Fashion Classics

MUST HAVE: THE TURTLENECK SWEATER

Finally the temperature in LA has dropped (thanks to impending El Nino!) and I can finally sport a sweater! My preferred sweater silhouette is no doubt the turtleneck. There is something so classically stylish about a turtleneck and not only do I love their neck elongating, double chin hiding, flattering cut, they also give us the ability to do the insanely chic turtleneck hair tuck (see above photo, thanks Phoebe Philo!). Throw on your turtleneck with literally everything you own, be it your grey trouser and white sneaker (a la Phoebe) or dressed up with a cropped jean and a block heel. Go oversized and chunky knit or tight and 1960's inspired. Either way you will look tres turtleneck chic! To sport your very own turtleneck take a look at this JCrew camel sweater and this two tone Acne dream!

 

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FALL MUST HAVE: THE CAMEL COAT

Oh how I love and long for this time of year, with the cooling temps comes a whole load of fashion excitement, especially when it come to shopping for a new fall coat.  Along with the military parka, peacoat and trench a new classic has emerged-the wool camel coat. Incredibly versatile, the menswear inspired wool camel coat is a highly wearable and neutral item that can go over pretty much anything, be it a a white shirt and blue denim, or a shift dress and sneakers. It serves the same purpose as a trench but in a heavier and warmer wool fabric. Its classic, chic and feels expensive. My current favorite is by Rag and Bone and for a more affordable option check out this incredible deal from Zara! CM XO

 

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Brand Focus: Apiece Apart

 
 
 

New York based line Apiece Apart is one of those ever reliable, go to brands featuring classic and wearable pieces that you will hang onto for years. Clean modern cuts, crisp cotton and gorgeous knits are heavily featured, and their price point is highly accessible considering the quality of the clothing. I am a big lover of anything and everything WHITE and have got my eye on their high waist white denim jean and their dreamy white silk Luna slip dress. Enjoy! Clare xo

 

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PARISIAN CHIC

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When thinking about what to pack for my upcoming London/Paris trip it lead me to dream about Parisian chic. Anyone who reads this blog knows that I regularly obsess over French fashion and my excitement regarding my trip is reaching fever pitch! I suppose to break down Parisian chic there are just a few items that you need, all of which are classic and will never go out of style; a trench (go for Burberry or APC), a Saint James striped tee (can now be found at JCrew) a pair of ankle length black capri pants (H&M have some great ones at them moment) and top the look off with a Chanel ballet flats in black or camel (or if on a budget try JCrew again). See? so easy, so simple and TRES CHIC! X

MY SPRING UNIFORM

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Imagine how thrilled I was when I discovered that my spring uniform (which has existed for at least a couple of years) is near identical to that of my most favored style icon Vogue France's editor Emmanuelle Alt's most recent look. OK, I'll break it down for you. firstly lets identify the essential skinny white jean which is such a great alternative to blue denim (which honestly I am finding rather BORING) and goes with EVERYTHING. Don't be afraid to wear in cooler months either, pair with a light grey woolly sweater and a little tan ankle boot for instant chic! Alt wears her white skinny's with a low rise, I opt for medium-high, when on styling jobs as the last thing I need is to flash my undies when cuffing a models jeans! Next up, we have the chambray shirt; if you read this blog regularly you know that I ADORE the chambray shirt, it adds a laid back quality to any look and is so flattering and practical. Start building a collection of different shades of chambray and wear with sequins, floral prints and of course, white denim! Now with this chambray shirt and white skinny jean uniform I find I can take it from day to night very easily. In the daytime (unlike Alt in her vertiginous black pumps) I wear my spring uniform with white high top converse, my green army surplus jacket and my tortoiseshell cat eyes, and at night I switch out the cons for my nude and black cap toe Prada's, undo one more button on my chambray, keep the army jacket on and add my black Chanel 2.55. If you want to try out this spring uniform you can find a fantastic selection of chambray shirts at www.madewell.com and white jeans in varying rises at www.jcrew.com HAVE FUN! X

