Today’s Outfit: The Midi Dress

What an odd length for a dress, I have always thought.  And I kind of still think that to hit the mid-shin is in fact, a strange place for a dress to settle.  But who am I to argue with trends? So, I bought this dress – simple, t-shirt style, midi-length, and slouchy – and I will tell you that while I’m still a little unsure, the midi may be growing on me (just a midi-bit).

Dress by Factory by Erik Hart | Belt from The Limited | Tights by Banana Republic | Booties by Steven by Steve Madden | Necklace bought at a jewelry vendor trade show (couldn’t remember who made it if I tried)  |  Cardigan by BP from Nordstrom

 

A little closer on my necklace – multi-strand, shiny black beads that make that “jingle” noise when I walk. I love jewelry with jingle Y’gotta have something to liven up a simple black dress, right?

One Hot Thing: Boots with Studs

Reminiscent of Christian Louboutin, these spike-studded booties are just plain ridiculous (in that way that’s amazing and memorable).  Studs, or any hardware really, give the prettiest or most classic accessory a toughness that’s sexy and special.  The intimidation of spikes is mitigated by elegant, feminine 5″ heels. But that doesn’t change the fact that metal spikes have a Gothic, angel-of-death type of feel. And, quite frankly, that’s A-okay in my book. These booties are bad-ass and fantastic.  They just are.

BCBG Max Azria Ankle Studded Boot || $325

Easy slip on design, .5″ platform, stacked heel and the studs…those dear studs.

Today’s Outfit: Adding On

My dress is really simple. Cynthia Steffe, black, cap sleeve, T-shirt style.  The only detail it has is the exposed back zipper — a detail I’m seeing on lots of dresses lately (though, I bought this dress two years ago so I consider myself ahead of the curve).  Since the dress is simple, I am immediately yawning out of boredom and that’s never a good thing. I’m compelled to add, add, and add.  As I always say, more is more. Booties + bracelet + really, super-cool, beaded belt and my dress leaves simple-ville on a one-way track to embellish-town.

 

 

Bracelet by Kenneth Jay Lane

Beaded, stretch belt from Kenneth Cole

Booties by Marcos Santi

Exposed back zipper

One Hot Thing: A Classic Style Bootie

This bootie is perfection.  It’s got the perfect toe – not too pointy, not too round.  It’s made in a supple suede. It has a 4″ heel with a 1″ platform to save your soles from pain. All of these attributes can be summed up as the perfect bootie that can be worn with a dress or skirt, wide-leg trousers or skinnies.  This bootie is the bomb. And by bomb, I mean perfection in a boot. Get this pair and you’ll not have to buy another black bootie for at least, well, just buy them.

Rosegold Black Suede Melly, $118

Today’s Outfit: Paisley with an Edge

When I bought this dress, I was highly into a-line, throw-on, easy-peasy dresses. That was oh, three years ago. Well, I’m still all about these attributes, and this dress still pleases me in those ways. The paisley pattern is fun and energetic, but the colors – black, grey, and purple – are a bit edgy; a terrific contrast. It’s actually a summer dress but I easily wear it year-round with the right layers. Today, my layers are tights and a blazer. Come July, the only accessories will be strappy black heels and a pony tail, but that’s for July and we’ll talk about it then.

Dress by Frenchi (Nordstrom)  |  Jacket from NY & Co  |  Tights by Spanx  |  Shoes by Marco Santi

 I love these booties – they’re edgy (that’s my word of the day) and fun because of the peep toe. They’re also comfortable.

 

Here’s a close up of the print – pretty, edgy, paisley

Today’s Outfit: A Hoboken Pick

I bought this dress in a small little shop in Hoboken, NJ called Anthology. I give a small fist pump to that town because it’s really quite a gem, just across the water from the city (much like my dearheart Brooklyn). This dress has all the components that renders it perfect for me: it’s a sweater dress, it has a bold print, cowl neck and three-quarter length sleeves.  Add in 1 pair of tights, 1 pair of booties, a necklace, et voila.  No woman could ask for anything simpler in a daytime outfit (and if she could, she’s wearing sweats).

 

Dress by Lucca  |  Tights by Spanx  |  Booties by Kelsi Dagger

 

Check out the print – it appears to be a colorful field of wheat (?). Can you tell me?

