Every girl needs one, right? A gorgeous little splash of red for those days when you just need a little something to pull a dreary ensemble together. It’s a wardrobe staple if ever there was one, and a completely perfect summer-to-fall transition piece. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. But I’m pretty sure I’m right about this…I mean, just look at these ladies: Read on
Happy Friday, friends! In the spirit of all of those holiday wishlists we’re busily making, I thought it was high time I showed off a little early Christmas gift that landed in the SMC closet this week. Meet Botkier’s latest lovely: the Adele Satchel!
Smoking slippers are all the rage for autumn. While they’ve always had a place in the preppy summer wardrobe, the style is certainly going mainstream for late summer and really gearing up for the cooler months. I’ve seen a lot of suede and velvet offerings and my fair share of animal printed ponyhair in trying to determine the right fit for my wardrobe, but the ones that I feel absolutely obliged to share with you are these excellent red/black patterned ones from Joie.
Day Dreaming Flats, Joie, $175
The colour is vivid enough to stand out, but the pattern subtle enough to blend in. I particularly enjoy an orange/red tone for fall, and the combination of a black pattern with brown leather.
I’d naturally pair clean classic lines with a shoe like this, and but can’t resist the challenge of adding an additional pattern. Start with black ankle-length pants (to show off those fabulous shoes), and either be a little adventurous pairing pattern with pattern in the form of a classic red and white stripe, or add subtle colour with a blue button-down.
Pencil Stripe Pullover, Madewell, $58 / Cafe Capri, J.Crew, $90 / Classic Dress Shirt, Brooks Brothers, $90
For either stripes or solids, you have an opportunity to play with the mix of black and brown. Picking up on the Lucy crossbody bag from Botkier that Becki mentioned a few weeks ago, the small size and gold chain handle serves as a great base. This inspires a basic tan belt, and a brown and gold double strap watch. Sporting stripes? Skip a necklace and go with interesting oversized studs with a slightly retro feel, and a gold chain-link bracelet. Basking in blue? Keep with the colour palette of the shoes and add a graphic red necklace, plain gold studs, and perhaps a scarf tied on the side of the bag that mimics the pattern on your flats.
Smooth Leather Belt, Gap, $30 / Lucy Crossbody, Botkier, $295 / Chain Link Scarf, Banana Republic, $60 / Peyton Watch, Michael Kors, $225 / Urban Link Toggle Bracelet, Kenneth Cole, $45 / Button Earrings, Trina Turk, $44 / Knot Post Studs, Trina Turk, $45 / Resin Petal Necklace, Trina Turk, $100
Think about anchoring your outfit by combining classic shapes (boat-neck tees, oxford button-downs, and smoking flats) with patterns and colours as neutrals. Keeping a sense of consistency in the way that you inject a little visual interest in the classics is all in the details. ~ Kate
You know I’m a sucker for a blue bag, not to mention anything from Botkier. Put the two together, and it’s complete coveting perfection. Friends, meet Lucy!
I love the way this pretty satchel takes the messenger trend to much more stylish heights – the chain strap and subtle messenger details dress this bag up in totally unexpected ways, but leave a structured edge that keeps it from being too sweet. The details also add some longevity to the style, which I sorely love…you’ll be carrying this long after the messenger/satchel trend has faded. And at $395, it’s a splurge, but an easy one.
Crossing my fingers I can get my hands on one and show you some styling options…I have so many ideas to take this beauty from summer to fall without batting an eye!
A guide after my own heart – no wonder it’s the longest one. This is for the girl who waits by the mailbox when it’s time for Vogue to arrive, is a walking encyclopedia of what’s “in” this season, and is always on hand to lend style advice for your latest sartorial dilemma. No wonder you two have so much in common.
Have you seen all of the goodness going on at CARDIGAN this fall?
Sigh…I’m pretty sure it’s love. But, truthfully, I’ve always been smitten. Designer Lynne Hiriak has a way with creating the most covetable, classic cardis and striped sweaters – her styles have become a staple in my closet. But this season seems especially wonderful – all of those cozy, chunky knits and bold colors have me ready to curl up by a fire with a hot cup of cider.
