Reserved for the Most Daring Fashionistas
You either love them or you hate them, but either way, you have to admit they’re pretty fierce: Christian Siriano for Payless runway shoes have finally landed in stores and online. Three designs are available and while they may not be your style, it’s pretty cool that you can own the exact heels from the Project Runway alum’s Spring 2010 runway show for only $79.99. They look like Alexander McQueen’s towering claw heels from his Spring 2010 collection:
(for which YourItList’s Joseph has already expressed profound love), so you can make them your personal tribute to the late designer. Check out the three designs below and buy them (if you dare!) at Payless.com.
Cut It Out Ankle Cuff Pump ($79.99)
All Done Up Mary Jane Pump ($79.99)
To the Point Printed Platform Pump ($79.99)
Get your “Project Runway” Game On!
Have you ever watched an episode of Project Runway and thought, “I could design a much better outfit than any of these hacks!?” Now you can prove it with the new Nintendo Wii Project Runway game, on-sale today.
How it works: Players receive their challenge (ex. haute couture, hip hop clothing, rock star fashion, newspaper dress, or school uniform), and design looks with pre-selected clothing items which they customize by color, length, fabric, and accessories. And just like on the show, players design the makeup and hairstyle for their model, who struts down the runway rocking the look. And if you have the Wii Balance Board, you can even walk the runway along with your model!
The best part, per WWD.com, is that after the runway show, ”pithy comments from judges Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia emerge on the screen. (They might say, “Where was the glamour? Where was the vision?”) Designs are then scored with stars. At the end, in the parlance of Klum on the television show, the player is either “in” and continues with the game, or “out” and must try again with another game”.
If you think you have what it takes to face the judges, pick up the game for $39.99 at most mass retailers. But if you’d like to brush up on your fashion rules first, check out one of Nina Garcia’s three fabulous style books for an insiders guide to what’s hot and what’s not.
[Insert Very Important Date Joke Here]
The Royal Premiere of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland was held in rainy London last night. As can be expected when you mix Burton, Alice and the British, some wacky fashions were on display. Here are just a few of the wild styles from the red carpet (via HuffPo), and you can check out more here and here.
P.S. Little known fact: this movie is based on a book!
Alice star and Tim Burton’s wife, Helena Bonham Carter
The UK’s Michelle Obama: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
Singer Paloma Faith
Who wears short shorts?
We wear short shorts!
The folks over that New York Mag’s The Cut are reporting today about a disagreement between Joe Zee of Elle and Marie Claire’s (and It Books’s) Nina Garcia.
The topic: Shorts in the workplace.
Joe Zee: “I love the shorts trend.”
Nina Garcia: “But short shorts, for the office, I still don’t think it’s okay.”
Nina, darling, I adore you, but I am afraid that I will have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. I’m a huge proponent of shorts in the work place. I don’t see the difference between wearing shorts and wearing a skirt. It’s especially more exciting for the men folk, whose clothes are already markedly more boring that our female colleagues, to be able to show some leg from time to time around the office … or anywhere else.
We’ve seen some great shorts already this year. I love where they are going with this. Thom Browne put together one of my favorite looks. Though in almost all of these cases, i feel the shorts could be shorter.
Thom Browne, Spring 2010
These Calvin Klein shorts are quite cute.
Calvin Klein, Spring 2010
And while I might draw the line at wearing this to work, you can believe I’d love to get my gams in these Dolce & Gabbana precious little pants.
Sadly for these models, none of them has legs as good as those seen below.
simple shorts with a simple broach
Moral of the story: If you got it, flaunt it. Wear the damn shorts to work. Sorry, Nina.
Long Live McQueen
The world lost an incredible talent yesterday, when Lee Alexander McQueen died.
Alexander McQueen was a true visionary and his talent captured a spirit rarely seen. Like a poet, he wove patterns and fabrics to create music. Like a musician, he played with length, fit and edges to create, well, poetry. I was – and will always be – a big fan. He had style, 
wit, attitude. A post-punk f-you British attitude.
