"that's quacktastic"

There's something about duck boots that charm the crap out of me. They're impossibly preppy and some are just so ugly they're damn near adorable, but I am intrigued. I first fell in love with them at the beginning of fall when Tommy Hilfiger put them in his collection. I fell in love yet again when I saw these at an LL Bean store in Maine. They were not quite as stylish and without a heel, but rugged and cute nonetheless. Kicking myself, still, for not buying them!

Tommy Hilfiger puts a cute twist on duck boots.

(Duck) boots with the fur... Joan of Arctic Boot

Classic Bass boot. Can't go wrong.

Another Sorel beauty.

Wallet-friendly courtesy of Target!

The words "sassy" and "duck" aren't together enough in the same sentence, as far as I'm concerned. I mean, these babies just need some black tights, a chunky sweater, statement necklace, and voila! Pick your poison to make these unconventionally stylish.

Oh, Chanel Iman, you read my mind. (Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2010)

Preppy meets edgy with liquid leggings. Nice one, Olivia Palermo!

I don't know who she is, but she looks super cute! 

instant hotness

There is a new magical item in stores right now. It has the power to transform the dumpiest, frumpiest outfit into a chic masterpiece. It is the fur trapper hat, and it can make you the most stylish person in the room.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Monster Fur Hat, $278

Let's say for whatever reason you decided to wear your Victoria's Secret sweatpants today and an old t-shirt. No problem. Slap on one of these babies, and voila! You're good to go. Just don't let anyone see the PINK (written in blue? WTF?) on your butt.

Staring at Stars Trapper Hat, $38

Faux Fur Hat, $10.80

Model Lily Donaldson wears her fur hat boldly

Rumi Neely of Fashiontoast.com

Alone, Rumi's outfit is cute. But with the help of her sexy hat, it's suddenly amazing and makes me want to know more about her. Imagine how hot Elmer Fudd would've been with a hat from Urban Outfitters instead of the one he usually wore.

xox
Jessi Lou

foxy lady

The clever, danger-seeking creatures are no longer confined to the woodland areas. They're in your favorite stores. While fur (namely fox) might be in for fall, actual fox-semblance knits and prints are the big accessories. Bonus: they're safe for your wallet and animal rights friendly.

Shrewd Stitches Stole, $238

This might be the cutest thing I've ever seen. At first I was torn...is it kind of wrong? It is, after all, supposed to resemble the real fox stoles that had the tail and head intact. But I've come to love it and think it's pretty hilarious and freaking adorable. Very pricy, however! Good thing the holidays are just around the corner.

Foxy Tights, $28

These, however, I was able to buy! Also from Anthropologie, I fell in love instantly. Not only are the colors amazing and will go with everything, they're little foxes! I will probably wear these with a mustard skirt. And since they're sweater tights, they will keep you warm this fall and winter. 

Cooperative Earflap Hat, $34

We got these in at Urban late last month and it's been virtually impossible to keep them in stock. With the different animals available, the fox with his gold button eyes was definitely the cutest. 

And here he is: the most dapper of canids, Mr. Fox. Ahem, the Fantastic Mr. Fox that is. The ultimate style icon of the Roald Dahl books, Mr. Fox was never without his button-down shirts and ties and his corduroy blazers. 

xox

Jessi Lou

so this is nebraska

No, Nebraska poet laureate Ted Kooser probably didn't have Samantha Gradoville specifically in mind when he wrote about gravel roads and tractors in the aforementioned poem. But like Kooser, I'm extremely proud to say that the new, up-and-coming model is from my hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. She's been in countless spring 2011 shows such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Miu Miu just to name a few. Oh, and her dad is my dentist. Life is weird, isn't it?

I was absolutely tickled to see Sam in an editorial spread in the October issue of Harper's Bazaar a few weeks ago. Wearing Dior, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Dolce and Gabbana, Burberry Prorsum, and Chloé, she is single-handedly fulfilling my sartorial dream. And how about those eyebrows? She reminds me of an old movie star or Camilla Belle. Yes, indeedy, she's going to be a big star. Who says Nebraska is just cornfields and farms? Well, besides Ted Kooser.

stam

Jessica and designer Rachel Roy will be collaborating on a new line. Two of the above photos are a preview of said line (the army jacket photo is an Aldo ad).  With these two names attached, it's sure to be amazing. 

