today, i went to school.

Lately I have been on the hunt for really well styled outfits that can translate from my campus wear to things that I would stroll around town in, or go out in on a friday night. None of this can translate into Absinthe gear, given the hellish amount of sweat that builds up on my brow from excessive dancing, or the sticky humidity of the basement where we spend most wednesday and saturday nights until 3am.

However, I fully believe that some of these looks would do the trick on any other sort occasion, for example, today, I go from classes, to work, to a casual management dinner with my other co-part-time managers from the students union.

To start things off, I have to mention this menswear look. Not only because it's phenomenal on this beautiful man, but because it would totally look great on me as well. God I love androgynous style.





Out of all of these, I especially love the khaki short get up, as well as charcoal gray menswear blazer with the black and white oxford lace ups. And, of course, the above photograph, which I would like to think is the perfect female version of the top photograph of the gorgeous man in red denim.

Much love,
s.

Images c/o LOOKBOOK

look in the book.

A casual browse on the LOOKBOOK website is a part of my everyday web browsing. To be serious, though, I actually check the site about four or five times a day when I feel I need to take a break from any sort of mundane task I’m doing. Or to just take a break from work. Or, when I wake up in the morning.

It could happen at any point in the day, really.

However, today, I decided to share some of my favourite looks with you. I browsed through, probably, over one hundred looks – generally the newest and the ones with the most HYPE. These are some of my favourite shots – a job well done to every individual appearing in these photos. You have a great sense of style, and, one day, I hope to have enough cash flow that I too can afford to create a new outfit for every damn day of the year.

I’s a kid of the 90s, so, naturally, I gravitate toward anything acid wash, the same way I gravitate toward lumberjack-plaid. I also love that even though these cut-offs are so ridiculously short, they’re paired with a loose T and a great menswear blazer.


If I was thin enough to pull off great menswear like these following looks, I would. Most certainly, actually, because I love dropped-crotch trousers, a touch of floral, Burberry-chic, and olive green – one of the only colours I actually have in my wardrobe.


The lack of colour in my wardrobe being noted, if I DID do colour, this is how I would do it:


I do not like this dress. At all. In fact, I think it is downright horrible. However, I love this girl’s hair. What would you think if I went all short and uberblonde? Yes? No? Maybe so?


If I could date both of these men, at the same time, I totally would. Just sayin’.


These next four looks are just the epitome of the type of style I love. Not so fashion forward that you’ll walk through the streets of Hamilton and people along the sides of Jackson Square will be thinking, “what the hell”, but enough that I could walk through campus knowing that there is an end in sight to the terrible inclusion of TNA, lululemon, UGGS, and Abercrombie in the wardrobe of nearly every girl.


That’s all. I encourage you to check LOOKBOOK.nu as often as possible. Get inspired, or, inspire someone else.

Much love,
s.

Images c/o LOOKBOOK

two thousand and nine brought sexy way back

Earlier in December, Refinery29 compiled some of the sexiest editorial shots of the year. I, of course, only felt it necessary to share with you.

If you have some sort of objection to boobs and/or nipples, and hate anything that is very visibly sexual - I would suggest you don't look at this post.

They really are great shots, though. So, I would support you 110% if you checked out these editorial pages.

There are a lot of photos, so be patient. All of them, however, are worth looking at.

(I have not included every photo from every shoot – just the ones I feel deemed the most sexy status – most contain nudity, some, however, do not; you can, however, find entire shoots at Refinery29 or Fashion Gone Rogue).

"Anja & Sasha" by Camilla Akrans featuring Anja Rubik for Man About Town magazine

"Morning Colors" by Marcus Ohlsson featuring Caroline Winberg for S magazine

"Wicked in Berlin" by Mario Testino featuring Carmen Cass for Stern magazine

The French Vogue 2009 Calendar by Terry Richardson featuring Hanne Gaby Odiele, Arlenis Sosa, Lakshmi Menon, Jourdan Dunn, and many more for French Vogue

Sophie Vlaming by Bruno Dayan and Jimmy Backius featuring Sophie Vlaming

"Best Friends" featuring R'el Dade & Melodie Dagault for Numero

"Girl of the Golden Field" by Inez & Vinoodh featuring Daria Werbowy for Vogue Nippon

"Best of the Season" by Terry Richardson featuring Freja Beha Erichsen, Eniko Mihalik, Magdalena Frackowiak, and Abbey Lee Kershaw for Purple Fashion

"Suvi & Hanne" by Paola Kudacki featuring Suvi Koponen and Hanne Gaby Odiele for Purple Fashion

"Gammas and Deltas" by Vanina Sorrenti featuring Myf Shepherd for 10 Magazine

"Série Noire" by Mario Sorrenti featuring Guinevere van Seenus and Eniko Mihalik for Vogue Paris

Enjoy two thousand and ten - help bring sexy back just as strong as two thousand and nine did.

