DIY Trend Alert: Jackets w/ Jersey Sleeves, Gilet-Style Torso
Mis-matched jackets and swapped sleeves have become increasingly more trend-friendly of late. Thankfully, this is a trend one can easily DIY; all you’ve got to do is take a jacket you’re tired of (or a vest), and sew on jersey sleeves from an old hoodie.
As you can see from Topshop’s selection, the pieces don’t have to be perfect, and you can mix different materials or even skins to create a unique look. Try this combination with colored leather and dark grey jersey – that does sound awesomely redic!
But A Taste Of Pour la Victoire SS10
Pour la Victoire is a brand synonymous with some of the shoes that friends of mine have squealed over the loudest. This is no coincidence; PLV footwear is treasure-able for different reasons – they feature a distinct throwback style that offers rugged femininity.
The four shoes below are part of the SS10 collection; heels feature on-trend cut outs, summer brights and a basic black for evening. My most favorite is the PLV interpretation of the classic spectator; they are near flat which means ideal for day to day use, and white leather that will only look more kickass with age.
Pour la Victoire is carried at multiple locations in Vancouver, and online – check out the list.
Adorn Your Hands With Nina Peter’s Embossed Snake Half Gloves
Plain crop gloves are so last decade – out with the boring, and in with the blangin’!
Scope these Nina Peter snake gloves; they’re studded, embossed and feature both gold and silver. These gloves are a direct way of saying you’re five different kinds of awesome without saying a word.
You will have to pay close to $160 CA for the pleasure of having your hands partially covered, though methinks if you’re in the market for bedazzled half gloves in the first place you aren’t going to be financially prudish.
If gold dosen’t turn your crank, these gloves also come in blue dyed python and suede; also studded identically to the gold siblings. They are the same price, though in my opinion significantly less hyper rad.
Finding Cheeky Chic in Topshop’s ‘Designer’ Leggings
Even if one would throw their last dollars away to look as on trend as possible, there has to be a degree of self-deprecation to keep oneself from winding up too tightly.
Enter the Topshop ‘designer’ slogan leggings ($44). These effectively poke fun of all label sluts, even if you are one yourself.
These leggings are a humorous reminder never to take ourselves too seriously, unless we’re Anna… then we can do whatever we want.
Four Transitional Designer Boot Picks (And One Shoe) @ Bluefly
Studs, boots and buckles – it’s the footwear recipe of champions, and Bluefly has some prime footwear on sale right now.
These are boots and shoes that follow fall trends, but will be able to be worn easily within transitional seasons right into hot weather months. A cropped boot or nude pump is a safe investment piece, and these pieces are made by your favorite designers.
Check out the Miz Mooz Harlem leather boots ($112), Rock & Republic studded Nika pumps ($177), Jeffrey Campbell Need ankle boots($143) and the Dolce Vita taupe Vince buckled boots ($147).
Totally Sweet On Steve Madden’s Ombré BSWEET Satchel
Oh, lordy.. I was not prepared for the beauty of the BSWEET before I’d had my lunch.
This deliciously ombré leather doctor’s satchel is everything one could want in a bag; the hardware, the contrasting yet complimenting leathers and the size. The BSWEET is actually 12′ (H) x 7′ (W) x 8′(D); in layman’s terms, a large bag indeed.
The price tag is another thing to get sweet on; it’s $168 for all this goodness. If you’re not so into brown, it does come in red and black, though the brown ombré is the sure pick of the group.
Yes, Nicholas Kirkwood Makes Flats
For the ladies more keen on a wearable flat than a ludacris heel, these painted oxfords are going to be worth a second look.
Nicholas Kirkwood, the very same footwear magician that works with Rodarte does make more than a heinous heel to pain your arches. They happen to be oxfords, both with a playful splattering of paint.
These casual flats are not for the faint of spending; each will set you back a cool $795.
I do hope that Kirkwood continues the development of his flats so they can become as spirited as his heels; can you imagine a flat (or near flat) version of his iconic stack screw heels, or contrasting neon leathers?
Please Nicholas, deliver us into flat fantasy land!
