LL Bean's Signature Collection Has About 1 Million Cute Things

Believe it. Yes, I too think of fly fishing and WASPs in sensible shoes when I think of LL Bean. But the brand has taken a cue from J. Crew and the heritage-Americana trend and SIGNIFICANTLY stepped it up in the appealing-to-younger-sorts department with their Signature collection, which references the brand's timeless signature pieces with the understanding that the Internet now exists and everything's gotten cuter. And this younger sort right here is 100 percent ready to board the USS LL Bean Signature, which is setting sail for Cuteness Cove... Or something.


As you're surely aware, LL Bean started out as a sportswear company back in approximately 1302 AD, when people depended on killing beavers to survive and needed to wear proper footwear and rainproof outdoorsy gear to then trade the fur pelts for crude forms of thread and early iPod docking stations. I mean... that's kind of a fractured version of LL Bean's history, but I'm pretty sure it's pretty close. LL Bean was clothing of necessity, not of desire. But their Signature collection, which was given a retro update and features smart, sophisticated, easy-to-wear and simple-to-style summer staples, is a far cry from what your great grandfather, Ulysses P. McGillicutty Honeypot, wore to roll logs and shuck clams or whatever olde-tymey people from New England did back then. Or still do. I don't know. I'm from Cleveland.


Whatever, check out the seahorse pants and looks I love from the lookbook, which was styled by The Glamourai.

$79.99, LL Bean Signature

Y'all. LL Bean Signature seahorse batik pants must be seen to be fully appreciated. I bought a pair, and they're so Carole King-dreamy, and you'd best believe I'll style them with a leather jacket and my Tuleste Market black open-toe rosette booties. Also, you're in luck, because the seahorse pants are on sale for $79.

$59, LL Bean Signature

And like, would YOU EVER in your life think LL Bean would tie-dye ANYTHING? No. You'd be out of your mind. But you're not. Because it's happening. Oh, and this purple tie-dyed maxi skirt is also on sale. No, this isn't heaven. You're actually awake.

$59, LL Bean Signature 

Cute batik boatneck top! Never in a million could I, a woman with, let's say, ample curves, pull this off, but if you're not chesty, I imagine this would look full-frontal adorbs on you. And if you have black leather pants, I really think you should do that.

$79, LL Bean Signature
See? Twill school-teacher skirts can be SO CUTE!

$89, LL Bean Signature
REALLY cute bellbottom jeans, right?

$149, LL Bean Signature

I actually might consider violating my own no-ruffles-on-adults rule for this silk 8-bit crane print dress.

Oh yeah, LL Bean Signature has perma free shipping. Which is just beyond generous if you ask me.

Disclosure: I was invited to a private press preview and received a gift card. The more you know!

Best Prom Dress Ever

Found my prom dress, you guys! It's called the Betty Draper in sweet shades of Narcissus!

Via Chateau Thombeau

I like how she's all "it's my party, and I'll die if I want to."

BTW, speaking of prom, these horrible, awful, very bad prom dresses STILL hold up!

OH MAN, This Isabel Marant Knit Cotton Dress!

$635, Isabel Marant, Theoutnet.com

Like basic math, why I'm not wearing this Isabel Marant knit cotton dress is one of those things I'll just never understand. Sigh. Also, someone please produce two to three pairs of Isabel Marant sneakers in my closet. Kthxbai!

PS -- Sorry for the pause in posting! I was working like a starved mule, then I was in Austin interviewing A$AP Rocky and inhaling dust (actual dust, accidentally, not like angel dust). But now I'm back, PRAISE BE!

Reiss Has Really Good Stuff On Sale

WTF? Why don't I shop at Reiss more often? (It's a British high street that feels like if French Connection  went to a semester or two of grad school, and I mean that so lovingly because I love French Connection. Oh, and Reiss has a REALLY habit-forming handbag selection.) Being way better about shopping at Reiss and using fewer water bottles. There. Those are my perfectly reasonable resolutions for 2012. And now's a perfect time to start. I mean, LOOK at this excellent embellished dress on SUPER sale:

$288, Reiss

This dress vaaaaaaguely reminds me of that epic Alexander McQueen dress Drew Barrymore wore last year. Like, in a perfectly acceptable watered-down-for-my-affordability way.

