capes

It's called cape fever and these loose fitting cover ups are everywhere.

Pair them with anything tight in your closet and you've streamlined your outfit. Most bottoms work with capes but I would recommend sticking to a pencil skirt, skinny jeans/pants, leggings, or better yet... leather pants. Boots are a must for foot apparel and since capes have a lot of volume try for a fitted long sleeve or turtleneck.

Capes can be tricky. There are different lengths and styles which should be selected wisely to help flatter your figure and bring out your personality. For the shorter ladies out there, be weary of longer capes which can make you look shorter. If you feel lost in your cape and are looking to accentuate your waist, try a belt. Some capes may come accessorized with a belt but don't be afraid to play around and try some of your own.

 Andrew Marc Cape available at Bloomingdale's

 Downtown Cape by Ann Taylor

Aqua Popcorn Tank Cape available at Bloomingdale's

Military Knitted Cape by ASOS

Betsey Johnson Belted Capelet available at Nordstrom

Burberry Brit Toggle Front Cape available at Nordstrom

Diane von Furstenberg Hooded Cotton Cape available at Nordstrom

Floating City Cape by Free People

Rachel Zoe's Leather Trim Cape Rachel Zoe available at Intermix

 

Suno's Mohair Leather Trim Plaid Cape available at Intermix

 The Great Caper by J. Crew

 Streetscape Cape by J. Crew

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Shawl Collar Cape available at Nordstrom

Leather Trimmed Double Breasted Cape by LOFT

Rachel Roy Cape with Removable Genuine Lamb's Fur Collar available at Nordstrom

Leighton Cape by Rag & Bone

Aqua Elbow Sleeve Shawl Collar Cape available at Bloomingdale's

Tahari 'Belle' Capelet available at Nordstrom

but i can change

I can't get away from the song Change by LCD Soundsystem. It makes me want to shake him but I know everyone wants to shake me instead.

Tell me a line make it easy for me

Open your arms

Dance with me until I feel all right

It's good in the dark, good in the dark

But into the lover's light

Here comes another fight

paper crown

Fashion week is always a blast. The same designers never fail to impress. There is one new designer that caught my eye this year and I can't say I am the biggest fan of her outside the fashion realm. I never got into The Hills and thought rather poorly of the whole reality TV frenzy but Lauren Conrad is grasping my attention on the runway. Her co-star, Whitney Port, released her Whitney Eve clothing line in March 2008 and I have yet to be impressed. I mean, honestly, who you would trust to create a tasteful line... Whitney Port on the left of Lauren Conrad on the right?

In order to remain fair to Miss Whitney, I must mention the line Lauren created before Paper Crown. The Lauren Conrad Collection was released in 2008 and was not successful enough to stand on its own. The biggest downfall was overplaying her LC name in the label. We get it, you're famous and can pay people to put a line together which sells basic clothing but that doesn't make me want to buy it and/or wear it.

This second time around, Paper Crown wins over the target market of an older twenty-something crowd and has its own sophistication with a laid back take on trendiness. The pieces are traditional and timeless but I love the confidence and subtle youth it exerts. Here are my favorites from the Fall 2011 collection: