BubblesPop

There’s a difference between looking like you tried and looking like you tried too hard, and it’s often fairly hard to tell where exactly that line is, especially when you’re dealing with new trends. The winter racks are filled with wearable, eye-catching silhouettes of the season, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from going broke as I cherry pick all these thrilling new pieces. However, one errant cut, bedazzle, or affectation in the wrong direction, and what was once a compelling new outfit can quickly become crowd-repelling. So as not to leave you hanging, here’s a little primer on how to look  fashion victorious instead of a victim.

Colorblocked Shirts

DO: Try out combos that involve neutrals and big, bold blocks.
Stella McCartney Colorblock Sweater, $830, available at Saks.

DON’T: Be too literal. A Mondrian-shirt will make you look like you just raided the museum gift shop.
Moschino Cheap & Chic Shirt, $677, available at Farfetch.

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Fedora

DO: Keep the brim wide, and the construction on point. You don’t want to skimp on a hat because you’ll wear it for as long as it lasts.
Rag & Bone Floppy Brim Fedora, $150, available at Stylebop.

DON’T: Opt for this fedora style. If you’ve seen it on a bro with a soul patch, just say no.
Windsor Gray Wool Fedora Hat, $12.90, available at Windsor.

Indian Inspiration

DO: Try out roomy, graphic tunics in heavy silks.
Rag & Bone Bombay Top, $290, available at Rag & Bone.

DON’T: Go for the dress-over-pants look just yet. We’re actually kind of into this look at Chanel from the runway, but haven’t figured out a way to try it out IRL without looking costume-y. We’ll keep you posted, though…
Chanel pre-fall 2012, courtesy of Chanel.

 

Pointed Pump

DO: Keep the heel skinny, the platform minimal, and the height reasonable. This is your chance to channel your inner Audrey to perfection.
Dolce Vita Rosetta Pump, $129.99, available at Zappos.

DON’T: Go too high. We said Audrey, not Audrina.
Dolce Vita Devon Shoe, $139.90, available at Lori’s.

Pepto Pink

DO: Choose structured, modern pieces in simple cuts.
J.Crew Pencil Skirt, $120, available at J.Crew.

DON’T: Go too twee, lady-like, or youthful, otherwise you’ll risk looking like a geriatric 6-year-old.
MSGM Cropped Jacket, $728, available at Luisa via Roma.

 

The stylist — and reality television star — has inked a two-year deal with Kate Spade New York to be the brand’s exclusive stylist. In addition to styling press events, presentations, ad campaigns, and e-commerce shoots, Goreski will use his social media expertise — he has over 127,000 Twitter followers — to help garner excitement around Kate Spade New York’s ready-to-wear collection, which launched in 2009. “It’s my hope to get the ready-to-wear out there and see it more on the streets and see people playing with it and making it their own,” Goreski said.

Though the stylist and the brand have teamed up in the past — Goreski styled the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 ready-to-wear presentations — the deal makes Goreski’s position within the brand official. “When I began to consider a stylist with whom I could really build an ongoing relationship and one whom I trusted, he was the first that came to mind,” Kate Spade New York creative director Deborah Lloyd explained. “Besides being a great stylist, he is a joy to be around and a true gentleman. He keeps me laughing and keeps me on my toes.”

Alain Quilici
payson skate lace-up bootie $826.00

alain quilici is part of a long line of italian cobblers and, having learnt the family trade, he’s paid his dues to tradition. taking his well-honed skills, alain now explores the fanciful side of footwear. alain’s shoes always take an unexpected turn—sleek leather ankle boots tower on floor-to-sole cut-out heels, and a pair of lace-ups morphs into… is it an ice skate? or a piece of furniture? beautiful and unusual, each one is a piece of wearable art.

Leather lace-up bootie with carved heel | Platform under heel and toe | Round toe | Contrast lacing up front with metal hardware | Zip closure at instep | Cushioned insole.

100% leather.

Available in calf mud.

Made in Italy.

Heel: 5″. Patform: 1″.

Six months from now when the next transitional items start rolling into stores, there’ll be plenty of super-cozy looks on offer from Missoni. Cold-weather layering — in the form of oversized outerwear, body-con dresses, and belted waistlines — was the message, and it came in the form of jumbo coats, boxy fur-trimmed vests, and maxi-length jackets, with plenty of space-dyed turtlenecks and graphic-knit minidresses to wear under them.