The Taryn playsuit is sold out online -- BLAST AND DAMN! -- but it's worth looking for in the store. SO Florence Welch.

$51, Reiss

I've been on a serious sheer blouse binge lately, and Reiss' polka dot sheer blouse is PERFECT, because polka dots are WAY in, and I don't like paying more than $51 for anything, really. I mean, who does?

$120, Reiss

$120, Reiss

My name is Tamar, and I approve of these asymmetrical teal platform heels.

$133, Reiss

The PERFECT pointy toe! THE PERFECT, SOPHISTICATED shade of silver.

$255, Reiss

This little shoulder bag is suede and leather, and those aren't even my favorite things about it; Observe the little metal barbell hardware, and then note that the bag is called "Reiss Brewer." Straight from "The Official Preppy Handbook," 2012 edition.

Mustache Valentine's Cards!!! SQUEEEEE!

$16.95, Paper Source

A Paper Source store just opened up near me, and I swear, it will be one of the many reasons I end up on Hoarders: Cute Stuff. And/or one of those punishing shows about lack of financial responsibility and living within one's means. I mean, regardless of your thoughts on the ridiculousness of Valentine's Day (both the day AND the gag-inducing movie), just LOOK at these DIY Valentine's mustache cards! YOU CAN EVEN MAKE A MUSTACHIOED HEART PIRATE!!! #deadatthis

And hi, Paper Source has glitter wrapping paper. The Ke$ha of paper goods.

$365, By Malene Birger, Shoplesnouvelles.com

Valentine's Day-related dress: also #dead at this easy, louche fuchsia By Malene Birger dress.

Aritzia's Baye Black Tunic Dress: All I Want For The Fourth Night Of Chanukkah

$165, Aritzia

Before I get into my fourth-night-of-Chanukkah gift (for me!) pick, I need to say a word about Aritizia. Aritizia is a Canadian chain of moderately-priced boutiques, and the New York location opened this past June, and it's one of my favorite new "high street" shops. Half of the store feels like Madewell -- neat, conservative English major-inspired pleated skirts, flowy shirtwaist dresses, and demure blouses and in natural neutral hues -- and the other half is sportier basic tops, workout wear and hoodies. Like American Apparel minus the see-through. Oh, when I discovered Aritzia's TNA house brand longsleeve t-shirts (they're more like lightweight sweaters, and they feel like James Perse), it was like the culmination of a personal style vision quest: they're banded so they emphasize the waist, they're the perfect V-neck cut, and they're only $35. I bought five.




Anyway, Aritzia's sheer, flowy black tunic is getting bumped to the top of my Chanukkah list, namely because it's so versatile and because I don't own anything like this. Which actually makes it a need and not a want, right?

Also, if this dress came in the same box as this INCREDIBLY SICK fitted ikat jacket, I definitely would have no cause to utilize fake-surprise face. Double ikat? Oil that lasted eight days? Now THAT's what I call a Chanukkah miracle!

$160, Aritizia

+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 1: Charles Jourdan taupe heels from Ideeli! 
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 2: Dr Martens black leather satchel!
+ Chanukkah Gift Guide Day 3: Banana Republic velvet sheath dress!

Tucker's Silky New Pieces Are Bringing Me To Tears

I just got the Tucker Spring 2012 lookbook, and you KNOW a line is doing something right when you want to rub your cheek up against a PDF because the pieces just look THAT soft.

If you can think of a natural or human-made fabric that feels better against your skin than silk does (chenille doesn't count because it usually looks gross), and if you can think of a brand that does silk better than Tucker does, please inform me of both at once. (Okay, Celine and Diane Von Furstenberg are pros, true). But no one does a louche luxe lifestyle like Tucker By Gaby Basora.

Polka dot contrasts with a chain-link belt? WHERE do I sign up?

Silky rust-colored pants and a green print pullover with heels? EXCELLENT silhouette.

All day, every day, silk dresses.

You can shop Tucker at Shopbop if you're so inclined.

By the way, I'm thisclose to buying this Tucker dress...

$108, Tucker, Shopbop.com

Say YES To This Nicole Miller Printed Sweater Dress

$495, Nicole Miller

BRB. Gently weeping with woolen desire for this Nicole Miller sweater dress. PHOTO PRINT AND LEATHER SLEEVES, PEOPLE!

