i absolutely love the look of this dries van noten blazer from the august issue of vogue, but at $1,300, it’s unlikely i’ll ever even see it in person, let alone own it.  but ever since i spotted it, i can’t help wondering just how hard it would be to recreate on a budget.

image from vogue, august 2010

i’m envisioning a thrifted (or otherwise cheaply obtained) camel or tweed blazer (i found dozens on etsy), maybe a size or two larger than you’d normally wear.  take it to your trusty tailor, along with this photo, and just ask for three exaggerated accordion pleats on either side, right above the pockets, to create that sharp definition at the narrowest part of your waist (you’ll want a larger size jacket to allow for space to create those pleats).

you’ll also probably want the shoulders taken in just a bit, and maybe even need the sleeves narrowed a bit – since the rest of the jacket was purposely too large, you’ll want those sleeves trimmed up to fit you properly.  and, assuming it’s an old-style, two-button blazer, feel free to have her add a third button and buttonhole to make it a perfect three-button blazer.

it’s major reconstructive surgery, i’ll grant you, but i think you could get it done for $50-75 (much cheaper if you don’t need the shoulder/sleeve work done).  add on the $25 you spent for the blazer in the first place, and you have a serious style fix for under $100 (original will set you back nearly $1,300).  not bad when you consider the thousand ways you’ll find to wear your creation.

now to nab that slouchy grey sweater underneath…

first off, i owe serious apologies to dear reader christine, who asked me weeks ago if i’d show her how to wear that american apparel skirt i featured last month.  naturally, i said yes, because i love helping you guys out whenever i can!  but then, i promptly forgot my promise.  fortunately, my brain resurfaced, and i’m ready to tackle the challenge!

and to be honest, the timing couldn’t be better. believe me, you’ll be needing this advice for fall.  every fashion mag for august is telling us that round skirts (with mid-calf lengths, no less) will be all the rage when the weather turns chilly.  personally, i’m skeptical, if only because i think mid-calf lengths are terrifyingly unflattering most of the time.  for me, i’ll be sticking with lengths that just cover the knee…i’ll be close enough to be on-trend, and my legs will look oh-so-much better.

now, on to the styling.  the key with a full skirt is the waist.  it’s the “raison d’etre” of a full skirt…the entire point is to create an hourglass silhouette.  if you keep your top half lean and fitted, and fit the waist of your skirt to the thinnest part of your torso, you’ll end up with a shape that’s flattering on nearly everyone. so even if it terrifies you, wear this skirt at your natural waist – it’s the thinnest point, and will create the best silhouette.  after years of low-rise jeans, i know it’s scary, but trust me.  you’re going for this:

and of course, because we’re trying to create an hourglass, that means no untucked shirts (this one is a struggle for me, i admit).  but if you go for the untucked look, you’ll end up looking more dowdy than anything else:

not ideal, clearly.  though i do think it’s possible to make this look work with an intentionally oversized, slouchy shirt or sweater that can balance out the fullness of your skirt without overpowering it.  but you’ll need a wide neckline, and it absolutely must narrow back out at the waist.  something, perhaps, like this:

in general, for a full skirt, i’d keep the styling relatively simple, but do try to keep the colors and accessories young, or you could end up in donna reed territory.  and don’t be afraid to add patterns!  try a fitted jersey tank, tucked in, with the waist of the skirt kept high at your natural waist (you could even add a belt to accentuate the waist).  add a short cardigan for work (v-neck or a wide scooped neck would be better than a crew, which reads a little 1950s).  or, i love the idea in this month’s vogue of using a longer, thin cardi and tying it at the bottom to create a high-waisted silhouette.  for the weekend, try a denim jacket with the sleeves pushed up.  pile on a few bangles or a great necklace (i’d suggest choosing one or the other, not both), top it off with a simple ballet flat for day or a sandal for the weekend, and you’re set!

i’m not one for self-portraits most of the time (ack! photos of me? on the internet?!), but so many of you asked to see the finished verison of this little project…well, i just felt a moral obligation to share:

(do you love my faux model posing? so chic, i know.)

i was pretty pleased with the outcome, actually!  the whole thing cost about $24, by the time the bill came in from the tailor.  if i were less lazy, i could have saved even more by putting the buttons on myself…alas, “less lazy” is not a trait of mine.  if you missed it the first time, click here for the details on what i did, and how i did it.

what do you think?

