In Spades

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Fashion Friday

It came to my attention that this month marks the 10 year anniversary of the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag.

This was a significant bag for many reasons.  First, it debuted during the peak of the “It bag” era.  Because it was a new indie brand on the scene, there were no boutiques; no retailers with long-standing brand relationships.  It was incredibly hard to get.  And everyone wanted one.

Mansur Gavriel was the proverbial fashion unicorn.

I, of course, was not excluded from this group (I own 4).

Back when they were extremely hard to come by, I wrote a post, How to Score a Mansur Gavriel Bag During Restock.  To this day, it’s one of my most popular blog posts of all time.

I think what really set this bag apart – besides its elegant, simplistic design – was the pricepoint.  Coming in between $500 – $700 depending on the size, it was accessible luxury.  Louis Vuitton was just as coveted, but in a totally different price category.  Mansur Gavriel had the same frenzied popularity, but it wasn’t that far out of reach for the average woman.

And thus a perfect storm was born.

Did you own one?

Helen Ficalora Initial NecklaceIt’s crazy to me to look back at some of the retailers that carried Mansur Gavriel – like Barney’s.  It truly makes this “It bag” phenomenon feel like an eternity ago.

While Instagram has paved the way for a new era of “It bags,” I don’t think I’ve seen a 2013-Mansur-Gavriel-level-frenzy in modern-day.  The closest I can come up with is the Bottega Veneta pouch (I have one of those too).  Both with the two pricepoints being so different, I think the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag remains in a category all its own… 10 years and counting.

Mansur Gavriel’s Memorial Day sale will get you 20% off with code RAINBOW20.

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Summer Wardrobe Essentials

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Pharaoh Collection dress via Pink Lagoon // Mansur Gavriel mini bucket bag // Marrow Fine ring
Nordstrom sunglasses // Bill Blass sandals (c/o)

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And just like that, the year is half over.  Summer is right around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited!

Since this is my first OOTD since having a baby, I wanted to share my summer wardrobe essentials.  Normally I’m a cutoffs girl in summer, but since my body is still returning to its pre-baby size, denim is a bit tricky.  I’ve been super into dresses lately and took major advantage of sale season.

This striped shirt dress is super lightweight and comfy.  Made of breathable cotton, it will keep me cool through our Socal scorchers.  I love the wrap effect – it’s a great way to hide my tummy and looks very “I just returned from vacation”.  I purchased it from an amazing boutique, Pink Lagoon, in Solana Beach.  If you’re from San Diego, you must check it out.  I will actually be talking more about Pink Lagoon in future posts, so stay tuned!

My normal dark color palette definitely goes lighter in summer as I swap all my black accessories for white ones.  I own this bag in two colors, and the white tumbled leather looks super crisp and fresh with any outfit.  These sunnies are only $14 and instantly brighten up a look.

My advice?  Invest in white accessories for summer.  They will look amazing against dark color palettes in fall and winter too when you want a break from your basic black staples.

Finally, these sandals are such a fun addition to my wardrobe.  The double bow detail is feminine without being precious and I adore the fact that they are tweed.  Such an unexpected fabric for summer but oh-so-cool!  They have a cushioned sole making them perfect for long walks sightseeing, running errands or cruising the beach.

The Power of Juxtaposition

Vince skirt // Ellery top // Mansur Gavriel bucket bag
Pianegonda earrings (similar here) // Givenchy loafers

My love affair with skirts continues.  In the past couple of weeks I’ve shared an ultra flattering style you can wear at the office, and how to infuse edginess into your standard party skirt.  Today’s look is my favorite of the three simply because it taps into my strongest sartorial preferences.  Part Olsen twins, part nod to the boys, I re-purposed this dreamy blush skirt for summer.

Juxtaposition is perhaps my biggest styling secret.  When putting together an outfit, think of what seems like the most natural fit and then do the opposite.  Take this skirt, for example.  It’s romantic vibe would lead most to believe a stiletto sandal and sexy camisole would be the best pairing.  Instead, the more interesting option (I think) is to cover my top half with as much draped fabric as possible and throw on a pair of menswear inspired shoes.  Not only does it still feel cohesive, but it allows the individual elements to shine.  The best of both worlds.

One of the greatest masters of juxtaposition was Yves Saint Laurent.  When he debuted Le Smoking in 1966 it hit the world by storm.  Initially received with a flurry of negativity, the ‘women’s tuxedo’ went on to become one of the most iconic silhouettes of fashion history.  It was his ability to play with ideas that most couldn’t even fathom at the time that turned “how dare he?!” into “true genius”.

As you look into your closet each morning, I encourage you: try something different.  I bet you’ll surprise yourself.

If you’d like to recreate my look, I’ve linked everything below including some more affordable alternatives.  Check out this bucket bag for under $55, this bell sleeved top and these pink oxfords for some amazing deals.

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