Tag Archives: michael kors

cheap thrills: thredup’s got a brand new bag

{Editor’s Note: The following is sponsored by my friends at thredUP, but opinions and picks are all mine. As always, thanks for supporting these wonderful businesses that keep the lights on at SMC!}

If there’s anything I love more than a new bag, it’s a bargain. So when I heard that thredUP was adding handbags to their fantastic online consignment offerings, I may have gotten a little giddy. Right on trend, nearly-new bags, 100% authentic (I checked – they’ve hired experts to make sure), marked down as low as 1/4 of their original retail price? Where do I sign?

A few of the (too) many styles I’m coveting this morning: thredup handbags Read on

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trend to try: oversized outerwear

 Chloé, via Style.com / Proenza Schouler, via Style.com / Céline, via Style.com

Erin ~ Winter is not my season. As soon as that cold weather blows in, you can barely see me under the layers of sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, and scarves. So a trend that is both stylish and warm? Sign me up. The oversized trend from Fall 2012’s runways can look architectural and very “model off-duty”, while allowing you to layer a few extra sweaters underneath to combat the cold.

Of course, the runway looks are incredibly theatrical and larger than life. So how do you wear this trend without looking like you just bought the wrong size or are impersonating the Michelin Man?

Read on

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all in the details: jeffrey campbell darnell wedge

Kate M.W. ~ Despite the fact that I’m a strong advocate for flats, sometimes a pair of, say, suede platform wedge t-strap colour-blocked heels just catches my eye and I’m hooked. Completely practical? Perhaps not. But there’s something about these Darnell Wedges from Jeffrey Campbell that seem both playful and grown-up, appealing both to my inner child and my subtle chic older self. The mix of black, grey, and maroon provide a palette that’s versatile and easy to work with.

Read on

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all in the details: modern multi-strand pearls

Kate M.W. ~ As a persistent fan of the statement necklace, but also as one who may often find it hard to stray from traditional favourites, I’m always on the lookout for options that balance the two. This multi-strand pewter pearl necklace from Hazel & Marie is an excellent way to capitalize on the classic chicness of pearls, and yet truly embrace the ever-so-popular statement necklace. One part unique with the colour of the pearls (something to play well with fall and winter tones), one part classic (as pearls always are), and of course one part bold.

Signature Twist Pearls in Pewter, Hazel & Marie, $175

A default combination for this necklace would be skinny black pants, an oversized white button-down with a great skinny belt, and your hair thrown up in a nonchalant bun. That being said, the twist on a classic tone of the necklace has inspired something a little different. Though the necklace could be quite dressy, I’m inclined to go with trendy metallic thread jeans (copper and pewter are always an intriguing mix), and a casual grey borderline slouchy sweater with a wider neckline. The idea is to balance bold trendy bottoms with a laid-back top that juxtaposes the necklace.

Grey Dolman Cashmere Sweater, Only Mine, $128 / “The Skinny” in Liquid Metallic Copper, 7 for All Mankind

With two relatively bold pieces already in the styling, it wouldn’t be asking too much to make sure that the rest of the details essentially sign up for a non-compete clause. Conclusion? Serious basics. My daytime staples would be a functional full-sized black tote, easy black ballet flats, and my favourite neutral sunglasses. Feel free to swap in basic black heels and a simple clutch for the evening. Either way I’d keep jewelry category streamlined to a cocktail ring and an oversized chronometer, and perhaps adding pewter pearl or subtle copper studs. Polished fall waves work around the clock, and coppery “greige” eyeshadows really set the outfits colour palette.

Metal Trio Earring Set, Kenneth Jay Lane, $95 / Greige Palette, Dior, $59 / Chelsea Pump, Cole Haan, $298 / Foldover Clutch, Mango, $100 / Tricolor Chronograph, Michael Kors, $250 / Francisca Sunglasses Oliver Peoples, $325 / Legacy Tanner Tote, Coach, $498 / Black Patent Pirouette, London Sole, $165

When working with bold statement pieces and yet still holding tight to your favourite staples, treading the line between comfortable and polished is easy if you keep your style all in the details.

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all in the details: kelly wearstler perforated quartz ring

Kate M.W. ~ I’ve still got Fashion Week brewing in the back of my head, and while the runways may have been looking forward to spring, September + Fashion Week always equates chic fall ensembles of grey and black in my mind. Because it’s all happening in New York, I’ll add a dose of “polished edge” – which is precisely what I thought when I saw this ring by Kelly Wearstler. There’s something industrial about the gunmetal setting, but light and crisp about the clear quartz.