You Can Shop Zara Online Now, SO BUY EVERYTHING!

Zara finally FINALLY launched its US e-commerce site. And, welp, I now spell "trouble" Z-A-R-A.

I mean, these four dresses alone:

$189, Zara, Zara.com

Totally Judy Jetson goes to ring dance.

$59.90, Zara, Zara.com

Kinda Helmut Lang-ish, no?

+ More Zara dresses after the jump...

 

$79.90, Zara. Zara.com

That '70s dress.

$29.90, Zara, Zara.com

And this tiger would like you to know that the dress upon which he appears is NOT EVEN $30!

$129, Zara, Zara.com

And these excellently '80s cap-toe leather booties? Okay, twist my arm, Zara! OKAY, I GIVE UP! FINE! I'LL BUY THEM.

LUST LIST: Leifsdottir Electric Lights Print Dress

$268, Leifsdottir, Anthropologie.com

Leifsdottir's been a favorite little indie brand of mine for a minute. They're a modern, modest Scandinavian brand with an emphasis on sculpted suit pieces (cooler than it sounds, guys!) and dreamy, moody dresses. Leifsdottir recently moved exclusively to Anthropologie, which is where I discovered their Electric Lights dress.




I LIVE AND BREATHE for a digital printed garment (call me shallow), and this dress is topping my lust list. It fulfills all of my own personal and picky criteria for the perfect dress: black, flattering V-neck, cinched waist, perfectly tailored sleeves (none of that bell sleeve nonsense). Plus, I can't even with the evening cityscape print.

FURTHERMORE, it's basically the fashion incarnation of Ellie Goulding's "Lights" video. And that can't be a coincidence.

Yo, Anthropologie Has Some Seriously Cute Stuff Right Now

Usually I don't conduct too many dealings within Anthropologie. And by "dealings," I mean I don't usually wander in, try on a bunch of stuff, hem and haw and then leave. Usually that's because I find the price points to induce no small amount of pants-shitting (though I don't know why because Anthropolgie's prices are barely different than half the shit at Bloomingdale's and I don't get the howling fantods over their prices). The other reason is that sometimes Anthropologie feels a little too art teacher/ garden party/ lady in her late '30s to me. SO many cheery brights and not enough bitchy blacks. However, I wandered into the Chelsea Market Anthropologie tonight, and DUDES, there were some seriously cute pieces.

$39.95, Odille, Anthropologie

Trust me, this orange polka dot top is approximately 40% cuter in person.

$298, Marion Vidal, Anthropologie.com

It's rare that I see a horse necklace I love as much as my Pade Vavre horse necklace, which I wear so much it might as well be a tattoo. But this Marion Vidal horse necklace is a close runner-up.

$498, Marion Vidal, Anthropologie.com

A double-headed horse necklace that looks TOTALLY deco? GAME RECOGNIZE GAME.

$498, Kron By Kronkron, Anthropologie.com

There's something Balenciaga-Miu Miu-y about these ruffled heels.

$168, Schuler & Sons, Anthropologie.com

 Speaking of Miu Miu, if you can't afford those Miu Miu glitter pumps everyone's creaming over, then perhaps you can afford these silver sparkly heels instead.

$298, Leifsdotter, Anthropologie.com

These bass-ackward Gaga heels aren't really me, but I'm totally shocked that they're Anthropologie! Anthro! You have a smoking-in-the-bathroom-between-classes side to you after all! I'm impressed!

$498, Leifsdotter, Anthropologie.com

A fitted, quilted black leather Leifsdotter jacket? I'll drink to that. I'll drink in that, actually.

$268, Leifsdotter, Anthropologie.com

Who's got TWO thumbs and LOVES photo prints? THIS FASHION BLOGGER!

Lust List: Vanessa G Designs, Issa London Kaftan, Kate Spade Cobble Hill Bag

ift up your head, and dry your eyes, because I'm back with another lust list. Perhaps because it's hotter than the fiery depths of Hades (and because I need to get them out of my system before the wines, greens, burgundies and ochres of fall) I'm tending toward bold, bright, flaming-hot colors. Let's start with...

