon Workshop and he left with this one in black. Looks so good on :)

Photos:
www.francesmay.com

All the Right Trimmings: More Capes from Vena Cava and Chris + Jamie

After three consecutive weekends away from New York, I'm eagerly looking forward to getting back into the groove of things. Despite deceptively warm days, there's an unmistakable chill in the air come sundown, and as depressing as it is to know what's coming, the one thing that perks me up is fall clothes. That, and the promise of hot chocolate to warm my insides as all around me turns to ice.

I like to start building my fall wardrobe with jackets, and as I'm particularly keen on finding a cape this year, I stumbled across a couple of chic jacket-cape hybrids:

There are so many good things going on in this leather trim capelet by Chris and Jamie: from the dusty peach-rose hue to the stand-up collar, plaid lining to leather piping, and a perfectly placed zip in front for when you need a little more mobility with your hands. $178 @ Le Train Bleu.

Vena Cava's Battening Cape is the perfect partner for an autumn forest walk, featuring a shawl collar, roomy hood,  leather piping (loving all this leather piping!), and skinny leather belt. $622 @FrancesMay. Sigh. A girl can dream . . . or save.

Photos:
1-2) www.letrainbleu.com
3-5) www.francesmay.com

Fall Obsession: The Perfect Cape

Nothing gets me in the mood for Fall quite like Steven Alan's autumn offerings, and right now the stores and webshop are bursting with brisk weather wares. This year's standout item? An amaaaaazing hooded cape.

How beautiful is this? Perfect for pumpkin picking, leaf crunching, and cider sipping.  Fidelity Plaid Short Cape, $268. I heart the charming rope toggle closure. One size fits all.

It also comes in a gloriously vibrant red fit for Miss Little Red Riding Hood. Fidelity Short Cape in red, $178.

For those intimidated by the bold color, a longer cape is available in navy for $190.

Photos: www.stevenalan.com

Cardi Time!

September is upon us, and it will soon be time for cardigans to emerge from beds of mothballs and resume their dominant role in our wardrobes. I've been recycling the same trusty old standbys for a while now and while grateful for their service, I'm very much looking forward to acquiring a few fresh toppers this season. A couple of nominees for best non-traditional cardi:

In patchwork-esque argyle, this style from Joie is a great spin on the cocoon cardi. Irisa Argyle Batwing Cardigan, $258 @Tobi.

If it wasn't so darn expensive, this would be my dream. I shall continue to stalk it until it goes on sale. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent 50's Cozy Mohair Melange Cardigan, $467 @Tobi.

Photos: www.tobi.com