Style Inspired by Shirley Maclaine in ‘Gambit’

1. Scarab Pendant Earrings $224 at NoirJewelry.com
2. 5 Color Harmony for Eyes – 13 Candy by YSL $56 at Sephora.com
3. Black and Gold Suede Platform Sandals by Marc Jacobs $420 at Stylebop.com
4. Spring 2009 RTW Collection by Tibi find on eBay.com

Dear Yolo,

I caught Gambit (1966) the other day on Netflix Instant to feed my Michael Caine obsession which was ignited by watching Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon imitate him in The Trip (if you haven’t seen that, you must immediately. It’s hilarious. I think I’ve seen it like, six times now. ).

It stars Michael Caine as cockney (way to push the envelope, Caine!) cat burgler Harry Dean and a young, crazily gorgeous Shirley Maclaine as Hong Kong dancer Nicole Chang.  It’s a light-hearted caper flick where cat burgler guy uses the good-hearted babe as bait for this mega rich middle eastern dude so he can steal a priceless artifact that belongs to the mega rich guy. And you’ll never guess what happens next! It’s not bad, but it’s not good. Yet, for some reason it got three Oscar nominations that year.

Persian Blue Bolero $36 at A-hem Vintage at Etsy.com

So while the storyline was pretty blah, I was totally enamored with the look of the film. MacLaine looks FLAWLESS.  Seriously, I had no idea she used to be so hot! The movie is of that era where any place aside from Europe was lumped under the nebulous header ‘The Orient’.  Characters in the movie, the sets and Maclaine’s look are a bizarre, made for Western-consumption mish-mash of pretty much every culture and country that exists from Japan to India to Saudi Arabia . Though it’s hardly accurate, (or politically correct) the stylized look is colorful, exotic and completely beguiling.

I was totally inspired by the look and since I already was BORN rocking the whole Eurasian thing… why not go all the way?

Isn’t that Persian Blue Bolero so cool? Click here to visit A-hem Vintage’s Etsy store. Lots of great vintage prints and I just noticed…20% off until April 1st. The code is their homepage.

p.s. Get ready for the re-make of Gambit with Cameron Diaz playing Maclaine’s role. Guaranteed it won’t have the charm and style of the original.  Can someone please come up with some original movies?

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1. Floral One-Shoulder Dress $120 by Oasis at Oasis-stores.com
2. Matte Gold Filigree Dangle Earring $23 from JulianaWJewelry at Etsy.com
3. All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner $20 by Stila at Sephora.com
4. Lollipop by Essie $8 at Duane Reade or Walgreen’s
5. 18k Gold over Stainless Steel Filigree Design Cuff Bracelet $21.24 at Overstock.com
6. Red Dragon & Phoenix Cheongsam $99 at MyiDress.com
7. Ariadne Earrings $35 from SacredGallery at Esty.com
8. Gold Coin Necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane $92 ON SALE at Net-a-porter.com
9. Oriental Floral Dress by Oasis $129 at Oasis-stores.com

Spring Wardrobe Update #1: Wood Platform Sandals

Leather and Wood Sandals, See by Chloe $355 at Netaporter.com

Dear Yolo,

Winter in New York this past year was comparatively, but it’s finally starting to get warmer and I am sooooo ready for spring. So ready!

I long to wear sandals and tank tops and skirts.  My skin is blindingly shade of sickly pale right now, but I care not. And I’m happy to say after what seems like years of clothes that mostly looked good on hangers or pregnant women, there are actually a lot of really pretty, interesting and flattering styles being foisted upon us for Spring and Summer 2012.

For those of us who aren’t heiresses or have a masochistic desire for crippling credit card debt, one must be selective about the pieces you purchase to update your closet. I plan to update my closet for Spring with 5 Key Pieces. This is the first post of the series so stay tuned!

#1. Wood Platform Sandals
I remember getting my first pair in 8th grade. They were  platform clog style sandals by Chillis. I wish I still had those!

While I still have a pair or two of wood platforms in my closet, I have no second thoughts investing in another pair. They show up on one runway or another in some incarnation every year and nearly every season.

Wood platforms are reminiscient of the 70s, but but clean lines and more refined details make a more classic looking design.  Most wedges don’t flatter short, or more athletic leg shapes and can make your leg look heavier. Instead, go for a heel heel in a neutral color. Like the wedge it lengthens your leg but gives you  a thinner, more lady-like and flattering silhouette. Select a pair with clean lines, minimal detailing and in neutral colors and you’ll be able to continue wearing these year after year.

How to Wear
You really can pair your platforms with just about anything which is why they’re on this list. Skinny jeans, long trouser-style jeans/pants, capri pants, skirts (like a maxi skirt– more on this later).  You can even wear some of the styles below with tights or cute little ankle socks.

