Archive for January, 2012
Ahhhh, it’s nice to be back. Back on the streets of Chicago. Yesterday afternoon I went out style hunting for the first time in what felt like ages. Even street-style photographers need breaks. I hate the brouhaha that surrounds Christmas shopping and besides, it’s impossible to set up shots on the crowded sidewalks. I spotted Jess and her friend Chris during a return to my old stomping grounds on Rush Street. They were visiting Chicago from Australia. I give tourists a hard time but really, more often than not visitors from overseas are among the best dressed people on the sidewalk. I mean, if you are cultured enough to enjoy traveling then you probably also understand the importance of dressing well.
What I thought Jess’s outfit illustrated is how powerful a scarf, shawl, or even a piece of fabric can be at adding style to a look. Scarves are an excellent way to add color, energy, and texture to winter looks. The streets are awash in navy, black, and camel coats because let’s be honest; when you’re dropping $$$ on outerwear you want a piece that goes with everything. I have to give Chicagoans credit though because you’ll see a lot more brightly colored coats (red, purple, green) here than anywhere else in America. So if you’re wearing a coat in a safe color like navy, add a brightly patterned scarf like Jess did to bring some style into your look!
PS: Chambray denim shirts look great layered under wool outerwear like blazers and overcoats. They’re warm, too, since they add another layer of insulation against the hard Midwestern winter. If you don’t want to don your puffy coat then this is a great look to try.
I’m still not sure where I stand on the paper bag pant, although this woman’s quirky take on the classic preppy aesthetic is a persuasive argument in favor of the garment. She feels so down to earth carrying a paper bag alongside her Chanel classic flap purse. Or maybe it’s the way she paired cuffed trousers with black oxfords for a chic riff on Oliver Twist. Either way, you can’t deny this woman has style.
With sale season swinging into high gear you can find incredible deals on Fall 2011 merchandise everywhere. The reason these bad boys, which are currently 50% off on ShopBop, will never be in my closet is because of the height. It doesn’t mean I can’t admire them. Even without a platform they’re still 5″ tall. I whine about my feet hurting in anything higher than 2″. I’m in the process of building a killer designer sneaker collection which according to Tommy Ton, is the surprise hit trend of 2011. The great thing about being a street-style photographer is that I can live vicariously through my subjects. Even though I’m nearly always in flats, I love to photograph women in heels.
I have a soft spot for anything tribal so it pains me that these sandals are literally too, well, painful for me to ever rock. The Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 collection was honestly the first time I’ve ever lusted after any Native American-inspired pieces by Western designers. Often times when designers are inspired by the whole “Cowboys and Indians” era the clothes end up kitschy and lame with a borderline racist vibe. Jack and Lazaro were able to transform their source of inspiration – Navajo blankets – into something completely new while honoring the source of their creativity with the utmost respect.
