Bargain Alert

Le Train Bleu is having a moving sale! You can get 30% off your purchase by entering "moving" at checkout. Just going to their Outerwear page made me weak at the knees. Bi La Li always knows how to get me every time.

I wish you great self-control as you venture forth into the world of Le Train Bleu, because I know that's one place I'd max out my credit cards.

At Long Last

Fall has decided to grace the lower Midwest with her presence. This means that High Fashion Grace can finally break out that fall wardrobe you've been hearing so much about. What I've been living in:

Slouchy sweaters
Skinny jeans and black satin flats
Burberry Trench with wide Michael Kors brown belt
Skirts and woolly tights
Knee-High Boots
My gorgeous red pea coat
Plaid print gloves and leopard print gloves
Leopard print flats
Wide leg trousers

All of these ensembles have me feeling very Holly Golightly. Especially my darling red vintage pea coat.

I have yet to try any of the legwear layering (knee-high scrunch socks over tights or over leggins), or any of my dresses. The most layering I've done is slouchy sweaters over long tanks, but I will be doing a lot more of this as it gets colder.

Modern Hollywood Style Icons

I've talked several times about things that influence my style (here, here, and here). Here is my latest nod to modern style icons that are the perfect mix of health, talent, glam and sleek trendiness.

Zooey




Sarah Jessica




Kate




Scarlett




Salma




Cate




Rachel

Nofair!

In Denton, TX, a mere 2.5 drive from my house, Susie Bubble, Etienne Mineur, and Diane Pernet are going to be speaking at the Arts of Fashion US Fashion Student Competition. It seems so random that it's being held in Denton, but then again North Texas Univ. is located there.

The worst part is, I can't go! My school is hosting a conference on the philosopher Paul Ricouer (one of my favorites, btw). I'm President of Philosophy Club, official registration booth volunteer and I'm also playing chaffeur to about 20 people from Thurs-Sat. There's no way I can get out of it at this point.

Man, I am really feeling the weight of crushing disappointment right now.

It's a Hodge Podge kinda day.

I spent my weekend with the fashionable and adorable band The Silent Years from Michigan. You should check out their music video - it's all kinds of awesome (click picture to view myspace page):




A think piece by Julie of AlmostGirl/Coutorture has fashion bloggers everywhere stumbling over newfound insecurity. Is it true that, "most writers are terribly bloggers and most bloggers are terrible writers." Of course, this is a pretty general statement, but it leads to self-examination on the part of bloggers everywhere. I think that this self-examination is vital by virtue of the importance and attention being paid the blogosphere right now by the mainstream media. If blogging is a new form of writing and/or media, then certainly we should be checking ourselves, even if it may be uncomfortable to do so. I'm not just talking about the quality of our writing, but the approach we take in writing our stories, and the responsibilty we now have to a society that we influence in much the same way the mainstream media does. Interesting, no?


In other news, Wal-mart just can't seem to attract consumers to its updated fashion lines. Maybe that's because venturing into Wal-mart is like venturing into Dante's 3rd circle of hell. I could spend all day at Target, but the second I walk in through those automatic doors in Wal-mart I'm in "let's hurry up and get the hell out of here" mode. Plus, what they're doing with their clothes isn't that special. Okay, so they're being more trendy, but the quality still sucks and you can buy the same trends in a store that doesn't make you have panic attacks.


Un-Fashion Related: I'm reading this incredible book of essays called Twentysomething Essays by Twentysomething Writers and the writing of peers in my generation is stunningly captivating. I was up so late last night just trying to get through one more essay. John Fischer's piece is the most amazing (so far), in my opinion. It's one of those things that you read that really grips you, and then suddenly you have this absolutely overwhelming urge to have everyone you know read it. It feels vital to your existence that you foist this piece upon every human being in close proximity. It's just that good. And yes, it's worth buying the whole book of essays for that one alone.

And last but not least, I've been on a quest for the perfect Holiday party dress. I think I found it. It's actually pretty affordable, considering how stunning it is. As your eyes travel down the page to the spot where the price is, you might be pleasantly surprised.




Considering the classic timelessness of this dress (it just screams Oscar de la Renta, doesn't it?), I'd say $308 is a bargain.

This reminds me of something I read recently. I think it was in the last issue of the UK version of Elle, all about shopping expediency. The author posits that our frantic shopping habits and over-availability of up-to-the-moment affordable trends is taking the joy out of saving up for quality and timeless pieces. As an experiment, she chronicled a week of spending (on throw-away clothing) with a total that could have bought a Chloe bag or new pair of Manolos. Maybe the $308 cocktail dress gave you sticker shock. Maybe, in the wake of H&M, Zara and Old Navy-priced clothing, $308 seems like a lot of money. However, for a quality dress that has a lot of wearability, it's not that much. It's also a piece worth saving up for. Makes you think, don't it?

"Fashion industry accused on anorexia" ... Well, Duh.

This is so painfully obvious as to be laughable. Yes, we all know how much the fashion industry contributes to society's idea of thin being "in." It logically follows that it has a psychological effect on women and men who develop eating disorders in order to achieve this ideal. We have known this for decades. Remember when Bill Clinton spoke out against heroin chic? If the President of the United States is getting involved, then you know people are paying attention. The fashion industry has been asked to deal with this situation many times before. Spain took that first step by banning low-BMI models from their Madrid Fashion Week runway. How do we get the rest of the industry to follow suit? How do we reverse the unhealthy thinking that is so deeply ingrained in the minds of industry leaders (that clothes look better on freakishly thin models. They don't. The clothes just hang there like limp rags. That's not appealing at all.) How do we get the industry to enforce a minimum BMI? How do we change society's thinking about the way we view women and weight? How can we uphold the ideal of Health over Emaciated Thinness?

Really, it starts with the individual. If you're unhappy with having these ridiculous standards foisted upon you, then stand up and say so. There are tools you can use to get in touch with industry leaders. Plead your case. Band together with like-minded women. Support local designers who make clothes for real women. Write your local newspaper. If a shift in mindset can be had, perhaps we will see a shift in the way society views women.

Superior Customer Service!

I have had some truly awful run-ins with customer service representatives. One of the worst was with the lady that owns a certain online boutique that is very, very popular. The clothes that I was sent were the wrong size and so I returned them for the correct size (which they no longer had), so I asked for a refund. Since they were sale items she refused to refund my money or replace my items. I was excessively nice about (I have email proof to this fact) and even wrote her a long apology about the misunderstanding but asked if she could help me out in any way. She then accused me of pulling a scam on her and even said (and this is a direct quote): "YOU ARE DEFINITELY the most childish customer I've ever dealt with."

So, as you can tell, I'm very appreciative of online stores that have good customer service. Le Train Bleu is definitely one of the good guys. They once called me personally on my cell to tell me that the color bag I ordered was out-of-stock and would I like it in another color - this occurred literally 3 minutes after I placed the order. Every time I order from them I get my order the next day!

Zappos is another site that has excellent customer service and prompt delivery times.

New to the Grace-Will-Always-Be-Grateful-For-Your-Great-Service Club is Taschen. I ordered the uber-hip Fashion Now book from them around a month ago. I was told at the time that it was backordered, so I recently wrote them to see when I could expect it to be shipped. This really sweet CSR, Shirley, informed me that it was backordered indefinitely as it was completely out-of-stock in their warehouse. I cancelled my order and thought the transaction was over when I received this really kind note from her saying how sorry she was that my book had to be cancelled, amongst other things. So let's give three cheers (and out patronage) for excellent customer service!!

It Would be the End of the World

I frequent this one awesome fashion message board a lot, and the ladies on there are always punishing themselves with shopping bans. A shopping ban is pretty self-explanatory and usually occurs after one receives their monthly credit card statement. Some people limit themselves for weeks, and if they're really disciplined, even months. I've yet to hear of a year shopping ban, but it's probably been done.

What would happen if High Fashion Girl went on a shopping ban? I think I would become a soulless zombie. This is not to say that I'm obsessed with the material, or that I have to shop to live. But really, the passion and fun I have talking about fashion just wouldn't be there anymore. I have this principle where I donate an equal amount to what I buy. I don't donate three shirts if I buy three shirts, I donate the equal worth of whatever I buy. It keeps me humble. It also keeps me socially conscious. I don't just unload crap, I actually donate some pretty wonderful treasures. But, I don't need those things to get by. I don't need anything that I purchase. I do it because I enjoy it. Some people love crossword puzzles, some people love alcohol, some people love entering their dogs in shows. I love fashion. To deny myself a key part of what I love and who I am would be masochistic.

If it's getting to the point where a shopping ban seems necessary (like in the case that you're floundering financially), then how about an everything-in-moderation code instead? Make a budget and stick to it, and budget in for small personal expenditures here and there. There's the principle that you must pay yourself first (putting a fraction of your earnings into savings), and then pay your self. There's something kind of zen about a new bag, if that's your thing. It doesn't have to be this season's Marc Jacobs, but it can be a nice bag from Target that goes with everything. (But if that new bag is gonna put you on a Ramen diet, then scale it back to a new Cover Girl lipslick, or something).

At any rate, I admire the courage of the ladies that can put themselves on shopping bans. I don't know how they do it. Power to the female non-consumer!

Fashion News

Some industry news for you to sneak a peek at during your busy workday::

Fashion editors perform magic tricks at Gaultier anniversary show

Ugandan International Fashion Week Back

Fashion's future: A question mark

Fashion trudges a well-worn circuit

Chloe names Paulo Melim Andersson chief designer

Louis Vuitton takes Paris fashion week to end-phase

Ooooooooooooooooooooooh yeah!

My new article at Jargon Chicago is up!!!! I really had fun writing this piece.


Check it out here: Fall Fashion? Seriously?

The Buckle Brigade

There is just something about boots with buckles on them. Buckles toughen up boots just enough so that they're this side of "biker chic." Check out these pairs (Warning: if you wear these you might find yourself muttering to strangers "my shoes can beat up your shoes):

Do these boots sass back if you insult them? Definitely!








These boots love you.









Buckles and lace-ups and leather, oh my!







Tough as nails.

A Spot 'O News

Could this be the end for our dear dear Yves Saint Laurent? They say he's fine, but that's what they always say.

PARIS (Reuters) - Fashion recluse Yves Saint Laurent fell in a Paris street on Friday and lay motionless in the road for several minutes surrounded by aides until emergency services arrived to help him, video footage showed.

-Health scare for fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And in the world of fashion gossip, we speculate about why Jane Shepherdson left Topshop. Could it be a catfight of Nicole Richie/Paris Hilton proportions? (Doubtful)

The conspiracy theory is simple: Ms Shepherdson, who ran Topshop on a day-to-day basis, was upset that she had not been suitably consulted on the decision to employ the controversial supermodel Kate Moss.

-Topshop ructions as fashion boss quits

I Know You've Missed It

Fashion Kitty teaches us how to spice up our winter outerwear.

Budget Diva has a new favorite lotion, and with cold weather wreaking havoc on our skin, we need all of the advice we can get!

Frapp Fashion cleverly takes the outfits of Milla Jovovich and matches
them to more affordable items.

Style Bubble has an interesting take on the gender-bending issue of Purple Fashion.

Fashion Spinach reviews Tokyo shopping.


Sales Rack Raider talks about her favorite store, Papaya.

Miss SR of Style Bites reviews what she calls Vogue's "questionable cover-moment."

Stereoette blogs about the darling line of bags by the Magnes Sisters.

Vicious Style puts up a fun blog about Halloween costumes.

Sassy Bella reveals the new guest designer for the Gap in France and Britain.

Oh Joy has a great interview with Uncooked designers Natalie & Armand.

Missy J blogs about Moschino's "safari chic" spring runway.

Las Fashionistas review chic shoes on a budget.

I will visit Bhutan falls in love with Miu Miu's f/w '06 brocade dresses minidresses.

Fashion Addict Diary predicts what Rachel Zoe will have her clientele wear in the spring.

Fall Bags

When I worked as a private banking specialist for Bank of America, I had certain celebrity clients (and some of them were pretty big celebs at that). One certain celeb bought some property in Hawaii. The pictures from the appraisal were so breathtaking that I secretly saved them on my computer. I erased them when I left and never showed them to a soul, but they were my "moment of zen." Everytime I was stressed out (and this job was stressful, other branches had emergency guys on call because they were dropping life flies from PTSD), I would open the file and gaze at those beautiful pictures. Well, my new moment of zen comes from ogling the "It" bags for this fall. These hefty, luxurious bags have even heftier price tags. While I can't afford them, I can definitely look at them and imagine the possibilities. So go ahead and ogle, salivate over, daydream about, lust after, or buy these beautiful bags.





Derek Lam Hildegard Hobo:






Botkier Bombay Satchel:






Philip Lim Doctor Bag





Chloe Paddington Shopper:





Mulberry Annie Bag:





Marc Jacobs Stam Bag:





Anna Corinna City Tote:





Loeffler Randall Minnie Slouch:





Ananas Anya in Cherry Red:





Gustto Big Baca:





Gucci Bouvier Large Hobo:





D & G Miss Really Hot Chain Strap Shoulder Bag:





Stella McCartney Patent Shopper:





Car Shoe Leather Tote:





Rafe Sue Topstitched Tote:





YSL Rive Gauche Bag:





Jimmy Choo Anaconda Handle Bag: