Tag Archives: theory

best bets from the fall sales

I had other plans for today, friends, but the sales this morning…they’re just too, too good (for all of the codes, from Shopbop to J.Crew, check out my Facebook feed and its never-ending stream o’ deals). I thought I’d share a few of the many, many items lurking in my shopping cart this AM.

Read on

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trend to try: modern menswear

Miu Miu, via Style.com / Ralph Lauren, via Style.com / Giorgio Armani, via Style.com

Erin ~ Menswear is the trend of the season for all you career women out there. Office dress-codes can be incredibly strict, which can make staying stylish difficult, but menswear is one trend that will almost always get HR’s stamp of approval. It’s an incredibly classic look, and there’s something undeniably chic about the contrast between masculine and feminine.

While I applaud anyone who will pick up a patterned suit this season (there are a plethora of cute options at Topshop and ASOS), I’m going to focus on how the rest of us can wear this trend, starting with a classic two piece suit. If you don’t already own one, this season is a great time to invest. Look for classic black, charcoal or navy, preferably in tropical wool so it will work for a variety of seasons. The jacket should be a two button style with slim lapels and a trim fit. It should come with a pencil skirt and slim pants with either a straight leg or a very slight boot-cut. My favorite suit on the market right now is the Gabrielle Tailor Blazer and Ines Tailor Pant at Theory, but Ann Taylor and Banana Republic always have great options on a budget.

The obvious way to wear a suit is to wear both the jacket and pants with just a crisp white shirt underneath, a pair of pumps and your favorite accessories. However, the more modern way to wear a suit is to mix and match the pieces, so let’s split that suit up!

Gabrielle Tailor Blazer, Theory, $395 / Café Capri, J. Crew, $138 / Helen Patent Pump, Audrey Brooke, $70 / Button Down Shirt, Maison Scotch, $70 / Skinny Patent Belt, American Apparel, $17 / Gold Initial & Pearl Necklace, Danielle Stevens, $80

First we have the jacket paired with herringbone ankle pants. The ankle length silhouette is right on trend for fall and the herringbone adds to the menswear feel. A white button down tucked in and buttoned up with a black belt keeps the look classic menswear. However, the gold tipped heels, delicate chevron pattern, cream silk, black patent leather and gold initials necklace keep the look from being too harsh.

Perfect Oxford Shirt, Gap, $50 / Drifter Sweater Vest, Land’s End, $30 / Skinny Silk Tie, Express, $50 / Romelia, Aldo, $90 / Color Lip Last “All You Need is Red”, Sephora, $12 / Ines Tailor Pant, Theory, $255

Suit pants worn with a blue oxford is your basic boring office-wear uniform. Add a shrunken sweater vest for some quirk and make sure to roll up the sleeves and leave the button down un-tucked to keep it from looking too fussy. Try a black silk skinny tie tucked into the sweater vest. I personally love the look of a woman in a tie. The look is very geek chic and not everyone’s taste, but the outfit will look just fine without a tie as well. Heels and a bright lip add a dash of femininity.

Perfect Oxford Shirt, Gap, $50 / Cambridge Cable V-neck Sweater, J. Crew, $88 / Sweet with Pleats Skirt, Modcloth, $45 / Polka Dot Tights, Hue, $14 / Ruffle Flat, Pink & Pepper, $40 / Rose Bangle, Jules Smith, $75

For those who just want to add a touch of menswear to their look but aren’t ready to go full-on androgynous, here’s a much more loosely inspired casual look. A full skirt, polka dot tights and rose gold bracelet are quintessentially girly and contrast nicely with boyish layers. An oxford under a cable knit sweater and patent leather smoking slippers create a look that’s just a little bit preppy menswear and still very feminine.

What do you say? Will you be taking menswear from 9 to 5 this fall?

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virtual shopping spree: shopbop winter clearance

i can hardly believe it’s that time, but shopbop announced this morning they’ve made their final winter markdowns. as i spent way too much time browsing the clearance section, i thought i might as well share a few of my favorites with you.

elizabeth & james silk explorer blouse, $137; theory dolson top, $70 (i’m having a silk shirt moment, what can i say?)

free people boardwalk tunic, $49; vince inside-out striped sweater, $136

tucker classic tunic, $154; elizabeth and james fur-collared poe blazer, $535

frye harlow campus booties, $129; obakki ombre cardigan, $305

anything you have your eye on?

