Here's a really nice clutch from See by Chloe. It is $220 and the size is 8" x 4" x 1" deep.  I love the tassel and the way it looks like an envelope closure on the front.

The funny/annoying thing about me is that I love the idea of clutches, but I am usually too lazy/hurried to switch into one from my day bag.  I will make a resolution right now in fact to try to stop doing this!  I have 2 great clutches (Vuitton and Prada) already that I never use... We'll see, if my resolution works, perhaps I will deserve a reward... 

There is an interesting article about the issue of size, 'Plus-Size Wars' by Ginia Bellafante in this weekend's New York Times Magazine, you can preview it online here.

Basically it is saying that there is a shortage of plus size clothing in the market based on how many American women are actually fat. And the acceptance of fat is an evolving concept. Dislike of fat is documented back to the turn of the century era. The current fat acceptance movement is interesting,  and perhaps no surprise based on what is going on with obesity in America.

Here are some excerpts that I found interesting:

"Mainstream fashion magazines have always purported to embrace diverse images of the female body, publishing periodic "shape" issues that juxtapose the thin and very thin with the moderately fleshy. But only in the last year or so have notably larger women been released from the fringes, appearing not only in magazines and on television but also in the more rarefied world of the runway"

"Government statistics show that 64 percent of American women are overweight (the average woman weighs 164.7 pounds). More than one-third are obese."

"... Still, as Americans have become bigger and bigger (though not necessarily taller), sizing has evolved to accommodate the shift. While researching old production manuals, Fasanella discovered that a postwar 10 was roughly the equivalent of a current size 2. The dimensions specified for it, in 1947, were a 32½-inch bust, a 25-inch waist and a 35-inch hip. "

"As the ideal of the elongated flapper took root, women were continually urged to mask their excess. A 1926 textbook on dressmaking cautioned "stout" women to avoid shiny surfaces because they "make the figure appear larger than do dull surfaces." Ballooning girth was the object of moral opprobrium in popular culture during the first decades of the 20th century, as the historian Peter N. Stearns outlines in his book "Fat History: Bodies and Beauty in the Modern West." Tracing the genealogy of the phrase "fat slob," Stearns finds that it appears as early as 1910 in Owen Johnson's novel of prep-school life, "The Varmint." Four years later the magazine Living Age said, "Fat is now regarded as an indiscretion and almost a crime." "

The comments posted by New York Times readers are also very interesting!  You can read them here.

It is certainly easy to be disgusted by this whole issue, but we all have our values based on our own experiences in life.  Some people are born thin and never have to worry, it's easy for them to say "go on a diet" to someone because they've never had to, and don't know what it feels like.  As a size 0 person who stays there with some discipline and probably some good genes, I will admit that I have a personal bias toward the aesthetics of thin.  But I do recognize it is not so easy for many people.  I do think however, that "fat acceptance" is not the correct route if it is to the degree that if affects health.  It's a complicated issue that's for sure! 

One of my favorite blogs to read is www.libertylondongirl.com, the writer is a very chic London fashion editor.  I was looking at her post today and I LOVED her outfit.  Check out the post here.  She's wearing a classic Barbour jacket and J Brand skinny jean/leggings.  Envy!

I don't see the exact jacket online but this one at Orvis is similar, Waxed Cotton Emily Jacket, $299.  I like the stand-up collar and plaid lining.

The pants are available at Bloomingdale's in 2 washes: black and olympia. They are $139, which is quite reasonable.  They also have great reviews, the reviewers on Bloomingdale's say they are very flattering and comfortable.


It is seriously tempting to run out and buy these immediately!  I have dearly loved my Burberry jacket, but it's kind of ridiculous that every girl on the Upper East Side has the same jacket.  You see Barbour, but not as often, and more often than not its on a well-dressed man.

You couldn't see her shoes but apparently LLG was wearing Converse hi-tops, which is funny because I wear those all the time except the low-top version.

I haven't been "loving" the shoes from Gucci lately (the last few seasons) which is kind of a relief, since it saves me a lot of money!  I was browsing the Fall/Winter shoes at Gucci.com and I didn't see anything.  But Neiman's and Saks always have a slightly different selection... and I found 2 pairs of pumps that I really like.

This pair, New Sunset Peep-Toe Pumps are at Saks. ($585)  They are a pre-order and are expected to arrive around Nov. 14.  They also come in dark green.


These, Techno Horsebit Pumps, are at Neiman Marcus. ($575) They are also pre-order and are expected around Nov. 4.

Prada's Fall runway collection is now up at Neiman Marcus. 



I love these St. Coco Platform Pumps, $650. They have a dramatic 5 inch heel and come in black and red.

This Vera Wang Lavender 'Lillian' flat comes in a rather amazing 7 color options!  I like the classic round toe and that it's just plain, no frou frou or frills here.  The nude (below) reminds me of a real ballet slipper...

The options are: black, black patent, nude, claret, mandarin, sapphire and ivory.  They are $195 at Nordstrom.


I have to admit that I've been enjoying the flats I bought earlier this year... yikes, I must be old now!  But really, it makes the walk home from the subway a lot more comfortable and faster.

Since I was on the topic of Alexander Wang dresses already this week... look at this beautiful Alexander Wang dress at Saks Fifth Avenue: Pique Goddess Dress, $595.

Love it!  But again, a bit pricey!  $595 for a dress and my budget do not work together!


Here's an Andrew Marc dress with similar styling: Grecian Style Tee Shirt Dress, $188.


And, even better, if you're a Rue La La member it's in a private sale today for only $79!

I ran across this Alexander Wang dress at shopbop.  I love the zipper and that it has an interesting back.  It's made of a stretch jersey of viscose, polyamide and elastane.  It's on sale for $416.50, 30% off the regular price of $595!




I love this, but even on sale it's a bit expensive... for me anyway, since I hardly ever wear cocktail dresses.  I don't mind spending a good amount of $ on things I know I will get tons of use out of...

I have been lamenting for some time that I didn't just buy the LAMB Tammy strappy sandals when they were still available (they came out in early 2009).  I guess I was too cheap at the time because they were $349 and I think that is a lot for a shoe made in Brazil... so I procrastinated and never bought them and then they were gone... sold out.


They have a 1/4 inch platform and 4-1/4 inch heels, black with zipper detail at the back.

Well... for the heck of it I added them in my size to my saved searches in ebay, and a pair came up for auction last week!  The auction ended on Sunday morning, I was at my sister's house but she kindly let me steal her computer to monitor the end of the auction.  They'd been bid up to $62 and seemed to be staying there.  In the last seconds I put in a maximum bid of $100 and crossed my fingers.... and I won them for $69.69!!!  They are new in box and everything!  What an amazing deal.  I should receive them in the next couple of days.  I hope they are as great in person, but for such a deal it doesn't really matter anyway.

This is weird perhaps, but I really like this crab necklace by Roberto Coin.  I have no idea why I like crabs so much, I guess because they're kind of cute, and also are very tasty?

Roberto Coin 'Tiny Treasures' Diamond Crab Necklace, $880.