Style Inspiration: Think Like Coco

Coco Chanel provided an endless amount of great quotes over the course of her lifetime, but here are three that I hope will inspire your personal style:

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”

W.W.G.K.D.?

A few months ago, my husband and I were a part of a pink wedding. My husband was a groomsman and the bride asked that all the female guests wear their "favorite shade of pink." My first thoughts were, "WHAT? I'm 33! I don't wear pink dresses!" But then I thought since my husband was in the wedding, I couldn't just ignore the bride's request. So what to do... what to do??? My personal mantra when faced with a style challenge on this level is: W.W.G.K.D. or "What Would Grace Kelly Do?"

To me, Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock's movies is the epitome of style. She is always chic, sophisticated, feminine and put together. She not only always looks great but it's clear that whoever put together her wardrobe thought about it. While careless chic is great for the few women who have that going, I appreciate people who think about where they're going and look their best for that particular occasion and circumstance. So take a lesson from Grace Kelly in a few of my favorite Hitchcock films and be inspired to add a little Grace (and grace!) and elegance to your wardrobe.

Rear Window

A plunging neckline and a full skirt accentuates a feminine figure.

A little black dress and pearls are always a sophisticated choice.

And if you're not into pearls, go for a big statement jewelry piece like an oversived charm bracelet.

To Catch a Thief

Why not wear a great big hat? You're fabulous enough to pull it off!

White is not just for your wedding day.

A scarf tied demurely around your neck is charming!

Dial M for Murder

You can't have too many red dresses. Don't you want all eyes on you when you enter a room?

Stop carrying so much stuff around! Downsize into a small frame bag.

Most of the pictures I used for this post came from Grace Kelly Online. And it's a good thing I found that site since I would have never been aware of the Grace Kelly Tribute going on at Sotheby's. Here are the details:

Grace, Princess of Monaco: A Tribute to the Life and Legacy of Grace Kelly
An exhibition from October 15 - 26, 2007

Place: Sotheby's - 1334 York Avenue @ 72nd Street
Time: Daily from 10AM to 5PM & Sundays from 1PM to 5PM
Free and open to the public

So if I've piqued your interest about Grace Kelly with this post, be sure to check out the exhibition!

Trends: Boots that Look Like Shoes with Socks

I was perusing the latest boots by Marc By Marc Jacobs on Zappos and I noticed the following:

These are boots that make the wearer appear to have on shoes with socks. "How peculiar?!" I thought. But this is Marc and he's known for doing odd things, so I ignored it and kept clicking.

Then I saw these by Giuseppe Zanotti on ShopBop:


And these semi-cute versions of the style by Jill Stuart:


Marc by Marc has an even fuglier version of this style:

I really can't imagine why anyone would wear these. First of all, high-heeled shoes with socks can be a difficult look to pull off in general. So why make boots that are meant to give the illusion of this look? And what does one pair them with? Other than the Jill Stuart ones, these all look far from sexy or feminine. And I suspect next year, as you're weeding through your closet for things for the Goodwill, these are going to scream WINTER 2007! and be among the first things to go. I wouldn't consider these a classic style at all. I will be passing on this trend, but if you absolutely adore any of these, click on the pictures for purchasing information.

SALE!

Looking for an excuse to go shopping? Make sure to save your money and mark you calendars to shop 7th On Sale starting November 15th. Not only will designer items be ridiculously discounted (Tory Burch Reva ballet flats for $60! Christian Louboutin pumps for $275!), 100% of the proceeds will go to AIDS/HIV education and awareness.

You can read more about the sale in the November issue of Vogue or check out this site for details about the charity.

The Devil is in the Details

I will often come home with a new purchase and point out some obscure detail on it to my husband that makes me squeal with delight... while he gives me a blank stare. While small details in women's clothing and accessories often go over my husband's head, I'm a person who appreciates little design elements that in a mass-produced world make an item feel unique or evoke quality and artistry. Here are a few of my favorite details:

Covered buttons
Do you hear me squealing as I write this? I really have a thing for covered buttons over your garden variety, plastic uncovered ones. They feel very sophisticated and feminine in a Grace Kelly in a Hitchcock film way.


Handbags with feet
I'm sure I've said this before, but while I love my handbags, I also treat them very poorly. They get dumped on the floor in restaurants and bars... Hurled on the floor as I'm walking into my apartment after a stressful day at work... Or used as a battering ram on a crowded subway car. For this reason, bags with protective feet on the bottom are a must to keep me from scuffing the bottom portion of my purses.


Dresses with lining
You can always tell the difference between poor quality and well-made dresses when you hold them up to the sunlight. If you can see through your dress, you have a problem. This is why I love dresses with built in lining. There are certain parts of my body that I don't want to share with the general public and I appreciate designers who use materials that allow a woman to have a little modesty.


Embroidery on boots
This may sound strange but I like detailing on boots a lot. These Charles David ones with the embroidered design down the side are always a conversation piece when I wear them. This kind of detail on a boot is unexpected and it looks fresh in a sea of black and brown Fall boots.

What are your favorite details??

Model Moment: Liya Kebede

Liya Kebede is a supermodel with a mission. Born in 1978 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Liya was discovered while in school at the French Lycee by a film director who introduced her to a French modeling agent. When she finished school, Liya moved to France where her career took off.

Liya has been on the covers of Italian, Japanese, French and Spanish Vogue. She's also been featured in ads for Gap, Yves Saint-Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro and Dolce & Gabbana. She's also walked the runway for Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga, Gucci, Anna Sui and Zac Posen. In 2003, Liya was named the face of Estee Lauder cosmetics and was the first person of color to serve as their representative in the company's 57-year history. In 2007, Liya was the eleventh highest paid top model, according to Forbes.

So she's beautiful, successful... and did I mention she's also a philanthropist? In 2005, Liya was appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. She also has her own foundation dedicated to reducing maternal newborn and child mortality and improving the health of mothers and children around the globe. She sounds pretty awesome, right? Here's Liya serving you hot fashion.

We're on a Break!

Between the busy season at my job, graduate school and gearing up for a much needed vacation at the end of the month, I haven't been able to blog nearly as much as I would like. Since I can barely keep my harried life together, Fashion Chick NYC will be on hiatus until 10/20.

While I'm away, I'll leave you with these gorgeous Miu Miu pumps I've been coveting....

Mmmm.... Miu Miu.... See you on 10/20!