The Armoire

best friends forever: friendship bracelets make a major comeback

Friendship bracelets are making a major comeback. Design*Sponge just featured a bracelet-inspired, chevron, chair cushion. Designers have declared bright bursts of neons as part of spring's palette and Refinery 29 marked it as one of the happiest, most playful trends to come along in recent months.  Yes, these colorful, woven symbols of summer memories and keep in touch (KIT!) promises get a chic makeover that are anything but adolescent.

This wide bracelet has some familiar chevron details, but the contrast colors of the center panel, pastel stones and beading are like welcoming a new friend. Nice and structured, this cuff will stand the test of time like...do I even need to say it? @ freepeople.com

Mixing thick, embroidery thread with metal chains is the trendiest update to ye ol' friendship bracelet this season; the weaving of materials are equal parts girly and tough. I love the braiding and surprise diamond charm at the clasp- it looks like a shooting comet. @ etsy.com

Dannijo can do no wrong in my mind.  Their classic meets tribal meets elegant desgins never cease to inspire me. Simple and classic with a little twist, this bracelet will layer nicely with your current collection.  Plus that polka dot blouse winking in the background are pretty darn awesome. @ shopbop.com

Finding a true friend is the best dream one could catch. I've always always been fond of the shape and tradition of dream catchers, so I was thrilled to come across this interpretation on Etsy. These bracelets capture the delicate, thin weaves of summers gone by. @ etsy.com

Holst + Lee 's entire collection makes me weak in the knees. From the magnetic closure to its emobssing to the bright colors, everything feels fresh and joyous. Drawing inspiration as varied as the streets of NYC, snakes and Mexican culture (to name a few) any piece from their collection will spiff up the most basic tee, the boldest dress and add a dash of happy to your daily rotation. Why not start by rewarding your wrist? @ shopbop.com 

 

overpriced tees i shouldn't want...but do!

Let's admit that fashion's gone a little wacky when the innocent, unassuming t-shirt, once a utilitarian item, can now cost upwards of 100+ beans! Premium, organic cotton, soft blends or pre-distressing have made the humble tee a luxury item.  Remember the days when we'd settle for a 3-pack of v-neck hanes to fulfill our boyish style impulses?  Remember when a jeans and tee outfit wasn't a true fashion statement?  I think back then it was just called, getting dressed. 

Having spent most of my formative years wearing my dad's t-shirts (the free ones he'd get from running races), and much of my teenage years sporting the hanes, white v-neck at field hockey practices, a few years ago I didn't quite get why wearing one would make me feel stylish...or even attractive. Gone are those days. There's nothing more fabulous than a loose, perfectly soft, whisper thin cotton tee.  I'm usually drawn to a graphic, but I stuck to the basics here: solid color, no images, nothing adorned, just cotton. 

   

Perfectly named, "The Destroyer Tee," I never thought I would pay for something that looks like moths, flying squirrels and bats attacked it in my attic...but I want it in every color. @ freepeople.com

Two beauties by 3.1 Phillip Lim. Love the pre-tucked hem and sleeve cuffs on the grey tee. It's so Reality Bites. It also emphasizes the extreme end of the overpriced spectrum at $375 (!!!) The draping on the shoulders are a nice touch on the yellow tee. The great thing about a tee shirt, especially on a day where you're overworked and under-rested, is that it's the perfect base for a statement necklace. @ lagarconne.com / @ lagarconne.com

I love a sweet pocket tee! The detail makes it slightly more boyish and relaxed. Paired with something opposing, like a girly skirt, you're effortlessly chic.  @ Revolveclothing.com / @ ragandbone.com

 

trending: peter pan collars

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It probably never crossed J.M. Barrie's mind that his beloved character, Peter Pan, would make as lasting an impression on fashion as he would theatre, literature and film. In most portrayals, his costume bears a stronger resemblance to a v-neck shirt rather than the adorably rounded collar we've grown fond of. Like the boy associated with never growing old, the collar brings the same youthful message to a wardrobe that Peter brought to Wendy Darling. Its proper, perfectly sweet image is rendered ironic on adults, flirting ever so slightly with the boundary between childlike, but not childish. 