i’ve been meaning to show you all this dress since i fell for it a month or so ago at anthropologie.  this might just be the most flattering, most versatile summer dress i’ve come across this season – though the photos on the website just don’t do it justice.  well worth your $98 for the accessorizing options alone, but the fact that this manages to simultaneously enhance the decollette, hide tummy troubles, provide a miniscule waist (even if you don’t normally have one) and be ultra-comfy makes this a definite must-do for summer.

if you stop by the store, they also have the dress in a stunning, universally-flattering shade of cobalt – my personal favorite.  but the gold and periwinkle are really lovely too.

sadly, i actually ended up returning mine…it’s best on ladies 5′7″ or shorter, unless you either have a super-long torso or are riskier with your hemlines than i am.  but if the growth chart fits, you absolutely can’t go wrong.

i loved it paired with that fab leafy necklace i showed you recently and some studded gladiators, but i was also planning to pair with…

a loose, unstructured vest (left open, please) and the biggest, baddest chain necklace i can find, and perhaps even…

a boyfriend blazer and booties, come fall.  ooh, or a leather moto jacket (as long as the length worked…keep it at least a couple of inches below the waistband on this one!).

of course, most of these styling ideas will work with whatever your favorite summer dress is this year…after all, it’s nearly time to start thinking about those summer-to-fall styling options.

it could be that i’m suffering from summer vacation withdrawal, but lately, every accessory i fall for seems to have a global vibe.  lucky for me, it’s a hot trend this summer – after all, what goes better with cool white linen, and casual summer tee-and-tank combos than bright, bold accessories?  so, i’m free to indulge my inner “international woman of mystery” fantasy and manage to be in style at the same time.

this weekend, in the course of checking out shopbop’s beautiful new website, i started browsing for clutches.  i’ve been after a great summer clutch ever since the weather started to warm up, but now that it’s regularly hitting 90 degrees, i’m desperate.  there’s just nothing appealing about lugging a huge leather bag around when you’re hot and miserable.  noticing a little multi-cultural vibe there?  (from left to right: antik batik, $87.50; cleobella, $88; west/feren, $169.40 – all on sale!)

and, going through my “things to blog” folder, i realized the jewelry i’ve been gravitating toward lately all sort of fell into the same category.  getting the look right with jewels is simple, really – go for bright colors or loads of chunky gold, and stack ‘em up.  you can find great deals on authentic pieces if you go to the original source and score some serious bargains.  that gorgeous gold multi-disc bracelet is from a site called kaneesha, an online purveyor of authentic indian clothing…and it’s only $11.  another great source, especially right now, is forever 21.  if you’d rather splurge a bit, one of the best designer options for global gems is rosena sammi – her styles are all the rage in the celeb scene right now, and with good reason – isn’t that ring stunning?

(by the way, i’m sort of ashamed to admit that that lovely green enamel bangle is actually by tori spelling for hsn ($59).  frightening, i realize…but it’s actually cute, don’t you think?!)

this look can feel a little tricky to pull off but, as with so many things, the key is not to overdo. i’d suggest focusing on one specific type of accessory: necklace, earring, handbag, bracelet.  feel free to stack up the bangles (or, for a more subtle look, just pick one striking piece), but don’t pair 20 gold bangles with the necklace, earrings and a batik-print bag.  keep it simple, and you can’t go wrong!

so, have you been embracing the global goods this summer?

in case you haven’t noticed, i’ve toned down the exorbitantly expensive features of late.  not that we shouldn’t all be supporting the economy, but well, i know i’ve been spending more time at gap than nordstrom lately, so i assume the same is true of most of you.

that said, i’m always a fan of the occasional, well-placed splurge.  but how do you decide whether something really is a “worthy splurge”?  today, i’m going to share my cardinal splurge rules with you (exciting, i know).  

at $246, this bold “lollipop skirt” from tibi certainly qualifies as a potential splurge.  plus it’s bold, colorful, and definitely unique.  i spied it over at chick downtown, and decided it was the perfect test case.    

before you even start, make sure you love it.  really and truly.  not just that it’s “fun” or “pretty” or “useful.”  if it’s truly worthy, it makes you smile when you wear it – plain and simple.  once that’s decided, i use a pretty straightforward “3-2-1″ formula to weigh a splurge, as i find that pure logic sometimes helps in the face of unrelenting temptation:

wearability:  can i think of at least 3 completely different ways to wear the item?  

longevity:  can i envision it being worn in at least 2 different decades (other than this one)? 

uniqueness:  is it unique?  or, put another way, do i have even 1 other item in my closet that could do what this item does?  

