I love a good tuxedo jacket. Love them every single time I see someone wearing one, whether casually on the street or all dolled up on the red carpet. I love them in black, in white, in blush…just love.

So, are you surprised to learn I don’t actually own one? Me too. As much as I love them, I had two problems. First, I wasn’t entirely sure what a casual girl like me would do with one once I had it in my hot little hands. And two, I hadn’t found perfection. Until I spied this version from EmersonMade, that is.

I fell hard for this beauty, friends. Can you blame me? Yet even through the haze of retail lust, I hesitated – I just wasn’t convinced I could make it work. But fashion is the mother of invention (or something like that), and EmersonMade kindly offered to let me take my best shot. I’m always up for a challenge – especially one this fun!

Friends, this is the tuxedo jacket to end all tuxedo jackets. First, the white is perfect – so much cooler than black, I think. Only it’s not really white. It’s a deep, warm cream that’s utterly perfect for fall/winter. It’s also linen, which scared me a little. But it turns out that rough, nubby texture is exactly what this jacket needs to keep it grounded, and to give it maximum style portability from casual to dressy. Plus, the construction is that of a jacket far pricier than this $238 price tag. Fully lined, sharp shoulders, fabric-covered buttons – definitely structured enough to be a serious closet workhorse.

And it’s proven to be a workhorse indeed. As it turns out, this beautiful jacket is the easiest thing to style since the grey cardigan – but infinitely hotter. I’ve been wearing it with everything (and I do mean everything) from a silk shell (this emerald version from Zara is my current fave) and dark denim (I’m partial to J.Crew’s Matchstick) to a men’s-style grey tee and busted-up boyfriend jeans.

{Let’s see…top by Topshop, but I prefer the Zara version I mentioned (and which I actually own), jeans by J.Crew, earrings by Gorjana, bag by Olivia Harris – love! – and scarf by Pucci.}

I even tried it with my favorite tuxedo pants – and it’s flawless, thanks to the luscious cream color (trying to match blacks being nearly impossible, of course). But the best transformation of all was what it did for my LBD (remember the one from LK Bennett?). It took that dress from sexy to structured without missing a beat, making it instantly perfect for a work holiday party/theatre evening/red carpet. This beauty is definitely earning its keep.

{Since I know you’re dying to know: Sequined top by Vince, black tuxedo pants by Burberry, emerald earrings from Gerard Yosca, velvet clutch from Marc by Marc Jacobs, and shoes by Vince Camuto}.

If you have holiday events ahead (and really, who doesn’t?), this is an absolute must. Nab it now and save yourself a holiday season full of wardrobe stress – the answer will nearly always be this jacket, no matter the occasion. Just be sure to do a good job checking the measurements on this piece (thank god for websites that post product measurements, don’t you agree?) – I ended up going down a size.

And PS – if you want one, order it by Thursday, 11/9, and get as much as 20% off by being EmersonMade’s Facebook buddy. What, you weren’t already?

I’ve had a crush on Frye’s Engineer 8R boots ($208) for years. That distressed leather, the buckles…it all creates a tough, take-no-prisoners, vastly-more-hip-than-I-appear style I long for every now and then. But I’ve never taken the plunge, mostly because I wasn’t quite sure what to do with these beautiful boots once I got them home. That downtown vibe is just what I’m after, but I wasn’t sure how to make it mesh with my eternally preppy style. Plus, the height throws me a bit. They’re too high to be “short boots,” and too low to be “tall boots,” giving me serious concerns about the boot height falling in the danger zone of making my calves look like sausages.

But despite all this, my crush persisted. So, when Frye offered to let me try out some styling ideas, I jumped at the chance to test out these bad boys. And I learned a few things.

{The Frye Engineer 8R in sand…so pretty, right?}

First, these are amazing with jeans of all shapes and sizes. You’ll see some wearing them with skinny jeans, and that’s all well and good.

{Left: Keira Knightly, Coolspotters; Right, BlueJeanBruises, whose head I removed in case she doesn’t want to be here!}

(Technically, those boots on the right are the Engineer 12R, but you get my drift.)

But my preferred method is to pair them with a straight-leg jean, cuffed at the bottom. The end result is the perfect balance of prep and rock…or so I told myself.

(Once again, my feet make a SMC cameo…I think all this celebrity is going to their toes.)

