Thursday, July 12, 2007

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

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8 comments:

rosarita said...

Oh my goodness, those Chanel sunglasses literally took my breath away, and I am waay old enough to know better.

Long time lurker, first time commenter - I thoroughly enjoy your blog!

Poochie said...

SS
I too love all the embellishment, movement, excessive, over-the-top-ness of most of what you showed, especially the covers.

And I haven't seen any booties I'ved liked, but those - I would make an exception

Luv
Poochie
http://shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Those booties are delicious! Me want!!

spell_me

Shopping Sensei said...

I want those Christian Lacroix boots too! I have been fantasising about them for a week! How can we get them? how! how! maybe if we start a sort of 'Boot Club' and get loads of us, say five of us, who also desperately need them... NEED! maybe we can get a group discount! (probaby not - dream on shopping sensei....)

StyleSpy said...

Sensei -- I like the way you think. I'm also very happy to know that someone else out there daydreams about shoes!

Anonymous said...

I want a dress with feathers! That pale pink one, or the multi- coloured tiered one would do just fine. Beautiful.

J. S. said...

I have enjoyed looking at the Armani Prive collection. I am a sucker for anything in blue and this collection has some lovely blues combined with black. The skirt lengths and silhouettes are very flattering. I know I should try to be objective, but I just can't help but be more attracted to the collections that I think I would look good wearing. Also, I think the world would be a better place if we all ran around wearing flower boas made from feathers and beads along with bright pink shoes.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/F2007CTR/complete/thumb/APRIVE?trend=&page=3

Anonymous said...

It's hard to believe I can now wear my stash of Mardi Gras "pearls" and call it fashion.