Summer Fashion

La Rentrée | The Season of the Fresh Start

Anyone else getting major First Wives Club vibes from this tenue blanche?

Anyone else getting major First Wives Club vibes from this tenue blanche?

There’s something magical about the transition from summer into fall.

It’s a time of fresh starts and new beginnings. It’s symbolic of a new school year, and for me personally, it’s literally the beginning of a new year on the calendar. As you may know, my birthday falls during the last week of August, which is always the week when something in the wind shifts, ever so slightly. It’s still summertime and the end-of-season pool parties are in full swing, but in my world, it’s always marked an intangible turning of the page. These first few weeks of September set the shift into motion, culminating with the first day of l’automne, which officially begins today. In France, this transitional period is called la rentrée.

As we’ve discussed before, the month of August is synonymous with vacation in France. Restaurants and boutiques temporarily shutter for weeks at a time, city dwellers make a bee-line for the countryside and the beach, public transit slows to a drip, and everyone—from shopkeepers to government officials—essentially closes up shop, leaving each other with the cheerful phrase, “À la rentree!”

Meaning, See you in September!

"Bonnes vacances!”

"Bonnes vacances!”

“À la rentrée!”

“À la rentrée!”

As the excitement of summer vacances gives way to the back to school (and back to work) mentality, some feel the post-holiday blues, and some feel invigorated—happy to return to normalcy and ready to begin a new chapter.

Although Europe and America (and most of the world) celebrate the official New Year on January first, I personally never feel a perceptible change when the clock strikes midnight, because the middle of winter never feels like the time for newness—it’s something about the first breeze of coolness in the air, the first few leaves to jump ship from their branches. It’s buying school supplies, shopping for sweaters, and that first whiff of cinnamon and pumpkin spice.

Many cultures and religions, like Judaism, celebrate the New Year during this period—Shanah Tovah to our Jewish amis—and of course, the fashion world celebrates the illustrious release of the September issue—magazine speak for the editorial debut of fall fashion—when beloved designers and couturiers unveil their seasonal Fall/Winter collections and campaigns. It’s the month of Fashion Week—NYFW is underway, and PFW starts today.

As a former fashion editor for NBC, lifestyle writer, and editorial devotee, this period thrills me, and as someone who prefers to look forward, not backwards, I love shifting focus from warm weather holidays to the preparation of the cozy winter ones. I don’t typically mourn seasons, because, as my maman likes to say, there’ll be another one next year. Which is just a more positive way of saying, we’re captive on a carousel of time. Merci, Joni Mitchell.

The concept of the summer holiday is actually rooted in agricultural history, dating back to the year 1231—believe it or not—when Pope Gregory IX closed universities for a month each summer so that students could return home to help their families prepare the crops for the fall harvest. While many Americans tend to think of France and Paris as one and the same, there is a deeply rooted history and tradition in the large rural swaths of the country, known as la campagne, and France is nothing if not deeply devoted to its honoring its people and upholding its traditions.

In celebration of this time of rebirth, if you will, I’ve decided to pay my respects in a symbolic white suit—all Zara, all the time—with a crop for a timely and trendy twist. It’s a perfect transitional ensemble—a sort of “in memoriam” to bid farewell to warmer days, which, at least in Southern California, will still be hanging around for a while—and a first step towards the annual re-introduction of long pants and blazers into the fall wardrobe.

Bienvenue, l’Automne and Happy Pumpkin Spice season to my chic Américanes—which, let’s be honest, is well on its way to becoming an official holiday.

Selfie Shade Match - trèStiQue
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Le Chapeau | The Vacation Essential for the Non-Vacation

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The first few weeks of August are typically reserved for les vacances in France— and sometimes even the entire month.

As the Parisians and city dwellers form a mass exodus from the bustle of urban living, fleeing to the countryside provinces for long, wine-soaked visits with family or to sun themselves along the Côte d’Azur, it’s not uncommon to walk around big cities and small towns alike, only to find shops and restaurants temporarily shuttered, with a mere hand-written note in the window announcing a reopening date. In fact, once while visiting my maman at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, we took the train to Lyon for a mid-August day trip, only to end up eating in the same American-themed burger place twice in the same day, because all of the culinary destinations on our list were sadly closed.

