Episode 8: Comfy Cool

My sister Annie's closet has been an ongoing source of inspiration to me over the years.  From skinny jeans to pointy-toed shoes, I am thankful to my style savvy sister for giving me the courage to test drive countless looks that I never thought would work for me, including the very epitome of comfy cool: my Converse.  


Back when she was in high school, my sister debuted an irresistibly cute pair of bright pink Converse high tops.  Peeking out from beneath skinny jeans, her girly kicks brought an element of casual fun to her look.  While I totally coveted her style, I was convinced that such a look wouldn't work as well without her supermodel height and frame.  But she talked me into giving it a try, and I found my own take on comfy cool by pairing my Converse with flairs.  I have yet to add a pair of hot pink Converse to my collection, but I am currently pondering my next pair...  Indeed, all these years later, I still love love looove my Converse.  I guess it just goes to show that comfort is always in style.  Dear beloved sister, my feet are especially thankful.

I wore my trusty Converse all over Paris last spring!
Photo by Sarah M. Barton, March 2010

Jingle All the Way

I find holiday-themed fashion an interesting thing to behold. Some opt for holiday sweaters that might have walked straight off the Bridget Jones set (which would make them "jumpers," no?); others pair snowflake or Santa earrings and necklaces; some go with a broader red and green color theme; and then there's the men around the office with the fun snowmen ties... I suppose I'm far less adventurous with my own personal holiday fashion, preferring a more subtle approach.

My favorite go-to accessory for the Christmas season is the red plaid headband that I "borrowed" from my adorable sister years ago.* While it is far less overt that some of the aforementioned options, I find it no less festive and definitely more versatile. When it really comes down to is my personal refusal to commit to a fashion theme. I see it not as a question of boldness (after all, did you see the animal print dress I so covet?) but more of a desire to think outside the box, if only in an understated way. And it is for this very reason that I find myself inspired to jingle all the way--to Kate Spade.

This year, Kate Spade's holiday look is all about jingle bells. If you're not one for headbands (shame!), then earrings, bobby pins, and/or rings are also fair game. Even without the one horse open sleigh, you'll still look dashing in the snow with these festive holiday accessories, made from 14 karat gold plated metal. I'm especially partial to the bobby pins, as they perform in both the form and function categories. I also love the little jingle bell studs that would bring a bit of holiday cheer to practically any outfit. Alternatively, if you're shopping for others, any of these would make a fun and fabulous gift (they come pre-boxed and basically too cute for words). Talk about ringing in the season!

*I fear that admitting this in writing will result in the forced return of this very headband and one very sad older sister--but such are the risks that I take in the name of fashion.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Jingle Bell Bobby Pins $45 by Kate Spade, available online (www.katespade.com); (2) Jingle Bell Studs $45, also by Kate Spade.

My Sister's Closet (well, sort of): Going Green

Since we have ventured into my sister's proverbial closet on numerous occasions to date, I thought we would do something different this week and boldly venture into the unknown: her medicine cabinet. After all, fashion without beauty is a total non-sequitur, and any fashionista worth her salt will tell you that the medicine cabinet is a treasure trove of beauty secrets. So what's inside Miss Annie's medicine cabinet? Well, as in many other facets of her life, my sister is going green.

No, I'm not going to preach to you about the environment (but you better not be tossing those Diet Coke cans into the trash either!). This season, my fashion-savvy sister has predicted that green will be the new "it" color for manicures everywhere, and after extensive research, our favorite option (from Rescue Beauty Lounge) is appropriately named Recycle. My sister and I agree that Recycle's appeal is the way it turns up the volume on your standard hunter green, bedazzling the nails in a striking blend of emerald green and black. With this shade, green is (quite literally)the new black.

For you manicured fashionistas out there who are unfamiliar with Rescue Beauty Lounge, it's reputation is founded in its high-quality products. As they confess on their website, Several lab technicians quit their jobs before Ji was satisfied with the polish that would bear the Rescue name. The result is a long-wearing polish created with resin and high molecular polymers to improve flexibility, durability and high shine. What you won't find - harmful and drying Touluene, Formaldehyde, or DBP. Their high-quality polish and lack of harmful toxins results in a slightly higher price tag ($18 per bottle), but their selection of long-lasting colors is truly unbeatable. You know what they say: you pay for what you get.

