Minimalism Rules

I've long eschewed girly, saccharine clothing in favor of sleek, sophisticated pieces that compliment a woman's shape instead of distracting from it with superfluous ruffles and frills.  Here are some minimalist pieces that I'm loving right now:

Rory Beca Peacock V-Neck Dress, $253

A lovely, simple dress with a body-conscious cut and flatters-every-skin-tone color.

Alisha Levine Open Back Racer Tank, $178 $124.60

I love Alisha Levine tops, and this one is no exception.  It's casual but elegant, basic but definitely not ordinary.

Rich and Skinny Sleek Jean, $157

I'd like to nominate turquoise as an honorary neutral: it flatters virtually every skin tone and goes with almost every other color.  These skinny jeans would look stunning worn with a floaty top and some earthy accessories.

SharDann Rukiya Jacket, $330

I own two leather jackets and wear them constantly, with everything from the frothiest vintage dress to my most scuffed-up Levi's.  I love the details on this one: short sleeves, a swingy cut, and awesome African cotton lining.

Alice + Olivia Double Strap Long Dress, $396

Maxi?  Check.  Fresh, bright color?  Check.  Luxe silk?  Check.  Streamlined design?  Check.  This Alice + Olivia dress has all the elements of a perfect summer frock.

Jules Smith Skin's In Ring, $100

Generally, clothing that exposes more skin than it covers is considered slutty.  But a ring that exposes more skin than it covers?  There's something understatedly chic and subtly erotic about that.

Beirn Snakeskin Envelope Clutch, $260

Very on-trend but luxe enough to be in style forever.  I love the bright, modern fuchsia, yellow, and turquoise.

Dolan Tab Sleeve Romper, $286

I love rompers that aren't infantilizing; with a sexy cut, gorgeous draping, slinky silk, and Studio 54 vibe, this one is undeniably sophisticated.

Root'd In Style Mini CA State Necklace, $143

From far away this looks like just another tiny gold charm; from up close, it's a cutout of California.  I'd definitely wear this were I still living in Manhattan to pay homage to the only other place where I feel complete.  But since I've moved back to Orange County for the next eight months, wearing it now seems a bit redundant... sort of like wearing a band's t-shirt to their concert or hanging a photograph of Times Square in your New York apartment.

Red Ruby Rose clutches

I have to give credit to Danielle for this one, since I came across this seller on Etsy when I was browsing Ms. Blanchett's favorite sellers (I was looking for the place you bought that purse with the yellow flowers-- do you remember where you got that?). Red Ruby Rose sells gorgeous silk-lined clutches covered in one-of-a-kind fabrics. I especially adore this Italian poppy and bud clutch, $65. It's simply but very striking; it'd make a great gift for the stylish friend who isn't interested in carrying the same designer purse as every other girl on the block.

Flash a little back

(I wanted to make the title of this post, "Baby Got Back," but I resisted. You're welcome.)

It's summer, it's hot, you want to show some skin. Or maybe you want to stalk away dramatically from that dude who wronged you, while giving him a view that makes him think, "Oh, why did I screw this up?" Or maybe you've been walking up in the middle of the night to drink egg white milkshakes, because you're preparing to play a female boxer in an Oscar-bait movie. Or maybe you don't need a reason to wear a backless top or dress.

From Urban Outfitters, the Lux Debbie dress, $48, is seriously backless. I like that it's relatively modest in front, so the rear view is a bit more surprising. The strappy back looks great, although I worry that it's the sort of dress that ends up almost strangling every time you try and get in or out of it. But if you're going to be strangled by something, you could do worse than a soft jersey knit in a bright, saturated color.


This Kimchi & Blue Scarf Print Halter Top, $48, embodies breeziness. It's a bit hipster-ish, maybe, especially if you were wearing skinny jeans and some sort of annoying headwear. But with a denim miniskirt and some simple footwear, it'd be great for a barbeque or outdoor concert. But definitely go for simple accessories with a print like this; all you really need is smooth, glowing skin.

The beading on this Lux Ojo de Dios Tank, $48, makes it a touch more formal. I'm not crazy about the sagging fabric at the bottom, but that, plus the raw edges, gives it an appealing "Oh, this old thing I found on the bottom of my closet?" vibe. I also sort of like how the back looks like an upside-down wishbone.

Look how prim and (metaphorically) buttoned-up the front of this Rebecca Taylor open back dress, $216, is: pencil skirt, high neck, modest sleeves. It's very "secretaries should be seen and not heard," but then she turns around and is all, "Wouldn't you rather buy me a drink than ask me to type up those documents?" Plus it's silk, arguably one of the sexiest fabrics. I'm a bit concerned, though, that the ends of the long ribbon used to tie the back together would make me feel like there's an insect on my back, which is never a good feeling.

