interchangeable

The weather has been marginally more tolerable lately. It is still about 30 degrees hotter than my comfort zone but at least it no longer feels like I'm stepping into the fires of Mordor whenever I leave my apartment.

Still, the heat makes me do things I normally wouldn't, like show my bra in public. I should care more but I really don't. It must seem strange to some of you to hear an East Coaster complain about the weather. It's not so much the temperature (although it has been hovering above 90F for most of August) as it is the high humidity. I'll take dry heat over humid heat any day. It's the humidity than really makes you sweat. It's actually cooler out on the West Coast most days.

Rick Owens jersey skirt // James Perse ribbed tank // Urban Outfitters bra //
Chanel sandals // Hermes cuff // Gucci lizard band watch

If I had known how often I would wear this tank I would have purchased multiples. I'm always hand-washing it so that I can wear it on consecutive days without doing a full load of laundry. Same with the pants, actually. I have been living in them this summer. The perfect slouchy pant.

(same as above) // Balenciaga trousers // Chanel t-strap flats

you snooze you lose

Another repeat outfit (sort of.) Still waiting for warmer weather to try something new.
The frequent torrential downpours are not helping the situation either.

This is another one of my favorite shirts, by Ralph Lauren. I love the white collar. I went back to purchase a few more and maybe other colors but sadly they were all sold out.
Oh well - you win some you lose some!

Ralph Lauren Collection shirt (RL outlet at Woodbury Commons/NY) // Les Chiffoniers leather pants (barneys.com) // vintage Chanel jacket // Christian Louboutin "Rollerball" studded loafers (eBay.com) // G-Shock men's watch // cheap mirrored aviators from Daffy's

better late than never

I've had this coat for many years but I don't wear it often because it's about two sizes too big. I remember the day I bought it. I was running around the department store with my mother growing increasingly frustrated that none of the coats fit (this was back in the day when shopping online was still a rarity for me, and also I probably weighed less than 100 lbs.) Finally I bought this one out of desperation. Needless to say, once I found a petite coat a few seasons later this one just hung in the closet, sad and forlorn. Fortunately I never got rid of it because I recently discovered (thanks to Phosphene's most recent look, in which she layers a jacket underneath a winter coat) that I can comfortably fit a blazer or a jacket inside. I love the slim fit of my JCrew coat but I would never be able to wear anything more substantial than a thin sweater underneath. I'm very happy now that I don't have to give up my beloved jacket collection during winter! And also somewhat miffed that I didn't discover this sooner...



Ann Demeulemeester moto jacket (Bergdorf Goodman/NYC) // Balenciaga leather pants (yoox.com) // Ann Demeulemeester scarf (aloharag.com) // Chanel motorcycle boots (Bergdorf Goodman/NYC) // self-shredded tee and James Perse black t-shirt // Via Spiga coat

unconditional love

. this coat weighs a ton.
. during winter it resides on my couch most of the time because at the end of the day i don't have the superhuman strength required to hang it back up in the closet.
. before taking the coat on or off i first i have to take out any chunky watches or bracelets because otherwise my wrist won't go through the narrow sleeve.
. i can't hang it in the back of chairs at nice restaurants because if i stand up, the chair will tip over without me as a counterweight.
. i have to tip coat check attendants extra because i feel guilty for making them struggle.
. my sister thinks i look like the grim reaper when i wear it.
. a lady on the street once offered to buy the coat off my back because apparently it's the perfect winter maternity coat.

despite all this, i love this coat. i wouldn't have it any other way.



DRKSHDW fur-lined druid hood sweatshirt (Century21/NYC) // Rick Owens cashmere poncho (Barneys sale/NYC) // Rick Owens cashmere pants ("$100 or less" rack at Joan Shepp/Philly) // Karoo cashmere tunic (found in my closet at my parents' place) // Chanel biker boots (Barneys sale/NYC) // Hermes cuff // American Apparel cotton mock turtleneck

no fuss

i'm back! a little bit worse for wear. with the exception of this morning's run i haven't worked out since Thanksgiving and i'm starting to feel sluggish and puffy. i plan to go back to my regular workout schedule this week, but in the meantime there's nothing a good chunky sweater can't hide!



now all i need is a battle plan against that one co-worker (i'm sure there's at least one in every company in America) who turns into Martha Stewart during the holidays and brings in batches of baked goods every day until Christmas...


