Runway Report

Note to Rag & Bone:
I looked through photos from your New York Fashion Week runway show for Spring 2009 and it was love at first sight. Actually maybe it was lust at first sight. The hipster and preppy styles you juxtaposed on the runway combined to make some enviable looks. I loved the cigarette pants combined with "grandpa cardigans" and I could not get enough of the menswear inspired fabrics you used. The different garments you presented were a cohesive line, and I really got a feel for the kind of hip woman that will be wearing your clothing. Well done.

Note to Readers:
I hope you are having as much fun as I am going through the photos from the Fashion Week shows. I am feeling truly inspired by what the designers are coming up with. I like to go through the different looks and think about what I already have that I can pair with various items to look like the outfits seen on the runway. For example, I can use a pair of skinny jeans I already have, and find a new blazer or cardigan to pair it with to make my look more current. I feel like I have been in a wardrobe slump lately, but now I am thinking of new ways to breathe life into my wardrobe. Happy Fashion Week everyone!


I love the stripes paired with the butter-yellow jacket. I also like the high waisted shorts, they make the models legs look even longer, not that it was necessary.


The oversized jacket pairs nicely with the shorter skirt. The color of the skirt will be a big color this winter, and from the looks of it will transition into next spring. I am also obsessed with the shoes, obsessed.


The cut of these pants give them a rocker-like look, but they are wisely paired with this cardigan to keep the look from being too cliche. Every item in this look would be versatile, and that is something I look for when shopping.

It's Almost as Good as Christmas!

Note to Readers:
Happy Fashion Week everyone! Today kicks off New York's Mercedes Benz Spring 2009 Fashion Week. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself! Just wanted to let you all know the good news. Fashion Week takes place from September 5-12, 2008 in Bryant Park in New York.

Note to Designers:
Calvin, Carolina, Marc, Diane, Donna, Herve, Michael, Monique, Vera, and the rest of you, I can't wait to see what you have been working hard on the past few months. If you really wow me, you will see some of your creations posted here. I know, that is pretty big incentive! Have a good fashion week, and maybe next time send an invitation or two my way. I love a good runway show!

And the Winner Is...

Note to Nordstrom:
Congratulations on winning the Fashion Noted poll of where readers would like to have a $1,000 shopping spree. I think you won because readers can find the latest fashions within your walls, as well as shoes, make up, accessories, perfume, etc. We can find almost all of our fashion needs in one store. We can even pick up things for kids, babies, the men in our lives, and not have to venture into the rest of the mall. You carry high-end designer items with price tags in the thousands, and you carry tank tops for $12.00. Thank you for stocking your store with the variety that we consumers crave.

Note to Readers:
Thanks again for voting in the Fashion Noted weekly poll. I like to see what your tastes, style and preferences are so I write things you are interested in. In honor of our poll winner this week, I looked on Nordstrom.com for some stand out items this season.


I am loving the houndstooth print this season. This is the Leifsdottir 'Houndspaw' coat. I love the print, love the slight volume in the sleeves, and I love the ruffle down the front. This coat has great design details, and if I can find $478.00 laying around somewhere, you better believe I'll be wearing it this winter!



I think this Yoana Baraschi 'Art Critic' watercolor silk dress is fabulous. The colors are vibrant, but appropriate for fall and I love the silhouette. The flowy nature of the dress is reigned in by the belt, keeping it from looking too much like a tent. I have never heard of Yoana Baraschi before, but now I am going to be keeping an eye out for more Baraschi designs.



Previous poll winner, Marc Jacobs does not disappoint with the 'Bramble Tweed' top. The wide neck and dolman sleeves give this top a unique silhouette, that would be flattering on many body types. I think it would look amazing with a pencil skirt or a pair of skinny jeans.

Koo de Ker

Note to Readers:
I took a last minute trip to Salt Lake City for the holiday weekend, and I found this treasure of a boutique while I was shopping. I read about Koo de Ker in the latest issue of Eliza Magazine and I had to check it out. I was not disappointed by this charming shop in the 9th and 9th shopping area of Salt Lake. I purchased a few tops for around $40, and a fabulous jacket from the abundant sale section. Anyway, I am getting no form of payment for this post, I just wanted to share a new store I found. So if you find yourself in the Salt Lake area check out Koo de Ker.

Note to Koo de Ker:
Thank you for a great shopping experience. I will definitely come back the next time I am in town. See you soon!

I Heart Plaid

All images in this post are from the Fall 2008 Dolce and Gabbana Ready to Wear Collection

Note to Plaid:
I am on the brink of being ecstatic that you are one of the stand out trends for the upcoming Fall and Winter seasons. I have been trying to bring you back for a few seasons now, and I am so glad that now there are going to be so many chic and new ways to wear you. You made an appearance in many of the 2008 designer runway collections, and I was grinning from ear to ear each time you hit the runway. Welcome back my dear friend!

Note to Readers:
Some people are a little bit skeptical about wearing plaid, for fear of looking like a lumberjack or someone who never left the 90s grunge-flannel wearing stage. This Fall will be the perfect time to start reintroducing plaid into your wardrobe. Plaid prints can be busy and colorful, so make sure the rest of your outfit is solid colors and basic silhouettes. On the runways they paired different plaid prints and it looked amazing, but in real life it would be too much in one outfit. Also to avoid looking grungy or like a lumberjack, pick plaid garments with chic tailoring, more fitted and feminine silhouettes, and make sure the fit is not too loose. You don't want to get lost in a sea of plaid! Printed tights are going to be a big trend in the upcoming seasons, and I am obsessed with plaid tights. Again, with a plaid make sure you have one article of the plaid and the rest of your outfit is more subdued. Have fun with the plaid, and feel free to email me with any questions and concerns. fashionnoted@gmail.com


Please note the ultra-feminine silhouette complete with ruffles.



I love the tights, love the dress, and on the runway this outfit looks uber-cool. In real life it would have to be edited down a bit, but each of the pieces would combine with solids to make an amazing outfit. Except for the head scarf; I am not ready to hop on that train yet.

And the Winner is....

Note to Dara Torres:
You are the only person who has beat out Michael Phelps in a while, and that is in our Fashion Noted poll. This was a difficult poll to win, because in actuality the only thing most of us have seen you wearing is a swimsuit. You have accomplished many things though, all of which have led to your big victory in this poll. You were the first athlete to appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, which must have been intimidating being the lone non-model posing in a bathing suit. You are not a stranger to going against the grain. Your appearance at the Beijing Olympic games was your 5th Olympics, and you are the first and only American swimmer to accomplish that. Also at age 41, you raced against women half your age, and beat almost all of them. You always had a smile on your face too, which added to your appeal. Thanks for showing us that you are never too old to give up on your dreams, and following your dreams is always fashionable.

Note to Readers:
I hope you enjoyed the Olympics as much as I did. From a style standpoint, there were many victories from the Americans. I applauded the US Gymnasts for not getting sucked into the blue eyeshadow and glitter hair gel trends that so many in their sport have succumbed to. They kept their faces fresh and natural looking, and they were the best looking squad on the mats. Michael Phelps showed us that the best accessory anyone can have is a Gold Medal, so why not make it eight of them? Kerri Walsh with the long, lean body of a model and Misty May-Treanor with her athletic build showed us that athletic women are just as beautiful as uber-skinny ones. Finally, our poll winner Dara Torres showed us that with some hard work we can achieve our goals too. I was definitely inspired and I hope you all were as well.

Pet Peeve

Note to Tom and Katie:
I thought there were few things I hated more than when people where sunglasses indoors. Until now. Sunglasses at night? Really? I know that you are being followed by the paparazzi and that their flashbulbs get pretty bright. People are always trying to take my picture too, but you won't see me wearing dark shades in the dark. (Ok, maybe people just want to take my picture with others at social gatherings and such, but I am pretty sure the flashes don't justify this kind of fashion behavior) Sunglasses inside equate people trying to look cooler than they are, sunglasses at night look just ridiculous. On a side note, I think little Suri is absolutely darling and always so well dressed. I am sure she is frowning at your sunglasses right now too. Look, she doesn't want her face shown in the picture because she is embarrassed.

Note to Readers:
I apologize again for my absence. Last week I was camping, without cell signal, let alone wireless internet! Thank you for your continuous reading and comments.

Now, onto the reason for post du jour, sunglasses. I love sunglasses! They protect your eyes, prevent wrinkles around the eyes, can be a perfect accessory, and they can cover you up when you have to run outside and don't have time to put any makeup on. I have a few pairs that I can't live without. This summer I have been wearing a pair of Pucci aviators and they have been my loyal beach buddy. Also, you always feel glamorous when you have a pair of Chanel shades on. Just keep your sunglass wearing to the outdoors during the daylight hours. Thanks!