Man Cardigans

I love men in cardigans. I also love John Krasinski. So imagine my delight at seeing this:
It's John Krasinski, rocking a man cardigan! Hot! And hanging out with Angela Kinsey! Cute!
Krasinski has a great "I may be a rising Hollywood star, but I majored in English at Brown" look, and cardigans fit perfectly with his style. You have to have confidence to wear a cardigan, because there's always a risk you'll look like a grandfather or an annoying hipster.


When in doubt, go J.Crew (I should get that tattooed backwards on my stomach, so I can see it in the mirror every time I get dressed). Every girl within 50 miles will be dying to snuggle with the guy in this cashmere cardigan, $248. Also, can I say that my feelings towards this J.Crew model are the same as Michael Scott's towards the chair model in the episode "Chair Model"? If I wasn't so afraid of looking pathetic, I'd admit that, based on how he looks in sweaters, I'm about 90% sure that this guy is my soul mate. If I found out that he was also an Olympic swimmer, I'd be about 100% sure.

This model isn't quite as cute, but perhaps more of a regular dude will inspire this blog's male readers (the few, the proud). The rugby-stripe merino cardigan, $89.50, is a more sporty option, good for those who want to avoid looking like Chuck Bass. The wide stripes in classic blue and black are a perfect compliment to the more adventurous cardigan shape.

Here's a cardigan that's similar to the grey one J.Kras is wearing in the second photo, and this cotton-cashmere tipped cardi is just $39. I'm a fan of cotton-cashmere blends, because they're a bit lighter (good for layering in the fall) and they're machine washable (good for when your mistress inevitably leaves a lipstick mark on your collar).

You might have noticed that all these guys are wearing cardigans over t-shirts, but there's a more dressed-up option. I wish I could find a photo that doesn't have this silver-haired model, but Grandpa will have to do. The solid cotton-cashmere cardigan, $49, is a classic option, and it looks even better over a basic blue button-down. This is a great casual Friday option, I think.

This isn't a cardigan, but as long as I'm adventuring through the men's department: I am in love with this sweater vest. The Auburn-stripe sweater vest, $39, is not at all twee or corny, like some ill-informed people seem to think sweater vests can be. It's just effortlessly adorable.


And to bring this post back to where it started: John Krasinski, you are an inspiration to men everywhere.

Special Deliveries

I've been doing a bit of online shopping lately. Here's my hits and misses.

Old Navy had a special sale a few weeks ago, with 20% everything plus free shipping. I couldn't resist that, so I got the light blue pleated clutch I posted about previously, which is a keeper due to its $4.99 price and simple style.










I also picked up this Two Pocket Tote, $19.50, but didn't realize how freaking huge it would end up being. I was hoping for a good laptop bag, but I could find a desktop computer plus a small child in this thing. I took it back to the store.



I also rejected this Boat Neck Color Block Dress, $24.50, after trying it on. I thought it would be good to add a dress with a higher neckline to my stable of V and scoop-neck dresses, but then I realized that the reason I never buy the crews, boats or turtles is because they don't look good on my body. I look top-heavy and too broad, never a good thing. It's a cute dress, just not on me. I'll leave the boat neck dresses to Jackie O. in the future, I think.



I've wanted a trio of intertwined rings for ages, but these aren't the ones I've been waiting for. The enamel trio in turquoise, $3.99, only come in one size and were too big for my ring finger. Also, they looked a little too cheap for me to ever get excited about wearing them. American Eagle made a silver ring trio last spring, which I bought but then tried to exchange through the mail when they, too, were too big. But I wasn't fast enough, and they sold out before giving me a replacement. I'm keeping my fingers crossed they'll bring the trio back, since I love a ring that doubles as a toy.



I did keep this 3/4 sleeve Oxford shirt, $24.50. I already own it in yellow, and as I get ready to enter the work force I can never have too many cute button downs. I'm obsessed with the striped underside of the color-- it's such a fun detail on what's normally a boring classic.





I also got two things from J.Crew when they did the "extra 20% off the final sale" promotion they do every so often. And, to be honest, it didn't work out that great for me. J.Crew has great sales, but too often they're final, which means no exchanges and no returns. The featherweight cotton pleated top, $12.99, is no great loss even if it's the entirely wrong color for my skin and hair. In this photo, it looks like a lovely lemon sorbet color, right? But I should have taken the fact that it's called "citrus lime" as a clue, because it's more of an electric yellow crossed with neon green. I'm not even sure if this color would look good on anyone, because it's so in-your-face bright. It's very soft, though, and perhaps I can hide it under a cardigan a few times a year in order to get my twelve bucks worth.

