Leggings done right

Leggings - to some, the arbiter of all that is evil in fashion, to others, comfy loungewear appropriate for a little proud warrior pose, and to still more, a brilliant way to jazz up a distressed denim mini and Uggs (gagging quietly). As much as people may instantly recoil at their mere mention, I really do believe that they can work. However this alleged "working" is delicately hinged upon a few key factors. First, they simply cannot be paired with a legitimate dress or skirt. I pretty much only think they look satisfactory when paired with obscenely short "dresses" and slouchy Olsen-friendly shirts. Why this is, I am not sure, and many will likely disagree. So it lies. Second, their obnoxious factor is downgraded by at least 44% when they are worn with boots, so as to allow them to masquerade as peculiarly thick tights. Thirdly. Some people look ridiculous in Charlotte York-ish curve-hugging, '50s-reminiscent dresses. Some people look ridiculous when in skintight leg-garb. That is all.

1) Here Lily Donaldson dashes about the pages of Vogue in an ensemble that could easily look victim-y, what with the oversized sunnies, slouchy beanie, semi-complicated scarf, white leggings, and ankle boots. But the subdued, color-lacking palette silences the number of accessories and lends more of a hip globetrotter effect. The too-short-for-bare-legs black dress is the perfect simple canvas with which to work and allows the focus to be drawn to the white leggings and extremely desirable ankle boots. A ferocious thumbs up.

2) So Lohan is hardly an admirable figure, especially as of late, and I care infinitely more about her fashion choices than her err lifestyle but I sort of felt personally wronged by her recent appearance in her True Religion distressed jeans which felt dated in 2005. But here we examine a now-vintage photo of Lohan leaving a photo shoot or some such thing. I love her longish metallic open-knit sweater, simple gray underlayer, Lanvin envelope bag, and her sorely-missed brunette locks. Comfy, cute, and hip, in my book. Even though I'm kind of sick of ballet flats in association with leggings and tights, these look cute and not too try-hard. But mostly I just want her bag.

3/4) Of course, my favorite Olsen would nail this look. She keeps everything toned down in gray and black to showcase the silhouette - simple black topper, gray underneath, sunnies (love that touch of neon on the right), and the ever-controversial Balenciaga boots. Love the length of the gray cardi and cropped leather jacket and I would and have definitely concocted outfits of similar proportions.

5) The inclusion of this picture will probably cast me into the pool of don't-listen-to-anything-she-says, ever. But I will forever hold a soft spot for this outfit, as it was one of the first back in '04 or '05 that made me notice Sienna Miller. How I miss the days when I coveted every last thing she wore (seriously, what happened to her style post-Jude?) - anyway, she has my formula right of not too long, not too short top, this one by Matthew Williamson. Love the boho peacock print and though I confess I wouldn't really wear those boots, at all, she looks pretty darn cute, even from the back. Admit it.

To say that Poly has mastered the art of tough-meets-pretty that Lucky magazine has been ramming down our throats for the past two years is almost an understatement. I imagine her closet to be a veritable wonderland of floaty ethereal camis and dresses, rock chic bags complete with studs and chains and interlocking Cs, simple understated jewelry, and perfectly beaten vintage boots. Let us press the matter.

1) Here Natasha (I always want to say this name in my best Katinka Ingabogovinanana voice) dons a floaty white dress that is perhaps vintage and perhaps not. It is simple, languid, and brilliantly offset by a black leather jacket (in hand) and an ink Balenciaga first. Love.

2) In the practical mannequin uniform of backstage freebie McQueen tank, black skinnies, ballet flats, and a large-ish Chanel bag. Slightly obvious, but it looks good. Here I will note how wondrous it is that someone's cheekbones to so closely resemble razor blades.

3/4) Lumped together due to obvious similarities and general laziness. Deftly layering pretty bras and silky camisoles, Natasha goes for summer ease. Equally beautiful bare-faced and smoky-eyed, she exemplifies that over-accessorizers don't always win.

5) In a surprising turn for biker-chic, Poly piles on the leather post-fashion show in Paris, proving that even models seek comfort in the flattering comfort of all-black. Chanel over the knee boots (similar can be found on ebay), Chanel chain strap bag (duh), requisite shrunken leather jacket.

6) This more-daring-than-usual ensemble involves an eclectic mix of sheer leggings/tights, the same Chanel boots, black bra, Chanel bag, and an open weave off the shoulder sweater. Definitely risky but fun, though perhaps more applicable as a fall/winter going-out ensemble.

