PFW: Bras Are The New Tops

I came back from Paris late last Thursday night, and I still don't think I'm back on NYC time yet. But regardless of how I feel now, I must share my favorite looks from Paris Fashion Week. The common theme amongst them: bras as tops. Also some camisole-esque dresses and more sheer things. And nipples.

CHANEL
I have to start with Chanel because you know I'm a hardcore devotée, but also this post has so many pictures I need to make sure you'll look at the most important, which is Chanel. Anyway, loved the easy-breezy-ness of the looks, including the hair and makeup. Every model had her own thang happening, and all the looks were so different. I was totally digging how dressed up some of the looks were, while others were beach-ready.

SONIA RYKIEL

I'll be honest, I probably wouldn't have looked at Sonia Rykiel but I had to look since this was Julie de Libran's first collection. And wow. So youthful, easy, and ranged from pretty to edgy. Loved all the criss-cross bra tops under the boxy jackets, and how versatile the tops went with different bottoms. Key here: leather. Also, the sheer dress as seen on Kendall Jenner.

SAINT LAURENT
For the gal who wants to look sexy and tell Instagram to go eff-off. Nipples abounded, which were the perfect complement to an über-dramatic cat-eye. The sheer black stockings were totally necessary to reign in the looks from "street walker" to "street style". Like seriously though, no one can do platform sandals, stockings, and a leather bustier in one outfit like the Saint Laurent girl.

For additional images of my fave looks, visit Facebook!

All images via.

The Perfect Swimwear Fitting

One day last month, I spent my lunch hour at a swimwear fit event at Intimacy Bra Fit Stylists on Madison Avenue. They showed off their newly renovated boutique, new swimwear arrivals, and their expert fit stylists.

Seriously, I don't think I've ever had a fitting this great. My stylist, Miguelina, let me start with the styles I liked, then helped me narrow down my choices based on how the cuts looked on my body shape, how the colour looked against my skin tone, and how the top accentuated my (small) bust. And she made sure to warm up her hands before she adjusted anything for me.

We eventually landed on this bright red Andres Sarda set with tiny black polka dots. The bra-like top has an accent chain and the side-tie bottoms have a just-bare-enough narrow cut to bring enough sexy to an otherwise lady-like bikini. I learned a few new things too, like exactly where an underwire should fall for my bust, and how to tell if the cup really is too big or not (bend forward and see if you fill out the cup!).

I have to admit that I sort of loathed bra fitting until I met Miguelina. I'm more of a figure-it-out-yourself kind of gal, especially since I always felt like the people who did fit me weren't really doing it right. But now I've found my go-to expert — do yourself a favor and make an appointment to see her.

Andres Sarda 'Gilia' bikini with CHANEL UV Essential and SUPER 'Gals' sunglasses.

Visit Intimacy Bra Fit Stylists on Madison Avenue at East 90th Street

Store images courtesy of Intimacy

Everythings: CHANEL's The Little Black Jacket

I was away in Paris for two weeks in June, during which CHANEL's The Little Black Jacket exhibit came to NYC. Tragic irony. Luckily for me, my bestie Erica Paik went with our friend Jess Tice and took in the show. Erica texted me one photo from the exhibit she thought I would like and I immediately asked her to write a guest post on the exhibit, highlighting the portraits that featured lingerie and lingerie-inspired outfits. I wish I could've seen the exhibit—I flipped through the book and the photographs made me ooh and aah, so I can only imagine how I would've reacted at the actual exhibit (i.e. quietly losing my shit inside my head). Thank you Erica for this lovely write-up!

While Esther was away in Paris for business, my friend Jess and I managed to experience a little bit of Paris in NYC.  The Little Black Jacket has been making its way across the globe, and we were lucky to catch it on its last day in the city. I sent a few photos to Esther that I thought would peak her interest.

The space was dark except for the illuminated photographs/posters. 

I had a sneaking suspicion that Esther would love this image of Georgia May Jagger. The tough girl attitude, black kohl rimmed eyes, inner wear as her almost only outerwear, and those statement accessories—how cool is she? [Ed. note: UM, SO COOL. This is hands down one of my favorite portraits in the exhibit... well, at least in the book since I missed the exhibit.]

Poppy Delevigne manages too look like one of the Three Graces in her undergarments, robe, ballet flats and Chanel jacket. Why not?

Oh, Kirsten Dunst! From her leopard print bustier with high waisted skirt to the jacket casually draped on her shoulder, I thought this image was just perfect. I can see someone wearing an outfit like this on a late summer evening especially as we are currently going through a heat wave. 

I just love this portrait of Charlotte Gainsbourg and her pregnant belly smiling towards the portrait of her mother, Jane Birkin. It looks as the two of them of sharing a special moment in the middle of the entire exhibition. [Ed. note: Okay, fine. I know there's no lingerie here, but c'mon! It's such a cute curatorial choice!]

I’m so glad that Esther is back and hope you enjoyed this PLU Everythings moment courtesy of The Little Black Jacket and random Thursday art nights.

xo

P.S. Call your mama and share a laugh today.

All photos © 2012 Erica Paik

Pretty Little Everythings: Summer Weekend Wear

Another edition of "If I had an unlimited budget for my wardrobe", summer weekend edition. And the Stella McCartney long-line bra that has saved so many of my work-wardrobe lingerie dilemmas. Happy Friday, loves! xo

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Pour La Francophile

Oh, the Francophile. The fille who dreams of Paris, strolling along the Seine while nibbling on macarons and carrying a baguette under her arm. Adores Chanel and Hermès, and is constantly trying to learn the infinite ways French women seem have to tie a simple scarf (which somehow seems to create a whole new outfit, even if it's the same thing she wore the day before). Repeatedly watches Les Parapluies de Cherbourg and Amélie, playing La Vie en Rose on a loop on Saturday mornings while making breakfast...

Okay, you get the picture. But in case you still have absolutely no idea what to gift your French-loving lover for Valentine's day, here's a few suggestions.

Paris background image via.

Shop this gift guide:
1. Rituel by Carine Gilson Natalia soft-cup stretch-silk bra, $205. Natalia lace-trimmed stretch-silk shorts, $205. Available at Net-A-Porter.com.
2. Coco Mademoiselle EDP Spray, $64. Available at Chanel.com.
3. Hermès J'aime mon Carré vintage silk twill scarf, $325. Available at Hermes.com.
4. Macarons from bisous, ciao, pricing varies. Check here for details.
5. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Inès de la Fressange, $18.02. Available at Amazon.com.

Fashion Friday: Editorials Love Lingerie

After a rough couple of weeks, I finally had time tonight to scroll through my blog readers and saw a few lingerie-focused photos from various high-fashion editorials that I loved. Hence, Fashion Friday is born. I mean, c'mon—lingerie in editorials AND alliteration? YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT. Enjoy!

Anja Rubik in a Miu Miu jacket & Rochas briefs for Vogue Australia April 2011, via.

Vanessa Paradis in Chanel, i-D Pre-Spring 2011, via.

Amber Valetta for Vogue Italia March 2011, via.

Magdalena Frackowiak for Numéro #121, via.

Gisele Bünchen for Vogue Turkey March 2011, via.

eBay Find: Chanel Lingerie Set

How amazing is this beautiful set from Chanel? I was browsing through this eBay store called bungalowtwentyfour (they have some random bottoms from Araks and The Lake and Stars) and this dainty two-piecer caught my eye. I love that hot pink trim on an otherwise classic cream lace, and the button detail is super adorable. What do you think?

Available on eBay, $249 (& free shipping!)