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Elle’s Kyle Anderson Picks His Favorite Holiday Accessories

Currently Craving: Sunglasses Worthy of Zooey Deschanel (and Created by Her, Too)

The smarts and sass of Hollywood sweetheart Zooey Deschanel? Oliver Peoples Eyewear’s Zooey sunglasses have it. Created in collaboration with Deschanel, the retro-style frames fit the blue-eyed actress/songstress’s style to a T.

I’ve had a bit of a girl crush on Miss Deschanel ever since I saw her in Almost Famous and, full disclosure of nerdiness, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And I swooned over every last ’50s-inspired outfit she wore in (500) Days of Summer, an aesthetic that mirrors her personal style. I have very little hope of pulling off her throwback look with equal panache, but I will shamelessly steal a fraction of her style with the Oliver Peoples sunnies.

Designed with a one-of-a-kind breath logo (a puff of warm air on the right lens makes it appear) in the shape of a lipstick smooch and packaged with a cocktail-napkin cleaning cloth, there’s an undeniable playfulness to this pair. Add to that Oliver Peoples’ classy, subtle branding and impeccable quality, and these will surely be the most-worn piece in my sunglass wardrobe.

--Amie

P.S. Check out our archived Q&A with Oliver Peoples Founder and Creative Director Larry Leight for more on this ultra-cool brand.

First Fashion: Luxe Accents

I’ve been doing a lot of clothes shopping lately. My mom would say too much, and while I’m of the belief that a gal can never do too much shopping when it comes to clothes, she may have a point. With all the jackets, jeans, dresses, and skirts I’ve been adding to my sartorial repertoire, I’ve neglected the all-important accessories to go with them. Today, I’ve found a few pieces to remedy that situation.
	The refined counterpart to her whimsical Bing Bang collection, Anna Sheffield jewelry has found a fan in me. I may finally replace the silver star pendant I’ve been wearing for years. Anna Sheffield - Emma Drop Necklace
	A shot of sass for any ensemble, I’ll wear these metallic platforms now with tights and with bare legs on an upcoming winter escape to Florida. Diane von Furstenberg - Zia Metallic Sandals
	A classic Marc Jacobs handbag silhouette in a gorgeous shade that will transition seamlessly into spring, this is my newest must-have carryall. Marc by Marc Jacobs - New Q Groovee Satchel
Find the baubles, bags, and boots to boost your winter wardrobe in What’s New. --Amie

An Eye for Exquisiteness: Q&A with Retrosun Founder Nicole Miller

Radiant retro-chic. It’s the iconic style of jetsetters like Diane von Furstenberg, Bianca Jagger, and Isabella Rossellini—then, now, forever. No piece defines this look better than a signature pair of sunglasses. But are the intricate hardware details, luxe designs, and storied brands of the past just a distant fashion memory? Not if Retrosun founder Nicole Miller has anything to say about it. I recently chatted with Nicole to find out more about her covetable collection of rare vintage sunglasses.

Suzanne: Your story about finding a warehouse of pristine vintage designer sunglasses and then launching Retrosun is like my fashion fantasy come true! How did you come across these amazing shades?
 
Nicole: Before setting up Retrosun in 2006, I had been working as a fashion consultant doing product development and strategy for a variety of high-end fashion and jewelry brands. I was out on a buying trip with a client, and on our travels I came across a few pairs of Christian Dior sunglasses from the 1970s. I was astounded by their beauty and how well they were made. Since then, Retrosun has been sourcing unworn stock from all over the world.

S: Are all your sunglasses new vintage, and where do they come from? How do you guarantee authenticity?

N: Yes all of our sunglasses are new vintage. You can see from the markings inside the glasses, the stamps, etc. where they were produced and that they are authentic. For example, most of the Christian Dior glasses were produced in Austria and West Germany. However, since the ’90s Christian Dior has been produced in Italy.

S: How have the lenses been modernized?

N: All the glasses we find go through stringent quality control checks. Should we find that the lenses do not live up to our standards, the glasses are refitted with Optical class 1, vision 400 lenses, 100% UVA and UVB. These are top lenses in the market and exceed the legal requirements.

S: You carry ’70s to early ’90s styles, everything from Paloma Picasso to Gucci. Do you have a favorite designer and/or era, and what do you find special about the designs of that era?

N: I love the Dior designs from the late ’70s and early ’80s; the colors and the hardware detailing are super special. Also the Porsche Design by Carrera plastic and metal aviators are ultra-cool with their interchangeable faces—they are so of-the-moment. Porsche has even started reproducing the old models due to fashion demands!

S: Could you talk about why it’s important to build a sunglass wardrobe? In my opinion, one pair is hardly enough.

N: Sunglasses are an amazing fashion accessory, which can completely change or complete an outfit, especially Retrosun sunglasses, as each pair is so unique it really is the ultimate fashion accessory you won't find on everyone else. In today’s environment where everyone stocks every brand, it is nice to be able to buy something which is limited in stock, unique, and reasonably priced.

