Recently in Jackets Category

Left: Elie Tahari; Right: Emilio Pucci, photos from Vogue.UK

Hotel pools are for lounging, no adults actually go swimming in there and certainly not female adults with full hair and make up done. I just booked a hotel that has a lap pool that is barely deep enough to do water aerobics in. But the cushiony loungers, cabanas and pool bar are fantastic!! That's where this trend comes in. Who cares that it isn't hot enough to swim? And it really doesn't make a difference that you are wearing something that cannot get wet. Kaftans and coverups are for the townies, the chic pool loungers this season will be wearing blazers. OK, I stop at the leather jacket, but I love the idea of wearing street clothes at the pool. I can almost skip the gym! But I won't =) The runway showed black blazers and leather but come on, let's be honest, isn't white much more realistic? The Elie Tahari Gladys Boyfriend Jacket at Neiman Marcus for $448, perfect with the Pucci Bandeau print swimsuit, at Net-a-Porter for $625.

I'm all about the shift dress with a shrunken sweater or leather jacket.  Years of living in LA where temps are freezing in the morning and scorching by noon has taught me to layer and I have collected dozens of tiny cardigans and leather jackets (I buy children's size leather bombers because you want it to be shrunken enough to see your cute little dresses!).  Like this dress from AKA New York, I love the sweet black lace trimmed in naughty hot pink.  Top it off with a tough girl chic leather bomber and you're ready for anything!  And you don't have to go black, DOMA leather jacket in cement is fabulous for the warmer season (also in black), at $620 it's a good investment cuz in the winter it will look smashing with a cream cashmere turtleneck!  Doma Washed leather jacketat Net-a-porter.com.  
AKA New York Batik Dress $298, Alice + Olivia Sleeveless Striped Crew Neck Dress $176. I'm also obsessed with this Candela Leather Bomber Jacket in luggage brown for $495

I was the Emcee for a Fashion for a Passion runway show, benefiting a worthy cause (Asian Orphanages!) a couple of weeks ago and discovered many talented young designers at the event (one was 17 years old and could not sell me any of her clothes because she had a talent show coming up-- how cute!). I will feature each of them on the site throughout the month so you can get to know the names and work of tomorrow's stars in fashion. First up is Khanh Nguyen-- Born in an artistic family, Khanh Nguyen grew up in Dallas surrounded by Fashion and Art. In 2008, Khanh took home numerous fashion design awards including Top Achievement Award for Fashion Group International of Dallas Career Day Design Competition, 1st PLACE for Best of Show of FGI of Houston Career Day Design Competition and Most Creative Designer Award at the UNT ArtWear Fashion Design Competition. While living in Paris in 2008, Nguyen was trained intensively by world leading fashion professionals such as Nina Ricci, Jean Paul Gaultier and Anne Valerie Hash.

Khanh told me she spent a month and a half at Nina Ricci just learning haute couture stitching!  I ended up bidding on a Khanh Nguyen dress that evening, a fabulous one shouldered dress in barbie pink that I am obsessed with. I wore it to the Heroes and Handbags luncheon last Friday and had fun flitting about like tinkerbell. My guests at the luncheon included Kristie Ramirez, Fashion Director of Texas Monthly, Stephanie Quadri, Style Director of D magazine and our own Couture Snob Heidi. To see more of Khanh's creations, click here. Email her to find out how to get your hands on one of her custom made dresses.  Jump to see me in a dress by Khanh!

I've been slowly acquiring pieces from The Row each season; they transition effortlessly through the next seasons so you'll actually keep and wear them over and over! MK and Ashley's line contains basics that we all need and love pulling on without thought. How easy is it to get dressed when you've got the perfect V neck shirt ($550) to throw on with a pair of slim pants ($590) and a tiny little leather jacket ($2,750)!?!? I want to live in this uniform this spring! I'll rock it with flats for day (yes, I'm slowly giving in to the flats, ballet or gladiator) and towering heels for night. This is a simple look you can take anywhere. At Barneys New York stores and online here.

What do you think?

Smart shopping for the season will help you save money and time. I'd start with shopping in your own closet first. If you can find favorite pieces that will work again, why not pull them out?
1. Short Sleeve Jackets- We all have a short sleeve jacket in our closets, this is not a new trend but a timeless shape that returns every few season.  If you don't, check out Saks for a great selection.

2. Aggressive Shoes- Black, embellished, geometric.  Think dominatrix.  Win a fabulous pair of wedges from Joie at The Shoe Goddess site!

3. Oversize Jewelry- The bolder the better when it comes to jewels this season.  Pull out the bling and let it rock.  Check out the fabulous selections at Net-a-porter.com here!

