Pleated, pale neon perfection by Rebecca Minkoff. Pair with a little white tee and you're ready for summer.
Rebecca Minkoff Femi Skirt, $228
I am back from the most lovely vacation ever to San Francisco + Big Sur. It was so wonderful to visit my former home after so long, see my brother, and reconnect with old friends in SF, and I'm pretty sure I I left my heart in Big Sur. Pictures to come!
I returned from my NoCal excursion to be greeted by fall in NYC. This weekend abruptly marks the end of the in-betweeny weather and the arrival of true jacket-wearing, leaf-crunching, crisp-smelling fall. Central Park is going to be gorgeous in a couple of weeks, and though I'm being good and saving up for some big ticket purchases, it's all I can do to resist the fall merch arriving in stores. I'm also coming out of my orange phase and really embracing yellow in all forms. From marigold minis to goldenrod sofas and lemon-hued desk lamps, here are some recent discoveries in the key of yellow:
Vintage clip light by earthseawarrior on Etsy. The bright blue cord sets it off perfectly. UPDATE: Sold out :(
Whether floor-grazing maxi or bum-skimming mini, skirts and dresses in eye-popping patterns are the perfect way to celebrate the end of a long winter. From variegated graphic stripes to Navajo-inspired prints to painterly abstractions, some TDF prints:
Rodebjer's chic, summer-ready stripes: Kailua skirt, $230 @ Urban Outfitters.
Grey is an oft-repeated color in my wardrobe, a year-round staple seen more than my friends can stand. I can't seem to dress myself without putting on at least one piece of gris, be it heather or slate, French or dove, putty or smoke. Summertime is no exception, though I tend to go a little lighter in both hue and weight, ditching the rich woolens in favor of slippery silks, and trading chunky weaves for sheer burnout cottons.
Three fine examples of grey gone summer:
I find that grey looks more warm-weather appropriate when it has a bit of a purplish tone to it. Purple + Sage combine to form the loveliest of greys in this Pins and Needles Silk Button Down Lace Skirt, $58 @ Urban Outfitters.
Kimberly Taylor is just 25 years old. Kimberly Taylor's eponymous womenswear label has been breaking hearts since 2009. Kimberly Taylor already has not one but two shops in NYC.
While there are several reasons to envy the precocious, NYC-based design talent, a peek at her latest collection will have you rooting for her. Sex appeal abounds in her micro minis and modern silhouettes, and a vivid palette infuses them with a bit of Crayola-colored fun.
Her softly structured, silk Rose skirt, available in a brilliant panoply of punchy hues, had me at hello, and the wallet-friendly price point pretty much sealed the deal. $135 each.
I'm covetously eyeing these pieces, which just scream "Spring" to me.
Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Skirt with Gold Trim, $430 @ Otte.
I've been a fan of Doo-ri Chung since the debut of her semi-eponymous label at New York Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2005, and I clearly remember the moment I first glimpsed one of her gorgeously crafted pieces in the flesh. I was working at a boutique in San Francisco that year, and my coworkers and I were busy putting the latest fall shipment out on the floor. A collective gasp escaped from us when we discovered among the merchandise a cropped tweed jacket with oversized buttons, beautifully embellished at the sleeves with crystalline beading. It retailed for over $1,000 so owning it was but a wistful dream. Fast forward to 2009, when Ms. Chung cured me of that heartbreak by launching under.ligne, a diffusion line that offers the same play on proportions, deft draping, and distinctive design details that first won me over, but at a much friendlier price point. Some items I'm currently crushing on:
A sheer, whisper-thin draped cardi, $325 @ under.ligne. Available in cream or black.
Friday, at long last! It's strange that an abbreviated work week should feel so long, but no matter because I'm off to DC to see my youngest brother off before he moves to San Francisco (exactly three years after I left it . . . tear).
Before I head out, I thought I'd bring some relaxed-yet-chic, leisure-time pieces to your attention. Bonne weekend!
Nothing says "weekend" like sailor stripes. Bonus points if it's from a cheeky chic French label and features ruffled sleeves. SONIA by Sonia Rykiel Striped Ruffle Top, $275 @ Tobi.
Why have I never thought of it before? Probably because the idea seems to carry with it the unsavory prospect of added girth around the hips and thighs. Who but the model-thin could get away with wearing a chubby mini without fear of appearing pear-like? However, this streamlined, ultrafine knit number by Mara Hoffman has me casting those worries aside. I'm game for its busy pattern of diamonds and black/white/purple color scheme (which is somewhat reminiscent of the Vena Cava Mandinka dress I posted a while back).
Mara Hoffman Knit Mini Skirt, $140 @ Bona Drag.
I've been covetously eyeing the Secrets of Charm for Steven Alan fall collection, willing myself with all my might to stay away, but it's just impossible. It's full of easy pieces that require little more than black tights to instantly style oneself into a chic young thing. My favorites:
I've been looking for a creme silk tank to tuck into pencil skirts for ages, but none felt quite right until I found the Sylvie top, $120. So lovely with long necklaces. Also available in red.
If you weren't willing to brave the wraparound line outside the Opening Ceremony sample sale in freezing cold temps and gale-force winds this weekend, fret not -- you can save an additional 20% off sale items for the remainder of the weekend without having to abandon that fireside cup of hot cocoa. Some pieces to snatch up:
Boy by Band of Outsiders Cropped Shirt, $132 (originally $235) when you enter code WEEKEND20 at checkout.
If you’re on the hunt for holiday gear, this label from a pair of Aussie siblings is a great go-to for feminine looks with all the right frills.
It’s the tutu, re-imagined for grown-ups. Be light on your toes in this delicate tulle skirt. Pair it with a bold-shouldered jacket to make it less frothy. Also available in black. camilla and marc Iris Skirt, $322 @ Shopbop.