All that to say, when it comes to dressing for a vacation-less vacation—as is the case this year for most of us homebound Chic Americans—there’s nothing quite like lounging around in a Panama hat to make one feel like the most seasoned of vacationers abroad.

Sturdier than your typical floppy beach hat, but with a wider brim than its cousin the fedora—which was the headwear accessory of choice several years ago—it’s the perfect hybrid, pulling double duty as a sun protectant and summer outfit topper. Would you believe that I got this one from Amazon? (Of course you would, because what can’t you find on Amazon?)

Bonnes vacances—whether you’re jetting somewhere local this weekend, or just taking one of those mind travels we’ve all become accustomed to imagining since Covid arrived. I know I’m ready to hop on an international flight as soon as one will have me!

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Le Costume | The Renaissance of The Suit

My feminine spin on le costume—known in English as “the suit.”

My feminine spin on le costume—known in English as “the suit.”

There’s a French expression to describe daily life as a modern day Parisian—not the kind from our fantasies that strolls down the boulevards, impeccably dressed, baguette under one arm, with seemingly no place to be; although that way of life does exist and I’m all for perpetuating the stereotype.

Anyway, the expression is: “Métro, Boulot, Do-do” which essentially translates to “Subway, Work, Sleep,” —but in a cute rhyme. Surprisingly (or maybe not, depending on how familiar you are with French social norms) the day-to-day reality of many a Parisian (and Parisienne, of course) is markedly similar to that of a New Yorker, or really any modern urbanite—at times mundane and redundant, and often dominated by career obligations.

Le Costume | The Renaissance of The Suit

Up until recently, dressing for work (in any city) also fell into the category of mundane and redundant, and certainly has also been shaped by decades of long-standing dress codes, peer influence, and office obligations. Take the standard ladies’ suit—known to francophones as le costume. Typically comprised of a blazer and slacks combination, this workwear staple was introduced practically as soon as women began to enter the workforce and climb the corporate ladder, and has barely deviated in terms of office-appropriate styles and colors since then—with perhaps the exception of shoulder pads in the 1980s.

But the suit is experiencing a bit of a renaissance at the moment, and I’m here for it. Deconstructing the ubiquitous tailored suit of decades past, with its fitted jacket and matching mid-rise slacks, has spawned a variety of styles and combinations, proving that these two-piece ensembles can be fun to wear after all. By playing with proportions, the slouchy, oversized, Miami Vice versions can stand alongside the extra-long jacket and matching cropped pant look. And we haven’t even talked about camisoles yet!

This oyster-toned set from BooHoo (above) is a prime example of the way that a suit can actually become—dare I say—sexy?

With its neutral color and large gold accent buttons, it’s is a perfect canvas to showcase a subtle hint of body underneath. While we puritanical Americans tend to frown upon such displays at the office, Parisiennes acknowledge that they’re in fact female, and no one seems to mind when that point is (subtly) illustrated. Therefore, a lacy bodysuit—a true Parisienne considers lacy lingerie to be a wardrobe staple—when worn tastefully—a true Parisienne is always tasteful—can create the perfect juxtaposition to a neutral ensemble.

However, if your chosen profession practically guarantees that a boss or colleague’s head will turn for the wrong reasons (get with the times, people) it’s always an option to hide it under a satin camisole during work hours and save the lacy reveal for friends over Happy Hour.

Click here to shop.

Le Costume | The Renaissance of The Suit

L'Anniversaire | Birthday Wishes for 2020

L’ensemble & accessories by JLux the Label.

L’ensemble & accessories by JLux the Label.

Birthdays are looking a little bit different this year.

Small gatherings may be la mode these days—out of necessity—but they also allow us the space and intimacy to focus on what’s most important.

I’ll be hosting a small pique-nique—yes, the French word for picnic is literally the same as the American word, but with a Pepe LePew French accent—on the beach tonight with some close friends. Making wishes, counting blessings, visualizing dreams, and setting goals for a year ahead that’s overflowing with amour, bonheur, prosperity, good health, compassion, personal fulfillment, partnership, travel, and abundance. Not just for me, but for all of us.

