I Love Lucky Magazine

With less income coming in, I've had to curb my fashion mag addiction. But I'll always pick up Lucky Magazine. I've seen some self-proclaimed fashionistas complain about the way Lucky styles its "looks"--they say the outfits the staff puts together are too eclectic, too "out there," etc. But I commend Lucky for taking risks, for representing a variety of styles, for featuring up-and-coming designers, and for focusing on a more "real world" audience rather than simply covering what's trendy and new in high fashion.

I think Lucky has a great website, too, and one of my favorite features is it's "Does This Outfit Work?" segment. The gist is this that a real-life gal will submit one of her go-to outfits to Lucky and get the magazine's honest take on how she's put it together. Lucky's team will add a few new pieces to the look in an effort to elevate it, then accepts comments from readers on the site. Sometimes the new outfit flies, and sometimes it doesn't, but I always get the sense that the staff doesn't care. They're too cool to turn their noses up at constructive criticism.

I was really curious to see what they'd do with this outfit from July's issue, because while I wasn't IN LOVE with the original look, I did like it. The skirt is something I'd definitely add to my own wardrobe, and while the shape of the tee feels a little strange to me, I think the brown makes the pretty skirt pop.

You can check out a video of how the outfit is restyled here. Lucky ended up chucking the brown tee for a more fitted, yellow tank, and replaced the flats (not pictured here) with some strappy, wedge heels.

I agree with Lucky's opinion that the shape of the top should be more fitted in order to create a streamlined look, but while they didn't like the color of the original tee at all, I still think the brown really works! I liked the flats, too. Flats on a tall, slender lady like this one easily look simple-chic rather than frumpy.

In Search Of: Summer Work Tops

It's easier to wear a variety of tops to the office in the winter. Even a lacy tank can become workplace-appropriate if you layer a blazer over it. But in the summertime, you can't exactly depend on a cardigan to elevate your outfit.

My past and present places of work have more casual dress codes, but I always like to take things up a notch. If I wanted, I could probably wear a T-shirt to work, as long as I paired it with a nice, knee-length skirt. But for some reason, I'd just feel better knowing I have a few definite working-girl shirts in my closet.

One of the problems with work tops is a lot of them are button-down dress shirts. I don't have the biggest chest in the world, but for whatever reason (and maybe someone who knows a bit more about tailoring can explain this to me), I have the hardest time finding button-down tops that don't gap. If the top is loose and gauzy like this one from J. Crew however, I can usually avoid this problem. Of course, buying a shirt like this means you have to buy something else to go under it. Oy.

I'm not too crazy about the pattern or color of this silk shawl blouse by Michael Kors, but the shape is flattering for a pear like me--the billowy sleeves would help balance out my wide hips, while the elastic banded hem keeps the fabric from billowing out at the bottom. I think it would go nicely with slacks or a pencil skirt.

What about this sunny tunic from Anthropologie? I like the color and the detailing, but how versatile would it be? Also, am I crazy, or does the neckline look awful narrow? I feel like it starts too high at the shoulder or something. This is definitely a piece I'd have to see in person.

Anna Sui For Target

I'm usually disappointed by designer/Target collaborations, so I must admit that I didn't have the highest of hopes for Anna Sui's new Gossip Girl-inspired Target line.

But guess what: I actually like Sui's Target looks better than most of her usual frocks! Sui's traditionally high, bibbed necklines and dark, paisley prints have always reminded me of the granny gowns of the 1970's...only more morose. And while I appreciate her daring, bohemian aesthetic, the colors and silhouettes towards which she gravitates simply aren't my personal style.

I haven't watched a single episode of Gossip Girl, but I think the fact that Sui has designed her Target collection with the show's younger, trendier audience in mind, has resulted in my being more appreciative of the final outcome.

To see the collection in full, I suggest visiting The Budget Babe Blog for an excellent, in-depth look. That's where I got my first real taste of the soon-to-be-available options, and I've had the hardest time deciding which look is my absolute favorite.

I guess if you had to press, and press and press me, I'd pick this electric blue number. Yes, the high neckline and past-the-elbow-sleeves I mentioned above are at play here, but the color is cheery rather than somber, as is the diamond print. The dress is totally work appropriate, but still possesses a distinct edge. Such a combination is difficult to come by, in my opinion.


Of course, It's practically impossible for a person to be a fan of every look in one's book, so it should come as no surprise that I'm extremely iffy...fine, make that extremely icky...about the following design:


Shrunk, cut, tied, and dyed in all the wrong places, if you ask me. I just don't get this outfit at all. It's like three different packaged punk rocker Halloween costumes combined. Everything about if is stereotypical, and at the same time, nothing about it is attractive.

What do you think?

Fifi Lapin went to Egypt!

Everyone's favorite fashion bunny, Miss Fifi Lapin, has returned from her Egyptian vacay. I can't tell you how jealous I am. I have a bit of an Egyptian obsession. Lady Lapin made a wise choice in wearing Philip Lim harem trousers on her trip. Find out more by clicking here.