She's a Grand Old Flag

Stars and Stripes Forever!

Okay . . . CC was going to wait until Independence Day for the red, white & blue post, but then she figured: what if all her lovely readers have some shopping to do for next weekend's fireworks and festivities? So get ready to hoist up the flag (or, wear its signature colors)!

As was noted in an article entitled “The Betsy Ross Label” in last week's Thursday Styles : , the spring/summer and resort collections, both in New York and abroad, were heavily reliant upon red, white and blue. See the runway photos below from, inter alia, Charles Nolan, Chanel, Miu Miu (pictured at top left), Lacoste, Blugirl, Moschino, and Moschino. Read the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/fashion/26ROW.html?_r=1&ref=fashion&oref

The Runway Gets Patriotic:

Charles Nolan; photo at upper right courtesy nytimes.com

Left: Trend Les Copains

Lacoste nautical striped tank and red & white beach bag
Agnes B Resort 2009 striped pants and toppers

Bill Blass Resort 2009

Moschino Cheap & Chic Spring 2008
Chanel Spring/Summer 2008

Blugirl (CC just adores this poufy blouse and vest combo, the chunky bangles, the oversize bag, etc.)

Next, a sweet dose of street style from fellow fashionista and blogger extraordinaire, Ida! Visit http://rougemarie.blogspot.com/

And now, your shopping directory, from the sublime to the ridiculous:

D&G grosgrain ribbon trim jacquard jacket. Purchase at eLuxury.com.

Brooks Brothers cuff links. Go to brooksbrothers.com

Topshop stripe anchor thong. Go to topshop.com

D&G strapless belted dress with pleated skirt, also at eLuxury

Angela Moore stars and stripes bracelet. Visit angelamoore.com
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Agriculture dress, at Net-a-Porter.com

It is clear that these are not simply "American" or "patriotic" looks, since designers worldwide are showing them, and fashionistas are loving them. So what do you think, my lovelies? Which piece or ensemble are you craving? Is the red, white & blue trend just for summer or all-year-round?

Fashion Credits: Photos in this post courtesy nymag.com, except where otherwise noted. Flag ribbon candy at right, go to hammondscandies.com.
Extra Credit: If you're interested in flag trivia and etiquette, see http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0

Circular Logic

Hope you all had a fashtastic weekend, darlings! For your viewing pleasure today, CC has ROUNDed up some of the best clothing and accessories using that old geometric form that has neither beginning nor end: the circle! I have mixed a few different seasons in here, so that those of you in the Southern Hemisphere won't feel left out!

Dolce & Gabbana circle print belt; runway photo at left from nymag.com
Derek Lam Resort 2009 striped shirtdress; photo via style.com

Javier Larráinzar velvet mini dress; runway image via Spanish Vogue




Fendi multi circle long dress; go to eLuxury.com to buy
Miss Sixty circle print dress, at asos.com

D&G polka dot belted mini dress, currently on sale at eLuxury.com

Tucker Beatrice 3/4 sleeve silk blouse, at pinkmascara.com

Balenciaga Resort 2009 deconstructed double polka-dot top; pic courtesy style.com

Moschino Cheap & Chic dot print coat, at Bergdorf Goodman

Roger Vivier Clous Clous cuff; picture courtesy style.com

J. Crew mod circles bracelet. Go to jcrew.com to purchase.

Herve Van der Straeten gold hoop necklace

Tory Burch suede Happy hobo

Fendi F35 frame bag with stone detail and chain strap style

Donna Karan suede peep toe pump with crystal studs

Gucci suede bootie with stud heel detail



Prada suede lace-up ankle boot.......................

Whether with arcs, polka dots, concentric circles, bubbles or rings, it's time to get in the round!

Photography credits: last 6 accessories photos courtesy style.com.

To coin a term . . . Mini Purses!

Put your two cents in . . . one of these fabulous little purses!

First, the utterly, ridiculously affordable (all under ten dollars!):

American Apparel gold coin purse, $8.00 at americanapparel.net

Isaac Mizrahi for Target double card case, $9.99

Forever 21 double coin wallet, $6.50 at forever21.com (and it comes in 5 different colors!)

American Apparel zipper pouch, $6.00

Xhiliration kiss lock mini bow wallet, $8.99 at target.com

Next, the mid-range :

Liberty of London, $39.00 at yoox.com
Moschino Cheap & Chic, $64.00 at yoox.com

Finally, the SUVs of coin purses (in terms of price, not size!). No, they're not cheap, but still a super way to carry your favorite Designer without spending thousands!

Luella stirrup leather purse, at net-a-porter.com

Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Zippy Coin Purse, at eLuxury.com (CC's favorite of the bunch!)

Jil Sander orange zip-around, at yoox.com

Marc Jacobs fluorescent coin purse, at saks.com - great way to channel the neon trend on a small scale!

Judith Leiber coin purse minaudiere, at Bergdorf Goodman

Balenciaga beige lambskin Carry zip wallet, at bluefly.com

Chloe brown calfskin Paddington wallet, at bluefly.com (in lots of different colors, btw)

Secret Pon-Pon orange mini wallet with silver hearts, at yoox.com
Renaud Pellegrino mirrored leather coin purse, at vivre.com

HTC coin purse, at yoox.com (this one has a lot going on, including the fact that you can wear it on your belt - great for the club, where you don't want to be bothered with carrying a bag!)

Louis Vuitton monogram canvas round coin purse, at eLuxury.com

Comme des Garcons turquoise zip-around wallet, at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Now put your two cents in: Which one is your fave?