My first McQueen purchase were these incredibly ridiculous Skull shoes that I bought on the eve of Sebastian Horsley’s London book party in Fall of 2007. I remember walking into the incredible Bond Street store and knowing I’d walk out with something. I didn’t exactly just walk out, mind you. I walked out a full 5 inches taller.
McQueen was an artist. And like all true artists, he didn’t bend and was true to his vision of what fashion is, was and could be. He pushed it. Skulls became fashionable, shoes unwearable.
That’s the thing with art. There’s a mark left. An intangible impression.
I’ll miss you Lee Alexander McQueen. We all will.
Best Valentine’s Day Gift Ever
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Marc Jacobs is selling this limited-edition Mirror Heart Evening Bag for only $35!! Available in purple, red, blue, silver, gold and gunmetal, the purse sports a chain strap and fun heart pattern. This adorable purse is only available in Marc by Marc Jacob stores, so check out marcjacobs.com to find the location nearest you and head there now. Thanks racked.com for the tip!
Fashion Faceoff: Weir vs. Lysacek
Exhibit A: Evan Lysacek wears feathers
We all know what the real competition is at the Vancouver Olympics this year. No, it’s not anything silly like speed, athleticism, or technical skill. No, these games are about fashion. And the competition is heating up between the two top U.S. male figure skating candidates, Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek.
For years, male figure skating has evaded mainstream success due to its less-than-macho reputation. But Evan Lysacek, dubbed “The Less Flamboyant One” by New York Magazine, is poised to change all that with his heartthrob status and wider social appeal. That’s not to say, though, that he’s anywhere near the likes of average guy Joe the Plummer. He takes his fashion seriously and has signed on good friend and former figure skater Vera Wang to design all his costumes, which have so far included feathers, bejeweled snakes, and faux tuxedo looks.
On the other end of the spectrum is Johnny Weir. Unlike Lysacek, Weir is fully out there and he takes fashion and artistry to the max. Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy even created a custom unitard for the skater, which he was photographed in by the The New York Times–in the rear view. Then there’s the little matter of the death threats he received when he wore a strip of fox fur along the collar of one of his outfits recently. He has since switched to faux fur. Lastly, there’s this video of him dancing to Lady Gaga’s Poker Face, which you need to take four minutes to watch right now.
So who is going to win this fashion faceoff? Let’s stop talking and take a look at the pictures:
Johhny Weir gets in trouble for his fox fur-trimmed look
Evan's classy Vera Wang tuxedo
Johnny's rear view in custom Rodarte
From the pictures seen so far, I think we’re going to have to call a tie. Evan has class and a well-respected fashion designer on his side, but Johnny has a unique and daring eye on his. I guess we’ll have to stay tuned to see who wins this fashion faceoff!! Who do you think will win?
Step into the VOGUE
Imagine a world where you can flip through your favorite magazine, admire the products featured in the pages, and then go online and find those exact products for sale in all the same place. Pretty convenient, right? VOGUE thinks so. This week the fashion magazine announced a collaboration with exclusive designer-sale website Gilt Group, which will allow members to ”Shope the Issue” of VOGUE. This month, members will find the 10 editor-selected menswear looks featured in the February issue. The sale is going on now until February 8th, and includes clothes from a range of high and low-priced outlets, including Gap, Theory, and Topman.
While the Annie Hall look might not be your bag, this collaboration seems like a promising first step towards merging the print and digital realms of magazines. Especially from VOGUE, which, until recently, didn’t even have its own website. And it’s a particularly interesting announcement in light of this week’s presentation of the itampon ipad. Maybe sometime soon, we’ll all be able to read our favorite books and magazines on our ipads, click on a product to add to our cart and check out, all without even turning a page.