($179, Issa, Catrionamackechnie.com)

This Issa kaftan is the EMBODIMENT of my desire to live a full-time late-60s/ early '70s lifestyle. As well as a peacock. A late '60s peacock.

YOU GUISE. Vanessa Gounden's Vanessa G collection is STUN.NING. She's a South African designer who, as you can see, designs with the eye of a museum curator, which is why her photo-realistic prints look like she pulled a Monet off the wall at the Lourve and whipped it into a silken piece of wearable art. Here's more about Vanessa G in Vogue.

An adorable leather Kate Spade fold-over bag the color of a tangerine? Yes, I will partake in that. And it's the Cobble Hill Leslie bag. And as a Brooklyner, that's basically fate.

I'm Truly Not Mad At Rachel McAdams' Wackadoo Marchesa Dress!!!

(Credit: EPA/ DailyMail)

So much cognitive dissonance happening here with Rachel McAdams' Marchesa dress at the Cannes premiere of her new movie, Midnight in Paris. On one hand, it reminds me of the flocked Baroque couch that my grandma gave us when I was little and ended up in the basement. (The couch ended up in the basement. I did not as it smelled like mildew down there.)

On the other hand... it's fucking unapologetically rad. I don't even care that from the side it hung with all of the sartorial aplomb of a Jostens graduation gown. It's totally fussy, completely unsexy, but fully fantastic. You go, Glen Coco!

I Bought It Files: Drapey Dress

Check this out, for an evening wedding. Looks like it will hide a multitude (and by that I mean several months' worth) of sins, no?

Rachel Rachel Roy "Martini With A Twist" Dress, $36.74 on supah-sale.

An additional 25% off Rachel Rachel Roy sale, guys! Hop to it!

See-Through Stylestalker Skater Dress? Sure. Why Not?

($233, Stylestalker, Asos.com)

Dear Mom,

Camp is great. You were right! I ended up making friends. I'll be ready to come home once summer's over I think though.

I have to tell you something though. I decided to start wearing see-through dresses (with a bra, of course). I won't wear it to Hebrew school, but everywhere else is fair game.

Love,

Your Daughter

PS: Send shaving cream and shoelaces.

Jessica Szohr Stole My Dress!

Jessica Szohr, take OFF my dress and give it back to me THIS INSTANT. Jessica has a habit of stealing clothes from me, you see? Seriously, HOW adorable is this alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet striped "Emmie" dress?

($368, Aliceandolivia.com)

I love how it's styled like vintage Barbie:

Furthermore, I like how it would go with MY ENTIRE WARDROBE! The shoe options alone!

($150, Topshop)

This dress is crying out -- nay, WEEPING -- for a pair of suede bow pumps!

I Bought It: Miu Miu-Alike French Connection Dandy Voile Dress

French Connection

I've been in the market for some slightly more professional dresses -- I work in online content for MTV, so this is pretty professional in my realm. I don't exactly need a Chanel suit or whatever (though Chanel, if you're reading this and have some kind of blogger suit program, I'd be happy to wear one to work and watch people's WTH faces). Also, I've been scratching a LOT of impulse buy itches lately, and this French Connection dress was one them. I was at Bloomingdale's, and this pretty much leaped up into my arms like a lost puppy looking for a home. It practically licked my face. Annoyingly, I paid $148 for it (very unlike to me to whip out one and a half Benjamins, but again, this poor dress, it needed a home -- also, I don't carry "Benjamins." I don't think I've ever seen a real 100-dollar bill in my life except maybe in mafia movies... I really need richer friends) and then I saw it on French Connection online for half that, but it was sold out, so whatever. It fit perfectly, despite the fact that it was about 128 sizes larger than the three sizes I might normally wear. (Looks like I'm not the only one who finds that French Connection likes to size up.)

Anyway, as much as I love Mad Men-style everything (duh -- I'm in my '30s and live in Brooklyn. It's a given), there's a time and a place to dress like Joan Holloway, and a time and place to be not costumey. So while the pleated, nipped-waist style feels retro, the ruffled sleeves keep this from looking like you're swilling a Manhattan and vying for Don Draper's attention. It's like Mad Men meets Gaga.

Oh, and the print kinda references Miu Miu, no?

($1094, Miu Miu, Mytheresa.com)

Hmm. Maybe I did get a good deal after all.