Bon lundi à vous, et joyeux anniversaire a moi!

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Selfie Shade Match - trèStiQue

Dimanche | Another Cozy Sunday in BooHoo

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Another Sunday during these strange summer days of semi-quarantine can only mean one thing: more cozy loungewear is a must. In fact, one could make the argument that comfy loungewear sets have become an unofficial essential item these days, along with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. By being forced to spend so much time at home, buying them is practically a government order. At least that’s what I tell myself each time I type in my credit card info. Too far?

This fuzzy knit co-ord set from BooHoo, one of the UK’s fast fashion favorites, with its slouchy off-the-shoulder style and high-waist shorts is like wearing a throw blanket that’s been strategically altered to showcase the highlight reel that is your body’s best features.

Click here to shop.

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Bienvenue to the Non-Summer Summer

Bienvenue to the Non-Summer Summer: Dissh boutique off-the-shoulder petite robe blanche

Bienvenue to the Non-Summer Summer

While some realists probably had a sense that Summer 2020 would look vastly different than usual, many hopefuls (myself included) were optimistic back in the early days of the Covid scramble that a few weeks of lockdown would do the trick, and we’d be back to our regularly scheduled programming by early summer. It seemed like a piece of cake to spend a few weeks, well, eating cake and other comfort snacks—because what else was there to do, really?—as well as carve out some dedicated time to online shopping.

With all the theoretical money we’d be saving by staying inside for a few weeks—ha!—it seemed like the perfect time to get our summer wardrobes in order. Packages would be delivered, clothes properly hung on wooden hangers, and on display in our well-organized and Marie Kondo-approved closets, with plenty of time to color coordinate our shelves and lose said cake weight by the time the gyms, pilates classes, and (for me) dance studios, reopened again.

Alas, here we are, officially into July, and in Los Angeles, back to semi-lock down after a two-week reopening tease. However, packages were in fact delivered (a little delayed, but hey), clothes were hung (albeit sometimes just flung over a chair) and the summer wardrobe did have time to develop, even with no place to wear any of it.

Dissh Boutique

I recently discovered Dissh boutique, an Australian brand that has quickly become one of my favorites—Aussies seriously know what they’re doing when it comes to summer style—with its mid-level pricing and fabrics that feel good on the skin.

This stunning, off-the-shoulder petite robe blanche surprised me with its beautiful, airy movement, despite a rich and heavy linen texture and midi length. I wandered around the deserted Landmark theater marquee in Westwood, feeling like a nostalgic screen goddess, pondering the bizarre ambiance that is summer in Los Angeles this year.

Let’s also not forget the vintage Dior baguette I scored from one of my all time favorite discoveries of the year, She’s Parisian. Curated by Zoe March, a young British Francophile with an impeccable eye for aesthetics, the collection is an array of antique and vintage findings— think everything from retro pearls and china teacups to jeweled hair combs and and vintage designer perfume bottles— styled in the most luxurious and lust-worthy ways. When I saw this sleek semi clutch (it has a thin strap for a handle, but feels better tucked under an elbow) with its signature D logo dangling in pearl, I knew it had to be mine. See below for details x

Dissh Boutique
@dissh

She’s Parisian
@shesparisian

vintage Dior baguette
Dissh boutique off-shoulder dress

Le Marque | Like a FRNCH Girl

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What is it about a polka-dot pattern that can render any dress, blouse, or otherwise, so instantly chic? It’s just one of those iconic looks, like a monogrammed logo or pearl detailing, that can turn anything it graces into a classic.

Enter the Adonie dress (above) from my new favorite Parisian brand, FRNCH. No, that’s not a typo. This insta-chic collection is so inherently and authentically French that it doesn’t even need the E to prove it.

“Dedicated to a city that embraces elegance and simplicity, FRNCH's ready-to-wear concept also boldly merges the feminine look with the masculine,” the brand’s mission statement explains. “The result is an audacious expression of Parisian style, culture and way of being.”

With a flagship location in the third arrondissement of Paris, the whole luxurious collection is now available to les américaines via FRNCH US.

Shop the Spring/Summer 2020 collection here.

FRNCH
@frnch_us