Much love,

s.

Images c/o Refinery29 and Fashion Gone Rogue

jet set

I am going to start by saying that I did not like the chapter all that much. I really did love Rachel Zoe’s style book. Really – I did. However, this chapter became a little too much for me, especially because I sensed that about two-thirds to three-quarters of it was spent by Rachel complaining (even though the tone seemed to be crossed with a bit of bragging as well), about how much travelling needs to be done and the type of lifestyle she leads.

I just kept thinking to myself, “woman, you chose this. A million people would kill to have your job, and you just complain about how much you have to pack and how terrible it is when your trip get extended form three days to ten because a few people wants some styling done and then, whoops, you got invited to Cannes.” Poor, poor you.

Seriously, I love Rachel Zoe, but I just wanted to be like, you have got one fucking good life, shut the fuck up.

Anyway. If you didn’t know, Rachel’s fourth chapter of her book is about the jet setter – how to become the perfect packer for any situation. I don’t really believe that you can perfectly pack every time you go away. There always seems to be something forgotten, too much packed, something gets lost, stolen, or broken, or you get so sick on vacation you can’t wear any of your stuff anyway – in which case you throw up your hands, deal with it, and enjoy sleeping eighteen hours a day in beautiful 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

But, if you were to go away in hopes of everything turning out absolutely perfectly, these are the things you should keep in mind.

First off, what you pack is obviously determined by where you’re going. I always say go warm. I love warm weather – and given that it’s nearly January in Hamilton, I am in dire need of a very warm vacation. The only way I would go somewhere cold would be if it involved a ski lodge where I didn’t actually have to ski, but could get massages, sit in a hot tub while wearing a fur trapper hat, and sit inside by a crackling fire drinking some sort of hit beverage spiked with alcohol in the evening. It’s a nice idea, right?

Anyway – no matter where you are going, your luggage needs to be durable. Luggage is always something that should be well invested in – you are going to have it for yours to come. It would be nice if you could get a set, but if you end up having to mix and match pieces, really, what are you going to do right? And investing doesn’t mean you have to go designer either – you can find some pretty affordable luggage in a variety of colours and patterns that fit each individual’s personality perfectly. And I would suggest staying away form going with all black. While it seems like a good idea – classic, sophisticated, good for both business and pleasure travelling – think about waiting for your luggage arriving through that spinning thing once you get off the plane. Now think about how many people have black luggage. It’s going to that much more difficult to find yours. I have a luggage set of really deep chocolate brown. I have four pieces – the large bag, the medium bag, the small bag (the one you can bring on a plane), and a really great oversized tote. I never usually bring the tote with my on vacation – it’s more like an overnight bag I bring to my parents house, or if I’m spending a couple nights at a friends place.

A key thing Rachel says to keep in mind (which, I completely agree with) is to bring on board with you anything you may be scared about putting in your bag. That includes very expensive jewellery, medications – hell, Rachel even brought a gown on board with her before for a client. If it’s important to you – best bringing it on board.

When packing your bag with all the clothing you think you’re going to need when you go on vacation, I’d like to think that you should think about clothing you would wear on your day off, then apply it to your destination. Day off clothing is casual and comfortable – so if you’re heading out to St. Tropez, why not pack a beautiful floor length day dress in a print, all-over print?

If you’re going away for spring break – you should be bring things that are casual and fun; if you’re heading away with a significant other, pick things that veer from a girls night out, to a little more classy but still sexy. For example, if I was to choose a bathing suit for a vacation with girlfriend, I would likely pick on that is maybe a little bit smaller, in a two-tone print, or a bright colour. Or, pairing a single toned top with a different coloured bottom. Much more fun. If I was going away with my significant other, I would be choosing something with a little bit more physical appeal – likely black, but because I think black is sexy, with maybe added details, like a ring in between the cups of a bikini top, and on the sides of a bathing suit bottom. I’d choose a top with a little more push up, and probably also bring a really sleek one piece with cut outs and an open back. Enough skin to show off, but still covered up enough for surprise.

But hey – that’s just me. I pack according to destination, and audience.

I am a pretty damn good packer, so I didn’t really need any of Rachel’s tips. But, if you suck at it, or are one of those people who stuff everything inside, and sit on top of your luggage to zip it shut, you may need these suggestions form Rachel:

- Start with shoes on the bottom. I put mine in sacks, either those that come with the shoes or other drawstring cloth bags, so they don’t get scratched. Protect their shape by stuffing them with socks, tank tops, or something else you are taking with you
- The next layer is any jeans, folded in half
Then layer anything else, laying it flat with as few folds as possible: trousers, sweaters, dresses. On top, place the more fragile items – anything chiffon, beaded, sequined – turned inside out so they won’t catch. I also wrap these pieces in plastic or tissue paper
- Lastly, no matter how tempting, don’t overstuff your bags. Clothes and even shoes end up badly creased. The extra weight can cost you extra dollars at check-in, not to mention incur brutal treatment form baggage handlers, and the case is more likely to explode on the conveyer belt. It just looks bad

If you’re unsure of exactly what you should be packing in your bag, consider who your travel companions are and Rachel’s suggestions:

Single girlfriends: sexy dresses, high heels, and lots of jewellery for a riot of a time
Family: more comfortable outfits, and not as many options, because you can repeat looks with your family
Significant others: their favourite things and yours, including those little nothings that could make your trip sexier
Business associates: business attire that doesn’t easily wrinkle, including a dressy option in case dinner follows the big meeting

Aside from choosing what you’ll be packing for your vacation, there is always that which you’re actually going to wear and take with you on the plane. When travelling, it’s always best to go comfortable over uberglam. Try to keep makeup to a minimal. If you can go with just tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara, and lip balm, do it. You’ll look better when you come off the plane and aren’t worried about reapplying anything.

Keep your hair pretty natural as well – you never know what humidity or wind could do to it once you step off the plane at your destination.

Stick to comfortable, easy to move in clothing and footwear. I suggest jersey pants or leggings, a cotton T or tank top, and a wrap sweater. While a jacket may be a good idea, you can always pack it in your luggage, and grab it to put on once you pick up your bags and before you head outside.

If you’re heading somewhere cold, try out your UGGS for comfort on the plane and warmth once you get off. Otherwise, opt for a slip on slipper, like Birkinstocks, or a pair of flaps if you’re going somewhere sunny. Neither may be the most glamorous options – but both are the most practical.

Always make sure you have your sunglasses on hand and an oversized pashmina or cashmere scarf – it makes a great wrap or blanket on the plane as well.

Rachel suggests the following things for your bag once on the plane. And, if you lucky enough to be a woman like me, you never seem to be challenged when you board the plane with a mini suitcase as well as your purse. So pack away your necessities and your valuable things in your suitcase and store that immediately overhead. For your purse, try to choose and oversized tote – it will also come in handy if you’re going to the beach, take a road trip on a moped in town, or need to pack a bag to keep on hand in your locker at a ski chalet. Once you have your chosen tote, pack it with the following:

- An oversized pocketbook for passport and tickets, as well as receipts, business cards, and so on
- A hard calendar, instead of a techie device. With schedule changing so much, writing it down as it happens can be helpful. Some things are better left to pen and paper
- A digital camera
- Moisturizer and eye cream
- A toothbrush and toothpaste
- Mints/gum
- Magazines and other reading material
- A favourite scent in travel size to apply right after the flight
- Antibacterial wipes and tissues
- A small mirror and any cosmetic you may need (just in case you are the time that reapplies before landing)

(Travelling in fashion: Lindsay Lohan, fresh off the plane, Hilary Duff carrying a more appropriate number of bags, how celebrities really look after travelling - note the necessity of sunglasses, and a set of Louis Vuitton luggage).

Really, it’s all up to where you’re going and what you’re expecting to happen when you’re deciding what to pack. Keep your travel companion in mind, but keep yourself in mind first. If you pack things that you love – you’ll have a much easier time packing, perhaps even enjoy it, and you’ll have an even better time when you reach your destination.

The following are just miniature lists of things I would bring in my luggage if I was travelling away for a vacation, complete with a little Polyvore set of the perfect outfit I’d wear while away.

Warm Destination
- Flaps for the poolside
- Strappy sandals for evenings to dinner
- 2 pairs of strappy heels for dancing and shows
- 5 evening dress (one for every night)
- 5 bathing suits
- 3 day dresses (who needs clothes when you’re in swimsuits all day!?)
- A giant floppy hat to keep my fair skin from burning
- 3 bottles of sunscreen. I do not tan. I only burn. 3 bottles of a 50 SPF are necessary for me
- A whole load of earrings, but likely no bangles – they have the best exotic looking stuff on islands in the local markets – so worth the money

jet set: st. maarten by sarahbeukema

Cold Destination (so much more difficult – even though I would have to pack absolutely no winter sports gear)
- UGGS
- A whole load of cashmere socks, and a couple pairs of knit legwarmers
- A pair of leggings for each day I’m away
- Long sleeve cotton T’s
- Chunky knit sweaters
- Oversized warp sweaters
- A fur trapper hat to wear in the hot tub
- Two luxe outfits composed of leggings, oversized cowl neck sweaters with drippy sleeves and a fur vest
- A couple swimsuits for the sake of the hot tub

jet set: ski chalet, northern France by sarahbeukema

If I was to go away somewhere warm – everything would be about casual sexiness to me, while going away somewhere cold would be a casual luxe, expensive look. That may be backward to some people – but, I do prefer cold weather clothing to warm, remember.

Enjoy the New Year.

Much love,
s.

Images c/o Google Images

the morning after

What else could possibly follow a night out on the town?

Problem is, for some it’s just “the morning after.” For others it is a – “holy fuck, I have to get to work” type of morning after.

I’m fairly lucky that I am still in school with fairly little responsibility aside from going to classes and maintain a part time job, but even then, I like to be able to be fairly presentable when I face a group of people. Except for those nights that you wake up somewhere aside from your own bed - those mornings are always a wee bit more difficult to figure out.

Another lucky for me, my earliest classes start at eleven thirty in the morning, so I get a whole lot of beauty sleep. Even so, I never feel like dragging myself out of bed, only to look in the mirror and have to apply about four layers of eye cream before I get on with the rest of my routine.

What has become a problem for me, though, is that any night can result in a morning after because I’m still a student. If I was working full time I am sure I would have a little more responsibility to keep my bedtime to… well, anytime earlier than the bars actually turning their lights back on, and I would definitely keep the drinking to a minimum. And, then, I could save my all out nights for Fridays and Saturdays.

Right now? Every night could be a Friday or Saturday night. There is always somewhere to go, some bar offering no cover, or a friend who doesn’t have class the next day, or starts as late as four thirty pm. And I have this big problem with saying no. So I usually always go.

So the morning after? I can totally relate. I just feel real bad for those of you who actually have to go to a job the next day. Bloody hell, that would fuck me over.

But, needless to say, Rachel Zoe’s third chapter of her style book is a guide to the dreaded morning after. Her morning after tricks are split between the “go to work” type of morning after, and the “day off” type of morning after – which, I would apply to most people still in school. What I wear to school, I wear on days off, and weekends, and just about anywhere during daytime hours.

So, Rachel says, given that this is life to attend to after the party is finished, try to think chic instead of glitz when it comes to daytime glam. And, when it comes to your day off, Rachel says, “go effortlessly haute instead of lazily scruffy.”

I am sure it would be everyone’s perfect dream to work in a work where you can wear your day off clothes to the work place, but, unfortunately, this type of work wear is saved for those who have worked their ass off for years and really deserve to dress that casually. And, even then, it usually only applies in the areas of fashion, art, music, entertainment, and film.

So, we face the majority of people, who actually work in the corporate world. Or, dress in corporate attire. Rachel’s recommendations are pretty simple to follow, and, I would think would be pretty much basic rules of the office that most women should know before they even enter the workforce. First off, too much skin is a no go. Simple right? It’s a simple rule that if you have a covered up lower half, you can show more up top, and vice versa. If, by chance, you are worried about showing too much skin, layering is always a great idea. Whether it’s to overlap the waistline of trousers or cover up more cleave than necessary – or, hey, even just because it’s looks damn good – layering is always a chic idea, and a quick fix.

Second, Rachel suggests sticking to the basics for the office when it comes to attire. That means, go for trousers, pencil skirts, tailored jackets, button down shirts, detailed blouses, vests, and sweaters. Many of these pieces you can layer, and, the best is that, even if you just had one of eah of those above mentioned items, you could likely whip up eight or nine full outfits.

When it comes to suiting, Rachel suggests that suits, skirt or pant style, should be kept in neutral tones – that’s black, white, grey, brown , navy, taupe, or camel. You can add on colour afterward, with different tops, interesting belts, broaches and killer shoes (just remember to keep the sparkle out of the office – and anything higher than 3” for work – unless you work at a fashion magazine, or are on a film set – is a deal breaker).

A great “but” that sticks to suiting is that suiting does not have to be worn as a matching “set.” I am a big believer in things “going” more so than matching. You can wear black on the bottom, grey on top, vice versa, or navy and black, brown and white, whatever you want, really, because neutrals go with any colour, and go with each other even better than they go with colour.

There is one thing that you should take a definite note about in work attire, though. That’s your bag. A bag easily commands power and attention, but, it can just as easily distract from your outfit, or dictate that you do not take yourself, or your job, seriously. That means that you should avoid anything too fluffy or loud. No one wants to see some hot pink bejewelled anything in the office. And while Marc Jacobs came out with a phenomenal line of bags for this season, I suggest keeping them out of the office, unless you have enough power to carry it around without losing your position, or you work, again, in fashion.

The bag that you do bring to work, should be able to fit everything that you need for work, in it. That includes your laptop and PDA, and files you need for the day, as well as your phone, Blackberry, iPhone – whatever you have. It should also be able to carry everything that you would carry in a bag you would take out for the evening. This is the reason why the Birkin Bag is so well loved. The bag has so many different compartments, and you can get it in a big enough size to fit your laptop, as well as a load of other things. The inside zippers and compartments can also easily hide all of your daily bag necessities, like, lip balm, gum, hand lotion, Kleenex.. and all that stuff that becomes annoying when you have a big bag to dig through.

