Category Archives: The Clothes

Fall 2010: Dress your mother in leather pants (and shorts)

When it comes to clothes, I believe in quality over quantity. So when it comes to leather you have to be prepared to make an investment. Cheap leather is a very bad thing (unless you enjoy being picked out of a crowd based on smell alone). But the good news is that a great pair of high quality leather pants will last years. And as an added bonus, they get better with age. This fall, leather pants and even leather shorts are emerging as a major trend. And though they can seem a little scary for first time owners, leather is a very versatile material that looks smokin’ for both casual and dressy occasions alike.

Here are a few of our favorite leather pieces for fall.

Current/Elliot Leather Legging Pants, $795. Saks.com

Current/Elliot translates their flair for denim into an ideal leather pant. They are manufactured like a jean, but made of 100% lambskin leather. Just like your favorite denim, wear them day or night.

Helmut Lang Skinny leather Pants , $875. shopbop.com

Although this style is nothing new for Helmut Lang, they fit perfectly into the trend forecast of fall 2010. With butter-soft leather, an elastic waist and a smooth silhouette courtesy of faux pockets, you may never want to take off these ultra-flattering pants.

Isabel Marant Shun Cropped Skinny leather pants, $1,860. net-a-porter.com

French designer Isabel Marant has a serious cult following in the States. And since few retailers carry the line or keep it in stock, Marant’s pieces feel extra exclusive. These cropped leather and cotton-lined pants are the epitome of Marant’s edgy take on femininity. And their shorter length makes them unique.

Alice & Olivia Leather-Paneled Riding Pants, $495. neimanmarcus.com

Alice and Olivia’s equestrian-inspired paneled riding pants are a great way to incorporate leather into your wardrobe if you’re a bit faint of heart. While less subdued than a full on black leather pant, they’re just as cool and feature a front zipper and a cool army green color that is perfect for autumn.

Vanessa Bruno Lambskin Short, $552. lagarconne.com

Vanessa Bruno knows how to make women look their best – chic, slender and feminine. And these lambskin shorts are a great twist on the current leather trend. Unlike their 1980s-inspired, high waist counterparts seen at hipster concerts all over town, these feel modern with their structured, tailored vibe. They work with a simple sweater and flats or heels and a chiffon blouse. Versatile and super-stylish.

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Look book we love: Ever

Like something Steve Martin would say, the new look books are here! The new look books are here! And can you say obsessed? We just got Ever’s new holiday look book featuring the local label’s standard clean, cool wardrobe staples. And things re looking even more polished than usual. We want it all. Like, now. Fellow fans should start gearing up for Ever’s fourth freestanding retail store, opening at the renovated Santa Monica Place Mall on August 6. But for those impatient shoppers left drooling over the clothes in the below photos, you can get your Ever fix at the brand’s store on Melrose (The holiday line won’t be there for a bit. But even though it’s a bit more rugged, their fall stuff is just as good —we promise).

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Finally, tattoo fashion that doesn’t make you want to throw up

015C51490002_1We equate tattoo clothing and the world of Christian Audigier with roach infestation. But the sun is shining and we’re having a lovely day, so we’ll just keep our mouthes shut.

But what we will say is that not all tattoo-clad clothing is created equal. Case in point: the garment line from Horiyoshi III, one of Japan’s most revered tattoo artists known for his stunningly intricate full-body designs. Horiyoshi is so bad ass, he usually colors in his work without using the electric needles that are standard practice in the U.S. But one who wants to turn their body into a masterpiece must be willing to wait and have deep pockets: It can take two years to finish a head-to-toe tattoo and cost upwards of $20,000.

But the poor and the impatient can get their Horiyoshi fix with his delicate, silk and cashmere scarves, which retail for under $400. The limited-edition pieces feature freehanded floral designs and are worn by the likes of Tilda Swinton, but they aren’t that easy to find. It seems that Maxfield is currently sold out and is expected to get a shipment any day.

While you’re waiting, check out this fascinating video of Horiyoshi hard at work from Nowness.com, The LVMH-owned site formerly known as e-luxury.com.

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KCRW DJ Mathieu Schreyer forays into fashion with new T-shirt line

Screen shot 2010-05-12 at 4.10.33 PMIt’s no secret that we at Style Section L.A. have major crushes on KCRW’s crew of dreamy DJs. And lucky for us, they keep doing cool things worth writing about. We just got word that Mathieu Schreyer, who can be found spinning at Bar Marmont when not on the airwaves, has launched a line of T-shirts called Unknown Soldier.

The shirts, which are available for both men and women, have a musical spin — natch — and use re-worked concert posters, drawings and album covers as main graphics. Some even feature French sayings, Schreyer’s native tongue. We’ve been known to scoff at T-shirt lines before. But Schreyer’s collection conveys a bit of mystery and doesn’t look like every other game in town. We like that. A lot.

