The Best Costumes of 2013

Catching Fire costume designer Trish Summerville with Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, killing it in McQueen!

If you’d like to read a roundup of the Best Costumes of Film and TV for 2013, do head over to Clothes on Film, where editor Chris Laverty has assembled a crack team of both costume designers and those who like to write about costumes (myself included!) for their opinions on the most memorable costume designs this year. You will definitely see some of the film picks on the list when Oscar nominations are announced on January 16, 2014!

You can find my selections about halfway through the list.

I see more kid flicks than anything but for the more grownup movies I watched this year it was very easy to pick my costume design favorites.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Fingers crossed that Trish Summerville, above, gets an Oscar nomination for her work in this movie. I especially love that she pulled right from the runway of Alexander McQueen for the elaborate (and technically masterful) get-ups on Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks).

Peter Sarsgaard and Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine.

Blue Jasmine

I hope Suzy Benzinger gets an Oscar nomination or even a win for this one. She knew just what fashion brands would give Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) an authentic touch as the wealthy Manhattan socialite whose life has fallen apart. One of my pet theories about costume design for film is that modern day movies are the hardest to design for. Using that as a starting point, Blue Jasmine was a standout piece of costume design work, and I am not just saying that because I loved the Chanel jacket or Birkin above! Look at what Dwight (Peter Sarsgaard) is wearing, which is subtle and perfect for his character (not to mention plays well with what Jasmine has on). When you see the movie, check out the duds on Ginger (Sally Hawkins) or her boyfriend Chili (Bobby Canavale). Suzy Benzinger did an amazing job costuming this movie and I hope she is rewarded during awards season!

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby

I know reactions were mixed regarding the collaboration between Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin and Miuccia Prada, but I loved the costumes in this movie. Do not get me started on the jewelry by Tiffany & Co. (because we will be here all day), but the pieces on Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) were stunning. I am still dreaming about the Savoy Headpiece she wears in the photo above.

Derek Hough and Amber Riley from Dancing With the Stars, Season 17.

Dancing With the Stars

Since I have a ballroom dancing son, this has become required viewing in my house. I can’t believe how many costumes series designers Daniella Gschwendtner and Steven Norman Lee and their wardrobe team put together every week. The numbers and inventiveness boggle the mind. The costumes not only have to look good, they have to seriously move, and what the DWTS costumers accomplish on those two fronts is remarkable! I loved these Jazz Age ensembles on Derek Hough and Amber Riley. Definitely a 10 from me!

Find out what other writers picked and hear what costume designers themselves have to say about the year’s best in costume design at Clothes on Film. 

And do let me know what costumes for film or TV you loved this year. I’d love to hear your picks!

Giovanna Battaglia Got the Coat Memo

LOVE this look on Giovanna!

Giovanna has to be one of my favorite wearers of coats. In fact, while she always looks amazing no matter the season, I most prefer to see pictures of her in coats because they are invariably amazing creations and she knocks it out of the park every single time. These two photos are no exceptions! I don’t know where I found the picture above but I love this elegant look with the fur collar, gray suede boots and the camouflage Dior saddle bag. Perfection!

Giovanna at the Chanel Métiers d’Art show, Dallas, Texas, December 2013.

As for the second picture, it is from the recent Métiers d’Art fashion show that Chanel and Uncle Karl held in Dallas, Texas and it makes me laugh that she paired this over-the-top black and white coat with a Chanel tweed skirt, an oversized pearl necklace, a baby flap bag, and, best of all, a “Don’t Mess With Texas” shirt. Ha! I lived in Texas in my twenties and I’m here to tell you, they mean that when they say it! It’s the only state in the union that actually has a tortilla chip in the shape of the state itself (all true, I used to buy them at HEB, the supermarket chain in Austin).

Since Texas is larger than life in so many ways, I’m sure Texas loved the larger-than-life Giovanna right back.

Let this be your Texas-sized reminder that for January’s “How I Wear My” Adrienne and I are featuring coats. But not any old coat, let Giovanna’s coats be your inspiration! We are accepting pictures until January 6, 2014 and you can send them to us at [email protected].

