July 21st, 2011
Emma Stones’ appearance at the Friends With Benefits NYC premiere has been met with mixed reviews. Her Giambattista Valli red and pink color clash dress is either loved or loathed! I read one particular review that lambasted the actresses’ high fashion choice and accused her of having no right to wear a dress that was designed only for 6ft models! Yes, the dresses’ structure is somewhat unconventional and I can understand that the folded fabric adornments that rest on her hips could make some fashion fans nervous but I think Emma wears it exceptionally well. The nude Louboutins tone the outfit down somewhat and I applaud Stone and her stylist for not playing it safe on the red carpet. Bravo!
July 18th, 2011
Can you believe that Chloe Moretz, seen above at the Veuve Clicquot polo event in Sussex this weekend, is only 14 years old. Yes you read it correctly, 14. I can not deny that her monochrome look is spot on trend and wowed the polo crowd, but I can’t help feeling uncomfortable with the fact that Miss Moretzs’ grown up and stylish appearance belies her age to such an extreme. Her choice of Giambattista Valli pleated cropped pants, tight cream tank, straw boater and nude heels may have been better suited to a women in her 20′s and early 30′s than a girl of 14. That being said, Chloe clearly is a clothes horse in training and I look forward to seeing her sartorial choices in the future!
July 12th, 2011
In LA there is rarely a day that goes by that sunglasses are not required and for the last four or so years I have worn nothing but Ray Bans. I own the classic gold rimmed aviator, a vintage tortoiseshell Wayfarer (thanks Mum) and a black modern mid size Wayfarer. But I must confess, as much as I love these old faithfuls I am getting a little tired of them. Only the other day I was chatting to a fashion photographer friend of mine who has irritatingly exquisite taste, and he brazenly declared ‘Ray Bans are over, we need to find something new’. And he was right. After years of wearing unisex Ray Bans I am craving a more feminine silhouette, and one in particular is the cat eye (see above on New York fashion maven Olivia Palermo). Prada kick started the rejuvenation of the cat eye trend and I for one am embracing them wholeheartedly. There is something very flattering about the upturned angle of the cat eye shape, its uplifting, rather like an immediate mini facelift via sunglasses wearing! Who wouldn’t want that!? Find at www.netaporter.com
July 10th, 2011
Now its no secret I love a bit of leopard print but I always insist that when incorporating this trend into your look the key is ‘less is more’. I absolutely LOVE these Steve Madden loafers which are a real steal at $119, http://www.stevemadden.com These shoes are surprisingly versatile and can be worn during the day with a white tee and denim high rise shorts or at night with your LBD and Chanel black quilted 2.55. Whatever you wear with the loafers just keep it really simple and devoid of fuss, the shoes provide more than enough personality! Ah Parisian chic at its finest, J’adore! xo
July 3rd, 2011
2011 will be forever known for its grandiose weddings, so far we have Catherine and Wills, Lily Allen and Sam Cooper, Charlene and Prince Albert, and now, to add a bit of rock and roll and edge to the wedding line up, Kate Moss and Jamie Hince. I loved Kate’s Galliano dress, it was both ethereal and whimsical in just the right amounts. Its beading and bias cut gave Kate’s appearance a timeless quality; this dress will never date! The flower girls and bridesmaids looked so sweet and pretty in their Stella McCartney chiffon dresses, ballet flats and fresh flower headdresses. I approve of the cut of Hince’s YSL suit but the color just doesn’t do it for me and doesn’t look right with the ivory and gold shades of Kate’s dress…what do you think?
July 1st, 2011
When I walked into a garden party this weekend, I set eyes on my friend Eugene and his outfit took my breath away! Polished, colorful and oh so chic, I ran up to him and demanded that I be allowed to take his photograph, graciously he agreed! Here are his outfits credits; Brooks Bros pants, Martin Margiela shirt, vintage Saks Fifth Ave blazer, vintage cotton scarf, Gucci Loafers, Tom Ford sunglasses, J Press belt, $20 hat from a kiosk (I love this man!!) and last but certainly not least Annik Goutal cologne. Divine.
June 27th, 2011
I hate looking like I have tried to hard when dressing up for the evening, there is nothing worse than feeling over done and too formal; it feels aging and old fashioned. I always admire Alexa Chung and Kate Bosworth’s relaxed approach to beauty and swoon over their red carpet moments which tend to include lusted after designer dresses offset with natural, almost scruffy hair. One hairstyle that I am particularly loving right now and sporting regularly is the top knot. Playful, youthful and fun (see above on Aussie super Jess Hart) the top knot will give you that burst of fun to your night time look. It is so easy to achieve, all you need is a hair bobble (dear US readers, that’s a hair tie!) and some dry shampoo. Spray hair with said dry shampoo, pull hair up high onto head, twist into a bun and wrap hair bobble around bun. Done. xo
June 20th, 2011
When hosting a small dinner at my apartment in LA with my dear girlfriends last week, I announced to them that I had found the perfect horizontally striped dress to flatter all figures. I was met with a chorus of ‘Yeah right I’ll believe that when I see it’ and ‘Clare! That is just not possible!’ Spurred on by their collective animosity (and a couple of glasses of Prosecco!) I set us a challenge; we were all to try on said dress with the same shoes, bag and accessories and pose for a pic to see if my statement was true. See results above! We are a mish mash of different body types, long legged, short legged, big chested, large chested and I think the dress works on all of us! Its lightly corseted waist and tulip skirt creates an hourglass effect on all of our figures whether we have that womanly shape or not! What do you think? If you like the dress you can find at Zara (surprise surprise!) for only $129. Hurry before they sell out.
June 17th, 2011
My previous post on the LWD got me thinking about another look that is becoming a classic look that I also recently acquired, the white pant suit. Lauren Hutton, Bianca Jagger and more recently Camilla Belle and Leelee Sobieski have all sported the white pant suit. Like I mentioned in regards to the LWD, white is universally flattering and looks so current, fresh and chic in the spring/summer. Make sure your suit fits you perfectly, I recently came across a fab double breasted suit at Zara (yes I’m obsessed with the Spanish store at the moment!) and just to give it that higher end look I dragged it to my alterations lady for a little nip and tuck. My darling suit’s facelift was hugely successful and I wear my high street number as proudly as if it were Stella McCartney! Run to Zara before it sells out! x
June 15th, 2011
Hi chaps! Yes it is that time of year again, when you receive that invite in the mail, the invite that gets your fashion nerves racing; its wedding season! Have no fear as I am here! I suggest that if you are attending a summer wedding go for a lighter suit. Stick to a lightweight (preferably Italian) cotton suit in light grey, seersucker or khaki. It is imperative that the suit is a slim cut and has no more than two buttons. Go for a neutral tie and shirt (if nervous stick to white or blue tones) and for a little excitement you can add a vest, tie clip and pocket square (see above photo for styling guidance). If whipping your jacket off later in the day roll up your sleeves to show off your manly arms and laissez faire attitude! Find the suits, shirts et al in the pics above at www.jcrew.com If you have any questions you can ask me anything in the ‘ASK CLARE’ section on this very website, well almost anything! x
