lusting on: the pink coat

birds do it, bees do it, even the über-cool céline girls do it this season. whether it's all girly and syrupy-sweet as in simone rocha, androgynous as in mulberry, or lavish in fur-lined silk just like louis vuitton's, the pale pink coat, in any shape, size or form, has rightfully acquired the title piece of the season.

without getting stuck in gender clichés, a pink coat can go so many ways that always have the right amount of shock effect.

Céline, Simone Rocha, Carven, Mulberry, Carven

Honor, Topshop Unique, Louis Vuitton, Blumarine, Jonathan Saunders

while pulling of the pink coat myself, I'll have funny face (1957), starring fred astaire and audrey hepburn and one of my favorite classic films, in my mind. the movie's lovely "think pink" theme (check out the link if you haven't seen it), and audrey hepburn's unforgettable tomboy look in it is a perfect way to keep the look going from a direction that's a tad too cutesy and costume-y.

I'll add a pair of boyish loafers, cropped pants and a crisp button-down, and hopefully I'm sorted for the upcoming season!

 

intimidated? check out my pink coat mood board on pinterest.

my style map

style is certainly not a solid concept, it grows with you. but I believe it helps to define your style, so that you know what you're doing and don't go astray and become a fashion victim. with this idea in mind, I put together what I call a style map, accompanied by a couple style notes. want to be featured on analytic approach to style with your own style map? scroll down!

• as much as I love shopping and thinking/reading/writing on style and fashion, I hate does-this-go-with-thating and spending long time actually dressing. I must be able to just grab a couple items and wear them without ending up looking ridiculous, so I like easy-to-put-together items that all go with each other, which enables me to mix and match. 
• I'm a shorts and pants girl, except a couple skirts and dresses that I own but literally never wear. I tent to stick with an "audrey" silhouette: high waist, slim (mostly ankle-lenght- I know it's supposed to be unflattering, but I don't think so) pants or shorts; simple, relaxed tops and flats- both because I feel like it works the best with my slender pear shape and it's a timelessly and universally nice look. 
• though quite simplistic, my syle is not at all futuristic and tends to have a vintage feeling to it. I always pair basics with cult items from the past for a fresh eclectic finish.
• my color palette constitutes of navy, cream, nudes, raspberry, red, khaki and green. as much as I adore color, I'm not the one who can mix & match brights. I usually don't use more than one pop item per outfit. powder pinks and pale nudes complement (and don't overpower like darker/brighter colors do) my skintone the best, so I usually form my outfits around basic nude tops, and then add something more exciting, whether it's a bright tomato red lipstick, my raspberry messenger bag, or a pair of colored jeans- I like occasional usage of leopard print too; such as a bag or shoes.  
• striped tops are an essential in my wardrobe; I'm renowned as "the girl in stripes". I have a very slender upper body, along with a more normal-sized bottom; so it balances out my body, that might be a possible explanation on why I developed this obsession in the first place. 
• I have neither the occasion nor the motivation to wear heels; it's almost always simple ballet flats and loafers for me. after I moved to france, I discovered bensimon sneakers, which have been called "french girls' converse", and I'm progressively working on my bensimon collection now.

to be a featured guest blogger on analytic approach to style, put together a style map yourself (I used polyvore for convenience, but feel free to use another website or software. also, you can take a look at whowhatwear for inspiration) and send it along to me with some words, or alternatively, send along a brief description and some other material on your style; like a couple key items (again, polyvore is always a good source), inspirational photos (or your own photos if you want) and personal style icons to analyticapproachtostyle@gmail.com and I will make one for you.

 looking forward to hear back from you. yes, you, stylish creature.

why brows are important

audrey hepburn, before & after:

always beautiful, just in need of some va-va-voom..

