ChiCityFashion: The Chicago Fashion Blog

The Colorful World of a PS1

chicityfashion — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:18:05 +0000

If there is one bag you should invest in, it’s the Proenza Schouler PS1. Hands down. [Not just because I eat sleep breathe Jack and Lazaro] but it’s the best carryall, made with the most amazing quality materials…and it just looks awesome. In my eyes, nothing can beat this PS1 but with so many shapes, fabrics and sizes…you’re bound to find one you love.

Now PS1s aren’t just bags anymore…they’re wallets, totes, pouches etc. Exciting, right?! Check it out…

Zip Wallet (purple). Continental Wallet (green) .
Medium Python Suede (blush). Medium Pony (orange).

Large Zip Wallet (red). Tote Suede (green).

Extra Large Leather (orchid). Medium Leather (lilac).
Small Zip Case (yellow). Pochette Leather (turquoise).

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Which one is your favorite?

Prep For Spring ’12 With Winter-Ready Pastels

chicityfashion — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:26:25 +0000

Seen on the runways of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Christopher Kane, Diane von Furstenberg, Louis Vuitton and just about every other designer, pastels are HUGE for Spring 2012…I mean huge. But guess what? You don’t have to wait until April (or in Chicago, June) to rock this trend.

Check out these pastel pieces you can wear now. But beware…pasty colors don’t look good with pasty skin so if you’re not jetsetting to the Caribbean anytime soon, try a Tan Towel.

TIBI Tapered Silk-Crepe Pants

Missoni Zig Zag Knitted Scarf

Marc by Marc Jacobs Bianca Leather Envelope Clutch

Jil Sander Lagos Woven Double-Breasted Coat

J Brand Mariah High-Rise Twill Skinny Jeans

ACNE Lia Cable-Knit Cotton Sweater
(which I totally bought the other day)

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Will you be wearing pastels now or are you going to wait for Spring?

Net-a-Porter Launches Karl Lagerfeld’s New Line, KARL

chicityfashion — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:18:26 +0000

If you’re Net-a-Porter obsessed like me, you probably know by now that Karl Lagerfeld is launching his accessible line, KARL, to be exclusively sold on the luxury site today!

To celebrate the launch, Net-a-Porter has gone above and beyond to make this extremely special. The coolest part is that there will be 5 pop-up window shops that will be revealed in select locations worldwide. Using the NET-A-PORTER KARL app, visitors can shop and win by scanning products using their iPhone or iPad. In addition, visitors to the window shop will receive limited edition KARL goodie bags and t-shirts, with the first 50 visitors receiving a pair of iconic KARL leather gloves or a collar from the collection. Here’s where it’s happening…

Those of us who can’t make it to one of the locations can join online at Net-a-Porter.com. You can watch exclusive video footage of Karl Lagerfeld, view the full collection for the first time and find out the winners of the “Karlified” app and ‘Find Karl’ maze game.

Will you be shopping KARL today?

Best Shoes of Spring 2012

chicityfashion — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:22:40 +0000

As per request of a stylish male friend of mine (and partially due to my serious obsession with shoes), I thought I’d put together a list of the absolute best shoes from Spring 2012. Sadly we won’t be able to wear these in Chicago for quite some time (if they get made into production of course) but the least we can do for now is admire them.

With the Fall ’12 collections coming up next month, I’m looking forward to even more fabulous heels to swoon over.

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Which are your favorite shoes from the Spring 2012 collections?

Photos via Style.com

Printed Tights: The Ultimate Winter Accessory

chicityfashion — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:18:29 +0000

Although I hate my legs, I always dread wearing tights in the winter because they seem to drag down an outfit. But of course since it’s freezing, I suck it up and do it anyway. Thankfully the hosiery companies (and even those who don’t specialize in legwear) have taken it upon themselves to make tights COOL and turn them into the ultimate winter accessory.

Just like a statement necklace can really jazz up a simple black dress, printed tights can do just the same (but it doesn’t hurt to do both, right?) With that said, I’ve scoured the internet to find my favorite tights available this season. So there’s no excuse to go bare legged when it’s 10 degrees (which happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves by the way…)

1) House Of Holland Alphabet Tights
2) Urban Outfitters Lurex Chevron Tights
3) Wolford Tiger Printed Tights
4) Topshop Pastel Tie Dye Tights
5) House Of Holland Star Tights
6) YSL Heart-Print Sheer Tights

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How will you be rocking your tights this season? Have any favorites from my picks?

