This Year In Fashion

Dearest fashionista friends, after what I considered a heroic feat of thirty posts in the thirty days of November, I confess I have been totally remiss in sharing my fabulous fashion adventures this past month!  So, with the dawn of a new year upon us, I thought it would be best to finish out 2011 the right way, which means reflecting back on the year's fashions--some new, some old, but all fabulous.  And not to be cute, but it seems appropriate to count down (in no particular order), n'est pas?

Barbour Heritage Collection Ad Campaign

10... Barbour.  Ahh, yes, the iconic British lifestyle brand.  It is also a brand that I grew up with.  My beloved Daddy, the king of cool, even had his own Barbour that he beat up over the years--but it only made it that much cooler and more iconic.  Yet, I've never had a Barbour of my own.  The injustice of it all!  But what I do have is the most amazing husband in the world, and this Christmas he gave me a Barbour of my very own.  Yay for staying warm in fabulously British style this year!

Groove Pant (Tall) in black, $98
by Lululemon

9... Lulu.  Despite some bad press lately, I remain faithful to Lululemon and their amazing collection of yoga and running clothes that can be worn for both exercise and play.  In fact, their apparel is so versatile that I was able to wear my regular old Lulu all the way through my pregnancy, thanks the seemingly magical stretchy properties of their signature luon fabric.  Not to mention that one of my favorite styles, the Groove Pant, is available with a tall inseam.  They don't call it "the Holy Grail of yoga pants" for nothing.

Lollipop, $8 by Essie

8... Lollipop.  This summer, Essie's Lollipop was my go-to nail color.  For a bright, cheerful red, nothing beats it.  While on vacation in the Outer Banks this summer with my husband's family, even my 10 year-old niece remarked on what a perfect shade of red it was.  Of course, she is absolutely a fashionista-in-the-making, but still.  When it's right, it's right.  And on the upside, since it's winter now, I think Lollipop could qualify as a "candy cane red."  I know Christmas has come and gone, but you get what I'm saying.


7... Cupcakes and Cashmere.  I came upon this blog quite by accident earlier this year, while doing a Google image search for the Fairfax Catseye sunglasses by Elizabeth and James that I was so coveting--and what a happy accident indeed.  I have returned regularly to read about Emily's fashion and lifestyle inspirations, which include absolutely gorgeous photos taken by her and her fiancé.  It is now one of my favorite sites when I want to be inspired, or sometimes insanely jealous (this girl has fashion in spades).  To sum it up, I want to be like Emily when I grow up.

Mystic Stone Expandable Wire Bangle
in turquoise with Russian silver, $28 by Alex and Ani

6... Alex and Ani.  I received an Alex and Ani bangle as a birthday gift from my lovely and stylish friend, Sandrine, this summer--and I have been a convert ever since.  Their bangles and other jewelry are designed with the intention of of celebrating each wearer's unique essence.  My silver bangle features a single turquoise bead, which is said to promote peace of mind, as a symbol of generosity, sincerity, and affection.  Harnessing positive energy through clean and simple design is definitely something I will continue to embrace in the new year.


5...   Maxi Skirts.  This year brought the return of maxi skirts were all the rage, which was a true fashion gift for a tall girl like me.  During the summer, I embraced the white, gauzy boho chic look, which brought an elegance and sophistication to my summer wardrobe--while also allowing me to stay cool in spite of a growing baby bump.  Then, with the transition to fall, I was excited to see that the maxi transitioned as well, with heavier knits taking the place of light, bright cottons.  In fact, during the month of October, I basically lived in my striped jersey maxi skirt from Anthroplogie, and I am happy to report that it will continue to serve me well throughout the winter.

Tinted Lipglass in nymphette,  $14.50
by MAC Cosmetics

4... Nymphette.  Now now, don't get the wrong idea.  Another cosmetic hit from MAC, their Nymphette Tinted Lipglass (not to be confused with lipgloss) was definitely one of my new favorite beauty products this year.  Nymphette, which MAC calls a "sunny golden pink," adds a subtle golden glow to your lips that infuses your overall cosmetic look.  Regardless of your coloring, this girly neutral lip color is definitely one that you want to add to your beauty arsenal. 


3... The Brooklyn Flea Market.  This past summer, while visiting my lovely and amazing friend, India, in New York, I had the opportunity to attend the Brooklyn Flea Market.  While I always insist that I am "not a New York person" and "prefer to visit," this artsy outdoor market had me singing a different tune.  From the refreshments (corn on the cob and limeade has never tasted so good) to the artsy antique vendors (we were on a mission to find the perfect steamer trunk), I was reminded of Coco Chanel's sage wisdom: that fashion exists everywhere.  If only I hadn't taken the bus to New York, I would have likely returned home with a lot of fabulous new furniture.  

