The Summer Shoe, Part 2

Perhaps an espadrille is just not your style.  Would you like something a little barer, with more of a sandal feel yet just as comfortable?

Look no further than the avarcas.  A traditional Spanish sandal originally made for workers, it can be worn by men, women and children and has a handmade look and rustic appeal that make it great for casual summer wear.  They are natural leather, still made in Spain and updated with more colors and spiffy options like recycled tire soles.

Doesn't this say summer to you?  Tanned legs and pretty sandals.

They come in almost every color you can imagine.  They're available in a wedge style for those who want a bit more height. They also come in an ankle strap version which might appeal to you if you aren't crazy about a sling back.

The original or traditional version came stateside a few years ago and are now widely available. In addition, there are many "inspired by" offerings.  Jeffrey Campbell can always be counted on to knock off a popular style and give it a twist, like this floral iteration.

The best source is www.arvacasusa.com.  They have the widest variety of colors and styles.  I've also found them on Amazon.  Naturally, they've ended up on eBay and Etsy as well.  There is a price point for everyone, though the originals come in at under $80 for women's styles. 

For the non-traditionalist, they're now being turned out with sequins, leopard print and metallic, like the orange pictured above. 

I am fairly certain a white pair will be making it's way to my doorstep soon. 

The Summer Shoe

My BFF and I were in Saks and she tried on Chanel leather espadrilles.  Drool.  That combo of sophisticated leather with the casual jute sole really appeals to me.  If that doesn't say summer to you in an elegant way, what would?  They're heaven and will hit your credit card to the tune of $600.  Ouch.

 

 

Last summer you could not swing a dead cat without hitting a blogger wearing Chanel espadrilles, in either in the linen version or the leather version.

How about these classic leather espadrilles from the website with the catchy name?  They come in different leathers and tons of colors. A traditional style with ultra soft tops, they would be like wearing bedroom slippers.

 

 

 

Craving a bit more style?  These Kurt Geiger snake embossed espadrilles kick the basic up a notch.

 

 



 

 



My personal favorite and voted most likely to end up in my closet are these two tone numbers from Madison.  The online boutique has a variety of espadrilles in canvas, mesh and leather. Prices for all are a reasonable $135. Take 25%  off with MADISONPSW25 until February 7. 

 

 

 

 

Don't see your perfect pair here?  Check out shopstyle.com and search leather espadrilles. You will find them at every price point.  





Style Resolutions for 2014 - part three

The last part of the process, after determining what you want to do with your wardrobe and purging what doesn't work, is deciding what you need.  There may be holes that need filling, basics that have worn out or extras and accessories that will add personality. 

I've decided on a few things, some of which will get wear mainly in the spring and summer, and some that will span seasons.

First, a pair of cognac sandals. I have black sandals in a mid heel and a flat, as well as a dressy light grey sandal. These Via Spiga Fola2 sandals come in black and natural, the latter being the color I'm interested in.  They have gladiator details, a walkable heel and will work well with skirts, shorts and cropped pants.

Next on my list is a white pencil skirt.  The caveat is that it must be washable.  The perfect one is this Jonathan Simkhai knit pencil skirt, which unfortunately has sold out on Shopbop. I keep stalking hoping for a pop back. 

 

It's actually a cream and white blend, as you can see in the close up below.  Washable!  I must have it.

 

 

My wardrobe has a lot of black, grey, white, camel and navy.  Both the above items would work very well with what I already have.  Which is the whole point of building a wardrobe, no?

 

I've been thinking about a patterened jacket. Something to slip over all those neutrals that would work in the office and on weekends. I haven't quite found what I'm looking for yet.  Maybe something like this.

 

 

 

Last on my list (at least for now until I come up with something else to want!!) is a red handbag. I have a camel bag I use for day, a black bag that works well for weekend and errands, and a few good travel handbags that can tolerate being shoved under the airplane seat.  Red would punctuate all the neutrals I wear.  It also happens to be my favorite color, although I wear it very little.

 

What style?  A bucket bag?  A satchel?  I'm open at the moment.  Maybe something like this amazing vintage bag will find it's way to my closet.

 

 

 

What is on your list to add to your wardrobe in 2014?



Obsession: All Saints Reptile Quad Jacket

This jacket has been floating around in my cerebellum since it landed on the All Saints website a few months ago.  It's perfect for me and the climate I live in.  Light leather that is easy to care for - the website says regular dry clean (not the super expensive specialty leather dry clean) - and easy to wear.  Perforated panels with solid sleeves, and the sleeves are short.  What better garment for spring and fall in the desert?  With a long sleeved turtleneck or tee, it transitions easily to winter.  Given that I work in an office building chilled to arctic levels, it would even work in the summer.

In my wardrobe this baby would be extremely versatile, the obvious use being weekend casual.  The streamlined shape and classic cut means it would also work well over a sheath dress, or as a topper to a pencil skirt and silk tee.  Alas, the bank account does not allow even such a well reasoned purchase.  Starting out at $785.00, it was recently marked down 20% to $628.00.  Still too rich for my blood. 

 

If memory serves, All Saints had a code for 4th of July last year, even though they are a UK based company.  Cross your fingers they do the same next week and I can grab this little gem at a discount.



Summer pant

These Tibi trousers.  They're good.

 

 

To a Tee

I love a good tee shirt.  Dating back from high school when my mom bought me three packs of men's size small Fruit of the Loom tees, I've had a love affair with the humble tee shirt. 

The current object of my affection, Everlane.

Soft cotton, available in all the basic colors and a few others offered seasonally, comfortable, washable, perfect with jeans. Everlane also makes a stylish rayon tee with a scoop neckline, the Ryan.  Between the two styles, I have a total of seven. 

