Follow Suit

Via Garance Dore

“ ‘Allure’ is a word very few people use nowadays,” she said recently, “but it’s something that exists. Allure holds you, doesn’t it? Whether it’s a gaze or a glance in the street or a face in the crowd or someone sitting opposite you at lunch… you are held.” – Diane Vreeland from Allure 

There are a few things that I believe in doing solely for myself. Quiet time alone with my thoughts, a good book, uninterrupted gym time, beautiful underthings, indulgent manicures and pedicures at my favorite spa are a few of my small luxuries. While catching up with childhood friends by the pool, I realized that comfortable, well-made, elegant swimwear is one of my, just because items. There’s something utterly luxurious about a swimsuit with a streamlined silhouette that molds carefully to the body just so. 

The maillot is perfect for a late summer afternoon spent leaping and plunging into the pool just like this. The Eres maillot with its perfect shape, straps, cuts and seams does simplicity at its very best. There’s something timeless sophisticated and alluring about the maillot. It just feels right in every instance. It always reminds me of Charlotte Rampling, Romy Schneider or that photo of Liz Taylor. Glamour over the overt. There’s something subversive about wearing precisely the opposite of the expected.

Over the years, I’ve invested in a few great swimsuits (both maillots and elegantly cut two pieces) that combine form and function. In no way am I suggesting that Eres is the end all of swimwear, but I adore the fabric technology that dries swiftly, holds up to the elements and lasts. As you all know, when I find something I love, there’s no going back. 

Have you had any pool or beach time lately? I would love to hear what you’re wearing. 

With Elegance and Grace

My Personal Photo

Mistakes are part of life- we all make them despite willing ourselves not to. It’s how mistakes are resolved that we remember most. This pretty parcel came home with me on Friday, courtesy of Chanel. Their way of saying, we apologize. What a lovely way to start the weekend…

I’ve always experienced impeccable service at Chanel. I’m quite astute when it comes to shopping and being treated with dignity; I honed these skills at my first part-time job in retail. I have never had a quality issue with any Chanel item and that’s not what happened here. 

On a long flight, I noticed a hairline crack in one of the arms of my sunglasses. I’m not sure how it happened, but it happened. I can’t endure a long flight or any hint of sun without a pair of oversized sunglasses. I have very fine/small features, so finding sunglasses that don’t overwhelm my face is hard. When I find something that works, I’m inclined to stick with it. 

As soon as I got back to New York, I took the sunglasses to Chanel to have a replacement part ordered. Without saying too much, I can say that the ball was dropped when it came to keeping me apprised of the situation in a reasonable time frame. To be fair, there was a lot of communication going on between the store, Luxottica and the eyewear factory in Italy. 

When the store manager (who is absolutely lovely) called apologizing profusely, she couldn’t believe that I was so calm and pleasant about the entire situation. While my sunglasses weren’t new, the store manager thought it was only fair (given the time I had been waiting for any update) that we setup an appointment to see if we could find a new pair of sunglasses courtesy of Chanel. 

Just when I was starting to feel rather discouraged in my search, my brother spotted a pair high up on the shelf that looked just right- brown tortoise, oval, discreet logo, and yes, a bit glamorous. I can’t wait to have my prescription put in and the lens gradated later this week. In the end, I'm pleased that Chanel took ownership of the situation and resolved the whole ordeal with the elegance and grace that I’ve come to expect.

"You'll Be Fine"

SC for Louis Vuitton Via Habitually Chic

“Style begins with the people passing through one’s life, the harbingers we push against and the style makers we want to clone. Some are famous, some not. Style grows from admiration, from longing, from discrimination– and, yes, from love. It’s all the places you’ve been to and the people and the moments you’ve known: The parts you’ve adopted, to keep forever, and transformed. We wear our history in our hearts and on our backs.” – Christopher Wool’s Notes on Style

Recently, I had one of those meetings that you can’t stop thinking about. Amidst the shuffle, it’s hard to take the time to informally meet up with colleagues. For longer than I care to mention, a tentative lunch had been scheduled with a woman whose career I admire. A career so distinguished that she was called out of retirement to head up a new initiative. 

In a word this woman is fearless. Before we could sit down she mentioned how funny it was that she was here at her age doing something she loves. “Everyone is six feet tall, slim, and then there’s me. But, everyone couldn’t be kinder” she said laughing. From her humor and graciousness to her spot on tomboy style, she proves that style is ageless.   

We instantly bonded over a love of our careers, travel and jewelry. Before you know it, we were exchanging our favorite city haunts. Upon discovering that she lived in the West Village, I declared that she must stop by Lori McLean- one of my favorite little shops in the city. 

I’m not someone that shares or even talks about myself very much, so it came as a surprise that she managed to get me talking. In my experience, it’s rare that people take the time to understand what has shaped you or why you think the way that you do.

She was quick to tell me that despite all of her success she never had a plan. I make meticulous plans, so I prompted her on this. For her, it was about constantly challenging oneself. More than once, she mentioned just how lucky she was to do what she does. There’s something about seeing someone so passionate, that’s contagious. 

Perhaps what stuck with me most was the certainty and confidence with which she told me “you’ll be fine… you’re already in such a good place.” Who doesn’t want to hear that?

Have you had any inspiring moments lately?