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Temper the sweet by pairing with something distressed: cut off denim shorts or perfectly tattered, boyfriend jeans. 

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Maintain the delicate nature of this blouse with a pencil skirt or short A-line silhouette. Make it rocker chic with a leather jacket and gray skinny jeans.

 

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These sweet dresses are lovely on their own. Keep your girlish nature with an easy pair of ballet flats or nod to the gentlemen with a cool pair of oxfords.  

1. Zara

2. Nordstrom / 3. Anthropologie

4. Zara 

5. Asos / 6. Modcloth

want to wear now: neon pink!

image via etsy.com by seventy tree

hold on a sec. pardon me, i'm having one of those, wait-who-am-i moments. i have never, ever, EVER gravitated toward pink, let alone neon pink. pinks in general are not necessarily my first color choice; they're sort of second-to-last, ahead of black but far below purples, blues, greens, etc. though i discriminate against no colors (or patterns...or silhouettes), it's always felt a little sugary too me. like, i'm trying too hard to assert my femininity...in a loud, teenage-ry sort of way. blush or rose pink? give it to me. let me be romantic. let me be subtly girly. hot pink? er, next.

but here i am- evolving before your eyes, turning a corner toward a newer, brighter, girlier, playful sara. because afterall, this trend of neon is all about the playful and what could be more light, more perky than pink. i mean aerosmith did make a song about the color. Alecia Beth Moore changed her name to it. there's a panther famous for this hue. it's time for me to get on board already and start peppering my wardrobe with playful pops of neon pink. 

beginning with an accessory is always a good idea. 

talk about a playful throwback to adolescense. this box stitch is all grown up, knotted and interwoven with infinite possibilities. noir jewelry @ shopbop.com

love these spectacles by the queen of neon mischief, ms. betsey johnson. that touch of orange is oh-so-fresh. these look like candy. betsey johnson @ 6pm.com

this spiked, bullet shaped necklace is part tribal, part kittenish and all sorts of wonderful. this will liven up that favorite tee, add jest to the classic button-down or renew that chunky, winter sweater you've been wearing for a couple days in a row. by tessyla @ etsy.com

perhaps the safest introduction to neon pink, this deena & ozzy belt spices up the day to day outfits and works overtime as a pick me-up for your favorite handbag. simply replace the crossbody strap for an easy update! @ urbanoutfitters.com

this is what started the neon pink obsession. once i saw this blazer on shopbop, all previously held opnions dissolved. the sharp slit in the back, the almost coat-tails hem, the mix of masculine and feminine...gush, drool, sigh, repeat. preen @ shopbop.com
 

don't wear this tee under the blazer above. too much. do wear with white jeans, a gold sequin skirt, anything grey or under a brocade embroidered jacket. just right. elizabeth and james @ shopbop.com

i love the grace and elegance of this blouse. it oozes ladylike and relaxed in just one note. elizabeth and james @ otteny.com

by far, my favorite piece. the master mind of easy, elegant, happy style- ms. diane von furstenburg has embellished silk chiffon with sequins, a dash of metallic grey at neck and wrist and a shock of pink at the hem. aaaand, we're drooling. and then weeping. with joy, of course. @ net-a-porter.com 

Want To Wear Now: A Maxi Skirt Re(Pleat) With Splendid Options

I bought my first pleated skirt on the GAP sale rack for $4.99 when I was 13. That skirt- a grey, lightweight, cotton/wool blend that hit at midcalf- inspired a good amount of outfits. It helped develop a love of mixing masculine and feminine pieces, playing against typical, preppy ensembles and made me feel lady-like and edgy all at the same time.  Up until that purchase, I was both attracted to and repelled by pleats.