in the case of this lovely tibi:  wearability options seem pretty endless.  make it classic with a sleeveless white shell and sandals, turn it tomboy with a ribbed tank and boyfriend blazer or leather jacket, or add a cardigan and a scarf to wear it to the office.  as for longevity, i can definitely see this in the 60s and the 80s, and even the early 90s – can’t you see your mom wearing something like this when she was in high school?  and as for being unique, i certainly don’t have anything like it in my closet.

on my 3-2-1 scale, the tibi skirt measures up pretty perfectly.  of course, all of this hinges on fit:  the one rule that trumps all of the others.  a splurge simply has to make you look and feel amazing…or really, what’s the point?

so, what do you think?  is this tibi a worthy splurge to you?

this skirt from brooklyn industries manages the impossible – it’s as frilly as can be, but work the look the right way, and this is the ultimate hip spring floral.  and it’s on sale for $58.

no question, florals are tricky – and in the spring, you risk looking more laura ashley than kate moss if you play them wrong.  but, done right, they’re ideal for the season, and end up looking oh-so-stylish, with that “i just threw this on and look amazing” perfection we’re all seeking.

so, the how to:  first, drop the girly quotient from the rest of the ensemble.  instead of pearls, think heavy chains.  bare legs will work with a bold shoe, but black tights are even better (with the blue, that is – stay bare with the black skirt).  for footwear, my choice is an edgy heel, but heel or flat, stick to black or a bold, bright and non-matching color.  red or hot pink with these cool floral skirts, for example, would be fantastic.  layer a couple of tanks or tees, and pair the whole thing with a blazer or a menswear vest (not a cardigan, unless it’s very oversized and a neutral shade) – maybe even a plaid or striped scarf to top things off.  let your inner tomboy/rocker chick come out to play when you don flowers, and the end result will be stunning.

check out this fantastic piece from whowhatwear with even more ideas for updating a floral.  incidentally, these ideas are also a great way to do the old “shop your closet” bit – you should be able to unearth a floral skirt or two from the ’90s, no?

there’s an old-school fashion adage by which i fill my closet:  once is enough for any trend.  in other words, if you lived through a trend once, you shouldn’t embrace it again.  of course, this spring, that means i’m having to sit out just about everything, because the 80s are back in a big way.  so, i’m considering a slight modification to the earlier rule.  while i definitely think you shouldn’t give a great big bear hug to the trend the second time around, a little tip of the hat is just fine.

when it comes to the rocker chic trend that’s so big this year, here’s what i mean:  if, like me, you’re dying to add a dash of rocker to your wardrobe, just keep in mind that i think it works best when offset by going overboard to avoid the punk trend with the rest of your outfit.  so go ahead and buy the studded handbag, but pair it with a classic ensemble.  a studded bag with a tee and dark jeans manages to be both chic and trendy…but paired with ripped acid wash or a flashdance-style sweatshirt, the same bag just looks tired.  or take a flirty, floral dress and pair it with the edgiest dominatrix heels you can find.

if you’re looking to dabble, you can go even more subtle by adding a few studs to your jewelry routine.  i have been stalking these fabulous medor twillies from hermes for months now.  essentially, it’s a headband-length scarf paired with three stud charms.  you can use the charms with the twilly to create a wrist cuff, a headband, a choker – the options are endless.  or get creative and wear the charms solo on a chain, or slip them onto a headband of your own.  the set with the scarf is $275, but i’m pretty sure you can pick up the charms alone for $175 at your local hermes boutique.  not exactly cheap, but a bargain by H standards, to be sure.  or, grab a studded leather wrap bracelet for $32 at bebe (i can’t quite believe i just recommended bebe).  in either case, keep the rest of the ensemble preppy…almost to a fault.  these pieces will look fantastic with a white button-down, or even to edge up a suit.

so, the moral of the story:  if you’re into the rocker trend this spring, choose one piece, and keep the rest of the ensemble either simple or completely contradictory.  and, at all costs, keep it to one piece at a time, unless you want to look like courtney love’s long lost twin.

what do you think?  will you be going punk this spring?

(editor’s note:  today’s the last day to enter our fab valentine’s giveaway…don’t miss it!)

i was so thrilled to hear that designer michael s. smith had been tapped by the obamas to decorate the private living areas of the white house.  i’m a long-time fan of his style…it’s how i imagine my “grown up” house will look some day.

for those of you that are craving a little more style in your home, or just desperate to re-create a little more obama magic, i thought i’d share some of smith’s signature stylings to help you get the look.

