Everyone is raving over The Row, which still shocks me to remember that the Olsen Twins are at the helm of such a successful brand. I feel that The Row is popular due to a few reasons; they pair familiar and easy to wear items with luxe furs and skins, as well as transforming traditional favorites with new fabrics, similar to Alexander Wang [think both labels have leather backpacks].

Velvet pants like Gone Away’s pair and colored trousers like Topshop’s yellow crop.  Pair with a colored blazer like Peacock’s blazer and wrap with a colored belt like Dorothy Perkins’ black leather or Old Navy’s brown.  For looks that border on more traditional femininity, French Connection’s tweed dress is just about perfect piece.

When you’re getting primed for fall layering, knit socks like Toast’s are perfect to tuck within a pair of loafers; Steve Madden’s Madee loafers in black suede and leopard are just the ticket for emulating The Row’s look.

A friend of mine at Occulter tipped me off to this hilarious photo, which proves you never really know what your samples will be up to between when they’re taken and returned.  This beastplate is the Yiksa by Occulter; an exquisite piece made from vintage ivory piano keys., worn by this rather sweaty gentleman.

Like all Occulter pieces, they’re handcrafted in NYC, which makes for a brilliantly beautiful item.  Not all Occulter pieces are at this price point; check out the whole collection to get a full taste of the brand [I recommend the Monoliths #02007 necklace; $167 and Splinter Ring No. 1; $265).

One of my favorite designers is Belgian star Ann Demeulemeester; her dark, moody influence reaches far into everyone’s dark dressing fantasies, though most of us cannot afford her premium pieces.  For those who love to get a little goth in their life, the pieces highlighted from the high street below are going to be a fantastic, affordable way to acquire that dark effect to your look.

Another excellent point from all of these pieces is they have a keen wearability of seperates as well as together, especially the Modstorm trousers and ever popular AllSaints’ Laurella leather trousers.  Blazers and bike jackets are important aspects of the Demeulemeester look; two excellent [and affordable] pieces include Miss Selfridge’s suede biker and Vero Moda’s drapey piece.

Within the world of accessories, you can still acquire genuine leather pieces without sacraficing this month’s rent.  I was very pleasantly surprised at the find of Dorothy Perkins’ obi-style tassel belt and BCBG’s leather tassel necklace are both shockingly affordable.  Nordstrom’s house label leather opera gloves are a bit of a higher tag, though come in a welcome variety of sizes.

Barney’s corset belt follows that same thinking, though you can tell the quality of stitching is high; it all depends on what you can afford.  Both belts would look wonderful over either jacket feautred; can you imagine yourself wearing such a pairing? I can!

Silver collar adornments are heating up this fall, which is perfect for the serial t-shirt wearer or those wanting an extra bam in their daily look without going completely off the reservation.

We’ve got a range of price points, starting with Miss Selfridges’ beaded style, which isn’t metal though the most affordable way to follow this trend.  As for the metal manics, look no further than Dannijo x Man Repeller’s collar, which is handmade in NYC for under $200 (which likely accounts for the back order).

For the elitists (we know you’re there), Delfina Delettrez’s collar draped with pearls.  This piece is the epitome of luxury with it’s feminine silver collar design and draped pearls; the piece is such a beautifully refined throwback look.

Fashion labels creating paper dolls seem to be a new, hot trend in mini marketing.  While it’s doubtful a doll will inspire someone to actually purchase a very expensive Rodarte piece, it’s a neat way for the label to reach out to all fans of their work, and acquirer a batch newer [possibly younger] audience. [Download original image size]

Tweed isn’t just for grandpas and college professors anymore; tweeds are showing up in various modern, even funky styles in FW11.  Tweeds are fantastic for layering, especially when you’re wearing a dress that may be a bit chillier in winter months.  I’m loving the cut of the Proenza Shouler asymmetrical stripe dress and the basic build of the classic Alexander McQueen.

For more delightfully androgynous pieces; Milly’s suiting shorts, Burberry military and the classic boxy cut of the Mulberry overcoat.  For a bit of a unique style, Thakoon’s sleeveless blazer and Bird by Juicy Couture’s bike jacket, perfectly trimmed with a bit of leather. Flats are getting the tweed treatment as well; Robert Clergerie’s Jast and Asos’ very affordable Mister.

A long lasting wallet needs to be two things – black leather.  Black can sustain spills and other potential discoloration, while leather wears and adjusts in shape and texture the best over time.  A Balenciaga wallet is amazing, but let’s face it.. not many have nearly five bills to drop on a wallet.

For a similarly styled piece, Danier Leather has a brogue detail wallet that is not only made from real skin, but is actually on sale (($45 from $59!).  This is an entirely worthy piece that will likely last you enough years to make the purchase worthwhile.  Are you down with Danier’s Balenciaga lookalike?

