Favorite of the Day: Ralph Lauren

When the current state of American sportswear is discussed, three labels are generally the first to be mentioned. Calvin Klein. Michael Kors. Ralph Lauren. Lauren tends to be the most opulent of the three. With western influences, or the specter of the East Coast preppy, looming large throughout the collections. But this season Lauren looked to East Asia for inspiration. However, what caught my eye were the parade of chic and sharp black dresses that alluded to that American sportswear tradition.

They are a much-needed palette cleanser as everything moves to London.


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Favorite of the Day: Milly

There is one show every season that makes my New England roots appear. It's that side of myself that has multiple pairs of argyle knee highs to wear with her ballet flats. And piles various striped tops under her blazers. The side that meticulously cares for her equestrian-style boots. And pairs her oxfords with almost everything including her gold, sequined miniskirt.

It was that girl who internally squealed with delight while perusing the pictures from the Milly show.

There was something easier and less rigid about the clothes. A slouchiness that has been all over the runway this week. It gave everything a more adult edge.

It's an element I feel that my wardrobe is sometimes missing.


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Favorite of the Day: Halston

On our somewhat cluttered mantle, hidden among pictures of my sister and I at various ages, there is a photograph of my mother at age 26. I first encountered the picture when I, at barely 26, returned home from New York. There she was, all legs and afro. An enviable body really, long and lithe. Her position in the photo emanated a kind of ease that I have trouble possessing myself. At times I encounter the vestiges of the woman in that picture when I roam through her closet. I imagine that she would have been as in love with the Halston collection shown yesterday as I was.

Even with my reliance on all things restrained and tailored, the idea of a little fluidity intrigues me.


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Favorite of the Day: Marc Jacobs

In fashion writing and criticism, people are always looking for fresh yet succinct way to describe things. Especially now that most of those watching the shows from the front lines find themselves armed with smart phones and only 140 characters to spare.

I watched the Marc Jacobs show much as I have so many shows during the past two major seasons. With my computer on my lap and some sort of snack at my side. After the show, as I began to read all of the various commentary people typed out from their seats, there were definite patterns. Numerous decades were thrown around. The 1940s girl. The 1950s girl. The 1970s girl. Oh, and this girl was being taken on a trip. To the brothel. To the sex shop. To the future.

Nothing changed as of this morning. People's thoughts were everywhere and nowhere at once, trying to grasp exactly what they had seen the night before.

In a long ago college English class, another student complained about the fact that we could never just enjoy the books that we read. That we were muddying up the text by spending so much time discussing the author's voice or whatever else it was that we spouted to make ourselves sound smart.

There are, of course, times and places for that type of analysis. I am not immune and often feel the need to parse and define on sight. But I should spend more time letting the beauty of certain things remain undefinable.

Even if I can only stand to do it for a moment.


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Favorite of the Day: Erin Fetherston

Clothing imbued with an almost doll-like femininity can generally be found at an Erin Fetherston show. This season, with her focus now shifted to a lower-priced line, everything felt a bit leaner. The palette was limited and, though there were still some skirts and dresses that floated and twirled, everything had a note of the adult in it.

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Favorite of the Day: Jason Wu

Though they don't provide the full experience of attending a show, the live streams allow me to see the clothes in motion. As models walk by the cameras, I can examine the tiniest details as well as the intricacies of the embellishments. That was the case with the Jason Wu show yesterday.

The baroque qualities of the shoulders. The fragility of the lace. The scattered pattern of the paillettes. These are things that can get lost in two dimensions. But it's those things that really bring the clothes to life.



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Favorite of the Day: Lyn Devon

As the new season approached, I considered putting an end to this series. I was fearful that it was becoming stale. That I was starting to feature the same designers again and again. But like anyone, I have favorites, and to call the repeated appearance of some designers stale is to do them a disservice. It's the change from year to year and the creativity that I see in their pieces that cause me to continue featuring them.

So, here again, is Lyn Devon. Everything is a bit looser this season, a thread that I'm already seeing run through multiple collections.

Whether it is the gown or the sweater dress, she tweaks the classics just enough to transform them into something new.


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