ShopDiary

On Wearing Primary Colors

I’m warming up to the idea of wearing all primary colors together this spring. I was lucky enough to snag a pair of red patent Louboutin slingbacks on sale last week and now I’ve been thinking up ways to wear it. These photos from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2008 collection points me in the right direction by pairing bright yellows, reds and blues with neutral colors like white and khaki. Primary colors appear so much brighter and bolder on patent leather so if paired with muted shades they are easy on the eyes. So it is possible to wear them all together without looking cartoonish.

What do you think of primary colors? Will you be wearing them this spring?

Shantung Waistcoat Vest + ‘Maydie’ Top
+ ‘Rae’ Striped Wide Leg Pants

‘Brady’ Quilted Denim Jacket + Mercerized
Twill Shorts + Yellow Patent Slides

‘Flash’ Double Breasted Patent Trench Coat
+ Faille Sailor Pants

Twenty8Twelve Now at Shopbop

Sienna Miller’s fashion label with sister Savannah, Twenty8Twelve, is now available at Shopbop. The Spring 2008 collection features a monochromatic palette of black, white and off white with ruffle trim details on some pieces. Not a very exciting collection what with the burst of color that we’re seeing everywhere for spring. Still, there are nice basics like the Royce High Waist Sailor Pant.

Check out the whole collection at Shopbop.

Similar But Not Quite: Alice + Olivia and 3.1 Phillip Lim

Left: Alice + Olivia F/W 08 Right: 3.1 Phillip Lim F/W 07

Image Sources: Imaxtree.com via NYmag.com, Net-a-Porter.com

Pretty for Spring: Saffron and Cobalt

Via Anthropologie, I found the the combination of saffron and cobalt refreshing to see. Ah, spring! Only a few more weeks to go.

Kate Moss for Topshop on Sale at Barneys

The excitement over Kate Moss for Topshop has long ago died down and it’s a good thing because now the prices are more realistic and affordable despite the poor euro to dollar exchange rate. Weren’t they way overpriced for fast fashion? Barneys Coop has many items on sale, including the must have pleated chiffon asymmetrical dress that everybody went gaga over last summer, now in festive red and green at almost half off. My pick goes to the more practical and weather appropriate gray cashmere lurex dress (pictured) which is now $89. I hope they have them in stores as their sizing is kind of tricky. I’d be loathe to order them online and not end up with the right size. Check out the rest of the collection here. And if you dig around a bit, you’ll also find this Embroidered Guatemalan Maxi Dress and other items not seen on the link’s landing page.

Alice + Olivia Sequin Shift Dress is 20% off at IvyBlue.com

If you’re in search of a holiday party dress that will make you the belle of the ball, look no further than this sequin shift dress by Alice + Olivia. Done in blue and black check pattern, the sparkly dress is reminiscent of the popular label’s chevron patterned sequin dress worn by Sarah Jessica Parker and Emma Roberts last spring. The loose silhouette is flattering and the dark colors make a subtle sparkle. A definite must have for this season!

The dress retails for $440 but you can get it for 20% less at IvyBlue.com with code “shopdiary“. Trust us, you won’t find a better deal elsewhere. The discount also applies to all non-sale items on labels you covet like Corey Lynn Calter, Graham & Spencer, Rory Beca and more.

Runway Inspiration for Halloween Costumes

Don’t have anything to wear for Halloween yet? Well, why not look to the Spring 2008 catwalk shows for inspiration? Some may be harder to pull off than the others but you can be sure to be a standout in a crowd.

Gareth Pugh: (left) Wrap a square box with black jersey. Put box on head. Wear a shiny black dress and a pair of boots. Tie black fabric strips on both arms. Paint your fingernails black. Margiela: (right) Wear a black long sleeved top. Seriously shred a pair of black pants or jeans. Don’t hold back. Go wild with it. Paint your toenails black and wear open toed heels. Glue or stick a silver star on a two inch band of black satin and wear over your eyes. Bonus points for creating triangular shoulder pads. Long, shiny black hair is optional.

Louis Vuitton: (left) Wear a white lab coat, white belt, white stockings, white heels, and a Louis Vuitton monogram bag. Buy or make a white nurse’s cap. Get a red Sharpie pen and put your initial on it or any letter in the word “Louis Vuitton”. Wear black lace over your nose and mouth. Paint your fingernails red. Marc Jacobs: (right) Cut an old red dress at the side from hemline to waistline. Unbutton dress top. Wear black see thru undearwear. Tease your hair into a bird’s nest. Use Aquanet for best results. Plop a black ornament on your head. Wear black elbow length gloves, a red clutch and red pumps. Bonus points for breaking your shoe heels and glueing them back so they look like this.

Comme des Garçons: (left) Release your inner clown by wearing anything bright like yellow, hot pink or purple. Paint your face white and accent with yellow and hot pink cheeks, lips and eyes. Gather unkempt hair and knot the ends under your chin. Bonus points for wearing yellow fishnet socks and hot pink strappy platforms. Balenciaga: (right) Wear a silver top and a pair of silver pants with black open toed boots. Slick back your hair into a sleek bun. Keep your face pale and wear a blank expression.

Photo Credit: Style.com

You Know You Want It: Lorick New York

Everyone was all abuzz when Lorick New York debuted its first collection on the hit TV show Gossip Girl. In last week’s episode, Blair modeled her mom Eleanor Waldorf’s designs for a photoshoot. Those classically feminine and ladylike designs are actually from former Ford model Abigail Lorick’s eponymous clothing line. And since the collection is for Spring 2008, they won’t be available until early next year right?

Well, ShopDiary has got the scoop for you! Actually, you won’t have to wait that long. Due to high demand, Lorick has decided to produce some of the line’s best selling and most requested pieces early for the holiday season. The pieces will be sold exclusively on Gargyle.com by the end of November.

The Lorick website will be updated by November 10th with all the stockists carrying the line. And by February 1st, Lorick will be available at all other online and brick-and-mortar stores. Mark your calendars, girls!
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Mike & Chris Tie Front Metallic Jacket

Look what I found on page 15 of my Barneys Coop mailer: a Mike & Chris Tie Front Metallic Jacket that I’ve never seen before. Isn’t it gorgeous? The leather looks soft and supple. Metallics are in yet the sheen doesn’t look overly done. The tie front and slim fit give it a feminine touch. This is to die for! The jacket must be exclusive to Barneys as it isn’t even on the Mike & Chris website. It’s $922 so here’s hoping they’ll have it at the next sample sale.

DIY: How to Make a Hooded Tunic Dress

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

The hoodie has never been as interesting to wear as when Mike & Chris entered the fashion scene. Casual became chic. And despite the influx of copycats, the label appears to be ahead of the curve by offering us newer and better designs. L.A. Times gives us an inside look on how half of the genius duo behind the label works when Mike Gonzales turns a $12.99 men’s XXL sweatshirt into a sleek and stylish silhouette in just 40 minutes. He makes it seem so easy, I might try this out myself. But then again, I’ll just leave it to experts. This design has never been produced before. Expect to see it in the next Mike & Chris collection. Watch the video here. Genius, isn’t it?