Category Archives: Her Closet

Dress for Success (for Less)

Posted on March 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

You probably know by now that I looove spring/summer.  I love warm weather, flip flops, big hair and sunglasses (yes Summer means big hair for me).  But, then I stumble a little bit.  You see, I am not really, truly a dress girl…

I love looking at dresses; gowns, cocktail dresses and sweet sundresses, but, I don’t really own too many.  I am a jeans girl.  In DC, and frankly in most places during the heat of summer, skinny jeans can be well stifling.  

So, here were the rules: fun dresses that could be worn to brunch, a game, dinner, or just out and about, nothing black and nothing over $100.  

Fashion tip: when exploring a fashion category or color you’re less than confident about, start slow and inexpensive.

See Row 1 for work; row 2 for social hour; row 3 for running around.
Okay Spring, I’m ready – where are you?

Leave a comment

Posted in Budget, Her Closet, Shopping

Tagged , , , , ,

Red Carpet Inspiration: Jewels

Posted on March 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

Again, I loved Gwyneth Paltrow’s dress, hair and jewels. 

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein via InStyle

I thought she radiated.  In fact when watching the pre-show with my sister I kept noting the man/intern/earring showcaser who relentlessly adjusted Paltrow’s hair to show off these:
Louis Vuitton Earring via People.com

Those earrings are to die for, and I am fairly certain the originals fall under the category of “would kill your bank account”.  But all hope is not lost. The idea behind the earring is a cluster of multicolor stones in an organic shape (not specifically round or square).

Here are my top picks for the look for much, much less:
From L – R: Rachel Leigh Nico Shooting Star Cluster Earrings at Charm & Chain; Gas Bijoux Faux Turquoise and Quartz Gold Plated Cluster Earringsat Ylang23; Wing Studs at Top Shop; Sorrelli “Wild Meadow” Earrings at Endless; Oscar de la Renta Multi Stone Drop Earrings at Net-A-Porter

Leave a comment

Posted in Accessories, Budget, Her Closet, Jewelry, Red Carpet

Tagged , , , ,

Travel Inspiration: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Posted on March 1, 2011 | 1 comment

Inspiration comes from so many places: the people you meet, art, life and yes, the places you go (or dream of going).  


One of my favorite trips to date was to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Talk about big sky, fresh air, and slower living, that is Jackson.  The downtown is quaint and cute, the food is fresh and real, the air is crisp and everywhere you turn there is a scenic photo waiting to be taken.

In designing this inspiration board and the matching Wyoming wardrobe I looked for colors that were natural the environment and pieces that were wearable and utilitarian (while still being refined and dare I say, cute)!

From L – R: Charlotte Ronson F2011; 291 Locals Only Sweater at Shopbop.com; Before and Again Camo Cheetah Thermal at Searle; G.E.T. Drawstring Anorak at Neiman Marcus Last Call; Eternal Sunshine Creations Paca Cardigan at Shopbop.com; Aran Sheer Cable Tall Sock at Free People; Rag & Bone Sweater Dress at Shopbop.com; Tory Burch Howard Wedge Hiking Boot; Steve Madden Perrin Knee High Boot at Endless.com

1 Comment

Posted in Fashion Inspiration, Her Closet, travel

Tagged , , , , , ,

A Night with Oscar

Posted on February 28, 2011 | 2 comments

I will leave the review of the show, the hosts, the banter and the winners to someone else, today we are here to discuss the dresses.

Images via InStyle.com

At one point Anne joked that the great thing about this job (hosting – which, let’s be honest no one really loves the host) is the dresses she gets to wear and the ability to share the stage with Sandra Bullock and Oprah.  Of all of the great dresses (and tuxedo) she wore, and they were great, my favorite was the burgundy Versace  gown at the midway point.

