Author: samantha-cabrera
Wild Thing
November 5, 2009It’s all about adding texture to your look this fall and winter. Lucky for us, this means also keeping nice and cozy. A golden rule when it comes to experimenting with texture is to keep colors clean and fairly neutral. Also understand that not all textures mix well. It’s best to stick to smooth fabrics and one or two shots of texture versus mixing leather, a chunky knit, suede and faux fur all in one look. Go with your gut and when in doubt, remove one item. You’ll be pleasantly surprised what these recession-friendly pieces can do for a wardrobe of staple items.
Go Victorian with this ruched velvet bolero. The perfect way to amp up a boring long sleeved T-shirt and jeans combo, this bolero can also top a strapless cocktail dress or asymmetrical number, meaning you get maximum mileage out of this special piece. Available in burgundy and rich blue, this is the perfect match-up for grey and black.
Show some subtle shine in this matte sequin vest. Sequins can be tricky to wear, especially if you’re headed to more conservative venues. Matte sequins create a wearable look that can be tossed on over a V-neck and skinnies for partying with friends or over a long sleeved dress and heels for a fun spin on office party-appropriate attire.
Who doesn’t love a shag? This darling shaggy vest will add new life to your closet with it’s chunky weave and refreshing blush-taupe color. While you might be tempted to toss it over a tee and go, try it over a cami and thin cardigan for a layered look that doesn’t add bulk to your frame.
If you did lace leggings the first time around, you might be weary of this trend. Don’t worry. This time we’re going simple with a plain cocktail dress or mini and letting lace be the focal point of the look. No pearls, heavy makeup or cone-shaped bras in sight. Use these lace leggings to refresh your favorite little dresses (black or bold), but stay away from mixing them with prints. You could end up giving someone vertigo.
A little black clutch can get boring, but when done in ruffles, it’s a whole new ball game. Sleek and feminine, this black ruffled clutch works as a day bag or cocktail clutch and is roomy enough for your cell, lipstick, cash and cards.
samantha-cabrera
Grow Up
October 1, 2009Fashion is growing up this fall. When you think about it, everything is polished. Even the messy hair was a little more kept and a little less ratty than past seasons. It’s about a loose chignon, not a disheveled bedhead, and it’s about loose, structured pieces, not ultra baggy garments that swallow you whole. Look ahead to your bright future by dressing the part and polishing up where your wardrobe needs it.
Add structure to your wardrobe with this oversized men’s-inspired vest. Worn over a T-shirt and skinnies for day, it also breathes new life into a saucy cocktail dress for a downtown chic we all want to be seen in.
Whatever color you choose, go for a bold lip this fall and winter. Cream finishes work with the done feel of the season, but major gloss is the way to go if you aren’t used to donning dark hues. In a season where neutrals rule, bright lips provide the perfect splash of color and allow you to update your look for under $10.
Ditch cocktail dresses that are tight and short. This season is all about that effortless, relaxed ease that shows you’re confident. An easy-to-wear cocktail dress in silk or chiffon looks modern when it’s a roomier silhouette than we’re used to seeing for evening. Keep hair and makeup prim for that perfect FW09 look.
Dress up your cozy fall and winter garb with a mid-size metallic bag with chain strap. Gone are the days of hauling around a handbag the size of a suitcase. A metallic touch looks posh, but it’s still functional.
Warm up in a luxe knit cardigan coat, which can work with jeans as well as work wear when belted. Instead of reaching for dreary black or brown, let shades of gray, beige or taupe be the neutral of choice which will break up a dark winter wardrobe.
samantha-cabrera
Papierdoll Essentials – What You Need for Fall
September 1, 2009Fall fever gives everyone the longing for a few new duds that can gets us through the remainder of the year. As the weather starts to cool down and the days get shorter, you need smart, adaptable pieces that are versatile, but not lacking in the style department. Get on board with fall’s hottest trends and use them to elevate the staples that already exist in your wardrobe (it will be great to put that sheath dress, dark skinnies and cardigans to good use, no?).
Animal Print – Use it to amp up your dark basics and make it office-appropriate by pairing it with smart separates. This DKNY sweater ($145, net-a-porter.com) is great tucked into a high waist black skirt for work and with dark skinny jeans and flats on the weekend.
Statement Necklace – It’s still all about the necklace. This season statement necklace (about $16, forever21.com) is hotter than ever and can add that extra zing to an all-black ensemble. Let it do the bulk of the styling by wearing it with a crewneck or scoop neck sweater, slim trousers and a basic pump.
Hardware – Wear it on your belt (about $7, forever21.com), bag or shoes; hardware is wear it’s at. You choose silver or gold, and then sport the trend via studs and buckles, which add an instant cool factor to subtle pieces like a basic black dress and T-shirt and jeans. Use a hardware happy belt to cinch together a long cardigan over a tank or T-shirt for a clean, fashion-forward look.
Smoky Eyes – If you’re going for one beauty trend this fall, let it be the smoky eye look. It’s wearable, and with a little practice, pretty darn easy to pull off at a moment’s notice. If you’re a klutz with an eye pencil, reach for a super thin brush and cream liner (about $10, drugstore.com), which makes it easy to create a sultry look, even for those of us with a less-than-steady hand. Simply line and slightly smear for a stunning look that will make you look party-ready in a jiffy.
Neon – Get your DayGlo on with a basic piece ($44, shopbop.com) like a T-shirt in ultra bright neon. Anchor it with dark basics and once the dreary winter days roll around, let the hem peek out from beneath a textured sweater and jacket.
samantha-cabrera
Add-on: Essentials September 2008
September 15, 2008Oh, the power of accessories. Just when you thought you were safe with dark prints and wide leg trousers, you start to realize that the real power dressing lies in accessories. Those little extras can elevate a look and are often the way to make your staple wardrobe current and fashion forward. Take a look at the essential add-ons for this fall.
Statement bags are nice, but also sort of overexposed at this point. Bright bags are everywhere, and since fall will boast plenty of color and details like ruffles, buttons and hardware, a grey bag balances the chaos ($160, bananarepublic.com). Neutral bags have become just as relevant this season, and the key color to reach for is grey. Whether it’s slouchy and large or structured and compact, grey works with fall favorites like magenta, cobalt and even prints.
Look for a touch of grunge this fall season. Whether you throw on a fit and flattering plaid button-up or go all out with combat boots ($565, shopbop.com), adding a touch of grunge keeps things interesting, especially when you play with girlish pieces adorned with Cobain-worthy accessories.
Color and texture is the perfect place to experiment when it comes to that winter go-to item: tights. Opaque tights ($20, americanapparel.net) were all over the runways for F/W ‘08, and they’re perfect for pairing with stacked heels and flats. Colors like navy and wine are nice alternatives to black and grey.
Sometimes the best accessories include our makeup, and this season’s bright lips don’t take a backseat to any other beauty trend. Bright colors are usually reserved for spring and summer, but the trend is carrying over into fall by way of violet, magenta and crimson lips. Look for transfer-free shades ($14, nordstrom.com) that will stay put all the live-long day.
The name of the game is peep-toe booties ($355, Saks.com) for fall. Pick out a pair and wear them now with bare legs, and as the weather cools down, you can pull out your wardrobe of tights to keep your tootsies nice and toasty. Colored suede is big, but if the notion freaks you out (and yes, the yellow suede luring on Louboutins is freaking me out as well), stick with dark shades that are wearable and fresh.
samantha-cabrera
Fall Forward
August 14, 2008Samantha Cabrera’s committed eye takes a look into what you should wear for Fall ’08.
Typically, fall has a sense of gloominess. Gone are flirty sun dresses, now wardrobes are making room for wool suiting, shawls, and boots. This season, fall has a very different feeling with various hues and florals, making the cut for what’s hot. For those of us who live in black, it’s the perfect way to experiment without leaving our comfort zone (after all, what looks better with a plaid pencil skirt?). For those who have the Carrie Bradshaw-look down pat, feel free to mix patterns, colors and texture. Anything goes, so keep your eyes peeled for some serious fun this autumn.
- Wrap up in a cozy cardigan ($48, urbanoutfitters.com) and get more use out of summer’s little dresses when
worn with tights and boots. Neutrals like black, grey and navy are always appreciated, but look for other surprisingly easy-to-wear colors like mustard and rust.
- Fall is dressed up, and there’s no simpler way to do it than with a dress ($425, net-a-porter.com). Look for classic shapes. A nipped waist, slightly puffed sleeves and hemlines that skim the knee are work appropriate and have that understated sense of sexiness that most of us only dream of having.
- Plaid is one of the easiest ways to try out a pattern this fall. Throw a cropped plaid jacket ($24.80,
forever21.com) on over a tank and jeans for the transition season, and go very fashion-forward once the cold weather arrives by wearing a 3/4 sleeve version over a turtleneck with wide-leg pants. The look is definitely tough, so go soft elsewhere.
- Menswear-inspired pieces will take you a long way this season. A high waist pant is essential ($225,
shopbop.com), and details like an extra wide leg and pleats elevate the look. Wear with a chiffon blouse in a delicious fall color like raspberry to add a touch of femininity to your look.
- Printed skirts and dresses in dark floral prints ($69.50, express.com) are making the typically summer-associated motif a favorite for fall and winter. A dark background anchors the frou-frou oversized flowers, and wearing a piece with chunky heels balances the girly factor.
samantha-cabrera
Heads Up
July 1, 2008The most recent accessory that has taken the male world by storm? Why sneakers, of course. Sneakerheads have cropped up in every city from Berlin to Boston. They collect them by the dozen(s), meticulously choosing colorways, fit, and style. To call it a subculture is an understatement, and to try and keep up is a job in itself. This issue, Papierdoll brings you five sneakers that are essential picks for the modern man.
Is it a sneaker? Is it a boot? This concoction from Alife ($110, available through Alife stores, (212) 375- 8116) is the lovechild of both. Available in a sandy color, your standard black, and this olive shade, you can be sure that even the most anti-fashion guy would give them a second glance. Our pick is the olive…casual enough for trolling the streets on Sunday, and nice enough to hit brunch before.
Sneakerheads have a distinct voice when it comes to the world of avant garde footwear. An artsy twist on the typical kick is this one from Y-3′s Yohji Yamamoto, dubbed the Tenji ($320, eluxury.com). The grained leather trim and mix of texture elevate this sneaker to new heights in the world of luxury shoes.
Topsiders have made a huge comeback…or they will. Just wait until this time next year when the masses are ironically pairing the classic shoe with everything from acid bright t-shirts to hoodies and skinny jeans. Since standard slip-on Vans can get a bit old (most guys have worn them since high school), their topsiders ($46, zappos.com) are a brilliant alternative to a summer shoe.
The perfect compliment to Chanel’s new perforated Rodeo bag, these perforated leather sneakers from Supra, referred to as the Cuban, are the slick answer to all of the gaudy bright sneakers that seem to have taken over the market. Sleek and cool, the shoes are streamlined making them versatile and a great starter piece for those only dipping their feet into the world of sneakers.
Leave it to the boys of Gourmet to create a canvas variation ($150, available at The Spot, (613) 860-0505)of a much beloved Nike classic. This idea has caught the attention of the suits at Nike, and now it’s harder than ever to find these kicks. Grab them while you can in Balenciaga-worthy colors like Tiffany blue, royal purple and the most insane shade of yellow we’ve ever seen.
samantha-cabrera
Summer Essentials
June 3, 2008Hot? So are we. Take a look what’s in our beach bag this summer and get ready to get some sun while beating the heat and looking oh-so-lovely.
Summer heat gives hair a brutal beating. This conditioner works like an old-fashioned cream rinse, giving hair a serious boost of moisture, while keeping the frizzies at bay. Jonathan Product Condition Weightless No-Frizz Creme Rinse (try saying that five times fast [$22, sephora.com!) is a lightweight conditioner that works on every hair type, and for most, can be the only product to get them through summer. Simply use this instead of your regular conditioner, pin your hair up, take a nap and end up with fabulous wavy locks worthy of Carrie Bradshaw.
Oh, sunglasses…you’re our favorite way to splurge. Face it: they always fit, and make you feel like you’re fighting off the paparazzi, so what’s there not to love? The Tom Ford Whitney sunglasses ($360, eluxury.com) are back, and in more colorways than before. Pitch black sunglasses have taken a back seat this season (we all have a pair!), so experiment with animal prints, nudes (like this), and colored frames.
In-between pedicures my own feet can look, well, a little haggard. With the sun and sand (and strappy sandals) that accompany our feet during the hot summer months, it’s no wonder that when we do finally plant ourselves in pedicurist’s chair, our feet are as rough as a farmer’s hands. Not attractive. Keep your feet gorge between pedis with the help of Lush Lemony Flutter ($13.25, lush.com). Meant for your cuticles, this balm makes a mean soak when paired with extra cushy cotton socks worn overnight. The mango and flaxseed oil work wonders to keep your feet looking like they’re fresh from the salon all season long.
It’s summer. We want a tan. Since every other option will kill us, we’re left searching for the perfect self-tanner. Last summer (and earlier this spring), the winner was still L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee ($9, amazon.com). Annoying name, but the stuff works wonders, so I’m sticking with. It’s a gel formula that goes on smooth and makes your skin silky smooth in the process. Best of all? It doesn’t stink!
Havaianas are a mainstay of every fashionista’s beach kit, and now they’re available in metallic brights ($18, shopbop.com). Yellow is our personal fave (pair with a white tank and rinsed Siwy shorts or an equally bright swimsuit), but the orange and hot pink have us salivating as well. Luckily, they’re affordable, so swiping up multiple pairs is a definite option.
samantha-cabrera
Making Scents of Things
June 2, 2008I’m a tried-and-true sort of gal. If something works (and we’re talking everything, not just beauty products here), I’m most likely going to continue to buy it. In the world of fashion and beauty, we know that every company out there from the giants to the college kids working out of their parents’ basements claim to have the next great thing. Whether it’s jeans that promise to make your ass you lifted, or a mascara promising to last through a viscous tear fest, we know that these are all just marketing ploys aiming to get us to spend our hard earned dollars on said great invention. With the price of accessories climbing, and beauty products performing less than par more than half of the time, it was only a matter of minutes before we turned out next great obsession into the timeless art of scent.
Perfume. Eau de Toilette. Parfum. Where what your wallet can afford, and what flatters you. The thing is, once you get into the science of scents, you start to realize that, like a great fall collection or a wonder beauty product, there are some staples that are just “you.” It makes it hard to branch out when you know what works. I often peruse new scents at the store, studying the marketing. What model the brand chose, the colors in the promos, and the look they want the [enter perfume’s name here] woman to have. If you do this a few times, it’s amazing what you’ll come up with. You start to realize, hmmm…maybe I’m not this woman, but I do love this scent, so maybe I’m apart of her? A trip to Sephora and $60 later, you are that woman. At least until the scent wears off anyway. Here’s a look at a few new fragrances that are launching for spring and summer, all promising to turn us into that woman we long to be.
Marc Jacobs Daisy- This fragrance has had a ton of promotion in the past few months. The first thing that caught my eye was the whimsical flower motif at the top of the bottle, followed by Marc Jacobs’ signature font on the front. Next came the real test of actually smelling the fragrance. I have to admit that I’m not a huge MJ fan when it comes to the label’s scents. I never find them appropriately capturing the Marc Jacobs brand. Daisy is no different, but if you’re into smelling like an actual flower, you may have met your soul mate. Incorporating red ruby grapefruit, strawberry and vanilla, the notes sound more like ingredients in a smoothie than a high end fragrance, but don’t be fooled. The scents combine to create something nearly as whimsical and light as the Daisy bottle itself.
Lacoste Dream of Pink- Lacoste was once slated for the preppy set only. Now it has more of an international appeal and the arrival of Dream of Pink is sure to capture those with a strong girlie side. Notes of lotus flower and rose hit your nose like a soft shock (if you can imagine such a thing) of whiff of Blair Waldorf and the like. It’s still plenty preppy, but now it’s done in a more democratic way, leaving room for us all to embrace our inner snobbish 16 year old self with a bit more poise than the first time around.
Burberry The Beat- This one is supposed to be the scent of the spring and summer. Created by Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey and model-of-the-moment Aygness Deyn, the scent is supposed to smell like youth. I think it smells a little like death. “Mature” would be the nice way of describing this scent, and while I can appreciate the intention, the execution just doesn’t deliver. For me, at least. Mandarin, white musk and cedarwood round out the hefty notes used in this fragrance. With all of this you’d think the result would be practically unisex, but instead it falls somewhere between spinster and crazy cat lady. Pass on this one.
Verace- Yep, that’s all it’s called. It’s the new signature scent from the house of Versace, and since the house is a few decades old, it’s surprising this doesn’t already exist. Evoking all of the sultry sexpot mania that the stripper-esque high heels and flowing bright dresses push, the scent is strong and feminine. White jasmine, amberwoods, and orchid keep the scent light and floral, but the base notes of musks and icy black currant prevent it from becoming frou frou. The luxurious bottle has the Versace logo and a heavy gold top, adding a bit of noveau riche to your vanity table.
YSL Elle- My favorite thing about this fragrance? The bottle is completely girlie, while the fragrance itself is definitely not. YSL’s Elle has mad hints of peony, making it a winner in my book (another favorite that has peony is Stella). Balanced by lychee and patchouli, the aroma is a bit spicy without making you wonder why you sprayed on such a scent. This reminds me of a chic French woman waltzing around in a YSL le smoking jacket pondering the meaning of life as she takes another drag.
samantha-cabrera
Greek Dressing
May 1, 2008Sandals…oh how we love thee! Shoes can take you places…figuratively and literally. Compiled here are our picks for summer sandals, all of which are a sick take on the standard Grecian sandal that no one can get enough of.
Because flat sandals in a neutral are oh-so-right now, these Chloe sandals ($575, net-a-porter.com) will cost you a pretty penny, but keep your feet looking right no matter what you’re wearing. What do we love about these? Well, you can wear them with everything from a thrift store dress to your Acne skinnies and not bat an eye when it comes to whether they “match.” They aren’t supposed to…and that’s sort of the allure.
Gold sandals take a backseat to more interesting metallics this summer. Look for pewter, muted silver and bronze to look dressed without trying to look dressy. These sandals from indie label Devotte ($335, satineboutique.com) incorporate both dark silver and antiqued gold studs, so they’re like jewelry for your feet. Really hardcore, hipster jewelry, of course.
Delicate enough to wear with a wedding dress, and tough enough to make the rounds at Coachella, this sandal ($68, urbanoutfitters.com) has it all. If dresses and skirts seldom make it into your wardrobe, use this sandal to give a girlie balance to your look without going overboard.
Animal print has to be done right in order for it to work, and this leopard (or is it tiger?) print definitely does. Consider it a neutral, and wear this sandal ($248, josephstores.com) with every color in your closet for an extra shot of crazy.
Gap brought on shoe designing whiz Pierre Hardy to create the first Stateside installment of footwear for their Design Edition collection. These flat sandals ($78, gap.com) are available in silver, dark whiskey and white, perfect for those of us who can’t get enough of summer’s loud floral prints.
samantha-cabrera
Snag a Bag
April 2, 2008Landing a designer bag is now the mainstay of nearly every woman’s fashion desires. It began with a few boldface names and constant reminders of what we should be wearing by every budding starlet that now put ‘fashionista’ on their resume as well. After a decade of spending hundreds, and now thousands, of dollars on designer handbags, the fever has spread like wildfire. Everyone from the soccer mom to the urban high school teacher to the young professional wants a piece of the pie when it comes to toting a “good bag.”
Papierdoll.net brings you THE ultimate guide to shopping for a designer bag and scoring a deal at the same time. Understanding how to stakeout your prey and strike at the right time is similar to something out of Planet Earth, so keep this handy as heavy sale season approaches. As with any other sale purchases, understand that a vast majority of the time, sale handbags are final sale, especially when shopping online or from a high end boutique store, so shop accordingly. Of course if you’re a true steals-and-deals gal, you’ll have all season to scope what you may land come first markdowns.
On the web
Landing a bag online is probably the easiest, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come with tons of panic or several phone calls. A lot of this depends on what bag you’re looking for, whether it was an It bag or not, and how many are available once the sale hits. Often online stores do not replenish stock the way a major department store or boutique might, but because so many hardcore bag hags have gotten away from buying their bags online, there are many deals to be had. You could go the eBay route for a steal, but that comes with the whole is-it-real? song and dance, along with the notion of a good chunk of change going through the Paypal system. If you’re comfortable with this, go for it, but be sure to have the bag authenticated at a forum known for their handbag experts like thefashionspot.com or thepurseforum.com. Both sites have authentication sections where experts decipher a bag’s lining, hardware and leather to come to the conclusion of whether a bag is genuine. It isn’t always the easiest the process, but for every Marc Jacobs Stam fake that prowls ebay (and there’s a lot of them), there’s a vintage Chanel bag that’s authentic and whose owner has no clue of the starting value.
If you’re wary of eBay, I don’t blame you. Horror stories of real pictures and fake product paint the eBay forums, so opting for an actual online store is a far safer bet. Thepursepage.com is a designer handbag site devoted to designer handbag reviews and purses donned by celebrities. This site makes it easy to navigate upcoming designer handbag sales as well as sample sales, which usually take place in the LA or NYC areas, depending on the designer. Bookmarking the premier and designer handbag pages of major department stores like Saks.com and Barneys.com, also allows you to check back regularly to see if that beloved Givenchy Nightingale has been marked down yet. Most websites like these have newsletters you can sign up for, which will notify you of specific sales or promotional events. This makes it a bit easier, but know that, like you, a trillion other handbags lovers are signed up for this same email list, so pounce quickly if you see your bag available. Online boutique stores like shopbop.com, allow you to buy both contemporary and premier designers on their site, so you have a clear idea of what’s available. Other sites like aloharag.com (the only online site to purchase Balenciaga handbags) allow you to peruse the merchandise online, make an informed decision, and then call the store to make a purchase. This same policy goes for buying AR’s sale bags.
samantha-cabrera
