Runway To Racks: How Fashion Gets Knocked Off
There's that infamous cerulean speech from The Devil Wears Prada that introduced a lot of the world to fashion's domino-line of production. But, in reality, the process that puts a look on the runway, debuts it in stores, and then gets that exact look replicated for a fraction of the original cost is much more complicated, more calculated, and — dare we say it? — a little more menacing than even Miranda Priestly.
How exactly is it that a look can go from the runway to the $20 sale rack in just a few months? And how is it legal? Hold onto your blue sweaters, ladies — we've got the full story on how fashion get knocked off, all the way from the runway to the bargain bin.
How To Layer For A Summer Wedding
As this gorgeous weather settles over us, one question rings out all over Chicago: What do I wear to a wedding? (Say it with a little panic in your voice, and you know you're truly a local.) Well, today we answer it.
Wedding season in Chi-town is fast and furious, and before you know it, half of your summer weekends are dedicated to other people's matrimonial bliss. Add in some tricky weather and our infamous winds, and you've got a serious dressing dilemma. Even if you've found the perfect gown (well done!), you're still going to have to bring along something to wear over it, should the temperature (or blasting air conditioning) demand it. So, we picked four amazing dresses for the stylish wedding guest, and to sweeten the deal, we also paired them with the ideal layering piece to make sure you're not stuck borrowing a huge, rented tuxedo jacket all night long. Eww.
Wedding season in Chi-town is fast and furious, and before you know it, half of your summer weekends are dedicated to other people's matrimonial bliss. Add in some tricky weather and our infamous winds, and you've got a serious dressing dilemma. Even if you've found the perfect gown (well done!), you're still going to have to bring along something to wear over it, should the temperature (or blasting air conditioning) demand it. So, we picked four amazing dresses for the stylish wedding guest, and to sweeten the deal, we also paired them with the ideal layering piece to make sure you're not stuck borrowing a huge, rented tuxedo jacket all night long. Eww.
My Style: Inside Genevieve Jones' Stellar Soho Loft (And Closet!)
You always see her in Vogue. She's been snapped by Billy Farrell and co. more times than we can count. Zac Posen and Lauren Santo Domingo are in her inner circle. The It girl in question is known other than ultimate jet-setter Genevieve Jones, whose glam outfits — always just the perfect amount of offbeat — have been inspiring our vintage shopping habits since she moved here from Louisiana. More than just a social butterfly, the Southern transplant has translated her unique style, or "Fashion forward classic!" as she describes it, into an eponymous jewelry line (and now handbags!) that channels her globe-trotting and understated decadence. Sold at influential boutiques like The Webster and Collette, Jones' creations, like the iconic safety pin earrings, have been spied on trendsetters like Kate Moss and Rihanna. To get in on her dressing secrets, we toured the designer's airy Lafayette Street loft, where Jones tried on her favorite outfits, a copy-worthy mix of high and low; think jaw-dropping bejeweled A.F. Vandevorst shoes paired with Zara jeans, or vintage Morton Myles accompanied by Canal Street earrings. With a backdrop as eclectic as the ensembles — a giant stuffed peacock! psychedelic skateboards!— we may have asked Gen if she needed a roommate to crash on that giant tie-dyed day bed. Hey, we'll let her borrow our clothes, too.
6 Bold Brooches To Cure Your Friendship-Bracelet Fatigue
We never need an excuse to add a bit of bling to our daily duds, but sometimes we tire of weight around our necks, moldy Coachella friendship bracelets, and just can't bring ourselves to don our favorite chandeliers again. Feeling out of options, too?
Enter the brooch. This unexpected sister of the statement necklace is easily forgotten, but shouldn't be! Here's why: Unlike some other jewelry, lapel pins are never out of place. In fact, the less obvious the placement, the fresher they look.
Our styling tips? Cluster three off-center on your chest, use one to cinch that deep V, or be bold and wear one on your shoulder (classic and seriously cool). Nestle one in that lightweight summer scarf when the sun goes down at a backyard Venice BBQ, dress up a trusty cross-body at The Pikey, or accentuate the pocket line on your cutoffs at the Rose Bowl — believe us, the options are endless.
And, apparently, we aren't the only peeps interested in bringing brooches back. Click through for far-out and fab options from all your fave e-tailers and designers! Now how's that for brooching the accessories subject?
Enter the brooch. This unexpected sister of the statement necklace is easily forgotten, but shouldn't be! Here's why: Unlike some other jewelry, lapel pins are never out of place. In fact, the less obvious the placement, the fresher they look.
Our styling tips? Cluster three off-center on your chest, use one to cinch that deep V, or be bold and wear one on your shoulder (classic and seriously cool). Nestle one in that lightweight summer scarf when the sun goes down at a backyard Venice BBQ, dress up a trusty cross-body at The Pikey, or accentuate the pocket line on your cutoffs at the Rose Bowl — believe us, the options are endless.
And, apparently, we aren't the only peeps interested in bringing brooches back. Click through for far-out and fab options from all your fave e-tailers and designers! Now how's that for brooching the accessories subject?
Weird Trend We're Digging: Golf-Inspired Shoes
Golf: A sport with unparalleled elegance and unmatched panache. Because sunny SoFla is a default destination for those craving glistening green fields with beaming flags and sand dunes, golfer style is never overtly trendy, but has been appearing in our periphery as of late. Enter le golf-inspired shoe: an oxford-like sole often adorned with tassels and always oozing with refinement.
The golfer brogue is a classic American staple, a signifier of the well-heeled prepster life. Tory Burch has jumped on the bandwagon golf-cart with a colorful pair. But if you really have an inkling for detail, Jack Will’s brogues and F-Troup's golf flats will have you following every delicate curve that ornaments the leather. But no shoe can cause a cart collision such as Hexa by Kuho’s stomping sky high beauties. An odd choice for the green? Yes. But we know your style knows no boundaries.