Not that I know Anne, but this seemed to be the most natural fit; highlighted her coloring, fit beautifully, and I am sure much to her mother’s delight, no fidgetting.
Atelier Versace
Best black: Camilla Alves in Kaufman Franco.  She looks beautiful, sultry, not overly done.  I love this style of a dress, it reminds me of Salma Hayek on her wedding day.
Kaufman Franco
Best avante garde: Cate Blanchett.  I truly don’t think anyone else could have worn this gown with such ease and grace.  Her hair, jewelry, and gown are stunning.  I love the hints of yellow on this light and airy lilac Givenchy gown.
Givenchy
Best use of structure: Celine Dion.  Celine is perfectly tailored and fitted in this structured and sophisticated gown.  During the Red Carpet telecasts the flashbulbs were highlighting the shine of the fabric.  She looked magnificent.
Giorgio Armani Prive
Best dress for your dream Bat Mitzvah: Hailee Steinfeld.  This was so sweet, so age appropriate, so Bat Mitzvah ready.
Marchesa
Worst use of poof: Halle Berry.  Halle Berry looked stunning, and I loved this dress until it looked like she was swirled through some tulle and tumbled out of Mood Fabrics onto the Red Carpet. 
Marchesa
Best use of sparkle: Mandy Moore.  Mandy looks wedding ready, and red carpet ready.  I love this dress.  It is sweet, demure, and beautiful of her.  She looks like a doll.
Monique Lhuillier
Best use of white: Michelle Williams.  With her platinum pixie cute and darker brows, the retro style Chanel gown was the perfect choice.  I thought this was just lovely.
Chanel
Worse use of white: Nicole Kidman.  Pass.  I don’t like the hip bands, the embroidery, the orange shoes.  Pass.
Dior
Best use of a Red Carpet Moment, aka my favorite: Gwyneth Paltrow.  This gown by Calvin Klein was so modern and chic in the execution and was highlighted beautifully with the Louis Vuitton vintage-y earrings, brooch and rings.  Her pin straight hair and the liquid gold of her gown were a vision.
Calvin Klein

2 Comments

Posted in Her Closet, Red Carpet

Tagged , , , ,

Buttoned Up

Posted on February 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

Two rules I subscribe too: if you can wear shorts, wear them, and it’s either legs or bust, but never both.  That second rule I actually borrowed from Victoria Beckham – thank you.

In any case for this spring, which I am desperately waiting for, in addition to wide leg and flare jeans and peasant tops, I like the pulled together sophisticated look of a tailored short (no rips, no fading) and a chiffon, silk, sheer button down blouse.

Here are the favorites du jour…


Clean, breathable, polished… Also a sign that I have lived in DC for a long time.  Please know that I will keep it real and not wear this ensemble with Tory Burch flats (though, they are great), but probably with a sky high wedge.  Thank you, very much!

Leave a comment

Posted in Her Closet, Shopping

Tagged , , ,

Favorite Looks from Spring 2011 Fashion Week, for Less

Posted on February 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

In September I featured my favorite looks from the Spring 2011 Fashion Shows, and now that Spring 2011 is almost upon us, it is time to revisit those inspiring looks.

I have taken my stand out favorites from September and searched the Internet to find affordable and wearable version inspired by the real thing.
Marc Jacobs – Spring 2011 was like the most glamorous, 70’s inspired, color infused show. 

This look is completely wearable, and probably could be assembled with items you already own, but if not…

Carolina Herrera – Spring 2011 was a favorite of mine, and while I don’t have the need for an evening gown currently, one can’t help but be inspired by the painterly details of this beautiful dress.
Carolina Herrera – Spring 2011
This look is admittedly DIY but if done right it’s a major wow.  And again, I think the larger aesthetic point here is painterly details in a black and white color palette.

Oscar de la Renta – Spring 2011 was for the ladies who lunch set.  The important rules to follow here are texture: tweed and silks and colors within the same color family.
Oscar de la Renta – Spring 2011

With such a ladylike and refined shape and staples, you can really go bold with the color and have fun playing with spring’s best and boldest hues.


Ralph Lauren – Spring 2011, this show was Rancher Fabulous if there is such a thing.  It is certainly difficult to imagine wearing beaded cocktail dresses on the farm, but somehow Ralph Lauren, as the master of Americana pulls it off.
Ralph Lauren – Spring 2011
To attempt the same look, on a budget start here:


Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011, know for red-carpet worthy evening gowns, it was fun to see Monique Lhuillier play with different shapes and pieces, and I really liked the belted, sophisticated look of the high waisted trousers and refined bustier top.
Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011

To build this look on a budget, you can assemble pieces that are completely wearable in a variety of ways. 

 What trends are you most excited for?

Leave a comment

Posted in Budget, Fashion Inspiration, fashion week, Her Closet, Shopping

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Day 8: The End of Fashion Week

Posted on February 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

Yesterday was the end of Fall 2011 Fashion Week and it has been quite a glamorous few days.  Yesterday was no different. 

Day 8: Malan Breton, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, Son Jung Wan, L’Wren Scott, Calvin Klein Collenction, Adrienne Landau, Joanna Mastroianna, Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, Elene Cassic, WTB by Nikki Lund & Richie Sambora, Naeem Khan, Lublu, L.A.M.B.

