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

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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Art for Right Now

Above, Slim Aarons print, $250 at Assouline. 

I love the look of mixed art on walls - investment works next to simple sketches next to old family photos next to your niece's paint scribbles.  There are three artists I cannot get enough of these days: Slim Aarons, Hugo Guinness, and David Hockney.  Slim Aarons and Hugo Guinness prints are both available for less than $300 - for David Hockney prints though, at least for me, framed pages from books will have to do.  Here are some great ways to satisfy your love for these artists...

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Fall Favorites from the European Shows

 

Above, a look from Stella McMartney.  All photos from Style.com.

"Clean, polished, chic - three buzzwords of the season." - Style.com.

The biggest Fall 2010 trends - rich layers and textures, monochromatic looks, prints, long hemlines, and sheer fabrics - from New York Fashion Week were also seen across the pond in London, Paris, and Milan.  My favorite collections were from Balmain, Burberry, Celine, Chloe, Dries Van Noten, Giambattista Valli, Isabel Marant, Stella McCartney, and Valentino.  Here are the best looks from each.

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As You Spring Clean, Keep a Capsule Wardrobe

I am now contributing to the website, "BounceBack."  BounceBack is a wonderful resource for people who are going through heartache and are looking to "bounce back to life."  I am their "Fashion & Trends Expert," and below is my first article for them.  Enjoy!  

 

Above, a nautical look from Chanel that also includes great capsule wardrobe pieces.  Photo from Style.com.  

Now is the time to clean out your closet and prepare to bring in some of Spring’s new trends.  When you get rid of old, ill-fitting, tired clothing (which can be therapeutic after getting rid of old, ill-fitting, tired relationships), remember that the pieces you want to keep are the invested-in classics.  These are the well-made things that make you feel beautiful and sophisticated: the black shift dress that you can wear with kitten heels (they’re in again!) to work or with a fun necklace to a cocktail party, the crisp white blouse that looks just as great with a pencil skirt as it does with jeans, and the tailored dress pants that you can always count on to make you feel just a little bit better about yourself on a bad day.

There is a concept in fashion that is referred to as the “capsule wardrobe.”  

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Paris Street Style

 

One of my favorite things about Paris Fashion Week (besides Lanvin, Celine, and Balenciaga) is looking at the exciting style choices that the tastemakers and editors make for running around town.  Here are my favorite Tommy Ton photographs from this year's Paris Fashion Week...

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Anklets

 

Above, Lanvin shoe.  Image from Obsessed with Shoes. 

I declared something to a friend of mine a couple months ago and she looked at me like I was crazy - and I'm sure many of you will initially have the same reaction when I declare it to you: I am really into anklets right now.  These are not the handmade, knotted anklets you wore to the pool in fourth grade.  I am talking about thick gold chains and leather wraps worn with pumps and short skirts.

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