Another reminder Rachel wants to ensure everyone knows, is that sometimes jeans are OK for work. Obviously, if you work in a law office, I suspect denim is not okay, so it obviously depends where you work. But, if you work in a more creative field, like an advertising agency, or somewhere in publishing, or design, denim could be perfectly acceptable. Just remember to dress up whichever half of your body you’re dressing down. Slick dark denim on the bottom calls for a chic blouse and tailored jacket on top, while high waist wide-legged trousers demand a much more fitted v-neck T to wear on top.

On a personal note – I just want to add that proportions are so, so key. No one wants to be the office slut.

Says Rachel about dressing for the office, “as a rule: avoid anything too extreme: too much hair, too much glitz, and too much skin.”

“Casual clothes typically encourage casual manners.”

But, if you are like me, a student, you fall more into Rachel’s “day off” morning after category. I like this category – mostly because it works so well. It’s so much easier to pull off the effortlessly-semi dishevelled-chic look than it is the pulled together office look.

Always remember that it should be able comfort. And comfort does not, and never should, mean sloppy. Any sort of tracksuit should either saty in your own home, away from the sight of anyone, or in the gym. I do not care if they are your brand new lulus and how great your ass looks in them. They do not belong in the public eye. And, because they’re meant for an allowance in flexibility and all the stuff, unless you are doing lunges through the downtown core, I highly suggest not wearing them out.

With that out of the way, focus on fabrics that will allow for comfort, without giving up your oh-so-comfortable lulus. Best fabrics are jersey, cashmere, and cotton. All fabrics allow you to breathe (great for letting all that alcohol spill out of your pores), and are great for moving around (even better for sore legs that have danced all night and wobble when you walk down too many stairs).

Keys pieces should include leggings, knit sweaters, wrap dresses, oversized wraps and boyfriend denim. Include simple tanks and T’s, and you have a perfect casual look. Pair everything with boots or flats (instead of sneakers – those too stay in the gym), and tie your hair into an undone ponytail, or wrap with a headscarf, and you’re good to go. Necessary, of course, are your favourite sunnies. You’ll need sunglasses to get through at least the first two hours of the day you’re awake. Blood shot eyes never clear faster than that.

A key to making sure you don’t fall into the sloppy routine for the morning after, Rachel says, is to treat every day as an opportunity – you never know who you’ll meet, who you’ll run into, or where you will end up three or four hours from then. You should be prepared to look your best whenever you can.

Rachel has, of course, pulled together a list for what should be your “day off” essentials. I would take this list into very high consideration. I did. And now I don’t go without.

Day Off Essentials
- A great fitting pair of jeans (preferably in a dark wash)
- A roomy jersey or cashmere constructed top
- A wrap or shift dress in cotton, jersey, or another knit (that can thrown on as quickly and comfortably as a T-shirt)
- A tote, hobo, or some other roomy bag
- Nude or bare lip gloss
- Rosy cheek tint
- An all season wrap or cardigan (that fits in your tote in case you get “the chills”)
- A head scarf (in case hair needs to be pulled back or completely hidden)
- Sunglasses
- Glam-on-the-go footwear (flats, boots, or wedges)

(From top: Jennifer Aniston in a corporate casual look, Cameron Diaz in two looks - corporate, and how she looked the night before, Rachel's assistants - Taylor and Brad - in what could be a "day off" look but likely just what they wear to work, Cameron Diaz on a day off, and Lindsay Lohan rocking the ubercasual morning after gear, comeplete with sunnies)

Keep having fun. I know I am.

Much love,

s.

Images c/o Google Images

zac posen knows best

"Men in Black Tie"
By Zac Posen in Rachel Zoe's Style: A to Zoe

Why should a guy concern himself with how he dresses? For his own amusement, of course. I enjoy dressing up. Personally, I draw inspiration by linking the avant-garde with the chic conservative. There’s so much frivolity in men’s dress historically. So in these times of high casualness, it’s good for all men to dress up. It’s vital for straight men to catch the eye of a lady.

I don’t believe in the chic banal. Risk taking in dress is very important. That means mixing high luxury classics like Turnball & Asser with the more forward Dior Homme. Mixing black and navy. Or go with a Chinoiserie smoking jackets, like those found in vintage stores. Or an opera cape!

I take every opportunity to don a tuxedo. I have so many, some forty-five and counting. Let’s start with the lapels of a tuxedo. Satin lapels are only for fall through winter. Grosgrain or Faille is best for fall. For spring to summer, go with self-finished self lapels. Wide lapels are romantic, but on most guys they can look goofy. And the notch of the lapel should always be high, a visual device that can balance a lot of men’s poor posture. A single-button, shawl-collar jacket is always soft and elegant. Men about 5-foot-9 can get away with double-breasted jackets; men below that height are better sticking to a nondouble-breasted shorter jacket. If there’s more than a single button on the jackets, wear only one of them – the center one – buttoned. Never completely button up a tuxedo or any suit.

