Flowers Worth Wearing

Worth New York Top and Skirt, Miu Miu Denim Clutch, Stella McCartney Sandals, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses, Jewelry Bar Earrings and Bracelet.

 It is no secret that I love flowers. A quick glance at my Instagram feed will confirm that. So it comes as no surprise that I gravitate towards floral prints in hues that are interesting and appealing. Leave it to Worth New York to come up with this cotton/rayon skirt that doesn’t crease or wrinkle which is of great importance to me, especially since I travel a lot. I loved this cotton knit tank so much that I bought it in white as well as this navy. I have worn it constantly. I love the peek-a-boo bold flowers. They lend just the right amount of sexiness without being overtly see through. This ensemble is traveling with me to New York next week; however, I will definitely opt out of my beloved and now vintage Stella McCartney strappies and replace them with a 2 inch heel sandal…comfort above all when you are pounding the pavement and it is summer in the city…New York, that is. 

Canadian Tuxedo

Burberry Denim Jacket, Peter Cohen Top and R13 Jeans (available at Savannah Santa Monica), Belle by Sigerson Morrison Booties (similar here), Celine Bag, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses, Cartier Watch, China Wall Belt. 

A jean jacket paired with jeans is called a “Canadian Tuxedo.” I learned this when I moved to the U.S. from my native Canada. Up until that point, I never knew that the term existed. I figured that it originated because the fashion world viewed pairing denim with denim, a faux pas; and since Canada was not famous for its fashion contributions, the term was accompanied by a negative connotation.  Once I did some research, I discovered that the term was coined in 1951, when Bing Crosby was denied entrance to a Canadian hotel simply because he was dressed all in denim, something that was deemed too casual for a formal setting in a very conservative country.

I am in love with these jeans by R13. I had never heard of this brand until I discovered it at Savannah. I will admit that the jeans are a tad pricey, but they are so comfortable and flattering, that I was willing to splurge. The silk top that ties is both a shout out to the retro look of yesteryear, but with a more contemporary feel, and this look is very trendy right now. This denim jacket by Burberry, which I have owned for years, always seems to add the right amount of wow to an outfit. The moto booties keep everything looking edgy. I have put together less expensive options for you below.

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Featured Items...

Boyfriend Jeans

Moto Booties

Denim Jacket

Tie Front Blouse

Going Greek

Obakki Dress, Stuart Weitzman sandals, John Hardy: necklace, earrings, bracelet, Zadig and Voltaire Clutch, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses, Cartier Watch.

  I bought this dress in the early summer, at Yellow Dog, and had to be talked into trying it on because it had absolutely no hanger appeal whatsoever! Since it really doesn’t take all that much effort to twist my arm, my friend, Venetta, who manages the boutique, easily convinced me to slip it on. Lo and behold, the dress changed entirely, once it was on the body, in this case, mine. It reminded me of a chic Greek toga, if such a thing ever existed, and I thought these gladiator-like sandals, by Stuart Weitzman, completed the look in the right way.

The moral of this fable, is “never judge a dress by its look on a hanger,” and “going Greek never felt so good!” 

Covering Up

Calypso St. Barth Caftan and Slip, Sandro Sandals, on sale here, Christian Dior Tote (also seen here), Oliver Peoples Glasses, Nancy Newberg Earrings, Robin Terman Necklace and Ring, Nest Bracelets.

  I know what you’re thinking…who wears a cover up as a dress? And why would you do that? When a cover up is as beautiful as this one, by Calypso St. Barth, it begs to be seen on the street just as much as around the pool. Since the material is so sheer, I simply donned a nude slip, (although I went back and forth on whether white looked better), and these adorable and more importantly, comfortable sandals and out the door I went. I admit that I did not head out the door in this to do my grocery shopping, but I did wear it to lunch as well as dinner, and I wasn’t at a resort at the time!