Aspirational

Listed left to right and top to bottom

1. Tweed and Leather Sandals, See by Chloe  $365 Saksfifthavenue.com

2. T-bar Sandal, See by Chloe $379 at Farfetch.com

3. Embossed Anaconda Clog by Fendi $830 at BergdorfGoodman.com

4. Leather and Wood Sandals, See by Chloe $355 at Netaporter.com

5. Patent Leather and Wood Tribute by Yves Saint Laurent $1095 at Netaporter.com

6. Leather T-Bar Sandals by Grey Mer $636 at Luisviaroma.com

Attainable 

Listed left to right and top to bottom

1. Deborah by Kork-Ease $155 at Piperlime.com

2. Bitten Suede Platform Heeled Sandals with T-bar, ASOS $134 at ASOS.com

3. Talia by Calvin Klein Jeans $99 at Zappos.com

4. Miner by Vince Camuto $118 at Zappos.com

5. Daron by NYLA $87.99 ON SALE at Heels.com

6. Teardrop by Mia $65 at Piperlime.com

7. Tako Heel by Guess $85.49 ON SALE at Heels.com

8. Randy, Lucky Brand $87.99 at Heels.com

Let’s All Be Unpretentious & Groovy

Dear Yolo,

I was just reading a mini-interview with Simon Doonan on Refinery. He’s a stylist guy, writes articles for the Slate, just came out with a book called Gay Men Don’t Get Fat (I know!) and he also does the window displays at Barneys.  I really liked a couple of his quotes so I thought I’d share. The third one cracked me up. Pirates. Always funny.

What are some women’s trends you’re hating on right now?
“I don’t hate anything in fashion. Everything is okay as long as you do it with enough conviction. Hating on stuff is what causes mediocrity and conformism. It makes people nervous and cautious and they start reining in their flamboyant impulses. So you could say ‘I hate hating.'”

Who was your fashion idol growing up?
“Twiggy was my idol. She was a working class kook with a truly idiosyncratic look. (I related.) And she never tried to be cool and remote. She was always unpretentious and groovy. And still is.”

What was the most outrageous costume you wore out to a club?
“I was very big into the New Romantic movement in the early 80’s. I thought nothing of leaving my house dressed as a pirate. I was recruited for that Bette Davis Eyes video with Kim Carnes. That’s me in the Westwood squiggle T-shirt… and pirate hat!”

That’s all for now!

Love,
Maroon

Coping With My Sneaker Wedge Madness

I want these. So does everyone else.

Dear Yolo,

Have you been seeing a lot of designer high top sneakers and/or sneaker wedges on the ladies in LA? When I first started working more in New York three years ago, I noticed that quite a few of the other models would wear throw back high top Nike sneakers with their skinny jeans. It looked kinda cool, but I wasn’t immediately sold. I think acid wash jeans were enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the time as well so I was very suspicious that most emerging trends at the time were part of some larger conspiracy to encourage me to dress like a refugee from the Eastern Block.

Once I actually started living in New York and started walking a million miles every day, I realized how practical and wonderful it would be to have a pair of comfortable, jazzy sneakers. But since I’m not a 6′ glamazon, I feel like I have to wear nicer shoes (I am wearing the shit outta this pair of Fry boots) so no one mistakes me for their cleaning lady. So I’m pretty excited that we have the cute sneakers trend to look forward to, jump-started by Isabel Marant’s Willow sneakers pictured above which everyone who was awesome (I’m not sure I actually mean awesome) was wearing at the last round of Fashion Week. They have a hidden wedge so you can look like a slightly taller anime character and stalk the streets of New York comfortably. The Willow sneakers are kinda unattainable because a) they’re sold out and b) even if they weren’t sold out, they’re $760. I suppose that sounds reasonable to those who spend more monthly on their pet’s Reiki sessions. I have found them at a mark up on eBay alongside cheaper Chinese bootleg versions.

I have been shopping for Willow-like sneakers for the common folk. There are already a couple acceptable substitutes. I am currently pursuing a pair of black Netz from Aldo. They’re totally sold out in the US but they’re still available for Canadian citizens on their Canadian website on sale for $29.99. I am actually trying to purchase them through some Canadian who owes my Dad a favor. Sure, it’s getting weird.

Ash also makes a few different versions of sneaker wedges. They have some nice colors, but they’re a little expensive and there’s something about the wedge that seems just a little off to me… what do you think?

The End,

Maroon

Nine West Lana $95

Giuseppe Zannotti 90MM Suede and Leather Sneaker Wedges $650

I want these. So does everyone else.

Isabel Marant Black Suede Wedge Sneakers $760

Aldo Netz Sneaker $95

Isabel Marant Betty Wedge Sneakers $760

Ash Cool Suede Lace Up Wedge Sneakers $225

Isabel Marant Willow Sneaker $760

Ash Bowie Wedge Sneaker $225

Ash Bowie Wedge Sneakers available at Shopbop, ASOS and Urban Outfitters.

Aldo Netz Wedge available at ALDO CANADA  and there are also a few sizes left at ASOS.

Nine West Lana Wedge Sneaker (bottom center) available at Nine West.

Giuseppe Zannotti 90MM Suede and Leather Sneaker Wedges available at Luis Via Roma.