WHAT TO WEAR IN WINTER ...FROM HEAD TO TOE

It is the end of October; yet, temperatures in New York City are headed for the 70's today and tomorrow and are forecasted to reach 80 degrees on Saturday. Despite the summer like weather, it is an appropriate time to be thinking about what to wear in winter. Below are three winter items from some favorite brands that I have my eye on.

A "Top" Hat

Eric Javits has perfect summer hats. In fact they were my introduction to the brand. While I still have an Eric Javits winter hat that is in great shape, this one grabbed my attention. The style, Chain Cloche https://tinyurl.com/bdfmc54w is felt and is made from sustainable wool and

cashmere. In addition to the nice gold chain, the hat is adjustable and packable. I especially like it as my preference for wearing minimalistic one color coats will get an elevated look by wearing a hat with a gold chain. The color options include black, bone and white. The price is $375.

A Lovely Scarf

Soft cashmere scarves are winter wardrobe staples. Loro Piana founded in 1924 and became part of LVMH in 2013 has magnificent cashmere products. A Loro Piana cashmere scarf is a nice way to be introduced to the company's wide ranging lines. Shown here is the Grande Cashmere Scarf listed on the Saks Fifth Avenue website in a a shade called golden.

Check it here: http://tinyurl.com/yyd4kw6n The Saks website shows other attractive colors such as roseberry and red orchid. The measurements are 17"wide x 69" long. The price is $600.

Loro Piano has a similar scarf with a different name on its website. It is called the Grande Unita Scarf andavailable in a number of colors including the beautiful color light blue river. The difference is the one posted on the scarf hass a meta looking tag while the one on the brand's website has the name and logo of the brand on it. Check it here: The price is $595.

Check it out. http://tinyurl.com/4s6uw7wn

And a Walkable Boot

Jimmy Choo, widely known for its glamorous leg enhancing stilettos also offers a nice selection of walkable heels. I haven't worn my Jimmy Choo style Anouk stiletto pumps for some time as shoes with a heel of almost five inches is no longer a favorite.

This CeCe 80 black leather boot looks to be a winner! Link is here: http://tinyurl.com/3382jac7 With an angular block heel, with a western flare would look fabulous and get me walking comfortably (hopefully!) around NYC. The price is $1,595.

This Jimmy Choo style is also available in a light color at Bergdorf Goodman. It looks to be an off-white color. However, the website does not provide a color for this boot. https://tinyurl.com/545kf2rn The price is $1,595.

I'm looking forward to wearing winter items once the weather gets cooler. What are some winter hats, scarves and boots you are considering?

THREE TOPS FOR TODAY

With the cooler weather finally reaching New York City this week, long sleeve tops, particularly blouses have returned to my daily wardrobe. With a preference for wearing mostly black, I recently placed some of my favorite Vince and Theory black silk blouses in the front of my closet for easy access.

From time to time I consider incorporating color in my clothing rotation. Yesterday while browsing the websites of some brands I wear or like but have not purchased, I came across these three tops that caught my attention. They are from Tibi, rag & bone and Joseph. I have not yet seen any of these in person. I hope to make it to a store to check them out.

The grey Tibi blouse, listed on Tibi's website is called "Feather Weight Eco Crepe Davenport Sculpted Shirt" With the drop shoulder and the different ways to tie the scarf/panels, it looks to be a versatile blouse that could be worn on repeat. A nice attribute is the notice about sustainability. The website states: "Crafted from sustainable weather weight acetate and tencel crepe with a special airy finish" This blouse also comes in black. Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/22bf7kdk

Not a fan of floral prints for myself, though looks great on others, I became interested when I came across a rag & bone blouse on the Neiman Marcus website. It is named "Aubrey Floral Button-Front Top." Though it is described as a floral, it looks to be a terrific muted one. With pops of cheerful bright colors and pleats in the front and back, it is a blouse that is on the "top" of my list to consider. Take a look: https://tinyurl.com/yc4hnp22 As a side note, rag & bone is a favorite brand. A previous post, written in April 2023 covers my brand experience

and rag & bone's Icons. For quick reference to the post: https://tinyurl.com/mr4rkpd8

I have not yet purchased clothes from the brand JOSEPH. On its website, it states:"JOSEPH is a British contemporary designer brand with a strong core of luxury essentials." This description definitely comes through when looking through the website. A view of this blouse on the website might lead me to finally become a JOSEPH client! This blouse, named "Silk Crepe de Chine Bailie Blouse" though a simple color, parchment looks elegant, and yet simple enough for daily wear. The fabrication is a lightweight silk crepe and has an invisible back zipper. Have a look: https://tinyurl.com/393mw6wz

I'm so glad the weather has changed to Fall like temperatures. Along with this, looking forward to wearing some delightful new blouses!

