You know who I’m talking about.
Isabel Marant—boho chic designer, extraordinaire.
Ever since I laid eyes on those fringe boots of fall 2011, I’ve been lusting her collections. Although it may not seem immediately obvious, my favorite fashion eras are the 60s and 70s, and as such, Mademoiselle Marant’s classy-bohemian-with-an-edge looks are the stuff my fashion fantasies are made of.
But the price tags, non! As much as I’d love to make the uber-popular Caroll sandal part of my life, I just cannot justify $1,000+ for a studded sandal (that’s not a classic, or by my other favorite Frenchie, Christian Louboutin). So I have endeavored to spruce up my spring wardrobe with some Isabel-inspired pieces. It can be done!
Real Isabel: Arone studded cotton crepe dress, $735 / Anaya embroidered cotton top, $630 / Andora studded cotton crepe skirt, 662 / Caroll sandal, $1,035
Isabel Inspired: Oasis mirrored woodblock dress, $47 / Zara asymmetric ruffle top, $26 / Zara printed skirt, $39.90 / Free People + Jeffrey Campbell Maud sandal, $198
I know the white mani has been around, like for-ev-er…but I wasn’t that girl in junior high who painted her nails with White-Out to test the look. It really never appealed me, kind of like black polish never appealed to me until a certain nail shape (and an outfit not comprised of a black tee and spikes) made it look glam instead of goth.
Well, I’ve come around. In my 40th year, a crisp white manicure suddenly seems chic and relevant, thanks to the Aussie bloggers who’ve been haunting my Bloglovin’ feed. These ladies wear it well: on short, impeccably manicured, squoval nails; on perfectly-pedicured feet; in Australia, in Europe, in summer, in winter.
As such, for me, white is the new black…
Essie Blanc on nails • Michael Kors Lexington watch
Michael Kors white skinny jeans (OMG, so comfy!) • Witchery fur vest
So, about the mani. Essie Blanc was recommended to me, and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Many white polishes are actually transparent; when I asked for a recommendation, I made sure to specify that I wanted an opaque polish that would yield bold, non-sheer color in two coats. Who has time for more than two coats, plus top coats, etc.? Not moi.
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