Superheros of Fashion

The cape has been attempting a comeback for at least a season or two. But judging by the streets in Paris, it’s back. For real.

Remember the red cape from my post last week? That was a real bona fide cape (a closure at the neck, a lovely drape, and slits for easy arm movement).

But the other thing I saw in France was the wannabe-cape: wearing a regular coat draped over the shoulders as if it were a cape.

Don’t you just love capes?! They’re elegant and glamorous, yet many of the ones on the rack today are casual enough for everyday wear. Here are a few of my favorite finds:

• Funnel neck. Houndstooth. Double-buckle closure. Need I say more? Ralph Lauren wool cape ($150)
• Looking for a little more waist definition? This belted cape by Cole Haan is made of a cosy wool-cashmere blend (SALE! $286)
• This affordable cape by MaxStudio has minimal styling but a long, dramatic shape (SALE! $148)

Love What you Wear Wednesday

It’s noon on Wednesday, making it that glorious half-way point of the work week. Not only that, but Laura and I are both wearing new things (on our feet) that we really like.

Exhibit A: My oxford new shoes from Mi-Mai in Paris. (Unfortunately, they don’t have an online store yet.)

Exhibit B: Laura’s new on-trend leopard wedges from JCrew.

We hope you’re wearing what you love today too!

Imported from Paris: Fall Trends

In early October, I was lucky enough to be in Paris for the last few days of fashion week. This week I’ll be posting street style pictures we captured during the event and calling out trends sported by the lucky few who were invited inside for the runway shows of top designers.

Outside of the October 2 Valentino show in Jardin des Tuileries, many stylish guests sported one unmistakable trend: RED. Red pants, red pantsuits, red cape, red purse, red lipstick.

Don’t miss this video summary of the Valentino show. Once inside this exclusive event, Valentino presented a sea of neutrals accented with red, a la a red leather coat (:17) and a deep red pantsuit (:58).

Want to try out this trend? Here are some fabulous fall reds:

• Red snakeskin skinny belt from Ann Taylor, $35
• Red (okay, “cabernet”) minnie pants from J.Crew, $118 (Laura and I are completely obsessed with these pants in bi-stretch wool. They look amazing on and hold their shape so well.)
• A simple ponte dress from Target in Carmen Red, $27.99 (comes in petite sizes too!)

P.S. A big thank you to my travel companion and photographer, Augustine.

Stretching Summer

Despite the current heat wave in Denver, there’s no point in denying that summer is on its way out and fall is creeping in. As a last hurrah, I’ve been admiring bold floral fabrics. While some of them decidedly say “summer,” I’ve found quite a few that can carry you into fall.

Zara – a store I plan to hit up more than once on my upcoming vacation – had more variety in floral prints than any other single store I found online.

Zara Printed Floral Tunic  – $60 – Add some tights and heels and wear it into early fall.

Zara Printed Tunic Blouse – SALE – $19.90 – Tuck it into a fall-weight pencil skirt and you’re good to go.

Zara Printed Tunic with Cap Sleeves – SALE – $19.99 – This + jean jacket + brown boots = Fall

Boden Scoop Tunic Dress – $118 – I just purchased this cutie. I’ll wear it with wedges until it’s too cold to go without tights and riding boots.

Anthro Floral Still Life Pullover – $148 – Anthro suggests adding this gauzy tee to a pencil skirt for a preppy look. We agree!