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Posted by Dain, Tuesday, May 17, 2005 2:55 PM (Eastern)

This is entirely a meaningless, wishful-thinking, castles-in-the-air type of post, but it's fun to do, nevertheless. I'm a minimalist at heart (while I can devote endless energy poring over makeup, fashion tires me out, though I do love it), and I try to create a "capsule wardrobe" of about six or so items (read "The Definition of Style" for a fuller picture) each season—six items is miniscule, which forces me to seriously reckon with the wearability of each item (Herculean versatility and sheer adoration, therefore, are required criteria), in the context of what clothes I do own.

a classic Chanel bouclé jacket: In that slinky, belled-sleeve style that always looks so effortless even though it's the "hautest" of the haute. I'm thinking of a muted teal, which is a very unique shade (and entirely in my head, because Chanel is certainly not offering any such outlandish shades), but strangely flatters all the colors in my wardrobe. It's not a perfect match (which is too cookie-cutter for me anyway), but it's the perfect contrast. Just "something" light to throw over jeans, or contrast with vintage tees, or add a conservative edge to flirty skirts, or infuse a bit of eccentric polish to a ruffled chiffon blouse and a pencil skirt. This is merely a figment of my imagination, so let's give the average ready-to-wear price for a Chanel jacket, about $3000.

Viktor & Rolf Spider Blouse ($652): Diaphanous silk chiffon in an austere Atlantean green-grey. Has a high neck, a delicately pleated front, the back leads up to a keyhole with rows of hook buttons (like a Victorian dress), with a crystal spider embellished on the shoulder, and silk bows at the cuffs. Phew! Lots of detailing. Do I own a fancy, secretary-type blouse? High time I did. (This is actually Fall 2004... I think.)

Express Camisoles ($34 or something): If you've got any bent whatsoever to dressing ladylike and feminine, how can you resist a lace-trimmed silk camisole? These may not be Khurana, but you're not paying $275, which seems like a fair enough trade to me! I've my eye on a fresh orchid pink with melon lace, and the black with ivory lace.

Chloé Wide-Leg Jeans ($445): They make so many tight, low-slung bootcut jeans nowadays, haven't you gotten sick of it? Oof. This is wonderfully retro, evocative of the wide-leg (not flares, exactly, which expand out from below the knee, but genuine wide-leg, which start from the thigh) from the 90s (remember that hoodlum skater look?) with the slightly more contemporary update of a fitted waist and butt. I'm all for baggier jeans. The wash is a refreshing shade of sunny denim, evocative of more freewheeling times in fashion (everything's so contrived, these days... just look at what I'm doing!).

Joystick embellished cashmere sweater (~$278): Just something charming, soothing, and pretty, that doesn't require much in the way of highjinks to wear. Can be worn over a pretty buttondown, of course, with stylish trousers. Otherwise, it's the perfect touch of refined whimsy to the otherwise haughty line-up I've arranged here.

GAP Africa Tote ($20): I'm still loving this bag, and I'm still loving this price. The only item I'll probably actually own from this list. ; ) Summery, chic, and very functional.

Dolce & Gabbana zebra flats: I'm usually not a fan of animal prints, indeed, they're a little too "sexed up" and bold for my taste, but what is more austere than a pointy flat? Especially when paired with sober, clean-cut, polished clothing, or even to jazz up a casual outfit with dark vintage-style jeans?

Labels: chanel, chloe, dolce and gabbana, express, fashion, gap, jeans, joystick, personal, shoes, style, viktor and rolf

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Posted by Dain, Sunday, May 15, 2005 6:08 PM (Eastern)

I'm a hopeless bag snob, and 'tisn't necessarily label-wise, because I don't like, say, Longchamp (the ubiquitous nylon totes) or Louis Vuitton for the sake of LV (though I like the idea of monogrammed luggage). My current drool-over bag is the impossible-to-find, $1380 investment, the Chloé Paddington.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across the Africa Tote at the GAP. Originally $45 or so, it was on sale for $20. Dirt cheap. It's the right size, too, large enough to hold an Exacompta folder, but not unwieldy. Made of ivory canvas (there was a black, as well), with hardware, wood ring details, and an exotic-print interior.

Of course, the pale canvas will get dirty very soon. But I'm of the philosophy that bags are meant to get beat-up, from a $20 bag like this to a $5000 Hermès Birkin. They're like shoes, meant to be worn, meant to be used; they signify everyday life. It's a little preposterous to keep things pristine.

I'm just happy to have found the perfect casual bag, one I needn't worry needlessly about, with spot-on details, and a unique style.

Labels: bags, fashion, gap, handbags, personal, purses, style

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