Zippy Style
We’re halfway through winter and already I’m sick of all my boots. I don’t want to invest in another pair this season, though, when warmer weather is just a couple months away (right? please tell me it’s going to get warmer!)
Luckily, Michael Kors has a cure for my winter wardrobe boredom with his KORS Michael Kors Frannie boot. Just a quick zip and you can transform them into ankle, mid-calf, knee, or over-the-knee styles. They’re available in Black for $368 on Zappos.com and in Camel for $357 on RevolveClothing.com. That’s not so much when you consider that you’re getting four pairs of boots that will stay trendy for many seasons to come, as shefinds.com points out. Now that’s recessionista style.
Where to stay for New York Fashion Week
After a long day of walking in heels and hitting all the shows and parties at New York Fashion Week this February 11th to 18th, without a doubt the best place to return to has got to be Paramount Hotel. As if the highly-recomended Library Bar is not reason enough to stay there, Paramount is offering a Runway Deal tied into Fashion Week.
Between February 8 and February 20 guests will receive two fantastic cocktails per night in any of Paramount’s bars, a free copy of Amanda Brook’s book I Love Your Style, plus a luxuriant 3pm checkout on your day of departure. And the added knowledge that you’re staying at one of New York’s premiere spots just a few blocks from the Bryant Park and the center of the Fashion Week World. Victoria’s Secret top model Marisa Miller agrees, Paramount is the only place to stay.
Make your reservation HERE and keep up to date on Facebook and Twitter.
Get Your Own “Mad” Style
Long to emulate the classy vintage style of the ladies of Mad Men but unsure how? Janie Bryant, the costume designer for the show, wants to help you. Along with fashion journalist Monica Corocan, Bryant has written a new style advice book to help fans learn “how to tap into their inner ‘leading lady’”.
According to EW.com, the book will explore vintage couture, including that of screen icons from Clara Bow to Brigitte Bardot. But fear not! The purpose of the guide will not be to turn you into a costume character. Rather, the goal will be to teach you how to incorporate elements from your favorite decade into modern dress. The as-yet untitled book will land in bookstores this fall from Grand Central.
The only decision you have to make now is: are you a Betty, a Peggy, or a Joanie?
Betty
Peggy
Joanie
How Clean Are Your New Clothes?
Think twice before wearing those new clothes out of the store!
When you go to the store and pick out some new clothes, how often do you wash those items before wearing them? Probably not that often, because they’re clean, right?
Definitely not, says a new study conducted by Good Morning America. The team bought 14 items of new clothing–everything from blouses to pants to underwear from three popular chain clothing stores–and then had them tested for germs by Dr. Philip Tierno, director of microbiology and immunology at New York University.
The results were alarming. There was evidence of extremely high counts of germs and bacteria on several items:
“On this black and tan blouse we found representation of respiratory secretions, skin flora, and some fecal flora,” Tierno said.
On a jacket, Tierno discovered evidence of feces, skin flora and respiratory secretions, especially in the armpit and “close to the buttocks,” Tierno said.
The biggest surprise came when Tierno tested a silk blouse.
There, he said, he found vaginal organisms, yeast and more fecal germs.
Eww!! Tierno said that either many people had tried these clothes on , or someone with heavy contamination had tried them on. Either way, these germs can live on these clothes for weeks, or even months!!
The lesson here is to ALWAYS wash new clothes before wearing them!
The Bold Shoulder
Ever since Marc Jacobs revived the shoulder pad trend in his Spring 2010 collection, tops with bold and bejeweled shoulders have been cropping all over stores. Babette Epaulette has designed something like that, only…different. It’s called shoulder jewelry.
According to the website, the cross-body jewelry is designed to be worn over bare skin, jackets, knits, or cardigans. Handmade in Queens, NY by designer Seville Michelle Anastos, the pieces are festooned with spikes, fringe, feathers, studs, and chains and generally cost around $150.