Repulsion was born mainly as a result of hearing my mom's traumatic stories of Catholic school. I oddly viewed pleated skirts as synonymous with school uniforms, immediately causing me to think that wearing one meant being slapped on the wrist by a ruler. Pulling me in the opposite direction was my fondness for their fan shape and effortless movement, catching the breeze like a paper airplane nudged by the slighest amount of wind. I love that they're both sharp and soft, that they reference the crease in men's trousers but are distinctly feminine.  I love that they lift and twirl with each step. And in maxi form, the pleats command attention.  

There's an inherant elegance in a pleated maxi skirt; the ground-skimming hem gives the illusion you're gliding, just like that paper airplane. It immediately adds a romantic vibe to your wardrobe, but also helps you express your bohemian style, your glamorous self, your artistic/downtown vibe, and can even be business savvy (keep your palette neutral + add your favorite blazer = booyah!). And in the dead of winter (though, here in New York City it can barely be called winter with temperatures reaching 60 degress on some days!) it's the best way to hide your fleece lined leggings. When you're on the go, simply knot the hem at your calves to avoid puddles or snow mounds.

So embrace a pleated maxi shirt!  Shake off your belief that you'll look like a sister-wife! Resist the hesitation that it will steer you into the land of frump. And for goodness sakes, spin and twirl like it's the last scene of Dirty Dancing. Nobody puts pleats in the corner...

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Jewel tones add an extra oomph of elegance to the maxi length and accordion movement. Give your skirt the illusion of a dress by wearing it high-waisted and pairing it with a corset, halter or fitted jersey 3/4 sleeve top. Or play against its glamour by pairing with a distressed, rock & roll t-shirt. 

 
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The burst of bright color and the addition of shapes brings a playful mood to these beauties. Keep your top simple, like a chambray button-down that brings structure and ease, creating a look that says you didn't try too hard (and hey, you didn't.)

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Soft colors, like this blush pink and pale metallic, bring a little bit of romance to your look. Play it up with a hint of lace or floral print top. Or quirk it up with bold stripes, polka dots or an animal print in a similarly neutral hue.

1. Long Accordion Pleat Skirt from American Apparel

2. Alice + Olivia Shannon Pleated Skirt from Bloomingdale's

3. Field of Vision Skirt from Anthropologie

4. Aryn K. Pleated Maxi Skirt from Jessie Boutique

5. Metallic Maxi Skirt from Anthropologie

6. LC Lauren Conrad Pleated Maxi for Kohl's

 

5 Pajama Pants That Are Work Appropriate

We all dream of going to work in pajamas. Certainly, one of the hardest parts of getting ready for work is forcing yourself out of cozy flannel pants, the comfort of your favorite worn-in, cotton tee or the pilly joys of perfect sweatpants.  Personally, I dream of going to work swathed in my down comforter.

Slowly but surely we've found ways to move slumber items into the street: moccasins and slippers, sweatshirts, soft cotton, oversized t-shirts. This spring's trend of athletic influenced apparel ushers a new wave of incognito comfort. With the right silhouette and fabric, no one will know you've literally rolled out of bed.

The polyester of these Vince pants gives the illusion of silk, along with the illusion of effort toward your overall outfit. A patterned, cotton button-down, your favorite blazer and a ballet flat bring sophistication for spring, while your favorite marled yarn sweater and bootie break up winter blues. (Also comes in black, via shopbop.com)

On the coldest days of winter, I reach for patterns that transport me to an island (florals, ikat, tribal). The trouser silhouette of these bottoms leaves you with plenty of beautiful top options: a classic, structured button-down or a loose tank layered under a cardigan. The pleats on these pants and the ease of the wide-leg make these street ready. (via Anthropologie.com)

 

Silk is elegant no matter the location, so these pajama pants need only the slightest addition to take you out of the bedroom and into the office. I envision a touch of lace or a hint of metallic. (via Anthropologie.com)

