The Summer Solstice party at the Cleveland Museum of Art on June 20, was not only a celebration of the arts – featuring the unveiling of the Museum’s new East Wing, but also a chance for hundreds of people to attend a party.  Cocktails flowed as guests mingled and enjoyed the various entertainment throughout the evening that included a Jazz band and a DJ from New York City who spun Bhangra infused electronica to a revved-up crowd.  In the style department the majority of the attendees disappointed in uber-casual shorts, t’shirts, cropped pants, and breezy daytime sundresses – which is quite appalling actually for an event that took place after-five.  However, the stylish couple here impressed that Clevelanders certainly deserve a spot on the style map.  Casey Burry  and  her significant other Ike Karipides, Cleveland transplants from New York  City, injected a city chic vibe to the event donning summer cocktail attire that was altogether eye catching, enviable, and well-styled.

Casey, President of Tagua, a line of organic handcrafted jewelry and handbags from South America, sashayed through the fete in a champagne toned silk frock by Elia Abuchaibe for Tagua that was embellished with over-sized baubles and coppery disks.  Casey topped the whole look with a shrunken lightly quilted and shortsleeved black vintage jacket and punctuated her whole look with perforated black closed toe t-strap custom-made tango shoes that added a truly unique close to the entire look.  Accessories?  Beautiful antique-like chandelier earrings from Mexico and a vintage handbag.  Casey’s look is a melange of old and new, custom-made and store bought,  so, when she seeks a fabulous new find in Cleveland she can’t help but to dip into Saks Fifth Avenue at Beachwood Place to examine the potential wares.  Those interested in checking out Tagua’s stylish wares should log onto: www.tagualife.com. 

Ike looked fresh for summer in cherry red linen Ralph Lauren trousers topped with a modernized Etro seersucker jacket – that was cut slimmer than the classic counterpoint  creating  Euro-chic appeal. Ike’s white shirt was custom-made in Singapore and his shoes were cognac colored TOD’s driving mocs that kept the whole look in perspective.  Ike’s eclectic wardrobe and style,  has been cultivated as a result of travel abroad, however he has found some agreeable pieces at retailers like Kilgore Trout in Eaton Collection (Chagrin Blvd.) and at Cuffs in downtown Chagrin Falls.  Check these retailers out for some fashionable, yet classic essentials.

So Akron, Cleveland, Canton, WHOEVER, take a few hints from this stylish couple:

1. Don’t “Play it safe” – forgo your favorite denim and wear a pair of pants like Ike in a fun color – keep everything else relatively neutral.

2. Save up a little for a on-of-a-kind custom-made piece like Casey’s fabulous Tango shoes – you’re sure to get compliments

3. Dress up!  Even if you’re just going out to dinner it’s nice to throw on some extra-special – You’ll feel better if you look better and you may even earn a compliment or two.

4. Head to a vintage shop or website (check out my examiner page for a list of good sites) and purchase a unique piece that will help you stand out. 

If any of you out there feel that your style deserves to be featured on my Ohio.com or Examiner.com page please send me a picture and you just might end up another Akron/Cleveland Style Setter!

Street fashion is my thing – and as my regular readers know, it’s one of my favorite things to feature on SJS postings.  Spring 2009 is a season of many neutrals from pants, tulip skirts, tanks, shoes – even make-up.  While some may shy away from the bland palette there are great ways to wear colors like this that look refreshing, current, chic, and enviable.  Who better than to show us all how to do it right?  Why this New York City hipster who obviously has the same fashion obsessions as many of us do (note the over-sized Louis tote – Love it)… What makes this lady’s ensemble so super cool?  It’s the accessories my friends – your basic bisques, khakis, and lattes will get an uber kick up with some shiny metallics or a dramatically darker shade to offset the similar colors that get lost together.  And finally, what else makes this get-up a little more interesting?  If you take a closer look you’ll see that this lassie layered her borderline filmy top over a triangle bikini top done in another seasonal must-have flower print.  The subtlety of the print adds just enough appeal while not being garish or inappropriate.  Who says swimsuits are only suited for the shore?! (Psst… I found a copy of this lassie’s Louis – Please note that a real LV will set you back far more than $78.00 – bust trust me no one will know the difference.)

I stumbled across a website recently that for me, is PURE eye candy.  The premise behind the site is to feature  street fashions from around the world and showcases fashionable Euros, South Americans, North Americans and every where in between.  There were so many styles that provided me with a muse to emulate before checking out my closet on this day, however I only selected a singular look  to show off on this post and thought it only appropriate to help you, dear readers, find some similar items so that you resemble a chic style icon from a culture outside of your comfort zone.

So I begin with the lovely brunette above from one of my favorite countries, both known for its steadfast style and bourgeois attitude, France.   There are a lot of different components to this particular look that have been thrown together but still work – there’s a little Western influence (think SW US) in the cropped cowboy bootie, a bit of Brit seen in the red military style jacket, and of course a generous portion of prettied-up Parisian with an accordion pleated, romantic slip dress. 

STEAL IT!

The cowboy booties are a Steve Madden find and cost about $150… Not a bad price especially since you’ll be wearing these babies ALL the time.  Don’t forget to don your black tights – if you still don’t have any I like Express or the brand Hue… Which ever you pick make sure they have a high opacity… And finally, the dress… While not exact this tiered cutie caught my eye at tobi.com and also will set you back a buck fifty.

I couldn’t quite decide on which coat or jacket I liked more so just threw both of them up.  Both are military inspired and would look fabulous thrown over the LWD… If you are more partial to color you can try the Karen Millen featured right that will cost a pretty penny (about $300) while the mocha lovely tot he left is about $200.  Coats and jackets are always a good investment, and when taken care of will last a lifetime – remember its the first and last impression you leave when attending an event to simply walking into the room so choose wisely.

When I visit a new city, or plan a trip to a shopping mecca I do lots of research so that I know where to go to find the coolest vintage shops, up and coming boutiques, tasty restaurants, and trendy nightlife.  Many times my searched lead me to Citysearch, or some other such site that offers generic commentary that I am never quite jives with my likes and dislikes… So, the other day when I was taking a gander at the H&M site (admiring the new super high waist light blue denim) I noticed a really cool link called: City Guides.  Right now the site only features London, Rome, and Australia but the 5-10 minute long internet “movies” get you up close and personal with some of the coolest shops, restaurants, and clubs the city has to offer – your tour is also led by a super stylish gal(s) who really know where the hot spots are.  There is no better way to really get to the depths of a city than to chat it up with a local.  Even if you aren’t planning a trip to one of these exciting cities in the near future, check it out anyway for a chance to feel like you’ve escaped the doldrums of NE Ohio for a little while.  ENJOY!

It gets a little frustrating when we must plan our wardrobe around the chilly elements that meet us once we leave for the day… I find myself bundled in the same thick cashmere or wool turtleneck, knee high boots, leggings/jeans, and a chunky as-cozy-as-I-can-get-it coat… To find some layering inspiration I went directly to my street muses in NYC and London to see what the downtown city divas are donning to stay toasty and chic… You decide though, do you think these gals got chic just right or looked more freak? 

Obviously, this lovely lady listened to her mother when she said that you lose 90% of your body heat through your head.  This is  A LOT of look and the proportions aren’t right.  The coat is too slouchy as is the aqua dress beneath and  the brazen textured tights are WAY too  loud especially when worn with open-toe and multi-strap ankle booties.  The white quilted bag?  EEK – I suppose the quilting mimics the pattern of the tights – but not in a complimentary way… Instead it competes with the entire look.  The fur hat?  Just one other color to add to this kaleidoscope look.  Separately these pieces could work though…  The tights might be fun with a simple A-line shape black dress and round toe black pumps.  Ditto for the fur cap… choose a mono-chromatic outfit – maybe full or skinny black trousers and a black turtleneck.  My vote: FREAK.

Three words: I LOVE IT!  Not only is this style maven warm, she looks terrific too.  In contrast to the first look, this is perfectly proportioned and should prove to any of you out there who don’t do black with brown that it does most certainly work.  Had she worn wider pants this look couldn’t have been muddled up… The citrus-hued bag peeking out it just the right dash of color to add to this pallette. My vote:  CHIC.

  How many coats does this style stalker have on?  Too many in my book.  Layering is great when done properly, but here a fuzzy hood only detracts from the interesting Aztec print of the coat.  Her fur-lined boots aren’t right either. Like the hood, it competes with what the overall look should be highlighting… the coat.  When you take a look at the coat alone you find a cute shape and great length.  To make the look more fashion-forward layer a cream colored turtleneck beneath.  If you’re short wear skinny jeans and black ankle boots… Tall? Wide leg flares will work.  Bring the whole look together with a black belt at the waist.  Skip hats and carry a black satchel.  My vote: FREAK.