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friday finds: random hits a new high

happy friday, everyone!  this week’s finds, as usual, have no rhyme or reason, they’re just fun things that crossed my path this week on the world wide time waster.  enjoy!

i love nearly everything i see from angela adams, so it comes as no surprise that i fell hard for her gorgeous new sunset rug.  if i had one of those immaculate, offbeat white living rooms…you know, something like this:

this would be exactly the rug i’d want right in the middle.  prices run from $425 up to $3,500, so this hand-tufted wool gorgeousness comes at a price.  but, the good news is i spied a sitewide 20% discount running now through 11/8 (code is CELEBRATE).  so, if you’re in the market…

AAR_HTWR_SunsetPlum_S

i’m also crushing pretty hard this week on theory’s new exclusive pant collection for shopbop.  as you know, this year is all about the trouser, in a big way, and these six styles have exactly what it takes to be instant wardrobe staples.  my personal favorite?  this perfect black-and-white tweed, which i’m just itching to add to my closet…it doesn’t hurt that the last pair left just happens to be in my size.

another great find this week was a tracy reese dress i fell for when i saw taylor swift sporting it on ellen this week.  which means awful, from-tv photos. but hopefully you get the idea.  but i love the high boatneck, the retro elbow-length sleeves, and that pleated skirt.  the whole look is just so 1950s sophistication, and would be utterly perfect to have in your closet as a last-minute cocktail dress.  it turns out, sadly, this one isn’t available online, but you can nab it for $398 by calling the tracy reese flagship store in manhattan (212.807.0505) if you’re so inclined.  something tells me i’m going to be craving lace in a big way this holiday season…these modern takes i’m seeing feel so elegant but still fashion-forward.

ellen1ellen2

speaking of awful photos, for those of you who have been waiting with bated breath to see how the great camel coat search of 2010 came out, you’ll be glad to know we have a winner. after trying the burberry (itchy, and less flattering), and even seriously considering the leap to maxmara (too delicate), i found perfection in a little coat company based in new york called fleurette.  they use loro piana wool (even better than cashmre, if such a thing is possible), and all of the details are hand-stitched.  the exact style is nowhere to be found online, but this is the longer version.  mine breaks exactly at the knee, so it’s a perfect all-around length.  it’s a beauty!

fleurette coat

i hope your week was a little less random than mine apparently was.  have a great weekend, everyone!

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splurge vs. steal: the camel coat

i’ve decided my big splurge this fall/winter will be a new camel coat.  it’s a classic that’s never, ever out of style, and since it’s particularly on-trend this year, i should have dozens of options to choose from.  the trouble, of course, is finding “the one”…that perfect choice that’s sufficiently timeless, on-trend and with that little something extra that makes them really special.

i’m trying my best to track down a stylish, less-pricey option, and have come up with a few choices, but none that i’m head-over-heels in love with.

on paper, this version from j.crew ($325) is exactly what i thought i wanted: a wool-cashmere camel trench.  and the price is definitely right.  but it’s lacking that luxe factor i was hoping to find.  it’s just a little more all-purpose “utilitarian” chic than i wanted.

for a similar price point, i could pick up this version from talbots ($329).  i love that it feels a bit more dressed up, but i’m not sure it’s love.

Picture 12

the color on this version from theory ($645) isn’t quite right (it’s a little dark), nor is the style (i like a belted waist).  but i do like the sharp tailoring, and for some reason, camel under $800 is a hard find this season.

or, for a considerably larger investment, i could get the one i really love.  color’s perfect, styling is divine, and it’s actual camel hair, which explains the price tag.  this one is $1195 from burberry.

Picture 11

it’s a worthy splurge, to be sure – a camel coat really is forever.  but i couldn’t help weighing whether the splurgiest version (burberry, naturally) is, you know, proportionately more wonderful than the others.  and then there’s always the potential that something even more wonderful could come along later, and i’ll wish i had waited.  agh, the agony of the splurge!

this little exercise has helped…i think i’ve made up my mind.  but before i confess, i’m curious to know what you think.  be honest!

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