When it comes to dressing in a colorful way this fall, it’s time to break out the richer jewel tones of your collection.  If you’re lacking in that department, emerald pieces (such as the cutout collar dress shown), mustards and amethyst are my top three.

The dress highlighted is from EgoCloset, an online Canadian boutique I’ve just discovered.  Think of it as a Canadian Nasty Gal, but without nasty duties and import fees.  (They also offer $5 flat fee shipping within Canada and a free first return)

A bonus of rich jewel tones is that they work well with pasty skin tones (I would know) as well as darker skin shades.  It’s always nice to have some color options that don’t completely drain pale complexions, so run with it, fellow Chalkasians!

UPDATE:

I just realized they offer 10% off your next order if you like EgoCloset on Facebook  – get those deals, erryone!

Vancouverites will definitely recognize locally based kick purveyor Native Shoes, since so many people were all over them this summer.  As some already know, Marc Jacobs has collabed with Native to create a special Jimmy duckie boot featuring a Japanese denim upper.

The boot is available only @ Marc Jacobs boutiques and online for $95 US starting tomorrow (September 8th).

The cheers, folks – Zara has finally launched a US online store.  One can only hope a Canadian e-shop for us is on the way (that’s usually the way), though for now we must be content for America finally acquiring an online buying environment.

As a celebration of Zara’s new online availability, I’ve selected a handful of favorite items from the online store.  In the world of accessories, Zara features reasonable prices and decent construction; check the Bulcher lace ups, brown Chelsea boots and the color blocked soft leather shopper.

For clothing, Zara can’t be beat for reasonable work pieces; these can be dressed casually for day to day wear or fit within a professional environment.  I’m particularly into the grey V-neck jumper, ankle crop trousers and the fall delight wide lapel blazer.

The affordable accessory of the moment truly seems to be the leather shopper.  Topshop has a new style with brogue detailing, which is made entirely out of leather and comes in four colors.  Each are $95; my favorite color being oxblood, while pumpkin and coral are also available [tan not shown].

I recently took part in a Klout Perk program, and was provided with a few sticks of Secret clinical strength waterproof deoderant. While I had planned to do a product review, the perfect storm came about accidentally – I had done a last minute packing job [of course] for a three day getaway in the BC Cariboo, and forgotten to bring a stick of anti-stank.

The previous day (Thursday) I’d applied the Secret product, and didn’t have to re-apply until Sunday afternoon when I returned home.  That’s three days away, including a hike in the freaking wilderness.. if you’re looking for a pitt stick that stays with you, look no further.

I’ve been into bulky rings for many months now, so it is quite refreshing to see a pair of minimalistic silver circular styles that are not only sleek, but quite spanking.

One can go for the basic Maria Black Monocle piece, or go for the larger expenditure with the Delfina Delettrez Tourbillon.

It depends on your budget and style, but both rings create quite the statement look.

It isn’t truly fair to say that a style this traditional, though one cannot overlook the importance of the pea coat in cold weather dressing.  I warrant the pea is the most important outerwear style [concerning fall] in existence; higher than the blazer and especially the leather jacket, which is highly inappropriate when the weather turns.

We’ll begin with my favorite, which happens to be the lowest priced piece piece - Topshop’s black wool pea.  For those looking for a few extra admornments, Topshop’s Ultimate pea is an excellent option, while Scotch and Soda’s and Uniqlo’s styles are similarly designed and priced.

For those enjoying finer constructed things, MICHAEL Michael Kors’ wool and cashmere piece is excellently priced for what you’re getting.  Alternatively, Burberry’s classic, Joseph’s Bronx and Golden Goose’s styles are all beautiful double breasted androgynous styles fit for the discerning dresser.

If you’re looking for one piece to invest in, this isn’t the flashiest choice though will be the longest lasting.  When looking, find the most expensive piece you can afford and [ideally] choose something with less embroidery and flash as to avoid giving your piece a trend expiry.

We’re seeing more wide leg cuts this year than in a handful of seasons prior, which begs the question – is your style shift also occuring? I’m not referring to a flare per say (I haven’t worn a proper flare since I was in grade 8), though wide leg trousers are being created that don’t look so tacky and are forcing me to re-evaluate what type of bottoms I enjoy.

To illuminate what we’re working with this season; I’ve created two nearly identical outfits below  – one with J Brand skinny cords and one a Malene Birger trouser cut.  Granted, typically you wouldn’t wear the same look with wides as you would with thin cuts, though I wanted to keep it very similar to illustrate the differences.

Both looks feature Thierry Lasry sunglasses, a light Mint Velvet scarf, tweed St. John blazer, black stripe General Pants tank, bird claw clasp Ann Demeulemeester bracelet and Opening Ceremony platform wedge booties.

I still love a skintight leg myself, though am beginning to think that maybe a trouser cut is something I want to begin to explore within the FW11 season.  What’s your take?