Style Files

RRL’s Vintage-y Lookbook

As Miss Moss said, there have been an influx (onslaught?) of vintage-inspired lookbooks recently, but as Ralph Lauren tends to do, they really nailed the details on making the style of this lookbook for RRL look authentic, and I’m really liking how they took it to the max. Even the models look like they’re from another era!

It also totally fits with RRL’s overall aesthetic, which focuses on rugged American old-West classics that look authentically, convincingly vintage-y and distressed. I’m not usually a fan of pre-distressed clothing, but again, RRL does it so wellll.

If you like this, check out this post about an artist who is bringing back collodion process photography.

Style Files

Fall Style & Wardrobe Lustlist

Ah I love fashion week season. So much street style inspiration floating around!! Above were some of my favorite shots from the last week, including, of course, perennial favorites Emmanuelle Alt and Olivia Palermo, as well as Elin Kling, whose blog and style I love, and I think that adorable thing in the white dress is probably Miraslava Duma, though the photo wasn’t captioned.

Have you been noticing little Miraslava around, cropping on The Sartorialist and Garance? I fell in love with her for this image, and then back when she had bangs it lead to a serious consideration of re-cutting bangs for myself.

Anyway… NYFW and these shots above have been inspiring me to think about my wishlist for my fall wardrobe, which, as you will notice by most of the designers listed in the captions, is purely a wishlist– I will most likely have a budget that would allow me to obtain about 3.5% of this list, or, in other terms, the bottom half of one shirt sleeve.

But, I think it’s very useful to set out at the beginning of a season what your dream items are, so that you can then be conscientious about deciding which items are worth splurging on (instead of impulse buying), and also be able to spot a great knockoff that fits the bill when you find it.

Let’s start with the basics. As you’ll notice, I like basic basics that can be easily mixed and matched, and go day to night just by switching out jewelry, shoes, and jacket. And I like to stick with what works. For me, it’s skinny jeans with a solid t-shirt, tank, or button-up in a classic color. All I really like to switch up is the cut and material. This year, I am crazy for washed silk button-ups (I could buy all my blouses from Equipment, which incidentally is owned by Carine Roitfeld’s husband).

With the jeans, my staple is always a super dark blue wash, no distressing, with mustard stitching (J. Brand) (I don’t know why but for me it changes everything if the stitching is blue, it doesn’t work for me), but for this season I’m also after a pair of dark cherry red and maybe a lighter wash, and would kill for a pair of black waxed ones– they kind of look like leather due to the shine and have a rock and roll vibe.

And finally, I like shoes that go with a variety of stuff and set a mood. I have learned I don’t really need many shoes at all because I wear the same types over and over– for me, it’s a neutral ballet flat, a sassy black heel, a neutral boot, a driving loafer (not pictured) and something leopard.

 

I’m also a fan of basic accessories that go with everything. I don’t like switching my purse everyday (inevitably will get to the park with no sunglasses, the library without my library card, etc.), or even every week– I like an everyday bag that I can use all the time and matches everything. For me, the color of that DvF bag above goes with all my basics. Add a great scarf for texture (seriously, it needs to have texture or it will fall flat– I’ve learned from experience!), some classic earrings and sunglasses, and one more item for a little flair– right now it’s thin hammered gold bangles I’m after.

 

Here’s where I’d like to add a little flair this season. Usually my go-tos are a dark green Barbour, a putty-ish brown simple leather motorcycle jacket, or a classic navy blazer. But my-oh-my, that navy velvet blazer from Miu Miu (please someone knock it off fast) is calling my name, and the black Barbour has a little added edge that I’m digging. Plus, a fur vest makes any outfit more fun, and how adorable is that red duffel cape?!

 

And finally, layers. I love any combination of feminine and masculine, so the layering pieces I’m lusting after are these lady-like silk pieces and the simple, but oh-so-cozy looking sweaters from See by Chloe (I love this line!).

Also for your fashion entertainment– this cute video about how to layer, from Because I’m Addicted. I love this!

 

So tell me, what are your favorite go-to basics and brands? What’s on your fall wishlist?  What are your favorite blogs for following fashion week?

Style Files

Atlantic-Pacific

I’d been seeing images of this chic lady flying around on tumblrs and such, and I finally figured out who it is! Her name is Blair, she blogs her outfits at Atlantic-Pacific, and, she lives in San Francisco! I’m going to be keeping my eyes peeled around town for this new girl crush… Doesn’t she have loads of style??

PS – Today’s post is a double feature! My friend Leo sent me these videos and I had to share with you. Filmmaker Tyler Cullen went around NYC asking people what song they were listening to and made a video out of it, and it inspired a whole series of these throughout the world! It’s such a fun peak into these cities, both for the street life you see and for the musical choices of its residents!

And, sometimes the answers are really surprising… don’t you always wonder what people are listening to on the street and kind of try to guess based on their outfit or mood or whatever? Well, many of these I never would have guessed! And I wonder if some of these folks would have ever admitted that they listen to some of this stuff otherwise. I’ve watched a bunch of them, and let me tell you, Lady Gaga truly is everywhere.

 

Style Files

Rog Walker

Loving the photography blog of Rog Walker. It’s like a street style blog meets personal style blog– it’s mostly of him and his girlfriend (whose hair I’m obsessed with) and his friends in various locations, many industrial, around New York that create awesome backdrops. I love the settings, the colors, the outfits, and the mood. And in kind of a creepy way, I like the chronicle of his relationship with his girlfriend.

