LookBook photos

Out on an afternoon walk along the Santa Monica bluffs, I saw amidst the tourists and joggers a very fashionable young lady. I had to stop and ask for details. Lauren Young, a model and actress who recently moved to LA from the east coast, was very obliging. The Vintage Levi shorts, vintage orange scarf and high socks with Kohl’s boots stood out first to me. Then I noted the cute vintage purse she was carrying and her bejeweled necklace from Top Shop. Lauren’s I Love H81 camisole (received from a photo shoot) smartly overlaid a lace bra-very Carrie Bradshaw-esque. I can really appreciate the effort-less effort put into this outfit, even just for a morning stroll.

Background on Young:
She is with Elite Model Management in both LA and NY. This beauty, originally from Philly, acts and models and now resides in Venice, CA.  You can also find Lauren in Purple Magazine’s “Best in Show” shot by Terry Richardson, as well as in the Adidas flirty “Denim Girl Next Door” video. (the video for those in the Asian region)

If I had been on a scavenger hunt for the cutest girl in Syndey, I totally would have won. I found this dollface cutie patootie in Surrey Hills and asked to take her picture. Her shopping companion kindly held her bags and commented that her friend is indeed the cutest.

What’s great about this look is how intentional she is without looking overdone. Her white cable sweater is fitted just so and it looks brilliant tucked into high-waisted pleated shorts. She’s showing just enough leg paired with just high enough ankle strapped heels.

The hat, beaded vintage clutch, and breezy hairdo. How can you not love this modern sex kitten? Meowwww!

Additionals:

Great Aussie shop for Dita Von Teese-type clothes

Similar cable crew sweater

The key to the shorts is the a-line.

Don’t forget the shoes

Post shopping spree belgium iced chocolate and sausage fennel roll

In another scheduled break from street style musings, Vainlane is going to devote a few words to half naked bathing beauties, blue skies, striped umbrellas and one badass hat.

This picture makes me long for summer, triggering memories of a day well spent sunning at Bondi Beach and checking out the stunning view from beneath my awesome floppy sun hat; purchased for about 30 Australian bucks at the Bondi Markets. For a great Saturday, get to the beach early and stroll around the market, looking for handmade, vintage, crafty, locally designed goodies.

Last year, I was obsessed with the straw boater. The year before that was the straw fedora, I bought at the Topshop in Kuala Lumpur. Now the giant floppy hat is the most important item in my beach bag. That and sunscreen, skin cancer is never fashionable.

Additionals:

Similar open weave floppy hat

Another drool-worthy hat

If you prefer a straw boater or a fedora.

You’ll need these to store your new fetish.

Case Study

Subject: Christoph Schaller

Christoph is a fellow blogger. And a pretty good one at that, considering he started in his teens.  Now, at the ripe age of 19, he has recently graduated from kid school and is about to attend university in Berlin studying some form of fashion. As of yet, his easily amendable cranium is unsure where his path lies. Regardless, it is in fashion.

His blog is well followed by a loyal bunch because it is emotion filled and, to some, thought provoking. (It  probably doesn’t hurt that he’s quite a beautiful specimen, with impeccable taste in clothing and music.) It is his life, but he is unwilling to admit its importance. He sees fashion as possibly superfluous and unimportant in the scheme of things. I attribute that to his youth, because I see he lives and breathes it.  As do I. As do many.

I’m not going to preach. Only a little. What we put on everyday is our armor and our revealment.  It’s our truth, and for some, their dishonesty. No its not world peace or like saving the dolphins. But its something. And who made you so righteous and judgmental? Anything that makes your mind jiggle, your senses tingle, and inspires, is important.

It enlivens, brings optimism and energy into, perhaps, an otherwise dull life. It has inspired Christoph, who represents young Germany. From what he has told me, he feels all that has just been mentioned with fashion; enough to inspire an entire blog of his own. He shares. Honesty through blogging.  Christoph wants to inspire and IS inspired by people, music, photography, AND fashion. That doesn’t sound very “not important.”

Additionals:

Blocked in China, but Internationally ChristophWho

Favorite song from ChristophWho Blog, and another

The Cove, Save the Dolphins

World Peace

Despite the well situated beverage next to this handsome fella who exudes suave, European taste, this is not a paid commercial for the Coca-Cola corporation.  And how could I consciously promote a drink that people use to clean golf clubs?  Perpetuating the myth.  Un-perpetuating the myth.

Regardless, our subject looks sharp in his earth-toned attire, faded bomber-esque jacket, plaid flat cap, and wrap-around scarf . Everyone should have a default outfit all ready to go for emergency or random surprise outings. You don’t have to think about it, no fuss, and it makes you look cool right out the door.

• beige plaid hunting/ivy cap by Grace
• similar style Paul Smith double-breasted bomber jacket

Scarf season is in full swing.  That’s about the only good thing about the weather dipping. Androgyny is also in full swing; this fem faced gal can add layers of clothing and accessories that would otherwise be found in the men’s department like the trilby hat, vest, leather jacket.  She keeps it balanced with feminine pink pixy sneakers, an over-sized leather shoulder bag, and mini shirt dress.

Shopping tip for women…always browse the men’s department for some good finds in accessories, sweaters, and even tighty whiteys.