Posts tagged ‘blazer’
Gauchos, Another Sartorial Breakthrough
OK, you’re probably thinking, “Great, here’s Sonia wearing a mish-mosh of prints again. Bring on the lecture on how to mix-and-match.” And perhaps you’re right; maybe my style has become predictable in that I’ve run out of new ways to wear the pieces in my wardrobe, but I’m not ready to surrender to that assessment. So hear me out. Unlike previous posts of me playing textile mixologist (in this exact same shirt no less), I am here to tell you about the Gaucho pant.
Much like Tevas and Mom Jeans (I swear, I’m almost done referring to them on a daily basis), Gaucho pants were one of my favorite pieces to make fun of as a teenager. I don’t know if any of you have seen Never Been Kissed, but Josie Grossie (played by Drew Barrymore) wears the most awkward pair of spandex Gaucho pants that only fueled the ridicule fire from me and my friends.
Much like sporks or skorts, Gaucho pants are basically a cross between capris and matronly, ankle-length skirts. They billow like a flag in a wind storm and will forever receive curious comments like, “Are those pants or a skirt?” — a direct quote from Never Been Kissed and a man at the engagement party I wore them to earlier this year.
The old me would have hated such questioning comments, convinced that someone or everyone was making fun of me. But as it goes with every coming-of-age story involving a lesson learned, my hatred toward Gaucho pants was quickly swayed when I saw this pair of printed silk Tibi pants many moons ago (I got them for Christmas). I first tried wearing them the night of New Year’s Eve, but my friends told me they wouldn’t be seen with me in public and that I’d never get laid in them, let alone get a midnight kiss. (For the record, I wore something slightly revealing and still went home by myself to a bowl of pasta). I have since worn them to almost every festive cocktail party in the past few months — the aforementioned engagement party, my mom’s birthday, and a 7-course dinner party — and know they’re not going to be retired any time soon. These billow babies may not be timeless, but they are certainly seasonless.
You see, not only do they allow for the breathing room of a skirt, but they provide the comfort of pants — very clutch for those of us who have a tendency to sit with our legs apart (I blame this habit on the all girls school education I had through senior year of high school). So basically what I’m saying is that since I’ve now adopted Mom Jeans and Gaucho pants into my wardrobe, I guess Tevas are the next step in my sartorial, coming-of-age breakthrough. Are you with me!? If not then just watch me look like an idiot in the gif below.
Zara blazer | Topshop shirt | Tibi pants | Gucci heels | Vintage earrings | BaubleBar, Vintage & Hermes bracelets | Gorjana rings
// photos by Emily Malan
Consider the Hybrid
Several months ago I caved and bought my first pair of leather pants. I admit they were a bit snug, but I wanted them to have that extra skinny fit. With a couple of wears and a few too many episodes of sweating on the subway, I was not only in love but convinced that all the hoo-ha about leather pants being the number 1 item women most regret buying was a misconstrued statistic. These edgy pants were comfortable, glorious and cupped my butt beautifully!
But then the worst thing to happen to a woman in skinny pants happened. As I was getting out of an SUV taxi in the most unladylike fashion — legs spread like I was doing a grand plié — I heard a ripping noise followed by a waft of cool air around my nether regions. Looking down, my $Did-You-Really-Just-Spend-That-Much-On-Leather-Pants? were split right down the middle. Thankfully this was a taxi ride home to my apartment so I didn’t have to deal with crotch-ripped pants in public, but I was devastated and mortified nonetheless. Not only did I feel like a hippopotamus but my beloved leather pants were done-zo. Finito. Tombstone ready. This is what all those women were complaining about! Their pants ripped! I’m convinced.
Fast forward a few months later and I came upon a pair of pants that were half leather/half leggings. While skeptic given my previous leather pants debacle, I decided to give these hybrids a go. With a wiggle here and a lunge there, I was in my new skinny fit leather leggings and beyond pleased with their flattering cut and pajama-like comfort. But the ultimate test had to be done because God forbid I rip another pair without the luxury of being so close to home like the last time. So, I turned my apartment into a mini ballet studio trying out grand pliés, grand battements, and just about any other “grand” movement I could think of.