IN FASHION WITH... D'ORSAY SHOES

The d’Orsay / D’Orsay style shoe is one of my favorite shoe styles, especially those with pointed toes and a high heels.

The d'Orsday style is a shoe that is carved out around the arch and shows more of the foot when compared with typical pumps or flats that wrap around closer to the foot. Some brands refer to shoes with just one side cut out as being the d'Orsday style.

An example of the one side cut out, and described on its website as such is the Christian Louboutin shoe shown here. This outstanding shoe, ($995) adorned with mini spikes is called Vidura, one of the styles in the brand's new collection. When I checked for this shoe on January 28, 2024 it was no longer available on the brand site. Yet, the one side cut out pump style is available under different style names. The one shown here is called Iriza 85MM Satin D'Orsay Pumps. This is the link to the shoes priced at $845 available at Saks Fifth Avenue: http://tinyurl.com/3pdr47uk

In recent years it has been difficult finding d'Orsays. The good news, based on my in-store and online searches in recent weeks is this style is becoming a little easier to find. It is great seeing the uptick in the availability of this style and would like to see more.

Below are some of the d'Orsay shoes I've located, ranging from flats to stiletto high heels and this style is also available across a range of price points.

• Gianvito Rossi

• Something Bleu

• Zara

• Vince

Gianvito Rossi's black d'Orsay pointed toe pump, with a heel about four inches high, shown here and named Karina is a gorgeous shoe! The company's website states: "The front is embellished with an oversize rose with metallic zip detail trim." Gianvito Rossi's website shows it is available only in black. https://tinyurl.com/2p99wurs Update: Noted on January 28, 2024 the price is reduced from $1,195 to $717.

Bergdorf Goodman had Karina in a gorgeous shade of red. However, when I looked at the Bergdorf Goodman website today, January 28, 2024 it no lo longer listed. I could see it being a hot item and it sold out!

The brand, Something Bleu on the

buttershoes.com website has beautiful kitten heel d'Orsay shoes for special occasions. If shades of Barbie are still on your mind, or if looking for a perfectly hot pink satin shoe, adorned with some glitter this could be the right choice. The style, Darla, ($375) has a heel of about 1.5 inches. For a better look at these shoes, refer to this link: https://tinyurl.com/yu64zc58 Note these shoes are available in other colors such as black and ivory. The Something Bleu brand, which has other pretty styles is also available at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

With metallics now a fashion must have, Zara's gold kitten heel pumps ($49.90 when post was originally published. As of January 28, 2024 the price is $15.99) are a stylish pair to consider. For those fearing metallic clothes are too much to wear, a metallic shoe is an option to be in step with the metallic trend. Click here to see them on the website: https://tinyurl.com/5ycheffs

Of note, the Zara website does not mention d'Orsay when describing these shoes. Searching the Zara website using the word d'Orsay reveals zero results.

Zara is not alone with not using the word d'Orsay to describe shoes that are d'Orsays. For instance, on the Giorgio Armani website there is a lovely d'Orsay pair that is a pleated nappa leather high heel pump. The price is $1,095

The website does not mention it is the d'Orsay style. Check out these striking shoes here:https://tinyurl.com/5a9fhd75

Vince has been one of my favorite go to clothing brands for about a decade and have written about Vince in previous posts. I'm drawn to Vince's basic, yet thoughtful designs and fit, along with their feel good fabrics: cashmere, silk and pima cotton. I've also worn

Vince shoes. In fact two of my favorite pairs, both pointed toed high heels were d'Orsays. Purchased about eight - nine years ago the two styles Celeste (black suede) and Claire (black leather) were perfect pumps. I wore them out. Parting with comfortable high heels were sad days! These two styles would be perfect candidates to be evergreen products in the Vince shoes line-up.

While perusing the Vince website last month it was great seeing an addition to the shoes section-- a pair of black leather pointed toe d'Orsay heels. The style, ($350 and as of January 28, 2024 listed for $245) with a wide stacked heel over three and a half inches is called Prim. Check these out here: https://tinyurl.com/2psxyp2m

I'm glad shoe brands are including d'Orsay styles and some are adding them to their offerings. It is a step in the right direction and hoping to see more!