Birkenstock Bandwagon

We've had lots of inquiries lately about the C&C stance on Birkenstocks (more than three this week), so I thought it was time to address the issue. Birkenstocks are back, and surprisingly "on trend"....who would have thought?

Let me start by saying that for years I have called Birkenstocks "Jesus Sandals". I've never been much of a fan of the traditional style, no matter how comfortable everyone claims them to be.

That said, I'm not totally against them. Let me be clear though, I think Birkenstocks are appropriate for the casual and comfortable look, not for dressing up. They are not chic, but they can be cute.

Case in point. These women are all wearing casual and comfortable outfits with Birkenstocks, and they look cute.

They do NOT, however, make a positive contribution to this look. I get it, she's going for effortless, but I am certain that she could have worn nearly any other style of shoe and looked just as effortless and far more chic. 

So, what is my stance? Well, if I was considering jumping on the Birkenstock bandwagon (which I might be), these would be my top choices, the gold being my favorite.

Arizona' Soft Footbed Leather Sandal 

'Gizeh' Birko-Flor™ Thong

Madrid' Birko-Flor™ Sandal

So, are you on the Birkenstock Bandwagon? 

Street Style

It's been a while since I've done a Street Style post, so I thought I would share with you the street style of Marina Larroude. Marina covers high-end designers, accessories, and the home and children's markets for Style.com. She grew up in Brazil and now lives in NYC.

Her Style is enviable and looks so effortless (which I am sure it is not). I especially love this first look. The shoes, the skirt, the blouse...all perfection!

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If you want to read more about her and see more of her closet, she was featured on The Coveteur! Here is a little preview of what you will see!

Happily Grey

Last week I introduced you to blogger Beth and her fantastic blog Seersucker + Saddles (here). Well, I thought I would share another one of my new favorite bloggers, Mary from Happily Grey.  Like Beth, Mary has awesome style and more of often than not, she posts links to the items so that if you really like something, it's easy to track down.

Here are a few of my favorite posts from Mary at Happily Grey.

And a few side thoughts....1) she too must have a huge closet, 2) How come I don't look this cool and easy breezy when posing for my "what i wore" posts?, and 3) She must have a really nice camera and a good photographer.

Street Style- Looks I Love

Today's post is all about my personal taste fashion and style...so, without further adieu, I call this, "Looks I Love!"

Enjoy the weekend!

Fashion Icon Anna Dello Russo

If you aren't familiar with Anna Dello Russo, editor at large for Vogue Japan, she is truly a style icon. Often spotted with one of C & C's favorites Viviana Volpicella, she truly knows how to pull off any look. It is rumored that she owns over 4,000 pairs of shoes. Oh to be ADR. And can you believe she is 50 years old?

And...on October 4, the Anna Dello Russo at H & M collection will be available in stores! Check out her new music video that teaches you everything you need to know about fashion. In the words of fellow blogger Sheryll from The Poe Log, "while highly embarrassing, she's chic as shit and can do whatever she wants." My thoughts exactly.

Advanced Style

Thanks to my grandmother for tipping me off on this fabulous find. She is one cool lady, so it's no surprise she is on the pulse of fashion!

Have you ever heard of the blog Advanced Style? "Advanced Style is Ari Seth Cohen’s blog-based ode to the confidence, beauty, and fashion that can only be achieved through the experience of a life lived glamorously. It is a collection of street fashion unlike any seen before—focused on the over-60 set in the world’s most stylish locales. The (mostly) ladies of Advanced Style are enjoying their later years with grace and panache, marching to the beat of their own drummer"...basically this is street style for the 50+.

Cohen started his blog inspired by his own grandmother’s unique personal style and his lifelong interest in the put-together fashion of vibrant seniors. He also wrote a book called Advanced Style.

And, after three years of interviews, editing and pounding the pavement for funding, in 2013 Cohen will release the Advanced Style documentary. I am SO hoping this film makes it to Portland! Here's a sneak peek at the Advanced Style film!



Can I say again how much I love this kind of stuff!

Olivia Palermo Street Style

We ended last week with Vivianna Volpicella's Street Style, so why not start this week with another glamour gal on the street. It has been a while since I posted on one of my favorite fashionistas, Olivia Palermo.  Her days on "The City" made her out to be a total DIVA (to put it kindly), so I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with her. Attitude aside, her fashion sense is impeccable, her hair enviable and her figure, a bit on the thin side, but perfect for the couture she wears. Oh, and her +1 is pretty hot too! 

Can you imagine what her closet looks like? 

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What are your thoughts on OP?

Viviana Volpicella Street Style

One of my favorite fashion icons is Viviana Volpicella. I've blogged about her countless times and honestly can't get enough of her street style. She knows how to mix prints, colors and textures as well as anyone. I often look to her for inspiration as I style my own outfits. I will never come close to being as fabulous, but I can certainly try. Here are some recent (and some not so recent) photos I pulled from the VV Facebook Page.

P.S. She sure has a chic group of girlfriends!

And, a little "fashion flashback", here is one of my most favorite VV looks ever! The dress, the shoes....I'm dying a slow, fashionable death! Oh, and Anna dello Russo doesn't look terrible either.

Trump Style

Earlier this week, Haley of Cadigan Junkie posted shoes from the Ivanka Trump collection. I immediately feel head over heels...or should I say, "head over this wedge"! Seriously, I am doing everything in my power not to buy it, but I am so, so tempted!

Ivanka Trump Women's Halyn Wedge Sandal $150 (on sale for $99)

It has a similar look to this Tory Burch wedge, which is also on sale, but still more expensive. And, I actually like the Ivanka Trump wedge more.

Camelia High Wedge Espadrille $195 (on sale for $136.50)

Now back to Ivanka Trump. We've blogged about her before (here), and since then she has been busy as ever building her empire in true Trump style. Not only is Ivanka a member of the Trump International business team, but she also has a fashion and jewelry collection, is a published writer and appears on The Apprentice along side her father. Oh, and did I mention she has a 10 month old baby. She's one busy lady! 

Bottom line, she is a fantastic role model for women, and of course, she does it all with grace, composure and mostly importantly style.  Here are some of my favorite looks. 

She wore this fantastic dress from Alloy (it was only $45) to the Inglorious Bastards premiere back in 2009. I blogged about it way back when, and now I am kicking myself for not buying it! 

Here is a recent photo from her Facebook page. This kind of photo makes her seem more "normal" like the rest of us!

This photo is from 2007 and is a perfect example of how Ivanka's classic style stands the test of time. 

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In Carolina Herrera at the Celebrity Apprentice Finale. Love the dress, the hair and the makeup!

This is NY street chic at its finest! 

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