This is my favorite:
Amazon.com, $49.94
Amazon.com, $17.40
Monday, August 29, 2011
Style - Great Bags!
I found these Klein canvas tool bags while browsing on Amazon. They were in the Tools and Home Improvement category, but I am completely taken by their utility, graphic simplicity, and rugged but elegant shapes. Who knew tools could have such cute housing?
This is my favorite:
but these small canvas zip bags would be great for organizing the small things rattling around in everyone's bags:
This is my favorite:
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Wishlist - Celine Box Bag
I fell in love with this bag when it first appeared a few years ago, and I still love it. It's so pure and simple. Celine continues to produce new colors and textures (calf hair!) each season but the one pictured and the red may be my favorites. This version of the bag in leather is $3,400--a lumpy sum for any bag. But the quality of the leather, workmanship, the brawniness of the brass clasp and its timeless quality would justify the money spent.
Photo: Elle
Friday, August 19, 2011
Style - Favorite Clothing Designers
Clothes are emotional. Some items evoke an intensely emotional response--comfort, pride, inspiration, security, courage. Anyone who does not have an item of clothing or accessory in their wardrobes that evokes an emotional response needs to go shopping!
My favorite designers of all time, in no particular order, some with caveats:
My favorite designers of all time, in no particular order, some with caveats:
- Marc Jacobs - arguably the most famous and scrutinized designer in the world. He is on this list although I have not liked much of any season since Spring 2008 with the exception of a few pieces from Fall 2010. I am hoping that he will finally ditch his 70s obsession and make beautiful wearable clothes again. I forgive him for his 1992 grunge line during his short-lived stint at Perry Ellis.
- Prada - quirky, intellectual, luxurious absentminded professor. I will not admit to the number of Prada bags I have :) Skip the sportswear line and instead pick a few of the less season-identifiable pieces from the runway collections instead.
- Barneys - Designed by Martin Grant, the line contains deceptively simple clothes with impeccable tailoring, materials and quality. The clothes are made to last, in classic styles that will stand the test of trends and time. Their cashmere sweaters are a staple in my closet.
- The Row - not that the Olsen twins need any more money, but I love this line. The fabrics, clean lines, and quality of this line make their items work horses in any wardrobe. Pricey but worth the investment.
- Celine - with Phoebe Philo. The thinking woman's designer with many wearable silhouettes, unusual color combinations, and great leathers.
- Dries Van Noten - no one mixes patterns, colors and proportions like Dries. Beautiful quality and workmanship. It is no surprise that even with no marketing or advertising, he has built a cult-like following.
- Jil Sander - The Queen of Minimalism. Jil no longer designs for her namesake line but Raf Simons has taken the label to the next level. The colors and patterns of the last few seasons are just breathtaking.
- Reed Krakoff - critics and editors have had mixed reviews for Reed, but I love the severity and strict ideology of his clothes and bags. I hope his line survives the naysayers.
- Bottega Veneta - quiet luxury. Their old ad campaign slogan "when your own initials are enough" is certainly fitting. I am not a fan of the woven leather bags, but the beautiful clothes designed by Tomas Maier make me swoon. They do not show particularly well in photographs or even on hangers; they must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. I am fortunate enough to have some pieces in my wardrobe and they are among my favorites.
Jewelry - Vesta Cases
When I lived in Seattle there was a cute accessories store called Fini located in the Inn at the Market complex that also houses Campagna restaurant and cafe. I loved this store. Lots of cute jewelry, hats, decorative items. I purchased a necklace there that was unlike anything I'd ever seen before, and learned that it was a reproduction vesta case, or vesta matchbox. It is a 1 X 1 inch sterling silver repousse style flip-top case hung on 24 inch long double strand of seed pearls:
Per Wikipedia vesta cases were used to hold vestas, or short matches. Vestas were introduced around 1830 and were in extensive use between 1890 and 1920 so that folks could light stoves and lanterns in the days before electricity. As with any commonly used item, a wide variety of designs and materials were produced; however, they usually had an engraved area used to strike a match.
A search on ebay and google images provide lots of different examples of available vestas. Many sterling silver cases with hallmarks are very reasonably priced at $100-150 or so, and I am tempted to purchase an authentic case and make a custom chain to wear with big wooly sweaters in the winter.
As for my lovely reproduction, I may remove it from its current pearl necklace and make another chain of semiprecious stones to add more color.
Per Wikipedia vesta cases were used to hold vestas, or short matches. Vestas were introduced around 1830 and were in extensive use between 1890 and 1920 so that folks could light stoves and lanterns in the days before electricity. As with any commonly used item, a wide variety of designs and materials were produced; however, they usually had an engraved area used to strike a match.
A search on ebay and google images provide lots of different examples of available vestas. Many sterling silver cases with hallmarks are very reasonably priced at $100-150 or so, and I am tempted to purchase an authentic case and make a custom chain to wear with big wooly sweaters in the winter.
