Garden Collection Spring 2010

H&M's eco-friendly spring Garden Collection is now in stores, and judging by the press release, the entire collection is softer than the hard-edged, big-city collections I've seen in the past, but still very on trend. Recipe for success??

Wow, I've never before wanted to go to the mall specifically to check out H&M clothes in person... I'll go look tomorrow and I'll report back as to if I buy anything.

Some pre-view faves, in order of most favorite-est to least favorite-est of favorites:

The red one is also available in paper white. I love white/cream/pale colored dresses, if you haven't already guessed.

Elizabeth and James

MKA get it just right with these few covet-worthy pieces -- especially the striped pocket tee.

"Pair a bohemian-inspired cropped tee with a sequined mini for the ultimate in downtown luxe."

Elizabeth and James "Downtown" Overdyed Cotton Tee and "Crystal" Beaded Silk Miniskirt

 Elizabeth and James Long-Sleeved Striped Pocket Tee

Worn this way on their model:

"Oxfords and chain necklaces bring polish and panache to an intricately crafted mix of menswear-inspired elements with distinctly feminine touches."

  Elizabeth and James Double-Breasted Military Blazer, Striped Pocket Tee and "Hudson" Crinkled Cotton Trousers

Obama's tie

I like Obama's muted lavender tie in this clip:

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2010/01/21/HP/A/28698/Pres+Obama+Remarks+on+Financial+Reform.aspx

Sartorialist

"Alessandra" from Milano



Love this outfit. The skinny skinny high heel with the black tights is so sexy and confident. Wish I could dress this way in Hanover, but alas, those shoes would die in 5 minutes of walking. But I like the skirt and leather jacket--maybe I could just wear this outfit with flats (even though those shoes are my favorite part). I like her short hair, too. Basically, like I said, I love this outfit.

And remember how Georgina posted about young men dressing up for work? They should dress like this guy. Retro makes me happy. Oh, and the "playfulness of the purple socks" comment on The Sartorialist reminds me of "The Birdcage".




http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

Maybe I should start doing video logs of my friends and their styles...would make for some great home movies down the line...?

By the way, some girl just rolled into the Hop on roller skates. WTF is this school becoming.

Romper revisited

Ages ago, I posted about my desire to buy a romper, if only just to be the proud owner of a romper. Over a month ago, I finally ordered one online (pictured above). After it arrived, I wondered why it looked so familiar....

... and it's because I had commented on this EXACT romper in the aforementioned post (A million little things, six degrees of separation), where in addition to writing about onesies, I also wrote about the play "Six Degrees of Separation" and fashion photography featuring Gisele. 

Over a year ago on Thursday, May 7, 2009, I wrote:

"This item below is fucking adorable... but not really class-appropriate now, is it. Perhaps with a little denim jacket thrown over it?"*

Ah. How prescient of me.  In person and on said person, the romper is obscenely short. Which is obvious from the photo below.... but I think I was swept away by the romantical lighting of the first photo and figured I would Make It Work.

 

But I was also right about something re: this very abbreviated piece of clothing -- it is adorable with my denim jacket. I've resolved to keep it, and wear it with bike shorts under the romper or real shorts over the romper with the peplum part showing over the shorts. Or for this season, maybe tights or leggings under the romper with a blazer on top. And in the summer, maybe I can wear it alone as a beach coverup with a colorful bikini ... and après beach, while casually biking back to the rental house on Fire Island with my friends. Or something like that. Either way, I eagerly await warmer weather.

On a related note, the Early Spring Catalog has been printed for Urban Outfitters, and there's nothing in it I'm dying to buy. Maybe they save those pieces for the Proper Spring Catalog.

I do like this shirt though. I'd like to buy some similar well-fitting button-down shirts going forward in both light and heavier cotton.

*I think as a general rule only tools and geniuses quote themselves... I won't make a judgment call if you don't.

You Look Smart

Fluffy NYT article about how younger men are now into dressing better:

Dressing for Success, Again

 "And at Topman, the men’s branch of the popular Topshop, the category it calls “smart” clothing — dressier togs that straddle work and play — has been one of the best performers in its new New York store.

“I think it’s a reaction against the homogeneity of casual wear,” said Gordon Henderson, the design director of Topman. “There’s nowhere to go with that in terms of personality, whereas a suit sets you apart. And now there are suits that are cut for young people. There’s never been that before, so it’s new to them.”"

I like that phrase, "smart clothing". Shouldn't all clothing be smart, in the original sense of the word?

Ralph Lauren Dresses

In other news, I'm trying to pick out my favorite RL dresses this season. Because RL is rooted in old classics, sometimes the Fair Isle knits and tweed vests can get a little monotonous. Anyway, here they are:

Cashmere Chain-Back Gown
For when, you know, I need to go to fancy-shmancy events.


Apsley Jersey Dress
I would probably hem this one to a little higher above the knee.




Cashmere Cable Dress
Ralph makes one of these every year with a different neckline. I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but I just love the gray color and how classy it is. Great investment piece because it will never go out of style and can easily be layered. It's still a little long, maybe? I don't like these tights at all with this dress! Check out the tights in my post about Rugby--I just bought them today and am in love!

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

- Kate Moss

It's a bit out of context, but noteworthy nonetheless.

Halloween Eve

I'm looking for a costume tonight on Newbury St in Boston with a couple of my friends. The hour is 8PM, so the number of stores open is limited. The stores to hit: H&M and American Apparel. Going into this search, I had convinced myself that I wouldn't buy anything from American Apparel because two years ago I pledged not to give in to the mindless, pointless trend. Well, I broke my pledge tonight.

The store was mayhem; heinous mesh tights mingled with black lace unitards; crop-tops circa Slater from "Saved By the Bell" clashed with hot pants and thigh-high socks. While the employees wore their normal attire (horribly high-rise jeans and spandex) with casual, almost disdainful, ease, frantic girls in groups of three made these staffers' regular attire seem like novelties (which they are.) After holding up shirts and dresses like I was picking up stinking diapers, I came across a gem; a spandex and mesh dress with a sweetheart neckline. This is the first year I've decided to go "Mean Girls" (see Georgina's Halloween post), with my friend deciding three of us should go as bats. Anyway, this dress seemed perfect and potentially wearable post-Hallow's Eve.

So I bought it. And some feather clips from H&M to put on as ears. Oh, and trashbags will be cut to make wings a la Project Runway (which, by the way, has the least talented group EVER). Though I still disagree with many of the company's images and tactics, this sweetheart dress, well, charmed me. Dare I go into a trick or treat joke? I think not.

Oh, and H&M had some items to choose from (go in and find the Muppet-style knit dress. It's like a dog toy mixed with Studio 54), but many of the clothes were just too in-between fashion and costume. American Apparel works perfectly for Halloween; its clothes are absurd, but in a translatable, spandex way that, well, anybody can see through.

http://store.americanapparel.net/women.html