While this is an interesting look and a fun alternative to the statement necklace, shoulder jewelry may be one trend best left to those of extremely tiny proportions. What do you think?
Cold? Throw on a Snuggie (Suit)
Snuggle Style
Ok, we need to talk about this.
Though we mocked Snuggies when they first came out, we realized in time that they are warm and actually kind of convenient. Then we accepted Snuggie into our lives so much that we allowed them to put on a runway show at NY fashion week this year.
But I fear that the time of mockery may be back with Snuggie’s newest incarnation: the Snuggle Suit. Available for just $24.99 in four colors at JCPenny.com, the Snuggie Suit is not just a blanket with arms, but a blanket with arms AND legs. How could you go wrong with a hot pink one-piece fleece suit? Just read the online review from this satisfied customer (courtesty of bestweekever.tv):
Written By: Blessed
Location: Davie, FL
“I love that it can be worn as a lounger as much as Pj’s and you look more presentable. After getting red for Christmas last year, I immediately ordered black in two sizes and black for my mother-who is always cold. I bought my regular size in black and a bigger one so I can sleep in it an not feel restricted if it twists from rolling over. I eventually realize if I just took off the belt from my regular size, I could roll over with no restrictions, but it does tend to “flop open” and flash people – especially without the belt so I usually pin it or stick a hair clip on it if I am around the house and don’t need to be presentable – of course a cute tank top underneath would solve that problem, but I love the feel of fleece and a shirt underneath ruins the feel.
So there you have it. The Snuggle Suit, everone.
What do you think? Will you be picking up one of these?
Alter-native shopping
These studded gloves are only $24!
Covet: Rodarte for Target
This lace print dress would be great with a cardigan or a belt
This would look great over the first look. A nice layering piece.
This black dress could either be a fabulously less-expensive version of Rodarte's signature whimsical style, or it could be a hot lingerie mess.
Though the clothes look promising in pictures, I’m worried that the Juniors sizing and the Target-quality production may make these clothes less than desirable in real-life. Nevertheless, it’s worth a look.
I dreamed a dream …
… of Chanel.
Over the very, very snowy-white weekend in New York City, I had lots of time to read, eat Sabra’s Supremely Spicy hummus, watch Sex and the City, and sleep.
Hummus!
During my slumber I dreamt that I went shopping with It Books’ own Carrie and Cal. We had a lovely time up and down 5th Avenue. The best part of the dream came when Cal with his masterful skills got the price of this Chanel watch that I’ve been eyeing down from $10,000+ to $150. I think I may have had to a little Tiny Tim number from A Christmas Carol, but it was worth it.
yes, please
Thank you, Cal; a white Christmas indeed. If anyone still wants to buy this for me, it’s on sale here.
Our Favor!te Things 2009: Camilla Morton
We’ve been informed that the end of 2009 is just around the corner, and since absolutely no one else is offering “Best Of” lists, we decided to fill the void. Between now and the new year, expect year-end favor!tes from our friends in the world of fashion, music, comedy, film and literature.
Today’s inaugural Favor!te Things 2009 list comes from the delightful Camilla Morton, fashion writer, author and arbiter of good taste.
Without further ado, Camilla Morton’s Favor!te Things 2009:
Favor!te Film: I am literally besides myself with excitement to see WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE but until then THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE gives a slice of the day job.
Favor!te Album: I like songs and then jam them on repeat but do like a good Disney Sing along – Cinderella, “Someday My Prince will Come”– great way to start the day… I am more of a hummer than a album collector… I also shift music tastes like the wind, as the mood changes so do I…
Favor!te Book: It’s not a new release – I will have to think with that – but a book that I never travel or leave home without, and, in my opinion, is the most charming story ever is The Ordinary Princess, by MM Kaye. It’s out of print but worth the hunt.
Favor!te Work of Art: The Christmas Tree at Claridge’s designed by John Galliano… viewed as you have afternoon tea there… I agree with Spencer Tracy who said, “I don’t want to go to Heaven I want to go to Claridge’s.”