Good, right? They also work well with a boot-cut jean, though I think in that case, you have to be careful about keeping the rest of the look more young and fun, or they risk looking woefully out of place. Think moto jacket, not cardigan.

That said, of course, there’s another option for these beautiful boots, and it’s one I’ve always favored in theory but feared in reality. Pair these bad boys with your girliest, frilliest summer dress, and watch them instantly add that dose of edge you’ve been wanting (it also does a great job of translating the look to fall, especially when topped with that same moto jacket…or even a cardigan). Tights are optional – personally, I prefer a bare leg with this look. But in any case, this isn’t a look to attempt if you’re at all self-conscious about your calves – it does bring a bit more attention to that area, and you should never spend the day in an ensemble that stresses you out!

{Clockwise from top left: Evangeline Lilly, Coolspotters; Hailee Steinfeld, Apega/WENN;
Keira Knightly for Vogue, 2007, via habitually chic}

One last tip: if you’ve been trying to figure out how to pull off the maxi-skirt trend for fall, these are your ticket in. Again, go for floaty fabrics like chiffon or silk – paired with these rugged boots, it’s a match made in fashion heaven.

What do you think? Are you ready to give these downtown classics their due?

I’ve been absolutely obsessed with silk this spring.  I don’t know what’s come over me, but suddenly, I can’t resist a pretty silk blouse, in any incarnation.  So, when a few of you emailed me, asking various and sundry questions about how to work this trend, I couldn’t resist chalking my recent purchases up to “research”, and giving you all the info you could ever want on the best of the best.

First, don’t be scared. Silk feels so precious sometimes, but you have to let go of that.  Embrace it, acknowledge there will be drycleaning involved, and wear it with abandon.  (But maybe don’t cook dinner in it.)

Second, size up.  Or at least, size so that your silk is loose, drapey and relaxed in fit.  Fitted silk is a much harder look to pull off, it’s not comfortable, and it’s all wrong for summer.  Because silk tends to flow so well over curves, you don’t have to worry about being swallowed up by a top that isn’t form-fitting, as you would with other fabrics.  Trust me: buy loose, and let the fabric work for you!

With that said, I’ll give you a rundown of the styles that are in heavy rotation in my closet this year.  First up is Equipment.  They’re infamous for making some of the best classic silk shirts ever – soft and luxe, with the perfect amount of substance.  They come in so many colors and patterns, you’ll never have enough.  I particularly love their Signature blouse, because it’s a bit longer than some styles, which translates to more styling options.  While a long-sleeved blouse may not feel like a summer buy, just roll up the sleeves to your elbow, and pair it with a white tank and cutoffs – silk has this wonderful ability to act like built-in air conditioning when it’s left open and breezy.  I also can’t help thinking this would be amazing with a crinkled linen jacket belted over the top.  Yes, you can get the look for less from J.Crew or Madewell, but a silk shirt is only as good as its drape. It’s worth the splurge to get this one right.

Best for: Girls with busts!  The relaxed cut means more room up top, so you’ll actually be able to button it.  I do find it makes my shoulders look a bit broader, but I’m telling myself it’s not a big problem.

Sizing tip: These are supposed to have a relaxed fit, so sizes runs true – I’m a 10, and ordered a medium. It’s the teeniest bit snug in the hips, but I wouldn’t have been able to go up a size.  So, just leave the bottom button undone, and all’s well.

Equipment signature silk blouse, $188-238.

My second love of late has been Tucker.  Their tunics are just so full of color and fun, I can’t help but be happy when I’m wearing them.  Like Equipment, their pieces come in all sorts of fun shapes and patterns (though almost never a solid color).  But, as usual, I prefer their signature style – in this case, The Tunic.  If you’re on the petite side, this could even work as a mini-dress, but since I’m 5’8″, it’s not happening.  These are an investment, but if you’re watchful, you might spot them on Gilt occasionally (ahem…that may or may not be a contraband link…take advantage of it!).

Best for: Everyone! I think these are gorgeous with or without curves, and regardless of height.  (And the little bit of stretch in these styles doesn’t hurt either.)

Sizing tip: I do suggest sizing up on the tunic style if you have curves, as they run very straight.  I went for a large in this style…the medium was just barely too small for my, um, curvier areas.

Tucker Tunic in Trimpin Pond Song, $315; Tucker Tunic in Funny French Birds, $315.

