Posts tagged ‘jeans’
The 10 Piece Wardrobe
Clockwise from top left: Topshop blazer | Isabel Marant shirt | Issa dress | Isabel Marant boots | Proenza Schouler bag | Asos belt | Ray-Ban sunglasses | Asos heels | Equipment blouse | J Brand jeans
The other day a friend of mine put me up to a challenge; she asked me what items I would choose if I was limited to a 10 piece wardrobe. Naturally, my first thought was, “Joseph’s beard! I can’t even limit myself to packing 10 pieces when going on a weekend getaway!” But I was into this challenge.
Before giving her my answer which, mind you, took about 30 minutes to put together, I made sure that I could leave items like underwear and socks off my list. Obviously those are “essentials” but that just seems too obvious to me. Once I got the go ahead to exclude the under-pieces, I began reciting my 10-piece wardrobe list, which I kind of want to turn into a song to the tune of Beyonce’s “Count Down”, but that’s for another time.
Now let’s break this ultimate wardrobe down.
1. The Black Blazer — Boring? Yes. Necessary? Abso-freakin-lutely. I cannot list the amount of times I’ve reached for my hip-length black blazer to add some polish to a look. The fact that it works with dresses, basic blue jeans, and even sweatpants is enough justification for me to own at least five of these, but we’re dealing with a 10-piece wardrobe so let’s just say I own one.
2. The White T-Shirt — Another basic necessity. Much like the blazer, I’ve found that the white tee can be dressed up and dressed down, and functions as one of the more comfortable pieces in my closet. Suffice it to say, I wear my plain white tees as pajamas too.
3. The Day-to-Night Dress — Everyone believes the LBD (Little Black Dress) to be the ultimate wardrobe staple. I used to be one of those people, but I’ve changed my ways. I think that every woman should own a dress that transitions from day to night seamlessly. You want a dress that you can wear to brunch with the ladies before meeting up with Jack from Friday night for drinks. If this is a black dress for you, that’s fine, but don’t feel the need to limit yourself; hence my choice of a bright red Issa number.
4. The Ankle Boot — I never thought of boots as a year-round staple, but ones that let your ankles catch a breeze are comfortable and extreme climate friendly. I tend to opt for ones in a neutral color with a modest heel so that they go with everything and are easy to walk in.
5. The Shoulder Bag — Ok, this Proenza PS11 has been at the top of my must buy list for easily three years. When I first set eyes on it I knew it was the ultimate everyday bag. It’s a reasonable size, sits perfectly at the hip, and literally goes with everything. I know it’s on the pricier side, but for something that’s going to be worn on a daily basis is worth a splurge (though I have yet to pull the trigger). For a more reasonable option, I suggest trying this Rebecca Minkoff cross-body that’s just as versatile and chic.
6. The Neutral Belt — Belts are one of those accessories that add dimension and breaks up silhouettes. An outfit consisting of jeans, a white t-shirt, and some ankle boots (all members of the 10-piece wardrobe) looks far more stylish when the tee is tucked into the jeans allowing the neutral belt to show. At least in my opinion, which is why you’re here. OK…moving forward…
7. Aviator Sunglasses — I’ve never met a person who doesn’t look good in aviators. Their tapered shape and slim frames are flattering on every face shape and aren’t the kind of shades that steal the spotlight like cat eye sunglasses or giant round ones as favored by Paris Hilton.
8. The Simple Heel — It’s up to you whether you prefer the pump or the sandal, but a straightforward heel is as necessary in a woman’s wardrobe as underwear. Just make sure that they go with everything and are one of the more comfortable footwear options in your closet — no one wants to wear shoes that make them walk like a drunk camel.
9. The Classic Button Down — I wear a button down almost every day, but reach for the one with blue and white stripes more often than not. The vertical stripes are flattering, it can be dressed up or down, and if you’re lucky, your boyfriend already owns a few so you can just borrow right from his closet. Whoa! Did I just narrow this down a nine-piece wardrobe!?
10. The Skinny Jean — As much as I love the Mom Jeans, there is nothing I wear more often than skinny jeans. Once you find a brand and cut that fits you like a second set of skin, I guarantee you will wear them until the butt rips. This just happened to me with my favorite pair of Hudson jeans, though I am also a huge fan of J Brand, Rag & Bone, and Paige Denim.
Do you think I’m missing anything? I’d love to know what you think is the ultimate 10-piece wardrobe! TELL ME PLEASE!
Camo Bo Bamo
Trends are bullshit. You know why? Because the minute you say “I would never wear that” you find yourself coveting a similar item only a year or so later. Case in point: the camouflage print. I can attest that back in the day when items from Delia*s and Abercombie + Fitch dominated my closet there were indeed some camo pieces, but it has been over a decade since I even considered wearing it.
Until recently, the print reminded me of my not so stylish pre-pubescent days where braces were color coordinated with holidays and butterfly clips surrounded my ballerina bun. But now I find myself strangely attracted to the print and its surprising versatility. Like plaid or pinstripes, camouflage can stand as well on its own as it can when paired with equally busy prints — i.e. leopard. And so here you see me betraying my previous sentiments of hatred regarding the camo print and wearing it like it’s a necessary staple in my day-to-day wardrobe.
