Thanks to global warming, today's weather can be particularly tricky
to adapt your wardrobe to. We hardly have seasons, and the transitions
in between are even more elusive. We're already in September, and in
many parts of the country, it still feels like July. As we do inch
more steadily towards colder weather, those transitional pieces of your
wardrobe are going to be crucial for helping you survive season to
season with style.
Not sure what, exactly, those pieces are? Fear not -- we're here to help, from head to toe, inside out. All week long we'll break down the best options for sliding smoothly into fall. First up:
HATS > While summer is meant for the fedoras, boaters and Panamas, as you move into fall, you'll want to look for heavier materials and more durable shapes. You know the types: berets, Gatsbys -- or, the Newsie's favorite, flat caps (pictured, Dolce & Gabbana), which, along with felted bowlers, are my season favorite. But, as cute an accessory as hats may be, do be mindful of the dreaded hat hair. Tussled is cute. Disheveled is not.
> A forecast for possible flash floods left us daydreaming that the Rock & Republic
show would turn into a water park, rivers rushing through those flappy
white walls, models shrieking, editors taking off their Louboutins to
avoid water damage -- and (hey, it's our fantasy!) Chace Crawford (left) in
a wet t-shirt, offering to run away with us to dry ground. Reality was a bit of a let-down:
No flood and not much new or exciting on the runway either. But we did
spy Chace, Mary-Kate Olsen and John Legend backstage.
> Marc Jacobs model (and Popnog fave) Cole Mohr didn't walk at Obedient Sons and Daughters, scoring instead a seat in the crowd. Looked cute and somewhat disheveled.
> We hear Dolce & Gabbanna stole all the thunder (and A-listers) from the Rag & Bone party...
> Do we give off some kind of vibe or something? A woman sitting next to us leaned over to ask, "How many of these models do you think are gay? I mean, gay or just really young..."
Out's September fashion story "The Migrants," shot by Walter Chin, features some of fall's hottest runway looks and was shot on location at an upstate New York farm. We asked Out's editorial and fashion assistant, Brent Coover, to instruct us on the fine art of adding a few key pieces to your wardrobe -- without looking like a country bumpkin.
All Photos by Walter Chin
Dolce & Gabbana's equestrian inspired runway show featured tailored pants and luxe riding boots paired with chunky scarves and sweaters. The result encompasses masculine ease but isn't sloppy. Grab those loose knit pieces that look handmade, but not homely.
The problem with shearling is that it is so sexy. Who doesn't fantasize about a lumberjack or a farmhand? But on common boys or city folk, it can easily seem silly and like you're trying too hard. This Marc Jacobs jacket (above left) with shearling collar and lining, however, has a modern and fresh cut and color.
Playing with proportions is definitely something to take note of, though it may not be for everyone. Alexander McQueen's shawl collar cardigan (above right) is a prime example -- it would look great with suiting pieces or just a great pair of worn-in jeans.
Let's be honest, no one actually looks this good chopping up trees. Then again, no one wears head-to-toe Gucci while gathering firewood. But look at that beautiful leather jacket with fur collar! Definitely a must-have item.
Plaid, whether tartan or bold, woven cotton or knit wool, is a necessary purchase if you don't already own. It was around last year and by the looks of this Yohji Yamamoto jacket (above left), it really isn't going anywhere.
An entire pony hair trench, like this Burberry (above right), is a tough one albeit beautiful. It's a nice variation from the usual textures. Try a pony hair belt or pony loafers.
The great thing about these brown D&G leather cargo pants is that they have that worn-in look and yet the cut is entirely new. Check out the elastic finish at the hem. We've been seeing this on all kinds of trousers, including knit pants in cashmere, wool, and cotton, which was an overwhelming trend.
The lesson to be learned from this Calvin Klein look: feel free to mix textures, fabrics, and colors, especially when dressing in less than common materials like suede.
Summer scents generally have a similar theme. They are clean, bright, grassy and, at times, a little soapy smelling. In other words, the "so fresh, and so clean" smell wasn't incredibly sexy but worked well to cover up any malodorous moments on a particularly hot day. That is, until Dolce & Gabbana unleashed The One for Men, a down, dirty and extremely sexy scent.
The One is a spicy, oriental fragrance with a blend of musk, woody, citrus and floral notes—shaking up notes of tobacco, grapefruit, basil, cardamom, cedar, orange blossom and coriander. It's masculine without being stuffy, sexy without being slutty and bright without being girly. The One smells like a hot, young, Italian man in a perfectly tailored and pressed suit after a day at the office on a warm spring day. He's clean, but not too clean. Just the right amount of dirty so you know he's a man and a champ in the sack.
While the one is a spicy, oriental fragrance, it's quite versatile. It's certainly a day-or-night scent for all-seasons. It's not overbearing or too warm for spring and not too light or clean for winter.
