For Your Reading Pleasure: Tomboys & Socialites, Targét’s Big Launch

Today we share tidbits about a few books that look intriguing, and then a quick reminder about Targét’s weekend  launch.

We learned about this first volume via last month’s issue of Matchbook Magazine. It is “Tomboy Style” from writer Lizzie Garrett Mettler. The book is actually a natural follow-up to the writer’s well-known blog, TOMBOYStyle.

Rizzoli

From the book’s liner notes:

Tomboys are confident, rebellious, and adventurous. They are bold, brazen, fierce—and sexy. They aren’t known for following rules, they are known for doing—and wearing—whatever they want.

Tomboy captures the tomboy’s style, her je ne sais quoi, her wardrobe, and most importantly, her spirit.

The book offers Seven Archetypes of Tomboy Style, including “The Prep”.  We always enjoy Booth Moore’s pieces in the LA Times, here is a snippet from his story on the book:

…Mettler realized she discovered her own tomboy style while at boarding school, trading clothes with her frilly best friend Kingsley Woolworth, who favored bubble-gum pink bed linens and diamond stud earrings. By borrowing some of Kingsley’s things and mixing them with her old favorites, many of them borrowed from her older brother, Mettler found her own style vocabulary, epitomized by a shirtdress cinched with a men’s ribbon belt.

Below we see a Field Guide to Tomboy Style from the Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times

From the NY Times‘ T magazine:

Thanks in large part to Alexa Chung, the tomboy look has been enjoying unprecedented appeal of late. But Chung was preceded by a long line of women — notably Katharine Hepburn, Françoise Hardy, Patti Smith, Jane Birkin and Birkin’s two younger daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon — who made stealing from the boys seem like the most stylish thing in the world.

You can also learn more about the book at Lizzie Garrett Mettler’s website.

At the other end of the spectrum, socialite Tinsley Mortimer also has a new book out, a novel titled “Southern Charm.”

MMM

A modern Manhattan fairy tale with the sparkle of a champagne cocktail, Tinsley Mortimer’s debut novel provides a delicious peek into her world of society, fashion, and big-city fame.

Lauren Lipton wrote about Ms. Mortimer’s return to the party circuit in a March NY Times story:

But her quest for fame became grating to some. In 2009, she separated from Mr. Mortimer, which brought only more tabloid notoriety to the old New York family name — this time about his alleged infidelities and his distaste for her lifestyle.

Some readers may recall the reality show Ms. Mortimer starred in, “High Society”.

The CW via the LA Times

That foray into reality TV didn’t sit well with many, more from Lauren Lipton’s story:

Some of her peers said the separation wasn’t Ms. Mortimer’s death knell; it was the show and its supporting cast of odious hangers-on. (The series, which appeared on CW, was not renewed.)

“She was almost like a ‘Real Housewife’ — people didn’t want her at the party,” said a social acquaintance who, for propriety’s sake, asked not to be identified.

Dethroned in 2010 after a series of missteps — including a derided reality show and a separation from her blue-blooded husband — Ms. Mortimer had been lying low, mostly out of the spotlight. But those days are over.

(Forgive us, but is there a better phrase than ‘odious hangers-on,’ especially when talking about reality TV?!)

Below we see Ms. Mortimer at a book signing party in Georgetown earlier this week.

Revamp.com

Hmmmm.

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Also today, a reminder for those interested in Targét’s launch of The Shops at Target this Sunday.

The Shops at Target

The retailer is offering merchandise from several small boutiques, including Boston’s Polka Dog Bakery.

The Polka Dog Bakery at Target

Miami’s The Webster.

The Webster at Target

The Candy Store in San Francisco.

The Candy Store at Target

The Privet House from Connecticut.

The Privet House at Target

And from Aspen, the Cos Bar.

The Cos Bar at Target

This week Target celebrated the upcoming launch, below we see Emma Thompson, Lauren Bush Lauren and Mad Men’s January Jones at the gala. (Ms. Thompson’s cardigan is from the Webster collection, seen in the photo up above.)

Via Styleite

(Our backgrounder on the collections can be found in this post.) Tilly has asked us to look at the pet dishes, she says she would really prefer something a little more stylish at mealtime. The least we can do is go look at the bowls, oui?

The Shops at Target debut in store and online this Sunday.

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We leave you with a Friday Fun item, a look at two pair of shoes in the Keds for Madewell collection.

Keds for Madewell

May the sun be shining on you this weekend, and happy Derby Day!

