Articles of Clothing

Shop My Closet: Madewell Woven Nail Head Belt

I wish Madewell would go ahead and open some boutique stores on the West Coast.  

 

The only time I have ever stepped foot into Madewell was last June when I was shopping in Soho with my friend, Simone.  I instantly fell in love with their on trend denim, Bensimon sneakers, and affordable accessories (everything from scarves to handbags).

 

This is one of my favorite looks from the Spring/ Summer 2010 Madewell lookbook - and it does look like you can make orders via phone directly through Madewell's website.  

For those of you who are too lazy for phone orders, Shopbop.com (yes, I know I shop there too much) actually carries Madewell online!  This belt was recently featured on the site and I snapped it up right away. 

Madewell Woven Nail Head Belt $52

Label Watch: Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Handbags

I've been obsessing recently over cross body/ messenger style handbags and searching for the perfect one to tote with me to Europe at the end of May.

Of course, I have very silly expectations on the features for the perfect cross body bag:

1. Zipper Top (to avoid pick pocketing)

2. Comfortable/ Fashionable - let's be honest ladies sometimes a cross body strap makes your chest look weird.

3. Light weight material

4. Internal pockets that allow you to zip up your cash/ valuables

5.  Big enough to fit my Ipad and Digital SLR camera

So my friend, Mia, sent me think link and I instantly fell in love with these Limited Edition handbags that are part of the Spring Summer 2010 Fashion Collection by Louis Vuitton, shown below on Alessandra Ambrosio!

 
 They come in 3 styles and the one shown above "Sunshine" is my favorite.

 

Of course, I did my research and marched my butt into the Louis Vuitton store in San Francisco's Union Square to check out the new bags and these pictures really do not do them justice.  They are so much more adorable in real life.

 

 Louis Vuitton Sunshine Bag $2,330

Here is the Sunburst which is much more oversized and was too large for my frame (I'm 5'3") but I loved the HOT PINK Strap on the blue version.  It is available in Blue and Green.

 

This one has a zipper across the top - while the Sunburst does not. :(  It was just way TOO large!

 
 
 Louis Vuitton Sunburst PM Bag $2,800

And this one is the most pricey of them all!  I have not actually seen this one in stores - but will definitely go take a peek over the weekend!

   

Louis Vuitton Sunburst GM Bag $3,270

So are you a fan of these Louis Vuitton bags or do you just think they are over priced?

Shop My Closet: Joie Coachella Over the Knee Boots

These Joie Coachella over the knee boots came my way with a LOT of luck!

Shopbop.com (yes, best online shopping boutique in my opinion) announced a sale and my friend, Daisy, made the lethal mistake of im'ing me a picture of these boots.  They were marked down 50% and we were both gushing over them.  

Unfortunately, Shopbop was out of every normal human shoe size so like the crazy fashion junkie that I am - I scoured the internet trying to find them in stock online.

 

I randomly checked Shopbop to see if anyone had made a return, and to my luck the boots were 50% off AND available in my size - with only one pair in stock!  

I took them for a test run and fell in love.  Now when I wear my other boots, my legs feel a little bit naked. Over the knee boots are just perfect because they keep your legs warm when you are rocking leggings.  I always wear them with black pants/tights/leggings to create a nice, clean line.

   

Love the buckles.  Of course these boots made me think of Halloween, which is my favorite holiday and I think about it/ costumes all year long. I can finally pull off a cool Puss n' Boots costume - sooo excited!

    

One thing to note: These boots kept sliding down my legs when I was walking around and trying to get around the city quickly. So maybe, these boots were not made for walking - but more of a nice stroll.

    

Joie Coachella Over the Knee Boots $262 originally $525
 

 

Trend Watch: Slouchy Black Pants

Okay - the slouchy fit pants are a much debated topic around my circle of friends.  I personally love the unusual cut and think that if done correctly these pants do look edgy, fashion forward, and modern.

Here are some of the recent comments I got:

Mia:  Kim, why do you want to wear pants that make you look like a conductor in an orchestra?

Daisy:  Why do you want to wear pants that look like you have on a diaper? or that you needed to go to the bathroom?

Of course,I went ahead and purchased this pair at J.Crew despite popular commentary.  I plan on pairing them with a simple v-neck t-shirt and a brown belt with a gold buckle to make them more casual vs. corporate. And of course, platform heels are a must to show off the cropped fit. :)

 And they aren't as baggy as they look in the rear view.  They sit higher on the waist then most of my pants and I like the unexpected exposed zipper.