Charlotte Sparr Scarves, Laden With Candy Skulls & Cupcakes
It’s nearly time for silk scarf weather, which means we’re all going to be clamoring to acquire something new, fresh and perhaps a little macabre. Charlotte Sparr’s silk prints give us a bit of everything, especially if you layer one upon the other. Each silk scarf is $126 CA, though heartily worth it if you consider the wearing potential.
CR scarf picks include the skeleton, lilac and mint skull+heart and the oh-so-delicious summer cupcake.
Ann-Sofie Back For Cheap Monday Hits Oak NYC
Ultra rad New York boutique Oak NYC has officially acquired a good haul of Ann-Sofie Back for Cheap Monday.
Cheap Monday is notorious for affordable, cutting edge casual pieces and the collaboration with Ann-Sofie Back is only adding honey to our tea. While Oak already had a handful of CM pieces, there are a good lot of new items to get hyped over.
Favorites include the cut out sweater ($68), snake cut out t-shirt ($32), snake cut out tank dress ($48) and the black snake cut out tank ($32).
So affordable, right!
Inspired By Wonderland: Mad Hatter Edition
I have to admit I’m a sucker for the Hatter, and not only because of Johnny Depp’s latest performance. The Hatter consistently makes the least sense out of all the creatures in Wonderland, and for that he earns the top spot. Off beat, off center and unbalanced – that is the key to being as mad as a hatter.
Go for contrasting patterns, earthy colors contrasted with a splash of brights and when in doubt, do the opposite of your styling instinct. Start off with a good top hat, such as Nana’s feather covered design, then get right to the bottom with a pair of H by Hudson brogue boots. Ensure you have some nutty blazers in various stripings and colors, oversized bow ties to go on the oxford shirts and the actual oxford to go under the bow ties. I suggest dancing people, something floral, or even a piece with a ruffled neckline and sleeves.
You must, of course, wear a few thimbles on your fingers (or some gloves with artificial fingernails), have a playing card scarf tucked in your pocket, and top yourself off with a few oddball pins and necklaces.
4 Playsuits Ready For Seasonal Transition
It’s the beginning of the transitional cold to [less] cold season, and that marks the time when you’ll want to be wearing fewer layers, yet still staying creative with coverage.
Playsuits are ideal for this, as you can add cardigans, leggings and jackets over them to style with ease. The four onsies below are ideal in price, design and color – not to mention the fact that it’s a top and bottom in one go as a bonus for the lazies.
Navy is a hot ticket for transitional wardrobes; it’s dark, an alternative to black and is kind to most complexions. If you’re ready to get blue, check out the lace playsuit ($38), or the more casual striped style ($54), both from Dorothy Perkins. For those that are more friendly to colorless pieces, scope the Topshop gold button playsuit ($80), or Aeropostale’s solid grey ($35).
Payless Has The Christian Siriano Curved Heel Pumps!!
The heels we’ve all been whining and waiting for have finally arrived, and they are priced at a very manageable $79.95, though only through Payless’ US sites and stores.
It’s safe to say the Cut Out Cuff pump (top, below) is the pick of the litter, with the All Done Up Mary Jane and blue pointed platform pump following closely behind. They’re already selling like mad, so get your butt in Payless’ online store before your size is gone.
If the summer shoes are this intense, I can’t wait for darker, brooding FW10 Siriano for Payless pumps to be released!
Inspired By Wonderland: Alice Edition
There is much Alice-inspiration occurring in our daily lives; mostly due to the Lolita phenomenon, though some of the love can be traced to adapted costuming from the late 18th century.
If you’re looking to work some Alice into your wardrobe, go for blue dresses or skirts, bows, headbands, a bit of striping, Mary Janes (or other child-like flats) and clock themed pieces. Basically, get incredibly feminine and appear to be chasing a rabbit that is wearing a watch two days slow.
Topshop has a bounty of Alice-esque products, however the neutral Mary-Janes ($110) and the clock face ring ($15) are the top selected pieces. For a casual blue frock, check out Alexa and Alexa’s stripe ruffle design ($85), or the brocade-like Sophia prom dress ($68), top off with some dainty white leather bow gloves ($50) and striped Waddeson socks ($30).
The gold key ring ($40) or pendant ($98) are also nice touches, though to get fully in character, put a liquid into a perfume bottle ($30) ala ‘drink me’, and a few pastries.