Christmas in New York 2013: Bergdorf Goodman, Part II

A dress by Giambattista Valli with a coat by Moncler. 

I had to share one more set of Bergdorf Goodman windows with you from my photo session last month. These are on 58th Street, facing Central Park (and the Plaza Hotel!). I love the windows on 58th Street as much as the ones on Fifth Avenue. In a way I love them more since the focus is on the exquisite clothing and they fit a lot of beauty into a small space.

Everything was white, silver and gray and seemed so perfect not only for the holidays but for winter, which the window artists for Bergdorf Goodman made seem like the most glamorous season of all. Here are clothes that were made to make you dream!

I want to put on this Moncler coat and stand outside in the cold.

I love this, but it gets a bit lost in the window. Details below.

The blouse is by Lanvin, the vest is by Oscar de la Renta and the sweater is by 10 Crosby Derek Lam.

The glorious skirt is by Oscar de la Renta.

A dress by Ralph Rucci.

While I loved everything, I went especially crazy for the Lorena Sarbu pearl encrusted dress and the Rochas coat below. Aren’t they gorgeous together?

A dress by Lorena Sarbu with a coat by Rochas (love!).

I love the details on this dress and coat.

For all of you who are celebrating, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope it is a happy and healthy holiday for you and your family.

Are You Old Enough to Wear Diamonds?

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. Definitely too young for this Tiffany headband!

I am in the middle of the book Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations by Peter Evans and Ava Gardner and really loving it. It’s a window into old Hollywood by somebody who was there and married a few of the most famous men of the day as well! A full review of the book will come in January. Last night I read a great passage where Ava describes being married to Mickey Rooney, who was a huge star in the late 1930s and early 40s because of his popular “Andy Hardy” movies. Mickey liked to bet, big time, on horses, and Ava describes what it was like being a 19-year-old bride who would be given a gorgeous piece of jewelry by her husband one week, only to have to give it back the next.

“Mick also bought me the most beautiful diamond ring, a real iceberg—and asked for it back the following week to pay off his bookies. Talk about feast and famine, honey…although not many people knew about the famine side of that marriage. In true Hollywood style, they only saw the feast.

Actually, I didn’t mind the ring going back, well not too much, anyway—diamonds are an acquired taste and at nineteen I still hadn’t acquired it. Anyway, diamonds look tacky on a woman before she’s forty.”

I love that last line! It reminds me so much of what Truman Capote wrote in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, one of Holly Golightly’s pieces of wisdom:

“Not that I give a hoot about jewelry. Diamonds, yes. But it’s tacky to wear diamonds before you’re forty; and even that’s risky. They only look right on the really old girls. Maria Ouspenskaya. Wrinkles and bones, white hair and diamonds: I can’t wait.”

Interesting, I wonder if this was the idea of the day among younger ladies. Of course, this means that Daisy Buchanan (as played by Carey Mulligan in The Great Gatsby, above) was way too young for that amazing Tiffany diamond headband. Carey is only twenty-eight and I am sure Daisy was under thirty in the novel.

How fun to think that, according to Ava Gardner and Holly Golightly, I am just beginning my prime diamond-wearing years!

I can’t picture myself in a diamond tiara or gigantic diamond necklace ever, but here are two diamond pieces I would not kick out of my jewelry box.

I would not say no to this Cartier Trinity Sauvage ring with three types of gold, diamonds, and black lacquer!

Princess-Cut diamond earrings from Blue Nile. Make mine a half-carat each, at least!

Are you a fan of diamonds? And what do you make of Ava and Holly’s sentiments regarding the proper age to wear them?

Revlon Elusive

Revlon Nail Enamel in Elusive, a glittery dark green.

If you are looking for a great holiday polish I have to tell you about my new favorite color, Elusive by Revlon. It is from the Evening Opulence Collection by Gucci Westman, a makeup artist I admire (and wife of David Neville of Rag & Bone). I normally stay away from polishes with heavy glitter but I can tell it’s the holidays because I could not pass this one up. It is a gorgeous deep green with glitter of various sizes suspended throughout. There is even a hint of teal blue in it in certain light.

