Spring Catalogs - Michael Kors

Most of the days I find a catalog or two in the mailbox . It is a terrible waste of paper because they usually go straight to recycling bin. That includes the J.Crew catalog, which sadly no longer inspires me or makes me lust after the outfits. It is not even that I find the styling forced or unwearable irl. Recently, they are just... whatever.

But I was a little bored this weekend, so I browsed through the pile of catalogs before taking them down to the basement and I have found some looks that I liked. The first few are from Michael Kors spring catalog.

For some reason, I was never smitten with Michael Kors. I am not sure why because it seems to be very close to my style. His colections usually include a lot of typical American sportswear separates with modern, clean lines, lots of neutrals and safari tones with shiny gold hardware details.  I think it might be that shiny gold details that often make it look too flashy and somewhat ostentatious imo. 

However, I really like the whole look above, the color and shape of the leather jacket, the Hamilton bag, mix of saddle, ecru and gray, the Aviator sunglasses. I could totally wear it all, just maybe with long pants, instead of shorts.

Here is another look from the catalog that I love. And I am strangely attracted to the tie-dyed jeans, both in blue and green, however my daughter strongly endorsed the green ones.

Currently all of the clothes are only available on pre-order, you can check it out here. 

What is attractive about MICHAEL Michael Kors line is that is is still somewhat affordable with prices very comparable to J.Crew Collection. And it usually goes on significant sale if you wait long enough, plus, since it is available in many stores, you should be able to get some kind of promotion applied.   Another thing is that it is all very wearable and practical. Even the styling of the catalogs can easily translate to irl looks, there is nothing over the top, shocking or clownish. Does it mean that it is too predictable?

I have to admit, I don't have any experience with the label since  I never bought anything. So I would be very interested in your opinions. 

What do you think? Have you bought anything from Michael Kors? Do you like anything from the Spring 2013 collection? What do you think about it in terms of style, quality and value.

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Wearing White And Review of J.Crew Panama Hat

I love this outfit

I have recently reorganized my closet to keep all my everyday summer clothes in one place. I have picked only the items I loved and was ready to use multiple times. I tried to downsize a little but nothing crazy, I have learned that when I don't have enough choices I get easily bored and want to buy more stuff. My current collection probably has about 75 items so it is not very small but manageable for me.

I did not have any particular 'color story' in mind, but when all was said and done, I realized that I only have few colors selected and my color palette consist of navy, blue, white/ivory, black & beige with some red  thrown in small quantities.

At least 1/3 of my clothes are white/ivory and I have been craving even more white. I think I had an epiphany when I started reading decorating/lifestyle blog Dreamy Whites, run by wonderful and inspiring Maria Carr. Maria lives in Northern California with a husband and five children in a beautiful farmhouse, decorated mostly in, you guessed it, white. Anyway, she had a post some time ago when she talked about how white is really not that different and difficult to keep clean than other colors. In fact, sometimes white is easier to keep clean and stain free because you don't have to worry about color fading and you can OxiClean the heck out of it! I realized that it is the same with white clothes. That is until you get sunscreen on them :(

So here is an example of all white outfit I wore recently to work. This is J.Crew Attache dress in superfine cotton, that I bought last year. I am wearing a size 6. It is definitely cut differently than this year's version, in which even an 8 was tight in the chest while hips were huge.

J.Crew Attache Dress

Yes, I am also wearing white shoes. This is a very old pair from Michael Kors. I love the contrast heel and they are quite comfortable.

Micheal Kors Peep toes are my favorites in the summer

I accessorized with Elephant necklace in ivory and I am wearing very old, off white lyocel jacket, that I wear to death every spring, because it goes with everything and it is a perfect light layer once it is too warm to wear a trench coat, but not warm enough to wear a sleeveless dress on its own.

Featuring J.Crew Elephant necklace

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Since I am so much into whites this season, I though a Panama hat would be just the perfect accessory.

Sunglasses from Ray-Ban

This straw hat is also from J.Crew. It is actually more ivory than white, which I don't mind but I wanted to mention it, in case you are expecting true white.  The shape and proportions are perfect and it fits well. The workmanship seems mediocre (with little pieces of straw sticking out in few places).

This is size large-xlarge, I have a large head but it also runs small the inside measurement is about 59 cm, which is normally listed under size medium-large.

Panama hat

I am on the fence about the hat. I do like it a lot, I just don't know how much I would actually wear it.
I would love to style it with some feminine flirty dress and a blazer.

My inspiration

Lovely

Those looks are lovely and I could probably recreate them with something I have in my closet, but frankly,on me, the hat does feel a little costumy.  I would love to wear it at the beach but I don't go to the beach that often. Also, I am pretty sure I can get something similar cheaper elsewhere.

What do you think?

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That's all folks!

Do you wear a lot of white in the summer?

Should I keep the Panama hat?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!