It's The Moment For: Sailor Chic

I particularly liked the recent Chloe resort show. The clothes were done in beautiful colors, and they were inspiring in shape and proportion yet were realistic and wearable. I especially loved a nautical-influenced navy and white sweater, and it got me thinking about sailor clothes. The sailor theme is one of those trends that never seems to go away. In recent years, Chanel and The Row have both shown collections based around navy and white striped sailor shapes, and it-girls like Alexa Chung and Kate Middleton seem to have a continuous fascination with the same theme. I am an admirer of the more subtle nautical look myself - I like a trend that fits into my life, rather than trying to fit my life into a trend - but I do love the more literal variations on other people who have the confidence to carry them off. Probably most bold was Princess Diana, who wore an 80's extreme version that rivalled a Disney costume. In personal style, as in most things, there is a time and a place for everything.

My favourite look from Chloe resort, which showed it New York last week.

Jean Harlow, 1932. I like how simple her sailor get-up is.

Nautical chic comes in all shapes and sizes.

Susanna Wassaman sailing in Newport Harbour, 1974.

Alexa Chung loves to find a theme and stick with it. This is part of what makes her style so recognizable. Peter pan collars, leopard print, and sailor-collared dresses have all become an essential part of her look.

Princess Diana, 1989, in all her kitschy nautical glory.

The Duchess of Cambridge following in Diana's footsteps in a more discreet and refined Alexander McQueen version of the sailor look.

I love how Alexa uses the roughness of black leather to tone down the sweetness of the sailor dress.

Coco Chanel getting an early start on nautical inspiration. Is there anything chic that she isn't the genesis of?

Jerry Hall, 1980. Another over-the-top 80's moment.

I love these Pierre Hardy stripe-y sandals. They'd be so chic with just a simple white dress.

Coco again.

Coco's influence continues today in a recent Chanel collection inspired by sailing.

I think I'll get one of these hats. Not sure where I'm wearing it, but I love it.

Couldn't help showing you one more of 80's Princess Di. So bold and fabulous.

One of my favourite collections from The Row was a modern version of a retro nautical vibe. Every piece was a classic. 

I ♥ Your Style: Rachel Chandler Guinness

While I'm on the subject of weddings, can we all just take a moment to be obsessed with Rachel Chandler Guinness? I first saw her about three years ago at a fashion show. It was Tara Subkoff's second Imitation of Christ show after attempting to take back the label she founded, and all the cool girls were there - Chloe Sevigny, Jen Brill, Liz Goldwyn - but it was Rachel I noticed most. What caught my eye were her Belgian shoes. I grew up around Belgian shoes - the WASPy, old school half loafer / half orthopaedic shoe that you could only buy at their tiny, inconspicuous boutique on East 56th Street. Everyone in Palm Beach wore them. My dad still wears them! I had been through the Belgian shoe phase myself for a brief, channeling-my-grandmother moment in high school but had long since moved on. But there was Rachel wearing them in an entirely new context. She had peroxide blonde hair and wore her black Belgians with skin tight black jeans and a fitted, wool fisherman's sweater. She looked so cool.

I never saw Rachel again until her wedding was given a one-page in Vogue. It looked cool, but I wasn't drooling until I saw the rest of the pictures on Vogue.com! They are amazing. Her wedding style was 100% English, but it was at once traditional yet up-to-the-minute, romantic yet refined. I love the hand painted tent, the flower leis, the wobbling homemade cake, and especially Rachel's custom Haider Ackermann gown. The girl has seriously good style.

A friend's house where Rachel and Tom had their reception. 

A self-portrait of Rachel's Belgian shoes

I love how Rachel's style is simple and classic, but dead sexy

Because the wedding was held on Easter weekend, someone had the hilarious idea to appear as a bunny at the wedding.

Love her Balmain embroidered vest.

The tent would have been beautiful in any case, but I just love how they hand-painted the ceiling and walls. 

The dress!

Kim's Wedding: Part Two

When we saw that great weather was coming for the wedding day, we planned a last minute picnic on the lake. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the weekend. 

Despite the hot, sunny weather, the lake is still ridiculously frigid at this time of year, especially as it had snowed in the Adirondacks just the week before. I was impressed to see that some of our friends had already been swimming by the time I arrived with the bride in tow. As native Adirondackers, Kim and I both knew we'd have to meet their challenge. So we pulled a group of intrepid would-be swimmers together and got ourselves psyched up with some jumping on the dock.

One of my favorite memories of the weekend was when our friend Megan suggested we all think of Kim and Till when the cold water rushed over our bodies and send all that energy their way. I'm sure that will start a new tradition for me - every time I jump in cold water (which I love to do) I will think of someone or something to send the rush to.

My family has been picnic-ing at this boathouse nearly all our lives so it was so much fun to share it with friends from all over.

The double decker water jump is Zach's signature move, and he got the groom be his 1st deck for wedding day good luck. 

Kim and me sharing the happiness with our beautiful Mama. 

Kim and I went straight to The Uplands after lunch to get ready for the wedding. I snuck into the dining room on my way upstairs to have a peak at the beautiful room my mom had decorated for the dinner that night. 

Every time I went up or down the stairs at The Uplands, my attention was grabbed by this painting of Phebe, it's owner. I just can't get over the outfit!

A detail of the room where Kimberly was getting dressed. This is why we love this house so much. It has such style, but in a very personal and unpretentious way.

As maid of honor, I was the last in the procession before Kimberly did her wedding march. I couldn't resist turning around a take a picture. Here she comes with our dad and step dad.

Love and Lanvin! The dress was made of the softest, most delicate silk tulle - it was like a cobweb.

The kiss!! (photo credit: my husband) 

I managed to get a quick closeup on the porch while we waited for a rain shower to stop. I love the flowers. And the veil.

Even Til is in awe of her dress, which you can see more details of here. I love the cut gathering at the waist and on the shoulder. On the other side was Lanvin's signature exposed zip which brought the dress into the 21st century.

The wedding children.

The bridal moose. We tried to match her to the real bride as much as possible. I hope Alber would be proud!

Mom and her best friend Mimi, having a quick recap of the ceremony before going into dinner.

On Sunday we had brunch at The Ausable Club before everyone took off. I love the bathroom there so much, I just had to show it to you.