January 13, 2016

Timeless with a Twist

On Monday, I found a sartorial solution for combatting the winter chill and looking cuter than a button doing it. And even though I fervently suggested thigh-high boots to shield your legs from frostbite, once I spotted these sequin Pilgrim shoes from Miu Miu, I must amend my previous assertions. Forget da boots! Risk the frostbite and wear these!

This Miu Miu outfit is giving me life. The Miu Miu cashmere cardigan is the softest shade of dove grey and the jeweled buttons give it that extra sprinkle of fairy dust. Paired with this box-pleated Miu Miu striped skirt and an eye-catching, elegant Edie Parker clutch, this outfit could be rocked by a trendy twenty-something or a sixty-something suburban housewife. It's timeless... with a twist!

THE LOOK

Miu Miu cardigan, $948 (was $1,355) / Miu Miu skirt, $1,053 (was $1,505) / Edie Parker clutch, $1,195/ Miu Miu pump, $378 (was $775)

THE LOOK FOR LESS

Uniqlo cardigan, $40/ Shop Romwe skirt, $12 / Sondra Roberts clutch, $68 / Kate Spade pumps, $122 (was $328)

January 12, 2016

Model off Duty

by Matthew T. Murray in CASUAL, WORK, STEAL HER STYLE

Not so long ago in a land not so far away, the phrase 'model off duty', or M.O.D., became the buzzword du jour of the fashion flock. The catchphrase became synonymous with the look of cool-girls-on-the-go that typically featured a monochromatic palette, sharp leather jackets, gossamer-thin t-shirts, and distressed denim.

The origins can be traced back not so surprisingly to none other than Alexander Wang himself.

Wang exclaimed, following his critically-acclaimed spring 2008 show, that his customer is his muse: the aforementioned elusive cool girl with inherent style that transcends the trends. At the time, he was referring to supermodel Erin Wasson, whose I-woke-up-like-this look of disheveled hair and smudged kohl-rimmed eyes were the epitome of model off duty.

This outfit was inspired by the models off duty shebang but also by literal model off duty Candace Swanepoel, below. And because it would've been obvious to use T by Alexander Wang (his line of the perfect basics) in this outfit post, I found a cool take on a black tee from Carven and the dopest distressed denim from Saint Laurent.

Add a two-tone pump with a twist (the touch of transparency on this Gianvito Rossi shoe is hella chic) and a sleek jet black belt with a bling-bling Gucci logo. A glossy red top-handle bag gives the perfect pop to a black-and-white look.

Because it's freezing outside, add a streamlined black topcoat - I love this one from Zara. And feel free to tie a denim chambray shirt around your waist like Candace and you're good to go!

THE LOOK

Gucci leather belt, $330 / Carven cap sleeve top, $170 / Gianvito Rossi 'Plexi' pumps, $745 / Saint Laurent jeans, $890 / Saint Laurent bag, $2,750

THE LOOK FOR LESS

ASOS belt, $9 / H&M t-shirt, $10/ Carlos by Carlos Santana pump, $80 / H&M jeans, $15/ Maykool bag, $24

January 11, 2016

A Sartorial Solution to Chilly Winter Temps

by Matthew T. Murray in CASUAL, WORK

While pondering the coming of winter (hayyy Game of Thrones!) and more appropriately what one wears for said coming, I may have discovered a sartorial solution.

Cable knit sweater + skirt + thigh-high boots = an outfit functional and fashionable for chilly temps. Cable knit sweaters have been paired with skirts by fashion girls for quite some time but adding these Stuart Weitzman thigh-highs make the look winter-ready.

Plus, if you plan on GTFO'ing winter by heading to some tropical destination, the skirt will pair pretty with your new Kiini bikini and silver gladiator sandals. A seasonless skirt that does double-duty is a smart wardrobe investment and this Marc Jacobs marigold floral pleated option is pretty pickings (plus, marigold had a major moment at last night's Golden Globes when Jennifer Lopez absolutely slayed on the red carpet).