Of course, with summer coming, short sleeved and sleeveless options are a must. If you’re after a loose, breezy option (that won’t break the bank), I recently checked out the styles from Show Me Your Mumu.  They’re polyester, not silk, so they’re an honorary mention here.  They don’t drape like silk, but they’re adorable…if a bit on the hippie side of life.  With unfinished hems designed to fray, and a very loose fit, you might find these best suited for beach cover-up status – but since they’re poly, they’ll do the job in plenty of style (and for under $100). I do think they can be pulled off as a layering piece, but they’re sheer and quite low cut, so you’ll definitely be happier with a tank (or a two-piece) underneath.

Best for: The girls you see here modeling.  Narrow shoulders, smaller chest – the cut adds some breadth to the shoulder/chest area, so if you’re already good in that area, this might not be for you.

Sizing tip: One size fits all…or at least up to a 14, I’d say.

Show Me Your MuMu in Turn The Corner, $80; Original Mumu in I Dream of Zebra, $98

But really, my favorite spot for short-sleeved summer layers is Anthropologie.  They have some gorgeous options this year…I swoon over each and every one.

Pellucid Wings silk blouse, $128; Blazing blouse, $98 (not pictured); Koinobori tank, $78.

So, I’d love to know whether you’ve already been embracing the silk route, or if you’re thinking about diving in now.  Talk to me in the comments, won’t you?

i can’t believe i haven’t talked about this yet…shame on me.  you see, my dear friend, katharine sise, has written a book!  really, that would excite me, no matter what.  but it also happens to be wonderful!

it’s called creative girl, and the best way i can describe it is to imagine the conversation you dream of having with a mentor before doing something drastic like quitting your high-paying, high-reliability day job to design jewelry (which is exactly what katharine did).  you know the conversation i’m talking about: it’s the one where the person you most admire professionally spills every secret to succeeding,  holds your hand as you describe your plan in detail, asks you pertinent questions, and helps you figure out – after hours of analysis – whether your idea is good, and exactly how to get it started.  perfection, right?

katharine definitely writes from experience – she’s wildly successful as a jewelry designer, television host, writer, and countless other areas – but the whole book just feels like a cozy conversation with a (very smart) friend.  the book is complete with workbook-style questionnaires, checklists, quizzes and other activities that i’ll admit felt a little, well, cheesy during my initial flip-through.  but the closer i looked, i realized that if you actually participated in the reading of this book (meaning thinking about the questions and their answers), by the end, you’d almost certainly know whether you had a real business on your hands, and have already done a good bit of the work to get it started.

creative girl is an absolute must if you’re thinking of ditching your day job to pursue your real passion, whatever that might be.  which, let’s face it, is one of those dreams we all test out from time to time, right?

i’m taking a little break from gift guides today to focus on something that’s perhaps a little too near and dear to my heart: layering. i swear, i was cold-blooded in a former life…when the temperature plummets, i’m inexplicably unable to maintain core body temperature for most of the winter. the more clothes i can wear this time of year, the happier i am. but of course, like so many things in fashion, layering is an art…one that’s learned with lots of trial and error.

so, this season, in an effort to help you keep your layered looks hip and well-thought-out, i thought i’d give you a few of my favorite tips and tricks for great layering.

first, start with great pieces. they don’t have to be expensive, but they do need personality! look at that grey cardigan above, for example. it’s fleece, from alternative apparel, and it’s a steal at $68. it’s incredibly comfy, and utterly perfect for layering – i styled it in the two different ways above in about 5 minutes, and had at least 4 more ideas i couldn’t squeeze into the page. it’s warm and classic, but the raw edges and draped collar give it so much style, i literally can not stop wearing it this fall. something like this great draped cashmere vest from vogel10 would also give you amazing layering opportunities, and is a great choice if you’re feeling a little more adventurous.

second, know your weights. not your body weight, your clothing weight. you only want one chunky piece on your top half, or you’ll risk a visual illusion you’re not going for. so grab that great textured cardigan, but pile a sleek, tissue-weight tee and tank underneath. or, find a bold tweed menswear vest (goodwill is an awesome place for it!), but keep the top layer lean and close-fitting.

