A Culture of Spending Cuts

The Style section of the New York Times wrote a feature a few days ago about the spending cuts that have been enforced at Conde Nast since the macho McKinsey advisers came in. Apparently, freelance writers stay at hotels like the W when on assignments? No longer.

Coveting

I guess this morning's unexpected showers freaked me out a little bit, because now I'm frantically searching for the perfect fall trench. I haven't necessarily settled on one yet, but this Kate Spade "Bisous" Sateen Bow Trench seems simply perfect — Grace Kelly meets Katharine Hepburn.

Retailing for $645 at Bloomingdale's.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Milan Fashion Week is well under way, and one of the lines garnering rave reviews is, of course, Versace. According to WWD, it's highly whimsical...something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. My absolute favorites below:

Oh, It's Hard to Live in the City

My favorite reality TV guilty pleasure? The City. Yes, seriously. And this NYMag interview with Whitney Port summarizes why, so check it out.

In Quotes

"Some people dream of having a big swimming pool — with me, it's closets."

— Audrey Hepburn, expressing every fashionista's priorities

They Grow Up So Fast

Everyone's in a tizzy today about Suri Cruise wearing glittery kitten heels while out on the town with Katie yesterday. I don't know about you, but I think there's nothing wrong with that. So...she looks a little 3-going-on-30, but what of it? She pulls off those heels and ruffled skirt better than most older girls I know!

[via NY Daily News]

Emmy Fabulous

So the Emmy's are on, and though I know everyone (seriously, everyone!) will be weighing in on the outfits tomorrow morning, I just can't resist weighing in right. My two favorites for the night go to actresses from my two absolute favorite TV shows:

Sandra Oh in Marchesa

Leighton Meester in Bottega Veneta

[via The Cut]

Coveting

Milly's designs are all covered in ruffles and bows this season (love it!), but this Ruffle Knee Coat in Smoke is a particular favorite. Regal enough for your visit to see Her Majesty and sexy enough for the downtown dinner date... sounds just right.

Retailing for $675 at Neiman Marcus.

The Bold and the Beautiful

I always feel like beauty is an often-ignored aspect of Fashion Week. After all, you're so busy gaping at fabulous materials, cuts, and colors of clothes that nobody has time to check out the eyeliner or the chignon. W Magazine did a great little round-up of the best beauty trends from NYFW. My favorite is the white eyeliner — crazy, but I'm dying to try it! Check out the rest here.

In Quotes

"The It's About Time Award: Finally, the good folks at Coca-Cola realized that it was unnatural for fashionistas to be without a cold Diet Coke for longer than 45 minutes, and kindly partially sponsored the shenanigans at Bryant Park. Our raging addiction thanks them."

— The Fug Girls, perfectly summarizing a staple of the fashion lifestyle: calorie-free soda.

The Great American

For the preppies among us (myself included), Mr. Ralph Lauren is something of a demi-god. Kind of made my day when he was the subject of Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire this month. Highlights below:

When and where were you happiest?
Eating a burnt-bacon cheeseburger and pecan pie at J. G. Melon.

What is your most treasured possession?
My little dog, Bikini.

What is your current state of mind?
Depends upon my hair.

[via Vanity Fair]

(Fashion) Week in Review

Jealous that you're not at the tents? I feel you. Make like me and stalk the photos, becoming your own critic of what's hot and what's not. Some of my top picks:

Oscar de la Renta

Tory Burch

DVF

Zac Posen

Ralph Lauren

[via NYTimes]

In Quotes

"Designers are trying to figure out what will motivate their customers and new customers to shop."

— Vogue fashion editor Sally Singer on designers' approaches this Fashion Week

Coveting

I've tried for years to love boots, I really have. To me, they're sexy but eternally uncomfortable, and though I always think I want a pair, I never end up pulling them off quite right. So when the news broke that this fall's staple item was over-the-knee boots, I said to myself, "No way." I'm just not made to rock those kinds of things.