Dolce & Gabbana shirt (Filene's Basement/NYC) // Prada ribbed cashmere sweater (eBay) // Helmut Lang by Helmut Lang cropped pants (Tokio7 consignment/NYC) // Christian Louboutin rollerball studded loafers (eBay) // Chanel quilted purse

scripted

there aren't enough weekends in autumn to wear all of my favorite jackets; pretty soon it'll be time to hide beneath thick wool coats. i solve this dilemma by preparing a "script" for my day and writing in as many wardrobe changes as possible.

... first, an early morning coffee run ...


Les Chiffoniers leather pants // SHIRT by CP Shades flannel shirt // 3.1 Phillip Lim chunky cardigan // Alexander McQueen pashmina // Tres Fluo leather bag // Miu Miu harness motorcycle boots


... later in the afternoon, making the rounds in thrift and consignment stores to console myself for not being in NYC for Lanvin x H&M. i briefly considered jumping on Amtrak for a day trip but that would have been silly seeing as i'll be heading home on Wednesday for Thanksgiving. i'm sure all of the good stuff will be gone by then. oh well, you win some, you lose some ...




Alexander McQueen sharp-shouldered tee // Chanel jacket // Hermes collier de chien cuff // Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse leopard scarf // Charles David suede boots


... and finally, an evening look ...


Costume National silk jacket // Alexander McQueen pashmina // suede boots from Daffy's

shine on

my camera is crap. (maybe Santa can do something about that for Christmas?) fortunately photo-editing software makes up for some of its inadequacies. the "softglow" filter on GIMP salvaged this outfit picture by making it appear way more well-lit than it actually was.



i should also explain that i will be neglecting all my other boots until i wear these in to the perfect amount of slouchiness. it might take a couple of weeks.

p.s. i also updated the archive; the original was getting a bit unwieldy so i split it into fall/winter and spring/summer.

ITEMS (mouse over description to view item detail)

- Chanel tweed jacket (consignment)
- Michael Kors sequin leggings (yoox.com)
- Karoo cashmere boyfriend sweater (shopbop.com)
- Chanel handbag (consignment)
- Italian suede boots (Daffy's/Philly)
- Alexander McQueen skull ring (saks.com)

save it for later

i was a little hesitant to post this outfit. i was afraid of the Chanel purists out there who would gasp and say "where is the matching skirt?! the fancy stilettos?! why aren't you wearing PEARLS?!!!"

well you know what, i'll save the pearls for when i'm fifty. right now, this is how i'm wearing the jacket!


Chanel tweed jacket // Martin Margiela Line 4 striped button-down shirt // Les Chiffoniers latex pants // random Italian suede boots found at Daffy's // Portolano cashmere scarf // Hermes collier de chien cuff // Elizabeth & James knuckle ring // Vanessa Bruno classic tote


p.s. bigger pictures - yay/nay/indifferent/didn't notice?

the ultimate

i saw this jacket several months ago at a consignment store. i visited it at least once a month, and every time i walked through the shop door i expected to see it gone from its perch. finally one day i requested to try it on. as soon as i put it on, i understood why no one had bought it. it fit me perfectly, right down to the sleeve length. it was snug around my waist yet fit around my chest without gaping (i found out later that the lining actually has a bit of stretch in it); it was a soft-structured jacket yet the shoulders were sharp. simply put, it was perfect. the way the jacket fit made me feel like it was made especially for me and no one else. needless to say, the jacket left its perch at the shop and came home with me that day.

addendum

this post is sort of a footnote to the previous one. this is what i wore last saturday. when i go away for the weekend i usually bring: one pair of pants (which i usually wear on the train), a dress, a couple of tops, and one pair of shoes which i wear for the entire weekend. i choose either silver or gold jewelry and plan my outfits and handbag accordingly. i check the weather forecast to make sure i won't be, say, stuck in a thunderstorm wearing super-fancy shoes. i know some people like to have outfit choices when they go away for short trips, but i much prefer to pack light.

i guess my only gripe with Les Chiffoniers pants is that they all stretch out after a couple of wears - apologies for the saggy leather butt!


p.s. for those of you who asked, i received Dexter and American Psycho last week. apparently Netflix thinks i'm in a serial killer type of mood...

p.p.s. finally updated the archive.

p.p.p.s. i will try to retire these pants from the blog for at least five posts, lest you all think i wear nothing else! (though i could very easily live in them!)