  This adds to the philosophy of getting more bang for your buck when it comes to the occupants of your closet. Accessories like fun necklaces, a cute bag and great shoes, allow for the transition from poolside caftan to city-chic dress; this makes it as easy to wear as it to look at. Try it…you will like it! 

The Suitability Of Pants

Sandro Pant Suit (Jacket, Pants), Worth New York Blouse, Christian Dior Heels, similar here, Nancy Gonzalez Handbag, similar here, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses, Calypso St. Barth Bracelets. 

I am not usually a fan of pant suits, I have really never found many that I feel are feminine and flattering….until I happened to find this one by Sandro. The high rise and slim fit of the pant is feminine and surprisingly comfortable. The fabric is pliable and the satin stripe at the waistband and along the sides elongates the leg and adds just the right amount of pizzazz.  The jacket is boxy, but balances the sexiness of the pants in just the right way. I decided to pop some hot pink into the navy to really jazz it up and make it interesting. This Worth New York top from last Spring accomplishes the task perfectly, as do these pink shoes, handbag and lipstick.

 I have worn this outfit to dinners and daytime meetings. Each time I wear it, I feel dressed appropriately but still "me." The whole idea is to dress up the suit so that it reflects your style and personality, and this one suits me to a tee. 

Leafing Through CAbi

CAbi Leaf Print Dress, J Crew Belt, similar here, Gianvito Rossi Heels, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses, Calypso Bracelets, Mulberry Clutch. 

A fan of CAbi for 7 years, I have never been as enthusiastic about a season’s collection as I am about Spring 2015. The CAbi design team has hit this one out of the park. Each season, friends new and old, gather in my home to see and shop the collection. It never ceases to amaze me how the clothes appeal to everyone; the low price point is an added appeal.

Case in point, is this “Leaf Print”dress for only $118.00

I chose to wear it short and sweet, adding this platinum belt by J Crew and these oldie but goodie sandals by Gianvito Rossi.

Several of my friends loved the leaf print but were skeptical about the short length. If you find the dress too short for you, just add skinny white jeans as I did, and it becomes an adorable tunic.

CAbi Leaf Print Dress, Worth New York Belt, J Brand Jeans, Robert Clergerie Sandals, similar here, Fendi Bag, similar for less here.

Julie Starr Dresner Ear Jacket,  Robin Terman Necklace, all available at BOCA. Zina Ring, Cartier Watch.

No matter how you choose to wear it, this dress is a winner.

Jungle Fever

Roberto Cavalli Dress, similar for less here, Manolo Blahnik Pumps, similar here, Bottega Veneta Clutch, Oliver Peoples Sunglasses, also seen here. Monique Pean Ring, Lucifer Vir Honestus Bracelet.

Once in a while I will look at a dress on a hanger, size it up and down, and then return it to its original spot on the rack. Then the sales associate will tell me that I should try it on because I will be surprised at how it transforms itself on the body. Thus it was with this loud print, high neck dress by Roberto Cavalli. I was not feeling it, but just to placate her, I tried it on. Instantly, it went from wrong to right. The vibrant colors seemed to transform my mood from blah to bling. The black stripe down the back of the dress had that J Lo/Beyonce effect, that gave my booty a boost! Best of all I snagged it on sale at Scoop NYC. Thank you Mr. Cavalli, as usual you are full of surprises.

Green is making a strong comeback this season, and I am bringing all of my green and gold accessories from the back to the front of the closet.  For instance, it’s amazing how you can keep a pair of shoes that you bought for a specific outfit, at the back of your closet thinking “I will keep these, although I probably won’t get much wear out of them,” and then suddenly they seem to go with everything. These camel and mint green pumps by Manolo Blahnik were purchased for a specific outfit; they have been sitting in my closet virtually unworn for 2 years. That is until now. I have so much green and camel in my wardrobe, and I have decided to mix and match colors that are within the same family. It is as if new life has been breathed into them. It’s funny how clothing, when you adore it as I do, can anthropomorphize so easily!