This not only supports my initial statement that trends are bullshit, but also that fashion is fickle. One second you’re swearing off anything snakeskin and then you’re wearing gold snakeskin pants that Snooki probably wore in the first season of Jersey Shore. Oh fashion, you trickster.
Zara jacket & shirt | Hudson jeans | Schutz shoes | BCBG bag | Celine sunglasses | Kenneth Cole watch
// photos by Emily Malan
Flashback or Flashforward?
I have been sitting at my computer eating multiple bowls of Raisin Bran for the past 20 minutes trying to think of something to say about this outfit. Attempts at discussing my qualms with polka dots, need for color during the dark days of winter, and that the above photo kind of looks like I’m scratching my butt have all been made; but what’s really going on here is an outfit that came together when I was running late for a runway show last week.
That instantaneous panic moment when you realize that you have hit snooze 8 times too many and have about 30 minutes to turn your bedhead self into something remotely presentable for the outside world has me running around my apartment like a chicken with her head cut off. And while this situation usually forces me to reach for the classics (white blouse, black jeans, leather jacket, et al), there was something about that morning that told me to ignore my running late dead chicken routine. So instead I honed in on the colors that were speaking to me and how they matched up with multiple pieces in my closet. Tomato reds, navy blues, and woody browns came together to produce an outfit that a preppier Sonia would have worn in college had she not thought ripped t-shirts and smudgy eyeliner the end all be all of fashion. So what say you? Too preppy magoo for me to pull off or something I should emulate more often? Tell me all your thoughts.
Paul & Joe coat | Romwe sweater c/o | C.Wonder shirt | Gap jeans | Dolce Vita boots | Mulberry bag | Karen Walker sunglasses
// Photos by Emily Malan
Let’s Talk: Sheer Blouses
I may have a deep affection for silky blouses, but tend to avoid those of the sheer variety. I loathe the idea of wearing a camisole underneath a shirt, and sometimes a visible bra can be a little too va va boobs. Of course, trying to avoid apparel for me is like trying to avoid shots of whiskey after a few drinks on a Saturday night — it’s just going to happen.
And so, here you see me wearing a shirt made of fabric so sheer you can see my belly-button without close inspection (it’s an innie, by the way). While I have covered up most of this shirt with a structured jacket (it is winter after all), I think there is definitely a time and place for your bra and bellybutton to be in full exposure. Such occasions usually go with the aforementioned Saturday night whiskey brawl, but it’s best to leave such sartorially scandalous excursions to a season that doesn’t involve icy wind chills and snow.
Zara jacket | Tt Collection shirt c/o | Juicy Couture jeans | Manolo Blahnik pumps | Zara bag | Knockaround sunglasses | Met Museum watch | H&M necklace
// photos by Emily Malan
Heart String Band
Having been chained to my bed with a feverish mucous monster for the past seven days, my recent sartorial choices haven’t been, shall I say, “blog worthy.” Leggings and an oversize t-shirt, which I change out of only if a soup stain or snot dribble occurs, doesn’t seem like the kind of outfit updates you come here to find. So, on Saturday as I made yet another venture outside the confines of my duvet and six pillow mashup for more cough medicine, I slipped into a real outfit (including a bra!) to take some style snaps.
There are certain pieces of clothing that I obsess over so relentlessly that I don’t even get the pleasure of dreaming about them. No, these pieces pull so hard at my heart strings that they keep me up at night, taunting my mind with all their beauty and outfit possibilities. Miu Miu’s cat printed Spring 2010 collection is one member of my Heart String Band, and Stella McCartney’s latest resort collection certainly plucks at the base chords, but there are some members of this band that wear down my strings to a point that I can no longer take. Just like some dreams are made to become realities, certain pieces of clothing are made to be on my body, not strumming away at some ridiculous metaphor which I think I’ve worn out at this point.
At last this brings me to these Isabel Marant jeans. The first time I saw them I literally said out loud to François, “Hello, Goooorgeous” (for those of you who have seen the movie Funny Girl, you will get that quote. For those of you who haven’t, go watch it). But alas when the time came for these printed pants to hit stores, my bank account was in no shape to buy them. For months I watched them fly off the racks; I even saw a pair on the L train one Tuesday morning and considered offering the girl wearing them all the cash in my wallet, but I only had four dollars. So I let the tormenting dream fade.
But then while I was bopping around a cute boutique in San Francisco a few weeks ago, the owner and I got to talking about our shared love for Isabel Marant. It was then that I opened myself up to vulnerability and relayed this jean dream to her, praying she’d understand my pain and would at least empathize with me. But she did better than empathize; she presented me with a solution. She told me to call up Barneys all across the US asking if they had the jeans in my size. I gave the owner a giant hug and ran home to call every Barneys imaginable. And with just a bit of fashion fever luck I was able to track down a pair (on mega sale no less!) and have them shipped to my very own Brooklyn doorstep.
So you see, while my sinus headache may be keeping me up at night, I can rest assured knowing that the pair of jeans I was convinced I’d never own are now a member of my denim family.
Mango sweater (similar) | Isabel Marant jeans | Boutique 9 heels | Zara bag | Converse sunglasses c/o
