0 ankle layers

Ah, layers.  I grew up in Wisconsin so I like to think of myself as something of a layering expert.  In my early days I used to take it to extremes - in college I would often layer flannel pajamas under wool skirts to keep warm in the winter.  I'd like to think my layering habits have matured a bit since then (I really make an effort not to wear my pjs out of the house now), but I still rely heavily on the basic techniques.  And one thing that I've learned is to embrace the layer, rather than hide it.

So here I am, with my wool trousers worn over some cashmere and silk blend leggings, draped over the tops of my boots rather than tucked in.  I sort of like this backwards sock effect.  Sort of Dickensian, no?  Not something I usually look for in my styling, but I think it works here, so I'm going to go with it.  All winter long.

Do it yourself...

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Detail: ankle layers

0 skirting the issue

A simple outfit that's becoming my go-to uniform for summer weekends: a T by Alexander Wang classic pocket tank, a jersey maxi skirt from Zara, Rag & Bone Vespa sunglasses, Hawaiana flipflops (invisible, but there), a great big silver cuff from a market in Peru, and a solid leather tote I picked up at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul many moons ago.  Most of that's not available anymore, but you can come pretty close.

Some options, and some secrets...

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Detail: skirting the issue

0 da bomb

What the what? This insanely intricate, decadent, shiny and gorgeous bomber from Zara stopped me in my tracks.  Practical?  Possibly not.  But I seem to care less and less about that lately.  It also reminds me of a black and hot pink satin bomber I had when I was a kid, embroidered with sunglass-wearing cherubs and the word "Angelinos".  Yeah, I was that kind of a kid.

It also got me thinking about bombers in general, the new incarnations we're seeing (again, obviously), and then when I saw  this neoprene one from T by Alexander Wang I was convinced this issue needed further investigation.
Most folks online are showing it mini and shrunken, which is very cute, but I'm more inclined to wear it like the lovely Ivania does, oversized and cozy, like a big neoprene hug.  (If you're not familiar with her blog check it out, she is a brave minimalist if ever there was one.)

More bombers...

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Detail: da bomb

0 dear santa

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Sometimes shopping for others leads to certain, ahem, distractions.  So in the process of putting together my gift guides and getting my christmas shopping done, I've come up with a little wishlist for myself.  These are the things, great and small, that would make me extremely happy to find under the proverbial tree this year.  Hope Santa reads my blog. 

The details...

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Detail: dear santa

0 the hunt goes on

Well obviously my dream coat is out of my price range, but I am now officially obsessed.  I must have a new coat.  Hang with me over the next few weeks while I sort this out, and if anyone else out there is on a similar quest, join me and we can hunt the elusive perfect coat together.  In this preliminary phase of research (yes, I am oh so scientific about it) I'm including coats that range from $100 to $2500.  Think of this as the fantasy phase, where we're really just trying to narrow down what it is we're looking for (is it a pea coat?  a men's coat?  a car coat?  what the hell is a car coat?).

 Big Peacoat from Emerson Fry, $495

More potential dream coats...
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Detail: the hunt goes on

0 mad hatter

I've been wishing for a new hat for a while now, and while I was lusting after this one from Madewell, I missed out, leaving the country before I could convince myself it was a reasonable expense (it totally would have been).  It actually worked out for the best because I found me a hat that went beyond all my expectations for what a hat can do.  This guy can sit low on your forehead, or high and back, it will handle hair sticking out from under it or tucked away underneath.  It's part fedora, part grandpa's fishing hat, part Pete Doherty rocker hat.  I don't usually post too many self-portraits here but I figured, what's a hat without a head to put it on?  So here it is in action:

There you go, I've outed myself for the love of a hat.  It's by Italian brand Forte Forte (creators of a lightweight jacket which totally bewitched me this summer), which sadly is extremely hard to find online, but it has made me really really excited about hats in general for fall.  Here's a few other options worth considering...

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Detail: mad hatter

0 counting sheep

I am smitten with this cozy sheep sweater from Oysho.  I'm not usually a fan of cutesie animal prints, but this one got me.  Also love the boyish boxy shape, I think it would be perfect for layering over a button-down (with a pop of color on the lips)

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A few more greys from what is easily one of my favorite spanish fast-fashion labels...

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Detail: counting sheep

0 sukita

I swear I am not here to bore you with yet another post on the wedge sneaker.  Isabel Marant started what I'm sure we all thought was going to be a fleeting trend, and it has stuck.  In the weirdest way.  I contemplated it for a minute, but quickly discovered (after trying a pair of the originals as well as a pair by Marc Jacobs) that these are best left to lanky teenage model types.  And despite the fact that they are now everywhere, and available in all price ranges, I have resisted.   Have not even felt the least bit tempted.  Until now.  Yohji Yamamoto has created a version in the Y-3 Sukita that I am almost sure I need.

Check it out:
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Detail: sukita

0 leather and lace

While everyone else seems to be putting studs on their oxfords (not that I'm against it, I'm actually loving these, these and these), Valentino went a little softer for something that is totally unexpected.  A little tongue-in-cheek, these laser-cut patent leather lace applique brogues play on the feminine/masculine duality in the most charming way.  If I had the money to spare I would put these in my everyday rotation for sure.

Detail: leather and lace

0 yes please

What, Vicki B?  Did you really come up with this stunningly beautiful coat?  I'm sorry my prejudice sometimes makes me doubt you as a designer.  You have done a lovely job.  Now just send one over, k?

Look at this detail at the waist:

Damn good.

Detail: yes please