MODERN CLASSICS: The Equipment Shirt

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Back in the early 90's when I was 7 or 8 years old, my Mother's outfits often involved blouses of the silky variety. In subtle shades of ivory, blush pink and grey they seemed so feminine, grown up and womanly. The predominant blouse brand in the 80's and 90's was Equipment and last year the French company relaunched with a new CEO and have returned to the forefront of the fashion scene. Fashion editors and taste makers are professing their undying love for Equipment shirts and I couldn't agree with them more. They are practical, stylish and classic and look just as good with a pair of cropped pants and flats in the office as they do with a mini skirt and shoe boots at night. Find your nearest stockist at www.equipmentfr.com and start collecting them asap!

CRAZY FOR CAT EYES

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In LA there is rarely a day that goes by that sunglasses are not required and for the last four or so years I have worn nothing but Ray Bans. I own the classic gold rimmed aviator, a vintage tortoiseshell Wayfarer (thanks Mum) and a black modern mid size Wayfarer. But I must confess, as much as I love these old faithfuls I am getting a little tired of them. Only the other day I was chatting to a fashion photographer friend of mine who has irritatingly exquisite taste, and he brazenly declared 'Ray Bans are over, we need to find something new'. And he was right. After years of wearing unisex Ray Bans I am craving a more feminine silhouette, and one in particular is the cat eye (see above on New York fashion maven Olivia Palermo). Prada kick started the rejuvenation of the cat eye trend and I for one am embracing them wholeheartedly. There is something very flattering about the upturned angle of the cat eye shape, its uplifting, rather like an immediate mini facelift via sunglasses wearing! Who wouldn't want that!? Find at www.netaporter.com

MUST HAVE: The white suit

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My previous post on the LWD got me thinking about another look that is becoming a classic look that I also recently acquired, the white pant suit. Lauren Hutton, Bianca Jagger and more recently Camilla Belle and Leelee Sobieski have all sported the white pant suit. Like I mentioned in regards to the LWD, white is universally flattering and looks so current, fresh and chic in the spring/summer. Make sure your suit fits you perfectly, I recently came across a fab double breasted suit at Zara (yes I'm obsessed with the Spanish store at the moment!) and just to give it that higher end look I dragged it to my alterations lady for a little nip and tuck. My darling suit's facelift was hugely successful and I wear my high street number as proudly as if it were Stella McCartney! Run to Zara before it sells out! x

MUST HAVE: The little white dress

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Dear Little Black Dress (aka LBD) I hate to be the one to break it to you but you have a serious contender who wants to steal your crown and plant itself firmly on your throne, the Little White Dress (aka LWD). I myself have become a recent convert to the LWD due to its immensely wearable nature. Not only is it a more feminine and much lighter alternative to the old faithful LBD but it is also flattering for all skin tones. During the day I wear with my tan Repetto ballet flats, APC denim tote bag and tortoiseshell sunglasses and in the evening I switch these out for my black heeled ankle boots and my Chanel 2.55 . For a really glamorous evening look do as Kirsten Dunst has and pair your LWD with metallic accessories, I adore her silver Mary-Janes. For your very own Little White Dress I suggest you head to Zara. Enjoy! xo

GO TO NEW LENGTHS

Ladies have you tried the new mid length skirt? If not then I urge you to give it a go. This Madewell number in the picture above is a great color that can go with everything (don't you just love that girls!?) just replace your mid blue denim jeans with this very skirt! Tee's, button downs, brogues, ballet flats etc will all look great with it. However if you are vertically challenged such as myself then I think it can only be worn with a high heel and a top that has a very slim silhouette. Find this one at www.madewell.com

FOR THE BOYS: The white jean

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Chaps, if you are interested in fashion and like to mix things up a little for spring then I highly suggest you consider sporting a white jean. Keep it slim cut and avoid wearing with black. I particularly love how A.P.C. have styled their white jean with other pale pieces like their plaid shirt and beige plimsoll, or you can wear them with your eternally reliable chambray shirt and Clark's desert boots.