While I’d happily snatch up absolutely anything from this collection, a couple of favorites may have made their way to my closet recently. This pretty polka dot Stella crew ($198) is the perfect step forward now that I’m feeling a bit stripe-weary. Wearing it feels just like pulling on your favorite menswear sweater – thick, warm and comfy – but this packs an infinitely superior style punch. Wearing it with jeans and a tee (you’ll want to layer, since it’s wool) is a no-brainer, but I love the idea of taking this up a notch with some warm fall colors.
Paired with: Rachel Comey Mars boot, $385; Rag & Bone Malin pant, $290; Old Navy chambray shirt, $29;
Botkier Brinks shoulder bag (again, I know- it’s just so good!), $425
As is always the case with this brand, the cardigans steal the show. I’ve gotten a compliment (or three) literally every time I’ve left the house in this beautiful Daphne cardigan ($298) – the fair isle knit is so perfect for cold weather, and oh, is it warm! I’ve paired it with everything from summery silk dresses to an all-denim look (it works, I swear!) with my Frye Engineer boots. Since casual is a cinch with a piece this classic, I thought I’d show you how to dress it up a bit.
Paired with: Linea Pelle clutch, $195; Oasis leather skirt, $160 (loving the leather skirts this season!);
Proenza Schouler silk tee, $187; Scout & Catalogue scarf, $118; Frye Naiya platform moc, $173.
You’re feeling warmer already, right? One little tip: these are built for a very oversized look, so if (like me) that doesn’t work for you, you’ll want to size down. (Always a nice ego boost as well, right?)
Do yourself a favor and peruse CARDIGAN’s fall lookbook…if nothing else, the pictures are transportingly lovely, and it will give you oh-so-many styling ideas for the season.
Mostly, though, it’ll make you crave sweaters. Lots and lots of sweaters.
How lucky am I that the one and only Monica Botkier emailed me last month to see if I’d like to check out a beautiful new bag from her fall line, and help her style it up for you all? You can guess how quickly I replied to that email.
Botkier‘s Fall line is probably my all-time favorite from the company, but even so, the moment my eyes landed on the Brinks shoulder bag, I knew I’d met my match.
Friends, this bag has a quality. Like that guy you spot across the bar, and know instantly that you’re in trouble. It’s part lady bag, part equestrian-inspired, it can go over the shoulder or across the body, it doesn’t require major bag-load-reduction maneuvers to carry, and then there’s that delicious cognac leather and mod gold hardware…I’m a big, big fan. The Brinks hits every trend’s sweet spot, but still has a life all its own, so it has all the style longevity you could hope for. Plus, at $425, it’s a splurge, but a feasible one.
To give you an idea of just how versatile the Brinks is, I thought it might be fun if Monica and I each styled a look, so you could see all of the different ways to wear this beauty. You know those jobs that are so easy, they become hard? That’s how it was with this…I had options running through my head nonstop. I came up with – literally – 9 different looks before I settled on one. Turns out, this bag is more versatile than even I’d given it credit for. Monica, however, knew exactly what to do:
{Clockwise from top left: CC Skye earrings, $128; DVF Ahiga turtleneck, $345; that beautiful Brinks, $425;
Lanvin wedges, $1,636 (a girl can dream); Current/Elliott Boa print skinny jean, $198; Eddie Borgo bracelet, $550.}
That look is how you know Monica Botkier has some serious style, my friends. Just look at those snakeskin-print jeans! And that heel…I have instant respect for a girl that knows a good shoe. And Monica definitely knows a good shoe.
As ever, my look’s a bit more girly, a bit more preppy, but no less perfect with the Brinks:
{Clockwise from top left: Michael by Michael Kors watch, $250; DVF Mikhaila coat (adore!), $745;
Topshop dress, $60; Betsey Johnson earrings, $35; that beautiful Brinks, $425; Frye Miranda mary jane, $188;
J.Crew belt, $40; Leigh & Luca scarf, $200.}
(That coat is haunting my dreams, by the way. But anyway…)
Are you already envisioning all of the different ways you’d wear the Brinks? I had a feeling. You can see the entire fall Botkier line here, or just save yourself an hour of waffling and nab the Brinks before it’s gone.