I’m a big believer in cummerbunds. It lends a bit more security while providing a beautiful elegance, an international sophistication, to a look. It should always be faille, not satin. Pleats up, never down. Only don a vest if you’re slim – it’s not a girdle; otherwise go with a cummerbund.

I like a real bow tie. If you can’t tie it, have it tied in advance and sew it in place so that it never comes undone. A great way to go is to wear a white faille bow tie with a shawl collar (though it you do it with a double-breasted look, you’ll end up looking like a waiter). A pink bow tie is a great option, too. When the dress code calls for black tie, it’s also possible to go with a necktie worn with a loose knot, like a half cravat, tucked into the shirt.

Dress shirts look best with a French cuff. After all, cuff links are a great talking point for women. On a budget? Enamel cuff links are beautiful. If you don’t have cufflinks and are in a bind, simply take the extra sleeve buttons form the jackets and sew them back to back. I love a pleated shirt, or one with a standing collar with the points. But never do too wide a collar. The skinnier the collar is, the longer your neck looks.

It’s very polite to have a handkerchief. Fold it into a four-point napkin. Here’s an opportunity as with the cuff links, to be more frivolous with pattern or colour, matching the bow tie and hankie. Satin is okay if it’s a black shirt with a black tux. But nothing beats a nice white linen napkin with a white shirt. This is also a great place for a hidden gesture like a monogram.

Insofar as the pants, I’m not a fan of partial-front pleats. They come off looking too penguin. A full pleat down the leg or a clan flat line is a great way to go. A cuff is also fantastic. The side stripe should be a clean satin or faille. A break in a pant leg is most important. A skinny leg is fine for jeans, but for evening, a wider leg, even a bootleg, is more attractive on a man. See your tailor.

The chicest thing in the world is a man is dress slippers—black patent or velvet—with a tuxedo. Something very Gaucho Club, very louche. Just don’t forget to score the bottoms or you’ll inevitably slip on some marble floor. Don’t overlook the hosiery either. Slip on a thin silk sock in papal pink, dusty cypress green, or black or white. Lastly, there are the extras that are in no way superfluous. Keep with what you will really need. Leather gloves are nice. A watch is important. The pins are fantastic, as are matching sets of shirt studs and cuff links. They’re all a great way to inject an accent of colour. I love turquoise on white, or matte Aztec gold.

Jewelry has to be very masculine and not too highly decorative, although I have worn a long strand of pearls to great effect: underneath the jacket and just peeking out a bit. Very Coco. A very small corsage, especially a carnation in two-tone or purple, is very chic. A single tuberose with a long stem or, in winter, a sprig of a yew tree or pine is also nice. Put them through the buttonhole instead of pinning them flat.

Don’t forget a thin pen, slipped into an inside pocket. A man should always carry a pen. I love to in case I want to sketch something. But it’s also imperative for jotting down an important phone number. Leave the PDA at home! Making it a part of your black-tie ensemble is terribly uncouth.

Seen above at red carpet events: Robert Pattinson, Johnny Depp, Ed Westwick, Chase Crawford, and Ashton Kutcher (with wife Demi Moore and Moore's daughter, Rumor Willis).

I cannot object, in any sense, to what Posen has to say in his article. I absolutely love mens fashion, and if you're going to go all out for an event, these are some seriously good guidelines to be following. But if you're ever attending an event that is maybe not quite as done up - one that you may look a little too out of place at in a red carpet look - keep in mind the same guidelines women have - you can tone down a look by doing a dark denim on the bottom, but dress up your top half. Or, on the opposite side, go for a fitted trouser and a much more casual fitted v-neck T. Outfit both looks with plenty of extras - hats and scarves are my personal favourites. And, of course, great footwear - preferably loafers, please.

Much love,

s.

Images c/o Google Images

aside from the next four days, i'ma (try to) make every day a red carpet day.

I have become a pathetic mess. That, I already know. Between stressing about my life and all the personal bullshit that has been going on for the past three months, and not actually doing anything about it - aside form drinking a disturbing amount of coffee, and smoking copious amounts of cigarettes - I have not touched this blog.

I feel quite silly, actually. How hard should it be to try to find a couple hours a day? Apparently, pretty difficult, especially since my body seems to require a full seven to eight hours of sleep in the winter, compared to my regular four to five in the spring and summer (hell, Spetember as well) months.

But, I figured the best way to try to get back into this is to start back with something I never exactly finished and, hopefully, it will give me enough modivation to continue.

