My Latest Snag: The Gucci Tights.
I’m going a little extra with these, but — eh! You live once. I saw them on the fabulously chic FashionBugBlog and decided to take the plunge. And I’m not even typically super into logos. But I found this pair for $100, which is perplexing since most of their other styles are well north of $250. I’m excited to pair them with some of my more basic LBDs (how chic with something like this or this?) and my new favorite booties this winter (<<currently 40% off and even though these look very basic, they go with everything and create a really clean line — I actually had a woman stop me on the street asking where they were from! “You just can’t find a simple black boot like that anymore,” she said).
You’re Sooooo Popular: Le Striped Sweater.
The most popular items on le blog this week:
+For my jet-setters heading somewhere tropical this winter. Tres chic, tres Chanel.
+An elegant velvet pencil dress.
+A very stylish chunky sweater.
+My current favorite accessory.
+These jams look like they’re by Equipment — but cost far less.
+A splashy statement coat for less than $160.
+This screen cleaner gets solid reviews.
+Still live in these boots, even a few years after they’ve been discontinued.
+Travel black-out blinds for babies = genius.
#Turbothot: So Many Thoughts.
I’ve had so many friends and readers recommend former WSJ reporter Elizabeth Holmes’ Instagram account So Many Thoughts over the past few weeks. She uses the account to analyze the fashion decisions of the royal family, where she can be alternately politically astute, generous in the way only women can be to other women, snarky, and catty in the way only women can be to other women. I have, well, so many thoughts about this account. As a fangirl of all things royal, I enjoy the commentary and the imagery and appreciate the way her observational humor can bring to light political issues du jour that I should know more about anyway. And it’s fascinating, the way fashion can be used to tell a story and establish a brand. The royals are adept at these sartorial arts.
But I also bristle at the account. Is fashion a common lens through which I understand and size up other women? Yes. Is it the filter through which I’d like my best self to see other women? No. And yet let me be honest: I enjoy looking at and commenting on the style of celebrities and politicos. I sat at tea last Saturday at the Plaza talking about the unflattering dress one of the Bush daughters recently wore among friends. But there is something pointed about an account dedicated to its study, something despairingly public about it. When women in the public eye are solely or predominantly evaluated via their appearances, it makes me feel as though we are playing into a kind of antiquated gender politics that leaves me itchy.
I don’t know where this leaves me. If I were more virtuous, I would angle towards banning such denigrations in my private conversations, anchoring commentary elsewhere. But is that overly priggish and dramatic? Probably. After all, I have eyes and I enjoy fashion and how can I not comment on the latest looks, even if only among friends?
What do we think?
#Shopaholic: Work Out Gear.
+New year = renewed commitment to exercise. I really need to get back on the wagon. Currently lusting after these glitzy leggings, this loose tank, and a new pair of APLs in blush.
+Up your ante in the new year with this amazing coat (extra 30% off!) or gussy up your current coat with this add-on (also an extra 30% off!)
+The Ganni “It” sweater is heavily discounted.
+I’m usually allergic to prints on plates, having donated at least three or four sets after growing tired of them, but THESE! For next year’s Thanksgiving! I MEAN.
+Get the Aquazzura look for less. (A lot less.)
+Loving this buffalo plaid sweater dress. I want to live in it.
+Also love this long tweed blazer/sweater thing — I’d pair with dark skinnies and statement flats. (Or, dress it up with a real Chanel brooch to throw everyone off your tracks. Is it real!?) AT is rocking it out!