Red Carpet Fashion: Art Of Elysium Gala

chicityfashion — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:36:45 +0000

Although not an awards show, the Art of Elysium Gala brings out many A-list celebs and just as fabulous dresses. As always though, not all of the looks were a hit so let’s take a gander at the red carpet arrivals from the 2012 Art of Elysium Gala.

Rachel Bilson in Chanel

When I see this dress I immediately think of Elle Fanning but Rachel really pulls this off (but seriously…what can’t she pull off?)

Molly Sims in Marchesa

When it comes to these types of gowns, it’s easy to go too literal with the whole “Grecian” theme so I’m not a huge fan of the braid. However, I always like to give the pregnant ladies a break when it comes to the red carpet and Molly looks stunning.

Minky Kelly in Oscar de la Renta

A bright gown done right…I love everything about this! We’ll be seeing lots more yellow on the red carpet this season. You wait and see…

Kirsten Dunst in Valentino

Too conservative for my taste. This needs to be on Florence Welch.

Kelly Osbourne in Guishem

I love her but her red carpet choices are either a huge hit or absolutely terrible. This one is on the terrible side. Drab colors, unflattering bodice and I still can’t get over the hair.

Julianne Hough in KaufmanFranco

Always a bore on the red carpet. Always.

January Jones in Chanel

I can’t tell if this would be really great with better shoes, or still just so-so. As is…not a fan. Love the sleeves though.

Jamie King in Valentino

This is similar to my commentary about Molly Sims in Marchesa, except replace “Grecian” with “Renaissance” and there’s no forgiveness because she’s not pregnant.

Camilla Belle in Carolina Herrera

I don’t love this dress but Camilla still looks fierce. Remember what I said about yellow this season?

Brittany Snow in Catherine Deane

I like the unexpected pairing of the green earrings with the coral dress. She looks cute, but the dress seems a little long (which is much more obvious on a petite girl like her).

Amber Heard in Donna Karan

The whole bombshell look is so not my thing but WOW…this is “bombshell” done right. The dress fits perfectly, the hair is amazing, I love the red lipstick…and the girl knows how to pose on the red carpet!

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Who had your favorite look of the night? Let me know in the comments section below.

Photos: Glamour,Tom & Lorenzo

Net-a-Porter + Refinery29 Chicago Event

chicityfashion — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:57:47 +0000

Last week I attended quite the stylish soiree at Sable with Refinery29 and Net-a-Porter. It happened to be the last nice day we’d have for a while. So being around great people with delicious food with some decent January Chicago weather…let’s just say it was a pretty good time.

Yesterday Refinery29 posted some pics from the party and they even featured my custom PS1 I wore that night.

Check out Refinery29′s slideshow of the event photos, plus here’ a few of my own below (clearly taken on my iPhone).

The spread at Sable…delicious of course.

The drink menu with cocktails named after the most popular designers Chicagoans buy on Net-a-Porter…genius.

With Nicole, Marketing Manager at Net-a-Porter, wearing neon Michael Kors…a girl after my own heart!

Line For “Less” Pierre Balmain

chicityfashion — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:22:51 +0000

If you’ve ever wanted to buy Balmain, but can’t afford a $12,000 jacket, you’re in luck because the brand has now created a line for “less”–Pierre Balmain. A contemporary level collection, Pierre Balmain has the same edginess you love about Balmain but it’s definitely more toned down.

Keep in mind I use “line for less” quite loosely because the jackets still run around $900+ (but that’s a steal compared to the usual $10,000 average).

Here’s a look at some of the key pieces from the collection.

Cotton Moto Jacket $945. Silk Gown $915. Leather Shorts $1,025

Paisley-Print Inset Shift Dress $460. Paisley-Print Chiffon Scarf $360

Peak-Lapel Jacket $920. Paisley Blouse $430.

Metallic Leather Baseball Jacket $1,335 (my favorite piece!)

Beaded Insect Dress $710.

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All much more reasonable than a $38,000 jacket right? (on sale for under $8,000 by the way–a steal in Balmain world). What do you think of the Pierre Balmain collection? Will you buy any of these pieces?

