My Best Dressed of 2010: Carey Mulligan

Lots of Best Dressed of 2010 lists floating around last week---namely one from Vogue and another from Teen Vogue. All the usual suspects: Sienna Miller, Kate Bosworth, and Alexa Chung. Snooze.

But one newcomer gets my vote hands down: Carey Mulligan.

Carey's style feels refreshing to me precisely because it's not so much trendy/disposable as high fashion/timeless.

It's very retro and ladylike with just the right dash of age appropriate quirk.

Loooooove all the longer hem lengths and higher necklines. The exact opposite of typical starlet T&A hoochie mamas (Blake Lively, I'm looking at you...and your ever on display twins.)

Her sweetly sexy style reminds me of Mia Farrow. She's also got a Sofia Coppola vibe if Sofia were blond and British. 

Actually Carey is a bit like a young Anna. Expect with dimples. From, you know, actually smiling.

So who gets your best dressed of the year?
And don't cheat you can only choose one, you cheaters.

What to Wear on Thanksgiving: Camel, Flared Zara Skirt

Camel separates have been tantalizing me for months. So clean, crisp and classic. Very patrician and Parisian.  And yet very all American and sexy tambien.

So I was overjoyed when I found this gorgeous camel skirt at Zara. Perfect for the holidays. Couldn't get over the button detailing and pockets were just $60.

 I wasn't sure initially about all that pleating. Thought it would add a whole lotta flared width to my already flared hips. But magically the shape was pretty flattering. Think it has something to do with the weight of the material, how it skims instead of hugs and the length definitely figures in the equation.

Put the skirt shape to the ultimate test: a piglet mommy and me Thanksgiving dinner at BLT. 

Happy to report the skirt looked amazeballs even after nom nom noming the biggest meal of the year.
That's a BFD.

How to Wear a Striped Dress

I heart stripes.

They are a staple in the wardrobes of fashionistas and mimes alike. 

 I'm always fairly cautious of the cut of any clothing with stripes since they can be unforgiving on the ole curves.

So when I saw this silk shift dress at Forver 21, I wasn't sure I could pull it off.

It was a little harlequin court jester. Plus it was just a smidge too long and too relaxed through middle. Not ideal for someone with a thick waist and legs that are holding up.

But I got it anyway. I'm a sucker for a challenge. And for a deal. My dress was $32. All these dresses below from shopbop and net-a-porter are well over $150.  F that. 

Debuted the dress in question this weekend.
Paired it with Tory Burch booties.  For a little height and even more edge.

Then I added my favorite Zara belt. I've decided it works with 99.9% of my wardrobe. See how it completely reinvents the shape of the dress and the feel of the look.

Then finally I added some leather - a BCBG jacket and Chanel bag. Toughens up the look while pulling it all together.

The cherries on top to soften things: the Forever 21 bow bangles and bow headband. Love love love!

All day walking around with my mom, I felt very London mod chic. 





And like a bit of a preview of Miu Miu Resort 2011. 

The dress will be perfection with any one of the Miu Miu resort shoes I've got my eye on.

Polka dots and stripes are the new swallows