There is, however, one little catch with this polish. After it dries it is completely matte. As in, not attractive, looks awful, matte. This was a surprise and I almost took the bottle back to CVS for a refund. After a quick scan of the Internet, where Amy of Gotham Polish wrote of the same experience (and you can see her photos of what the matte color looks like), I tried her tip and just put on a top coat.

You are going to need this (or something similar) if you buy Elusive!

Well.

It shined, it gleamed, it glittered, and I loved it. From far away Elusive almost looks black and yet people will do a double take up close because it’s not really dark enough to be black, and you can see them trying to figure out what color it is. Elusive indeed. In the sunlight it is a shimmering dark emerald color.

The top coat protected the color so well that I got tired of Elusive before it got tired of me. It will take a few passes with remover before all the glitter comes off, but if you are looking for a glamorous color to last through Christmas and New Year’s Eve, this is the one to try! I paid about $5.50 for it at CVS.

The color is hard to capture but it is dark and glamorous.

Speaking of Elusive, here is Tippi the cat, paw down, ready for her DIY Kitty Manicure.

Do you opt for more glittery nail polish during the holidays? If you have a color or brand recommendation, let me know what it is!

Christmas in New York 2013: Tiffany & Co.

A Tiffany & Co. window on Fifth Avenue, NYC, November 2013.

After a (long) stop at Bergdorf’s to take pictures of their holiday windows last month I of course had to go across the street to see the windows at Tiffany!

I loved the dreamy shades of blue, the miniature townhouses and Manhattan skyline and, of course, the jewelry.

I love the details of this miniature scene.

Tiffany’s will always have a special place in my heart. When I first moved to Manhattan it was on my list of places to see, right up there with the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center. It was such a thrill to walk in there for the first time and see those soaring ceilings, it really felt like one of those Pinch me, I’m in New York moments. The store was so big and beautiful, elegant and refined, and the jewelry made my heart stop. And the building itself felt so very Manhattan with its gorgeous spot right there on Fifth Avenue, with Bergdorf across the street, and Central Park a couple of blocks up. It doesn’t get more New York than that.

I wish that sleigh would pull up to my brownstone apartment!

My other favorite memories of Tiffany—aside from the shared memory of anyone who ever saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s—include times I’ve visited with my husband—he bought me one of their silver ID bracelets the year I turned 29—and the day I selected a pair of silver cufflinks for him for our first wedding anniversary. I have also had great times there with my mother over the years when she’s come to town and we’ve gone to look at all the beautiful things. Sometimes she even buys one of them!

My mother taught me a love of fine jewelry so whenever I pass by Tiffany or go through its gigantic doors, I think of her.

Isn’t this gorgeous?

Do note the gigantic diamond engagement ring at the top right!

Have you been to Tiffany’s in New York City? If you have any memories of the visit that you care to share, I’d love to hear them!

How I Wear My: Red

Adrienne of The Rich Life (on a budget). Photo by Sylvia Steininger.

Is it just us or does it seem like the whole world is crazy for red right now? Adrienne of The Rich Life (on a budget) and I knew it would be a good choice for a December “How I Wear My” post but we couldn’t have predicted the amount of red we’d see in magazines and store windows!

There seems to be a two schools of thought on red—a pop of it to enliven an outfit, or a key piece to anchor a look. No matter which you gravitate toward, you are gonna want to break out the red after seeing the looks featured here. Enjoy!

Adrienne of The Rich Life (on a budget), my beautiful “How I Wear My” partner above, is wearing a Calvin Klein layered shell with J. Crew Minnie pants, a Calvin Klein trench and earrings our friend Tamera Beardsley gave her. I love the addition of her red nails and the red door, which makes the whole picture pop!

Suzanne of Suzanne Carillo Style Files. Yowza!

Suzanne of Suzanne Carillo Style Files said she doesn’t wear red very often since she started dying her hair that color. She has also found red overwhelming in the past. Then she wrote, “However, you can see that I am getting over my phobia with this red cape. I’m letting it steal the show. Also my red lips that I’m learning to love, a new style since I dressed up for a 1940s dance.”

