In Spades

Style... in abundance

The Best Affordable Black Pants

Everlane Slim Leg Pants Everlane Slim Leg Pants

These black pants are one of my best wardrobe staples.  I first wrote about them as part of my weekend packing guide.  Super comfortable (they have stretch) and easy to take from a relaxed to polished look.  If you need a “hero pant” these are it!

They are $68, run TTS, come in a cropped or regular length and 4 colors.

I paired mine with my favorite summer sandals (affordable options linked below) and one of my best investment handbag purchases.

I guess you could say this outfit is one of my best cost-per-wear looks ever!

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Remembering Alber Elbaz

I sat down to write this post fully intending to share a History of Fashion level tribute to the life and career of Alber Elbaz.

The Moroccan-born, Israeli designer passed away this week at the age of 59 due to complications from COVID-19.

But instead what happened was a scenario my Yiayia would often recount to me.  She had a rolltop desk in her kitchen.  And every year or so she would vow to clean it out.  But every time she opened it, ready to organize and purge, she came across a memory.  A letter.  A ticket stub.  A Post-it note.  And a worthwhile endeavor turned into an entire day of reminiscing.

The desk never got clean.

I have collected so many editorials, runway images, interviews, speeches and anecdotes that Alber has shared, I simply fell down the rabbit hole revisiting them.  I guess I’m not ready to write his History of Fashion.

Instead, I will share a very limited number of quotes Alber gave over the years.

May your memory be eternal, kind soul.

“My conclusion today is that fashion is very important, today maybe more than ever, because we fashion designers maybe have a role. We have the duty to bring beauty to the world, to make women feel better, to make women feel good, to uplift them.”

“Fashion is not a reality, but it can become a reality if there’s nothing else in your life.”

“… this is why his clothes are always so wearable and so loving. They are always a step short of theatricality. With the same vocabulary, a designer could do something theatrical; he does something emotional.” — Izhar Patkin

“We designers started as couturiers with dreams, with intuitions and with feelings.…Then we became creative directors, so we have to create, but mostly direct. And now we have become image makers, making sure it looks good in pictures. The screen has to scream, baby…loudness is the new cool. I prefer whispering. I think it goes deeper and lasts longer.”

Target’s Newest Green Collaboration

Hilton Carter x TargetI’ve always loved Target’s home & garden section, so their latest collab with Hilton Carter has me SO excited.  He’s a fabulous interior designer, author and plant enthusiast.

Let’s just say I definitely do not have a green thumb.  These faux house plants are right up my alley.  I’m loving the chic planters, wall mounts and vases as well.

The collection debuts May 14 and is priced from $8 – $130.

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My Favorite Affordable Jeans

Best Affordable JeansBest Affordable JeansLast week I shared some affordable spring wardrobe basics.  The hero piece being these jeans.  They are my favorite affordable jeans EVER.

I stick to the 100% cotton version and get two sizes – 25 and 26.  I’m wearing a size 25 here for a more fitted look. You can see the difference compared to last week’s more relaxed look (size 26).

Levi's 501 Skinny JeansSize 25 (left) // Size 26 (right)

If you can tolerate the break-in phase (I do a yoga session in my jeans to break them in!), I’d stick to your true size.  If you want them to be super comfy straight out of the gate and don’t mind a little extra room, size up.

These jeans come in multiple inseam options so you can go with ankle length or a longer hem.  Wearing a 28-inch inseam here.

I’ve never paid full price for a pair.  I always score them on sale for $44.

You honestly can’t go wrong with these jeans.  They are a skinny/straight hybrid making them super versatile.

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Fashion Friday

Let’s chat this week in the world of fashion.

Michael Kors’ 40th Anniversary

It was such a pleasure to wake early Wednesday morning and watch Michael Kors’ 40th Anniversary show.  It opened with an homage to Broadway.  As the camera took us inside famed restaurant Sardi’s, the photos on the wall came to life.  Chita Rivera, Bette Midler, Alan Cummings, Debra Messing and other theater legends began Zooming about the show that was about to go on.

And then we heard Rufus Wainwright.  In a parade of zebra print, sequins, ultra layering and monochrome, top models from the 90s to today descended upon Broadway.  It was a love letter to NYC.  And I adored every minute of it.

Do check out Michael Kors’ Instagram for a history of fashion lesson throughout the decades.  Broken down in chapters, it’s a fabulous trip down memory lane.

I couldn’t access the press photos for this show, so head here for the full collection.

Here are some Michael Kors spring/summer pieces I’m loving.

The end of Designer Counterfeiting? 

If you’re not familiar with blockchain technology, get acquainted.  By embedding RFID chips into luxury products, brands can track and authenticate their products.  This of course has huge implications for the resale market, a medium plagued with combating counterfeit goods.

This week LVMH, Richemont and Prada announced they’ve already begun implementing this technology, a platform called Aura.  Will this be the beginning of the end up dupes?  Read more about it here.