Things I Didn't Know I Needed

Okay, I've been going through the Couture collections and it's been brought to my attention (ahem) that there are a few items out there that Style Spy is desperately in need of for her wardrobe this fall. All I can say is, thank god for fashion journalism, because otherwise I would never have known I needed these things. (A narrow escape, that!)

#1: GINORMOUS beaded necklaces:

(Both from Christian Lacroix)

Especially the second picture -- the glass or pearly ones. I really love a big, statement-y piece of jewelry, as I think I've mentioned before. Typically, I only do one at a time, which is a more real world-friendly way of wearing them, I think. But the magic of a good piece of important jewelry is that it snazzes up the most basic outfit & turns it into something wonderful. I'm imagining that oversized pearl necklace with a black cashmere turtleneck and a black leather skirt, along with black suede boots and some sort of great long jacket -- my hot pink velvet one, maybe. I can't resist (most of the time) a bit of well-chosen whimsy in an accessory or garment, and there's something a little Through the Looking Glass about the enormous scale of these necklaces that I'm completely charmed by.

(Important note: If you're petite, do not try this at home. I'm 5'6". If you're much shorter than that, these things are going to overwhelm you. Go with something that has the same idea but on a smaller scale.)

#2 Fabulous over-the-knee boots (all of these are from Chanel):



Ohhhhhh, I just love the way these look.


How's that for a way to sex up a tweed suit?

If you look closely, you can see that these aren't boots, they're actually spats over shoes.



Look! Crazy-gorgeous jeweled fabric ones!!! Oh, I could faint!

KL's been working this over-the-knee boot thing for a few collections now, and I've yet to get tired of it. It does make for a wonderfully long lean legline. Which, of course, is the source of the main problem about this look, at least for me. I have very-well-developed calves and have trouble as it is finding boots that zip over them. Factor my even more generous lower thighs into the equation and I may be talking about a complete pipe dream. But dream I will, because I love this look.

Speaking of gorgeous jeweled things, apparently I need some glittery, gem-encrusted sunglasses:

(Chanel)

These are so very, very not me and yet I'm completely in love with them.

#4: A skirt made of feathers:

(Valentino)

(Givenchy -- I think this is actually made of something like Mongolian lamb, but it reads like feathers)

I know this is going to give a lot of people pause, but I just love the way it looks.

(More Valentino -- how could anyone not love this???)

I'm also a big fan of skirts made of things like tulle & whatnot -- I really love the tutu effect. And the feathers (technically marabou -- the soft, fluffy bits that feather boas are made from) flutter so delicately -- I adore clothes that have movement in them. I already have a skirt that's made of shredded tulle and paillettes that has a similar effect to this one, although not nearly as good:

(Prada)

I've had a sneaking suspicion that this was something I was going to fall in love with since I saw that, and it was confirmed when I saw Miuccia Prada at the Costume Institute event:


I know a lot of people hated this, but I loved it. I don't think this is actually feathers, I think it's plastic strips, but you get the idea. Why do I love it? Because it's fun, because it's whimsical, because it's almost fairy-princessy.

(Givenchy -- This one, however, is full-on Swan Lake and may be a bit much.)

If you can't do the full feather, how about just a little:

(Valentino)

I defy any woman to put on that dress and not feel like the Prettiest. Girl. In the World. Oh, that honestly makes me a little week in the knees.

One more thing I need and then I'll stop (for today) -- these booties:

(Christian Lacroix)

I don't really have to explain why, do I? I just... neeeeeeeed them. Because they're wonderful.

Stay tuned -- more fabulosity coming soon! Did you see anything at the couture shows you can't live without? Tell me all about it!

Photos: Elle.com, Style.com