The next one on my hit list is the Vince little boy tee.  It's fitted without being too tight.  Paired with boyfriend jeans, it would create just the right proportions.

Sunday Musings - Altuzarra printed pencil skirt

I'm trying not to do any aspirational shopping.  I have pledged to stop buying things that fit the life that I don't lead.  That doesn't stop me from window shopping. 

This hit the Net A Porter sale.  The perfect summer skirt, a beautiful ikat print silk with a charming tie front and sequin trim on the front and pockets.  Can't you picture yourself going to lunch in this lovely skirt and a black silk cami, or out to a dinner with something in filmy chiffon on top?  At the current sale price, that's approximately $450 per wear.  Back to real life.

Altuzarra

 



Big price tag v. small

I like the idea of a drapey, wrappy, sort of Grecian dress for summer. Summer dressing should be simple.  Let's face it, when it's hot you want something you can throw on and go with, that doesn't require tucking in and sorting out.  The drapey dress is easy to find this season, the only decision you have to make is how much to spend.

The upper end is this Day Birger Et Mikkelson washed satin wrap dress, at $320.00.

Forever 21 has a similar option that is superior in one way - it's all cotton, including the lining.  It will set you back $27.80.

We always want what we do not have

Do you ever get obsessed with an article of clothing?  As in, you discover it exists and set about finding it so you can have it yourself, only to find out it's sold out everywhere in your size?  That's when you become officially obsessed.  You stalk links, you call stores in other states, you enlist the aid of your friends.  You might even, ahem, wake up earlier than normal to check the website of a retailer you know updates stock in the wee hours. 

Okay, maybe we're only talking about me here.   

Behold the latest object of my obsession, the Tibi Elsa skirt.  Perfect for summer, no?  It's a knit, it won't wrinkle. Stretchy, yet still made with a zipper and waistband for good fit.  Tapered in, and long enough for tall people and/or those of us who like to wear heels.  With a white blouse for work, with a white tee for weekend, this skirt could do double and triple duty and more than justify the $250.00 price tag.

At first I thought it was a Net-A-Porter exclusive (where it is, of course, sold out).  Tibi doesn't carry it!  Then found it on the site of a tiny e-tailer though not in my size.  I'm usually the same size as the Net-A-Porter model who wore a 2.  The e-tailer had a 4.  I ordered and am anxiously awaiting the package.  Will it be euphoria or crushing disappointment? 

Truthfully, striped pencil skirts are everywhere this spring and if Elsa doesn't work out I'm sure I can find another.  Apparently I always want what I cannot find.

Warm weather leather

I've received a lot of store emails recently extolling the virtues of summer leather.  Summer leather?  What's cool about leather?

Maybe it's not such a nutty idea.  Leather comes in all forms these days.  Some of it is so thin and supple, you would almost forget it's actually leather.  It is very wearable in warm weather, and even once it gets hot if you add a thin silk layer under it.   

Leather shorts are a great way to transition from spring to summer.  This is a simple and sexy look that almost anyone can wear. 

Maybe a top is more your speed.  Perforated leather may be just the ticket to beat the heat.  Ignore the pained expression on this model's face.  This top from Vince, a master of amazing leather clothes, could work well with Bermuda shorts, a flowy silk skirt or cropped pants. 

 

Not ready for a solid leather top?  This top, also from Vince, features a silk back.

 



Stick with a simple silhouette that isn't trendy and won't go out of style because leather lasts a long time. Wait for a sale and you'll spend a little less while still getting an investment piece that will span seasons and work for multiple occasions.   

Grownup Pom-Poms

Despite the title, this is not a T-and-A post. It's really about for-reals pom-poms. I've loved 'em since I was a wee one. See?

But, the whole pom-pom look is trickier to pull off as an adult. Luckily, there are whimsical options out there for those of us who can no longer rock a bare midriff adorned by those sweet little tufts of puffs. This pompom crest tee ($68) from Anthropologie is Option 1.

 

Probably the easiest thing to do is rock 'em in a scarf which tones down the junior/cutesiness factor quite a bit.

 

 

Option 2: La Fiorentina scarf ($58) from Nordstrom.

 

And finally, for you big spenders..... Option 3: A pricey ($155) Tory Burch "Reva" scarf that is just too fun in those bright colors.

 

 

A bonus...

 

 

This Iztapa pompom poncho ($78), also from Anthropologie, is subtle.

Bermuda shorts

For years the words Bermuda shorts conjured up an image like this in my mind:

Now that I am a woman of a certain age, I have come to appreciate the Bermuda short for all it can do for me.  Upper thigh coverage?  Check.  Flattering backside view?  Check.  Cooler than jeans?  Check.  Worn with flats or heeled sandals, they are a polished way to dress for the heat.  They were all over the spring runways.

 

 



Personally I favor Vince brand for Bermuda shorts. I haven't found a pair that fits so well or has such a flattering leg line.  They come in all the neutral colors you'd expect from Vince and, huge bonus, their white version is not see through. They're pricey, but worth it. 

Pink

This morning Net A Porter implored me to rethink pink.  Pink is my worst favorite color.  I have trouble even touching pink clothing on the rack when shopping. What is it about pink that causes such a visceral reaction? It's a pretty color. It's not puce or greige.  It is perfectly lovely.  On others.  I wear pink and look like death on a cracker. Red veins pop out in my nose, my tan turns jaundice yellow, the grey hairs begin dancing on my head. Not good, not good at all. 

Admittedly pink is a wonderful color for spring and summer. What's the sunny alternative?  In my closet it is orange. In my sea of neutrals, orange is the bright spot.  More forgiving to my skin tone while still being feminine and happy.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.