I've been pining over this dress for months, so when it went down to $139, then $112 with the extra discount, plus a gift card I'd totally forgotten I had, I decided to go for it. I took a risk by getting it a size below what I normally wear, but luckily enough, it fits perfectly. And it even looks pretty good. But, if I'm being totally honest with myself, if I tried on the Giverny-print Sydney dress in the store, I would have hemmed and hawed a lot but ultimately decided not to buy it.

The last time this happened, when I bought a sweater coat that not only made me look like a box but was a gross orange-y red (why so misleading with the colors, Jcrew.com?), Danielle and I planned this elaborate sting where she took it back for me (since they run your name and address through the computer) and told the cashier it was a gift, getting the refund on a gift card and then passing it on to me. I lost a little bit of money since it had gone deeper on sale since I bought it, but that was better than having a monstrosity in my closet. Now, my partner-in-crime is across the country, and I have to cross my fingers that someone I know gets married and invites me to the wedding-- this would be a pretty fantastic wedding guest dress, I must admit. And hey, it has pockets, one of my very favorite dress details! So it's not a disaster dress-- just not the glorious frock for which I hoped.

Pre-Christmas Wish List

Is it too early to form my Christmas list? Probably. And it's very likely that everything here will either sell out or fall off my radar by December, but here's a list of things I wish someone would buy me nevertheless:

Despite my post about my search for a new school bag, I'm still using my beat-up old tote I got a year ago in Poland. But I want this Saddlery Buckle Bag, $58 from Urban Outfitters, to break me out of my purse rut. It's a good size, so I'd be able to fit all my folders and books inside, but it's not so big that I look like I'm running away from home. Also, as a former horseback rider, I'm a sucker for equestrian details. The rich brown color is also a big plus, especially since I think it'll nicely match my boots.

Also from Urban Outfitters is the Kimchi Blue Knit Lace Shoulder Dress, $58. I love how efficiently it sexes up the classic, girly baby doll shape by adding the sheer lace shoulders. However, I hate the back, because it's all, "Sorry ladies, no bras allowed!" I'm as big a fan as anyone of flashes of skin, but this is just unnecessary. Why couldn't they make the lace part end a little higher in the back so we would have the option to wear a strapless bra? Then everyone would win!






Fall is all about argyle for me, and usually it's J.Crew that allows me to gorge myself on those kicky triangles. But Victoria's Secret has these unbelievably cute argyle round-toe pumps, $59. These are perfectly sexy librarian, and the high wooden heel adds major attitude. I think I'd go with the black inside of the brown, because it's a little more subtle and thus more of a fun surprise when people take a closer look at your styling feet.







There's a moment in pretty much every Anthropologie when I flip the page and gasp out loud at the beauty of a dress. This month, it was the dress on the left in this photo. The Elding Slip Dress, $198, is a vintage dream. The details are so feminine and old-fashioned: sweetheart neckline, modest little straps, lace overlay, pleated empire waist. All of it perfectly compliments the particularly lovely color created by the gold filmy layer over the light blue twill. This dress wins "Most Likely to make it to my Christmas list," and maybe I'll be lucky and it'll go on sale by December.






On a totally different note, I need new running shoes stat and I'm partial to Asics. I used to be a Nike girl through and through, but those Asic-sponsored ads for the NYC marathon convinced me that if I'm going to be serious about running, I need Asics. What can I say, they're good ads! I love my current pair, but after a year and a half and countless miles, they've started giving me evil, painful blisters on the arches of my feet. I kind of like the GEL-Foundation 8, because the color scheme is, according to Asics, lightning/burgundy/rose! Yeah, you can tell that I'm not actually that serious about running since I still pick my shoes by their color. But I always say that the cuter the shoe, the more excited you are to put them on, and the more you wear them so the more you run.

It's getting colder by the day, but I'm very reluctant to post out my puffer jacket with the faux-fur hood, because once I do that it's full steam ahead into winter. I think I'd be more enthusiastic about the colder weather if I had this J.Crew Double-serge Tuesday trench, $199. I love cropped wool coats, because they keep you good and toasty but don't make you feel like you're bundled up at a Christmas caroling level. Also, the fantastic red color and classy waist belt make this so look so fun to wear with both casual and dressy outfits.

I really prefer not to patronize American Apparel, but I have to admit that this dress is cute. The Le Sac dress, $38, is another of their convertible dresses that can be worn any number of ways, from "pretty cute" to "dear god, that's both hideous and ridiculously slutty." The way of wearing the yellow version? Lovely! (Also, I think I'm predisposed to like it because the model looks like Rebecca from Greek.) The way of wearing the teal version, however? You're going to get people saying, "By the way, I can see your nipples," all night long. Plus, it makes the model look sort of dumpy. Who wants that?