4. Relaxed Cropped pants- This is an easy look to pull off for all body types.  Even your boyfriend's pants rolled up will work but I love this pair of Mara Hoffman Silk Cropped Pants .

5. Slouchy Bag- Hobos are back and there are many styles and colors to choose from.  I like a bright color for the summer-- check Bag Snob for the latest hobo bags!

6. Romantic Blouse- Will top off a pair of jeans or slouchy cropped pants beautifully.  There are many to choose from including this gorgeous Elizabeth and James Tokyo Top .

7. Brighter Lips- If nothing else, buy a bright lip gloss to update your look!  YSL Pur gloss has many great shades for the season.

Alexander McQueen is the latest designer to do a Target's collection. This line is inspired by the band The Duke Spirit - my brother in law is their manager so he showed me the line before it hits the stores. The studded denim jacket totally rocks! It has a 80's feel which is so in the now.. again. Remember those asymmetrical zipped collars and acid washed denim? Well don't be scared, this is updated, the fit is not so triangular and the wash is not so acid-y. And over a girly dress with a studded belt, it is very chic. Yes, we are going to do the denim jacket over everything...again!! How did we think that boxy Levi's cut jacket was perfect for absolutely everything in the 90's? You seriously could not leave home without it!! The McQueen line will hit Target on March 4th. The tattoo print strapless dress with belt is $79.99 and studded denim jacket 59.99.

If you recall, I purchased this cute little leopard cropped jacket at the beginning of the season (yes, am kicking myself for not waiting 2 weeks later when it made it to 50% off and let's not even mention that it's now 75% off).  Anyhoo, I've worn mine often so it was worth it at full price; the vintage style jacket is adorable with jeans and I'd been looking for more ways to wear it when I was sent this photo by a stylist.  How fun is this little outfit!?!?

Leighton Meester is beyond cute as Blair (but this is not Blair-- my mistake! It's Lexie), and I couldn't be happier to see her in my jacket. Now I have to confess I own a pair of purple tights myself and love wearing it with my black or gray dresses/skirts but never thought of pairing it with leopard (which is a neutral).  Love how they style her for the show!

However, I doubt I can carry this off because A.) I'm not 22 and B.) I don't have those legs! But you certainly can if you are one of the above.

What Comes Around Goes Around Garbo Faux Leopard Jacket was $495 now $148

Images from people.com

With the weather fluctuating from warm to cold and back to warm it's little surprise that we're seeing bomber jackets all over the place! My fave bombers are gray or black leather and Theory made a fab one this year that I bought in gray. It has silver accents and the leather is wonderfully light and supple. My only complaint is that the sleeves only hit my wrists! Though people must like shorter sleeves because it seems that every year more and more outerwear pieces have short sleeves. Personally I've always liked the extra long -- a la old-school Norma Kamali -- sleeves.

What about you -- Leather? Nylon? Short sleeves? Long? Let us know how you like your bomber jackets!

Just a little bit ago I was saying that I hoped that the sequin trend wouldn't catch-on when it came to celeb evening wear. Well, the day after I said that I stumbled across Marc by Marc Jacobs' Etta sequin cardigan ($500) and I'm in love:) Though it's definitely way out there and has to be worn with confidence to work. Actually, the first and as of yet only time I went out wearing this Marc by Marc Jacobs number a guy came-up to me and asked me if I was channeling Michael Jackson!!! I don't know if it was meant as a complement or insult, but I was happy sporting it either way:)

I learned a very important lesson from a woman in her '60s last Spring. I was on my way to NYC to film with Diane von Furstenberg and was seated next to this woman at a dinner the night before and when I told her of my trip her face lit up and she said "my first designer dress was DVF, I'd just given birth and I drove into the city from Connecticut and bought a wrap dress at a small boutique on 5th Ave. It was the most forgiving and fabulous dress a new mother could hope for." Then her face fell and she said, "the biggest mistake I ever made was giving that dress away. Don't ever give up your DVF!"

And you know what? I won't. I cleaned out my closet this month and gave away everything I haven't worn in a year, except my DVF pieces. First of all, I still wear my DVF, they're staples in my closet that I pull out time and again, layer with tights or sweaters depending on season and feel good in all the time. Not only do I keep my DVF, I add to it each season. The Petite Valise Collection for Resort 2009 is a combination of signature prints, easy layering, travel friendly fabrics and feminine silhouettes. Check out the line at DVF.com or call the Melrose store, they'll send you whatever your heart desires! 323.951.1947 and ask for Cat!