Perforated Quartz Ring, Kelly Wearstler, $145

This fall, the fashion world is revolving around the deep toned colour of oxblood (or bordeaux, or maroon…), but instead of sporting it in coloured or coated denim, I’ve opted for a sleek rolled sleeve shirt. Maroon and grey are the stars of the narrative this week, so while I’m always an advocate of your favourite dark wash skinny jeans – try swapping them in for a worn-in slate tone. They’re equally as versatile as traditional indigo or black (pairing with all nearly all neutrals) but just ever so slightly unexpected.


Grey Carnelian Always Skinny Jeans, Gap, $70 / Roll Sleeve Shirt, Calvin Klein, $78 / Mid-Rise Always Skinny Jeans, Gap, $70

Building off of the colour palette inspired by the ring, I’ve kept the rest of the details humming along in perfect pitch. An oversized men’s gunmetal watch grounds a classic ensemble but plays off the hard industrial tone of the ring, and the small sparkling studs bring in just a touch of femininity. Both tie in edgy studded smoking loafers. Stuck with your indigo skinnies? Add a patterned grey scarf. Opted for grey? Emphasize solid neutrals with a simple black scarf. Either way, keep the overcast colours consistent with the bag – I like this particular selection as the python print and shape are just ladylike enough, and the leather trim brings in the oxblood colour. And since your focal point is a ring, be sure to paint your digits! Stick with the narrative in a chimney soot grey, or set off the grey/gold combination and contrast the bordeaux top with a green-toned deep gold.

City Storyteller Scarf, Madewell, $60 / Chimney Sweep or Wallis, butter London, $14 / M.A.B Mini Python Colorblock, Rebecca Minkoff, $525 / Natalie Watch in Smoke, Fossil, $145 / Brilliance Studs, Michael Kors, $75 / Black Silk-Cashmere Wrap, J.Crew, $75 / Martini Studded Loafers, Jeffrey Campbell, $170

This week’s equation? Polished edge + gunmetal + oxblood = a chic and ever so slightly industrial ensemble that’s all in the details.

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all in the details: joie day dreaming flats

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

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all in the details: alexis bittar wafer earrings

{Editor’s Note: Kate knows what I like. Those earrings! That tunic! I’m obsessed. Sadly, I better move fast – the earrings are selling out everywhere!}

Understated, but striking if you take a second look. Occasionally this is how I think accessories should best be described. It’s a conclusion that I came to when I was recently chatting about the addition of a couple of Alexis Bittar pieces to my own collection over on AnonymousChic. These  white and gold wafer earrings from Alexis Bittar caught my eye, and certainly fit the bill when it comes to being characterized as light and chic.

Gold Wafer Earring, Alexis Bittar, $150

These earrings are simply stylish, and still stunning – a way to heighten the look of an outfit without going overboard. They tread the line between casual (the colour and hammered gold) and dressy, which gives the impression of having put in a little extra effort.

Given the classic style of the earrings, I would either mimic the simplicity (white button-down and jeans) or use them to counter a print. In this instance, I’ve opted for a neutral printed tie-waist tunic from Tory Burch paired with easy navy shorts. Once autumn arrives, swap the shorts for slim cut navy pants or skinny jeans for a seamless transition. When wearing patterns let the colours influence the remainder of the outfit – picking up on accent tones (navy and white) or the base colour of the print (a deep blush-nude taupe tone).

Hana Tunic, Tory Burch, $295 / Cotton Stretch Shorts, Brooks Brothers, $49

The rest of the details should play into similar tones, colour palettes, and style (both in terms of the pattern of the tunic and the simplicity of the earrings), creating a cohesive theme. When pairing accessories with a longer earring, skip the necklace and use one bold item on the wrists.  Start with oversized sunglasses, and then pair a gold watch with a navy bracelet. Use basic nude flats to ground the outfit, and a structured bag to balance to balance the casual nature. If you’re really feeling like highlighting these excellent earrings, pull your hair up into a messy ponytail, otherwise refined beachy waves will keep the outfit from looking overdone.

Oversized Sunglasses, Michael Kors, $66 / Gramercy Crystal Watch, Kate Spade, $250 / Medium Crystal Detail Bangle, Sequin, $28 / Shirley Flat, Elie Tahari, $195 / Classic Satchel, Cambridge Satchel Company, $120

This tunic would always look great, as it’s a well-designed and interesting piece all on its own. What takes it from being a great top, to being an all-together stylish outfit is how the rest of the pieces complement it. Often with style, it’s all in the details.  ~ Kate

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