Cheryl Shops

Cheryl Shops Fall Shopping Guide: Platform Shoes
I will readily admit that I'm not the biggest fan of platform shoes. They tend to make your feet look like gunboats, and if your legs are anything less than model thin, they can turn stems into tree trunks. This is especially true of the super-chunky, Balenciaga-inspired honkers out there. However, a streamlined, tasteful platform shoe does provide a nice counterpart to a skinny pant or jean--wear a meager shoe with skinny jeans and it looks like you have no feet at all. So, to prevent that fashion faux pas, it's worth investing in at least one pair of platforms.

Madison Avenue
This round toe, ankle-strap Mary Jane is a style that's going to be all over the place this fall. The stiletto heel prevents the shoe from looking too clunky, and since it's by Tara Subkoff for Easy Spirit, you can bet that it'll be comfortable.


Christian Louboutin is arguably the hottest shoe designer around right now, and he has been largely responsible for the platform-shoe resurrection. So why not go straight to the master with this gorgeous suede pump?


This Fendi shoe is one of my favorites because of the clever way in which the platform is constructed--instead of being a distinct part below the upper, the platform is concealed beneath. It makes your feet look like hooves, but in a sexy, Giselle-stomping-down-the-runway kind of way.


Soho
I've never really saw the big thrill with Via Spiga shoes, but I love the overt retro-ness of this spectator platform. Plus, the cap toe makes them look like Chanel.


The Grand Pump from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent has a shape similar to the Tara Subkoff shoe, but with a sexy peep toe (which, as long as you're wearing tights underneath, you can now get away with wearing all year long).


Leopard accents are popping up for fall, and what better way to embrace that trend than with this leopard-print platform shoe? At just a touch over $100, it's quite the bargain--and way less Patsy & Edina than a leopard bag or belt.


34th Street
Jessica Simpson makes a damn fine Louboutin knockoff, and this round-toe pump is nearly perfect, down to the cork platform and heel. (As for the color, who says you can't wear white after Labor Day?)


Speaking of Louboutin knockoffs, Oh Deer is a new brand that even copies the French shoemaker's telltale red sole. Expect a lawsuit, but in the meantime, take advantage of the very affordable price.


I doubt this crocodile-embossed pump is even leather, but it looks so luxe, who cares? (A similar, non-platform shoe from Manolo Blahnik costs upwards of $8,000. Talk about a bargain.)

Cheryl Shops Fall Shopping Guide: Jumpers
Having seen them all over the tents last week (plus on Ashlee Simpson), jumpers are on the top of my fall shopping list. More specifically, I'm thinking a babydoll style, probably in black or gray. The jumper is perfect for layering, because you can wear it over a turtleneck or long-sleeved shirt and under a sweater or jacket. And, of course, you can add leggings or opaque tights underneath for that fashion editor-type look

Madison Avenue
Only for the truly thin (and wealthy), this crocheted jumper by Thakoon is both mod (color palette) and boho (crochet). It also incorporates the sweater-dress trend, which is kind of a jumper sub-genre.


This Alex Gaines houndstooth jumper is fitted enough in the bust that you can wear it as a regular dress in warmer months. I like the bubble hem too, and the overall look reminds me of Vivienne Westwood.


It helps to be tall to pull off this Twinkle by Wenlan tweed jumper, since it has more of a boxy, rather than babydoll, shape. I love the dramatic funnel-neck collar, though.


Soho
This one's made for layering, due to the low neckline, but the fitted bodice and flared skirt make this Nanette Lepore Prince of Wales vest dress a flattering pick for most body types.


This Tibi dress is one of my favorites. I love the frilly ruffled, buttoned and pintucked bib front, and, at $285, it's not such a bad deal. Tibi was one of my favorite shows last week, so I think I might be paying a visit to their new store in Soho.


Anthropologie has definitely become fancier in recent years, as well as more stylish. This corduroy jumper has pretty lace trim and a cute shape, preserving the store's super-feminine identity but also going for a more fashion-forward look.


34th Street
This dress has a cute menswear-inspired look with the pinstripes, but the round neckline, princess seams and empire waist make it more feminine. I'd order a size up because this is Delia's, and because it needs to be roomier for layering.


The babydoll shape of this corduroy jumper from Urban Outfitters is next to perfect, and the price isn't bad either. I only wish it came in black or gray!


The print is kind of bold for fall, but I love the shape of this dress, and we all could probably use a little color in our lives anyway. I think this would look great with a ribbed turtleneck and some knee-high pirate-type boots. And, of course, tights!

The Cheryl Shops Fall Shopping Guide: Leggings
Love 'em or hate 'em, leggings are here to stay...well, for this season at least. They're a crucial part of the layered look that's so hot right now, and, bottom line, they keep your legs warm, which, in a New York City winter, is never a bad thing.

Madison Avenue
Do you need to spend $500 on leggings? Probably not. But if you're going to, you might as well go for this ultra-luxe ankle-length merino wool and Lycra blend from Derek Lam.