I am rarely, if ever, a fan of butt bows. Not only do they call attention to your butt in a bad way (if you thought there was no bad way to call attention to your butt, you were wrong), but they get all squished if you sit down. And yet... I sort of like the bow and cascading ruffle on this dress, no matter how much it resembles a tail. The Thayer Bree Open Back dress, $282, looks like a super basic jersey tank dress from the front, and in the back there's all this skin and flouncing fabric! Ok, I just realized that this is the mullet of dresses (business in the front, party in the back). Moving on.

This dress is way more wearable: the T-Bags Solid Open Back dress, $129.50, combines the classic sportiness of colorblock with a seriously confident splash of skin. This would be the perfect dress to throw on when you're enjoying drinks at the country club after you dominated Bitsy Von Muffling in your weekly tennis match. That old bag wishes she was as young and chic as you, and that she could return your backhand.

All these plummeting backs are very well and good, but there's an easier, more modest way to utilize this trend. Brought to you by Old Navy, of course, is the Keyhole back tee, $10. Very simple, very affordable, but comes in great colors with weird names like "Berry Chutney" and you can totally still wear a bra underneath. You could even pair it with a pencil skirt and cardigan and wear it to work, and then afterwards you can ditch the cardigan, take your hair out of the bun, and be all set for happy hour.

I was going to end this post with some high-tech, slightly scary undergarments from Victoria's Secret, for those of us who can't just go braless, but the site is down for maintenance. Sorry, ya'll are on your own.

Retro Swimsuits

I really hate those one-piece swimsuits that have less fabric than a regular bikini. All those cutouts and keyholes leave really weird tan lines and leave all your lady parts in rather precarious positions. Like this monstrosity, $30.99, from Victoria's Secret. If you're going to show that much skin, just wear a bikini, and then you won't have to get totally naked when you visit the ladies' room!

And what is this? You can't play beach volleyball in this, the bathing suit version of the infamous green J.Lo dress! And I'm willing to bet that double-stick tape does not work underwater.

Also, monokini is a really stupid word.

A much better option is the retro one piece! Mindy Kaling posted a few of her favorite one-pieces a year ago; as always, the rest of the world takes a while to catch up to her fashion genius. Also, I feel like this topic is particularly relevant because Mary Louise Parker is plastered all over the city in those Weeds ads, looking totally pin-up hot in a retro swimsuit. Also, this post is about swimsuits, but her shoes are ridiculously awesome and I want them.

Let's start with one of my favorites, from the seller Miss Brache on etsy. She custom makes all of her clothing to your measurements, for not much more than you'd pay for any upper end swimsuit. The Sweet Coquette Maillot, $102, is actually a two-piece swimsuit, so you can roll it up to show a little more leg.

From Urban Outfitters, the Lux Lamour one-piece, $88, has the cutest ruffles on the legs and the classically flirty sweetheart neckline. And the halter strap is removable, a feature I always appreciate.

You'd think that little sleeves wouldn't work on a bathing suit, but look! The Lux Polka-dot one-piece, $98, is a little less frilly but just as adorable. It's so cute that you could totally throw a skirt over it and wear it to a moderately casual restaurant. OR you could probably figure out a way to turn it into a Minnie Mouse costume for Halloween!




If you're sick of one pieces, here's a cute bikini. The Lux Juliet Ruffle bralette and skirted bottom, $48 and $58, shows a perfectly modest amount of midriff, so you can show off your abs while still rocking the retro vibe. However, I have a strong suspicion that the high-waisted skirt only works on girls with very slim hips, because otherwise your bottom half looks likes it's trapped inside sausage casing. Not flattering. But how
cute is the back of the top?






Delia's also has some cute suits. The Solid Cinched Bandeau One-piece, $33.50, is more of a youthful take on this trend. You got the ruffles, you got the halter, but the leg is cut a little higher and there's plenty of shoulder action. Also, I'm totally into this model's cute braided hair.








The Retro Scoopneck one-piece, $51.99, is sort of hot in a weird way. It might just be the horribly uncomfortable looking position this model is in. But I like the buttons down the front; I think it'd be good for a formal sort of pool party, when you probably aren't actually going to go swimming.

This swimsuit isn't hugely retro, but the pinstripe seersucker fabric is pretty old-fashioned. This shirred underwire tank, $85, did not get good reactions from the boys I showed it to (in order to determine whether the model is Mallory from the Real World Paris-- I think it is), but I think it's cute. And I fricking love the sweet little cashmere cardigan over it, no matter how impractical and illogical that combination is.