As far as this particular Rescue gem in concerned, I can guarantee you that my sister has done the due diligence. For those of you who don't have the privilege of knowing Annie, she is (unlike me) what you would call a "cautious shopper." Translation? She read all the customer reviews of this color on the Rescue Beauty Lounge site. That said, I'm glad she did, for we had to giggle at one customer's endorsement, My hubby luvvvsss it! Looks soooo wealthy! Hmmm... Aside from the fact that green is the color of money, I don't know what that means exactly, but I can certainly match the enthusiasm: Recycle is a fantastic color. It's bold, different, unexpected--shocking even (and we fashionistas looove shock value).

Fortunately, as the leaves disappear from the trees and the frost begins its hostile takeover, your life doesn't have to be completely devoid of green. Take heed from the contents of my sister's medicine cabinet! Even if you drive a clunker, you can still Recycle.


Image: Recycle nail color $18, from Rescue Beauty Lounge (available online at www.rescuebeauty.com).

My Sister's Closet: Selvedge Chambray

In these lazy days of summer, I always admire my sister's casual elegance. Her style is one that vacillates between prep and boho without fully subscribing to either camp (after all, Warner girls refuse to be put in a box). Think: seersucker shorts with flowing tops and flat sandals. It is this very inclination towards beach chic made her latest fashion "must," the Selvedge Chambray Shirt from J. Crew, a rather natural selection.

Growing up, our mother always told us (as most do) to never to judge a book by its cover, and this shirt is no exception. What may look like rough denim is actually Japanese selvedge cotton(the crème de la crème), and J. Crew stonewashes theirs to add that coveted broken-in look and feel. If you've been into J. Crew lately, then you may be surprised that you somehow missed this gem. Don't be; it's a catalog/internet exclusive--and utterly irresistible. As Annie pointed out, this shirt definitely falls into the "boyfriend" category, plus classic J. Crew tailoring and fit.

For ideal impact, the J. Crew stylists were right on, pairing the soft coastal blue shirt with a bright pop! of color on the bottom. While they picked yellow, I think that nothing would be better than a bold, lobster orange. However, if subtlety is the name of your game, you could do white on the bottom and then add a skinny neon belt in orange or pink for the right amount of zing.

At the end of the day, however you match your colors, don't miss out to make your closet look like my sister's. Annie redefines classic in a way that could make any girl jealous. So don't hate her 'cause she's beautiful; steal her style instead!





Images, in order of appearance: (1) Selvedge Chambray Shirt $98, from J. Crew (www.jcrew.com); (2) Classic Belt in neon orange $29.50, also from J. Crew.

My Sister's Closet: Proenza Schouler

One thing you should know about me is that I take much fashion guidance from my sister, Annie, who covets designer duds as much as I do. It is for this reason that I have decided to implement a regular series of posts on My Sister's Closet so that the rest of you fashionistas out there can benefit from her infinite fashion-forward wisdom. So, welcome to the first episode.

This week, what my sister wants in her closet is the Proenza Schouler leather halter dress worn by Emma Watson at the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince New York Premiere last week. Heralding from Proenza Schouler's Pre-Spring 2010 collection, this dress defines "mixed aesthetic," featuring an intricate leather halter top with a fluid, silky off-white skirt.

Proenza Schouler is a relatively young luxury label, created in 2002 by the design team of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. The two met in design school, and after working with fashion greats like Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs (respectively), they joined forces for their graduation project. Clearly a creative match made en vogue, the two went on to craft the name of their label from their mothers' maiden names--and to becoming the darling duo of the fashion industry. According to New York Magazine's profile, "This modern luxury label offers an edgy, youthful take on upscale dressing."

Were this PS dress to find its way to my sister's closet (and I'm sure she would be able to find a hanger for it), she could easily rock this look. The dress speaks for itself, as any design should--and also speaks volumes about Miss Watson's taste (either in designers or stylists). The dress, combined with Emma's sleek, understated hair and make-up creates an overall look of effortless class, allowing her to look simultaneously elegant and youthful.

As usual, my sister's eye for fashion is spot-on. In the words of Jeffrey Kalinsky, Executive Vice President of Designer Merchandising for Nordstrom, “A lot of the clothing today that gets very hyped, I go see it and I’m like, 'The emperor has no clothes!' But this is clothing fit for royalty.” What can I say?--sister knows best.

Images: (1) My sister, Annie, photographed by me; (2) Emma Watson wearing Proenza Schouler at the NY Premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, photo courtesy of http://www.mirror.co.uk/; (3) Look #12 from Proenza Schouler's Pre-Spring 2010 Collection, photo courtesy of Proenza Schouler, online at http://proenzaschouler.com/.