New TOMS For A New Summer
As the warmer seasons creep up on us yet again, we get thinking of new flats for our runs to and from the beach. Toms are perfect for kicking off and slipping on again, and they’ve released a load of new fabric types just in time for SS10.
demiCouture picks include the rainbow gingham Botas ($79), Aira Cordones ($79), Novia Classics ($54), Tyler Ramsey hand painted loafers ($68) and the spray painted-alike Gabe Lacktman Cross-Hairs ($68).
Remember, for every pair bought, TOMS will donate a pair to a child in need via their One for One initiative. New shoes, and socially conscious donations made on your behalf in one go – it’s a win.
Just In Case You Forgot How Amazing Balmain’s Pieces [Still] Are…
…we have the new denim bike jacket.
While one person would be entirely insane to spend nearly $4,000 on a jacket that is incredibly trend based, we can still look on in jealously and admiration of the creations of Christophe Decarnin on behalf of Balmain.
If you need any more torment, view the detail shots on Brown’s of this piece – the distressed side pockets, matching copper zippers, perfectly worn denim edges of the buckle straps and [of course] the shoulder shaping.
Excuse me whilst I bitterly weep.
Entering The Summer Striping Frontier With Topshop
Summer stripes means sorbet colors, less black and much more grey. Topshop delivers a good chunk of variation (as always), and provides us a much needed alternative to the ever standard “summer sailor” look.
The key to dressing creatively with stripes is to pick pieces with on trend colors (such as nudes) and get creative when it comes to cuts and designs of pieces worn. Put down that black and white striped t-shirt you’ve got ten different variances of and enter the next stripe frontier!
The mint skinny jeans ($90) are a definite favorite; we’ve been living in solid green denim for seasons now, and it’s time to break up the block color with a lovely, light pattern. If you’re looking for less intensity, these heart and stripe socks ($6) follow the same sorbet hue.
For those lovers of peachy neutrals, the stripe crew sweat ($40) is an affordable alternative to the standard pattern sweater. For those with a higher budget, check out the knitted bicycle jumper ($70) in white and peach striping. When it comes to the true summer heat, no (or cropped) sleeves are good sleeves; pick up a striped crop tank ($32) or perhaps the buttermilk stripe crop tee ($32) for layering under a sheer tank or high waisted bottoms.
Last of all, we have the dark[er] pieces; since we can’t always be light and airy. The blue and white stripe playsuit ($90) makes for easy one-step dressing, as does the graduated stripe bodycon dress ($70) that plays on the ombré dip dye look. If none of these are appealing to a more traditional sensibility, try the double breasted button hotpants ($55) … how sailor-tastic!
PHOTOS OF MCQUEEN’S LAST COLLECTION
It’s what we’ve all been waiting for – images from the Alexander McQueen Fw10 runway show. This is the last new design you will ever see from the late designer.
Both the styling and venue were appropriately regal and went beyond expectations.
Rest easy, Lee.
House of Holland Buckle Jeans Amazes, Bitch Slaps Wallets
These are quite possibly the most ideal denim creation I have seen in a long time; bondage-like buckles, a decent length rise and a skinny leg? Perfection.
While these are some bloody drool initiating jeans by House of Holland, they are a hefty sum of $355 at Opening Ceremony.
For a smaller required sum, there is a rather nice buckled pencil skirt for $220, or even a buckled denim dress for $260.
Henry Holland, you’re killing me double time.
Prepare Yourselves For The Claw
If you’re in the market for a pair of heavy duty footwear, keep your eyes on Solestruck for the next few months.
The trio below are dubbed The Claw, and will be carried by Solestruck sometime this summer. We haven’t been given a delivery date, but we do have a price – they will be $220 to $300.
All’s I know is I’m loving the curved heel shape, and the triangular sole cut out… if only Gee WaWa would make a thigh high version!
Vivienne Westwood Takes On The H.M.S. Argo
Dear Vivienne Westwood and her t-shirts have gone ’round the bend, but that’s what we love about her, right?
This massive t-shirt, which brings a new meaning to the term ‘oversized’ proudly screams “H.M.S. Argo” at anyone that gives half a glance your way.
While it’s not clear which particular H.M.S. Argo Viv was referring to, the original Argo was commissioned in 1758 and served during the Seven Year’s War.
