APPAREL

As we slowly try to create outfits to wear work, shopping or cocktail hour during this painful ode to global warming, we have been calling on one summer essential time and again – the one-piece. Call ’em rompers or jumpsuits or whatever have you, but thank god for these one piece wonders during these so brutal times. Once thought to be short, flowy numbers only models and petite fours could pull off. Single-piece suits transitioned in Spring to a must have item appropriate for many occasions.

Silk, satin, jacquard, pique – you name it, designers have created a single piece of material appropriate for various occasions. This week’s sample sales include jumpers by Pencey and Quail on Gilt.com, Free People on Ideeli.com and the Jodi Arnold Sample Sale. Even outside of Conde Nast, Manhattanites are sporting longer versions with capped sleeves to the office and shorter jumpers out to dine. Even more casual one-pieces look great for daytime strolls or beach cover-ups. For less casual occasions, choose wisely as rompers will make their way into fall and more transitional pieces look smarter and last longer paired with a blazer and suede moto booties.

Emma Dinzebach

For the first time in almost 70 years, this year Governor’s Island hosted a polo match. (Remember, Prince Harry fell off his horse?) And this year’s horse sport attire transcended polka dot Pretty Woman sporting edgier styles and a much shorter hemline. Enter New York fashion icon Chole Sevigny and you get a little taste of what we are talking about. A fresh look on the classic style pairs a suit-like ensemble with a classic white shirt and toque topper. Balance appears key in this look. If you opt for the suit option, a smaller hat, longer torso and lots of legs provides provides checks and balances making sure one section does not overwhelm the other.

Aiming to step out a little more, consult Alice & Olive mastermind Stacy Benet whose pleated summer creations include dresses in multicolor pastel tie dye or Mr. Marc Jacobs who defied waspy tradition by making his floral prints more cartoon and abstract. Accessorize with a Eugenia Kim straw hat or boho headband rather than the traditionally featherful floppy hat. And finalize with footwear. Mui Mui has an awesome pair of patent penny loafers just screaming your name. Or if you can’t feel like a lady in flats, try lace up pumps or rock star wedges.

With versions at Top Shop, on sale at Bergdorf, to taste via Gilt and sample this week at xxx, there are no shortage of ways to make your own style a bit polo posh.

Emma Dinzebach

Fashion doesn’t do coincidence, and it’s far from serendipitous that the revival of the t-shirt coincides with the revival of our economy. During the recession, people felt powerless and lacking control. Fashion responded by creating styles reminiscent of Yves St. Laurent circa 1930. See also: suits. For the past two years, fashion combated the economic downturn with similar masculine power symbols. But the gallant pieces gave way to softer styles. Even paramilitary trends featured ruching and feminine detail. And to solidify our increasing comfort came the t-shirt.

But can women really feel beautiful wearing a t-shirt? This season, yes. With all of the versions – jersey cotton, oversized, dyed, shredded, embellished, and so on – the many takes on the t-shirt provide an outlet for every agenda. The various styles invite creativity and indicate individuality, so it’s the perfect piece to showcase your own style. Wear it with a studded skirt and a statement necklace to glam it up. Or wear it alone. The t-shirt dress, an even more polar nod to comfort, has emerged as this season’s go to throw on item with wearable versions from Vince (below), Loomstate and discounted on this weeks XYZ sample sale.
   

Emma Dinzebach

An element of romance accompanies times of war – love for our troops, dedication to our country, a fascination with foreign lands and lonely soldiers. The fashion industry uses this inspiration time and again as both accents and focal points in a continual resurgence of summer’s paramilitary trend.

Sporting the military trend takes too much testosterone for some women and tired khakis and repeat cargos create fatigue. To keep the look fresh, designers paired paramilitary pieces like strong shoulders, camel chinos and combat-inspired boots and sandals with more feminine pieces and exposed skin. See also: legs. Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and DSquared² paired olive and camel toned military-inspired jackets with short skirts and dresses. The look replaces and updates the classic cardigan for breezy evenings or chilly air conditioning. For our part, we fell in love with Marc Jacobs expertly tailored coat and forest chiffon skirt and Aquilano.Rimoldi’s soldierettes in white (left). To try the look for less, check out Gilt.com’s McQ olive army blazer or the Ernie Brinie sample sale.
For footwear, all over Soho ladies are pairing the formerly intense footwear with floral dresses and feminine skirts. Elle editor Joe Zee says go ahead and rock cargo boots at the beach. To keep it light on the feet, try Rag & Bone’s beige canvas combat boot or beige strappy wedges.
Emma Dinzebach