...et voila! brows have it.

breton time!

sometimes I hear people talking about me as "the girl in stripes". oh, you can't possibly know how I love breton tops! they work absolutely every way possible- combine with cigarette pants and flats and you're audrey hepburn. wear it under a trench and you're a parisiénne. mix and match with other patterns to add an eclectic appeal. wear it under your blazer and pants for a smart casual business look.

 

the undeniable charm of breton shirt, popsiclepout tarafından long sleeved blouses ile yaratıldı

those of you who know me have probably heard that I'm leaving for paris next month, to study there till june. as someone who is obsessed with french chic, I know it would be a fatal mistake to go without a real proper breton. not that I don't own countless breton-like striped shirts and sweaters- so many it's ridiculous, but I'm lacking a "real deal", a heavy-cotton, heavy-duty fishing breton shirt; ohe of those they call "meridien."

I had my eyes on this GAP one for a while; the shape is surprisingly right and the material is thick as I wanted it to be, and quite cheap compared to other options, but it happened to be out of stock when I finally went to buy it. argh!

GAP, $29

 A.P.C. makes these wonderful -but overpriced- ones. oh, some day...

A.P.C., $200

J.Crew sells this lovely one buy the quintessential french brand St James, at a more accessible $85.

J.Crew Saint James, $85

meanwhile; let's get some inspiration from the "forefathers":

audrey hepburn

brigitte bardot

charlotte gainsbourg

lou douillon

the sartorialist

halloween costume idea for the super-duper-lazy audrey hepburn fan: jo stockton from funny face

lazy? audrey hepburn fan? still looking for an extra-easy halloween costume? welcome to the club. oh, and I have  the answer that you need: jo stockton of funny face.

a lean, simple, all-over black ensemble is jo stockton's usual daytime look. not a universally recognizable costume, I must admit. but especially if you're going to a classic hollywood-conscious halloween party, it's gonna be oh-so-cool. and, could it be easier? I don't think so.   

what you need:

• a black turtleneck
• cropped black cigarette pants
• black penny loafers
• a beige parka to throw on if you're cold.
• optional: socks, either white or black. she wears a white pair in the famous dancing scene and the promotional photoshoot, and black in the paris tour scene. in my opinion, white should be opted for a signature jo stockton look. actually; there's a pretty interesting story about the socks. during the promotional photoshoot, director stanley donen wanted her to wear those white socks with her black loafers, to add definition. audrey; pretty self-conscious about her rather large feet, refused. it's said that the discussion went as far as audrey ended up reducing to tears, and she had to wear the socks afterall. after seeing the photos, she sent a note to donen, saying "you were right about the socks." 
• for an extra-jo apppeal, take something nerdy with you, like a book on philosophy- extra points if it's on empathicalism.

 

jo stockton from funny face- for halloween by popsiclepout featuring a parka coat

for the makeup part; concentrate on eyes: a thick black top liner, falsies and thick groomed brows- even audrey's natural brow shape had to be augmented a bit with brow pencil on top. keep skin nice and matte, and lips muted in a rosey pink.

go for a simple, neat sideparted ponytail. a dab of anti-frizz serum will keep it smooth, shiny and in perfect shape all night.

seems to me you're ready- now enjoy jo's dance & try to pick up some of her tricks!

check out my previous halloween posts, too!

• another signature audrey look:  holly golightly of breakfast at tiffany's.
• 30 rock's liz lemon

photo source: fabulous audrey hepburn

season checklist: penny loafers.

.

being the first audrey hepburn movie I've seen, funny face has made a profound impact on my idea of beauty. who could forget the delicious, daring, charming main character jo stockton, played by audrey hepburn? certainly not me. her wit, her bambi eyes, and of course, her black loafers worn with cigarette pants and a black turtleneck. since then, a good pair of loafers define preppy weekend chic- something audrey hepburn or grace kelly would wear.

