MILAN STREET STYLE

Street style from Milan
Photo: from The New York Times, Style

It is as much fun to look at the people outside the fashion shows during the slew of Fashion Weeks around the world as it is to see the runway creations.  This young lady caught my eye -- very little embellishment, just clean and stylish use of shape and color.

I think I will be wearing red today.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

I can't believe this weather.  A storm looks like it's brewing and the trees are getting whipped around.  My friends and I were commiserating that we were wearing our Fall garb!  I had a cashmere sweater and knee high boots on -- and it's May.

It's raining now.  I'm just showing you my trusty, Desigual jacquard coat, worn with the orange rabbit fur scarf.  A dash of color always helps on a grey day!

Desigual coat with rabbit fur scarf 

Desigual coat with rabbit fur scarf

I hope your week is springlike and sunny!

DESIGUAL AND ART

The Museums in San Francisco have been so inspirational.  If you are in the area, not only should you catch the "Balenciaga and Spain" exhibit at the De Young.  The real must-see is Isabelle de Borchgrave's trompe l'oeil costume masterpieces for "Pulp Fashion" at the Legion of Honor.

Naturally, these exhibits attracted Art and Fashion students and other stylish admirers.  So I decked myself out in my colorful Desigual coat to blend in.  I was tickled pink (or rather rainbow!) to be stopped by several museum-goers complimenting me on my coat.  And it wasn't even the wildest print -- it was restrained by Desigual standards.

Desigual coat
from Desigual print ads
This isn't my exact coat but it's similar

The back of my coat is like this too
photo from allexpress.com

Detail of the coat
It's in a jacquard type fabric with embroidery and print
photo from allexpress.com

For more on Desigual, please refer to my old posts:

Barcelona Buzz

Desigual Meets Christian Lacroix

TRAVEL: ANTIDOTE TO THE GREYS

I'm packing up for Thanksgiving Week in Seattle.  The capital that gave us Grunge also happens to be grey and damp at this time of year.  So I dig through my closet for the easiest antidote:  COLOR!  

The biggest impact comes from the overcoat.  Updating the old overcoat is a cinch.  Hint: it's all about accessories.  Pack several knit scarves.  Also, suede, clog boots with tassels feel just right in Seattle.

Knit scarf: frilly/multi-colored/multi-textured
Any scarf can update an old coat

Another option:  a vintage wool coat acquires Style with a fur collar.  To avoid the time warp feeling, mix it with hip boots.  Or, you could really update it with a wide, brown, leather belt.  Go waist-to-waist with Michelle Obama.

Vintage coat gets Style from the  collar

I showed this ladylike coat last Easter.  I plan to winterize it with a nearly-black fur collar.

Change the look on
this Easter coat by adding a
nearly black, fox fur collar

What do I pack to wear underneath the coat?  Most likely sweater dresses (great for wrinkle-free packing) with black, cable knit tights like the look from Anthropologie I posted last week Transition Weather Looks:

Anthropologie, October 2010 catalog

That about fills up my suitcase.  Now to work on my books and magazines ...

EASTER CHARM

Easter-time always makes me think of ladies in wispy florals and pretty garden hats.  But what if you are not the type who "does" florals?  You can still look ladylike without frills by wearing spring colors instead.

• The princess coat shown here gets its ladylike charm from the bright color and the contrast ribbon.  
• Tiny, black bows make it more feminine without steering away from the straight lines of the design.
• The back collar detail also shows more of the contrast ribbon and bows - a visible detail in case you are wearing your hair up.

To avoid making it overly girly, skip the traditional pumps and opt for edgier booties instead.  Just ensure visual harmony by keeping your shoes in the same color as the contrast - that is, if you don't want to be mistaken for an Easter egg!