After a good sweat and probably one of the better shows I have ever given my neighbors, I am pleased to announce that not so much as a seam popped. I have since worn these almost everyday and am also pleased to announce that they have barely stretched out. So, if you’re one of the women who curses the moment she bought leather pants or find yourself debating whether or not to take the plunge, I urge you to consider the hybrid. And much like a 1980s mullet or that time in 8th grade when you thought that if you only shaved the front of your legs no one would notice the hairy situation going on in the back, these pants are bound to make you look awesome from any angle.
Rag & Bone jacket | Sahar Dada fur stole c/o | Zara shirt | Paige leather leggings c/o | Khirma Eliazov bag (borrowed) | Pamela Love x Nine West boots | Celine sunglasses | Saks beanie
// photos by Emily Malan
Your Five-Year-Old Self Had It Right
Apologies for the lack of posting this week! As I’m sure you’ve heard, Hurricane Sandy Cohen has taken quite a toll on New York City, but I’m happy to report that Finn and I are just fine.
Now, onto details of this outfit that is nothing like what I’ve been wearing since Sandy came to town.
Printed pants aren’t easy. It’s hard to find a flattering pair, and once you have you’re faced with the constant dilemma of going above and beyond by pairing them with other printed pieces, or keeping it simple with a plain top. As a print lover, it should come as no surprise that I went the above and beyond route.
Here’s my advice on doing so: don’t think twice about matching. I don’t care if there’s a smidge of orange in the print of your pants, that doesn’t mean you should be restricted to wearing an orange shirt; this isn’t prison. Be bold! Clash! Channel mucous and wear a snot green dress with a yellow blazer for all I care! The key is that accessories and outerwear are the perfect way to tie an outfit all together, which is why I went with neutral black accessories and a basic black blazer after I opted for a striped sweater atop my swirly printed pants.
My five year old self didn’t care about matching, and she doesn’t care now (unless she’s going for a head-to-toe matchy pajama look, in which case, match away). I’m done talking in the third person now.
Club Monaco blazer | Joie sweater (on sale!) | Topshop pants c/o | Kelsi Dagger heels | Ralph Lauren bag c/o | vintage watch | C.Wonder, Minusey, Noir and vintage bracelets | Catbird rings
// photos by Emily Malan
Potted Plant
Even though my room growing up was bright pink with a floral canopy and bedding, I hated floral prints. I remember my Mom bought me a down jacket that was orange with big flowers on it and I threw a huge hissy fit about how much I hated it. Brat attack. Sorry Mom.
In the last few years however, I’ve really grown to embrace the whole flower thing; though it still doesn’t hang on my bedroom walls. Since I’m all about doubling up on prints these days — gingham, stripes, polka dots, etc — I thought I’d test my pattern mixing luck with a floral blazer and dress. I’m quite pleased with the results, though a friend of mine told me I look like one of those potted plants on a window sill. Whatever…those are pretty.
LC by Lauren Conrad blazer (I’m baffled as well) | Free People Dress
Pajama Silk
I thought April was supposed to be all about the showers. Now it’s June and it feels like everyday has a 80% chance of rain/thunderstorms. What gives!?
This past Saturday was, thankfully, completely rain free – take that weather man! – so I celebrated by taking out this pair of silky billowy pants that would probably melt from a drop of rain. Lately I’ve felt much more chic and sophisticated in a pair of extra long trousers than I have in a dress and heels. While a lot of that may be because I’m still in desperate need of a tan, there’s something about the cut and tailoring of a good pair of trousers that keep me coming back for me. Extra points if they’re made out of silky pajama fabric.
{ J.Crew blazer, James Perse top, Elizabeth & James pants c/o Bib & Tuck, Schutz heels, BCBG clutch, Ray Ban sunglasses }