Claridge's Christmas Tree by John Galliano for Dior
Favor!te Designer:
Who can you ever choose between John Galliano and Manolo Blahnik? The two go together like tea and scones…
Favor!te TV show:
My guilty pleasure is the English Soap Opera Eastenders – you think you’ve had a bad day, and twenty minutes of this you feel glad to be you… love a bit of East end misery on Albert Square and Christmas isn’t Christmas without a trip to see how theirs goes wrong (death and damnation and all before the turkey has been so much as sliced).
Favor!te Blog/Website:
I am a fashion junkie:
www.style.com, www.net-a-porter.com, www.topshop.com, www.mrpaparrazzi.com
I would love to say my own website but I can never remember the password to log in and write the blog so that is NEXT year’s resolution…
Favor!te Real Housewife:
My mum makes it look easy – my Ukraninan cleaning lady overly complex, I have however aimed to perfect the art of the every night takeout. (editor’s note: it’s refreshing to see that Real Housewives of X is one trashy American obsession that hasn’t made it to the UK!)
Favor!te Twitterer: It’s not become the compulsive acquired taste in the UK but I did use it once to stalk someone during the shows to see if they were coming to ours…
Favor!te You Tube Video:
SO many
Cinderella – the Slipper and the Rose – and how to make an entrance
Pretty in Pink – trying a little tenderness – and why do the ones you like never like you?? Why is it always so hard?!?!?
Devil Wears Prada because it makes me appreciate my job today soooo much…
Bonus Coverage:
What are you most excited about for 2010?
My new books!! About Happily Ever Afters!
Who do you most want to smooch on New Year’s Eve?
To have a plan that doesn’t fall apart would be amazing, to have a date would be a miracle – reality looking like a night in with the cat!
Camilla Morton is a London-based fashion writer and the author of A Year in High Heels. She was the runway reporter for Vogue.com, covering all international and couture collections, and currently blogs from the fashion shows on Telegraph.co.uk. Morton has also written for several magazines and newspapers—including Time magazines’s “Style and Design” supplement, W magazine, and Harper’s Bazaar. She divides her time between London and Paris.
Black Friday Cometh
As the web’s #1 anti-trampling blog, we’re here to offer our readers some Black Friday gift ideas that don’t involve pitching a tent in the Walmart parking lot. A quick survey of the YIL team unearthed the following eclectic, somewhat disturbing, wish list.
I’ll start. Since I’m growing my traditional Thanksgiving beard, I’d like an antique silver moustache cup:
[update: I just ran across some fantastic moustache cufflinks (via notcouture). More affordable than the moustache cup, but equally attractive.]
Carrie opts for appropriately-hued Versace platform pumps on Black Friday.
“Make me chaste and pure,
But not yet.”
Our second-biggest heels fan, Joseph, simply longs for, “Zac Efron to realize that we are meant to be together.”
but will settle for tartan glory:
Brittany hopes for a quart of McClure’s garlic dills:
but would prefer a pickling class with Bob McClure himself. Teach a woman to fish…
The newly-affianced Michael notes: “I want to be capable. I want to be powerful. I want a spinning blade of metal teeth!”
And lastly, our resident animal lover Kevin would like a classy aquarium coffee table for his new bachelor pad:
All the workmen at their work
If you’re sick of watching your girlfriend rifle through bins of vintage earrings and silk scarves, get your revenge by dragging her to this weekend’s Pop-Up Flea in Nolita. Billed as a “men’s market of quality handsome goods,” and curated by Michael Williamson (A Continuous Lean) and Randy Goldberg (Urban Daddy), both men of impeccable taste, the flea is sure to offer some worthy loot. Think about your average estrogen-fueled flea market, then replace hair clips, chunky bracelets and cupcakes with bird calls, durable leather wallets and pickles. The offerings lean towards the USA-made, quality workwear aesthetic, with brands like Billykirk and The Hill-Side on board. Plus you can meet the analog faces behind digital retailers like Hickoree’s and C’H'C’M, two of the finest purveyors of quality hard goods on the internet.
