Italian Chic

Recently I got an invite to an event with the dress code "Italian Chic," which made me wonder, what exactly does that mean? Traveling through Europe, Italy was definitely home to my favorite street fashion. Plus, Milan Fashion Week is my personal favorite. Italian fashion is both subdued and bold. It's casual luxury, and glamour, and always fashionable and chic. So here's some runway inspiration:

Style Statement

I have many pieces in my closet that I like, theoretically, but every time I try to actually wear them, they don't feel like "me." They're not really my style. How do you define your style? Can it actually be summed up in a few words? I have three sisters, and we've jokingly described our collective style as retro hippie Asian chic, as we all seem to have elements of these key words in our own individual styles. In this quest to further define my style, I read the book Style Statement. I can't word it any better than this, so I will just quote the description "Style Statement: a two-word compass that helps you make more confident choices in life -- from your wardrobe to your relationships, your living room to your career plans. Part workbook, part inspirational narrative, Style Statement presents a series of inquiries that lead readers to the personal words that guide the spirit, look and feel of their life. The first word represents your foundation, your 80%. The second word, your 20%, is what motivates and distinguishes you."

To get anything useful out of this book requires a lot of self-examination. After lots of writing, filling out questions and answers, look up definitions, and reflecting on everything I discovered, I settled upon Structured Sophistication for my two word style statement. Much more than just a description of one's sense of style, this is meant to be a description of how you approach life. Structured meaning a lot more than just my very analytical approach to things, but encompassing structures, or the the art of building and creating, which very much describes how I go about my work as a graphic designer. I have never felt that I related very well to other artists and "free thinkers", that my creativity might be more similar to an architects' was a very freeing thought to me. This word also fit my love of clean, modern lines with interesting details in graphic design, interior design, fashion and probably everything else as well. This word, "Structured" also explains why I can't work unless my house is clean, my files organized, etc. Knowing this allows me to just go ahead and do what I need to do to feel like myself again, then settle in to my work.

The second word I arrived upon was sophistication, a word that reflects my love of relaxed and unstuffy elegance, classic items, culture, and travel. Style Statement included the thought that someone who related to this word might be a seeker of knowledge and a voracious reader. Definitely an apt description of me. Here's where my love of pieces with an exotic flavor comes in, bold jewelry (which I first came to love traveling in Italy) Asian inspired pieces that are a link to my Japanese heritage or Moroccan style lamps that transport me to the enchanting idea of a Mediterranean vacation.

When I reflected back on items I had purchased, outfits I had bought, rooms I had tried to design, etc that never quite felt right, even though I loved the elements, I realized that the balance was always off. Too far to the structured side, (too stark, too serious, too plain) or too far to the "sophisticated" side (too glamorous, too artsy, too bohemian.) When I'd reconsider the balance, it always seem to instantly become more comfortable, more "me."

I always love the way West Elm catalogs are styled, they seem to have this exact balance that I strive for. Here's an example:




I highly recommend checking out Style Statement and figuring out your own two word description of your style. If you do, come back and let me know what yours is, I'd love to hear...

Aspen Food and Wine Fest

Usually I'll be writing about places I would like to go, events I wish I could attend or clothing I'm currently coveting, but today I've been thinking about what to wear to something I'm actually going to, so I thought I'd share that here too. Next weekend is the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, three days of wine, food and liquor sampling and seminars. Dressing for this event poses a couple challenges. First there is a lot of walking a standing, so comfortable footwear is absolutely essential, and as much as I love all of my heels, none of them fall into this category, so all of my outfits will have to work with either tennis shoes, ballet flats or the very comfortable gladiator sandals I picked up in Greece. And secondly, I will be drinking, a lot, and mostly red wine, so anything white is out. (Which made me realize just how much of my summer wardrobe includes this color) Since these are all items I actually own, I wasn't able to find photos or links to purchase all of them, but I've included similar items where necessary. So here's what I've come up with, I've decided to wear my new fedora all three days since it is supposed to be sunny and some of the events take place outdoors (and it will still be handy if it decides to rain) and it has become the cornerstone of all three looks.









I'll be including these three items in all three days. Goorin Bros. Gwendolyn hat,Ray Ban Cockpit aviator sunglasses, and Hype Regina hobo bag. Now for the actual outfits, for Friday:







Bailey 44 striped cowl neck t-shirt (similar) with Rich & Skinny wide leg trouser jeans (similar) and simple black ballet flats. I've heard many times you shouldn't wear horizontal stripes, but I've found this shirt to be incredibly flattering, somehow making you appear both slim and curvy. On to Saturday:








LAMB black maxi dress (similar) with an oversized gold cuff (similar pictured) and a large square wood ring (similar pictured) and the aforementioned gladiator sandals (similar, pictured). And finally, Sunday:




Bop Basic's Girlfriend Jacket, a cropped version of a boyfriend jacket, a perfect version for the short-waisted (like me) over an off-the-shoulder, gray t-shirt and my favorite AG Adriano Goldschmied The Stilt jeans. These jeans are truly the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants universally flattering skinny jean and have converted several of my friends who were previously skinny jean virgins. They are especially flattering in a black wash and the cigarette leg cut. Well that's all for this rare (probably) glimpse into my actual closet...

If I had an extra $1,000...

I'd buy this jacket, Vince Paper Leather Cowl Neckline Jacket. And I'd wear it pretty much everywhere with everything, because I'd have to if I spent this much on one item. I love how it can come off either hard or soft depending on how it's worn, the color is great (it would match those Brian Atwood pumps I'm in love with from my previous post) plus the leather is so buttery. What's not to love?

"Wear" to Start...

One of my sisters recently started a blog as a creative outlet (check it out here ). I made the comment that all of my creativity is drained by my job (I'm a graphic designer) but then realized that's not exactly true. I have a lot of different creative outlets, but one in particular, I spend a lot of mental energy thinking about the places I'd go, things I'd do and what I would wear there if I had enough money, time and the right figure. It's my escape, part fantasy, part perfectionism. I've been loving the idea of moto-inspired jeans, so here's my first outfit selection, occasion: drinks with the girls. And I'm thinking Hennessey, neat.

A breezy, boho but sexy top like Joie Mesa Silk Tunic worn just like the model, nude bra, nothing else under. Moto-inspired jeans, I like these: Vintage1 Motorcycle Skinny Jean. (These would also look great tucked into a stacked heel cognac leather boot, but that's another outfit, and it's a little warm right now to be thinking of fall outfits.) Can't forget the accessories! The most gorgeous shoes: Brian Atwood Grace Leather Stud Slingback Pumps, a cool and unusual bracelet: Jessica Kagan Cushman Eye Cuff, an oversized ring: House of Harlow Sunburst Cocktail Ring in Black Leather, and a zippered clutch: Kooba Audrey Clutch. I don't mind a taupe shoe with a sand colored bag, but maybe a black bag would be a better option? What do you think?