Style Report

Prada therapy

Lindsey Reiser — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:23:00 GMT

I don't know about you, but watching Sir Ben Kingsley and Helena Bonham Carter is therapy enough for me. I am so very fond of both.

And certainly, I won't be finding retail therapy at Prada anytime soon. But this ad is oh-so-hysterical it's almost soothing. It's like Prada completely acknowledges what kind of women their patrons really are.

It's a short little ad, and my beloved Kingsley has no lines, but he definitely steals the show... even from Prada's fur coat.

The Little Black Jacket

Lindsey Reiser — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:45:00 GMT

You've heard of the Little Black Dress, a staple in place largely because Coco Chanel put it there.

But she's also responsible for another staple -- the Little Black Jacket.

Yours doesn't have to have a Chanel label to fit the bill. Mine happens to be a pseudo biker-jacket, but the function is the same. To me, the LBJ is a stylish shell, a form of sartorial protection. No matter what you're wearing, when you put it on and you instantly feel chicer, more pulled together.

Naturally, a lot of work goes into the couture renditions, so let's see how they do it!

Ohh la la, that's a lot of needles.

Working girl

Lindsey Reiser — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:40:00 GMT

Is this..... ...the same as this?

Where do sneakers belong now? They've clearly gone past the arena of strictly an athletic shoe, as Poppy Delevigne's studded darlings on the right illustrate. But in terms of the workplace, are they still relegated to the in-transit function prized by Tess McGill and working girls the world over?

The truest and simplest answer is what your employee dress code says. But for those of us not working in a formal environment, are sneakers inappropriate? Are certain kinds of sneakers okay, and other aren't? I'd like to think my 10-year-old red Diesels are still passable in most work settings, but I can't be sure if I'm catching glances of disdain from other reporters directed at my feet.

But really, would you kick any of these lovelies out of the office?

Miu Miu patent stud toe, Comme des Garcons low-top canvas, Creative Recreation tucco low-top, Lanvin low-top, Prada captoe, Coach new kennedi

See? Chic and sneaky!

"I like weird"

Lindsey Reiser — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Typically, the only time I go into an American Apparel is when I need to complete a Halloween costume with some basics. Actually buying something from the store to wear, I'm not into. Have you actually felt their T-shirts? They're more abrasive than a cat's tongue. And I don't know where they get off charging 30 bucks for this.

CEO Dov Charney, I'm not sold on either. I can't say whether or not he is a perv, but that many sexual harrassment claims can't be completely unfounded. Or maybe that's just me projecting onto Charney because I so very much hate ads like this.

But at least Charney doesn't own sweat shops in China. Instead, he owns slightly-lighter-perspiration shops here in the states. I just wish a product that proudly announces it's "Made in the USA" would be, well, better.

Anyway. Charney gives his first interview in a long time to CNBC, where he probably says the most amusing thing I've ever heard a CEO say. You know, besides "I'm CEO, B*tch."

Get your leather leather leather on

Lindsey Reiser — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 21:57:00 GMT

Not only a fantastic call to arms, but also a great line from my favorite Yeah Yeah Yeahs song.

Sorry to all you vegan dressers out there, but Iove leather. Leather shoes, leather jackers, leather gloves. You name it.

Leather goods for your bottom half are back in a big way, and there's no better time to wear those buttery skirts and pants than while the weather is still crisp, i.e. right now.

David Lerner tribal leggings, 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt, ALICE by Temperly shorts, Kelly Bergin miniskirt, Cushnie et Ochs flare skirt, Rachel Zoe crop pants

Fabulous, no? But obviously, leather is expensive. Especially designer leather. But there are alternatives: non-label leather, re-sale, vintage and consignment, and (GASP!) faux leather. (See vegan dressers? I didn't rule your tastes out.)

Zara waxed effect trousers, Stylestalker skirt, Emily D vegan leather leggings, Gap leather miniskirt

Animals were harmed in only 25 percent of those choices, and your wallet would be considerably less skewered and flayed. But I haven't even mentioned the most important quality of leather/fake leather goods: They're sexy.