A favorite from yesterday was the beautiful gowns by Naeem Khan, a favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce, the cast of SATC, and many more.  His gowns had classic shapes but were elevated by their intricate detailing and beautiful fabrics.
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan

 Within Khan’s collection, I noticed two rivaling themes an ode to old art-deco glamour and an appreciation for full bodied Bohemia and exotic prints.  Those themes were also mirrored in the L.A.M.B. (Bohemia and prints) and Ralph Lauren (art-deco) shows.
L.A.M.B.
Ralph Lauren
Another dress worth highlighting was the beautiful colors in the column gown from Oscar de la Renta, whose show was on Wednesday.  
Oscar de la Renta
In reviewing eight days of fashion shows and looking ahead to Fall of 2011 a few recurring themes seem to stick out: plunging neckline gowns and their counterpoint of high collar/crew neck dresses, jewel tone shine and rich burnt yellows, reds, oranges and plums, a playful mashup of sportswear with dressier items, complete looks in varying shades of one color in either neutrals or big bold hues, suiting, ladylike dots, sequins and feathers.  What an inspiring and exciting season ahead!

Leave a comment

Posted in fashion week, Her Closet

Tagged , , , , , ,

Day 7: Not Basic Black

Posted on February 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Day 7 was a great reminder of the many, many ways to wear black that is anything but simple, boring or staid.  On Sunday’s runway’s black was full of volume, sexy, daring, masculine, feminine, classic and strong.

Elie Tahari
Milly by Michelle Smith
Michael Kors
Day 7: Yigal Azrouel, Reem Acra, Vacca, Helmut Lang, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Douglas Hannant, Oscar de la Renta, Jeremy Scott, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Vittadini, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Milly, Marchesa, Reed Krakoff, Helen Yarmak, Christian Cota, Bebe, Anna Sui, Odd Molly, Elie Tahari, The Blonds, Proenza Schouler, Indashio, Susan Cianciolo

Leave a comment

Posted in fashion week, Her Closet

Tagged , , , , ,

Day 6: Just Vera

Posted on February 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Day 6 was full of variety, but for me one designer really stuck out, Vera Wang.  Wang’s style is consistent season and after season, and I really enjoyed her entire collection of pretty pleats, diaphanous chiffon, and gentle muted colors. And besides, you know I am a sucker for a deep v-neckline.
Vera Wang
Day 6: Kate Spade, Helmut Lang, Rachel Roy, Trias, Badgely Mischka, Karen Walker, RAD by Rad Hourani, Vera Wang, Rodarte, Diesel Black Gold, Jen Kao, Bibhu Mohapatra, Herve Leger by Max Azria, Risto, TSE, Dennis Basso, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Sophie Theallet, J. Mendel, Juan Carlos Obano, Concept Korea, House of Waris, Halston, Tibi, Daniel Vosovic, A Detacher, Frank Tell, Narciso Rodriguez, Marc Bouwer, Mackage.

Leave a comment

Posted in fashion week, Her Closet

Tagged , , ,

Day 5: Evening Glamour

Posted on February 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Day 5 was the day of the dress for me – lots of glamor, glitz and shine! 

The runways featured the following designers: The Row, Jenny Packham, Callula Lillibelle, Carolina Herrera, Zero + Maria Cornejo, Carlos Miele, Woolrich John Rich & Bros, Theyskens’ Theory, Tracy Reese, Ohne Titel, Barbara Tfank, Donna Karan New York, Sachin +Babi, Monique Lhullier, Yeohlee, Chris Benz, Pamella Roland, Alice + Olivia, Chadwick Bell, Betsey Johnson, Chado Ralph Rucci, Marc Jacobs

And here are my favorites:
In the category of full on color evening wear, I love the subtle shine and fully saturated colors from Alice + Olivia, Carolina Herrera – a longtime favorite, Pamella Roland and Tracy Reese.  These looks were full of real lady like glamor and major color.
Alice + Olivia
Carolina Herrera
Pamella Roland
Tracy Reese
For golden glamor I loved the soft color and full on beading from Donna Karan, the Grecian goddess from Jenny Packham (anyone else noticing that hip twist is showing up EVERYWHERE?!), and Monique Lhuillier’s retro, textured, golden gown.  Also, of note, Lhuillier’s runway featured dotted stockings – cute trend to watch, perhaps?
Donna Karan
Jenny Packham
Monique Lhuillier


Leave a comment

Posted in fashion week, Her Closet

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,