J.Crew Matte Jersey Curator Pant $168

I also stumbled across this pair by Alice + Olivia and think they would look terrific with summer sandals/ clogs!  

Alice + Olivia Cropped Zen Pants $275 

 

Shop My Closet: twenty8twelve Monette Tie Dress

I am a big fan of the label, twenty 8 twelve, which was created by Sienna Miller and her sister, Savannah.

The label is super pricey - so I was stoked when Ideeli.com had a sample sale and I was able to snap up this bright yellow silk monette tie dress for a fraction of the price since it is from last season. I wore it the other day and paired it with my Jeffrey Campbell Charli Clogs.

Here's what the dress looks like with the ties in the front. :)  I wear them loose and flowy rather than tied in a bow (too preppy for me).

And for those of you who watch the CW and caught last week's episode of Melrose Place - I'd just like to point out that Riley was rocking this dress.  I love seeing my clothes on TV!!

Check out more of twenty8twelve's line here.

Label Watch: Joie Trip Dolman Sweater

It's raining cats & dogs all over San Francisco. :)

I wish I had this cute dolman Sweater by Joie to brace the forces of nature.  I am sure it would look great paired with flat boots and a pair of skinny jeans.  I also love the cropped cut which will make it right on trend this Spring!

 

 

Joie Trip Dolman Sweater $188
 
 

Label Watch: Elizabeth & James Jan Multi Band Sandals

I absolutely love these distressed, metallic sandals by Elizabeth & James... it's too bad I don't really have any upcoming special occasions worthy enough to justify this purchase.

 

 

Elizabeth & James Jan Multi Band Sandals $365  

 
 

Label Watch: Gryphon The Aldridge Trench

Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes is my favorite Typepad blogger. :)  She and her mother, Judy Aldridge (a former model) of Atlantis Home,  recently teamed up to design a trench coat for Gryphon.

Here is the creation that they came up with: The Aldridge Trench.  To read more about it, visit Sea of Shoes by clicking here.

At 18 years old, Jane Aldridge's life seems like every girly girls dream come true.  She lives and breathes fashion and shares her passion with her mother - who was a former model, boutique owner, and designer, too.   Jane also designed a line of shoes for Urban Outfitters.  (And HOW MUCH do you love her cut out boots in this picture???)

 

It looks so much cuter styled on Jane than on this model...

  

 Here's a close up of the removable leather pouch.

Gryphon The Aldridge Trench $875

Shop My Closet: Current/Elliot The Moto Leggings

I've been feeling a little motorcycle these days.  Just picked up this pair of denim leggings by Current/Elliot - another one of my favorite denim designers that I discovered @ Barney's.  

I own three other pairs by Current/ Elliot: the Love Destroyed Boyfriend, the Skinny Jean, and the Love Destroyed Bootcut.  They are all amazingly comfortable and if you are ordering online beware that Current/Elliot uses vanity sizing so I usually size 1-2 sizes down from my regular pant size.

I love the contrast stitching - it just makes these "jeggings" super special.

Current/ Elliot The Moto Leggings $260 on sale for $182 @ Shopbop.com

Shop My Closet: Genetic Denim Shane Cigarette Jeans

After a long hiatus from wearing jeans along came the brand, Genetic Denim, to resurrect my love for denim.

I now own 4 pairs of the Genetic Denim Shane Cigarette jeans (Silver, Zinc, Blues, and Chain)  mainly because they are super light weight, ultra stretchy, and more comfortable than any other jeans I have ever owned.  I remember the first time that I tried on a pair - I was at Barney's New York looking for the perfect pair of gray jeans and could literally do squats and lunges in the dressing room. 

These Shane Cigarette Jeans in Chain are my most recent purchase.  To my surprise, they arrived in the mail and the holes in the jeans are actually reinforced with silver chain mail peaking out from underneath them.  At first, I was a little weirded out (is the silver too flashy? will these jeans still be comfy? the denim is a little thicker than the other pairs I own...) but I decided to embrace them and rocked them yesterday for the first time.  Not going to lie, I was walking down the street and the halls of the office feeling a little MJ and playing "I wanna rock with you" in my mind.

Genetic Denim Shane Cigarette Jeans in Chain $220