Dope Ambition

So I know it’s not just me: I dread winter for a plethora of reasons, including the it-hurts-to-even-go-outside dread that sinks in once temperatures linger in the near-zero range. I grew up in the Midwest, where winters were undeniably harsh, but the difference was that the furthest I ever had to walk was to my car, or from one end of campus to another. Here in NY, on the other hand, winters are just as harsh, but I have to trek around the whole damn city relying solely on the clothes I’m wearing to keep my feet from going numb and my face from freezing in place.

Last winter (my first in NY), I had some trouble with the whole layering thing. See, I’m not used to wearing thermals with a cardigan over that with a sweater over that with a winter coat over that and a heavy duty scarf to top that off. I felt like the Michelin man: puffy, unattractive, and ripply. I don’t want to feel like a sofa cushion just because it’s winter; cold weather shouldn’t add ten pounds like a bad camera does.

So, my friends, I have created a little step-by-step guide on how to dress for low temps and still keep your womanly allure in the normal-to-high digit range. It ain’t easy, but it’s worth it. Here are some looks I think get it right, followed by a guide. Thank me later.

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One of the main components to keeping bulk to a minimum is to wear your heaviest, warmest item last/on top. So first, start with a simple long-sleeved T. If you’re feeling fancy, pick a pattern so it peeks out from under the masses.

1.long sleeved chunky alexander wang pullover – $235
2. cream + navy striped cotton T – $70
3. yellow viscose + wool T – $21
4. proenza schouler long sleeved cotton t – $375

Then there’s the issue of the sweater. You want something warm, but not too chunky; snug, but not tight. Trapping body heat is so difficult…don’t let your cardigan or sweater let it all out and leave you shivering. With this option, you can choose a button up grandma cardi, a sweater to layer over your T, or a lighter jacket to go under your big ol’ coat.

1. white cotton drape cardigan – $80
2. red waffle knit cardigan – $324
3. madewell cardigan – $50
4. blue h&m cardigan – $40

The coat is the last and most important component to your layering solution or dilemma: if you’ve kept it relatively loose and laid back up to this point, then go crazy with the warmth factor when it comes to your coat. However, if you’re wearing a chunky cardigan and plan to thrown on a chunky scarf, a faux fur shrug or a thin anarak will do the trick here. Keeping it balanced and proportionate is what it’s all about.

1. MICHAEL michael kors faux fur chubby – $175
2. wool blend coat – $675
3. faux fur coat – $200
4. j crew sherpa-lined coat – $198

Scarves: have fun with it. Wear a chunky one to keep your face from numbing, or throw on a silky, colorful one if you don’t have to deal with severe-weather climates (I hate you!)

1. campground scarf in greyscale – $25
2. tan knit scarf – $56
3. black knit scarf – $10.80
4. intermix rabbit scarf – $158

Clashing colors? Sports team colors? Opposite colors on the color wheel? MADNESS!

But really though, orange against blue is one of the most appealing color palettes, but people tend to avoid it like the plague. The New York Knicks NBA team sports blue and orange, as do the New York Mets. While I will plead the fifth on commenting about the latter team (cough cough), there’s something to be said about New York’s love of the color combination: it’s bold, fierce, strong, and many other masculine adjectives that can easily be used to describe a beautiful ensemble.

Surprisingly, the color combo is wonderfully grounded by black accessories, though tans and neutrals always work well too. The Fall 2011 runways saw bold inserts of orange against rich navys, usually consisting of highly structured garments paired with more relaxed fits. One of my favorite looks was on Joan Smalls at Proenza Schouler (below), where a bold orange coat opens to reveal cool, loose-fitting belted trousers in a tribal pattern and a luxe leather shirt.

Feeling daring? Throw in a pop of a primary color: reds and yellows keep you from looking like walking color swatches. Here are some looks that I think nail it, and a little bit of ensemble inspiration in case you’re in need of it.

What do we think?

Fall 2011 RTW, Preen, Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander

street style images via// too cute mag,  marie claire, harper’s bazaar//runway images via//style.com

INSPIRATION//

orange silk chiffon tshirt – $185
marc by marc jacobs scarf - $90
leopard clutch - $34
tan and red contrast clutch - $35
kate spade “come full circle” bracelet - $58
black rope bracelet - $15
black buckle boot - $99
current/elliot denim – $175

This wouldn’t be the first time fashion imitates Disney, but the past few seasons have seen a resurgence in the Peter Pan collar, and while the name itself might come from a fictional story, the look is just as appealing in real life. I promise. Though the look has often been associated with old women and their below-the-knee skirts and flesh-colored tights, but we all know old-lady-style trickles down and becomes trendy.