Finally, here's another little taste of the retro bathing suit style outside of catalogs.

If you're a compliment whore...

The shoes that get me compliments every time I wear them:

Isaac Mizrahi for Target Liz Gladiator Sandals in gold, $24.99. These are the ideal shoes for summer, because they work perfectly with those breezy summer dresses you'll want to wear every single day. They're less casual than flip flops, and I've worn them for days at a time without getting any blisters. Also, I discovered the other day that if I don't fasten the buckle too tightly, I can slip the back strap off my heel. And as someone who really values being able to slip in and out of shoes (I haven't untied the laces of my running shoes for at least six months, no joke), this is a big plus.

The dress that gets my two friends compliments everytime they wear it:

The Cotton Spandex Jersey Bandeau dress, $43. This dress comes in about a billion different colors, and you can change the top straps around to make it a halter top, tube top, etc. It's cute, fun, and cheap, and I want to get one of my own.

Madras

As evidence of my love of Charlotte York and J.Crew, I have a serious preppy side. And there's almost nothing preppier for summer than madras (well, maybe a white seersucker suit). But madras doesn't have to be limited to the country club or golf course; feel free to wear madras even if you don't have a trust fund. In fact, I think madras is best worn with a sense of humor, or, even better, a sense of irony. Wearing madras with your faux-vintage hipster tee or super tough leather jacket? I'm into it.

Madras is great in all shapes and styles, but the place to start is always dresses. From Victoria Secret, this corset dress, $43.99, is maybe more plaid than madras. But it lacks plaid's grunge and lumberjack associations; it's way more Park Avenue. I love the pockets and sash, and I'm guessing from the name that there's some shaping in the seams that'll help the top stay up. Bonus!

J.Crew has a dress that's definitely madras proper, but for some reason I find it a bit... not cute. The patchwork madras Mia dress, $150, has two problems: the color and the shape. I think the shift is too solid-- all that unbroken madras is overwhelming. And the color is a little dull, a little muted-- if you're doing madras, do it bright.

See, this is better! The Playa Patchwork Madras Miniskirt, $68, perfectly walks the line between bright and washed-out. I'm not sure about the shape, since it looks very hip-unfriendly. I love it with the button-down, though, the perfect combination of beach and office.

This American Eagle Patchwork Pleated Skirt, $19.99, is a great casual alternative. The darker shades in the madras make it a bit less festive; maybe more "lunch with your friends" than "day at the beach."

This is another piece that's more plaid than madras, but whatever, it's cute. Also from American Eagle, the Plaid Utility Short, $34.95, is a great pink/light brown color and has all sorts of fun pockets and buttons.

These shoes are sold out at J.Crew, but still: don't you want to go sailing with a boy wearing madras sneakers? No? Just me then?

So I hope I've proven that madras is great in various shapes and forms, but now I want to make my case that madras is at its very best in a bikini. Maybe this is part of my preppy/sailing obsession, but I think madras swimsuits are such an original, fun idea.

From J.Crew, the Patchwork Madras Padded wide-band string-tie top, $46 is ideally paired with a cream cashmere cardigan at a twilight crab dinner on Cape Cod. Then, over some soft-shell, that John F. Kennedy Jr. look-a-like will look over and think, "What a classy woman, who will turn into a style icon through marrying me and then letting me cheat on her."

This AE madras halter bikini, $19.95, is a little less aspirational. This is more for beach volleyball games on Coronado Island, when that Benjamin McKenzie look-a-like will offer to buy you a Sno Cone between sets.

This is probably my favorite Madras bikini, from Victoria's Secret. The madras balconet top, $19.99, and bottom, $11.99, are in such lovely shades of pink and yellow that it's like you're wearing a preppy, preppy sunset. I also think the matching cover-up, $16.99, could double as a super cute skirt. Oh, and bonus: the neck strap on the top is removable, so you can take it off to avoid bad tan lines then put it back on when you dive into the pool. I think this bathing suit is perfect for when you're eating cotton candy at Coney Island and that John Krasinski look-a-like asks if you want to ride the Cyclone with him.

