Scent Collecting

To justify multiple purchases, i.e. the same bag in three different colors, I think of myself as a collector. I know, I know. However, I’ve been searching for a new signature scent (get loads of samples before you commit, was the best advice) and realized that maybe having more than one, like a perfume wardrobe, would be modern. This is coming from someone who doesn’t own a lipstick and hasn’t really worn a fragrance in 20 years. To date, I’ve found two that I love —  Carthusia Mediterraneo and Louis Vuitton’s On The Beach — the beginning of a perfume collection.

Flying In Style

Jodi Peckman’s homage to the golden age of air travel, Come Fly With Me, will hopefully inspire a bit more style while traveling — the vintage celebrity snaps are memorable. Before I go anywhere, I need a new carry-on. My Louis Vuitton wheelie is the first iteration and was designed to roll in just one direction. And, after my last flight to Paris, I’m getting noise canceling headphones, stat. Packing a favorite scent for the hotel room is genius and something I should’ve been doing all along.

Master & Dynamic headphones, Aviteur suitcase, Diptyque room spray.

Clever Clogs

If you don’t want to pay a fortune for clogs, there are lots of options. Swedish Hasbeens, Troentorp, and Sandgrens are my friend’s favorites, and I think the J. Crew pair look really good, love the studs. I have the super comfortable No.6 clog boots and pictured above are Kerstin Adolphson.

A number of readers shared their favorites and I’ve included links in the comments.

Image August 2016 Vogue Paris photography by Lachlan Bailey  styling by Geraldine Saglio

Fashion From The Past

Vogue predicts that there will be a surge of interest in vintage Gucci, pre Tom Ford era 1994-2004, thanks to the upcoming film House of Gucci. The film is based on the infamous Italian family from the ’70s to mid ’90s. So, to get a jump on this trend, I dug deep into my closet and unearthed my first Gucci bag. Mother let me pick out a bag on a trip to Rome in 1978 and I chose the one above. A camel hobo, unsurprisingly. Since it’s firmly in my never-changing wheelhouse, I’m going to drop it at Artbag and let them do their magic. Will I carry it again? Very possibly.

The bottom three are from the early ’90s. They had bamboo handles, which I removed the moment I purchased them and looped the messenger strap instead. I wore these to death and I’m not sure any amount of TLC can revive them.

‘The Future of Fashion Is in the Past’

This picture of Sally Singer, Amazon’s head of fashion direction, wearing her own vintage Geoffrey Beene top and skirt in W magazine makes me want to dig deep into the past.

Photography by Justin French   Styling by All Alliata di Montereale 

Walk The Talk

If you’ve ever wondered if I buy the items I post on, here you go:

After I admitted that I’m color challenged, Heather Clawson aka Habitually Chic recommended that I start with a blue shirt. This Ann Mashburn Boyfriend Shirt fits shockingly well. I always thought a button-down should be boxy, which I now realize was idiotic. And, Heather was spot-on, blue is fab. I’ll never have to stress about an evening look thanks to this Totême shift paired with Chanel heels — so easy. I’ve been wearing the Maison Mayle coat non-stop this spring, and the Hermès clogs in black and beige just make me happy.

Nili Lotan in The Cut

The Cut did a super Q&A with designer Nili Lotan. Gold jewelry, clogs, thank you notes, an elegant watch are on her list. “What’s your guilty pleasure? I don’t have any guilt.” Refreshing.

Classic Bits In Vogue UA

A simple barrette with a Prada raincoat, Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra pendants with a turtleneck, and a Chanel bag — these classic bits never get old.

All images April Vogue UA

A Small Change Can Make A Big Difference

When I wear a bangle with my watch, the bangle is above and the watch is low around my wrist. But, that’s about to change. In two recent posts I noticed Princess Caroline and architect Barbara Ghidoni wearing the combo reversed, and it looks right. Otherwise, my watch just looks like a bracelet in a stack. I was chatting with a very helpful woman at Cartier about watch placement when I dropped off my Américaine for an overhaul yesterday. A small tweak can make a big difference.

Architect Chic

When I spied Mexican architect Frida Escobedo in April Vogue Paris, I was reminded of two other incredibly chic architects, Milan-based Barbara Ghidoni and German-born Annabelle Selldorf. These women have enviable personal style.

Images Vogue Paris, AD, WSJ. Magazine