Suzanne, please feature a red lipstick tutorial on your blog, pronto, because you have nailed it! I have been hyperventilating over this look since she sent me the picture because it’s like 40s noir crossed with bad-girl leather (love!) and I am crazy about the result.

Ana of Mrs. American Made.

Ana of Mrs. American Made said of red, “I realized, when I thought about it, that I wear my red one piece at a time. Either a jacket, jeans, or top—or in a print. I will also say that it took me years to feel comfortable wearing red since I thought it attracted too much attention and I have always been rather shy. But I bought a gorgeous Nanette Lepore (of course) trench some years ago and it changed things for me. It was a classy and classic way to do red so I felt I could handle it.”

I deeply love the look of this Nanette Lepore party dress on Ana, especially with the addition of black tights, heels, jacket, and sparkly necklace. Wow!

Terry of Terry’s Two Cents. Hello, handsome!

Terry of Terry’s Two Cents is wearing a cashmere sweater in one of my favorite shades of red. He looks so handsome and thoughtful as he leans against the elevator door that if I was passing by I would say, Why yes, please do call the elevator for me!

Silk Path Diary. Love that Christine bag!

Silk Path Diary said that she wanted to feature a red bag since she doesn’t really wear red clothes. This satchel bag is by Hermès, called the Christine, in Rouge Vif (for all you H leather lovers, you know who you are!). SPD say she loves wearing this bag in winter with all her layers and can you blame her? Although this bag would be gorgeous any time of year!

Alicia of Spashionista. Isn’t this picture of her just the best? I love it!

Alicia of Spashionista is wowing us with a cowl-necked red dress and, oh my, do note those over the knee black boots. That ensemble, combined with her great smile, makes this my new favorite picture of her. She looks so saucy and fun!

Teresa in a vintage beaded jacket. Photo by Denton Taylor.

Teresa is wearing a beaded (and quite heavy!) jacket by Sténay she purchased at the Manhattan Vintage Show in October. I was there with her and Denton when she bought it from Sunset Boulevard Vintage. Isn’t it gorgeous? It’s perfect on her and I hope she wears it to a holiday party this month!

Sheree of It’s Not That Deep.

Sheree of It’s Not That Deep shows us once again how to mix patterns by pairing a red gingham jacket with a leopard bag. I wouldn’t think to put these two together but Sheree makes it look amazing, as usual!

Amy of Denim & Dots.

Amy of Denim & Dots—and new Brooklyn resident, woo-hoo! Welcome to the Best Borough in New York City, Amy. Let’s have coffee!—came to New York in high style with this drop-dead gorgeous combination of black, white, and red! One look at this and I knew Amy was going to fit into New York City just fine.

Paula of Fashion Over Fifty.

Paula of Fashion Over Fifty wrote, “I have red hats, shoes, coats, jackets, sweaters, skirts and dresses. It’s a color that looks good on me. Do you want to know my favorite way I wear my red? My red stockings! They are so much fun and add a big punch to any outfit!”

I think Paula is quite brave to wear red stockings (though she definitely has the legs for them!). Show of hands, who out there would join Paula in the red stockings club? I don’t know that I’m bold enough, to tell you the truth. But I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic!

Cyrillynn of Any Second Now.

Cyrillynn of Any Second Now is wearing J. Jill’s gorgeous Cross-Town Coat in Perfect Red, their gift to her, along with an invitation to attend the opening of their new store in Fashion Valley last month.

Fashion Valley, for those of you who don’t know, is the mall to go to in San Diego. When I lived in San Diego as a child it was always a good day when my parents would announce, “We’re going to Fashion Valley.” And it’s gotten even more glamorous over the years. Do make a trip there if you visit San Diego. You will love it!

Deja of Une femme d’un certain âge.

Deja of Une femme d’un certain âge is wearing one of my favorite ways to add red to an outfit, with a big scarf! I love this striped version.

Liz of What Liz Loves.