1. traditional twist:  smith is known for taking a relatively traditional room and turning it on its head by adding one out-of-place element.  most commonly he achieves this with artwork.  so, you might see a room with neutral couches, persian rugs, and shelves packed with books…nothing remarkable by itself.  but look for one standout piece – in the rooms above, it’s artwork.  and then, watch for subtle tricks the designer uses to make that standout piece fit in just a bit – you’ll have to squint a bit to recognize them.  in the room on the left, it’s a striped throw with the same color palette as the art, though a dramatically different style.  in the room on the right, it’s the same concept, but with curtains instead.  the end result is that the standout piece remains a standout…but doesn’t feel quite as out of place as it would if there was nothing tying it to the room. 

2. another favorite trick of mine from smith’s playbook is his approach to bedrooms. it’s rare to find a bedroom he’s designed that doesn’t involve a four-poster or canopy bed…it’s definitely his signature statement, and a great trick for bringing drama to the room.  but on a simpler scale, smith always reaches for solid white bed linens, and accents with a boldly-patterned throw at the foot of the bed.  the result is clean, chic, and endlessly changeable.  when you’re bored, just switch out the throw for an entirely new look.  and yes, white can be a dirt magnet…but it can also be bleached.

3. last but not least, i love that smith leaves no corner of the house neglected.  whether it’s an extravagant dresser in an otherwise sparse bedroom, or a mosquito-net canopy over a bath tub, smith knows that the trick to a really special home is leaving little unexpected touches absolutely everywhere.  try propping a gorgeous piece of art up on your dresser, or adding a beautiful (but washable) rug to your bathroom floor.  those little touches really do take a room from ordinary to original, and they don’t require more than a moment of effort.

if you love smith’s style as much as i do, i cannot recommend highly enough either or both of smith’s books:  elements of style and houses.  both are packed full of photos and tips from the designer’s work, and i guarantee there’s inspiration galore to be found.  it’s the best $30 you’ll spend on your house this year, i promise.

i’ll admit, i was a little skeptical of nina garcia’s new book, “the one hundred”.  to begin, i really know her only as my favorite judge on project runway…”nina-garcia-fashion-director-of-elle-magazine” (spoken in a fantastic german accent).  i absolutely live for her bitchy comments about some of the heinous designs on that show.  but i wasn’t sure i was willing to put my entire wardrobe in her hands.

moreover, the title made the book feel like an extended version of that “classic 10-piece wardrobe” myth you hear the occasional fashion guru spout about.  i don’t know who these people are, but i’m pretty confident they have a great deal more than 10 items in their closet.  100 sounded more do-able, but i had to wonder if it was possible for any list to truly encompass every woman’s basic wardrobe needs.

fortunately, nina seems to know this.  she makes it clear at the outset that her “list” is really just a guide, and that it wouldn’t be style unless you put your personal spin on it.  fair enough. 

there’s nothing truly remarkable on this list, except possibly the image of nina garcia wearing converse sneakers (which i simply cannot conjure).  some are obvious: the little black dress, opaque black tights.  some are not necessarily pieces i would have put in a “must own” category:  frye harness boots, a cape.  i’m not entirely on board with what she deems the four handbags on the planet worthy of a splurge, if only because i think the most important thing about a truly investment-worthy bag is that you absolutely, wholeheartedly adore it, and can’t imagine your life (or, at least, your wardrobe) without it.  but i can’t deny that her choices are solid classics.

despite my departures from nina’s style on several points, i still loved the book.  for a fashion novice, it’s a great working checklist, and it provides some timeless words of wisdom (ie, when you buy animal print, go designer – cheap animal print looks just that).  for someone a little farther up the educational ladder in this arena, there is still plenty to learn from nina.  i finally figured out, for example, what all the fuss is about wolford tights.  they’re $80, so i’ve always just mocked and moved on.  turns out, there’s a whole system of weights and measures when it comes to tights, and wolford is the only manufacturer that makes the 80-denier (ie, the most opaque) tights out there.  who knew?  i also never knew that real camel hair is gathered from a camel’s underbelly by professional camel hair gatherers who follow camel herds around the desert, collecting these hairs.  no wonder that coat i wanted last year was $4,000.

like any “guide,” it’s not perfect – it’s just that:  a guide.  if anything, it intentionally doesn’t reflect nina’s personal style…it’s general enough to allow you to find your own style within its confines.  or to decide for yourself, like i did, that frye harness boots aren’t necessarily an essential part of your wardrobe…but maybe those loeffler randall flat boots i’ve been after for a year now would be a good substitute.

whatever your level of expertise, i’m pretty convinced nina has something to teach us after all.  grab your copy today, and let us know what you think.