Though she was recently seen exiting Hearst Tower leading many to speculate Nina Garcia was in talks to take a position at Harper's Bazaar, sources now say Garcia is all but hired in a major position at Marie Claire with the rumored ousting of fashion director, Tracey Taylor. [Fashion Week Daily]
Having known for months that Matthew McConaughey would be the face of the Dolce & Gabanna's new fragrance, The One for Men, we've been eager to know what was in store for our good ol' olfactory sense. Well, the new scent has been revealed and it smells exactly how you would think McConaughey would—but then again, McConaughey's own eau du B.O. doesn't have a great reputation. [Now Smell This]
We've been wanting to don a huge blooming flower on our shoulder ever since season 2 of Sex and the City when Carrie Bradshaw so brazenly floralized every outfit she owned. Our gut told us it wasn't quite the time for such a move, but, praise be to Prada, GQ (albeit the British version) gives us the green light. [The Cut]
Hot on the tail of Karl Lagerfeld and his fashion documentary Lagerfeld Confidential, Valentino Garavani is set to premiere his own in depth feature at the Cannes Film Festival entitled Valentino: The Last Emperor. Though it sounds promising, there is one thing Lagerfeld will always have over Valentino--the bulge. [Fashion Week Daily] -- SETH PLATTNER
Photo: Getty Images
Kate Moss can read! Photographer Nick Knight produced a short film of Kate Moss reciting poetry paired with roughed-up video clips from their V Magazine photoshoot. Snaps all around! [Fashionista]
The skies are unfriendly again. Not because American Airlines canceled over 1000 flights (including mine), but because phone-flinger Naomi Campbell was back in the sky after being banned by British Airways. She successfully flew from London to Brazil on TAM Airlines without so much as a single tantrum. I hope they made her eat food from coach as a punishment. [British Vogue]
More gossip on the Nina Garcia/Project Runway/Elle Magazine drama. This is better than watching Days of Our Lives! [WWD]
Dolce & Gabbana tap Welsh songstress Duffy as their new muse. Duffy is Amy Winehouse without the drug problem. [British Vogue]
Paris boutiques get image overhauls as new designers take over the reigns at the top. [IHT]
Madonna mined the Dolce & Gabbana archives to resurrect a 20+ year old corset and a fur-trimmed coat from the Italian designers' 1995 menswear collection. Meanwhile, on the ridiculous "electric youth"-style cover for her song with Justin Timberlake, 4 Minutes, her Madgesty wore head-to-toe Roberto Cavalli. Justin, however, was not so lucky with wardrobe. Let's just say that Madonna knows to make it clear who is the bitch in charge and who is just the bitch. [WWD]
Yoko Devereaux's creative director Andy Salzer dishes about living in his own Williamsburg shop, the similarities between Gucci and a zombie film, and how inspiration can be a slap in the face. [Supermarket]
Phone-hurling supermodel Naomi Campbell (who also made a cameo on Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel last week) has been tapped by Stefano Pilati as the face of YSL's fall ad campaign. Let's hope everone wore hard hats to the photo shoot. [WWD]
Chanel's mobile spaceship art exhibit designed by starchitect Zaha Hadid begins its world tour and lands in Hong Kong featuring art inspired by the brand's original quilted handbag. [IHT]
Because H&M didn't have quite as many stores as Starbucks in Europe, H&M shifts its strategy and plans to open a store in London dedicated solely to its youth-focused streetwear label Divided. [WWD]
The next time you find yourself hailing a cab in London, it just might be model Kate Moss behind the wheel. The supermodel has reportedly purchased an iconic black cab and enjoys motoring around town and carting her friends from party to party. And you thought NYC cab drivers were crazy. [Daily Mail UK]
Jezebel has a first-look at D&G's new gay-fabulous advertisement for watches. There are two versions of the commercial, but the premise starts out with a man and woman both running late for a date, but right when they are about to meet, they each make out with members of their own gender. How sneaky! Here's a link to check it out! This might just be the perfect commercial for Bravo to air during Project Runway!