speaking of which, don’t be afraid to size up on your outer layers. when you’re trying on in the store, remember that you’ll be piling on layers underneath, and you don’t want to feel like a kid stuffed into a snowsuit. go up a size in that chunky cashmere cardigan – you’ll be so glad you did. i’ve been known to buy the same cardi in two different sizes, just for this purpose.

third, get creative! that tired old tee-and-cardigan route is just too easy for a forward-thinking fashion icon like you. next time you’re layering, come up with a way to add a third, or even a fourth piece. maybe you’ll take your favorite summer-weight v-neck cardigan, layer it over a contrasting-patterned tee (i love lace tees for this trick!), button it up, and put a chunkier cardigan, tweed blazer or even a military jacket on top. the effect is that the cardigan looks like a great, tailored vest. layer a favorite cowl or v-neck sweater with a fun tee or tank in a stripe or a bold hue underneath, then top with that same chunky cardigan. and don’t be afraid to mix colors, patterns and texture to add interest. if you stick to the same color family, most anything can be blended with success. or try your favorite jersey dress as your first layer, and treat it like separates – add a vest and blazer on top, tights underneath, and something tells me you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

next, remember that layering doesn’t stop at the waist. instead of your usual jeans, try layering thick, cabled tights under your favorite skirt or wool shorts (though i think the shorts look is best if you’re still comfortably in your mid-20s). add a tall boot or even a little bootie – the trick is to keep bottom layers all in the same color, to keep your legs looking long and lean.

finally, be bold. go out of your comfort zone just a little bit, as an experiment, and play around until you find something great. i absolutely guarantee that if you spend an hour mixing and matching in your closet this weekend, you’ll find new things to try. it’s all about trial and error, and you’ll definitely ‘miss’ on a few. but you’re sure to find a new look (or three) you didn’t even know you had!

what about the rest of you? any great layering tips to share?

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

i’ve been trying for months to figure out a way to work the brogue oxford into my wardrobe, but the fact is i think the style’s just a little too hipster for me.  until, that is, i spotted this utterly perfect brogue boot in the new lilybee collection from simply soles.

talk about love at first sight!  now, on its face, this little boot is about as far from my comfort zone as i can imagine.  to begin with, i have a pretty serious phobia of short boots (for some reason, the idea of the top of the boot showing above my jean hem renders me catatonic, plus short boots with skinnies flatters roughly 15 people on the planet).  and again, styling the brogue was vexing me a bit.  but these beauties just called to me, and i couldn’t resist (a big thanks to simply soles for agreeing, and sending these over for me to experiment with!).

i think the secret to these boots is threefold.  first, they’re a bit dressier than the classic oxfords that i’m seeing everywhere (including on a 60-year-old mom yesterday, argh!).  so, rather than wearing them with shorts and cuffed boyfriend jeans, i’ll be wearing them with more tailored pieces, a much better fit for my style.  second, the short boot doesn’t scare me nearly as much here.  with the menswear-inspired styling, the side goring i’d normally steer clear of is a perfect choice.  plus, there’s no skinny vs. wide leg debate here – a boot or wide leg is the only option here.  and third, the color is insanely beautiful. it’s the perfect distressed-but-polished grayish taupe (not quite as brown as the photos would have you think) that’s going to go with nearly all of my favorite winter looks.

so, what will i be wearing these with, exactly?  i’m so glad you asked!

that outfit on the right?  that’s my winter uniform, right there.  trouser jeans, a great tweed jacket, tie-neck blouse and the perfect long pendant necklace (and those earrings from the temple st clair collection for target…love!).  and i can hardly wait for the weather to turn cool enough to try them with a pair of wool flannel trousers.  add a long cozy cashmere cardigan – in just about any color, really – a chunky hoop earring (love these by acanthus), and a great bag, and it’s perfection.

but these boots can play the casual game too, if i pair them with a simple v-neck sweater, my favorite boot-cut jeans, and a scarf.  maybe i’ll add my leather blazer for a bit of edge, or play around with a straight-leg jean (no skinnies here, please!).  and with that incredibly neutral color, don’t be scared of mixing in other neutrals.  black, brown, grey…the options are endless.

i will caution that this particular style runs a bit on the narrow side (they’re made in brazil, after all).  but a little $6 visit to my cobbler for stretching, and they were an absolutely perfect fit.  and truly, they’re just so pretty in person, i would have done just about anything to make them work.

if you love them too, you can nab them from simply soles for $225, a bargain in the boot world these days, i think.

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.