Clothes that get you noticed
Yesterday's post about the Advanced Style Eccentrics drew many comments about the intention of "not looking invisible" and "not wearing boring clothes".
OK, nobody puts (50+) baby in the corner.
If you don't want to be invisible, here are some pungent, assertive choices. I would not wear all of these (that's me in the corner in the dove gray cashmere) but each garment carries the message that the wearer has not given up.
Most examples are on the expensive end; you can find cheaper, but quality is iffy. Check Zara if you want to be noticed for only a season and can wear narrow cuts and short lengths.
Joy: Fruits and flowers
Stella McCartney pleated silk citrus-print skirt, much photographed and actually owned by one of our blogfriends, the lovely Mardel. Expensive, yes, (£675 at Brown's), and recognizably Stella.
 |
| No, I have never starred in a film |
Are peonies not the operational definition of joy? D&G stretch twill peony-print dress, $515 from Netaporter.
 |
| Did you remember to pack the champagne, my love? |
Wit
 |
| A cocktail after work? |
 |
| Why, yes! |
Wear art, but curate
If you enjoy painterly effects, consider the Rochas jacquard sheath. Look at how the pattern flows to the hem; the eye travels to your pretty legs. Price, $1,645 from Barney's.
 |
| You'd like to take my photo, Mr. Cunningham? |
Kiss of the Wolf's shibori top is arty, but a Japanese watercolour caress instead of an op-art punch. Each piece is handmade; contact Kiss for price.
 |
| Just good genes, I guess |
Take it out in traffic
Lightweight foil lambskin Bradley jacket by Lafayette 148: light, versatile and not black. Wear it with shades and let people wonder who you are. Price, $998; wide size range.
 |
| No autographs, please |
Try the cheek of traffic-stopping red in an absolutely classic cut. You won't want to toss it out after a year and it will last for decades. MacIntosh Kilmany coat, $950 from J. Crew.
 |
| Yes, officer, that is the correct age on my license |
Merino confetti-stripe sweater: the mellow mariniere goes glam with scattered sequins. Definitely picks up a pair of jeans. From J. Crew, $148.
 | |
| Could we have a table that's a little more private? |
No item here is over the top eccentric, at least if worn with a neutral accompaniment. Each was chosen to get looks, to refute that dreaded invisibility. Post could be titled "Minimalist goes crazy".
I invite you to send links to what you'd pick, and never mind price. The Passage welcomes window shopping!
Comments
I'm loving that shibori sweater YUM, and the metallic jacket. See, I knew we were just arguing semantics.
;-) That sequined sweater is a great example of what I'm talking about when I say "a little bit of whimsy."
(and captcha word is "impas", too funny!)
I keep a collection of inspirational photos on my computer, and one of them is of George Mann and his wife, courtesy of Advanced Style. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a dress like his wife is wearing, so that I can dress like her when I grow up.
Not to someone else's wedding, of course, but otherwise, seems impeccable and quite attention-getting, to me. Wonderful post, Duchesse.
http://tinyurl.com/48w7auy
LPC: #7, the long-sleeved sheath, is breathtaking! Some of the other white lace pieces need to be underlined unless one is ready for a significant reveal ;)
Belle: That citrus skirt will be unavoidably Spring '11 but who cares? Standout piece from the consistently strong McCartney.
http://pearlinparis-pearl.blogspot.com/2011/03/being-noticed-but-not-eccentric.html
The shibori top looks interesting. I remember Kiss of the Wolf's early stuff as being more "artsy craftsy", this may be promising evolution.
I went to J Crew this weekend looking for that sweater but they didn't have it in the store. I shall have to order, but I have such issues with J Crew; some of their stuff is fabulous and some is just shlock. Or perhaps it is just me.
The metallic jacket is just fabulous.