Chic, two ways

As I sit here with the bottom half of my face slathered in vaseline to mitigate the effects of three days of non-stop, headcold-induced nose blowing, I look at pictures like these and despair of ever being this fabulously put together.

Picture from The Sartorialist.

What works for me: the simplicity, the whimsical use of color, the mix of feminine and masculine elements, the proportions, the quality of the fabrics and the bag (Bottega Veneta, I’m pretty sure).

I would try: the scarf, the knee length coat over the ankle pants, the colorful shoes, the bag.

I’ll pass on: the belt.

Picture from garance doré.

What works for me: the clean lines, the mostly monochromatic look, (again) the combination of masculine and feminine elements, and the ankle pants to show off the killer shoes.

I would try: mixed texture monochromatic top/bottom, slim ankle pants with a heeled sandal.

I’ll pass on: the black scarf, the shiny snakeskin fabric on the pants, the 4″ heels, the trendy bag.

These are her shoes, BTW.

~

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22 Comments

  1. Nice! And I’d like to point out that Giovanna (again, she’s the new Ines) has NO hips. I wonder if you’ll get comments like I did when I posted the lady in the green coat: “but it’s so expensive.” I wish women would just face that looking this chic takes a chunk of cash if buying retail… and you can do a convincing look alike by a) buying resale and b) not requiring yourself to have the it-shoe of the season, which must be no fun to walk in anyway. I’ll take those purple desert boots!

  2. OMG those shoes!! I’d never wear them but I love knowing that somewhere there’s a pair of beautiful extreeme shoes out there looking good.

    On the other hand, further to Duchesse’s point about the expense, I believe it’s better to buy one expensive garment than 20 cheap ones, especially something like a coat or bag. The fabric in cheaper garments always looks tacky, wears faster, and usually feels nasty to boot!

  3. I liked those outfits, too! One thing I’ve noticed about stylin’ French people that I’ve known is, the more stylin’ they are, the fewer clothes they have. They’ll have one or two fantastic outfits and wear that day in, day out, only changing their shirt and underwear. So they can pour all their money and creativity into those very few clothes and know they look great together. Few people are genius enough to look genius every day, even if they are French. But this lady is one of them (she calls herself nizzagirl, but she’s obviously all nizzaWOMAN: http://nizzagirl.canalblog.com/http://nizzagirl.canalblog.com/

  4. I would kill myself in those shoes…no seriously I would because I’m capable of twisting my ankle when I’m wearing flats.
    And…I agree with Duchesse that it takes a chunk of cash to look that good and NO hips
    Feel better Pseu.

  5. I really like the first photo, until I get to the intersection of pants hem with boots. To me, it looks like the loose top of the boot is fighting the hem of the pants. Perhaps a boot that hugs her ankle a little closer…other than that, lovely ensemble.

    The second ensemble is great, too, although most could not handle the shiny pants. Those shoes are fabulous, but too high. Too bad that reasonable high heels (2″-3″) are nowhere to be seen these days.

  6. I like the way you’ve drawn attention to the similarity in these two looks, at first glance quite different (it’s difficult to imagine the snakeskin-shiny-pants on the woman in the first photo) — and I like your analysis of what you could take from each.
    I hope you’re feeling better soon!

  7. Nice clean lines, but – I hate those shoes, it hurts my feet to look at them. Actually wearing them would be out of the question. Also, I’m not fond of ankle pants – I have long legs, so finding pants that are long enough has always been an issue. Probably those pants would look like capris on me!

  8. Miss J LOVEs the snakeskin pants. But could (or rather should not) wear them herself. Both looks are smashing. Miss J couldn’t maneuver in those shoes to save her soul but they are fun to look at.

    Miss J wishes Miss Psue a speedy recovery.

  9. Wow, on number three. I love those shoes. Although I’d never, ever wear them. I’m really afraid of breaking something wearing shoes like that, and…where I live, those are completely impractical.

    And on #1, she immediately jumped out at me, too, the day she appeared on the Sartorialist. She’s fab!

  10. Duchesse – so true about the lack of hips. It’s probably why she looks so fantastic in every shot. I agree about spending where it counts…fabrics, quality, cut.

    WendyB – aren’t they something?? They are truly architecture for the feet.

    Northmoon – I couldn’t wear those in a million years, but they are spectacular. And it’s so true about one good garment vs. twenty cheap ones. So many of us have been taught to look for “bargains” that we forget to look for “value.”

  11. Sallymandy – I’d be afraid of catching those heels on something, but they are magnificent. And yes, #1 is fabulous. I really wonder who she is.

    Metsan – I’m not sure but I think she works in fashion publishing. (If someone knows, please chime in.)

    Anon – it’s true, sometimes it’s easier to create fabulous looks from just a few great pieces. That’s a very cool website.

  12. Belle – I know, they just scream “sprained ankle.” But they are shoe art. They should be displayed in a lighted case.

    Sal – mine too, and they’d be in excrutiating pain, no doubt. The sinuses seems to be slowing down today, thanks.

    Nancy – I see what you’re saying. I’d probably go with something a bit more tapered for that ensemble. I keep hoping the tide will turn soon with the heel heights, but they seem to be getting worse, not better. 🙁

  13. materfamilias – yes the styles are quite different, yet they both are simple, clean and pared down. Thanks, I’m feeling a bit on the mend today.

  14. Rita – I would think with your height you’d look smashing in ankle pants, actually. Especially worn with some nice skimmers.

    Miss Janey – Thanks! I know few of us who would feel we could wear those snakeskin pants. But they do look smashing on Giovanna.

    Bonjour Madame – yes, it’s a fabulous coat.

  15. Hi again! I agree with Northmoon in buying one expensive garment ( in my case a bag ) than many inexpensive ones. Btw, who is this Giavanna who pops up in Milan, NY,etc.? I really enjoy her style and her looks. Hope you are feeling better Deja.

  16. Those shoes are dreamy … and need to STAY in my dreams. My feet would look like hams in them.

    Feel betta soon, lady!

  17. I don’t think you have to spend heaps to look expensive, if that is the goal….I think a more reasonable goal is “pulled together.”

    Yikes the ankle pants would be not so good on a short gal…

  18. I love those shoes. I wish my life were the type in which a) I could afford them and b) I could think of somewhere to wear them. Alternatively, they’d look great just on display!