Liz of What Liz Loves wrote of her outfit, “I love red. It is so uplifting and cheerful. These are the red top and jeans I wore for my husband’s birthday lunch.”

The colorful simplicity of this look is right up my alley!

Hang of POUM! La Mode.

Hang of POUM! La Mode just became a mother for the second time this past August when she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Knowing her, she is probably already back to looking as glamorous as this, from a pre-baby post, in a blouse by Fly Now and a leather skirt by Joseph. And don’t you just want to park it by the pool here and have a Mai Tai with Hang and me?

Kim of Northern California Style.

Kim of Northern California Style is wearing J. Crew khaki pants and a Calvin Klein sleeveless layered red blouse. She accessorized it with tan and black Tom’s wedges shoes. She wrote, “I prefer red with tan as it seems to be softer on blondes and not as harsh.”

I agree, and I like this combination on her of red with a pale neutral.

Bella of The Citizen Rosebud.

Don’t you love Bella of The Citizen Rosebud in this red polka-dotted Karina Dress and set of Minnie Mouse ears? Apart from my kids, I can’t think of anybody I’d rather to go to Disneyland (or Disneyworld) with, Bella is one of the most charming and fun people I’ve ever met.

Pam of Over 50 Feeling 40.

Pam of Over 50 Feeling 40 is wearing a new red tweed jacket from Coldwater Creek’s Holiday Collection 2013. I love it with that necklace!

Alice of Happiness at Mid-Life.

Alice of Happiness at Mid-Life is wearing a moto jacket from H&M and a skull scarf from Zara. She wrote of her look, “I wore this outfit by coincidence to a ‘Ballerina & Rocker’ 6-year-old’s birthday party. It wasn’t until the mom made a comment that I ‘dressed’ for the party that I realized it was a bit rocker.”

I say Rock On, Alice, because this is a good look on you and different from your usual ladylike ensembles!

Elizabeth of Beauty Without Within.

Elizabeth of Beauty Without Within looks Winter Party-ready in this great combination of red dress, fur vest and two-tone riding boots.

Lea of CiCi’s Corner

Lea of CiCi’s Corner is wearing an ensemble from the Christine Alexander Spa collection. She wrote, “It has a moderate amount of glitz, but I think it is a classy look and one I thoroughly enjoy during the Christmas holidays.”

We never get tired of glitz around here, Lea! Welcome!

Charlotte of Sublime Mercies.

Charlotte of Sublime Mercies says she likes to wear red to cope with the dark rainy days of fall and winter. I hear you, sister! Anybody that’s been reading my blog for awhile knows how crazy I am about Jazz Age style so how could I help but adore Charlotte in this red clochette?

Tori of Healthy Food Nerd. Photo by Sylvia Steininger.

Tori of Healthy Food Nerd is exploring one of my favorite ways to wear red—with lipstick and nail polish! The lipstick is by Chanel, Rouge Coco in Vendôme, and that great red on her nails comes courtesy of a gel manicure. I have never had one of those before so if any of you babes out there can tell me about it, I’m all ears.

I never get tired of red nails! Photo by Sylvia Steininger.

In front of an angel at Rockefeller Center in NYC. Photo by Denton Taylor.

I don’t have a lot of red in my closet, for me that color exists in accessories—bags, shoes, nail polish, and scarves. It also comes in the form of these red leather gloves my husband bought me for Christmas one year. The leather is like butter and they are lined in silk, so while they are not super warm, they are super stylish and are always a fun way to add red to my look.

In front of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree! Photo by Denton Taylor. 

I met my friend Denton for photos at Rockefeller Center the day before the tree lighting and despite all the people around we managed to get a few shots. It’s always a thrill to get close to the most famous tree in the country. I’ve been in NYC a long time but I tell you, Christmas here never gets old.

For January, Adrienne and I would love to see you in your coat! We are specifically looking for coats in unusual shapes, colors, patterns or textures, so if you have a great coat to show, join us for “How I Wear My: Coat” by sending us a picture by Monday, January 6, 2014.

And do stop by Adrienne’s because the red party continues over at her place!

Thank you to all the fine foxes who joined us this month and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!