Fall 2010 Trend: How to Wear Camel

Nearly five years ago I found the holy grail of coats while thrifting. I couldn't believe my luck. It was in pristine condition, slim cut, an ideal length, a cashmere blend and CAMEL. 

I couldn't believe someone had let go of such a classic wardrobe staple. 

And I REALLY couldn't believe the price: $40.

I was smitten.

That was right around the same time that I befriended a guy at work who was pretty and funny and a rocket scientist.  When I met his girlfriend who was even prettier, funnier and smarter, I went completely gaga. Forget the holy grail of camel coats, I'd found the holy grail of couples ;)

Fast forward to October 2010 and I had the honor of watching two of the loveliest people I know become Mr. and Mrs. Golden.  The wedding was exquisite, on a gorgeous day, against the stunning backdrop of California wine country. Perfection.

The reception was outside and went late into the drunken evening.  And as a lady of a certain age, I had some trouble, um, regulating my body temperature.   

Enter my camel coat to the rescue.




I'd basically whip the coat off for pictures or dance parties and then snuggle back into it whenever I could.

I convinced myself I didn't look like a fuddy duddy geriatric
because camel coats are one of the hottest fall 2010 trends.
So there hot young chicks who never had to put on a coat.

The only snug as a bug in a rug option that might have been fiercer

would've been a camel CAPE. Ugh.  I need.

Also on the Diabolina wish list: those red and camel Valentinos.

An old, cold lady can dream can't she?

Fashion Halloween Costumes: Anna Dello Russo...and Bed Bugs?

Kicking myself for not being as smart as Brad Goreski or Prabal Gurung.  I didn't think to be Anna Dello Russo or Marc Jacobs for Halloween this year. FML.




That would have made it three fashion icons in a row---Karl Lagerfeld in 2008 and Rachel Zoe in 2009.

There was still a kind of fashion angle to this year's costume. Last month I spent  10 days in NYC with my  favorite fashionista Jean Bean.  You could say she is obsessed with the Big Apple's recent bed bug, um, situation (read: infestation.)  Jean's theory is that the parasitic bugs hitched a ride with the NYC fashion crowd after the European fall collections.




And so as an ode to Jean's phobia paranoia,
I decided to be the icky blood sucking thing New Yorkers fear the most this Halloweiner.   



I dressed in all brown, accesorized with a skull scarf, Frette bathrobe, metallic antennea, cat eye sunnies that look kinda buggy too, fangs and matching bloodied mouth.




 I also carried nods to some of the spots where bed bugs have been found: Macy's, Bloomie's and the Elle offices.  Couldn't figure out how to work in the UN.



Mr. Diabolina took a less fashionable, more TERRIFYING approach to his costume.




Ugh to that SCARY mask and self-fashioned creepy cardboard legs that my mom helped him with. And see the movie popcorn bucket above?  Yep, bed bugs are crawling all over the AMC theaters in NYC. Jean Bean hasn't seen a movie in months. 



Thank god we were Halloweening in WeHo not the Village this year. 




Mr. D and I were quite the hot bed bug mess on Santa Monica Boulevard. And by hot mess I mean more mess than hot.



Typical us.

Next year, I'll likely revert back to a more obvious fashiony costume.
Fruits on my head, see through clothing, sequins, feathers and legs for days obvious.




























 I'll need to start working on that Anna accent too.
I lucked out with bed bugs.  They don't so much talk as gurgle human blood.

Though they do tweet. Follow the hilarious Bedbug Life here.

For more Fashion Halloween costumes check out
style.com, refinery.com, Harpers Bazaar, W.