Was Reese “Barbie or Brigitte Bardot”? And Other Burning Questions from the Oscars

Well now, is anyone else a little bleary-eyed this morning? Once again we are asking ourselves (all of us) why, once again, we sat through the entire tedious exercise last evening? Hmmm?

Did the wretched little pre-show interview with James Franco (taking the meaning of “awkward” to new levels) not provide fair warning? The fact airtime was given to the beyond-boring appearance of Academy & ABC executives sharing “news” of their continued business arrangement didn’t offer enough of a red flag that it was time to turn. off. the. television?! Well then, it seems this Princess got just what she deserved.

However, we did have the chance to peruse party frocks for hours, and that almost compensates for what followed, no?  So let’s move to that topic, and cease our little tantrum, as it is surely peaking the Whine-o-Meter in the red zone, and that, treasured readers, simply must stop.

More than anything it was a night for the form-fitting, and for sequins, and in many cases, a refreshingly understated elegance that did not shriek “Look at me, look at me!” We begin with Michelle Williams in a cap-sleeve Chanel gown from the this spring’s collection, Jennifer Lawrence wears Calvin Klein, and on the right, Amy Adams’ is in a rich blue L’Wren Scott gown.

Matt Sayles/AP & Kevork Djansezian/Getty via LA Times

Miss Adams also wore more $1,000,000 in Cartier jewelry.

Lucas Jackson/Reuters

One young lady looking absolutely beautiful, Hailee Steinfeld in a very soft pink Marchesa dress she is said to have co-designed.  The tulle tea-length gown was age appropriate and perfect for the young actress.

Matt Sayles/AP

Also in Marchesa, Halle Berry.

Chris Pizzello/AP

Mandy Moore wore Monique Lhuillier.

Matt Sayles/AP

Nicole Kidman wore a Dior gown that didn’t work for us, there was just too much going on. The dress is from the 2009 haute couture collection, the different geometric angles detracted from the exquisite beading on the piece. This did not take away from the actress herself, she looked beautiful, almost radiant.

Cate Blanchett’s Givenchy in pale lavendery-rose and yellow looked lovely on the actress; we didn’t like the Elie Saab worn by Mila Kunis as much as others seemed to.

Co-host Anne Hathaway started the evening in a brilliant red Valentino gown.

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Valentino was actually on hand for the festivities.

We may be in the minority here, but this wasn’t one of our favorite styles for Ms. Hathaway; fortunately (or not), there were many to choose from. During the actual telecast she made multiple wardrobe changes, Fashionologie reports the tuxedo was custom-made by Lanvin, she also wore Oscar de la Renta, below right.

Perhaps our favorite was the Tom Ford worn to close the show.

Reese Witherspoon opted for Armani Privé.

John Shearer/Getty Images

With jewelry from Neil Lane.

Not everyone knew what to make of Ms. Witherspoon’s ensemble. Below we see comments about the look on Twitter feeds for the Washington Post’s fashion columnists as well as Elizabeth Holmes from the Journal.

The very svelte and very elegant Jennifer Hudson was in tangerine Versace, a color that was terrific on her, but the décolletage was not as flattering.

Below, a look at what can be involved in maneuvering one’s gown.

AP

Natalie Portman went with a gown from Rodarte, who also designed her costumes in The Black Swan, she is seen below with fiancée Benjamin Millepied.

AP

Gwyneth Paltrow was very much a favorite in sleek Calvin Klein and Vuitton jewels, including a brooch worn at the hip.

One of the few not raving about her dress was The Times’ Eric Wilson:

“Gwyneth Paltrow tried to combine the trends in sparkly gold Calvin Klein, but even its designer, Francisco Costa, has his off days.”

For her on-stage performance, she elected to wear Michael Kors, one could almost say the dress was “ripped from the runway,” as it is from this fall’s collection, and only shown two weeks ago at Fashion Week. (Do forgive us that line, we simply couldn’t resist.)

The folks at Fashion etc. noted what they call the return of 60’s hair.

All photo Getty Images via Fashionetc.

The Times story mentioned above is an entertaining read, if only for Mr. Wilson’s description of one of the hosts for E!’s coverage:

“…Giuliana Rancic, one of the few on the red carpet who missed the minimalism memo. (She was wearing a monstrously poufy dress by Christian Siriano that looked as if she had sat on a tuffet and brought it along for the night.)”

Of course the television broadcast is just the start of the evening, after all, the west coast time zone means the night is young and there are many more opportunities to see, and be seen. Two invitations transcend others, the Vanity Fair party and Governors Ball.  Below we show Stephen Spielberg with his daughter, as well as Hillary Swank at the Governors Ball.