 

Love a wedge and a fold-over ankle. Brown suede? Yes please. Thanks Kelsi.

 

Today’s Outfit: Oldie But Goodie

Today’s outfit was crafted around a pair of boots that I can’t believe I still have. Way back in the day…2003, I bought this pair of boots from Aerosoles.  I wanted suede boots that were short and comfortable.  Well, Aerosoles delivered!  These booties are still a staple in my wardrobe and a story of shopping triumph – you can buy inexpensive items that last and always look good. Hail to my booties.

Cropped Pants by Elizabeth & James  |  Boots by Aerosoles  |  Sweater by Barney’s Co-Op  |  Top from a boutique in Brooklyn (ripped out the tag due to itchness!)

Bootie Call

First , a few benefits of the bootie.  Benefit 1: They don’t cling to your pants like their knee-high brethren underneath pants or jeans. Benefit 2: They’re uh-dor-uh-ble with a dress/skirt and tights. Benefit 3: seriously, do you need another one? Here are some options, pricey and not so pricey. But with any of these choices, you’re sure to want more, buy more, and wear over and over and over and over…you get me. Go on, get yourself some bootie.

Loeffler Randall Simone Gathered Ankle Bootie in Brick Suede; $625 (but hey, the shipping's free). Actually, this is quite a neutral color. Picture this with grey hosiery, navy blue trousers or dark denim, even an all black ensemble would work. Suede is forever chic, the heel is just high enough but stable, the toe is subtly round/pointy (the perfect combo for walking and not scrunching your toes), and they rock the cool gathered top.

Nine West Orro $99 Piperlime.com, Wedges are inherently easier to walk in, the buckle detail and suede offers a subtle funky cowgirl feel, and the heel ensures sophista-coolness. The toe is round, guaranteeing a long style shelf-life and the color goes with every thing you could possibly think to pair with it.

Report Ariella Buckle Foldover Bootie in Grey, $143 Revolveclothing.com. The fold over isn't just for yoga pants - it works on footwear too. This gray color goes with everything, the double buckle adds good detail without fussiness, and the heel and toe are elegant and won't ever go out of style. Don't cover these up - they're meant to be shown off with a skirt or dress from the knee (at the lowest) up to a mini (as high as you like).

MICHAEL Michael Kors Nora $350 RevolveClothing.com. Bring out the inner rocker girl with this studded pair of sky-high, peep-toe sling back booties (that's a lot of descriptors!). Wear a pair of bright colored tights and let them peek from the toe, try them in the mild spring/fall months bare-legged, or put them with a pair of flare or super skinny leg pants or jeans.

Steven by Steve Madden, Mason Wedge Booties, $199. These fold overs are refined and elegant in a classic caramel leather. The color goes with everything and looks particularly chic when worn over a pair of black cigarette pants or dark denim leggings. If you dare have the gams, a super short mini would also look terrific, just as a knee length classic pencil skirt.

All Saints Agness Boot, $250. A little bit prairie, a little bit gothic, a little bit rustic. One definitely has to have some edge to their personality to wear these but they'd be perfection with demin, skirt or jeans. They'd also look terrific with a pair of just cropped trousers or a dark, high-waisted denim skirt and white collard shirt.

My New Boots

I just bought these amazing new boots from the DKNY store here in NYC. As I was strolling, I decided to go into DKNY to browse and look at all the fall garments adorning the shelves, draping lovingly over racks, and boasting their rich colors and supple fabrics to passers-by. Then, I saw the boots. They made me stop, look, grab, touch, buckle and unbuckle, and ask urgently to have them in my size.  Ashley, the lovely sales woman happily obliged and giggled at the slight pleading in my voice.

She brought them in my traditional size 8 and, as any good sales person would do, one half size up. She knew that they run small and didn’t want me to lose my momentum at the first pair feeling just a touch snug.

She was right. I tried the 8s. They were stunning but snug. I tried the 8.5, slipped them both on and was immediately transformed into from a 5’2″ sassy woman to a 5’8″ GLAM-azon/contestant for America’s Next Top Model. Even my walk changed as I approached the floor-to-ceiling mirror.

There was no question. I was buying them. And here they are–my new boots. Love them with me, won’t you?

I will wear these boots with the following: Dresses with tights. Leggings. Skirts. Flared-leg pants and jeans. Shorts in the fall & spring. To work. Out for the night and back again.