After Marlien Rentmeester mentioned her last week, I’ve spent way too much time ogling over Elle Strauss, senior Lucky fashion editor, and her impeccable style in her feature on Refinery 29. UGH, I just die over her. Too cool, to chic. Damn.
Everything, I WANT IT ALL. The key takeways here:
Lesson 1: Leather moto jackets are not scary.
I didn’t think this wardrobe staple was for me until I saw Elle style it with the lace dress above (by Lover). Elle’s leather topper is by TopShop ($330), and it sent me on a wild tail spin into the search for the perfect leather jacket. I actually preferred this faux-leather TopShop style ($116) to the one she wore for its quilted sleeve detailing. (Ahmazing. And you can’t beat that price!) But then that led me to search elsewhere for other leather coats with quilting, and I fell head over heels for this collarless Catherine Malandrino find (on sale for $380). Which would you pick?
Of course, the bank-breaker would the Balenciaga moto jacket, which also features quilted detailing, and — to my knowledge — is no longer available. See it styled on the chic peas below for a little convincing that you NEED a quilted leather jacket:
Ugh, love. Anyway, need one of those puppies. But I need to pair it with a lace sheath ala Elle to cut down on its intensity. The DVF Zarita ($325) is the perfect answer, although I’ll admit that this hella-inexpensive number for Dorothy Perkins ($44) in a-seasonal white caught my eye as well. Pair with black tights and classic Sergio Rossi pumps ($575):
The Chanel bag would be the dream come true, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For more moderately priced options: the Rebecca Minkoff “Flirty” ($295) is pretty arresting with its on-point studs; alternately, this (also studded) crossbody ($128) would be a fun little closet addition, and it comes in a range of great colors, including a fab cheery red:
Lesson 2: Isabel Marant is the bomb.com.
After hearing Ms. Strauss wax poetic about her Isabel skirt + shirt combo that she’s worn “so many times it’s embarrassing” (we’ve all been there before…I’m sure Mr. Magpie will barf if I wear my new burgundy leather J. Brands one more time in the next week), I realized that it may be time to finally snag one of the many Isabel Marant pieces I covet every season but find a little out of my price range and/or challengingly chic with their Parisian street slouchiness.
I love Isabel Marant’s silhouettes — pin thin, tailored trousers/denim with wide-neck booties and blousey/slouchy tops (almost cartoonish in the proportions!) or urban hippie flared/ruffled minis with loose knit tops. I just — who new that a flippy skirt could look so fresh?! I may or may not be considering this embroidered skirt from her diffusion line, Etoile by Isabel Marant ($290) with an embroidered white blouse ($25 — alternately, go BIG label with this stunning lace/embroidered top from The Row, on sale for $580, or this affordable, demi-sheer find for only $44):
{P.S. if you like the printed/flouncy skirt look Elle was rocking rather than my adaptation above, check this Isabel style out, on sale for $462.} Now, Elle finished the look with Isabel Marant “Dicker” booties in a sand color ($600), and I KNOW how popular that shoe style is, but I just can’t accept it. I’m sorry. I know a lot of my chicest friends rock them OUT, and I have to say that Elle made the look more fetching than ever, but I just…always want the heel to be a little higher. And the shaft to be a little taller. I don’t know, it’s not my silhouette. So, I’d finish this look with a heeled, mid-calf bootskis (Sigerson Morrison, on sale for $297):
Cool cool cool in an urban cowboy-ette kind of way. Especially finished with the Wang mini duffel (which also comes in rad neon colors this season! — $795):
Lesson 3: No, really. Clue yourself in to Isabel Marant.
She didn’t specifically mention the Isabel Marant “Lazio” wedge boot (on sale for $832) that the entire fashion world raved about, but it’s all I could think about after reading about her love of all things Isabel. Get the look for less with this Madison Harding find ($275)
I feel like we all might have thought leopard would be swept under the rug for a few seasons, but not so, selon Elle. Her cute leopard topper reminded me of Wren’s leopard coat, which Alexa Chung wore to rounds of applause a few seasons ago. Unfortunately, that style is no longer available but — GASP — wait til you see what Wren replaced it with: an even chicer (in my opinion) colorblocked leopard-trim coat ($598):
No but REALLY. Please get in my closet. {I also love this style from Emerson Fry for $425, but you can get the look for far less with this ASOS style, on sale for $61!} I’d wear it over a chunky knit sweater ($379), leather jeans, and — while I know she’d finish it with those little elfin booties with suede fringe (according to Marlien, she swears by this Steve Madden pair), I’d swap those out for these AHMAZING Chloe boots (I want, I want — on sale for $599):
And — finish with this unassuming, wear-with-anything cross-body ($159):
Lesson #5: Try a red lip.
Elle swears by Nars’ lipstick pencil in the bright red Dragon Girl shade ($24). I’m game.
Anyone else smitten?!