New Online Shop: Rad And Refined

chicityfashion — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:21:53 +0000

I always love discovering new shops, especially online. For those of us who don’t always have time to shop brick-and-mortar (which I do try my best to make my rounds at least once a month), it’s so convenient to find one-stop shops, especially online. And thankfully…there’s Rad and Refined.

Coolest part about this site (besides the sick merchandise of course)? It’s founded by 24-year-old Chicago native, Jacqueline Rezak. It all started with her blog that consists of images she found to be rad and refined. And as of December 2011 (yes, just last month), this turned into a full blown store appropriately named Rad and Refined.

The name says it all…it’s a curated selection of edgy (rad) and classic (refined) fashion, all in one place. Carrying an array of designers, both Chicago and LA-based, this shop caters to a wide audience. Shop designers like Wildfox Couture, Dana Rebecca, and WGACA Vintage. And if you happen to be in the LA area, you can make an appointment to try on the clothes yourself.

Want to get shopping already? Use code ‘WELOVECHICITY‘ at checkout before January 31 to receive 15% off your entire purchase!

Red Carpet Fashion: 2012 Golden Globes (Part 3)

chicityfashion — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:19:23 +0000

This is the last Golden Globes red carpet fashion post (so I promise I’ll leave you alone…until the next awards show of course). Be sure to check out part 1 and part 2 if you haven’t already.

Let’s wrap things up now…

Heidi Klum in Calvin Klein Collection

Although this dress had a gorgeous exposed back, it still needed this necklace to make it work and I’m glad SOMEONE decided to do a statement accessory. I have no problems with this…she looks fantastic!

Freida Pinto in Prada

I am just in love with this color. Freida is beyond stunning and both the color and silhouette are amazing on her. Having an interesting texture can really make it or break it on the red carpet and whatever material this is, I want to see more of it. It’s the perfect balance of simple but not boring. She was one of my best dressed picks for the night!

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci Premiere

I love the idea of this (because I think it was done better by Prabal for Fall ’11) but there’s just one thing too much going on here. Exactly why these textures and color look better as a strapless.

Emma Stone in Lanvin

The darker side of Emma Stone–I dig it. I didn’t love the belt at first but it’s definitely growing on me. She just really can do no wrong in my book.

Elle Macpherson in Zac Posen

I love this from from the waist up–I could do without the large tulle bottom. I just can’t get over her hair though. If my hair was long enough (or I had extensions) it’s exactly how I’d want to wear it everyday. It’s amazing!

Dianna Agron in Giles

The dress is a cool idea, I just don’t think it’s on the right girl. You need someone with a little bit of edge for this to work. And Dianna couldn’t be more opposite of that.

Diane Lane in Reem Acra

Just another sparkly red carpet dress…

Claire Danes in J. Mendel Pre-Fall 2012

She’s definitely never boring on the red carpet; that’s for sure. This was one of my favorite dresses of the night. How can you not love that back? But I always hate her makeup. It’s never right and if it was, her looks would be that much better on the red carpet.

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Charlize always has that look on her face where she’s just knows she looks good…and that’s what you need to OWN it on the red carpet. I don’t love those huge ruffles over the slit but from the waist up it’s flawless. One of the few red carpet looks where I actually love the headband too.

Ariel Winter in Dolce & Gabbana

Great color. Not loving the length with that volume on her.

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Shine AND matchy accessories? This couldn’t have been more of a disappointment. I was happy there was color, yes. But I still hate the dress. Even worse that she looks like an ice queen in this photo.

Amanda Peet in Marc Jacobs

Bo Peep wants her dress back.

Katherine McPhee in Donna Karan

Did you WANT to be invisible on the red carpet, Kathy? If you did then bravo. If not, maybe try choosing a dress and shoes that’s NOT the exact color of your skin. Lipstick wouldn’t hurt either. But I am excited for Smash.

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So I’ll leave you with my final best dressed comments…

Overall gorgeous–Jessica Alba in Gucci
Best fit–Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang
Greatest statement–Lea Michele in Marchesa
Best use of color–Kelly Macdonald in Lorena Sarbu
Best blush tone–Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli
Favorite overall look–Freida Pinto in Prada
Favorite dress–Claire Danes in J. Mendel

Thoughts?