Olivia Wilde's Emmy Awesomess

So I know that I'm way late with talking about Emmy fashion, so I won't bother doing a whole run down of best and worst. I just wanted to give a shout out to Olivia Wilde, who had my favorite dress of the evening.He Reem Acra dress was simple perfection-- so elegant and classy, but still completely age appropriate for a twenty-something ingenue. I love the ruched and twisted top and the free flowing skirt, which sort of remind me of something Shakespeare's Juliet would wear (perhaps she's as obsessed with Taylor Swift's "Love Story" as I am!). The cap sleeves, however, really set her apart from the crowd. It's so rare to see young, beautiful actresses wear sleeves, and this year even Mary Taylor Moore, whose arm-bearing days are in the distant, distant past, were going sleeveless. So even though the sleeves are basically shoulder jewelry (totally gorgeous, sparkly shoulder jewelry), they create a very distinct silhouette. The color is so well-chosen also; it would have completely washed her out if she was still a blonde, like back in her O.C. days, but instead it nicely compliments her tan and dark hair and makes her looks extra ethereal.

Her makeup, also, is incredible. She looks so dewy and fresh, while peers like America Ferrara and Christina Applegate look shellacked in plastic. The slightly undone hair contributes to the dress's romantic allure, but manages to avoid the "I'm just out running errands on a Sunday afternoon" look that happens when stars try too hard with the undone hair. My only compliant is that we can't see her shoes. Otherwise, well played on all counts, Ms. Wilde.

What to wear with...Cropped Leather Jackets!

So our lovely, esteemed reader Lena recently bought a cropped leather jacket and was wondering what sort of feminine things she could wear with it. Danielle would be a better source of wisdom on this one, but she is busy breaking hearts and kicking ass all over the West Coast, so I'm going to do my best. Lena, I couldn't get that link to work, but I looked around the F21 website and found a pic of this model wearing a jacket that looked close to what you described. I hope it's not too different from the one you bought.


I started by looking up some celeb examples, such as Anne Hathaway. She looks sort of pale and sickly in this photo, but the outfit is very cute-- sort of a "ballerina with a biker boyfriend" look. This J.Crew silk chiffon Abigail dress, $89.99, would recreate it nicely.







Kate Walsh rocks her leather jacket in both casual and formal situations. You really cannot go wrong with a white shirt, jeans, leather jacket and killer heels. But I think it would be awesome to have your white tee be really girly and sweet, like this Hazel Crochet and Lace Blouse, $98, from Dilliard's. I love the vintage-like neckline, and the extra lace trim on the bottom hem.




















Here's Ellen Pompeo and Kate Mara in the same combo:

































While I'm usually not a fan of leopard, I like Kate's idea of wearing a bold print on her shoes. When your outfit is such a tried and true classic, you can really go wild on the accessories and wear those cherry red pumps or pink floral clutch.


As for the white dress, I like the J.Crew Eyelet Zoey dress, $99. I think the all over eyelet will contrast excellently with the leather, and the cropped shape of the jacket will accentuate your waist, which can get a little lost in shift dresses.














How adorably flirty would this dress be with a fitted leather jacket? From Jovovich-Hawk, the Emily dress, $205, has a layer of white silk over a nude slip dress (hopefully you're tan enough to prevent people mistaking the under layer for your skin). It's such a damsel dress, but the leather jacket says that you can rescue yourself, thank you very much. (Also, true story, it's been so long since I've been on shopbop.com that I couldn't remember the name and kept saying to myself, "I know it isn't hop stop, but it's close...")
















For fall, you might try mixing the leather with a cozy knit dress. Cashmere and leather? Will make you want to die of softness. J.Crew has a wool/cashmere Kelsey Tank Dress, $89, that is begging to be toughened up with a fierce jacket.













I want you to ignore the bottom half of this girl's outfit, because I will never, ever, under any circumstances tell you to wear shiny pleather leggings. Concentrate on the top: the soft, fuzzy scarf framed by the leather jacket. So practical for when the weather gets cooler! Sidenote: this model is totally rocking the fringe bangs, and I'm impressed.



One last celebrity photo: Jessica Alba looks effortlessly cool in her Stones tee and jacket. The vintage concert tee isn't easy to pull off these days, due to Urban Outfitters and other stores that mass produce $30 shirts designed to look like you bought them for $4 at a consignment store. So if you're going to attempt this look, don't go buy one of those shirts, and don't buy a shirt for a band you don't actually listen to just because you like the logo.

Fashion Week: Part Monique Lhuillier

I may not know how to pronounce her last name, but I do know that Monique Lhuillier rocked the shit out of Fashion Week and I would kill to wear any of these dresses.

I want to start out big: this gold beaded dress is exquisite. Nice classic shift shape, covered in glowing golden beads. I love how the beading swirls around a bit around the hip, making it that much more awesome.









