The Holy Grail: Vintage Ungaro

So, I have been on a hunt for vintage Ungaro for the longest time. Last year, it was easy to come across on eBay--and at rock-bottom prices too! Nowadays it's in the 3-digit range, so imagine my delight when I found one on etsy.com for only $65!

Granted, I wish that it was in a more vibrant print, but I'm really happy with this one because (1) it features his signature pleating and (2) the style is very 80's but modern too. I just need to have the bustier and waist taken in and shorten the hemline.

J'adore vintage Ungaro.... And je will continue on the search for more! It's like an addiction. The thrill of the chase!

(Speaking of Ungaro.... I received a press release yesterday that Lindsay Lohan was appointed Artistic Advisor for Emanuel Ungaro. Is anyone else as perplexed as I am?)

DreamSequins' Fashion Blogger Meet-Up

Dress - Lauren Kovin (Spring 2009) Tights - Wolford Shoes - YSL Tribute Too

Last night I trekked down to Nolita for Dream Sequins' (www.dreamsequins.com) Fashion Bloggers Meet-Up at Debut New York, a chic boutique that features emerging independent designers.

Dream Sequins writes about the most obscure and coolest indie talent, so I decided to wear a dress by one of my favorite independent designers, my dear friend Lauren Kovin (www.laurenkovin.com).

I wore the Box Dress from her Spring 2009 collection in the black version. It looks different than what's shown in her lookbook because she decided to shorten the style so that it could also be worn as a tunic. (Honestly, I was afraid that it would look like I forgot to wear pants--and it could very well look like I did haha--but I decided to just go with it!) One of my favorite parts about this dress is the back:


It was great to meet Dream Sequins in person and mingle with other fashion bloggers, including 39th and Broadway (http://www.39thandbroadway.com) and Musie (http://musie.wordpress.com). It made me realize how fashion blogging really adds new dialogue to the fashion landscape--and made me want to update this blog more often!

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On a side note, I've been obsessed about getting a haircut for the past two weeks, which only happens when I know "it's time"! My dilemma is that I'm trying to grow it longer so I'm holding out... But it desperately needs to be re-shaped. I haven't had a proper haircut in four months and I think I messed up the layers by trimming the ends with cuticle scissors over the bathroom sink.

(I really shouldn't be smiling so big with lopsided layers.)




BaskInStyle (http://baskinstyle.blogspot.com) booked an appointment for us both at Cutting Edge Salon in Little Italy/Chinatown. Her hair always looks good and her haircut only costs $26. My guy Dean at Cutler Salon in SoHo is $110 and I don't know if I'm willing to shell that out right now. What to do, what to do...

Dot, Dot, Dot...

Dotted stockings is a huge trend this fall. It adds a dose of 80's French chic to any ensemble and was featured in the Balenciaga Fall 2009 runway collection. I've been coming across many editorials that have used dotted stockings and credited a French hoisery company (which I haven't heard of) called Gerbe--surprised that Wolford and Fogal haven't been used.



Here's a link to the dotted style on Gerbe's website: http://www.gerbe.com/shopexd.asp?catalogid=54&nav=shop




Here's how the dotted tights looked on Balenciaga's runway with 80's-inspired ruched silk dresses:

I've been combing eBay for some vintage dresses like that, but I haven't had much luck! I love how the dresses were styled with black lace bandeaus. Any recommendations on where to find black lace bandeaus?

Grace Coddington, Creative Director at Vogue, used those dresses in a 1940's context in an editorial entitled "In the Mood," found in this month's issue:

Vogue - September 2009 - "In the Mood"

eBay Find: Leather Bomber Jacket

Just arrived today! I've been looking for a fitted leather bomber jacket, but sometimes the shoulders are too big or it makes me feel short. This one is great because the sleeves are cropped--which I think makes it more proportional--and it has an aged look! (I think it might've been a little boy's jacket.) My favorite part is the silk lining, which has illustrations of vintage airplanes printed all over it.

It's all about finding solid staples for the wardrobe these days, and I think I'll get a lot of mileage out of this one!

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A Taste of September

There was a hint of fall air last night in New York which whipped up a desire for me to get dressed up. Mind you, I've been living in t-shirts and American Apparel cordoroy shorts all week so I welcomed this opportunity with open arms! I dragged The Fiance off the sofa and ordered that we have a sushi dinner at BondSt and meet a friend of mine at Thom Bar for a drink afterwards.

I wore a Prada dove-grey top with an asymmetrical bow-tie detail, Dolce & Gabbana high-waisted satin leopard skirt, Alaia nude patent T-strap sandals, and a Chanel black satin evening clutch. No jewelry except for a thin little navy woven bracelet with wooden beads that a friend had picked up for me on a trip to South America.

Leopard seems to be all the rage this coming season and Dolce & Gabbana's leopard print is iconic (next to YSL, of course). I should've taken a close-up pic of the skirt--the pattern is sumptuous and looks almost real. Usually, I would pair this skirt with a white or black top but I think the grey softens the look.

Fall Fashion Shopping List

This probably won't happen but I do have a Lady Dior Cannage bag on my list because of a picture on TheSartorialist that featured a very chic French girl carrying one with a messy top knot, camel wrap coat, and black leggings while smoking a cigarette. It's only chic if you carry it with everything.




Military jacket to juxtapose with "dressy" outfits such as satin skirts--never with jeans.




Vintage Ungaro dress in the manner of Chloe Sevigny

OR


An 80's dress or an 80's-inspired dress as seen above in the Altuzarra F/W 2009 collection. I believe Bebe is coming out with a silver lame ruched dress with one sleeve for $129. (Saw it in the August 2009 issue of American ELLE, page 276!)






Slim--but not skinny--white jeans. Tres chic. Any recommendations on brands and fits?

A few T by Alexander Wang tee-shirts

Vintage V-necked Lacoste sweaters in a variety of colors such as white, kelly green, maroon, navy, etc.

Leopard pony-fur flats. Sam Edelman makes one for $149. Saw it in the August 2009 issue of Vogue. (Supposedly Belgian Shoes, seen above, makes the most amazingly comfortable loafers. It's a WASP cult favorite but they're $310!)

Sperry Top-Siders or boating shoes. Rain-appropriate footwear