You know, for the past year we have been looking for over-the-knee boots everywhere. We love the way they look with anything from wool culottes to mini dresses to knee-length skirts. They can’t be skin tight, or super stilettoed - that would just make them look skanky. They’ve been so very hard to find, so we are definitely excited that they are popping up more and more on the runway and in stores. Below, we’ve included some runway favorites, as well as some more accessible pairs you may be interested in.
Rick Owens
Antonio Berardi
Fendi
Versace Flat Over-the-Knee Boot, $1,340.00 at eLuxury
Steven by Steve Madden Insayne Over The Knee Boots, $349.00 at Bloomingdale’s
Frye Paige Cuff Boot, $398.00 at The Frye Company
Dolce & Gabbana Over-The-Knee Rubber Boot, $975.00 at eLuxury
There’s no better way to ward off the impending autumn chill than with a nice warm scarf. This season we’re seeing more and more of these cold weather accessories used not just around the neck, but also on the head, around the waist, as turbans, and draped over shoulders. Paul Smith’s Spring 09 show was BIG on this in particular, but others are doing it too. Makes sense to keep not just your head warm. Plus, it makes sense to be super cute. And these looks help with that.
Our favorite usage is definitely the under-chin knot or as we like to call it the “I’m-shopping-for-potatoes-in Eastern-Europe-while-wearing-Dolce-and-Gabbana” look. Seriously, we love the sweet head scarf. Ahhh… almost makes us want to rev up that Trabant.
You know how much we love anything retro, vintage, old school… classic. (You did see the last post right?)
So of course I am very excited about Andre 3000 (yes the gentleman from Outkast) and his new line that launched recently at the beginning of Spring 09 Fashion Week, with a “Benjamin Bixby Bash” at Barney’s New York, hosted by Charlize Theron and Stewart Townsend. Inspired by classic 1930’s menswear and collegiate themes, the line is a throwback to the time of talkies and big band. So I say go ahead and introduce your man to Bixby. But be careful, ’cause he may just start callin’ you “toots”!
Now if Andre could just start making lady clothes…
Our foremothers were onto something when they wore those full-coverage bathing suits back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s (well on to something in that society wouldn’t really let them wear anything else). No, I’m not talking about that heavy woolen fabric. I’m talking about a shape, that, even if conservative by today’s standards, is undeniably flattering. And lately, we have seen many designers turning out pieces that definitely harken back to these days of yore.
It’s the semi-structured cuts and full hip coverage from earlier bathing suit designs that work extremely well for all figure types. They provide a slimming and smoothing effect for more voluptuous figures than the skimpier string bikinis and high cuts of today and they provide a very streamlined appearance for slimmer figures.
One may think that more coverage means more dowdiness, but consider the bombshell effect these cuts can produce. After all, we’re talking about the times of Carole Lombard, Jean Harlow, and Marilyn Monroe.
Carole Lombard
Continue reading ‘Swimwear Takes a Cue from Decades Past’
This company is a dream for those who are passionate about sustainable (and animal friendly!) shoe design. Or for those who, you know, just love shoes in general. And what gal doesn’t?
Melissa is a 25 year-old company based in Brazil - the same place that brought us Havaianas!
Made of injected thermoplastic, the shoes are an ecologically smart choice since they can be recycled so easily. But just because they’re smart doesn’t mean that they’re dowdy. In fact Melissa not only houses a Creative Director whose background is in architecture, but it also consistently rolls out an ever-changing line of designs created by renowned designers like Karim Rashid, Alexandre Herchcovitch, and most recently, Vivienne Westwood who is putting out an “anglomania” collection.
Here are some of the mouth-watering creations:
