Coquette

Ines De La Fressange's Fall/Winter 2014 Collection with Uniqlo

French model Inés de la Fressange is still one of the most stylish models around at age 57 today. The former Chanel model has effortless Parisian style which you see in the new Inés de la Fressange Fall/Winter 2014 collection with Uniqlo. It's all about classic items that you can pair with great accessories. Menswear with a twist. I can't tell you how many stylish French women I saw in Paris this summer wearing a black pants suit. Trés chic! Forget those images of fashion bloggers in girly dresses at the Eiffel Tower - This is not really Paris! I am currently in love with her trench coat (on sale for $99.90). For such an affordable coat, there's amazing quality to it. The material is preached cotton and comes with a removable lining for those chilly days. Comes in classic beige or navy. Decisions, decisions!

Here are more of my favorites from her Uniqlo collection:

Stripe Jacket (on sale for $79.90)

Straight Pants (on sale for $29.90)

Cashmere Tunic ($129.90)

White Cotton Long Sleeve Shirt (on sale for $29.90)

Denim Long Sleeve Shirt ($24.90)

Flannel Polka-dot/Floral Print Shirt (on sale for $29.90)

(Photo: Instagram @coquettenatalie)

I also love Inés book, Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange ($16.92 on Amazon). The book came out in 2011 but I only recently heard about it. It's a wonderful inspiration book as well as a perfect shopping guide if you plan on visiting Paris and need good shopping tips. The book is designed beautifully to feel like a journal with lots of color photos and notes. I love that it also comes with a cute bookmark!

Book Review: Famous Frocks The Little Black Dress

Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress: Patterns for 20 Garments Inspired by Fashion Icons
by Dolin O'Shea
ISBN: 9781452123653
8 x 11 in, 176 pages
$22.64 on Amazon

My good friend and fellow crafter Dolin O'Shea of Lulu Bliss has her first book out, Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress published by Chronicle Books. I recently wrote up a book review and had an interview with Dolin on the site, Racked SF. Dolin's been one of those friends who has impeccable fashion sense and can make just about anything in the world. If I saw her wearing a cute dress or top, more often than not it was something she had just sewn up. She spent over a decade as a patternmaker for the Gap companies and has worked previously at all three entities: Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Now Dolin brings her sewing and fashion know-how to a new kind of sewing book. Famous Frocks features famous little black dresses over the decades. Learn how to sew up Audrey Hepburn's Sabrina Dress or Kate Moss' sexy lace dress of the millennium. The book comes with step-by-step instructions and 10 full dress patterns with sewing variations to make 20 garments in all. All of her LBD dress patterns are modernized for the gal of today and would look oh so perfect for holiday parties. l also love the colorful dress variations where she includes separates from tops to skirts that are perfect for a novice sewer. The patterns in this book can take you through the work week to weekend cocktail parties!

If you are in the Bay Area, come to Alameda on October 11 for a book signing party for Famous Frocks!

The Sewing Room
2434 Webb Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501

Saturday, October 11th
6pm-9pm
more info on Facebook

Check out the book trailer to see what Famous Frocks has inside!

Read my interview with Dolin O'Shea:

Baukjen Fall/Winter Collection 2014

British brand Baukjen launches it's new Fall/Winter Collection and there are so many pieces that are perfect for the work week or an evening out. I am loving skirts for fall and the High-Waisted Pencil Skirt ($155) paired with the Rye Textured Top ($139) looks fantastic for work to after work drinks. I also love the comfort of the Viviana Wrap Skirt ($139) paired with the fun animal print of the Felsted Print Shirt ($195).

Here are more of my favorites from the Baukjen Fall/Winter Collection:

Annan Wrap Dress ($209)

Callington Wrap Sweater ($155)

Kingsbridge Shift Dress ($225)

Ariella Dress ($139)

Uniqlo Cropped Leggings Pants

If you are looking to update your summer wardrobe with some cute stylish pants, look no further than Uniqlo. My favorite are the cropped versions that you can pair with cute sandals, heels or flats. I love these cropped leggings pants ($22.90) that come in a variety of colors and prints. They are seriously so comfortable and so affordable, I had to buy a few different colors. They work perfectly for casual weekends and you can even dress them up for work (pictured below).

H&M Black and White Beach Dress

While running errands yesterday downtown, I popped into H&M for a quick browse. I immediately gravitated towards their new black and white chevron print. The print comes in a tank top, shorts and beach dress. I picked up the beach dress ($12.95) as a perfect casual piece to wear around for summer. I'm a sucker for classic black and white and this print gives it a fun edge. It's also the perfect coverup dress for the beach or on vacation. The dress comes in a variety of fun prints and colors too so stock up on a few for summer!

Spring Sale at Gap

Stock up on some spring essentials such as this Gap Dot Chambray Drawstring Henley Shirtdress (now just $23.99, was $59.95) in Gap's big spring sale! Get up to 60% off in this sale. Also, for a limited time, enter in the code SPRING and get an extra 30% off.

Shop the sale at Gap.com now.

Gap Luxlight Stripe Sweater - navy stripe ($26.99, was $44.95)

Floral Drawstring Henley Shirtdress - floral ($29.99, was $59.95)

Classic Ponte Blazer - light gray heather ($52.99, was $88)

1969 Legging Skimmer Jeans - white ($27.99, was $69.95)

Gap 1969 Legging Jeans - apricot ($48.99, was $69.95)

Foldover Maxi Skirt - tangy orange ($34.99, was 449.95)

Boden Spring Styles - Get 20% off

Get ready for spring with 20% off select styles at Boden. Stock up on pretty dresses and cute tops to liven up your wardrobe for the warm weather. Prices are already marked down on the site but to make it easier, I've picked some of my favorites from the 20% off sale. I love this Flowershow Dress (on sale for $126.40, was $158) that's perfect for brunch, showers and warm weekend nights. Comes in a range of polka dot colors such as blue, yellow, brown, white and a punchy floral print. The 20% off sale goes on until March 23rd!

Here are more of my favorites from the Boden 20% sale:

Colourblock Breton (on sale for $43.20, was $54)

Printed Pocket Top (on sale for $62.40, was $78)

Broderie Detail Tee (on sale for $43.20, was $54)

Pretty Floral Skirt(on sale for $86.40, was $108)

Easy Day Dress (on sale for $78.40, was $98)

Olivia Dress (on sale for $126.40, was $158)

Shop the rest of the 20% off sale at Boden!

Lily Aldridge for Velvet

Lily Aldridge for Velvet taps the supermodel's amazing casual style. I am currently looking for spring jackets and right now her Aziya Leopard Army Jacket ($158 at Velvet) is at the top of my list with it's fresh print and light colors. Classic army green is still a top trend and her Ruby Army Jacket is currently on sale for $66.99 (regular $150) at 6pm.com.

Here are more of my favorites from the Lily Aldridge collection for Velvet:

Anna Stripe T-Shirt Dress ($108)

Maud Luxe Slub Dolman Tee ($79)

Rita Plaid Button-Up Shirt ($114)

Beki Zip Back Dress ($139)

Martha Scarf Print Maxi Dress ($150)

The Printed Blouse

A few days ago, I wore a red printed blouse from Banana Republic with a pair of skinny jeans and received so many complements that I am now looking to add more to my wardrobe. It's a no brainer, easy way to freshen up a casual look and add color at the same time. Top, jeans, flats and done! I love this Geo Print Blouse ($79.50 at Banana Republic). Right now Banana Republic has a sale going on where you can get 40% off your purchase until 3/2 with the code BRTUNEIN. So really, there's no excuse for me (or you) not to snag this!

Here are more printed blouses:

Bold Print Blouse (On sale for $59.99 at Banana Republic)

Pixel Print Blouse ($79.50 at Banana Republic)

Lilly Pulitzer Elsa Silk Top ($158 at Piperlime)

Parker Marissa Blouse ($198 at Shopbop)

Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2014

Pantone's Fashion Color Report for Fall 2014 kicks off today's New York Fashion Week in grand style. Radiant Orchid is *the* color for 2014 (a sort of purplish-pink), now see how the rest of the colors of the palette are inspiring the looks for some of the top designers who will be showing this week. I love how we are incorporating brighter and more vibrant colors into fall.

The colors are: Radiant Orchid (Pantone 18-3224), Royal Blue (Pantone 19-3955), Aluminum (Pantone 16-1107), Aurora Red (Pantone 18-1550), Misted Yellow (Pantone 14-0837), Sangria (Pantone 19-2047), Mauve Mist (Pantone 15-3207), Cognac (Pantone 18-1421), Bright Cobalt (Pantone 19-4037), Cypress (Pantone 18-0322).

My favorite stand out colors are Bright Cobalt and Sangria. See Rebecca Minkoff's and Monique Lhuillier's interpretation in the fall collections below:

Rebecca Minkoff and Bright Cobalt

Monique Lhuillier and Sangria

See more fashion designers from Rachel Roy to Trina Turk and how they are inspired by these Pantone fall colors in this year's Fashion Color Report.