Close Knit

Clare Tough

It seems that a chunk of the fashion world has fallen in love with denim bloomers, or denim panties, if you prefer another moniker, as of late. Bloomers are not for me. If I do go the route of near panties, I would choose these knit shorts. So wonderfully sexy, and I'm sure super comfortable, even in summer heat.

Surroundings

Photos via The Selby

Alexander Wang, is it possible to love you more? 

A minimalist workspace is so appealing. I love the high ceilings, the sparse decor. Oh, and I also love the shoes. Especially the knee-high gladiator sandals in the center of the last photo. 

Tough Love

Clare Tough

Why am I immediately drawn to anything involving fringe (whether it is more refined, as in these pictures, or more raw, as in Southwest/Native inspired pieces)? 

I plan on keeping an eye on what this 28 year-old does in coming years. Loving everything so far.

Illusions

The best kind of sexy is effortless, or at least seemingly so.  An outfit that is simplistic to the eye yet offers a hint of flirtation—a little bit of leg, an exposed shoulder, some casual cleavage—is so appealing. The outfit, or more importantly the woman wearing it, isn’t trying to hard, yet she exudes sexiness. The outfit offers a glimpse, but doesn’t shove it in your face.  (Don’t get me wrong: I’m all for a fierce pair of heels, a mini-dress and a push-up bra. But I can’t, and shouldn’t, always be that girl. That outfit has a time and a place.)

Clare Tough

Effortlessly sexy carries a quiet confidence. The wearer appears utterly at ease with herself, almost as if she wasn’t wearing any clothes at all.  Coco Chanel said, “A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed.”  This confidence only adds to the allure of the woman, the outfit.

MK at Matthew Williamson for H&M launch

Getty Images

Any woman who knows anything about fashion knows that to appear effortless requires effort. It takes great skill and knowledge of what looks great on your body to achieve such a look. More than that though, sometimes it requires a sacrifice of practicality. 

I wear boots often, and with boots, I wear socks.  Since I don’t wear socks on a regular basis, my socks are, well, somewhat embarrassing.  I don’t want anyone to see these socks.  And no one does usually because they’re buried in my boots.  Yet, what about those times when I need to take my boots off, say, on a date? Taking off my socks while undressing (and having lovely little sock lines) isn’t sexy to me.  If I see them, my illusion of effortlessly sexy becomes fractured, perhaps it’s only a hairline fracture that my date doesn’t even notice or mind, but I notice it.

Moccasins are another item that remind me of the effort that goes into my outfit.  I wear my knee-high lace-up moccasins often in the summertime with easy summer dresses and these combinations make me feel comfortable and pretty simultaneously.  The moccasins, however, take at least five minutes of unlacing and pulling, forcefully I might add. On early dates, I have ruled them out completely. 

I have a vague recollection of an article I read in Vogue last year in which the author stated something to the effect that her ideal man needed to be willing to help her out of her Spring 2008 Balenciage knee-high gladiator sandals (which is apparently a 45-minute endeavor).  And while she has a point, I will sacrifice some of that practicality (socks), or impracticality if the case may be (moccasins), in order to maintain the illusion of effortlessly sexy.  But then again, if I feel sexy, even if I'm sacrificing a bit of comfort, then I can exude it.

Totally Toga

Images via Toga

Not every day do you come across a line that instantly enamors you. (I do not think it has happened to me in months, perhaps since I viewed the Fall '09 Wunderkind collection, which I never posted about, and should, still.) Then I stumbled across Toga's Spring '09 line by Yasuko Furuta the other day when reading Lulu's blog. 

I love the impeccable tailoring that contrasts rather harmoniously with the feminine ruffles. The intersection of the masculine and feminine is subtle, never detracting from the female form.  These are gorgeous women's garments. And the bolo ties: well, let's just say I never imagined wanting to sport a bolo tie as much (and as chicly) as this collection does. Absolutely fabulous.

Swimsuit Cravings

Image via Stylesightings

In perusing photos on Stylesightings from Coachella, I saw several girls donning this black and white print swimsuit in several different forms. What I want to know: who makes it and where can I find it?

Rarely do I buy new swimsuits. They are expensive and it is impractical for me to buy a new one every year, especially now that I live in Portland. I have seen so many cute ones lately, especially one pieces, that my standard black bikini (with gold chains, mind you) feels boring. As much as I want to lay out in the sun, I'm not super thrilled about pulling that bikini out of the back of my drawer.

Tea Party

Miu Miu Shoe, Nylon (2007?)

The lack of updates in the past week and a half are because I moved into a new apartment and have been in serious nesting mode. (And I don't have the internet quite yet.) The above photo I love and ripped out of a Nylon magazine months, perhaps even a year ago, and tucked away inside a notebook with the intention of one day framing it and putting on my wall amid other fashion photos.  Well, that day has finally come, as I rediscovered it unpacking the other day. These Miu Miu shoes are more art than footwear to me. I have never seen them in person, but I prefer to imagine them made of porcelain rather than leather (or any other material).

More updates to follow (soon I hope).