And now, for a little Easter Sunday treat.

Don't say I never do anything for you.

You're such a loafer

Lindsey Reiser — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:26:00 GMT

Sorry for the long absence. In the blog world two weeks away is inexcusable, so I offer no excuse.

Instead I offer...comfortable footwear.

Behold -- A city reporter's best friends:

Comfy, androgynous flats I never have to shine, with that added chic the patent leather lends. Appropriate for nearly any situation. DV by Dolce Vita, if you'd like to know.

Which brings me to today's post. Loafers.

Once relegated to your grandfather's closet, loafers are back. Gone are the toe-cleavage-revealing ballet flats of old, adorned with a Tory Burch medallion. Cover those piggy joints up with some classy tassels. They're saucy. That's why so many pasties have them.

But it's not just the tassels. The materials have gone bold:

Cole Haan Air Sadie, Sam Edelman Adena, Zalo by Ramon Tenza, Vaneli Ranka, Cole Haan Harbour, Steve Madden Eltonn

Or you can go for something more refined, but no further into Grandpa territory...

Mia Baron, Steven Madee, Rockport Akisha, Mark Joseph New York Cypress Hill, Sperry Top-Sider Brantpoint, Dolce Vita Marcel

And strictly for pining-after purposes, because heels aren't the only shoes that should make women drool.

Jil Sander, Lanvin , and Rochas

History with style

Lindsey Reiser — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:59:00 GMT

If you read this blog every so often, you know my lukewarm feelings on Louis Vuitton bags (this is not a comment on what Marc Jacobs has done with the apparel, which is devine).

That said, this video is pretty rockin'. It's a sketched interpretation of of the house's history, back to when travel trunks were the sole bacon-makers.

The animation is all hand-drawn by artist Christian Borstlap. Enjoy!

Karl Lagerfeld's many puzzlement-inducing comments

Lindsey Reiser — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:52:00 GMT

So we all know that Karl Lagerfeld is a little bonkers. He says some crazy stuff, much of which is a twinge offensive to the middle class/middle weight women of the world. Plus, he put his own face on two shirts for his line at Macy's. Because nothing is chicer than that square jaw, inscrutable expression and creepy ponytail. ANYWAY.

Because they are fabulous, The Cut put together a montage of Lagerfeld's most hilarious/questionable bon mots. I pass them on to you, to better improve your Hump Day. Enjoy!

It's windy, so....

Lindsey Reiser — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:50:00 GMT

...so let's talk about windbreakers.

Since today is absolutely gorgeous I've decided it's spring, come hell, high water, or -- god forbid -- another snow storm. But it's still going to rain and bluster about, so a servicable jacket is needed.

Previously thought of as completely unstylish and reserved only for hikers or active grannies, windbreakers are back. Perhaps it's because we're becoming a more sporty generation, or maybe it's just because fashion will give any look a second chance (ahem, puffy coats.)

So let's take a look at what high street and the internets have to offer...

1969 Cropped Parka, W's Block Tech jacket, Belted Cape jacket, 10 Crosby parka, Jenni Kayne poncho, Tess Giberson parka

You see? Keep dry and look great. Win/win.

All hail his Highness of high heels

Lindsey Reiser — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:16:00 GMT

We all know Manolo Blahnik is wonderful. There's a reason why people fall all over themselves for his shoes -- they're not just status symbols (like a Louis Vuitton bag. I will never get that obsession), but they are truly works of art. Blahnik designs whimsical, modern, sexy shoes, with the added bonus of genuinely caring about not destroying our feet. The engineering of his heels is just as important as the design.

Not only that, he's a gentleman. I had the unbelievable privilege of interviewing him a few years ago, and he gave me the greatest compliment I've ever received. He liked my shoes. Technically, they were my mother's pumps from the '80s, but what Manolo doesn't know won't hurt him.

His warmth and inexhaustable love for what he does is apparent in Suzy Menkes' interview below. Incidentally, he wore that same purple suit when I met him! Precious!

Added bonus!See? Precious!