By keeping your outfit in an earth tone palette, the bold pattern of these terry cloth plants will look less like an 80's tye-dye accident and more like an easy bohemian look. Play with drapey layers on top, like a tunic style sweater or off-set the neautral tones with a bright zing of color. (via shopbop.com) 

Okay, admittedly these are a bit of a stretch (pun intended) for a truly corporate office. You probably won't be able to disguise these as successfully if you work in, say, a law firm. However, those of you lucky enough to work in an environment with a more relaxed dress code can probably get away with these fantastic skinny sweats by Acne. Add pattern, color and an assymetrical cut top to keep it interesting and dressed up. (via shopbop.com) 

Want To Wear Now: Leather Backpacks

When I was in grade school, Jansport was the backpack of choice.  All the cool kids had a Jansport.  Even cooler was using a black sharpie or white-out pen to mark them with notes; an early version of a Facebook comment wall, if you will.  If you had a grafittied Jansport, you were hot-to-trot.

image via highsnobiety.com

Since graduating high school, I've nearly exorcised backpacks from my life. Even traveling throughout Europe and New Zealand, I forced myself to use one for the undeniable practicality. Who wants to schlep all their belongings on one arm?  I've rejected the use of a backpack not simply because of 13 years of academic memories (ahhh! algebra! acne! SATs!), but because the bag's design never appealed to me. I always felt like a bulky, awkward turtle, rather than a cool Ninja Turtle. It creates an inelegance to the body's shape.  It adds a hump.  Perhaps it was because my childhood backpacks were always buckling with books and causing me to walk with a hunch.  

But I'm older...and wiser. Okay, older. And I don't need to carry algebra, English lit., physics and German language books  only need to carry an abundance of books once a month. This was the original impetus to search for a cool, slouchy leather bag.  Also on the pragmatic front, the benefit of being hands free. Sure a purse sits on your shoulder, but if you're like me, you always feel the need to hold it in place. I've come to adore crossbody bags for being able to aggressively swish my arms back and forth like a committed power walker, reaching for my iphone or chapstick at a moment's notice with the gusto of a modern, metropolitan gunslinger. 

But ironically, almost as if my younger self is teasing me...I now kind of, sort of find the backpack elegant in its effortlessness. Yes, me! The one who a few paragraphs ago accused the humble backpack of being the quazimodo silhouette-inducing-beauty obstacle. The one who decried it for making grown women look like kindergartners. I'm envisioning it adding a utilitarian touch to maxi dresses and drapey autumn layers. 

And so here we are, sussing out options for a second wave of backpack memories and a new definition of "cool kid."  I'm drawn to the ease with which they can dangle on one shoulder or gently slouch against the spine, leaving your hips free of a side bulge (and you purse free of blue denim streaks), the crook of your elbow without a red mark, and your hands free of clutching at handles.  Turns out, my sleuth hunting took much more effort than I predicted.  Few fit my criteria. I don't want a small, timid sized pack (this is not the 90's when mini Pradas were all the rage), nor do I want wimpy, thin straps.  I want a meaty backpack! One where I can haul wood and the day's kill...okay, groceries from the farmer's market and library books. The options for women were particularly abysmal, so I ended up turning over to the men's side, where the selection was slightly more welcoming, though still saturated with wimpy shoulder straps. 

Here are the winners! Dear Santa, put me on your nice list. 

 

[ this navy beauty by Paul Smith is perhaps my favorite...and most out of my reach...typical]

[i love the simplicity & structure of this shape, along with the easy closure:  Kurtz Rucksack by The Madly, Barney's]

 

[i can always count on Free People to supply my boho chic: Ashley Watson Belmont Backpack]

[i wasn't in the market for black, but love the strap options on this Deena & Ozzy Moto Backpack from Urban Outfitters]

[you had me at convertible...Urban Outfitters Sabina Leather Pocket Backpack]

How The West Was Won...for Spring 2012

I can hear the rusty hinge of saloon doors swinging, the wind pushing a lone tumbleweed across the sand and horses galloping in the distance. The iconic American cowboy, and the southwest plains on which he rides, guided several designers' vision for spring.   