As for my lovely reproduction, I may remove it from its current pearl necklace and make another chain of semiprecious stones to add more color.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Style - Wardrobe Guidelines
Over the years several friends and colleagues have ask me for advice on basics they should have in their wardrobes, so I decided to compile a master List of items that I have in my closet that I always turn to when it's time to get dressed. Focus here is on casual and work wear for a business casual/dressy environment that does not require suits and allows for a certain degree of creative latitude. I'll start with some guidelines/quasi-rules to follow, and then, on to the List! I'll post a separate accessories list later.
Guideline #1: buy the best quality you can afford
This one may be obvious but given the temptation of sales and just the sheer amount of stuff out there, it's a rule that will help you make a better decision. If it's a basic included on my List, it's definitely worth the time, effort and money you will spend on the item to buy the better fabric, cut and make. This may or may not mean expensive or designer--but you are more likely to find classic cuts and high quality fibers with some sort of designer name attached and they will be more expensive than most items in your closet. For example, black narrow leg pants come in many, many fabrics. However, you should buy them in a high twist wool gabardine or stretch wool crepe instead of cotton or polyester since the black cotton will inevitably fade and stretch out over time and polyester tends to get shiny (and not a good shiny, like gold), whereas wool is less likely to do so, and can also be dressed up or down, unlike cotton.
Guideline #2: know quality when you see (and feel) it
Wool is better than polyester. Cashmere is better than acrylic. Not all cashmeres are equal (more to come on cashmere in the List). Italian tailors are the best in the world, especially in menswear. Become familiar with fabrics--how they look, feel, move and wear. Don't just look at the clothes on the hanger; feel the fabric, examine the stitching, check for a lining. Good quality items are usually lined (don't get me started with designers with $1,000+ price points that do not line their clothes). Linings make garments last longer, hang better, and feel and move better on your body.
Guideline #3: buy what fits, not the number
American sizing is absurd; vanity sizing is the new norm. Add to this the fact that there is no industry standard for any size. So, buy what fits, not the number on the label. If a garment pulls, puckers, or the seams are visibly pulling, it's too small. If a garment hangs, hides your hands, or requires you to hold it up lest it fall to the floor, it's too big. A good tailor can work miracles, but there are some fit issues that a tailor cannot fix since the problem is that the intrinsic cut of the garment does not fit your body. Take two consecutive sizes (e.g. 0 and 2, 4 and 6) into the dressing room to try on. For mass-retailer (e.g. machine-cut) items, it may be worth the time to try on two items of the same size, since machine-cut items can vary quite a bit in measurements depending on the location of the item's pieces were located in the cutting stack.
Guideline #4: know what you already have
This may require you to do some spring cleaning and inventorying of your closet! Yes it's work but it may also yield some items that you may have forgotten you had (good or bad), and will give you a good idea of what you have, but more importantly, what you need to add. I like the proportion of 3:1 for tops to bottoms as this should give you many options for seasons as well as occasions. If you already have lots of tops but no bottoms that are not jeans, then you probably need more bottoms. Caveat here is if the tops you already own are all t-shirts with a band name or graphic on them, you probably need to expand your idea of tops. If you have twenty skirts and two pants, you could probably use more pants in order to get more mileage from your existing tops. You get the idea.
Guideline #5: know your style, know your life
Yves Saint Laurent once said, "Fashions fade. Style is eternal." In this quote fashions and trends are interchangeable. Understanding and developing your personal style is the key to having the right wardrobe for you. What is style? Style is a consistent expression of who you are with what you wear. Note the word "consistent." Are you a fan of Holly Golightly, Kate Spade and Oscar de la Renta? Or do you gravitate to Jil Sander, Martin Margiela and Haider Ackerman? Or Levis, Rick Owens and Alaia? You'll recognize your style when you find what makes you most comfortable and projects "you" to the rest of the world.
Life matters as much as style. If your style is more old money heiress but you attend more soccer matches than art auctions, then it's hard to run around in a matched brocade suit and gloves. But it is possible to incorporate your style into your life with the right items.
Guideline #6: mix high/low
In spite of all the magazine editorials and catalogs that show a single designer from head to toe, including bags and shoes, this is crazy in real life--not necessarily because of cost (which will be an issue if we're talking Bergdorf Goodman-worthy designers) but because you will end up with a lot of items that are unwearable except with the entire ensemble (who dresses like this nowadays anyway?) and because you have now co-opted the style of the a) designer or b) the magazine editor/stylist. Either way, this defeats the purpose of reading these guidelines!
So, in order to avoid this style-less void, mix High and Low. High refers to classic, high quality (hopefully you've read Guideline #1 by this point) basics such as a narrow black pant that is worthy of your wardrobe. Low refers to casual, mass retail, or everyday items such as a white t-shirt. I love Gap long-sleeve crew neck t-shirts because they fit really well, are inexpensive, and look good under sweaters or on its own. The crew neck is also a great foil for big chunky necklaces that I tend to favor. I also love J. Crew for making great basics that aren't boring in price points and colors that every woman can use in their wardrobe. Zara's Collection line is also great for suits, fitted trousers and pencil skirts. Mixing High and Low will give your wardrobe the flexibility you need to make your budget go further.