ITEMS (mouse over to view detailed picture)
Les Chiffoniers classic leather pants with zippers (from Barneys.com clearance)
Helmut Lang drape-back tank (old, from Barneys Co-op/Philly)
Jeffrey Campbell "Ann" boots (from eBay)
Free People lace bandeau (in black, from Urban Outfitters)
vintage Chanel purse
vintage Hermes collier de chien cuff
Luxirare giant cross necklace (from shopluxirare.com)
Yves Saint Laurent "le smoking" jacket (super old, from eBay)

second best

took advantage of the overcast, not-too-hot weather last sunday to wear leather.
and black, lots of it.



i gave up on the search for the Ann Demeulemeester laceup boots at a decent
price on eBay and instead settled for the Jeffrey Campbell knockoffs. i really
want them in the original camel color anyway, so that search is ongoing. i
took these to the cobbler to chop off about 2 inches since they came up too
high on my leg. aside from the cheap faux-wood heel, these aren't such a bad
substitute. plus i saved about $800.


ITEMS (mouse over to view detailed picture)
Kiki de Montparnasse leather bikini top (from gilt.com)
Alexander McQueen padded shoulder tee with tails (from net-a-porter.com)
Rick Owens leather drawstring skirt (from Barneys sale)
Jeffrey Campbell Ann laceup boots (from eBay)
Hermes collier de chien cuff
Elizabeth & James knuckle ring and hammered silver ring from the Met Museum gift shop
Iossellani small skull ring (from Barneys Co-op)
Marc by Marc Jacobs rings with Latin sayings
Chanel quilted purse with charms





i think i may have also found my new fall/winter nailpolish color -
Black Sequins by Dior - a very dark purplish blue with sparkles.

leather love...seat

it was overcast and dreary yesterday, but the trees needed rain and i needed a break from the sun's rays so i had no complaints.



i bought a new leather loveseat! tufted and grommeted, exactly what i had been looking for. the seat is quite deep - perfect for lounging in front of the television. now all i need are some cushions.





ITEMS (mouse over to view detailed picture)
The Row maxi dress (old, from Barneys/NYC)
Kiki de Montparnasse leather bikini top (from gilt.com)
Balenciaga belt (old, from eBay)
Chanel camellia rubber flip-flops (old, from Barneys/NYC)



and thank you to Joelle of The Owls Are Not What They Seem for introducing me to my new official summer nailpolish color, Gold Lame from Chanel. love!!!

summer white

when it comes to "things i do not look forward to every season," donning tight white jeans is right up there with putting on a bikini for the first time after a long winter. for some reason light-colored denim is not as forgiving as black or darker-wash denim.



but i happen to love the look of crisp white jeans so every spring i take a deep breath and pray that i still fit into them. i usually wear a loose-fitting top and heels to make me feel less squat.



i get less self-conscious and less traumatized after the first couple of wears and as the season progresses white jeans become a wardrobe staple for me.




ITEMS (mouse over to view detailed picture)
Dolce & Gabbana asymmetrical sweater (super old, from Filene's Basement)
white Hudson flap pocket stretch jeans
vintage Chanel belt (super old, from Greenflea Market/UWS,NYC)
Missoni espadrilles (old, from Anbar Shoes/NYC, now closed)
Mulberry Alexa bag (secondhand/consignment)




enjoy the long weekend everyone!!!

luxirare

my new favorite accessory: luxirare consolidated bracelet







i love the packaging.



love her blog, love her shop.


ITEMS (mouse over to view detailed picture)
Kiki de Montparnasse leather bikini top (from gilt.com)
T by Alexander Wang pocket tank (from Petulia's Folly/Philly)
Ann Demeulemeester trousers (old, from Angel Street Thrift/NYC)
Luxirare consolidated bracelet (from shopluxirare.com)
sword pendant (old, from etsy.com)
Ann Demeulemeester cropped biker jacket (from Bergdorf Goodman sale/NYC)
Donna Karan gladiator sandals (secondhand, from Vagabond/Philly)
Chanel quilted purse with charms




P.S. selling a few things on eBay!