So it wasn't really my intent to highlight ol' Alba and Olsen exclusively for this feature, but I just found myself dissatisfied with other starlet's execution of this oh-so-nonchalant look. So we will have to only gaze at them for now. Now - the flimsy, somewhat pointless cotton scarf look - ever so Parisian and chic, non? I have been finding myself favoring this look when my outfit lacks that elan we all silently crave.

There are several options to be considered here - swathing the scarf in clever folds around the neck, letting it drape more shawl-like to obscure some or all of your outfit(far left Ashley pic), tucking it around the collar of your Balenciaga blazer, etc etc. Don't worry, Ghesquiere has only thus far graced the handbag section of my closet so far and I am still shocked at even that reality. Then lies another question - mysteriously implied ethnic print, colorful plaid, or subtle solid? Though I love the effortless (yes I said it) look Olsen achieves, Alba definitely wins points for the interesting subtly vivid choice on the far right.

So experiment away - definitely my pick for perfect late-summer transition piece. My advice is to peruse your local thrift store - they always seem to have scarf sections teeming with every print you could imagine. I also picked up a solid white one at Target that I have grown quite attached to. Of course, there is always Urban Outfitters, if you don't quite feel up to having to hunt for your perfect neck-raiment.

Ahh to be gorgeous and proportional and evenly tanned to perfection. Everyone's favorite vaguely cross-eyed vixen, Alessandra, has recently been impressing with her impeccable taste in event garb. Though it is understood that she is likely to look jealousy-inducing in any random smock she might choose, others of similar disposition have proven this theory to not be so steadfast as we might hope (note Heidi Klum's undying love for fringe). So let us laud and analyze exactly what Alessandra has chosen here.

1) I first fell in lust with this smoky gray number in the pages of Allure a couple months ago. I think I even went so far as to tear that particular page out and quickly proceed to lose it in a pile of questionable recyclables. Anyway, I love the Grecian/modern feel it conjures with the asymmetrical drapey pleating and the accompanying corset belt cincher with straps (did I really just say corset belt cincher with straps? Feel free to offer up your own name for the pseudo-harness. Oooh pseudo-harness). Much more pleasing to me than the similar contraption worn by Sienna over a sweater with jeans that sparked so much horror and ridicule earlier this year. The dress is by Dolce & Gabbana (ss07) and can be yours for thousands of dollars, I estimate scientifically.

2) I am pretty much obsessed with long sleeved minidresses. This is inexplicable and, I believe, not a sentiment shared by many. This one definitely compensates for it's sleeved-ness (hehe) with a plunging deep neckline in addition to the sexual hemline. I will fully recognize that this would probably be unacceptably hideous on anyone else but Alessandra makes it work so well that I had to include it. Oh, let us also here note that she is wearing the same Loubs that she is wearing in Image 1 - how plebeian! Dress, Gucci, fw06.

3) I am a sucker for pretty much anything white and inappropriately short. I have amassed such an arsenal of LWDs this summer that I could outfit a semi-large army of virginal harlots. Scary I know. But, let me say, that of all of A.A.'s above choices, this one is the most personally exciting due to the fact that I purchased it before I even saw her out-height me in it! During a post-Thai food stroll in La Jolla with the boyf, I fell in love from the street and simply had to have it. So many details on this one to make it covet-worthy, from the frothy bubble hem to the metal hook & eye closures at the bust to the subtly frilly sleeves and the semi-hidden spaghetti straps. Sigh. Probably one of my favorite purchases this year, it is now sold out and you will hate me if you suffer from a similarly sick LWD fetish. Armani Exchange, $129.

Note: I do not wear mine with CL fishnet pumps but probably would if I had the funds to spend frivolously and an event to attend where looking tarty would entertain me.

4) Slinky Versace-ness in all it's cleverly draped glory. This semi-putrid hue looks simply ravishing on our girl. Less tawny folk would probably not fare so well, I am thinking. I normally shy away from the scary Miami meets Milan nature of Donatella's work but this dress is executed flawlessly. The bustier doesn't look uncomfortable or awkward, the folds of fabric flowing down from the center to the sides and hemm look almost liquidy, and I love that she chose to go bracelet and necklace-free to really let all attention focus on the dress itself. I know, as if it wouldn't anyway, but still. Dress, Versace, a lot of money.



AddMe - Search Engine Optimization