This gold dress is slightly more subdued in color, but the skirt of cascading ruffles adds plenty of drama. This would be great on someone with really strong coloring; I think it would totally wash me out. It would also look great on Maritska Hargitay, since everything looks good on her.










Taupe is tough color, but the details of this dress totally eliminate the possible blah-ness. The crossed halter top will appear again in this post; despite my worries that wearing it would feel like being choked, it's extremely flattering (if you have great shoulders).









This printed dress is less red carpet, more "I am by far the most fashionable person in the office right now and you should make me your queen." I don't know if the belt is part of the dress, but it is the perfect accessory. Belts are great with prints, since it breaks up the pattern and keeps it from getting too busy.









Turquoise and gold? Perfect for both cocktails in Saint Tropez and bringing a burst of color to the drab streets of any city. I love how the gold neckline is looped into the top, so it's hidden for a few inches and then reappears, just as glorious as before. Also, very sexy glimpse of skin in the center of the top; nice compliment to the more modest pencil skirt.











More gold! More halter! More impeccable, wearable design! This white dress looks like a blinged-out cloud, totally weightless and comfy. It looks a bit like a bathing suit cover-up, and I'd be worried about how high cut it is in the front, but I would wear it everyday no matter.









To bring it back to earth a bit, you could wear this dress all fall (even though it's spring 2009). This grey shift dress sort of looks like it has bedazzled bra straps, but in a very chic way. The tiny belt is a serious counterpart to the shiny cap sleeves, and combined you have a great hourglass silhouette.










Here's a more formal version-- you can really tell that Lhuillier started in bridal wear, because it's so classically beautiful and elegant. The one-shoulder look was seen repeatedly during NY Fashion Week, and this is a gorgeous example. This screams Angelina Jolie, glamorous UN Ambassador and Mother Extraordinaire, to me.








Another lovely draped dress, with a gold belt, in a vivid teal. Another dress I want almost as much as I want Ryan Lochte. In unrelated news, the dvd on Michael Phelps that NBC was hawking came last week, and I'm watching the 4x200 freestyle relay (the one in which Phelps, Lochte, Berens and Vanderkaay totally destroyed both the world record and every other team) as I type this.








One final dress: a strapless column in the palest green. Love the gathered top, loose skirt, and the big statement necklace on the model.

C-L-E-A-N!

Okay, please tell me I am the only one that can't stand Rachel Zoe's new show? I mean, the woman rocks when it comes to styling (for the most part), but every time she opens her mouth and starts spewing off "I die!!" or "loves!!" Or when she spells it out like Fergie. "D-I-E!!!" I want to light her whole wardrobe on fire and smack her adorable, precious new assistant like he's a whipping post. Really. And don't get me started on the whole zombie hands, and that weird silhouette she always seems to wear. Do you know what I'm talking about? It's an overloaded top half with a super-skinny bottom half capped off by heels that are longer than her head. It makes her look like a bird of prey. Or like a babooshka.

Okay... moving on...

The only thing that can calm me down after a bad Zoecabulary attack is something my dearest Mother and I found this summer:

I'm so obsessed with the Shampoo Fresh Hair Fragrance it's actually a little bit sad. It smells SO GOOD that I even spray it on my hair after I get out of the shower and still have that fresh-clean smell. I'll tell you what, though... this stuff is awesome for college students. Hypothetical situation here: let's just say you run to the gym, you work up a sweat, you look at your watch... and realize that you have five minutes left to get to class. Do you jump in the shower and go to class dripping wet? Do you go straight to class still festering in your own sweat? No. No, you, smart girl (or, you know, boy), spray the shit out of your hair with this product and run across campus. Sure, you are still festering in your own sweat, but no one will be able to tell over the glorious scent of your hair.

Or, in a slightly less gross example, say the hot water in your dorm goes out and you can't take a shower... you get the picture. It's also really nice for dates and snuggling and all that good stuff. Did I mention it gives your hair a nice shine, too?

I am in love with all the the Clean scents. My Mom wears the Provence scent (because we secretly wish we were glamorous French women) and it is like a small cloud of heaven floats by when she comes into the room. I mean, just read the damn description:

The soft, fresh, beautiful scent, captured for centuries by the fine
milled soaps of France, is now a very special perfume by Clean. Reminiscent of
pure soap and water, freshly laundered linens and open blue skies, Clean
Provence is infused with extracts of Provencal Lemon, Cotton Blossom, Rose
Geranium, Sweet Lime and Soft Violet Musk. Clean Provence will pamper you with a delicate, just-lathered fragrance.

That's right. Freshly laundered linens and open blue skies.


Shampoo Fresh Hair Fragrance: $39.00. You can find it at Ulta or, I'm assuming, Sephora. It's also available through their lovely website.