Two big winners, Colin Firth and screenwriter David Seidler were also on hand for the Ball.

Over at the Vanity Fair party there were A-listers from all manner of industries, below we show Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Mackie, and Camila Alves at the gala.

Getty Images/V.F.

We see Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller, Jane Fonda and Richard Perry as they arrive at the Vanity Fair party.

Also attending, Mary Hart, Rob Lowe and his wife, Sheryl Berkoff.

This is how it looks when one is arriving.

Getty/Vanity Fair

The Daily Mail suggests that if there were an award for the shortest dress, Taylor Swift and Cameron Diaz might both win.

At this length, hem-management becomes key, Ms. Diaz appears to be managing well whilst chatting with Jude Law.

Getty Images/Vanity Fair

Arguably the shortest skirt award should go to Madonna, as it appears she forgot to put hers on.

Getty

This next photo prompts us to ask: are we the last people on earth to know about the romance between Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez?

Getty Images/Vanity Fair

We must include Timothy Olyphant, as one of our Twitter friends wrote that she was dreaming of him last night. (Oh my!) And we must also show Jon Hamm on behalf of several friends. (You know who you are. Heh, heh, heh.)

Below we see Sandra Bullock and her costar from The Blind Side, Quintin Aaron.

Getty Images/Vanity Fair

Another highly popular ticket is for Elton John’s party, the entertainer has raised enormous amounts of money for his AIDS foundation through this function and many others.

Larry Busacca/Getty Images for EJAF

Heidi Klum’s gown shimmered in the light, her Julien MacDonald dress was covered in mirrors.

Gus Ruelas/Reuters

Also at the party, Emma Roberts, Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford, and Hayden Panettiere.

PHOTO:Getty Images

We have one more interesting tidbit from Oscar weekend.

Getty Images for Chanel

At Chanel’s pre-Oscar dinner Friday night, both January Jones and Emma Stone turned up in very similar black Chanel frocks.  Not all that alike when looked at more closely, but the combination of long black dress and short blue jacket had heads turning.

With that, adieu until next time!

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ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
• John Shearer/Getty Images
• Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
• Lucas Jackson/Getty
• Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty
• Kevork Djansezian/Getty
• Craig Barritt/Getty Images
• Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
• Danny Moloshok/Reuters

Party Frocks, Personalized iPad/Kindle Cases & A Man in Uniform

Well now, if it isn’t a Monday.  In every way.  Even Tilly is feeling it.

Because we are slightly overbooked tomorrow (Tuesday), unfortunately today’s blather post shall have to suffice for both days, we do apologize for our appalling lack of time management skills.

We begin with what is becoming an almost weekly event, another in the Sunday night parade of celebrities showing their party frocks, jewels and accessories as they head into yet another awards show. (If it is all so very wretched then pray tell, why dost thou engage in adding fuel to the frenzy, hello?!!) Last night’s venue was the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

We thought Nicole Kidman looked lovely in black lace by Nina Ricci, although we are apparently in the minority, at least from what we gleaned in this morning’s reviews.

Diane Baranski from The Good Wife was radiant and True Grit’s Hailee Steinfeld was very pretty in Prada.

Several stars were in Oscar de la Renta, including Jennifer Lawrence (below left), nominated for her role in Winter’s Bone (the movie was quite the sensation at Sundance last week), she was in a shocking pink gown from the designer’s pre-fall 2011 collection.

Above right Glee’s Lea Michele is also wearing OdlR, a blush crepe de chine dress from this spring’s collection.  We enjoyed this next picture via PopSugar, the young stars of Modern Family: Rico Rodriguez, Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould all looked darling.

Via PopSugar Australia

Not looking as stellar as she generally does, Jane Lynch from Glee missed the mark in a bouffant lavender creation. On a more positive note, Jeff and Susan Bridges provided a note of understated elegance.

When it comes to hits and misses on the red carpet, All the Rage, the LA Time’s style blog, counted these two as “misses”:

AP/Reuters via All The Rage

“…Jenna Fischer’s gray Fendi gown is an odd choice. The fit is off and the color does nothing for her. Not sure about Jayma Mays’ coral-colored Jenny Packham gown either. What’s with the awkward-looking single beaded sleeve?”

Also on the “misses” list and understandably so, Angie Harmon.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

All the Rage offered this on Ms. Harmon’s dress: “… Monique Lhuillier that looked as if it were about to molt”. Ouch.

Anti-Prep Kim Kardashian’s Marchesa gown was labeled both a hit and a miss, depending upon whom you were reading this morning.