I am only referecing my miniture journey through Rachel's Zoe style book - A to Zoe - which I last commented on sometime toward the end of April - right here. And that was only chapter one. The fact that I haven't even read the book past chapter four sort of distubs me, and I cannot seem to think of why it was tucked under several old magazines and a couple lit. books I have to read for school on my bedside table.

Anyway, I have decided to pick up right where I left off, which brings me straight to - ohmygod - chapter two. See? This is terrible.

It's a damn good thing I am holed up in the middle of nowhere for another four days. I am hoping that I will be able to get some stuff sorted out, more of this done, and drink all seven bottles of wine I accumulated over Christmas - all while listening to some great french music, possibly including some brass instruments, wearing leggings, socks I just finished crocheting, and oversized bulky knit sweaters. I really do not care how ugly that may seem to you. I do not plan on seeing anyone for these next four days except for my two adorable dogs, who never seem to give a damn about anything anyway.

So - shall we?

"there's no better time for metallics, pailettes, beads, and crystals" -Rachel Zoe

Rachel Zoe is infamous for making everything over the top. Even her daytime wear is beyond some of the things I wear out at night – and that may just be because I prefer denim and leather to nearly anything else, and she comes from LA where a golden tan is required, and, thus the glam look is expected.

Rachel's Go-to-Glam Elements
1. Classic Black Dress
2. Nude or black patent pumps
3. Great gold cuff or bracelet
4. Perfect red lipstick
5. Fishnets and black tights
6. An all-season wrap or shrug

But Rachel does excessive right. I remember watching some of her episodes from the Rachel Zoe Project – an everyday outfit for Rachel is easily a boho chic dress. This, on me, for exaple, would be dressed with flat sandals – likely strappy, though – and really played down jewellery – maybe some wood bangles and a single long strand necklace perhaps? I’d have undone hair and my nice new big sunnies.

I, would think this is acceptable, because I would wear something like this to the beach. Or if someone had a yacht, I would, perhaps, wear it on a yacht. But really, I am not much of a dress person, let alone a summer dress person, so this is probably the best I would pull out. And that would be taking a boho chic dress to another level for me.

Rachel, however, makes it work. This everyday boho chic dress could be a red carpet maker for Rachel. I am nearly positive Rachel would opt for a strappy wedge, rather than a flat sandal, and her ubergolden tanned body would be decked out with gold bangles, flat gold hoop earrings, a few large rings, and, depending on the neckline of the dress, possible a pretty great neck piece as well. All pulled together with her signature sunglasses and she is good to go.

Immediately putting in glam items – like anything gold – makes an outfit one step up. Putting on a wedge – even an espadrille – can take an outfit a notch higher than a flat sandal.

And, so, it seems only natural that Rachel would include in her style book a chapter on dressing up. She actually called it, “Life’s a Red Carpet” – and it makes one hundred per cent sense in Rachel’s case. Just by reading this chapter, I automatically felt that I should do the same thing with my life. I mean, living in Canada calls for a mini revamp to some of the suggestion Rachel makes (we don’t all have sunny LA weather 12 months a year) – but it makes sense to me to want to dress “up” every day.

To me, it makes sense to dress as good as you feel. And, sometimes, dressing better than how you feel, makes you feel that much better. So, really… there is no excuse.

The key to always having a wonderful red carpet moment, Rachel says, is to channel your red carpet moments carefully. Does that mean you save your best moments for New Years parties? Birthdays or anniversaries? All of the above? Make each red carpet the best you can.

Rachel stresses how important it is to always be prepared for a red carpet moment. This means keeping a careful track on what is in your wardrobe – that includes dresses, shoes, clutches and handbags, and just about every piece of jewellery you own. What’s important on top of that, is to keep a mental note of what you have in your wardrobe that is appropriate for certain seasons and different events – what you wear to your parents big anniversary bash may be quite different then what you choose to wear at a friend’s 25th birthday bash at a club, complete with limo and bottle service.

Rachel says it’s best to make a list of everything you need for an event. After you make a list, you can go through and check off what you already have, that way you have enough time to go through the things that may be necessary for you to either borrow from a friends or pick up yourself. Having more time to do these things may also give you the opportunity to save some cash along the way instead of freaking out 24 hours before an event and mindlessly splurging on an entirely new outfit.

Another tip Rachel has for red carpet dressing is to go vintage. Well, Rachel advises to go vintage whenever you can, but it makes even greater sense when you’re doing a red carpet look. If you can get a dress for a quarter of the price, why wouldn’t you? And if you’re looking for really great statement jewellery to vamp up a black dress, vintage is perfect – it’s generally a little bit more over the top and a little bit bigger than what you may be finding in stores now. Plus, you’re cutting more than half the cost of buying something brand new.

