Well if you’ve read this here blog long enough, you know it always comes back to fashion, so let’s have a little chitty chat about PreFall 2014. Ooh. I’m in love beyond belief.The look above is from Chloe whose standout collection just has what it takes (and what I want) in spades.
Last week, I wrote about how once taboo fashion items like Birkenstocks are becoming all the rage, and designers are taking cues from a more utilitarian place and bringing us clothes for Fall 2014 that feel way less about fuss and altogether more about function (though this shorter wider pant all over the runways presents some challenges after years of so many skinny pants- will be interesting to see if they sell).
At Max Mara, a capelike jacket is worn with voluminous shorts (somehow it’s wearable and really fabulous), and the parka gets the pared down treatment for a minimalist play on Fall dressing.
Over at Lanvin, my heart swooned as I looked at that fabulous belted coat with the feel of a Chanel piece but way more raw and right now. And the deep green caftan with long necklace is pretty much how I would dress every day if I could- if there was a uniform to be had, it would be this dress. If I were to start a commune, we’d all be in Lanvin caftans, and that’s that. Plus I adore the slouched silhouette of the double-breasted jacket with gold buttons and elongated khaki pants. How can you not love a modern and more relaxed take on a classic like the blue blazer and khakis? Sure, that’s more of a menswear thing but here it’s all woman, and very easygoing. And that crimson wrap/cocoon coat? Yea, I’ll have that please. It’s the perfect piece to throw over everything- from day to night. This red coat should be part of every stylish woman’s uniform, and I expect it to be heavily knocked off in more high street retailers this Fall. Remember I told you. Also the ease of that belted sexy black trench or the one-shouldered cool of a well-feathered dress? Well, I’m all about it.
And something we’ve all been noticing for the past few seasons is a new silhouette shaping up in fashion land- it’s a looser, cozier, less body con way of dressing that is going to please those amongst us who like to breath, move, and feel confident in a more chilled out shape of things. I’m in love with Antonio Berardi’s shorter fur (please let it be fake) jacket and voluminous pants, the vest/coat which can take you anywhere and you can feel good putting multiple layers underneath like leather or a blazer or even denim, and the oversized chunky knit turtleneck and print pant is something I’d wear to any party I’d ever have to go to again. It’s so easygoing and cool and not at all precious. Love it.
And at minimalist/chic luxe uniform masters The Row, those Olsen twins have damn well done it again. I’ve been seeing chic girls around town rocking that belted long trench thing with great results- look for hemlines to drop and loosen when it comes to the trench this Fall- this one from the Row is pretty fantastic. I also adore the belted cardigan/blazer- if that’s not a great uniform for work or power lunching I don’t know what is. I also love the volume of the coat and skirt combo below- so simple, nondescript, and sexy for everything it is not- vulgar, tight, or in your face. Oh and that gorgeous grey haired woman in that suit that looks like it may have once belonged to a reedy Italian man? In grey? Ooh. I love this more than chocolate. Also love the Italian feel of the coat and handbag combo, and that ruffled front leather jacket whispers in a way I wish more people would whisper. So damn elegant. Kudos.
I enjoyed Tibi’s presentation for its more Japanese vibe- and those loafer slides are just divine. Love the black and green windowpane pattern, and everybody knows I’m a big time believer in skirts over pants. All the girls in Amsterdam rocked that when I was there- and it was not just because they wanted to be stylish- it’s because they rode bikes everywhere and needed the pants over the skirt to discreetly do so. And with Citibike in full pedal, these are great options for cruising around town in that two-wheeled way you do.
Over at Christopher Kane, I loved seeing the minimalist trend take a more rock and roll, futuristic trajectory. I love those belted full skirts, that very forward strapped vest over black, as well as those slashed zipper pieces. Very sexy. Maybe not embracing the new shape I’ve already talked about, but perfect for girls who like to va voom it up a bit. Gorgeous.
But my two favorite collections that I’ve seen are from Nina Ricci and Chloe. At Nina Ricci, designer Peter Copping understands a raw and rock and roll yet decidedly feminine sex appeal that takes things to another level. I am in love with all of his gorgeous coats, the blue blackness, the deep green, that well done neck (no necklace required) on the black lace dress, those gorgeous print pieces that beg for somewhere amazing to go with someone you can’t get enough of seeing. Put these looks all in a suitcase and you have yourself a Fall vacation full of glamour- the evening looks are just perfection. And no, maybe they don’t embrace the new volume or aforementioned ease, but these pieces are easy in their own way- none of them are terribly tricky and demonstrated a confident and edgy femininity that I can really see a lot of women wanting for Fall 2014.
And then along came Chloe to wow me in a very real way on a chilly day- TO DIE FOR. This collection is the one that brings it all home for me- there is not much I would not put on- like at Tibi, there’s a windowpane plaid, but it’s a spare white with black grid lines. The shape of those dresses is so laid back, I can’t imagine a place you can’t go wearing them and not instantly up the ante. Not to mention the pajama pant and black three quarter sleeve sweater. Obsessed. Then there’s those striped trim coats with those insanely amazing over the knee boots that are so 70s glam (my favorite fashion era hands down), that black and white printed gauzy dress with those ankle tied espadrilles, and that animal print mini I would most likely wear every day. And then it’s just piece after piece of cool girl looks to take you everywhere- such gorgeous tailoring without being in any way too structured or constructed, and restrained in just the right way. I can’t think of one thing I wouldn’t wear here. Amazing.
So now that we’ve all been spit out of the vortex and have come out A Ok, let’s move right past Spring and Summer and go right to PreFall. At least in our minds- these clothes are worth dreaming about- I can taste the pumpkin spice lattes now. I’m excited that designers are observing that many of us want grown up clothes that suggest something, and don’t knock us out with too “much”. All hail PreFall- I love looking at it and commenting on it, and hopefully, you all love reading about it.
Cause that’s what’s up this post vortex Thursday in my happy place. Yours, from a coffee shop filled with a million freelance pirates somewhere in Brooklyn. XO