We liked Mad Men’s January Jones in Carolina Herrera, but did not find her highly styled hairdo nearly as fabulous or flattering as most others did; as always, co-star Jon Hamm looked stylish.

The LA Times had a nice note about Mr. Hamm:

“The very clean-cut Don Draper would certainly not approve, but Hamm’s fans certainly did — he signed more autographs than anyone else on the carpet before them.”

That is the sort of thing you like to read about, as opposed to the plethora of “stars behaving badly” stories we so frequently see.

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Our other topic today is fun, albeit crassly commercial (gasp).  We are all gaga over our brand new personalized iPad and Kindle cases.

PreppyPrincess.com

Above we show three of the patterns available, definitely today’s Pretty in Pink and Green. Below, two of the argyle designs available.

The cases come in two versions, one for the Apple iPad (10″ x 7.5″ x 1″) and one for the Kindle DX (11″ x 7.75″ x 1″).

One of our personal favorites is the Sailor Plaid in red, white and blue, although the Rhapsody Stripes make us think of deep turquoise waters and blue skies.

The cases are crafted of durable neoprene and may be monogrammed or personalized in a variety of ways.

We couldn’t be happier to offer Lovie and Dodge, these are precisely what we were looking for after acquiring our very own iPad, and we will have more goodies from this splendid company moving forward.

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We know many readers probably aren’t sleeping well, overwrought by concerns about precisely what Prince William will wear for his trip to the altar in April. Put away the sleep aids, tonight you can snooze in bliss, comforted in the knowledge that question has been answered.

Via Hello! magazine

The Prince shall be in uniform, Savile Row firm Gieves and Hawke is making his suit.

Gieves and Hawkes

It isn’t yet known if he will opt for a Naval, Army or RAF uniform; the Prince is eligible to wear any of the three. Now if we only knew about Miss Middleton’s wedding gown designer….sigh.  That news will come soon enough, the media are camped out simply everywhere trying to get the upper hand on the story, but the family and the varying Palaces involved are managing this one rather well, good for them we say.

On that note, we say goodbye until next time, may everyone be safe and warm and dry.

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
• Jason Merritt/Getty
• Lucas Jackson/Reuters
• Kevork Djansezian/Getty
• Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Fall, a Mad Man’s Candor

Hello-Hello!

Today we have a fairly brief post, TP is flying the friendly (ahem) skies this afternoon, but fear not, The Consort will be here to entertain and mystify, perhaps even offering a different perspective on Fashion Weeks.

Our topic today? With a new nip in the air it is time to look at the Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Collection for this fall.

Brooks Brothers

Before moving on, one quick note: the new Black Fleece standalone website is now live, although if actually shopping, clicking on specific styles will take you back to the Brooks Mother Ship, in a virtual manner of speaking.

BlackFleece.com

We like the Tipped V-Neck, and this looks like the skirt worn by True Prep author Lisa Birnbach for her appearances at some B2/True Prep book events.

On a whole the Collection looks promising.

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece

A few more looks.

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece

Here are pieces seen above in the 2nd look from the left.

The real appeal in the 2nd look from the left is the Silk Button-Back Dress, also worn by Ms. Birnbach, if we’re not mistaken; the author is seen with actor Alec Baldwin in a photo from the Brooks Brothers True Prep launch party.

As far as styles for your MOTH (Man of the House), designer Thom Browne’s hand is evident in the shorter pants and fitted lines.  While there are some individual items that offer possibilities…

Unfortunately the overall effect degenerates into the comical when certain items are paired with others.

The trick is to look at singular pieces.

Brooks Brothers via Freshness Magazine

For example, the Tipped Cardigan also is intriguing (for yours truly, this isn’t something The Consort would sport), as is the Polo Sweater.

We also have another look at the upcoming Brooks Brothers Home Collection, this one comes via the always-gracious Christian at Ivy Style.

Courtesy Ivy Style

An elegant look, clean and tailored, just as we like things. By the way, you may want to pop over and congratulate Christian, it is his site’s two-year anniversary on Friday.

There just seems to be one massive minor challenge:

Please tell us that really isn’t a Brooks Brothers signature stitched or otherwise affixed to the sheets. Please tell us no one in charge really thinks we want to look at that while in bed.

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Frequent readers are sadly aware know we are more-than-gaga about Mad Men, and we frequently froth mention some of the show’s stars. Today we have a tip of the hat to actor Jon Hamm (Don Draper), for his candor in an interview with The Observer, condensed in this CBS story.  In the piece the star talks about his experiences with depression.

“He added that he was “was very fortunate to have really good friends in my life whose parents sort of rallied: ‘We’re gonna help this kid out, because otherwise there’s going to be trouble…'”

Antidepressants and therapy also helped, he told the magazine.