This pair from VPL has such cool seaming details, you won't want to hide them under a dress or skirt. But if you wear them with a shorter top, make sure they're not too tight. Unless you have the legs of a runway model. Then, by all means, wear them with whatever you want.


Or go for the ultimate in luxury with a cashmere pair from the layering master himself, Marc Jacobs. (Sorry, this pair is currently sold out online, but should still be available in stores.)


Soho
A space-dyed knit gives this pair, from Alice & Olivia, cool texture. I'd say pair them with a solid color (preferably black) so your outfit doesn't look too busy.


I've had my eye on this pair by Isli for a while now. There's a side snap vent at the hem, which kind of reminds me of Prince & the Revolution circa 1984, and I think we can all use a little Purple Rain in our outfits. After all, fashion is in the middle of an '80s revival, so why not go with it?


Twinkle by Wenlan has some of the best knits around, and this striped legging is just so quirky-cool, I think if I bought them, I'd want to wear them every day. Again, since this is a pattern, I'd say go with a solid color (or at least a very subtle print) on top.


34th Street
In the '90s, during the height of Grunge, I had a pair of thermal leggings, and I wore them under everything. This pair by Splendid makes me quite nostalgic for them. Plus, they've got to be warm, right?


There's a bit of shirring at the back ankle of this legging from Delia's, the better to wear with flats or cute ankle boots.


Here's another pair of thermal leggings, but these are capri-length, which is different, plus they have an adorable cuff with two little buttons on the side. They can definitely work with a cute babydoll dress, but to avoid looking dated, leave your Doc Martens at home.

The Cheryl Shops Fall Shopping Guide: Trapeze Jackets
Volume was a key word on the Spring 2007 runways in New York, but for those who don't want to wait until then to start wearing the look, you're in luck. The trapeze (or swing) jacket is everywhere this season, mostly because its full shape balances out the ubiquituous skinny pant. The key, of course, is not to look like a total blob while wearing one, so make sure the jacket fits snugly in the shoulders and doesn't have too much fabric in the body. And, like Mom always said, stand up straight.

Madison Avenue
They take a lot of flack for being so young, but there's no denying that the twentysomething designers of Proenza Schouler have a way with leather. This leather jacket is absolutely beautiful...and costs more than most people make in a week. Um, a lot more.


Derek Lam was a huge hit on the spring runways, and with a look at this jacket, you can see why. The double-breasted construction gives it a military look, which is a nice change from the more typical mod look of the trapeze jacket.


Burberry is known for its coats and jackets--plus they've been leading the Mod revival--so you can count on the impeccable tailoring in this wool tweed swing jacket, a slightly more conservative take on the trend.


Soho
Milly sent out some great swing coats last week at Fashion Week, and here's a cropped, winter white version that you can wear now. Yay for instant gratification.


Philip Lim is a designer that seemingly turned up out of nowhere with a collection of must-haves. This double-breasted box jacket is one of my favorites, and with fashion editors' fondness for the line, I'm surprised it hasn't been featured everywhere.


I used to write Charlotte Ronson off as a gimmicky designer (retro underwear tanks, terrycloth sundresses, etc.), but this cropped trench jacket might just change my mind. I like the trenchcoat-inspired details, and the fit looks very flattering.


34th Street
I'm constantly surprised by how cute the clothes are in teen catalogue Alloy. This cotton jacket is a more casual version, perfect for weekends or if you don't want to feel like an old lady.


A more obvious take on the trend comes from Urban Outfitters, land of wear-it-for-one-season-before-it-falls-apart looks. But for $58, you can't go wrong with this babydoll jacket.


For a truly disposable look, there's this gabardine jacket from Forever 21. A streamlined design, it has more of a cropped fit, so I'd recommend wearing it over a tunic or a longer shirt. After all, the look is all a balancing act.

Coming Monday...
...it's the return of the Cheryl Shops Fall Shopping Guide! All this week, I'll be posting my top ten fall shopping must-haves, from babydoll jumpers to frame handbags. As is my tradition, I post nine of each item--three at three different price points: Madison Avenue (for when price is no object), Soho (for when it kind of is), and 34th Street (um, for when it is, definitely). And then, I promise, regular Cheryl Shops features such as the Week in Shopping and my Project Runway recaps will return the following week. Sale-wise, you're really not missing much anyway, I swear.

Olympus New York Fashion Week: Friday
I never thought I'd be saying this, but by Friday, I was really starting to drag. I don't know if it was the weather (cold and rainy) or the fact that I'd spent half my week in the tents (in addition to working my usual 40-hour week), but I decided on Friday morning that I'd end my inaugural Fashion Week by attending the one show I had been invited to that day, Manuel. Thankfully I actually had a seat assignment, so I showed up fashionably late and breezed right through to the tent. Fabulous. Now, Manuel is a line that totally does its own thing, and it was exactly what I needed after seeing a week's worth of voluminous dresses, metallics, eyelet, and so forth. And by doing its own thing, I mean Manuel started the show by sending Omayra down the runway in leather pants and Swarovski crystal bandeleros.