 

and finally, their day has come again: this season, good ol' penny loafer goes as far as threatening the longstanding reign of the ballet flat. and I certainly can't complain.

classic grandpa loafers completed some of the the looks in chloé's f/w collection. they are also appearing with updated, high-heeled versions in céline, alexander wang, balenciaga and prada. as for me, I'll stick with the original flat loafers. I finally got the pair of topshop loafers, on which I'd had a crush for a while, but I'm already saving up for another pair. oh god.

I hope this bunch of street style photos involving penny loafers gives you some inspiration. and here are my ways- and I'd love to hear how you wear your loafers. I'm pretty obsessed with them, so a few tips would really help.

learn from audrey and complete your loafers with cropped cigarette pants. then pretend you're dancing with fred astaire in a giant hollywood production.

warning: this is not for the faint of heart. go for the bold combination of denim shorts and warm knee-lenght socks for a retro schoolboy appeal.

...or try this style with a 50's style full pleated skirt for a similar but girlier finish.

audrey moment.

seems like america ferrera is having  her very own audrey hepburn moment in new york women in film & television awards. I can't help but love everything about her look- the gorgeous little black dress, subdued peachy pink makeup, lined gazelle-like eyes, poufed half-updo- such a wonderful adaptation of breakfast at tiffany's style!
I don't say this often about people, but she seriously reminds me of my beloved audrey here. she has the elegance, grace and love in her eyes. who'd say two people physically so different would remind me of each other one day?

arlenis sosa in harper's bazaar february 2010

I'm in love with this new american harper's bazaar editorial with with gorgeous arlenis sosa.
these pretty bubble skirts, fitting little sweaters and cropped jeans are the absolute essentials of a spring wardrobe to me. stripes, polka dots, brights, vivid patterns were brought together in a down-to-earth, sunny, warm manner. the looks were completed with little scarves and chunky, colorful bracelets- very clever accesorizing indeed.
it's very audrey and very all-american girl at the same time, with mediterreanean touches. and those gorgeous laced peep-toes are just about perfect!

.
this last one is by far my favorite look of the bunch.

audrey hepburn in funny face.

she makes me smile like no one else does.

halloween costume ideas- number two: holly golightly from breakfast at tiffany's

who can forget the image of gazelle-like audrey hepburn gazing behind her big dark sunglasses at the window of tiffany & co store in 5th avenue, while having her breakfast consisting of danish pastry & coffee? or the wet, long smooch between hepburn and george peppard under the rain, with the nameless cat in between?

breakfast at tiffany's is an unforgettable movie in many ways. for this halloween, let this beautiful tale of two lonely spirits in new york inspire you.

since breakfast at tiffany's is beyond being my favorite movie & book (more like a lifestyle, a defining point), being holly golightly is always is the first thing that comes to my mind in when I hear the word halloween. here are two holly golightly costumes I put together:

first, holly's bedtime look:
as expected, holly golightly's sleepwear is anything but ordinary.

I went for this look once, in halloween 2007. this is super easy to pull off, and personally, I like it much better than the regular "black gown plus opera glows plus tiara" look, because you can spot at least one person per party sporting that one. yes, less recognizable, but much more creative.

here's what you need:

 *a really large men's tuxedo shirt

 *a sleeping mask, preferably similar to holly's, but a simple blue one will work, too.

you can find one like holly wore here and here. this one is super cute aswell. or, you can go for any big, bright, interesting sleeping mask you want. this store has tons of them.

and if you're feeling crafty, go ahead and make one as you like!

*if you can find, tassel earplugs like holly's. this store has an exact replica, but I think you'll be okay without.

*she's barefoot in that scene, but you'll probably have to walk outside at some point, so you can opt for nude-colored flats.

*you can take a orange tabby cat toy with you, to pay tribute to the famous no-name cat holly lives with.

before you put on the mask, straighten your hair, tease it around the crown area and put it in a half-up style.

and, here is the final scene look. just to let you know, blair and nate did it, too!


here's what you need:

 *a basic beige belted trench coat.

*a little black sheath dress - anyone will do.

*a pair of black pointed-toe kitten heels.