WWW Tips: Michelle Williams, Alexa Chung, Irina Lazareanu
It’s not exactly clear what first provoked us (perhaps reading about “Man on a Wire” so many times in the past month or maybe it’s some sort of post-Olympic balance beam fascination), but lately we’ve found ourselves thinking about balance in a big way. Whether it’s in regards to our checkbooks, lifestyles, or ability to walk fall’s vertiginous heels, we’re always striving for that elusive golden mean. While the results can be seesaw-like in practice, we also are committed to applying this idea to our WhoWhatWear.com coverage. Our goal is to offer you a blend of the best new trends and products (splurge), as well as creative ideas for repurposing the contents of your closet (skimp). We think we got the mix just right in today’s Tips. Read on to find both inspiration and must-buy items, all of which were inspired by Alexa Chung, Irina Lazareanu, and Michelle Williams.
1. Belt your high-waisted skirts for a paper bag effect.
Not to imply that she reminds us of an inanimate object, but sometimes we think that Alexa Chung must have been a Swiss Army Knife in another life. She’s always quite innovative in the personal style department (remember when she swapped out the strap on her handbag a vintage guitar strap?) and wears things in a fresh way. Case in point: the above outfit Chung wore to Luella’s S/S 09 show last week. We love the way she belted the designer’s high-waisted Dolly Chiffon Skirt ($465) over a vintage tee (gotta love Blutto) for modern take on the eighties trend. It’s easy to emulate this shape with the full skirts you already own. Just hike them up a little higher than usual, secure snugly by knoting an inch-wide belt at your natural waist, and voila—paper bag perfection! If this is too much work for you, you can also just pick up a full skirt a size or two bigger than you normally wear to get the full cinching effect. We like the Kimchi & Blue's Nordic Embroidered Full Skirt ($58) from Urban Outfitters for a thrifty option as well as DKNY’s Knee Length Skirt
($295) for a dressier option. Society for Rational Dress made a cool, pre-bagged option, check out their Tuck Skirt
($169) for another way to get the look.
2. Warm up to menswear with tweed jackets and baggy trousers.
Irina Lazareanu took a break from walking in the New York shows this season—she’s focusing on her album with Sean Lennon—but her personal style stayed in the spotlight. One of our favorite Laz looks of the week was the ode to menswear outfit (it’s vintage Lanvin from the forties) she wore to pal Phillip Lim’s show. From her two-tone lace-ups to her wide-leg pleat-front pants to her slim tweed jacket, Lazareanu showed us why this trend continues to gain strength. If trying a head-to-toe style is not for you, perhaps you could incorporate at least one boyish piece into your fall wardrobe. Ultra slouchy slacks like Lazareanu is wearing are a major force this season; we’re particularly keen on Adam's Pleated Wide Leg Pants
($295), DKNY's High Waisted Pleated Trousers ($225), and McQ's Wool Tuxedo Pants ($343). If you’d rather dip into this trend from the waist up, we suggest checking out Elizabeth and James’ Elizabeth IV Blazer ($395) or the Gap’s Wool Blazer
($98).
3. Add a dash of cool to navy-and-white stripes by wearing them with black basics.
When we think of traditional blue-and-white striped button downs, we think of two things: preppies and bankers (or preppy bankers—ick!). Thankfully, Michelle Williams gave us a much better mental image to work with. Seen here strolling in New York, Williams gave her uptown stripes a dash of downtown cool when she wore her Candy Stripe Up Down Shirt ($255) from Boy by Band of Outsiders with a slim pair of black jeans, like Levi’s Capital E Skimmer Skinny Jean
($158). If you’d like a slightly less pricey version of Williams’ main pieces, take a look at Victoria’s Secret Classic Shirt ($58) and Cheap Monday’s Tight Jeans ($70).
Photo of Michelle Williams, Pacific Coast News. Photo of Alexa Chung and Irina Lazareanu, Getty Images.