There are easy ways to pull this trend off without looking like a Disney character, and detachable collars (like this Asos leather one) may be one of the most versatile ways to do so. Of course women like Alexa Chung know how to pull of this trend, but DUH, she’s a style goddess and shall not be emulated. We want our own personal style, right?

Here are a few personal style looks from around the web that get it right.

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For those of us who don’t live in nudist colonies and/or the Playboy Mansion, we wake up every morning and we dress ourselves in clothes. The threads that weave their way around our bodies collectively form our sweaters, pants, lingerie, skinny jeans, etc.

I was recently inspired by an extreme close up of a knit I found on a blog, and searched the ‘nets for others. Tweed, in particular, is texturally entertaining. That harsh looking woman in a Chanel jacket that just passed you in Soho? Her structured, almost unfinished look is really comprised of thousands of little wollen strands, woven together to give off a rough texture that somehow equals basket-woven beauty to the naked eye.

Trust me, I know I sound like a certified nerd but, we knew this, right?

images via entwinements, rdujour, nataliehirsh, toocutemag

It’s far too easy to get swept up in color trends and pattern crazes, and while I do love some of the patterns and colors from the Spring 2011 runway, sometimes it’s best to get back to the basics. When it really comes down to personal style, starting with the essentials is how we all build our wardrobes, whether we cherish a crisp white button-up from the Gap, a pair of riding pants from Zara, or an Hermés scarf. However you look at it, building on the classics are the best way to remix your wardrobe without buying throwaway pieces you won’t wear in a month.

Here are some looks that are inspiring my own wardrobe for the summer.

For different reasons, Chan and I are majorly crushing on these two dames because of their irreverent and immaculate style (respectively), their hair, their jobs, their wardrobes and most importantly, the confidence with which they seamlessly pull it all off.

Chan’s crush, Atlanta, is a Wildfox sweetheart and a rock ‘n roll spawn. She is the daughter of Duran Duran bassist John Taylor and daughter of the actress/photography Amanda De Cadenet. Her ombre hair, ciggie-always-in-hand, catch-me-in-the-corner-of-a-seedy-bar, vintage-wearing vibe captured little Chan’s heart, and understandably so. She is one of the many muses found on the addictive style-site-that’s-not-really-supposed-to-be, Cobrasnake, and in her candid pics, the wild child is always captured making an obscene gesture or just being obscene. And all the while, she pairs bohemian skirts and tops with vintage vests and fringed coats. Her hippie hair is anything but disgusting, and not to sound like a romance novel, but those chocolate brown eyes are ridiculously lustworthy. See? major crush.

On the other hand, my longtime crush in Christine Centenera, the fashion editor for Harper’s Bazaar Australia. She has the most downtown style without living downtown, and always seems to conquer styles some of us only bookmark, but never dare to wear. (Hello, black tuxedo blazer with printed harem pants, hello denim-on-denim with creamy beige biker jacket). She has become an internet sensation and a fashion goddess down under, but obviously her fashion sensibilities have rubbed off on us Americans. Her street style and fashion week images are seemingly blogged and posted as much as the Olsen Twins. And that’s saying a lot. Not to mention her half smile, her disheveled hair, and her ensembles that could easily be worn with flat but are always worn with kick ass heels. Kudos to you, Miss Centenera. I am drooling from afar.

I was walking around and discovered an alley filled with wall-to-wall pieces, tags, spray paint cans, and Swisher Sweets wrappers. Some graffiti artists went ham, to say the least.

xx,

chandler

I have crushed before, and now I crush again. I absolutely dig her nonchalant elegance and high street aesthetic. Dope.

For those of you who don’t know her, Christine Centenera is the fashion director for Harper’s Bazaar Australia. And she rules.

via 5andrablogs

Despite my Midwestern upbringing and the (literally) blistering cold weather I am supposed to be used to, I have quite a lack of appropriate winter clothes. By appropriate, I mean warm sweaters, thick scarves. a variety of hats and utilitarian boots. I always go shopping for such things, but often leave with items which I need least: leather cutoff gloves (so close!), small trinkets, vintage floral dresses…you get the picture.

So here is an inspiration flick for me; I need to attempt to comply with winter’s tolling winds and temps, and now that I live in New York, I have no choice but to gear up.

I love this pop of red and the statement necklace too…but mostly I love this fuzzy sweater.

image via stylesightings

Kanye’s amazing song comes to mind when I look at this ensemble; we have an classic pairing of black and red , with the platform pumps and the colorful earrings offseting  any notions that classic = boring.

Taken outside the Elie Saab S/S show.

image via carolinesmode