People often ask me if I miss being the editor of a fashion magazine. And I always answer that I do not, even for a minute. Which is the truth. However, there are moments, like for example every single time I click over to La Garconne, when I sure do wish I still had that clothing allowance. So how about I pretend-buy a whole bunch of stuff real fast, just like it was the old days?
La Garconne could not be more completely up my alley: they’ve got all the slouchy, asymmetrical tops a girl could ever dream of; artfully draped tees and sophisticated prints till the cows come home; dresses that are less about what’s trendy and more about what’s beautiful. I used to buy a lot of Maria Cornejo when my job required me to wear dresses, and if it still did, I’d snap this one one up instantly. The shape is so elegant and unexpected—Cornejo being one of the few designers who can pull both of those things off at once—and that blue is perfection.
You almost never see long-sleeved dresses that come off cool instead of matronly, but this one by Christian Wijnants totally works.
Perfect! Another slouchy black top to add to my menagerie.
Similarly, exactly none of you will be surprised that I love this floral print top by Rachel Comey.
There are a couple of long, asymmetrical Helmut Lang tees I bought last fall that I’ve had in profoundly high rotation ever since: they’re incredibly versatile, drape nicely and have powerful butt-camouflaging capabilities. I am seriously considering adding this one to the collective, because the red is so pretty and the drape is so nice.
La Garconne stocks my new favorite denim line, R13. Every pair they make is super-flattering, and the washes are fantastic. Naturally, they’re all crazy-pricey too. Would that I could justify the purchase of these moto jeans.
And I love this relaxed skinny cut too, which has a nice boyfriend jean feel, but without being as galumphy as a boyfriend jean.
I love your taste, Kim, but I’m going to have stop reading your blog until my next deal closes. I’m spending money like a drunken sailor!!!
the clothes are beautiful but too bad the models look like junkies who are about 10 minutes into a nod. not pretty.
Agreed re: the junkies (I mean models) distract from the clothing, which hangs from them like recently washed laundry. I can only trust in your judgement that these are wonderful pieces that are cool and feminine and elegant — but I just can’t see it. Darn my untrained eye.
I’m with you on every single top. Not so much the dresses. Weird, right?
Kim, I feel you. Had a job where I could wear a lot of Zero Maria Cornejo dresses. Now, and much happier, I am teaching 6th graders. Dresses all went up on Ebay but kept her knits which are just as fabulous.
Love your taste. That Helmut Lang dress is beautiful. But especially love the use of the word ‘galumphy’…brilliant!
I absolutely love all things La Garconne, except their customer service. Thank goodness for third party intervention from my credit card company. Nowadays, I use La Garconne for ideas only, as I am terrified to actually buy from them again.
I liked most of these, just visually. Yet I wonder how they would look on people of more average size. That designer seems to be assuming a flat chest. Not that there is anything wrong with that of course, but, it just makes the clothes more like art to me — nice to look at but I wouldn’t want to wear them.
Just to be clear, I think smaller breasts are great. And they seem to make finding clothing much easier. I wouldn’t want anyone to feel bad.
Here is an interesting factoid that I learned from reading Natalie Angier’s amazing book. Size has no relation to the amount of milk for babies. That’s nice to know, I think.
Are you talking about Woman: An Intimate Geography, or is there another great Angier book that I need to immediately buy???
I am so very curious about your former clothing budget!
“prissy-boo”
My new favorite word.
Love La Garconne, especially your picks. That long-sleeved dress is calling to me….
Love everything you pretend bought. I would wear every single piece (except maybe the flowered blouse because flowered prints look dowdy on me no matter how modern the cut).