1. Belt your high-waisted skirts for a paper bag effect.
Not to imply that she reminds us of an inanimate object, but sometimes we think that Alexa Chung must have been a Swiss Army Knife in another life. She’s always quite innovative in the personal style department (remember when she swapped out the strap on her handbag a vintage guitar strap?) and wears things in a fresh way. Case in point: the above outfit Chung wore to Luella’s S/S 09 show last week. We love the way she belted the designer’s high-waisted Dolly Chiffon Skirt ($465) over a vintage tee (gotta love Blutto) for modern take on the eighties trend. It’s easy to emulate this shape with the full skirts you already own. Just hike them up a little higher than usual, secure snugly by knoting an inch-wide belt at your natural waist, and voila—paper bag perfection! If this is too much work for you, you can also just pick up a full skirt a size or two bigger than you normally wear to get the full cinching effect. We like the Kimchi & Blue's Nordic Embroidered Full Skirt ($58) from Urban Outfitters for a thrifty option as well as DKNY’s Knee Length Skirt
2. Warm up to menswear with tweed jackets and baggy trousers.
Irina Lazareanu took a break from walking in the New York shows this season—she’s focusing on her album with Sean Lennon—but her personal style stayed in the spotlight. One of our favorite Laz looks of the week was the ode to menswear outfit (it’s vintage Lanvin from the forties) she wore to pal Phillip Lim’s show. From her two-tone lace-ups to her wide-leg pleat-front pants to her slim tweed jacket, Lazareanu showed us why this trend continues to gain strength. If trying a head-to-toe style is not for you, perhaps you could incorporate at least one boyish piece into your fall wardrobe. Ultra slouchy slacks like Lazareanu is wearing are a major force this season; we’re particularly keen on Adam's Pleated Wide Leg Pants
3. Add a dash of cool to navy-and-white stripes by wearing them with black basics.
When we think of traditional blue-and-white striped button downs, we think of two things: preppies and bankers (or preppy bankers—ick!). Thankfully, Michelle Williams gave us a much better mental image to work with. Seen here strolling in New York, Williams gave her uptown stripes a dash of downtown cool when she wore her Candy Stripe Up Down Shirt ($255) from Boy by Band of Outsiders with a slim pair of black jeans, like Levi’s Capital E Skimmer Skinny Jean
Photo of Michelle Williams, Pacific Coast News. Photo of Alexa Chung and Irina Lazareanu, Getty Images.
people who call these outfits ugly, boring, or disgusting are unstylish "bro-ville" girls who have no idea what is going on with fashion. i am sure they all stay locked away in their bootcut jeans, hoodies, and flip flops... or maybe plain black leggings with flip flops and some hideous empire waist skirt from 2 years ago. it's so sad to see these girls and worse to hear from them on their take of what is fashionable... anyways... whowhatwear you are point on with the trends and alexa's outfit is amazing. thank you for staying current and stylish.
Posted by: rainbow.skydanc | 2008-09-28 22:19:48
Alexa's whole look is perfection that vibe is what I always want to accomplish
Posted by: Dana | 2008-09-26 03:30:14
A "Paper Bag effect"? Is this art class or a fashion blog? Stop getting all Let's-make-up-crap-descriptions-because the clothes look like crap.
Posted by: poo? | 2008-09-24 13:25:15
they really didn't do grunge in the 80's, but if they had, this would have been it....and i must say, it's utterly revolting. michelle couldn't look more like a man if she tried, alexa, so beautiful, from the neck up, Irina, looks, as they say, a red hot mess. puhleeeeez.
Posted by: sarah | 2008-09-24 02:59:52
Love Michelles' shoes, anyone know where they're from??
Posted by: melody | 2008-09-23 14:50:27
Looove Michelle's sunglasses. Are those vintage Ray Ban's? I dig her outfit all the way down to the granny flats. Classy and tough: a contradiction that works somehow. Good on you, Michelle.
Posted by: Lizzie | 2008-09-22 22:19:16
Michelle's shirt looks more like or even exactly like Ralph Lauren. Its a bit more classic these stripes and its a crisp blue.