Let Us Now Praise Charlotte York

You guys have seen the Sex and the City movie already, right? If you haven't (don't worry, no spoilers), than you definitely should. It's not great art, but it is a lot of fun. Mostly, I just enjoyed seeing the four girls and being in their world again. And there's not much I can say about the fashion that hasn't already been said (I heard my mother say the word "fug" for the first time when describing a pair of Carrie's shoes), but I do feel that the time has come for me to explain why my blog name is Julia York. Charlotte York-Goldenblatt is definitely not the most sartorially adventurous of the girls, but she's easily the most consistently well-dressed. In almost every scene she's in, she makes me say, "I love Charlotte's dress! I want it!" Really, pretty much my goal in life is to recreate Charlotte's wardrobe.

I couldn't find photos of all of my favorites (why the fuck has no one put together a website that catalogs every single outfit worn on the show? Or better yet, a book? The official SATC series book-- yes, I own it-- does not do justice to Charlotte's fashion perfection), but here are a few classic Charlotte looks.

Season 2, episode 7, The Chicken Dance: Charlotte tells the girls, "At every wedding I've been like, 'No, don't look at me, look at the bride.' But this time, people are going to look at ME!" People gave Charlotte guff for being a bit risque (the dress was backless), but when Carrie was wearing a dress whose skirt was basically wisps of fabric, Charlotte was practically dressed like a nun. A super hot, super sexy, totally classy nun.

I'm always really cautious about wearing prints, but Charlotte knowns how to do it right. This combination takes the foofy out of florals and the optical illusion out of checkerboard. It's fun, but doesn't come off as too busy or overwhelm her. Cute peach purse, too.

Talk about WASP-y perfection (I think that I tend to overuse the word "perfection" when talking about Charlotte, but I can't help it). The pearls, the martini, the shiny hair, and the elegant black dress with that sporty green band at the top.


This outfit shows off Charlotte's great figure-- she has such a fantastic waistline. She somehow manages to make a tweed Ralph Lauren jacket look totally sexy.

This ruffled corset is by Ralph Lauren too, and sure, it may be a little dramatic for cocktail hour. But as a girl whose dreamed of the day she'll get an opportunity to wear a corset as a top, this outfit is heaven. I also love how underplayed her accessories are-- just the dangly earrings and her luminous skin.


More cute prints! I don't know what it is about Kristen Davis that makes her able to pull off even the busiest of prints, but she absolutely does.

Hello, Old Hollywood Movie Star/ Film Noir Femme Fatale! Why is this woman making movies where Tim Allen turns into a dog and not the hugely acclaimed and adored actress she needs to be? No woman this gorgeous should be forced to pretend to be attracted to Tim Allen.

And finally, we have the photo I've chosen as my Blogger profile pic, because it captures both one of my favorite Charlotte outfits and favorite SATC moments. Fresh from the heartbreak of a miscarriage, Charlotte gains inspiration from the example of Elizabeth Taylor and gets out of her pajamas and into this gorgeous pink dress (you can't see the black belt). She looks like Audrey Hepburn incarnate. Sometimes I think this is the closest to perfection that any human being will achieve.

I would say that at least 7 out of 10 Carrie outfits make me say "WTF?" but occasionally she gets it right.


If you're going to see your ex who you're determined not to get involved with, maybe you shouldn't wear such a lovely, feminine dress. But hey, when did Carrie ever make a sensible sartorial decision?

I've always adored pinstripes, and this Vivienne Westwood suit is an incredible take on a classic business print. Carrie looks so classy and polished, yet fashion-forward: exactly what you want to wear for your first day as a Vogue writer.


Carrie always had the best vintage sundresses, and this white number is no exception. The umbrella is a little foo-foo (it's called sunscreen, and anyway, you already look about 95 years old, so that ship has probably sailed). I seriously covet this dress and the effortless way she's wearing it.


There was a point in the third season where hair and makeup finally learned how to make SJP look beautiful (too bad it didn't take long for them to forget). There were a lot of episodes where Carrie would be standing around in some fugly outfit with gross frizzy hair and bad makeup, and a cute guy would be like, "You are gorgeous, I must ask you out immediately!" But in this episode, where she meets Aiden, you can see why he not only gave her that chair at a discount but asked for her number. She's glowing, the shiny curls are lovely, and even that flower pin looks fresh and new. How can something so right go so wrong....
Ack! This outfit always makes me scream in revulsion-- it may be the most offensive thing I've ever seen, and I used to watch the Howard Stern Show. I don't care if that top is Chanel, it's hideous, and those tie-dyed jeans and stupid do-rag make it even fuglier than I would have though possible. This episode, Hot Child in the City, is one of my favorites despite the overdone "We act like high schoolers!" theme, but this outfit? Inexcusable.

I don't want to end on such an abominable note, so here's one more taste of Charlotte. It's simple, sure. But I'd rather be accused of being boring than be mistaken for a circus clown.