Into: Mark Steinmetz' Paris in my time

Really looking forward to receiving this photo-book from La Garçonne soon. The pictures were taken between 1985-2011. More about it here.

Tuesday's Obsession: Maria La Rosa silk socks

Maria La Rosa mid-calf silk socks via La Garçonne

The Game of Patience, Balthus 1954

There's something very cool about the idea of wearing silk socks. The way they slouch and just the sheer luxury of them. I can imagine one of Balthus' girls wearing them, bunched over ballet shoes or loafers.

Monday Inspiration: Chunky Shoes

Finally we got these into our closet...platform Prada oxfords (thank you, eBay!)! Worth the wait since they were gotten for a fraction of the price that they were originally a few seasons back.
A natural fit with the chunky sweater and jeans or a skirt with slouchy, silk socks. This lookbook image below is from one of our favorite inspirations and stores online, La Garçonne.

(clothing: Margaret Howell via la garçonne)

Style Salute: The Army Jacket

An "army" of girls via jak and jil

The army jacket  (either surplus or inspired) is a cool, slouchy alternative to the classic jean jacket, and it definitely gets a lot of play in our (especially Kristin's) wardrobe. Although it is essentially a tomboy-ish/garçonne look, you can 'femme' it up with the right accessories and clothes -- including a bright red or orange lip!

Here, we present a few options:

Style Staple: The Blazer

(From left to right: Martin Margiela, Isabel Marant, Ann Demeulemeester)

Speaking of Patti Smith, you'll seldom see her without a blazer (that goes double for Lee Ann). We've read that Patti favors those from Ann Demeulemeester – the coveted prototypes for that borrowed-from-the-boys look. They are slouchy but flattering = perfect! Kristin found one on eBay. Also check out Yoox.


As much as we love blazers, here in California, people don't wear them much (and regard them as ‘office wear’). However, one photo of Vogue Paris editor Emmanuelle Alt will snap anyone out of that misconception. Voilà! She shows you how it's done, without looking uptight or conservative (it's no secret that Parisian girls always get it right).

Cool with a t-shirt, white button down, or cashmere sweater – and we think best with jeans – a blazer can make you look effortlessly chic and perpetually pulled together.

Emmanuelle again via stockholm street style

Emmanuelle via jak and jil

Monday Mood Lifter: Layer like Patti

  

  Robert Mapplethorpe, 70s

Annie Leibovitz, 00s

Patti Smith is not only the high priestess of punk, she is also an inspiring style icon. 

Patti has remained true to her aesthetic over the years, masterfully layering t-shirts, white button downs, blazers and 'garconne' coats -- without fussiness, with an ease we aspire to recreate for ourselves.