--Suzanne

getting warmer

This week I returned from a holiday in Turkey, and because it was 70 degrees and sunny every day (thanks, Mediterranean!), I was shocked to land in the middle of a (relatively deep) freeze back home. Instead of continuing to grumble about it, I need to accept my changed circumstances and fashionably fight the cold with all the hats, gloves, and scarves I didn’t think to shop for before I left.

I’m a wuss when it comes to cold weather, so when choosing accessories, my mantra is the thicker the better. Plus, when I’m all bundled up in a black coat, it’s the extras that will let me play with my look and switch it up from day to day. When I’m in a classic mood, I’ll don a cashmere Vince scarf and add a little interest with a cozy Eugenia Kim hat (pictured). But when I’m feeling a little edgy, I’ll wrap up in a lace-print YARNZ scarf and pull on fingerless gloves (and maybe a pair of Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots that will console me until spring).

--Tonya

New Feature! Basic Essentials

 
They’re the timeless styles that take you from season to season, the pieces fashion gurus like Nina Garcia (of Elle.com, Marie Claire, and Project Runway fame), and Hillary and Katherine from WhoWhatWear consistently single out as central to a well-rounded wardrobe.

At Shopbop we call them Basic Essentials, and we’ve collected prime examples from our fine footwear, lingerie, denim, and dress boutiques and put them together in one place for easy shopping. Marc by Marc Jacobs handbags to Golden Goose boots; J Brand skinny jeans to Bop Basics cashmere, these enduringly chic closet staples provide balance for fall’s trendier pieces. (And keep you from looking like the quintessential Glamour Don’t.)

--Maureen

First Fashion: Boyish Charms

As you’ve likely noticed, the menswear look is big news this season. You may have already been seduced by a well-cut blazer or refined button-down shirt, but menswear-inspired accessories are the exclamation point to a confident swagger.
	I can’t get enough of the Don Draper old school cool and the vintage-y panther charm seals the deal. Eugenia Kim - Maxine Fedora with Ruched Vintage Ribbon
	Hardware for girls, NC bis is a master at the industrial jewelry trend. NC bis - Chain Bracelet
	When you’re looking to join the boys club, a ruffled satchel doesn’t quite cut it, but a tough snakeskin cross-body bag does. Jerome Dreyfuss - Twee Mini Python Bag
Oxford flats, oversized watches, and all sorts of boyish charms await in What’s New. --Suzanne

Spring Handbag Report: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Big hair bows, tribal-print bags, and cinched waists were key accessories on the Marc by Marc Jacobs runway.

I just got back from an appointment at Marc by Marc Jacobs, and I’m not sure I can wait until spring to get these bags! The collection in a nutshell:

COLOR: The shades run from the bold and the brilliant to the beautifully neutral. Watch for metallics, hot pink, shocking orange, navy, caramel, and cream.

PRINTS: They’re mixed and varied: African inspiration, tribal, oversized polka dots, neon hearts, and of course, Miss Marc (she’ll be blonde and brunette this spring!).

EMBELLISHMENTS: Coming in the form of tribal-inspired mixed-metal studs, zippers, chains, and sporty quilting.

SHAPES: Watch for duffels that convert to messengers, hobos that convert to messengers, and messengers that, well, are just messengers. Plus all sizes ranging from the mini to the oversized.

ACCESSORIES: The much-talked-about LV bunny ears are reinvented for the Marc girl as look-at-me hair bows, and your waist will continue to be defined this spring with studded belts.

--Kassidy

More pictures after the jump!

Elle Favorite Fall Accessories

It pays to call in the pros, and nowhere is this truer than in fashion. That’s why we asked Kyle Anderson, Senior Accessories Editor at Elle magazine, to check out our fall accessories and pick some of the best. An Alexander Wang bag? Of course. But a few things you might not guess also made the list. Some highlights:
	Golden Goose Boots Kyle says: “Love the height and the metal details. They don’t look like what people think of as ‘cowboy boots,’ they’re young, cool, and urban.”
	Giuseppe Zanotti Over the Knee Boots Kyle says: “For girls who are afraid of buying over-the-knee boots. The matte embossed croc makes these super luxe and totally not Pretty Woman.”
	BE & D Handbag Kyle says: “We shot this for Elle right after the collections showed in Europe. It’s a cool bag for going out when you don’t do clutches and need to carry more than your phone.”

Calling All Leopard, Croc, Python, Cheetah...and Anything Else Wild

Fashion can be intimidating. When I picked up a pair of embellished leopard-print flats from Antik Batik a couple weeks ago, I found myself out of my black footwear comfort zone and unsure of how to style them. Luckily, Shopbop Fashion Director Kate offered tips on how to work au courant animal prints into an everyday look:

“Animal prints will forever be classic, and leopard is particularly big this fall, especially when it comes to accessories,” says Kate. “These wild prints are the perfect addition to the black, black, and more black many are gravitating toward this fall. Incorporate an animal-print shoe, handbag, or jacket into your neutral ensembles. It’s an easy equation for a look that's chic and a little rock ‘n’ roll.”

I’ll take Kate’s advice by pairing a black jersey dress with my new flats for work. For something a little sultrier but still daytime-appropriate, I’ll take my cue from the above DSQUARED2 runway look and pair exotic pumps with a tailored blazer, white button-down shirt, denim skirt, and leggings.

--Tonya