The New Must-Have Do
As far as defining moments in hair go, there are just a few hair-idols from the world of television who have changed the look of women across the globe. First there was the Farrah: the flipped out, bouncy hairstyle worn by Farrah Fawcett on “Charlie’s Angels” in the ’70s. Then in the ’90s, there was the “Rachel,” a layered, ultra-angled look named after Jennifer Aniston’s character on “Friends.”
And now, we have “Gossip Girl hair.” According to The New York Times, the new must-have hair style is: extra long, ultra-shiny blond with a mussed-up tussle frolicking through the ends, as inspired by Blake Lively, the 22-year-old actress who plays Serena van der Woodsen on “Gossip Girl.” Those coveted tresses are all about extremes — extremely blond, extremely long, and extremely tousled. The NYT article speaks to the popularity of the cut, but also how expensive it is to maintain, calling it “aspirational.”
As if there’s a part of Gossip Girl’s designer couture, Upper East Side lifestyle that isn’t.
The Gap. Really?
I haven’t stepped (or should i say, “fallen?”) into the Gap in over 3 years. The fact is, in terms of affordable basics for guys, J. Crew’s stuff has been blowing them out of the water for a long while now. But this post on Jake Davis blog had me thinking it might be time to give the Gap another shot.
The Gap is literally a stone’s throw from my office (half a block is achievable, thanks to my Tommy John surgery), so I took a quick lunchtime trip to see if anything besides the buffalo plaid cardigan that Jake’s touting is worth a darn. Turns out if you have a hankering for classic workwear and a budget that rules out the fancy stuff, there are a couple of nice looking finds right now.
First, the aforementioned sweater. The cut’s pretty nice (not baggy like I usually associate with the Gap) and it’s a sturdy late-autumn option. I wish it were 100% natural fiber, but at $78, it seems like a good value. I think I just might ask mom for one this Christmas–it’ll go well with the beard I intend to grow over Thanksgiving weekend. ($78)
The jacket posted here isn’t online, so I have to bring it to you via ShakeItPhoto. It’s a workwear-inspired blue chambray fall jacket that would be warm enough to wear well into December. 100% cotton shell and exterior with really nice detailing like an interior pocket and button closures. Definitely felt like a good value at $98.
A lot of my gingham shirts are in spring/summer colors, so the line of autumn-shade gingham caught my eye. The fitted cut is more appealing than the old-school boxy Gap fit, and this line reminds me a bit of J. Crew’s really nice “favorite shirt” collection (although about $15 cheaper at $44.50).
It’s Not Easy Being Green
The brilliant editors at W Mag have “announced” that green is the new black. And it has nothing to do with the environment.
I don’t know about you, but I stopped wearing “colored” nail polish when I was about 8. Occasionally, I will still rock the “Light My Sapphire “ or the ever-so-popular “Oh Cabana Boy” … But I can’t imagine taking the leap to neon green.
Discuss.
Halloween Apparel
I clearly have Halloween on the brain, so this American Apparel costume contest is just what the fully-licensed physician ordered. The concept is pretty simple–submit a pic of a costume that incorporates an American Apparel item, and you’re in the mix for a $100 online gift certificate. If you don’t want to throw your hat in the ring, you can just browse and rate the entries–this being American Apparel, there are quite a few fine looking ladies and gents to choose from. We’re partial to the lovely but prickly cactus costume above (full disclosure–that’s friend of our blog Mara, who, like her costume, is lovely but prickly), although I’m itching to submit my own Tenebaums-inspired costume from 2003. None of the elements are actually American Apparel, but are they really going to call CSI in to authenticate the provenance of our track suits?
