Great Escape

ph. Cover July 2014

It's still August and by no means does that mean it's fall. Next week, I'm off to Shelter Island once again for sailing and then hopping on a plane for a grand ol' adventure in the U.S.A.- any takers on where I'm heading? So my friends, with summertime on my mind, let the great escape begin! I'll be sure to be packing pinstripe separates, minimal maillots, and cricket sweaters as cover-ups.

Coastal Cruising

Wearing: The Reformation top- similar, American Apparel skirt, Birks slides, Saint Laurent bag,

With a summer full of plenty road trips up to Rhode Island, or in this week's case, Shelter Island, I've been taking some retro hints from the summers of great style. Semi-matching separates preferably paired with birkenstocks and a wide brim hat, almost brings you back into the good old days.

This cropped collar shirt can be taken from beach to concrete in the matter of minutes [of a quick-change or switch of footwear]. And my mother would be so proud of me for wearing a hat- the rareness is sky high in this case. 

As a nod to the title du jour, some coast to coast action will be happening next month. Any contenders of guessing where I'm heading next?

Photos by Alexandra Gibbs

Odd One Out

 Wearing: Zara top, Heidi Merrick shorts c/o- last worn here, Adidas sneakers, Clare V clutch, 

Jules Smith choker- on sale!

The combination of summer and leather seems incredibly daunting, in the sense that a) you will swelter in the hot and humid air or b) it's just plain uncomfortable. But.... stepping outside the box is where the creativity is found. Taking a once a fashion don't into a must do is the only way to create an outfit that hasn't been reblogged on Tumblr one million times before, if you know what I mean.

 Once you get past the strange idea of wearing leather (in my case, vegan leather) in hot July, double leather is an interesting take on the classic summer sartorial formula of a tank top and shorts. These Heidi Merrick shorts were a match made in heaven for a spur-of-the-moment Zara purchase. (Who are we kidding? All Zara purchases are sporadic!) 

Call me crazy or the odd one out in a sea of linen, but I'll happily be wearing leather until we hit that 90 degrees mark, then I'll be sporting linen.

But, until then.... 

Photos by Alexandra Gibbs / Shot in the East Village, NYC

Schoolboy Off Duty

Wearing: Madewell button down, Levis vintage shorts (similar, similar), Lanvin loafers (similar)

Reverting back to updated basics of denim and (snakeskin) loafers. 

What were you excepting here? Last week's girly duds?

My apologies for disappointing you.

Instead, I'm here in one of my easiest sartorial formula of white and denim when I'm in the mood for a classic combo. And no less, dressing like an old school schoolboy, erm off duty? Hence the comfiest cutoffs and softest button down is the ideal frame for these sick snakeskin shoes from my favorite Frenchie of all, Lanvin. As someone said, it's all in the details- like the eyelet collar and the tassels on the shoes. Oh my, I'm such a sucker for the details.

Alas, back to my tomboyish duds. Quite ironic considering it's summertime and I'm dressing like a school kid. Perhaps, I need to back to school already.

Good one, there.

Sorry not sorry, oceanside is my classroom of choice. Or in this case, #stoopside. I've been spending too much time in the city (case in point- my instagram feed). 

Plenty of rambling for today. Happy Monday!

Photos by Alexandra Gibbs

Girly-isms

Wearing: Zara blouse (similar), Reformation skirt, Topshop slides 

Taking a break from my everyday array of sailing gear or outfits like this, to sport a skirt and a beloved off the shoulder blouse. 

It was time for a quick visit to my favorite, as I like to call them: girly-isms.

Never the less, I must stay true to my roots of a disheveled do (no pun intended) and slides whilst donning these said girly-isms. Once in awhile, a well done surprise of attire is crucial to keep things spicy. But don't worry it doesn't stick around too long. And with that... off to sailing I go clad in my boyish duds of all. Do you you dig little ladylike tricksters or are you a kicks kinda gal like yours truly? 

Photos by Reid Secondo

Garden Party

Wearing: Zara playsuit, Shoemint booties (similar), Celine bag, Ray-Ban sunglasses

Summer is filled with soirees, and ya know me I'm no Fancy Nancy. Playsuit plane has taken off and trust me, isn't landing anytime soon. I keep trying to convince my angsty and stubborn self to expand my wardrobe of essentially onesies, but we're going no where with that idea. 

Once again, Zara has saved me and my closet full of zero dresses with this party playsuit. And... shimmy two three four. The bell sleeves and open back channel my inner hippie chick and my good 'ole black booties give edge- plus, plenty of comfort. Of course for those beach side- and garden- parties, sandals and barefoot vibes replace concrete ready booties. 

Garden party aside, florals girly things up without turning me into a Pink Princess. Perhaps it's the casualness of playsuits or the booties, but this outfit is filed under: Wear all Summer. 

 Forever a flower child.

Photos by Alexandra Gibbs

Seeking Overalls

 Wearing: Levis overalls, Alexis top, Belle by Sigerson Morrison shoes (old, similar), Jules Smith choker, Brandy Melville ring, Ray-Ban sunglasses

Remember way back when I was on the road of the overall-esque romper which eventually turned into a path of seeking, dare I say, overalls? Oh yes, we have arrived in a land where a farmer's favorite attire is stylish. 

I'm praying I don't look like a farmer.

Since I took the road down to overall-world, I might as well give it a good whirl. To avoid looking like two things- a) an young child or b) a hillbilly; a modern crop top, sandals, and by dear God a Chanel hopefully helped me avoid going into that territory. Which by all means should remained uncharted, if that wasn't clear already.

For a person like me who likes to take the "trend less" route of personal sartorial ways, these overalls forced me to step up my game and out of my comfort zone. 

Alas, I'm crossing my fingers it worked. In all honesty, overalls are sorta rad.

Photos by Alexandra Gibbs

French Waters

via

As I returned to the dark depths of Pinterest last night (it's been a while), I came across this spread from Vogue Paris April 2014. 

The model- who is Andreea Diaconu in case you were wondering. The endless shades of blue. The sneakers (!!)- buh-bye sandals. We're so used to barely there cover ups and swimsuits, so it's refreshing to see oversized silhouettes and boyish charm. If perfection came in a form of an editorial, this by no doubt, is it. 

I won't be wearing jeans to the beach anytime soon, but I'll most definitely try head to toe indigo and my most worn sneaks. This just reaffirmed my belief that the French do it better. 

Summer Leather

Bailey 44 Top // Zara Skort // Pour La Victoire Heels (old) // Clare Vivier Clutch // A.V. Max Cuff 

via Lemon Stripes // Essie "French Affair" Polish // Ray-Ban Rose Gold Sunglasses

Please tell me I'm not the only one reaallly excited for Fall! I already started buying a little bit of fall clothes, but I'm trying to make sure some of what I buy I can also wear now. For example, this Bailey 44 t-shirt. It is a simple striped tee- my fave- but it has leather panels on the sides which makes it ten times more better. I will definitely be wearing this baby into fall.