But D&G isn't new to featuring a little guy-on-guy action. Just check out their ad from last year:
D&G isn't the only fashion brand to queer it up in their commercials. Levi's has been supporting the gays for some time. Check out the gay version of the commercial from earlier this year:
Karl Lagerfeld will debut his new line of eyewear on Wednesday. The collection will hit stores in January with an optical line to follow in April. Fans optional. [WWD]
The Times on Lars Nilsson, heir to the Gianfranco Ferré throne. [NY Times]
NY Times' Guy Trebay and Cathy Horyn are still banned from attending Dolce & Gabbana's runway show in Milan. The moral of the story? Don't piss off the fashion queens—they know how to hold a grudge. [Fashion Week Daily]
The current state of fashion models: still thin, still young and still smoking like chimneys in winter. [NY Times]
As reported yesterday, Giorgio Armani opened his virtual store in the virtual world, Second Life. According to WWD, "Style.com's Candy Pratts Price's avatar will interview Armani's avatar in the Second Life store about fashion and innovation." Seriously? This is getting to be ridiculous. I want to virtually slap someone. And how do you know it's not some middle-aged perv pretending to be the Italian designer? [WWD]
Uniqlo teams up with color-gurus Pantone to create a line of cashmere sweaters in 20 various shades for the Fall. If you don't know Uniqlo, it's Japan's answer to the GAP if it were cool again, and they sell cashmere sweaters for $129. [Fashion Week Daily]
Being a fashion critic is no longer reserved for the halls of esteemed fashion magazines. Instead, unlikely (and sometimes unqualified) critics appear in the oddest of places—including William Sledd on YouTube—to blogs. Hey, wait a minute! [NY Times]
Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham unveiled a line of makeup in Japan today called "V-Sculpt." You too can look like an alien with a little spackle and gloss. Luckily, the makeup will stay in Japan for now. [WWD]
Andre 3000 of OutKast announced plans to launch a line of menswear. Yet another celebrity tosses their hat into the fashion ring. Yawn! [WWD]
While you're recovering from the long weekend of backyard barbecues and binge drinking, try not to think about the fact that Labor Day represents a last hurrah for Summer.
For many, Labor Day means returning to school or the end of half-days on Fridays. But more importantly, Labor Day means it's time to face some pressing fashion questions: What should we do with our white shoes? Can we still wear them? What about that long-standing rule about wearing white shoes after Labor Day? These are serious matters. Have you watched Serial Mom?
Luckily, Dolce & Gabbana showed winter whites on their Fall 2007 runways. Consider that a license to continue indulging your obsession with white Chuck Taylors and Jack Purcells—at least until the first signs of rain.
Dolce & Gabbana are in trouble for their smoldering hot ads, this time, the company has received complaints that the current advertisements—which depicting a group of whips-and-all dominatrix women toying with naked men—objectify the men. If any of you have a problem with this, please raise your hand. I didn't think so. [WWD]
Show your bum, do not pass go. Go directly to jail! Many towns across the U.S. have enacted ordinances that ban sagging jeans and showing off your Superman underoos. Now what can they do about celebrities not wearing any? [NY Times]
Meet Chloe Sevigny, the latest celebrity to wield a sketch pad and debut a clothing line. Sevigny announced last night that she will debut a small collection for Opening Ceremony, the chic NYC boutique of the moment. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Chloe, but all these celebrity fashion lines are really starting to eclipse the real talents in the industry. [Fashionista]
Get the scoop on MySpace's new fashion portal, just in time for NYC Fashion Week. It's exactly what you expect: Teens and tweens giving their two cents about clothes from designers they've never heard of. Christian Dior who? Isn't he in my algebra class? [NY Times]
Husband and wife design-duo Kate and Andy Spade pack their bags and leave their namesake company. Soccer moms and gay men weep. [WWD, sub req'd]
Michael Bastian named creative director for menswear at Bill Blass—a position that hasn’t existed at the house since 1987. [DNR]
Dolce & Gabbana will outfit the Chinese Olympic soccer team with chic Italian clothes to wear during those rare occasions when the players aren't busy messing with their balls. [WWD]
Nominations for the Los Angeles Fashion Awards are in! [Fashion Week Daily]
Marc Jacobs to feature Michael Stipe in his fall ad campaign? [Fashion Inc.]
Gay men love fashion, and fashion loves gay men. Is it something in our jeans? Celebrating this long tradition, Stylelist exists to offer advice, tips, and the occasional catty observation on celebrity style coups and faux pas.
Quickies: Diddy's manscaping, Chace Crawford's biceps and more: Photo: Getty Images P. Diddy requires that all his ladies get Brazilian waxes because he does it too. "If men require women to go through the pain, we should return the favor," he says. [Jezebel] In a video interview, Chace...
Chatter: Yohji Yamamoto: “It’s the worst possible time to be opening, and I like it." -- Yohji Yamamoto at the opening of his new Paris flagship on Rue Cambon.
Out on The Scene: The Out 100!: Photo: Rae Votta The gayest of the gays came out Friday night for the 14th annual Out 100, and while the party raged on with the designers, stylemakers, entertainers and artists of the year working the crowd and the open...
Quickies: Marc's skirts go mainstream, Prada outfits a Hyundai and more: Photo: Getty Images In response to Marc Jacob's love of the man skirt, big department stores are weighing in on their fashion merit. Barney's says yay (they think they already carry them) but Bloomingdales is leaning towards nay. [The Cut]...
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