So what do you think? Are these shoes appropriate for The Masters? Or are they better left behind at the mini course? We’ll let you decide. As for us, we’re grabbing these and swinging for a hole-in-one.
Clockwise from top: F-Troup Golf Flat Shoes, $234, available at ASOS; Tory Burch Ruth Loafer, $227, available at Tory Burch; Hexa by Kuho Fringed Heels With Ankle Strap, $715, available at Opening Ceremony; Jack Wills Glenthorne Brogue, $298, available at Jack Wills.
Summer Style Essentials With SPF 50–And They're Cute…
Some designers create clothes that cover your body, but there are those motivated souls who design clothing to protect your body, too. Mott 50 designer Anne Botica (she's a Chicagoan, y'all), did just that, with her clothing line Mott 50. Think of Mott 50 as the most stylish body armor you've ever seen. Each piece is designed to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays the same way your SPF 50 cream would. Before you go thinking we're about to swaddle you in a floor-length muumuu, think again. These designs are fun and beach-perfect, meaning don't even think of heading out on vacation without them. You'll need your trusty sunscreen, too (of course), but these tops, dresses, and tunics will make staying sun-protected on the beach a lot cuter. Plus, wearing new, clever clothing sounds like a lot more fun than hiding under the beach umbrella all day...if you ask us.
Designer Bikes: Coach Takes It To The Streets On Two (Chic) Wheels
A bicycle built for two is nice, but a chic bike built by Coach is nicer. And the proof is in the photos of their new campaign. Shot by Bridget Fleming of Downtown From Behind, the images depict a realistic (but so serene) NYC, one where the streets open up in front of you as you glide down an empty avenue in all Coach gear. But as dreamy and distant as this all seems, Coach helps us believe that if we wear their springtime offerings, this picturesque New York is possible. Either way, we agree on one thing: with these cross body bags and brightly colored satchels, it's way easier to paint the town red (or erm, candy-colored) just in time for the sun. (and the public bike share coming to NYC in July!)
Check out the video campaign below for good ridin' in action.
What An Odd Proposal: Uggs Made Just For Your Wedding Day
When it comes to wedding shoes, the sky is the limit — go classic in white peep-toe slingback, create a major contrast in a bold, sapphire-blue pump, or make a distinct statement with the flash of a Louboutin's red sole.
But, a sheepskin boot? Yeah, that's not really something you'll see on our Pinterest wedding board wish list.
Tapping into the bridal market, Ugg has created a trifecta of fluffy footwear for the bride who, well, loves Uggs as much as she does her partner, we presume. The collection includes a shiny silver boot with a oversized rhinestone button closure, a plush pair of flip flops, and a sequin-covered white boot (ya' know, for the classicist).
Admittedly, we can kind of get on board with the concept of sandals to provide a little comfort in the midst of all the day-of-wedding preparations. But, even our most realistic side (the one that has a love/hate relationship with beautiful shoes that unfortunately pinch our feet) can't really justify Ugg boots for a trip down the aisle. May we suggest something equally comfy and much less obtrusive? Say, flats or sneakers, or even bare feet... (Daily Mail UK)
Caption This! Edita Vilkeviciute For V Spain, By Nathaniel Goldberg
Winning caption: "They are skinny dipping in the fountain again!" -Kate Kline
Runner-up: "My wife's suppose to be at work!" -Bugsy Simmons
See the rest of the entries here.
Check out today's caption contest!
Summer DIY Obsession: The Easiest Decor Upgrade We've Ever Seen
We're the first to admit that what started out as a mere attraction to spring's bold hues has now morphed into a full-blown summer love affair. It takes all of our willpower not to linger in front of shop windows to gaze at rainbow-bright confections — even though our closets are at capacity with color. Luckily, this handy DIY project from local blog Ashley In DC lets us get our color-coordinated fix without a) investing in new hangers or b) dropping tons of cash we'd rather be saving for that next vacay. All you need are a few glass bottles or vases, a couple coats of paint, and voila! You've got a set of decor elements so chic, you could have picked them up at Anthro. We’re tempted to make a bounty of them for holding flowers, storing makeup brushes, and stashing pens and pencils. Just click through for the ultra-simple how-to, and remember our motto: You can never have too much color or be too crafty. (Ashley In DC)
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley In DC
Après Ski Appeases Our Sweet Tooth With Its Spring Lookbook
We're always down for a little childhood nostalgia, especially when it dresses up our very adult button-up shirts in the form of a fun, new accessory. When we first fell in love with Après Ski, its childlike shapes and colors were the first things we noticed. Thankfully, the Barcelona-based jewelry company has only upped its youthful-charm factor in its spring '12 lookbook. The collection, titled "Our garden needs its flowers," showcases the cutest necklaces (not to mention, an inspiring updo) straight out of your fourth birthday party...with a major upgrade, of course.
Peep the aww-inspiring collection here and shop it now at the Après Ski Shop.
Photo: Courtesy of Après Ski
This Lamp Really Doesn't Like You Very Much
We don't know exactly what you did to make it mad, but designer
Andrea Maestri’s
— ahem — "Fuck You!" lamp is sticking its middle finger right up in your face (take that!).
PG-13 sentiment aside, we're deep into this lamp for its spiky cuff-like base and x-ray plexiglass shade — so metal. We're not sure yet where you can pick it up, but we do know that it's what we would gift Lady Gaga, a beloved punk friend, or a hated ex with exquisite taste. (Selectism)Photo: via Andrea Maestri.
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