“I did do therapy and antidepressants for a brief period, which helped me,” he said.”

The topic isn’t something Mr. Hamm frequently discusses, and certainly not in the look-at-me-I’m-in-rehab tell-all type of fashion seen so often these days, but more in a “it can be serious, here’s what helped me” manner.  Good for him.

Another star from the show, January Jones (Betty Draper), was in Milan this week for some of the shows.  The beautiful young actress is seen in red at Versace with her hair seriously styled!

A Women’s Wear Daily story noted the actress was 45 minutes late for the show:

“Note to celebrities: Traffic sucks during Milan Fashion Week — especially on a rainy Friday night. January Jones arrived more than 45 minutes late to the second Versace show, and was visibly flustered. Was she stuck? “Yeah, for like an hour,” she sighed.”

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Our final note involves the Peanuts gang… and Longchamps.

Colette.fr

As part of the celebration honoring Peanuts’ 60th Anniversary taking place this weekend, the brand has collaborated with the renowned leather goods house and come up with a bag available at Colette.

G’bye until next time, do be kind to The Consort. 🙂

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty

The Times Reviews True Prep, Mad About Emmy Party Frocks

Hello-hello, we are clearly embarking upon another wild and wacky week here at the Prepatorium, how are things shaping up in your corner of the globe?

We begin with a look at one of the first big reviews for True Prep, this one from Janet Maslin in the Times.  Ms. Maslin begins with a look back at the volume preceding True Prep, TOPH, along with another classic.

“But much of “The Official Preppy Handbook” just codified widely known information about high-WASP habits and affectations. (It also borrowed from “Take Ivy,” a 1965 style guide published in Japan.) Its original readers, whether they were knowing or curious, were apt to be of boarding-school age or a little older. Now they’re pushing 50.”

PreppyPrincess.com

Above, that iconic cover of Take Ivy.

The review mentions some of the societal changes since TOPH was first published.

“Among the post-1980 phenomena with which “The Official Preppy Handbook” could not conjure are the Internet, the McMansion, the cellphone, synthetic fleece and the emergence of famous rehab facilities as today’s new boarding schools.”

Below, one of many illustrations in the book.

Random House/Knopf

As mentioned in previous posts (here and here), the book includes many contemporary brands and companies.  A few seen in the Casual Friday image shown above, LL Bean, Cole-Haan, and J. Crew (too much Crew); product mentions caught Ms. Maslin’s attention:

“Ms. Birnbach is best suited to the shopping guide and flagrant product plugs that are a large part of this book’s raison d’être.”

Overall Ms. Maslin’s review is positive, with appreciation for the book’s humorous style and efforts to update common topics. Click here to read the review in its entirety.

Also of note, this month’s Allure features a True Prep tie-in piece, our thanks to the Bellini Bunny for showcasing it on her blog. The story contrasts popular styles of today with styles back in 1980 when TOPH was published.

Allure magazine via the Bellini Bunny

For example, “Beauty Icons then” include Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, “Now” it is Gwyneth Paltrow. (Ahem.)

Also meriting a visit, Apartment Therapy’s “Waspy Whimsey“.

Apartment Therapy

Guerrin Gardner and Mat Sanders put together a wonderful styleboard inspired by the book.

For anyone interested in the schedule with dates and times for True Prep Book Tour events, click here; the link takes you to a page with all that info and more, The Consort the IT department put it together for the site.

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We quickly revisit some of last night’s fashionable (or not) moments at the Emmys. Below, three stars of Mad Men,  January Jones in Atelier Versace, Elizabeth Moss in Donna Karan, and Christina Hendricks in Zac Posen.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Below, Sally Draper actress Kiernan Shipka at the event.

Here are a few of the Mad Men, along with the show’s producer, Matt Weiner.

Chris Pizzello/AP

Actor Jon Hamm and longtime partner Jennifer Westveldt both wore Armani for the big do, while Tina Fey opted for a stunning Oscar de la Renta gown.

Perhaps the most unusual dress was worn by Rita Wilson, seen here with husband Tom Hanks.

Michael Buckner/Getty

The dress and shoes were both from the Prada runway show, we don’t know who did the handbag.

We generally adore Ms. Wilson’s style selections, but this one just didn’t work; it was a classic case of the dress wearing her, not the other way around.

Actress Claire Danes was a knockout in Armani.

We leave you with two more images from last night’s festivities.

Until next time!

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

• AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
• Frazer Harrison/Getty
• Jason Merritt/Getty