>>  It's just getting to be autumn, and here we are, New York Fashion Week is upon us to bring the Spring/Summer 2006 shows.  First up, Imitation of Christ:

Most of the world (or the people who care) is going to vomit all over me for saying this, but I actually really like this minidress.  I know you think I'm slipping (I was really kind of wondering about it myself), but there's something just attracts me to the loose fit, the jumper cut, the off-the-shoulder sleeves -- the rawness, really. 

And then came the penis (far right).  Along with the debut of her denim collection, Tara Subkoff decided to put in a little shocker, leaving me thinking: "I want one!" (...to never be seen ever again).  The dress must have been a flash of brilliance, because between the denim penis and vampire cape combo, and this lovely little white tee and really really ridiculously long skirt, I was not impressed.         

>> I was reading the Thursday Styles section of the New York Times the other day, when I came across this in one of the articles talking about Bryan Bradley, designer of Tuleh:

Mr. Bradley, lounging on a bed in his office, called what he does weird and ugly, though in fashion weird and ugly often yields eureka.

This weird segue definitely made me stop in the middle of the article: never have I thought of the equation weird + ugly = eureka when it comes to fashion.  Maybe weird can sometimes = eureka, but ugly = eureka?  No way.  To me, fashion is a kind of art form -- why would you ever express yourself in what you viewed to be a non-attractive manner?  It just doesn't click for me.  Must have been the author stretching for a transition between quotes or something.

>> See, I'd have all the money in the world...plus this whole outfit by Stella McCartney (right).  If only...

I love that big chunky oversized sweaters are experiencing a revitalization, but this sweater dress has just taken the cake.  The thickness of the knit, the big oversized sleeves, and the turtleneck make it look so comfy.  I love sweaters that have turtlenecks like that because I can nestle my head down into it -- it's so cozy, like curling up under your comforter on a cold winter's morning.  Not very often is something that looks so good so comfortable at the same time.  And surprisingly, the dress has great shape on the body -- I tend to have such problems with knits stretching out and losing their shape.  The length is good for wearing it as a minidress, or for a warmer/more conservative look, with trousers.  Overall, it's just one of those looks that is very simple and yet intensely chic. 

And then there's the boots.  Or hot sex on your legs, as I like to call it.  The remind me very much of these true-to-the-era Victorian boots that I fell in love with at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  Of course they're missing the millions of tiny little buttons, and they're a little higher (the ones I saw were mid-calf), but the slim-fitting shape and color scheme is definitely very similar.  The leather just looks so beautiful and supple, and I love the tie-up detailing at the very top, reminiscent of a corset.  I think that's what I like about this outfit so much -- the dress is very sixties, and the boots are very Edwardian-inspired, making the juxtaposition of the two very modern and streamlined.

So unfortunately, as much drool as I lose over that outfit, I still can't afford it.  And I'm sure that most of you can't, either.  But have faith -- there are other options out there.  Like this oversized sweater by Catherine Malandrino.  Yeah, it's not exactly the same, but it's still beautiful in its own.  I love the Shakespearean sleeves -- they remind me of the big poetic shirts that Joseph Fiennes wears in Shakespeare in Love.  And it still retains the most important part of oversized sweaters -- the comfy-coziness.  Gotta love it. 

>>  What's that spell?  Supercool awesomeness.  Or tao, if you want to be literal, the name of my new obsession (yeah, it pretty much changes daily).  Named after its creator, Tao Kurihara, a seven-year veteran of one of my favorite labels Comme des Garcons, tao is concentrated on a single theme for each season.  The debut collection for this fall is inspired by lingerie, so think gorgeous knit corsets and flirty cable-knit shorts.  But basically, if you ever want me to like anything, just say "corset" and I'll be hooked -- I love the feminine silhouette they give.  And Kurihara has definitely not skimped on the girly -- her creations are generously adorned with crocheted rosettes, pom poms, or bows.  Now that she has me drooling, I wish I could afford a piece of the beauty, but the prices are "designer," they have said.  I'm not surprised, considering how exquisitely the pieces seem to be made.  So if nothing else, at least she has given us the gift of something peerless to look at. 

**sources: showstudio, hint magazine, nytimes style magazine, W 

>> The States are really missing out -- Americans are way too comfortable with their bootcut jeans.  With Miss Kate Moss as the reigning fashion queen supreme over there in good old Britannia, however, I was finally privy to the treat that is seeing real live skinny jeans in action.  I remember at least three distinct times when I spotted them -- probably because I was so stricken with awe (in case you can't tell I'm an orthodox worshiper of the look) -- there was a girl riding around on the Tube with her friends in Sass & Bide, a very indie-type girl (emo-y glass and the whole shebang) shopping with me in Unicorn, and finally, the girl walking on King's Road (above).  I couldn't resist snapping a picture of her, and clearly the guy on the very left of the picture was intrigued as well -- I'm sure he was thinking about where he could get a pair of jeans like that (well I was, anyway). 

I think partially the reason people are so wary of skinny jeans is because of their "unforgiving" body-hugging shape.  But I feel like they are the same as any other style of jeans -- you just have to keep trying different brands until you find a good fit.  Each of the three girls I saw had entirely different body types: the first was about 5'2. petite and curvy.  The second was tall (probably about 5'10), with very thin legs and a boyish straight-down figure.  And the third, well, you cann see her for yourself.  Basically what I'm saying here is take a chance -- there's no reason that indie rocker boys need to own the skinny jean scene.  If you're still worried, get the jeans in a dark wash -- it's always slimming.  In fact, my favorite pair (and one of Miss Moss') is in a gray wash -- Sass & Bide's Stove Pipe Denim (right), available at both satine boutique and net-a-porter for $230-240 when they're not sold out.  If you're not yet convinced, try both a dark wash and heels, which help elongate your legs.

For more skinny jeans, take a look at the examples I've put together here.  Lovely.