Guideline #1: buy the best quality you can afford
This one may be obvious but given the temptation of sales and just the sheer amount of stuff out there, it's a rule that will help you make a better decision. If it's a basic included on my List, it's definitely worth the time, effort and money you will spend on the item to buy the better fabric, cut and make. This may or may not mean expensive or designer--but you are more likely to find classic cuts and high quality fibers with some sort of designer name attached and they will be more expensive than most items in your closet. For example, black narrow leg pants come in many, many fabrics. However, you should buy them in a high twist wool gabardine or stretch wool crepe instead of cotton or polyester since the black cotton will inevitably fade and stretch out over time and polyester tends to get shiny (and not a good shiny, like gold), whereas wool is less likely to do so, and can also be dressed up or down, unlike cotton.
Guideline #2: know quality when you see (and feel) it
Wool is better than polyester. Cashmere is better than acrylic. Not all cashmeres are equal (more to come on cashmere in the List). Italian tailors are the best in the world, especially in menswear. Become familiar with fabrics--how they look, feel, move and wear. Don't just look at the clothes on the hanger; feel the fabric, examine the stitching, check for a lining. Good quality items are usually lined (don't get me started with designers with $1,000+ price points that do not line their clothes). Linings make garments last longer, hang better, and feel and move better on your body.
Guideline #3: buy what fits, not the number
American sizing is absurd; vanity sizing is the new norm. Add to this the fact that there is no industry standard for any size. So, buy what fits, not the number on the label. If a garment pulls, puckers, or the seams are visibly pulling, it's too small. If a garment hangs, hides your hands, or requires you to hold it up lest it fall to the floor, it's too big. A good tailor can work miracles, but there are some fit issues that a tailor cannot fix since the problem is that the intrinsic cut of the garment does not fit your body. Take two consecutive sizes (e.g. 0 and 2, 4 and 6) into the dressing room to try on. For mass-retailer (e.g. machine-cut) items, it may be worth the time to try on two items of the same size, since machine-cut items can vary quite a bit in measurements depending on the location of the item's pieces were located in the cutting stack.
Guideline #4: know what you already have
This may require you to do some spring cleaning and inventorying of your closet! Yes it's work but it may also yield some items that you may have forgotten you had (good or bad), and will give you a good idea of what you have, but more importantly, what you need to add. I like the proportion of 3:1 for tops to bottoms as this should give you many options for seasons as well as occasions. If you already have lots of tops but no bottoms that are not jeans, then you probably need more bottoms. Caveat here is if the tops you already own are all t-shirts with a band name or graphic on them, you probably need to expand your idea of tops. If you have twenty skirts and two pants, you could probably use more pants in order to get more mileage from your existing tops. You get the idea.
Guideline #5: know your style, know your life
Yves Saint Laurent once said, "Fashions fade. Style is eternal." In this quote fashions and trends are interchangeable. Understanding and developing your personal style is the key to having the right wardrobe for you. What is style? Style is a consistent expression of who you are with what you wear. Note the word "consistent." Are you a fan of Holly Golightly, Kate Spade and Oscar de la Renta? Or do you gravitate to Jil Sander, Martin Margiela and Haider Ackerman? Or Levis, Rick Owens and Alaia? You'll recognize your style when you find what makes you most comfortable and projects "you" to the rest of the world.
Life matters as much as style. If your style is more old money heiress but you attend more soccer matches than art auctions, then it's hard to run around in a matched brocade suit and gloves. But it is possible to incorporate your style into your life with the right items.
Guideline #6: mix high/low
In spite of all the magazine editorials and catalogs that show a single designer from head to toe, including bags and shoes, this is crazy in real life--not necessarily because of cost (which will be an issue if we're talking Bergdorf Goodman-worthy designers) but because you will end up with a lot of items that are unwearable except with the entire ensemble (who dresses like this nowadays anyway?) and because you have now co-opted the style of the a) designer or b) the magazine editor/stylist. Either way, this defeats the purpose of reading these guidelines!
So, in order to avoid this style-less void, mix High and Low. High refers to classic, high quality (hopefully you've read Guideline #1 by this point) basics such as a narrow black pant that is worthy of your wardrobe. Low refers to casual, mass retail, or everyday items such as a white t-shirt. I love Gap long-sleeve crew neck t-shirts because they fit really well, are inexpensive, and look good under sweaters or on its own. The crew neck is also a great foil for big chunky necklaces that I tend to favor. I also love J. Crew for making great basics that aren't boring in price points and colors that every woman can use in their wardrobe. Zara's Collection line is also great for suits, fitted trousers and pencil skirts. Mixing High and Low will give your wardrobe the flexibility you need to make your budget go further.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Welcome to KarynStyle
Why start yet another blog?
This blog is dedicated to the things that make me happy--design, style, aesthetics--all the things that make life good.
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