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

Marc Jacobs woven-silk jacket, a precisely tailored silhouette tweaked by merry flowers that read as geometry till you look closely. Price, £819, from Brown's.
A cocktail after work?
Why, yes!

Wear art, but curate

More junk is sold under the "wearable art" label than "slimming". 

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

Rubiatonta said…
Oh, the silver lambskin jacket, without a doubt! Especially if I could have a matching Porsche Carrera. That can be arranged, can't it?
Susan B said…
Oh Duchesse, your captions are priceless!!!

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!)
Anonymous said…
I saw that J.Crew sweater in the latest catalog and instantly coveted it. Classic with a twist. And I love matte sequins in the wardrobe for a touch of interest without being flashy or gaudy. Nice post.
Evelynne said…
What a wonderful post! I love loud, bright clothes and don't intend to give them up as I get older (I'm 39 now, and hope to still be wearing some of today's purchases in 10-15 years). In fact, I expect I'll get more colorful and louder. :P

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.
LPC said…
I'd wear some pieces from Dolce and Gabbana Spring 2011. Lace, and I'd layer them. A white blazer, over a white lace dress, over white pants. Then blush-colored pumps. A small straw hat, on a sunny day. My hair, by then even more gray, in a pony tail. http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2011RTW-DGABBANA. I'd avoid, however, the shorts, and the transparent shirts:).

Not to someone else's wedding, of course, but otherwise, seems impeccable and quite attention-getting, to me. Wonderful post, Duchesse.
Belle de Ville said…
I do believe that one can dress in clothes that get you noticed...but in a good way. The Rochas dress and the lambskin jacket are both amazing, but tasteful. And I rather adore the citrus skirt, it would be perfect for Boca Raton or Palm Beach with a camisole and ballet flats.
Susan B said…
This one from J.Crew also caught my eye:
http://tinyurl.com/48w7auy
Duchesse said…
Evelynne: Love love love her! To me there is a world of difference between her ensemble and many of those worn in the video. Dress might be Etro? A simple classic cut in a pattern reminiscent of many Italian textiles. A "resort/lady" look completed with turquoise and coral jewelry.

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.
Duchesse said…
Deja Pseu: Intrigued by the silk/poly fabric, would like to see and feel close up. Thank you!
Anonymous said…
Admiring the foil jacket and the green dress!
Anonymous said…
Ladies, I find the clothes that get you noticed are the flattering, quality ones. They stand out in the crowd of I don't give a damn that most people wear!
Duchesse said…
Anonymous: Are you a man? For some reason, I seem to sense that- perhaps because of the "ladies" form of address.
Duchesse said…
Terri: A lot of women are loving that jacket and I am happy to say it comes in 0 to 18!
Tiffany said…
I would wear that Rochas sheath in a nano-second. In fact, I had a dress very like that which I reluctantly had to get rid of after 10 years (irreparable damage). I also love the foil jacket but it's the wrong colour for me ...
Susan said…
I really like the red coat. Very tempting, except for the price. I did go to the J Crew site and see the other coats they are offering by that maker. Interesting. I also like the gingham one.
NancyDaQ said…
Oh, just love that Stella McCartney citrus skirt!
Pearl said…
Love the silver jacket and of course the red coat. I took your challenge and posted a few things on my blog from Etsy that I found particularly fetching. Page here:
http://pearlinparis-pearl.blogspot.com/2011/03/being-noticed-but-not-eccentric.html
Anonymous said…
That Rochas dress is beautiful, but way out of my price range! I was going to look for a pattern to make myself a couple of frocks for work for the summer so I will see if I can find anything like that in style and/or material.
Mardel said…
Thanks for the mention. If only it would warm up, I could wear mine.

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.

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