Going Vintage:
1. Ask yourself when you look at a vintage piece, does this look modern? That is the great irony: if something looks vintage, it might look costumey. But even an Edwardian piece can have a modern feel and work without looking like it’s Halloween
2. Condition is paramount. Look for armpit stains, moth holes, bead loss, and shattered hems. Certain blemishes can’t be salvaged. There’s only so much surgery you can do on a garment
3. Beware of substandard fabrics. Disposable clothing from forty years ago is likely still disposable clothing today. Stick with quality fabrics
4. Unless you’re a hardcore collector, select vintage that you can wear, not archive. Buy clothes that have a little mystery, a little history
5. Just because it’s got a label doesn’t mean it’s good. A vintage piece has to have good design. It has to be wearable. For Lindsay Lohan’s appearance at the opening of the Cartier flagship store on Rodeo Drive, Rachel chose a white Marilyn Monroelike halter dress by a relatively unknown American designer. The photographs ran like crazy
6. Always go with your taste or that of someone you trust. People come to Decades because they trust out taste. They trust that we known good design and what’s wearable
7. Forget the trends, even in vintage. Your body really dictates what you can wear. Certain bodies look great in a 1950s dress, others in a 1970s sheath
8. Vintage accessories can transform an outfit. You can wear the same little black dress over and over by changing your clutch
9. With vintage jewelry, it’s not about demure and safe. It’s about statement. So, too, it doesn’t have to be a huge investment or real
10. Make it modern through the mix. Rachel does this very well, say, taking a 1950s dress and pairing it with some sexier, brightly coloured Jimmy Choo heels and plenty of bling

I love vintage – second hand, thrift, consignment, whatever the hell you call it – shopping. I think you should try to make a vintage trip every few weeks. Even if you are not looking for something in particular, you may find something that you absolutely love that could be good for another occasion down the road.

Another quick tip from Rachel – remember that the basics always pull a look together! It’s great if you have the perfect dress, sexy ass heels and glam jewels all over your bod, but if everything else is mindlessly pulled together – you are going to look like crap. Or, like you were on your way to a red carpet moment, all dolled up, but then got hit by a bus and this is what you looked like afterward.

Check out Rachel’s “Stylist’s Toolbox”; this is a quick kit that every woman should have put together and ready by her side in case you’re in need of a quick adjustment while getting ready:

Inside the Stylist’s Toolbox:
- Toupee tape. This or a similar double-sided tape will keep in place a plunging neckline or errant strap. Hollywood Fashion Tape is a godsend.
- Eyelash glue. Use in cases when toupee tape is too wide, such as for spaghetti straps
- Safety pins. In assorted sizes, but definitely have the tiny ones on hand
- Broach. Jeweled or metal, keep one handy in the case of an instant nip and tuck
- A pair of small scissors
- A needle and thread. At a bare minimum, keep thread in black, white, gray, and champagne on hand. Or consider the dominant colours in your wardrobe and stock up on those colours
Stain-removal sponges. There are several on the market now, including Miss Oops Rescue Sponges, which are especially amazing for erasing makeup and deodorant skidmarks from clothes
- Tampons. Seriously. Stress can impact our bodies in all sorts of unexpected ways, and breakout periods have happened to too many of my clients. Shudder to think if you’re not ready while wearing a white dress
- Shoe insoles. Particularly helpful are nonslip triangle for high heels
- Clear bandages. Blisters are not pretty. You don’t want to be uncomfortable – or bleeding

While red carpet moments are great, there are always the cocktail events, dinner parties, museum openings and film festivals. There are shows to attend, dates to go on, and everything other little event that could dictate a minature red carpet look. The key in making the most of these moments is to really play with your outfit. Proportion is key. If you’re going to go with a slick trouser or a really sleek dark denim on the bottom, make sure you dress your upper body accordingly. That means, given that your bottom half is completely covered up, you’re okay to show a lot of keck, or back, or arm. Try to make it only one though. No one likes a sleeze fest showing up at their event. No one else likes to look at someone like that, and the host never likes to be associated with someone like that.

Play with your proportions, try different hem lengths, necklines and fabrics. Make sure the structure is good for your body – I am not Kate Moss, and, while I love her easy style, I will never pull off 90% of the things she does. So, there is no point in trying and then ending up having a horrible evening because I cannot fit into cigarette skinny pants the way she can.

The entire point of a red carpet moment is to be able to enjoy your night – that means having everything ready well before it’s time to get dressed. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to slip everything on, and the more fun you’ll have in the end!

Some of Rachel's clients all decked out at the red carpet Anne Hathaway at the premiere of Rachel Getting Married, at the 2009 Oscars, and Jennifer Garner at the 2008 Academy Awards (respectively).

And just a few of Rachel’s shopping tips for when you do go shopping for those great pieces:

“the aim is to love everything you own”
“buy something because you love it, you need it, and you will use it”

Much love,
s.

Images c/o Google Images