The cool, casual line of tees and tanks range from $55-$75 and are already available at A. Kinney Court in Venice. By the end of this week, they’ll be at the Nom de Guerre shop inside Opening Ceremony, too.

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Play Ball: Victoria’s Secret PINK launches line of Major League Baseball duds in time for opening day

babseballWe have very strong opinions on what a girl should wear to a baseball game—reason being there is nothing worse than a lady in the stands wearing a hoochie dress, heels, caked make-up and baubles that make her look like a rack from the Bloomingdale’s accessories department. Which is why we think the new MLB collection from Victoria’s Secret PINK is actually really cute. The line includes sweatpants, shorts, T-shirts and hats (with large holes specially made for pony tails) and features eleven Major League teams. Luckily the Dodgers, Angels and Chicago White Sox (our personal home town team of choice) are all represented with cheeky sayings such as “I only kiss White Sox fans” (or players, whatever). The gear ranges from $22.50 to $54.50 and, according to the website, is only currently available in stores. FYI, Dodgers home opener is April 13. Plan your clothing accordingly.

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I’m cuckoo for corduroy: Levi’s for Opening Ceremony vs. Steven Alan’s skirt

Screen shot 2010-02-24 at 3.36.32 PMEach day, while making my way home down Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz, I look through the window ofScreen shot 2010-02-24 at 3.39.10 PM the Steven Alan Annex store and say (yes, even when alone), “Holy crap, that corduroy skirt is cute.”

And wouldn’t you know that the high waisted number happens to be on sale — only $98 from its standard $158 price tag. Though now I can’t decide between said skirt or a pair of bright yellow cord shorts from the just launched Levi’s for Opening Ceremony collection. priced at $125, the shorts’ vibrant hue seems more relevant as a spring/summer piece when compared to the skirt’s more drab (but practical!) navy, olive, tan and gray offerings.

Damn decisions. Which piece would you guys buy??

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Lookbook: Boulee Summer 2010 brings back ‘cute’ clothes

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In our world of shock and awe conceptual fashion, it’s always nice to see clothes that are just plain cute. Enter Boulee, the two year-old line by local designer Debbie Morad. We were sent her summer lookbook and found a bevy of fun, colorful pieces that make us long for pool parties, barbecues and 80 degree temps. No muss or fuss in shapes we can’t explain. Morad’s clothes are easy, simple and, most importantly, convey a jovial feeling. And isn’t that what summer dressing is all about?

Luckily the pieces don’t hit stores until April/May, which gives us time to get our figure looking, uh, cute as well.

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Pleasure Doing Business launches bandage dresses

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Our friends at Pleasure Doing Business, the popular L.A.-based line of bandage skirts designed by Pasadena-area native Simone Gonzalez, just sent us pictures of the brand’s latest foray: Bandage dresses. They’re super cute and allow wearers to channel Herve Leger for under $300. And if these babies contain even a sliver of the super cellulite sucking power packed inside Simone’s famous skirts (think high-styled Spanx that you don’t have to keep secret), we’ll take one in every color (it isn’t everyday that we can turn heads and bounce quarters off our butt after eating In-N-Out and skipping the gym, after all).

The dresses are scheduled to hit stores including Ron Herman, Kitson and ShopBop.com in February.

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The Olsen Twins Channel Burning Man Chic for Spring 2010

dogtownDesign duo Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are always ahead of the curve (I know, I know, but it’s true.)

And for Spring 2010, they’re tapping Burning Man-style hippie-ness for their lower-priced Elizabeth & James line.

Check out the Dogtown-meets-Dave Matthews look at right, featuring a tie-dyed shirt, surfer beads and bracelets, a flannel (wrapped, natch), clam diggers and bootie moccasins.

And their choice of model really says it all. This guy totally listens to Devendra Banhart.

What do you think of the look?

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Seen in Stores: Punky Plaid Pajama Pants

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Plaid pajama pants hold a special place in my heart. The soft, snuggly bottoms are what I used to wear to sleepovers and summer camp, and nary a seventh-grade weekend went by that I didn’t leave a Bar or Bat Mitzvah with a pair confirming that I did, in fact, Rock With Rachel.

Fast forward to last weekend when I meandered in to Ron Herman at Fred Segal on Melrose, where an entire wall is devoted to the plaid pajama pants of my youth. Only these babies are by Steven Alan. And on mannequins, I spotted the pants paired with jean jackets and Dr. Martens for an early 90s nod to punk rather than a comfy option for the recess-time kickball court.

As I thought about all the places my drawstring delights could take me, I checked out the price tag. $135. Uh, I don’t remember my University of Michigan flannels costing that much.

But I’m still way into the idea of wearing pajamas in public without judgement (not to mention the geniusness of that drawstring when Cecconi’s truffle spaghetti comes calling). So I did some digging and found much cheaper options for those of us that buy our pajama pants in a 3-pack from Target.

But word to the wise: pair your pair with heels or boots so you don’t look like you actually stumbled out of bed. Or out of a Bar Mitzvah.

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