Heat Wave

Battling this constant drought here in Southern California has been exhausting. With the Santa Anas sweeping through and record temperatures, all I really want to wear is a bathing suit. But since that is neither appropriate for school nor work, I'm forced to don more acceptable garments. 

My top, a comfortable number by All Saints has a sleek set of satin sleeves, paying homage to this years athletic trend with a play on the baseball tee. My burgundy leather skirt is a staple from A.L.C. Both afford the right amount of dark colors, my paying of respects to the Fall/Winter that never was. 

The shoes are also by All Saints, allowing me the essence of grunge without fully committing. They were also a lovely surprise from a certain someone who knows my taste exceedingly well. 

And finally, the bag, which really needs no introduction at all. The only thing I can say is that they will have to pry this box of lambskin from my dead fingers before I stop using it. 

Everything You Need for Spring: Los Angeles

The transition into spring, for many, means discarding any and all woolen apparel. However, for those of us lucky few that rarely even delve into our stock of cashmere sweaters and weather-proof hats, spring dressing is less seasonal and more perpetual. Here in Los Angeles we have been enjoying winter temperatures that rarely dip below 65 - which translates into a unfair amount of bare legs and distinct lack of winter coats. But for all this bounty of sunshine, spring is still an exciting time of eschewing old trends and embracing new (and sometimes questionable) ones. 

Cream Coverings: 

Now I've never been one to buy into the whole "Never wear white after Labor Day" mantra. Especially when white, specifically cream, has been such a force this year. Warmer weather calls for less material, and I'm favoring vests as of late. They're chic toppers to any occasion and add a dynamic layer to any look. Try the above pictured vest by Rochas, or IRO's selection of moto-style ivory leather looks. 

Minimal Adornment:
Typically the age-old adage of "Less is More" doesn't really agree with the nature of fashion. Until this season we self-proclaimed sartorially inclined were apt to layer on necklace after necklace, and recently knuckle ring after knuckle ring. But this spring, here in Los Angeles, its decidedly more 'effortless' to actually put in less effort - meaning choosing one or two statement accessories radiates the coveted "California cool" aesthetic. I suggest designers like Lionette NY, Rachel Zoe, Auden, Givenchy and Madewell for this look. A strategically placed lariat necklace or cuff really is more dramatic than an overwhelming amount of friendship bracelets. 

Sportswear:
Sportswear is having a moment, and I'm not talking about the soft-casual wear your mother has in her closet. It's taken on a very literal effect. Notice all the perforated materials? It's no coincidence that the current must-haves remind us of the singlets we used to wear in middle school gym class. The silhouettes are athletic and sleek, as seen through designers like Alexnder Wang, Tibi and Elizabeth and James.



The cherry on top: Here in Los Angeles there is always the constant pressure to obtain the perfect bronze as the thermometer continues to rise. Instead of doing it the old fashioned way (ask anyone who has skin the texture of burnished leather) I suggest any sort of self-tanner. Not only does it emit a healthful glow, but it complements any colored outfit, bright or neutral. It's a California essential. 

Everything You Need for Spring: New York

As it would seem, this bone-chilling, everlasting winter season has made me realize two things: 1) I absolutely hate that groundhog Punxsutawney Phil and 2) I could not be happier to place my sweaters into seasonal hibernation. With this entombment of everything sartorially cold-oriented comes the birth of vital, warm-weather loving spring regalia. From the slowly thawing streets of Manhattan I have compiled a checklist of my personal must-haves for the much-awaited spring season. 

Minimalism

As anyone who is the least-bit concerned with trend-spotting, its obvious that the prominent trend this season is minimalism. Sure, this isn't anything new. You could say Hedi Slimane ushered in this trend when he retired the Yves moniker and started pushing us fashion slaves into gawking over his streamlined satchels. And yes, this is a trend that is following us from winter and continues through spring (and presumably summer.) But now, with the sun finally reigning queen, black overcoats give way to seamless, silken nude camis. My favorite choices for this trend would be simple patterns (see Equipment blouses,) purposeful adornment with the absence of any and all limb 'parties' and chic, uncomplicated footwear that borders the mundane. 

Neutral Tones

It seems that with each turn of the season, a new color is declared the 'It' palette of the moment IE Orchid. But for those of us in the know, its all about beige, black, grey, white and nude!  These colors are uncomplicated, but their affect is arresting. Their appeal lies in their effortless nature. Right now I'd much rather enjoy lunch at Jacks Wife Freda in a cropped black Alexander Wang tank and a pair of white linen trousers than in a display of hybrid magenta. 

NormCore

Though I don't know who coined this term, I wish I could pat them on the back for the brilliant moment everyday dressing is having. This encompasses everything paradoxical about fashion, most accurately represented by the almost hallowed esteem the Birkenstock brand has earned. I'm talking foot-bed sandals, thick and ungainly platforms stolen from Sarah Michelle Gellar's closet, and embellishment-free jackets that border on the unflattering. Theres something almost feminine about the way my Birks make my legs seem so small in relation to my foot. Although we like to place a slightly more fashion-forward twist on this trend, so we can at least sartorially differentiate ourselves a tiny bit from that hoodless sweatshirt + dad-jean-wearing father we all know, this is a great starting-off point for a simple, casual dressing this spring.  

Now, these trends are what I've harvested from the mean streets of New York City. They'll be infusing my wardrobe in the coming months. However, they're not the bible on everything spring. Stay tuned to find out what is driving Los Angeles trends from my California counter-part! 

Printed Silk

It's no debate that Equipment reigns in the silk shirt department, and this western style top is a perfect example of that. It's so versatile, and I foresee myself wearing it all throughout the winter as well as the warmer months.

Top: Equipment / Jeans: I forget... / Shoes: Rachel Roy

Sporty

As a wise man once said- "Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants."

Well good ol' Karl may have a point, but he definitely wasn't talking about these buttery leather Vince track pants. These are so comfortable and chic at the same time. Definitely one of my favorite items in my closet.

Especially when paired with these pointed toe color block Lims, which for some reason I feel like also have a bit of a sporty vibe.

Jacket: Helmut Lang / Sweater: A.L.C. / Bra: For Love & Lemons /

Pants: Vince / Shoes: 3.1 Phillip Lim / Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Neutrals

I can't get enough of this Isabel Marant roll-necked sweater. It is so soft and cozy, the perfect winter layering piece. Same with my trusty camel Zara coat- it never fails. I've really been into flatforms lately, as they are comfortable enough for all of the New York walking I do, but still add some (much needed) height. I love this pair by Circus Sam Edelman. 

Coat: Zara / Sweater: Isabel Marant /

Hat: H&M / Skirt: H&M 

Shoes: Circus by Sam Edelman

Suitcase  Bag: Zadig&Voltaire

Wrap Scarf: J.Crew

photos by: 

http://lacsanahaboon.blogspot.com/

Holey Shirt

                             

As the days of wearing just a tshirt are quickly coming to a close, I thought I would post this look I did a while back. I love anything oversized, ripped, and comfortable, so this outfit was right up my ally. I paired my favorite (I am literally obsessed, sorry if you're sick of seeing it) IRO shirt with holes in it, with these super-soft denim boyfriend jeans, with holes in them as well. The still-semi-warm weather allowed me to get away with my open-toed Velcro Alexander Wang booties, which I also pretty much live in. 

ROUND 2:

And for this seasonally transitional look I went with my favorite denim diaper  OneTeaspoon shorts and a simple sleeveless top by Elizabeth&James. To make it a little bit more Fall-appropriate I threw a plaid flannel around my waist, which could also be layered should a breeze pick up. To offset the bagginess of the rest of the look I selected a strappier heeled sandal- a pair of Prabal Gurung for Target shoes I scored from the collection.

It was a good summer, but now I look forward to all of the layers, layers, and more layers that await us in the near future, don't you? 

xx,
Rach
East Coast

A Very Scottish Autumn

I'm going to openly admit that by saying tartan I mean plaid. But the fashion community likes to make even the most approachable pattern inaccessible and thus we have tartan.  But this grandiose vocabulary harkens back to the knitted cloth highlander clans claimed, and these patterns were called setts. All I'm really waiting for is the day when Sarah Burton or Nicholas Ghesquiere coins this term as the new plaid. Naturally, I'm going to try to claim royalties. 

But enough from this pseudo-Historian. Today, we're seeing this pattern everywhere, and it has been especially prominent in the collections of both fall 2013 and 2014. As illustrated above, every echelon of branding has their own take on the cold-weather classic. Stella McCartney is very obviously on board with a first-class ticket - don't mind me, I'm just pining away for the earlier picture of that mohair pull-over. 

And don't think for a second that tartan hasn't taken over the accessories market as well. I'm sure we've all seen Céline's contributions, the tartan slip-ons and the leather-combination luggage tote. But above are some other options from the likes of Mango to more Stella McCartney. 

Shown are the Fall 2013 collections from the following designers, each with their own take on the beloved pattern (clockwise); Creatures of the Wind, Creatures of the Wind, Phillip Lim, Karen Walker, Emerson, and Gryphon. 

I cannot wait to pull ideas from these collections and make plaid- ahem, excuse me, tartan my own. And I've already seen even the most artless attempts at this fall trend - I'm looking at you mock-grunge teens with your boyfriends flannels wrapped around your American Apparel cut-offs.