How can you not love that? The other great thing about Manuel is that the show was about evenly divided between menswear and womenswear. I don't know if it's because I've been staring at sylphlike gazelles all week or what, but I was pretty damn happy to see some male models.


And did I mention that a lot of these male models happened to be shirtless?


Seriously, though, Manuel pretty much makes clothes for rock stars (he was responsible for Johnny Cash's "Man in Black" look, for example), and he is a genius when it comes to leather and animal skins. This jacket, below, looked like rayon or some slinky fabric but was, in fact, washed leather. Amazing.


Or, if you prefer a more glam rock-and-roll look, there's this pearlized python jacket, tacky in theory but awesome in execution.


My salivating over the male models aside, there were some really cool looks for guys, some more subtle than others. A lot of the jackets had tonal pot-leaf embroidery, and the jeans had cool embellishments. Rock star clothing, yes, but it all looked pretty accessible to me.


Manuel threw some dresses in at the end, and I think the show would've been better without them. I feel like this one might show up on the red carpet at, say, the Country Music Awards.


But, hey, did I mention there were shirtless male models?


Apparently the crowd liked the show--or maybe just the washboard abs all around--because they not only gave the designers (Manuel and his son) a standing ovation, but the duo did a full lap down the runway. And that, my friends, was the way to end Fashion Week: Neil Young's "Keep on Rockin' in the Free World," metallic jackets, and shirtless male models.

Olympus New York Fashion Week: Thursday
I was really excited to receive an invitation to Abaete, a newer line with a very feminine look, inspired by designer Laura Poretzky's Portugese-French heritage. I was even more excited to see the kickass gift bag, which included full-size Redken hair products, pretty red nail polish, and an eyeshadow duo from Nars (it helps to have corporate sponsors--Abaete produces a cute line of shoes for Payless, which I'm sure chipped in for the delicious swag). And when I saw I was seated directly across from "noted fashion photographer" Nigel Barker from America's Next Top Model, well, let's just say I was a bit worried I'd be unable to focus on the clothing. Thankfully, the clothes were so beautiful that Mr. Barker did not distract me. Well, except he kept checking out the models' asses as they walked by, which I found rather amusing. Anyway, Laura Poretsky kind of does her own thing, which is good, because the designs she sent down the runway were not only pretty and feminine, but also--the million-dollar word--wearable. Take, for example, this great print dress with a universally flattering shape. The shoes, by the way, are all from next spring's collection for Payless. Sign me up!


There were quite a few swimsuits in this show, and I was delighted to see this one--a retro maillot. Granted, I could probably do without the floppy roses on the bust, but I loved the shape, and I'm tempted to ditch my bikini for this one next year.


This was one of my favorite looks in the show. It's totally that "rich hippie" look that many of us (um, myself included) try so hard to achieve. This is luxe--the satin, the sequins--and easygoing at the same time. Perfect.


Not that the show wasn't immune to the current runway trends. This jumpsuit (as I said before, I'm a sucker for one-piece dressing) had metallic polka dots, very similar to what Marc Jacobs sent down the runway on Monday. I thought it was adorable.


Volume turned up in several looks as well. I loved this bubble coat--the black and white color scheme made it sort of mod looking, but the bow made it ladylike as well. In other words, it's a pretty way to do the voluminous look.


This was the last look, and I'm sad you can't see all of the beautiful detail--pleating and draping and pretty rosettes in the back. It's very "I'm a rich widow mourning in St. Tropez," and I loved how it was styled, with the big floppy hat.


The funny thing was, as I was leaving the show, I realized that sitting a few seats down from Nigel Barker was Nik, America's Next Top Model's runner-up from Cycle 5. Coincidence...or no?

When I scored a seat at Joanna Mastroianni's show, I decided Thursday was my lucky swag day, as the gift bag at that show was a huge canvas boat tote filled with Shu Uemura deep sea facial mist, an Atkins bar, a coupon for Completely Bare, and a cute little notebook. Well done! The run sheet included a rather dramatic press release discussing the inspiration and direction of the show, and after reading that, the looks seemed rather...tame. They were also for, I'd say, a slightly older client, but, hey, fashion isn't just for 25-year-olds. This silhouette, for example, kept turning up, and I think it would flatter a wide variety of body types. Also, note the pockets in the skirt. The print was pretty too.


I liked the clean, black and white palette of this gown, as well as the unfussy shape.


Of course, volume turned up on this runway too. I think the two-piece construction of this is nice and practical. The skirt had some lovely embroidery. And, of course, I'm a sucker for green.


The focus was on gowns and dresses for this show, but the few pants that she featured were skinny. I love this model, too--you don't see a redhead too often in the modeling industry. Her name is Cintia.


This was probably my favorite look of the show--the color was gorgeous (and would photograph well, for red carpet purposes) and the shape was a bit more youthful than the rest of the collection, not that there's anything wrong with that.


I knew it was time to leave when, on my way out, I literally ran into Janice Soprano (a.k.a. Aida Turturro), who in turn gave me a dirty look. I apologized as earnestly as possible. After all, I don't want her to send Bobby out to whack me.