OH! By the way...


Marc Jacobs and Anna Wintour were on Jimmy Fallon last night to promote Fashion's Night Out. Check it out!

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

2010 emmy awards

I don't know how much authority I have to post this (I didn't even watch the show...oops), but nevertheless, I still pay attention to the dresses.

What would Steve Urkel say to Christina Hendricks? "WHOA, MAMA!" That's pretty much what I think whenever I see her. She is the woman, I believe, who is responsible for so much of the new collections embracing curvy ladies with open arms. Louis Vuitton fall 2010 was very 'Mad Men' inspired complete with busty models. I say, thank you!

That being said, I love this Zac Posen dress on her. The color suits her gorgeous porcelain skin and red hair. She always has such a look of confidence, like "I know I'm super-duper-crazy sexy!" I hope this body type starts to get more praise and exposure.  Suck it, Jennifer Aniston.

How cute. They just got married. Love the Alexander McQueen dress...on Karlie Kloss. Not so much on Anna Paquin. It makes her look even shorter than she probably is. I admire her for being so daring and paying a tribute to the late genius designer. It's definitely cooler than most of the typical red carpet gowns.

I think this dress was probably my favorite. It's so beautiful. Claire Danes pulls this off so well, and she just shimmers like a sugar plum fairy. This Armani Privé gown is simple and stunning, and she didn't even have to go ape shit with accessories.

Bravo, ladies!

photos: style.com

fall accessories, part 1

(Top left to right): Celíne leopard lady bag, Balmain ankle boots. (Middle left to right): Chanel faux fur bag, Deena and Ozzy pony hair satchels, Chanel tweed and fur boot clogs. (Bottom left to right): Manolo Blahnik zebra kitten heels, Chanel tweed and fur chain bag. 

Tweeds, animal prints, furs, OH MY! Not so groundbreaking for fall, I agree, but it is the greatest season of all, and I love making collages that are fall-focused. Plus, I have been lusting after that leopard Celíne bag for FOREVER! Notice how the clogs are morphing into boots? Me too. They're really wonderful.

It's very comforting to know that the classics are always here to stay. They stand the test of time for a reason. But the ways in which people renew and reuse is always fresh and fascinating. 

pre-fall inspiration 2010

(Top Left to Right): Urban Outfitters Pre-Fall 2010 Catalog, Olivia Palermo, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Michelle Williams, Olivia Palermo. (Bottom Left to Right): Leigh Lezark for DKNY Fall 2010, Alessandria Ambrosio, Alexa Chung. 

Since military surplus is such a huge push for fall, I thought I'd showcase the different ways in which this look can be achieved. It has the power to toughen any look and, as you can see, pretty much anybody can do this. Leigh Lezark (who is the new face of DKNY -- YAY!!) offers her icy-cool stare with a zip-up army dress and matching scarf.  

Olivia glams her jacket up with a fur vest, while our Urban model prefers a fur-trimmed field jacket with preppy knee socks and heritage boots. Yes, Olivia is on here twice. Yes, she is annoying on 'The City.' Ugh, yes, I watch the show sometimes. But I do love how she belts the jacket. Alessandria's skinny cargo pants are a more subtle take on the trend. No real work required, and they go nicely with probably anything you have.  

I need Photoshop really bad.

xox, Jessica

the most wonderful time of the year.

My own personal Christmas, fall, the greatest of all the seasons. And like the best holiday gift you could ever receive from any relative, so is the September issue of Vogue for me.

Pretty decent cover. I love Halle Berry's Louise Brooks bob. However, the highlight for me was Lara Stone's editorial:

She takes my breath away everytime. Someone once described Lara Stone as Grace Kelly meets Sandra Bernhard. That stuck with me, because it's so spot on. She's has such a classic beauty, but she also has strong, strange features and imperfections that make her interesting.

My second favorite was Karlie Kloss. She's come a long way from the Teen Vogue shoots she's usually known for. Glad to see her as a bonafide supermodel.

She's great when she's not all smiley and shit. I'm impressed, Karlie! I'd be even more impressed if you could score that Chanel backpack for me.

The tweeds! The sweaters! The dark lipstick! The capes! I cannot wait for fall to truly begin.

xox, Jessica


photos: fashiongonerogue.com