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.   

Imitation is . . . well??

I came across these clutches while browsing Shopbop. 

The Christopher Kon clutches (here) have a leather weave that looks very, very familiar.  That's because it's exactly the same as the Bottega Veneta intrecciato leather weave first created by that brand's craftsmen in 1966.  I'm no expert on copyrights and intellectual property, I have no idea if you can patent a method of weaving leather.  Is it flattering imitation or outright copy cat?

Bottega Veneta

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.

Big price tag v. small

Every girl needs a pair of flat sandals.  Cruising the internet, I came across these amazing Alaia gladiator style sandals, for the handsome price of $1,530.00. Yes, you read that correctly.  One thousand five hundred and thirty dollars.

Gorgeous, no?  When a shoe is more than your monthly mortgage payment, you have to look for an "inspired by" that is budget friendlier. 

eBay to the rescue.  These Schuler & Sons sandals boast a similar swirly leather strap effect for a fraction of the price - under $60 including shipping.  Originally sold by Anthropologie, they went as low as $30 on the sale rack.  All leather, soft and comfortable, the same gladiator style look for much less.

There are still some sizes left on eBay, here.

Aspirational shopping

Women did not used to have so many clothes.  It used to be that they refreshed their closet twice a year.  They had spring and summer clothes, and fall and winter clothes.  They used their clothes over and over again, and handed them down or over. 

Fast forward to today, when mall retailers roll out new stock every month.  Designers show us spring, resort, summer, fall, holiday.  We have a lot of choices.  Far too many choices.  Every time we turn around there is something new to want.  A lot of time and money is spent convincing us we need new things.  All of this has led to a phenomenon I call aspirational shopping.  That is, shopping for the life that you do not lead.  Buying things that are exciting and beautiful but do not fit into your wardrobe or how you spend your time. 

Case in point, Lanvin beak toe booties. 

 

The first time I saw them on the Barney's website, I gasped.  So beautiful, so chic and edgy, so unique.  I had to have them.  I pictured myself wearing them, being noticed for my amazing style.  The thing is, I work in a conservative office and I live in a city so laid back its in a fashion coma.  I had absolutely no place to wear these beautiful booties.  I only managed to find a reason to put them on a few times.  They languished on my shelf in their beautiful blue box.  I had invested a lot of money in them and slowly came to the realization that while I loved them, they were not for me.  For my life, for my job, they were not a fit.  I sent them to consignment and made back part of my money.  I can honestly say it was traumatic, to give up on them and the notion that they elevated my style, and to give up on being the woman who would wear such amazing footwear. 

 

No more aspirational shopping.  I can have some fun and take some fashion risks, as long what I buy is wearable in my real life.  A hard and expensive lesson, to be sure.  

What Not To Wear

The pursuit of fashion can be a slippery slope.  After being inundated with images of something, say harem pants, you might finally buy a pair despite your better judgment.   You may never consider wearing something like overalls, then you'll see them over and over again on runways and celebrities and the next thing  you know there's a pair in your closet.  We all make mistakes.

There are lines we draw, though. Everyone has things they won't consider no matter what.  Here's my list:

1.  Uggs. Sorry, I know they're comfortable.  But damn, they're Ugg-ly.  Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

2.  Crocs.  See above.  Comfortable, sure.  Who wants to wear something that makes you look like you have club foot?

3.  Hi-lo hems.  Pick one.  Go long or go short, don't do both in one garment.

4.  Drop waists.  Good if you're 5 years old.  Otherwise, not good.

What's your fashion deal breaker?

LBD

Can a girl have too many little black dresses?  I did a count in my closet and I have six.  I also have 2 that are navy, which is very close to black, and one that is black with an ivory panel.  What is the attraction?  They're versatile. With heels and a great necklace or scarf, they can go to the office and to happy hour afterward.  Worn with flats and a denim jacket, you're dressed to run errands or go shopping. Throw on a strappy sandal and some fun bracelets and wear the LBD to brunch. 

A great LBD can be found at every price point.  Ponte knits travel well.  Silk suits warm climates. Tropical weight wool stands up to an office job. As versatile as the black dress is, it makes sense to have more than one in your wardrobe for different uses and different seasons.  At least that's what I tell myself.

Maybe tomorrow we'll talk about how many black pencil skirts I have.