It all changed when I discovered the Chloe Tied Leather OTK Boots. Soft and wearable, bold but not obnoxious (because the leather is matte, not shiny), these feel like they'd be a true investment shoe. Plus I'm a sucker for anything with bows.

Retailing for $1,295 at Nieman Marcus.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh My!

Of all the beautiful collections that have shown in New York so far, possibly my favorite — and what looks to be the most wearable — is the DVF ready-to-wear. The safari prints are bold, beautiful, and perfect for spring. Nothing like a leopard print to brighten up your day...

[via The Cut]

A (Fashion) Career of One's Own

The New York Times published an article today about how now more than ever, fashion graduates are not satisfied working behind the scenes or helping on background stuff...they want to become the editors, the designers, the stylists of the future, and they want to do it fast.

How does one get started, you may ask? In a nutshell: don't expect to start at the top, be prepared to suffer, know that naivete is bliss, and be persistent.

Go in cautiously though. As Kelly Cutrone put it, "You'll be very lucky if you start and end your career liking clothes."

The Moment profiled the Kubricks' personal chef of 6 years, Celia Brooks Brown, today, and she's quite the character... This is definitely a story you'll want to read.

Some fun facts: she loves dirty martinis, "gangsta acrylic nails," and Brief Encounter. For serious.

How the Fashionable Shop

In honor of Fashion's Night Out, the Times asked some of the world's best shoppers — Vogue's various Editor-in-Chiefs — what they intend to buy and why they shop. Some highlights:

"What I love about shopping is that it fulfils different functions. Acquisition is such a small part of the experience. It’s the excitement of possibility that is the most enjoyable part — the idea that you are going to find treasure." — Alexandra Shulman, British Vogue

"For Vera [Wang], hitting the stores is about more than an act of acquisition. It’s one of self-invention and self-empowerment, no matter how small and inexpensive her purchase might be. It's Vera’s attitude that I’ll keep in mind when I do the rounds on September 10." — Anna Wintour, American Vogue

"I’ve never had a case of buyer’s remorse. The trick lies in really knowing your body, understanding what works, spending only what you can afford, and buying only what you love. A year ago, I saw a beautiful, sequined Abraham & Thakore coat and I had to have it. I am yet to wear it. But I know that the perfect time will come." — Priya Tanna, Indian Vogue

[via Times UK]

In Quotes

"I really try to live in the now. It’s not that I try to live in a fake world or that I don’t respect the past or tradition, but I make clothes for now, I think."

— designer Dries Van Noten on his designs

[via The Moment]

At Summer's End

I'm sort of in denial that Labor Day marks the end of summer, especially because that means the end of all things strappy and flowy and white.

Don't freak out too much though, because it also means end-of-summer sales (or, investing for next summer!). Found this adorable Tory Burch Kelsey Low Cork wedge. It's the perfect shade of turquoise and is now $150 at Bloomingdale's, down from $250.

Maybe the end of summer isn't so bad after all...

Coveting

I know, I know...the Little Black Dress never gets old. But if it ever did begin to bore you, this Missoni Banded Dress is a fabulously chic, effortlessly cool alternative. It's short but comfy — what more could you ask for?

Retailing for $1,955 at Bergdorf's.

Glamour Girl

Wishing I were this glamorous...difficult in this humid weather.

[via Tory Burch Twitter]

Shopping Strategy

Fashionista and Marie Claire fashion editor Nina Garcia just released a new book called The Style Strategy: A Less-is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart.

In a nutshell: buy what you need, stick to your guns, and don't forget the basics. Thanks, Nina.

[via Marie Claire]

In Quotes

"Pencil skirts are high maintenance, requiring high heels, skinny tops, a slim, short jacket, sheer or completely opaque tights and a Mad Men sassiness."

— Times UK writer Lisa Armstrong commenting on a challenging winter fashion trend