I totally dig this lightened up look.  Many of us turn to darker colors during the gray days of winter, but this gal proves that muted metallics (the bag), winter white, and smokey suedes definitely make the grade.  I also like that she added a kitschy scarf that can be worn loosely (as shown) or bunchy around the neck.  These scarves are also great once you get inside… wrap around your shoulders to stay a little warmer – any little bit helps. What I might change?  Perhaps a deeper gray legging as opposed to jet black.  My vote: CHIC

I am sure it comes as no suprise that this red leather jacket caught my eye… My only complaint?  Worn alone this crimson biker wouldn’t keep the cold air away.  In Ohio, I would have no choice but to wear this staple (zipped up) under one of my favorite black wool coats.  The Ohio winds would stay more at bay and the pretty color peeking out would break up an otherwise bland black ensemble.  My vote: CHIC.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting the very mid-western city

Chicago.  I love city getaways… I enjoy trying new restaurants, visiting museums, shopping, and of course observing the style of many of the inhabitants.  As you may already know, after reading some of my city inspiration postings I love to meld city chic-ness into my wardrobe, so I was hoping to be able to steal some super fabulous style secrets from the chicago-ans while in town… ALAS, I came up empty.  It’s no secret that I enjoy to dress up – it makes me feel better and quite frankly MORE comfortable and when I am on vacation and visiting new and more exotic locales I like to “do it up” and wear a shiny cocktail dress, gold hued leggings, or something else a little more edgy.  In Chicago, though I felt utterly UN-comfortable donning such things.  Whether I was at a local coffee shop or swanky hotel bar EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE was wearing the same “uniform” of jeans and a nondescript top.  On the street I noticed everyone bundled up the same way too… Jeans, knee-high flat boots, and a puffy jacket to the knees or cropped.  Sure, they looked pulled together and I am sure that they were warm, but there was ZERO originality and I found myself again, completely uninspired.  Go to NYC and you’ll walk by countless style sirens who mix fur with rugged denim or textured wool with satin – There’s a certain energy and effortless-ness associated with the dressing of an everyday New Yorker, while a typical Chicago gal blends into the crowd.

This isn’t to say that I didn’t have a terrific time on my days away… I sipped come great wines, ate some of my favorite things, and even shopped til I dropped at  one of my favorite shops…. I think that I got the pick of the litter while I was there too since most ladies who probably hit up the shop prefer purchasing  jeans and tees versus accordion pleated magenta dresses  … Hey, it’s NOT a crime to not like to dress up, and at my favorite boutique it certainly worked in my favor.

To paraphrase one of my favorite celebrity stylists, Rachel Zoe: One should have a runway moment everyday! Such words are what I live by in my daily life – whether I am headed out to run errands, or sit down to a lovely dinner, I at all times (ok except at the gym) try to insert a bit of style into what I am wearing. Dressing up a bit not only looks good on the outside, it’s also a mood booster, and who doesn’t like to look and FEEL good each and every day?? So, as I have done on past Fridays I am featuring a couple gals who got it just right as I means to inspire each of you as you select your digs for whatever this weekend may bring your way!

Ok, first of all I would KILL for this chick’s mile long gams which of course make this red skinny pant ensemble look so darn perfect… But we all have our flaws… Anyhow, there is a definite simplicity about this look – no question, however a few key features like: The of-the-moment long shoulder strap bag and zipper detailing make this average turtleneck and trouser combo a stand-out.

AH, effulgent pink! Gotta love this shade any time of year, especially when paired with black and some nerd-alicious spectacles. I totally dig the vibe this lassie is putting out – the swingy shape of the magenta frock is super flattering and looks terrific peeking out beneath that adorable, and perfectly shrunken jacket. The chunky woolen scarf adds another dense texture to the overall look perfectly balancing out the flimsy-ness of the dress. And, let’s not forget about the lace tights – a great feminine touch juxtaposed by the rough and tumble Doc Martens that punctuate this perfectly styled look. Can she come over and help me pick out my outfit tonight??

You may notice after dissecting both of these looks that the reason they are so successful is that the fundamental all black foundation (whether it be black boots and a black turtleneck or a black jacket and black tights) are seriously made non-drab by injecting an effervescent hue like fire engine red or fireball fuchsia. You can easily replicate the main idea from either of these looks yourself. Add a little color to your neutral or all dark closet and you’re sure to make numerous runway moments of your own.

I cannot help myself when I walk through the entrance of Saks Fifth Avenue– I HAVE to check out the new handbags (even though I have no intentions of buying)! Typically I whiz right by the Prada section – essentially turning up my nose to the black nylon duffles and totes that to me have no business selling for $1500 and up! HOWEVER, on a recent jaunt through the department I fell head over heels for the adorable satchels that are delicately adorned with lady-like ruffles! I gasped when I noticed the intricately sewn lace evening bags and larger daytime bags too, and nearly fell over at the sight of the richly hued satin clutches dotted with oversized  gems – utter Nirvana. Are these bags worth their hefty price tag? Absolutely.

Let’s also NOT forget the fabulous offerings from this house for the RTW fall 2008 collection! Utterly feminine silhouettes, sturdy lace, and architectural shoes that would make any woman whimper. Now, you will note that the shoes I am featuring here (that I think are super hot-to-trot) aren’t Prada BUT they are the other famed brand by this designer Miu Miu… ** Fashion Lesson of the day: Miu Miu is named after the Prada house designer Miuccia Prada** Anywho… same designer, different brand – Love it all!