Savoir-Faire: A Guide to Living with Style and Grace

Goodbye For Now

 

Above photo from Style.com. 

Dear Readers, 

I am taking a brief hiatus from writing to focus all of my energy on a new career opportunity.  Thank you so much for all of your support these past 6 months.  There are a lot of posts on this blog to entertain you (you can search by category on the lefthand side), but newer posts will be put off for a bit.  I am leaving you with the above image of Natasha Poly opening Chanel's recent Cruise Collection show as inspiration for getting dressed this summer.  Thanks again for all of your support.  I'll be back!  

xx Ally

Summer Sunglasses

 

Above painting by Richard Phillips.  Photo from Fashion Tribes.

While I always go back to my trusty Ray-Ban aviators, there are a lot of different styles of sunglasses out right now, and getting a new pair can be such a fun way to usher in the summer season.  The cat-eye and circle shapes are having a moment, but sunglasses are so subjective and personal that I really don't think trends should affect your choice too much.  Here are some of my favorites that are available now...

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Eco-Friendly Fashion

 

Above photo from Standard Finery's Spring 2010 Collection.

Make a pledge to celebrate today, Earth Day, by going green in a new area of your life.  Going green is no longer just a trend, it is an incredibly important, full-on movement.  Every individual must take responsibility for his or her own environmental impact if we want future generations to enjoy this planet the way that we do. 

There are the obvious rules: recycle, eat organic and locally grown food, and drive a smaller car (if you have to drive one at all).  Then, there are less obvious options in areas like home design (install solar panels on your roof), beauty (use organic products), and fashion (buy vintage clothes and support environmentally conscious designers).  Eco-friendly fashion may raise a few eyebrows at first mention, but it is no longer just about hemp skirts and crunchy organic tee-shirts.  These days, there are dozens of great designers and brands who utilize organic fabrics and responsible production techniques. Here are some of our favorites – consider them when shopping for your upcoming dates and nights out...

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American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity

 

Above, 1933 Martin Munkacsi photograph of Lucile Brokaw for Harper's Bazaar.  Photo from Artnet.

I just received my invitation to the Members Preview of this year's Costume Institute exhibit at the Met - American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.  If you are not a member at the Met, I encourage you to become one - it is a wonderful cause and joining offers you members-only previews and lectures, as well as access to the Trustees Dining Room.  Each Costume Institute exhibit is truly remarkable (you will remember the recent The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion and Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibits), and this one promises to be nothing less.  

The American Woman exhibit opens to the public on May 5th, and will explore the archetypes of American women since the 1890's through dress: the Gibson Girls, Bohemians, Screen Sirens, and others, all the way through modern day.  The exhibit is very highly anticipated - Vogue even dedicated their entire May issue to it.  The exhibit is open through August 15th, but take my advice and see it before the summer tourist crowds descend on the city.  Enjoy!

xx Ally       

Beach Essentials

 

Above image from Paris Vogue.

Whether you are planning a spring trip to Florida (like me), Montauk for Memorial Day, or just a relaxed summer around your backyard pool, these pieces will get you through in style.  As I prepare for a week on the beach, this is what I'll be sure to pack.  No black, no heels (well, maybe one pair) - just the relaxed basics that make me feel comfortable and stylish... 

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Back to Basics

Above photo from J.Crew.

The more I follow fashion, the more I find myself bringing basics back into my everyday style.  Maybe it has to do with my getting older, or my lower amount of funds at the moment, but I am increasingly drawn to the shops of my mall-strolling middle school and high school days - J.Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, and the like.  It really is hard to beat J.Crew's perfect tees or Gap's striped tanks and utility jackets.  They are so affordable and forever stylish - especially when mixed with those things that are more of-the-moment, like silk paper-bag pants, an oversized men's watch, or a pair of open-toed booties.  

I've even gone back to the exact things that I swore off many years ago - Barbour jackets, jean jackets, Tiffany jewelry, and woven bracelets.  I encourage you to let go of the obsessive trend-following for a moment and get back to your roots as well - you will no doubt find some old styles that are comfortable, well within budget, and make you look effortlessly chic.

xx Ally 

 

Jérôme Dreyfuss Opens in SoHo

 Photo from Jérôme-Dreyfuss.

The popular handbag designer for Parisian it-girls now has a brick and mortar in SoHo - Jérôme Dreyfuss has just opened a shop at 473 Broome between Greene and Wooster.  The store is very modern, with white tiled walls, Ron Arad couches, and collection images displayed in lit photo boxes.  The beautiful leather bags come mostly in classic shapes and in just about every color, without obnoxious logos or too much metal.  Pay a visit to the store if you're in the area, or take a look at the styles here.

xx Ally

Sixx Design

 Photo from Sixx Design.

You may have seen advertisements for Bravo's new series "9 by Design" (airing April 13th), and the parents of the large family should seem familiar.  Bob and Cortney Novogratz are the design duo behind the amazing NYC firm Sixx Design, and are also the authors of last spring's much-buzzed-about design book: Downtown Chic (available on Amazon).  Specializing in turning wrecks into ravishing residences and hotels, Sixx Design mixes vintage and modern styles to create a signature look that is always unique, stunning, and glamorous, but with playfulness and livability.  Here are photos from some of my favorite Sixx Design projects... 

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Cowgirl Chic (Equestrian Style, Part 2)

 

Above photo from Vogue, April 2010. 

I just returned from a trip to Tucson, Arizona, where I was inspired by the southwestern style.  I wrote about Equestrian Style in an earlier post, but this is a much different kind.  Here are some of my favorite southwestern-inspired fashion and home design pieces...

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Spring Trends

 

Above look from Valentino's Spring 2010 Collection.  Photo from Style.com. 

Yesterday was the official first day of Spring.  If you haven't done so already, it's time to do some Spring Shopping!

This Spring’s biggest trends are Nautical, Military, Clean and Crisp, Patterns and Prints, and Sheer Fabrics.  For most people, runway looks act as sources of inspiration and are not to be taken literally – a normal person would look like they’re wearing a sailor costume if they donned a striped shirt and pants, anchor necklace, and red espadrilles – and no one is advised to go out in a sheer top with nothing underneath.  The key is to take certain elements of your favorite trends and adopt them in your own way.  Be brave and have fun with them, but stay true to yourself.  Remember that fashion is supposed to be fun and give you confidence – so only wear what makes you feel good... 

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