Also love the fact that his official name is Rog. It’s pretty awesome to make a nickname, one that’s a shortening of your name, not the kind of nickname that’s another name, like Nick from Nicholas, your official name.

 

Style Files

A summer day at the lake…

Rope swings, lemonade, bunk beds, wildflowers in mason jars, peach pie, sailing, al fresco dining… ahhh summer!

Hi wonderlusters, above is a post I put together for the Cultivate site (remember Cultivate, my real job?), where I’m also blogging! Check out the post for details (including a recipe for peach pie from my darling colleague Nicole and a recipe for that lemon grilled chicken below), but I wanted to share here because the post was inspired by a summer day at Lake Chautauqua, and I’m headed there in a few short days to stay with my oldest sister and her family!

And, I really couldn’t be more excited. Another of my sisters is joining too and bringing her one year old son, William, who I am absolutely enamored with, so, this is basically going to be the best summer vacation ever!

Oh, and in case that wasn’t enough, before I get there, I have my cousin’s wedding in Asheville, NC this weekend!!  So much to look forward to!!!!

A quick congrats today to two of my sisters and their husbands– Ali and Charles and Leslie and Tim– who had a double wedding on this day 20 years ago! I’m so so happy for y’all and your cute families and so glad to be your little sister/sister-in-law/aunt!

Style Files

Street Style Favorites

Just a round up for you of some recent favorite street style finds posted to the “tumblr”– formerly Editor’s Chair. Especially loving for summer: silk button-ups, scalloped edges, white lace, heels with cropped jeans (white, black, or denim), mini dresses, and as usual, blazers. Emmanuelle Alt remains the coolest tomboy ever. Check out the tumblr for the full size pics and more!

Style Files

The Next Jackie O

I never knew I had any princess-y daydreams until there was Kate Middleton.

Honestly. Didn’t grow up playing princesses or thinking about marrying a prince. I actually asked my mom recently if I ever played with dolls or dressup or house or really anything girly, and she answered “No, you really just liked to read.” Ha. (#nerdalert)

I didn’t even really care about the royal wedding in the weeks leading up to it. But then. She wore that utterly perfect Alexander McQueen wedding dress and everything changed. It still wasn’t so much that I then wanted to be a princess, it was just that I knew she was going to play the part of a princess to a tee, and watching it would be so much fun.

So I’m here to admit, I am absolutely living vicariously through her every wardrobe choice. She is the ultimate princess. Polished but not overdone, ladylike but not stuffy, and pretty much always stunning. The princess we all hope we would be if we ever were a princess.

And I kind of like how consistent her style is, she seems to follow three rules for princess-appropriate, classic, flattering clothing about 85% of the time: high necks, cinch everything at the waist, and unless it’s floor length, it should hit just above the knee.

I still don’t envy her life (endless commitments, so much pressure, your every move is watched, fame sounds horrible to me), but I do enjoy watching how she lives it.

Here’s to hoping Kate Middleton will be the next Jackie O. of style!

 

 

 

Style Files

Playing Favorites

I’m obsessed with this tumblr– Awesome People Hanging Out Together– that the photos above are from. What a great concept for a collection of photos.

I thought I’d take this chance to share my favorite blogs and tumblrs, and give you the chance to tell me (and the other Wonderlusters) yours! I love trading blog inspiration…

Mine change all the time (internet-induced ADD), but here are a few current (and some perennial) faves…

Tomboy Style (no explanation necessary), Clippings (tumblr), The Steward (tumblr), Miss Moss, My Favorite Color is Shiny (love this lady), Sunset in the Rearview (music), French By Design (interiors), The Coveteur, Because I’m Addicted (fashion), This is Glamorous, Nick Olsen, Could I Have That, and of course Smitten Kitchen (recipes and wonderful commentary).

So PLEASE, comment and share your favorites with me too!!!

PS- Follow Wonderlust on Twitter for daily finds that I don’t post to the blog.

PPS – You might have noticed my posting on Wonderlust has been a little sporadic– my job has been a little nutsbusy recently (but in a good way!)– just wanted to let you know it’s only temporary and WL should be back in full swing shortly! I’ll also be sharing the project I’ve been working on in the very near future… so excited!

Style Files

Getaway Essentials

As mentioned before, I don’t know what it is, but I’m a sucker for reading lists of other people’s favorite things (so much so that I’ve started asking other people to answer those things for this blog), so I was so happy to see that The Coveteur did another “Essentials” post with Vogue.

Last time it was NYFW essentials, this time, summer getaway gear. In addition to their essentials, the contributors describe where they like to getaway to in the summer and a bit about why these are their essentials, which you can read on the original post here.

 

Top left: Emily Weiss of Into the Gloss; top right: Chloe Malle, Vogue Social Editor; and above: Claiborne Swanson Frank, photographer.

Style Files

Tim Barber Photography

I fell down the internet rabbit hole last week and landed on the portfolio of fashion and portrait photographer Tim Barber. I’m loving his casual, sometimes gritty, wonderfullycandid style.

Barber also started the website Tiny Vices, which encourages visitors to submit their art and photography.

Above, the guys from Red Bucket Films, the Bacaro team, and Bill Powers. Below, Terry Richardson (this one made me laugh out loud, so meta), Andy Spade, and Chloe Sevigny.