Women's Premier Single Layer Wide Strap
in dark brown, $48.95
Available from Island Surf

2... Double Rainbow.  Well, only if you count both feet.  They might not be footwear that Rachel Zoe would approve of, but sometimes a fashionista has to give her feet a break--and the zillion pairs of Rainbows I have owned over the year have never, ever let me down (and that counts for something, doesn't it?).  At least for a while, they were more of a West Coast surfer phenomena, but perhaps because their simple and comfortable leather design is so ideal for summer, over time they have made their way across our great nation.  And thank goodness for that.  So, not only are Rainbows a 2011 fashion favorite, but they have been a favorite of mine every year since I started wearing them during my college stint in LA--and I can say with surety that they will find their way onto a 2012 list of favorites too.


1... CHANEL.  Every fashionista has to have that one special item on her "most coveted" list, and the Chanel Grand Shopper is mine.  With its luxe quilted black leather, chain link strap, and Chanel logo, it is the epitome of elegance and class. But, like most items that end up on a "most coveted" list, its price point puts it outside the realm of possibility (for this fashionista at least).  But perhaps that is what makes it so special, that it isn't yet tangible for me, which gives me something to work towards; you know, life, liberty, and the pursuit of Chanel.  And I know that someday I will walk into the Chanel boutique on Newbury Street and leave with this gorgeous handbag, but until then, it remains the best thing that's never been mine.

Chanel
5 Newbury Street in Boston

...HAPPY NEW YEAR!  And so concludes 2011, and with it my countdown of the year in fashion.  Dearest fashionista friends, thanks for all that you've done to encourage She's Come Unheeled throughout this year, and cheers to another year of fabulous fashion adventures.

Nude In NYC



Campari Patent Mary Jane in flesh
by Manolo Blahnik, $645
Available at Neiman Marcus


I first considered the merits of going nude when nude footwear began popping up like spring flowers last year, and it feels like I've been searching for my own perfect pair ever since.  The truth is, I've had a perfect pair--or two, as the case may be--in mind but have lacked the spending power for both Christian Louboutin's Patent Rolando or Manolo Blahnik's Campari Patent Mary Jane so I've continued wanting.  It's not that I'm unwilling to purchase a pair of shoes at a reasonable price (I am!), but it just so happened that the pairs I really and truly loved came at a premium.  Sigh.

This being said, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered a pair of nude pumps that I loved amongst the rows of shoes at Marshall's last week.  They were the perfect neutral shade, not overly beige or pink like many of the other options I've seen over the last year.  That, in addition to a sky-high heel, hidden platform, slightly boxy toe, and a $40 price tag made these nude patent leather heels from Guess a total no-brainer.  I immediately put my new shoes to use around the office twice last week and two more times this week, finding that they complimented an all-black business look just as well as a more casual pairing of grey pants and a navy-and-white striped sweater.  Indeed, it is the versatility of nude footwear that I really love.  I have a pair of amazing black Louboutin heels that I wear almost daily, but the nude patent leather adds something light and bright to my strip, while remaining utterly functional.



Rapine Slingback Platform Pump
by Guess, $90
Available at Bloomingdales



Apparently I'm not the only one who's all for going nude either.  I recently spent some time in the Big Apple with my lovely friend, India, and nude footwear was on her radar too.  With an upcoming wedding to attend, she was searching for the perfect pair of nude heels to compliment a navy cap-sleeved bandage dress.  Like me, she was concerned with finding the right shade of neutral, as well as a shoe design that could transition appropriately from summer to early fall.  As it turns out, she lucked out with Guess too; her new Rapine Slingback Platform Pumps boast a nearly 5-inch heel with a 1-inch covered platform, a chic patent neutral, and a playful slingback.  Indeed, perhaps the only thing that could make her outfit any more irresistible would be a vintage Chanel clutch.  Just saying.  When I asked her to weigh in on why nude footwear works for her, India explained:

I have been lusting after some nude heels for some time now and with my fashionista friend, Lolly, visiting me in my city of NYC, I knew she would be just the person to encourage me towards the purchase.  After a thorough search, I finally settled on a pair of nude Guess slingback pumps, which I absolutely love! When I wear them, I feel like my legs go on for days--which is incredibly helpful for someone like me who is well endowed the booty region, if you know what I mean... I am super excited to step out in them this weekend, paired with a killer new dress that I also picked up from Guess (clearly, I'm in a Guess mood as of late). But I am even more excited to get continued wear out of them as the summer ends and fall begins. I feel that the nude heel is a versatile one that I can dress up or dress down, and I definitely plan to rock them through the fall--at which point, I will have to patiently wait pull them out of the depths of my closet when spring comes back around!

As Miss India explained, the inherent versatility of nude footwear is its main appeal, especially when you opt for a classic pump or slingback design, for these styles are able to transition seamlessly from spring to summer to early fall.  To get three season's worth of wear from one shoe is pretty impressive.  It appears that nude is the new black, n'est–ce pas?  Ladies, dare to bare it all--go nude.