Homework

I'm in the midst of a task for a job that I'm interested in, and I find myself up to my ears in pictures of shoes and bags and dresses and distressed jeans. But through all of the muddle, I found the perfect Spring outfit for me.


It's perfect for brunch. For all of those wonderful dates that I go on. For a day of window shopping with a friend. I'm especially in love with the flats. They and I are meant to be together forever. Or at least until I find someone younger and a bit flashier.


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Finalement Paris

After weeks and weeks, I've gotten to this city at last. Though New York is my home, I've always wanted to attend the Paris shows. To finally use some of that French I spent nine years studying. To overindulge on pastries and drink a bit too much wine.

Though my pattern of only liking collections in pairs disappeared, the number of individual pieces from various collections that I found myself drawn to ballooned.

A belted blue Dries Van Noten coat.

And a zippered one from Roland Mouret.

An almost too sexy for me Nina Ricci minidress.

An easy day ensemble from the relaunched Rochas.

An one-shouldered Giambattista Valli gown.

A strapless Lanvin dress.

A voluminous Balenciaga skirt.

A printed Stella McCartney dress.

A pink Chanel quilted bag.

In terms of full collections, there was only one. I've always loved Martin Grant. The intricacy of the tailoring makes me dizzy in a way that reminds me of the days when I would spin far too fast on the tire swing. I was so overcome with giddiness that I could hardly stand or breathe when my feet finally made their way back to the sand below.

Many of the stand alone pieces that I like are on the trendier side. Items that I would wear for a year or two before possibly becoming bored with them. They would settle into the back of my closet with the business casual pants and the medical school interview suits. The collections, however, always lean toward the classic. Things I could wear forever with a bit of an adjustment here or there. Those are the types of pieces I always find myself coming back to. Visiting in various stores imagining the day when I might be able to take them home with me.

I wanted every item that Martin Grant had on offer for next Fall, but here's a small taste.

A gray belted coat.

A white halter dress.

A gray off the shoulder dress.

A black halter dress.

A Joan Holloway-esque pink dress.

An impossibly wide and high pair of pants.

And pure drama.

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See No Evil

Blazers are everywhere right now, especially of the loosely fitting, boy variety. This one would nicely complement the more closely fitting pieces hanging in my closet. Let's all just ignore the fact that the price is more than one month's rent. Before tax.



La ti da, I don't even see that number.


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The Sneakers

I'm finally taking a break from the cleaning frenzy I entered a few hours ago. The dishwasher is running. The bathroom smells like cleaning products. But my shoes, as always, are still scattered all over my apartment. They're always the last things I organize. And the first things to return to their original state. I can see beneath my futon from where I sit, and there are at least seven pairs residing there. Mostly forgotten as things that are partially hidden have a tendency to become. Living there now are my favorite pair of sneakers. Beat up blue and orange Sauconys.


Also featured: an old H&M bag, a pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs flip flops I never wear and the leg of my Gap skinny jeans.

I've never really been a sneaker person. Flats and boots and the occasional heels are my loves. In my life, sneakers are for the gym or really, horribly, nasty rainy days. When I do wear sneakers out, they're usually of the more fashion variety. A pair from Lacoste that would never make it through a marathon, much less a light jog. Or a pair of light green plaid Chucks.

But this old, ratty pair has been around longer than all of those. Actually it's been around longer than any of the shoes currently in my rotation. They've never seen the inside of a gym, but they have seen rain, snow, sleet, wind and beer to the point where I actually had to throw them into the washing machine (don't ask). If they were a child, they'd be wrapping up the first grade and preparing for a summer vacation filled with mud pies and hopscotch.

In the past, I would sometimes leave them alone for months before happily rediscovering them on a day when none of my many flats would do. When I wanted to be able to wander my neighborhood without wincing and cursing under my breath. But now, they don't go long without being worn. Even on days where there is no rain.

Spring Forward

Because the change of seasons is always a good time to add new pieces to your wardrobe and the sales continue unabated, I bring you, without much comment and in no particular order, Things I Want for Spring And Could Maybe, Kinda Afford If I Had a Job Right Now.

Dresses

One:


Two:


Three:


Four:


Bottoms

One:


Two:


Three:


Tops

One:


Two:


Three:


Sweaters

One:


Two:


Three:


Shoes/Bags

One:


Two:


Three:


Four:


Five:


Paris is next. I cross my heart.


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When in Milan...

After finally reading the March issue of Vogue and spending a good amount of time stressing about the direction my life is taking, I got down to the business of addressing Milan and Paris.

Of all the fashion weeks, I have to say that Milan is probably my least favorite. The clothes are beautiful, as they are in all of the cities, but they're just not very me. And though the clothes shown in London are even less me, the innovation and originality seen in that city's offerings excite me.

In Milan, the allusions to the 1980s were there (as they were everywhere) but more in the shapes and cuts as opposed to the searing colors that were a signature of that time. There was, as always, individual pieces that I fell in love with.

A slim fitting suit and an equally slim dress at Jil Sander.

A lengthy clutch at Bottega Veneta.

The embellished cocktail dress at Prada.

A royal blue dress at Salvatore Ferragamo.

And because I can only like things two at a time, there were, again, the two collections that I loved. One for the clothes and one for the accessories.

I've been a fan of Burberry Prosrum and its Creative Director, Christopher Bailey for awhile now. This season was no different. There were allusions to the Bloomsbury Group there, but, unlike when so many other designers reference past decades, the inspiration was subtle and stayed out of the realm of costume.

Though I was a bit something about the clothes at Marni this season, that feeling did not extend to the accessories. The necklaces are similar to the ones from Lanvin a few seasons ago, but these, for some reason, are more appealing to me. They seem lighter in some way. Maybe it's that I don't feel sophisticated enough for Lanvin. Marni would be easier for me to pull off.

Besides the necklaces, I fell in love with the tights. Simpler and more every day than those shown at Doo.Ri earlier in the month.

And then there were the bracelets.

Hopefully the break between Milan and Paris won't be as long as the one between New York and Milan. Hopefully.


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