Posted by: Monique | 2008-09-22 22:15:37
i love alexa's outfit. i do agree that michelle's outfit is muy boring -- looks like something that any half-stylish girl could pick out in her sleep.
Posted by: Rachel Van Dols | 2008-09-22 19:57:25
i think the tips are fabulous, but they could definitely use some better pictures to help explain them...
Posted by: schyuler | 2008-09-22 18:47:26
i like these tips, but not the examples pictured above. www.sugarrockcatwalk.com
Posted by: Lani | 2008-09-22 15:45:58
NO WAY! To all these outfits..bleh
Posted by: lianna | 2008-09-22 13:51:19
Diggin' on Alexa's whole outfit! What a sweet look! http://luvvy-luvvy.blogspot.com/
Posted by: LuVvy | 2008-09-22 11:52:56
I wonder why we should be taking fashion advice from these young ladies. Two of them look as though their clothes don't fit. Michelle looks unremarkable. She's young! Why is she dressing like that. It's horrible even just for going to Starbucks.
Posted by: mochababe73 | 2008-09-22 11:47:46
I love michelles style. It may be simple but she looks great and sometimes it's more difficult to put together a "simple" outfit than just throwing whatever on like Alexa and Irina's outfits!
Posted by: melody | 2008-09-22 10:42:35
Despite all the other negative comments, I found this post to be great! I love Michelle Williams style, kinda like a smart little rich boy (who also wears cute dresses). She wears easy, classic items and rather than call her "boring" I call it timeless. The other two girls are equally rockin and I'm also pondering bangs after this post.
Posted by: Brie | 2008-09-22 10:29:04
My Fashion Blog! *> fashionchalet.blogspot.com <* I love the look of a high waist skirt! <3
Posted by: Fashion Chalet | 2008-09-22 10:00:41
the only thing i like about this post is the fabulous shoes alexa is wearing... everything else... blah
Posted by: stephanie | 2008-09-22 09:56:53
jcrew has the best wool blazers!
Posted by: jebrew | 2008-09-22 09:52:46
All of these outfits look like they're from the Paula Poundstone Collection.
Posted by: Llew | 2008-09-22 09:03:22
Irina's the only one who looks good, and that's saying a lot because she is NPT one of my favorite models. This first one is boring and the second makes absolutely no sense. I think Alexa forgot to turn the light on that morning when she was getting dresses. I guess this is supposed to be more about tips than anything; but the paper bag effect tip is defintely not flattering.
Posted by: Reesie | 2008-09-22 08:40:31
i don't mind irina's outfit, but i do wonder what's going on under her jacket
Posted by: moo | 2008-09-22 08:30:58
i think people's conception of "hip, stylish edgy outfits" is strange...if something is too strange/unusual people will rip it apart while otherwise simple is quickly dimissed as being plain and boring...where's the line? i think all three ladies work their looks nicely. michelle's may be simple but it is put together & chic. irina can pull that '40s like hepburn, and alexa looks pretty, not overwrought, in my opinion. but that's just my opinion...
Posted by: fern | 2008-09-22 07:49:02
...Wow...breakthrough. Disappointing to say the least.
Posted by: Bee | 2008-09-22 07:43:06
These are seriously dissapointing.
Posted by: Erock | 2008-09-22 06:09:26
These outfits are boring, and who wouldnt know to belt a high waisted skirt? that trend has been in forever. alexa's skirt looks like its up too high aswel, its abover her waist. Irina's pants are HIDEOUS!
Posted by: room14 | 2008-09-22 03:43:59
These outfits are SO UGLY. Well, Michelle's is more boring than ugly, but the other two are just plain gross. Seriously? These are hip, stylish, edgy outfits? Maybe if you have no taste.
Posted by: Val | 2008-09-22 03:34:27
Look at Irina's Nursing Home Shoes. They are disgusting!
Posted by: fashiongirl | 2008-09-22 02:53:48
meh
Posted by: Loo | 2008-09-22 00:34:01