Wear Many Hats?

They say the key element to beauty starts with your skin, a flawless canvas if you will.  With an increasing awareness for skin cancer in the last 10 years, it is only natural for women to make a distinguished effort to take proper care of their skin, particularly when it comes to being in the sun.  With this care comes something less concerning, and we might add a considerable amount more fashion forward: hats.  Hats are a thing of both form and function.  A two fold accessory that not only shades your mug from harmful UV rays, but also adds that something extra to your summer outfit.  In a variety of shapes and colors, I have laid out had for everyone: the bohemian, the trendsetter, the prepster, and the rebel.

1. Pins and Needles Basic Straw Floppy Hat:  To be completely honest, I was hesitant of the floppy hat trend; to me it felt outdated and overdone.  I did a complete 180 after laying eyes on this boho gem.  This Pins and Needles hat is a lakeshore dream to me: the fit is comfortable and the look is playful.

2.  Tarnish Paper Straw Fedora: Generally speaking, fedoras tend to take on similar traits in color and size.  This Tarnish Paper Straw Fedora thinks outside the box---way outside the box (and who doesn't like individuality?)  To begin with, the heather brown is a fantastic neutral that shies away from the expected camel and black combination.  Further, the turned up almost bowler like quality of the brim gives the piece a sense of humor, suggesting the wearer almost sport a smirk to complement its unconformity.  Paired with an oversize white sheer tee, light denim cutoffs and a statement necklace, your day outfit is complete.

3.  J.Crew Panama Hat:  For all you country club girls out there, I believe you have met your hat match.  This J.Crew Panama Hat overflows with an almost Gatsby like air about it: classic yet trend conscious.  With an olive green romper and Ray Bans, you are set for drinks at the golf course half way house.

4.  Rag & Bone Flynn Hat: They say to save the best for last, well here's mine.  Aside from my serious love affair with the line itself, this Rag & Bone hat will be a summer staple of mine.  Whether paired with a maxi dress and gladiator sandals for a day browsing an art fair, or dressed up with high waisted shorts, a lace cropped top and flatforms, this hat will carry my looks throughout August.  Definitely a must have.  

Spirit Fingers....And Toes

The season of summer means sandals: whether that be your casual poolside flip flops, Sam Edleman flat decorated sandals or Michael Kors wedges.  When showing off your fashionable footwear, a pedicure is a must have.  For some, a summer pedicure means neutrals---a clean classic look; for others, brights are the only option (think sunshine yellow and chlorine blue).  Well dear readers, I have a candy colored selection of polish choices that will just tickle you pink!  Happy painting!

1.  Essie Braziliant:  If the name alone doesn't sell you, then the freshly squeezed orange color will!  Braziliant is my new favorite summer color---brightens up your outfit or swimsuit and looks amazing with a tan.

2. YSL 31 Blue Turquoise:  Paired with a coral string bikini and a chunky necklace = summer lovin'.  YSL always has wonderful polishes that make your mani/pedi last long, and with a color like this, you're going to want it to last forever.  

3. Essie Too Too Hot:  This color is not for the meek of style.  You slap this color on your fingers or toes, you'd better be prepared for some attention!  Shocking in color and shine, all you need is a fabulous pair of white pants and a navy tunic to make this look complete.

4.  Essie Absolutely Shore:  If you couldn't tell by now, Essie is my go-to for nail polish---and this color is no exception.  If you are looking for a more neutral option, Essie's Absolutely Shore is your number one summer pick.  At first glance, it looks like a beige or cream white, but after taking a closer look, this color turns out to be as cool as a cucumber.  Absolutely Shore on tan feet?  Absolutely perfect.

5.  Illamasqua Nail Varnish:  I couldn't help myself with this pick.  Brights are a heavy influence on this season's styles, and this nail varnish fits right in.  Go ahead, give it a try!

Summer Swim Wear: Sink or Float?

In full swing of summer, sandy beaches and pool side lawn chairs have been calling our names to jump, feet first, into swimwear.  Now normally fashion calls for putting ON clothing to express our inner passion, but come hot weather, the runways take it all OFF: showing flowy resort wear, straw wedges and bright colored bikinis.  Most women cringe at the thought of donning a bathing suit, but with the darling prints and cute cuts of this season's swim wear, it will be difficult not to strut your stuff down the dock.  Take a look at a few of my favorites and don't forget the SPF!

1. Maya Twist Bandeau:  I happen to L O V E this color for the beach!  With this season showing brights and neons, this suit will be sure to make you the center of attention.

2. Ikat Underwire Halter Bikini: I am just crazy about this two piece---Ikat's unusual print caught my eye immediately.  The periwinkle color choice is an unexpected touch to the almost tribal pattern; truly a boho must have.

3.  Diane von Furstenberg Bikini:  In my book, Diane von Furstenberg can do no wrong, and this darling example of swimwear proves my point.  The neutral colors convey a subtle sensuality, but the gold metal accents packs just the right amount of punch.  Paired with a floppy straw hat, the look is sensational.

4. Ruched Bandeau One Piece:  There is something incredibly sexy about a one piece: covering up just enough to leave something to the imagination.  JCrew's beautifully crafted suit is nostalgic of a retro style, but the look is updated with the bright fire engine red.  Coupled with a gorgeous pair of tortoise shell Jackie O oversized sunglasses, you'll be dressed (or should I say undressed) to kill!

5. Splendid Underwire Bikini:  "She wore an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, NAVY polka dot bikini...."  The color combination of navy and white usually screams nautical, which is a classic pool side look that I happen to love.  This suit take that combination to a new level:  the frilled ruffle on the bottom transforms the suit from nautical to cheeky.  Underneath a sheer white shirt dress of a cover up, you'll be the cutest sailor in port!

The Beauty of Opposites

Black and white.  Good and evil.  Yin and yang.  

The world is rooted in opposites.  Relationships of all kinds are established in the cooperation of complements, and without this fundamental characteristic, the elements themselves would not exist.

In the same way that magnets are drawn to one another---fashion, too is best expressed through opposites:  an outfit streamlined in uniformity is never received as well as an ensemble with an interesting contradiction.  A lace mini dress paired with heavy chain link accessories will always make a splash over say, a sweet heart strapless a-line and maryjane pumps.  Why do we have this reaction?  Let's dissect this fashionable dilemma.  Both the sweetheart strapless a-line dress AND maryjanes perpetuate femininity, an extremely predictable pairing; whereas the lace mini dress (a bit taboo in itself: a high hemline created in a normally virginal fabric) worn with a chain link bracelet is unexpected---the feminine lace is off set by the hardware of the jewelry, resulting in sartorial genius.

D&G White Mini Dress Ready to Wear

Spring/Summer 2011

JCrew Link Bracelet, $118

Fashion is not anything if not an entity of opposites, in fact it is the contradictions of all things vogue that most draws me to the creative industry.  It is my hope that "Lace and Hardware" will serve as the fashionable vessel through which we will discover beauty of sartorial opposites---and the aesthetic perfection that is its inevitable result!