Fall Color Palette

I can work with this. My usual standby blacks and greys are represented and I like the marigold and the mossy green but, as much as those purple hues flatter my dark skin, I just can't bring myself to buy anything in that color.

Are Leather Pants a Necessity?

L to R: Karl Lagerfeld, JeanPaul Gaultier, Chanel, Chanel (source: Style.com via TFS)

I have a good friend that invested in a quality pair of leather pants a few years back. And no, she's doesn't ride to work in the bitch seat of a Harley. When she first modeled them for me, I am almost certain that I made a series of back handed compliments but deep down inside, I was envious. She bought them right off the rack but you would have though they were custom made.
Every now and again, I'll see a pair of leather slacks on the runway and think "Maybe I should try on a few pairs, just to see." Unfortunately for me, off the rack just doesn't work. They're either too short, too high in the waist or too baggy in the booty, which is the S&M equivalent of mom jeans. Enevitably, I always put them back on the rack and try to forget I ever had such a crazy idea in the first place.

Leather can be tricky. When executed properly the look can be sleek and add an edgy ala Carrie Otis in those old Calvin Klein ads (I know she was wearing a leather jacket not slacks but still, it evoked a mood.) On the other hand, leather done badly will instantly transform you into a loser camping out of Marilyn Manson concert tickets or an unpaid extra on the set of a Russ Meyers film.

As a general rule I think leathers on a man are a no go. Too Jim Morrison meets that one guy with the mutton chops in The Village People...and they always makes me question a man's personal hygeine. I don't think men can be trusted to properly clean leather unless it's on a baseball glove.

I think custom pants would be the way to go. IC3D.com can do it but at $350 a pop I'd want to know for sure that the fit is perfect. I was all set to send them my favorite pants to copy but then pregnancy happened and now, and since I lost more weight that I gained in the first place, my once promising ass has been reabsorbed by my body and those "perfect" pre-pregnancy pants just don't do the job anymore. This is clearly a job for a local tailor. I wonder if any of the tailors at Nordstrom freelance?

Ultimately, I think leather pants take commitment. Will I wear them often enough to justify the expense? Or will it end up as a relic in my bulging closet?

Katie Holmes

I've never seen a single episode of "Dawson's Creek" but in my mind, Katie Holmes is still 16.
That leaves me scratching my head a little over her recent wardrobe choices, which seem a tad mature for such a young woman. But, I'll leave it to the celebrity blogs to speculate on the whys of Katie's new found personal style.

I should add however that for a much as I think that she dresses a bit old for someone her age, I think she her clothes are perfectly suited for someone my age! I absolutely love her new style which is very reminiscent of that other Kate, Katherine Hepburn.

The outfit she's wearing here with her beautiful daughter is something from my capsule wardrobe I could literally wear everyday. I think it's just so simple and elegant from chic haircut to her patent leather toes.

I must have about a dozen pictures of her saved on my computer for inspiration. She does seem to have the same problem that I do namely, lack of color. I am completely wed to black & greyscale. Maybe I should start with a bright bag?

Lookbook

A lot of people, it seems, were excited for the budget priced Christian LaCroix collection for French catalog company La Redoute but personally, I was anxious to see the mix & match collection that Lou Doillon and Jane Birkin put together. I'm a big fan of French style and women just don't get Frenchier than Lou and Jane. Prices range from about 40 euros (t-shirt) to 209 euros (coat.) Unfortunately, I don't think the US site is selling this line but if you have any friends in Europe, now is that time to hit them up for a favor. I think I will definitely be purchasing the coat.