Thakoon's color palette captured the glorious, neverending sunsets of the southwest with splashes of turquoise and blue. The traditional cowboy hat, paisley button down, boot and denim jacket get revamped come 2012. Blowing up the classic paisley pattern into something magical, he partnered his prints with loads of metallic, dyed hair and color blocked cowboy hats. Shiny is the best way to describe both spirit and aesthetic of the whole show. Easy-breezy paisley shifts, peplum blouses, bright prairie skirts adorned in metallic stripes and vibrant bermuda shorts are the silhouettes to expect for spring.

   

I've already discussed my excitement for Marc Jacobs clear plastic cowboy boots. His show was inspired by the 1920's, substantiated by drop waist dresses, boxy outerwear and gorgeous silk organza.  The ever exciting Marc Jacobs is a master stylist, pairing his pretty girls with these unexpected boots, adding just the hint of toughness to a delicate, layered collection.  

Balmain's spring collection was one of my favorites- tough & chic. Christophe Decarnin hoped to blend Mexican tailoring with Vegas glamour, demonstrated in the exceptional embroidery, beaded fringe and leather details.  For me, the collection also captured the utilitarian elements of wild west garb in an effortlessly chic way.  The beauty was surely in the details: intricate reptilian carving of a gold cuff repeated in scaly repetition of gold across the belt and buckle; a traditional button down where buttons are replaced by rich beading; beading on the heels and toe of a classic cowboy boot. Here the paisley is expressed in a subtle shadow print agains gray-blue silk and prairie skirts go all black.  I want to exist in this world.     

 

 all images via style.com

Deeply Obsessed With...

  

Rebecca Minkoff's Rhapsody bag available at Shopbop.

This isn't the first time Rebecca Minkoff has stolen my heart shoulder's affection.  I've been looking for the perfect black cross-body bag with not-too-long fringe to slowly separate me from oversized, boho fixation. Leave it to Ms. Minkoff to steer me in the right direction!  Each time I think I'm ready to lighten my load, I supersize it. I've been loving the native trends for fall and the prevalence of fringe.  The woven strap and braiding on the bag's body add a great amount of texture and detail.  Loverly...

Here's what would join the party:

 

This denim shirt layered over this mustard blouse with these autumn red jeans and these Jeffrey Campbell boots.

J.Crew Spring 2012

Elegant but casual, vibrant but easily subdued, buttoned up in blouse but not in personality- these are the elements we’ve come to expect from J.Crew and each season they steal our hearts.  It’s not easy for a company with mass appeal to successfully walk the tightrope of providing customers with the expected and the re-invented, but J.Crew doesn’t disappoint us.  For Spring 2012, the changes are subtle, but exuberant. A little bit of slouch here, a shift of length from mini to midi there, bright bursts of new colors and splashes of pattern (leopard and floral) among the quintessential stripe.  I imagine every woman will want to achieve the classic, cool, nerd-chic vibe that Jenna Lyons has popularized, if not in full, at least with a few elements.    

I can hear the J.Crew server crashing as throngs of women click "purchase" once this outfit goes live. It's the brand's definitive marriage of being dressed up and dressed down at the same time. Metallic stripes and denim...spells happiness in my dictionary.

It looks like the women in these photos are having a conversation, and I'm sure it involves them admiring eachother. 

Woman A: I love your beaded sweater.  It's a genius, feminine contrast to your pinstripe blouse and newsboy pants. Your cuffs rock.

Woman B: Thanks! You're perfectly slouchy and boho beautiful. I love your pop of orange. 

Woman A: Can I borrow your glasses?

Woman B: Oh no, they're actually prescription. I genuinely can't see.

 Classic tailoring, exciting pattern mixing. Work!

Shorts two ways + happy stripes. And more leopard, waa-hoo!