burberry prorsum spring 2011

You think you know Burberry, but you have no idea. The iconic London label goes so much deeper than the signature plaid and rainboots. Burberry Prorsum is not all about dressing like Paddington Bear, rather, it captures the edgy British street style in one fierce sweep.

The man responsible for the neon, leather, and spikes this season? He's Christopher Bailey and he's turned the Burberry name upside down from a preppy connotation to classic with an edge (case-in-point: highlighter-colored belts and leather pants with a camel coat).

The tough London girl look wouldn't be complete without a studded leather jacket with some leopard in tow. While last season was definitely geared towards the military and sherpa trends, this season is all about the leather and camel. 

Where I'm from, it seems most people aren't really interested in Burberry unless it's blatantly, obviously Burberry (a plaid scarf, plaid headband, plaid handbag, anything that screams "I'M WEARING BURBERRY! ENVY ME!"). Generally, people are like that when it comes to labels, period. Why buy it if the whole world isn't aware that you're sporting a designer brand? Pity, because as far as slick designs and gorgeous tailoring is concerned, Burberry is really one of the top dogs. Christopher Bailey captures a cool London culture that deserves to be celebrated in every collection. With every piece, he makes me want to travel across the pond even more than I already do. 

Take that, plaid!

photos: style.com

alexander wang spring 2011

An Alexander Wang collection with no black? Say it ain't so. But the reigning king of cool made his collection just that with lots of white, metallics, and a flash of camel. A nod to the heroin chic days of Calvin Klein, the models appeared to have vaseline on their faces and hair slicked back with white paint. No exuberant hair and makeup (well, as far as fashion shows are concerned) or any bold accessories to speak of, Alexander made it all about the clothes and less about the entire aesthetic. 

He's been called the champion of reinventing sportswear and making it more modern. He incorporates an industrial look, almost utilitarian with the clothes donning straps and boots made for serious walking (behold the treaded hiking boots...love, love). His mint green and nude pieces show that Alexander indeed possess knowledge of the rainbow. He just chooses to not always show it, critics be damned. 

If Alexander wanted ethereal downtown Manhattan, he got it. I tend to prefer darkness in my wardrobe, but he proved with this collection that he's capable of going soft while remaining tough. 

photos: style.com

the minimalist

The thing I love most about this "trend" is that it really isn't a trend. As far as looks for fall go, this (along with leopard bags and army jackets) is probably the most bang for your buck AND the most practical.  Minimalist pieces will always have a space in your closet, and with the economy the way it is, stocking up on basics is the way to go. I can promise you, you'll always wear a basic gray or black sweater. 

Minimalist outfitting is quite simple; it can be monochromatic, but it can combine camel and gray (like what Ashley Olsen did) or black and camel, gray and black, or you can even get army green involved too. Yeah, you get it. Freja Beha Erichsen's furry Chanel getup is not textbook-definition minimalist, but it's a sweet ad and she is rocking the all black. The key to getting this right, however, is a camel coat. Every woman should own one, or at least a tan cardigan. It goes with EVERYTHING and looks so classy. You don't have to sink a fortune into it either, which is always a plus. The odds are pretty good that most people already have pieces very similar that can create a fantastic minimalist look; let the closet shopping begin.

Stella McCartney Fall 2010 runway photos (the last 3): style.com

so obsessed with...

Animal print! OY! No duh it's everywhere. I tend to wear it year round, but it seems to be making quite the impression on everyone this fall, especially with shoes and bags. I don't want to beat a dead horse (or a leopard), but I'm crazy for the leopard bags and boots a la my fall accessories part 1 post.

I was combing through some new September issues and found some sweet outfitting and accessories. I had to make some collages, this time with annotation.

xox, Jessica