The Downton Abbey Effect

If you've caught onto the magic that is Downton Abbey then you've become privy to the English goodness that is Sunday night soapfest on PBS. As befits any good pop culture sensation, fashion is starting to get inspired by the Dowager and all the great characters living at Downton Abbey with their empire waists, elongated hems and early 20th-century countryside appeal. Stumbled across an article that compared designer Tadashi Shoji's latest collection to that which you'd find on the Masterpiece Classic and I know this is just the beginning. A great place to start getting inspired.

(photo: courtesy of Racked)

A Prairie Home Companion

Watching all of the coverage of Fall '12 Fashion Week and I sometimes find it hard to remember what it was like before we could get instantaneous coverage online. I've been eating it all up and trying to do my best to see what I think before I read all of the reviews online. It was hard to avoid all of the positive buzz surrounding the Band of Outsiders show. Designer Scott Sternberg presented his menswear and womenswear together in a reinterpreted Western theme and hit it out of the park. A departure from his signature preppy aesthetic, this looser tailoring and more washed fabrics are an exciting new path for the line.

(photos: courtesy of Style.com)

Pretty Pressed Flowers

I haven't seen pressed flowers in a whole long time and I have to say that I forgot how pretty they really were. They kind of make me think of the '80s--maybe early '90's--but when they're done well there's something very glamorous about them. Gucci Westman (an amazing makeup artist in her own right but almost married to one of the brains behind Rag & Bone) opened up her home to T Magazine and showed walls covered in framed pressed flowers and floral prints. It's very English countryside and laid-back glamour, which is exactly their aesthetic and I love how they can bring a sweet refinement to an otherwise edgy and/or modern abode.

(photo: courtesy of T Magazine)

SPOTTED: Vests as Shirts from Steven Alan

I have this great Helmut Lang sweater that's really a cardigan that I've been wearing more and more as a full on shirt. I know it's not is function, but it kind of works and I think it looks chic. I may have been ahead of the curve because Steven Alan just showed his presentation for Fall '12 and I love this vest-as-shirt iteration. It's very Brenda Walsh circa Senior Year and I love the Wintry fabric and totally envision this over a long, hunter green maxi skirt. Worn under a long, slouchy blazer, this vest would be ideal, just make sure the rest of the outfit isn't too structured, add some looser elements to juxtapose the vest's tailored lines.

(photo: courtesy of Style.com)

DOMINO is BACK!

Yes, ladies and gents the rumors are true. The beloved--and shuttered--home decor and design bible, Domino is going to be back in a bi-yearly newstand only version. We're heavily obsessed with the scant details we're hearing, especially that the new magazine is going to source from the original archive of images. Sadly, the new version isn't going to have any of the old, brilliant staff on-hand (former Editor-in-Chief Deborah Needleman confirmed this via Twitter). But, that said, since the mag became such a cult favorite, expect a lot of the same budget-friendly designer tips, great inspirational details and entertaining know-how to keep us sustained just a little bit longer.

(photo: courtesy of Fashionista)

Street Style Inspiration of the Day

No doubt, this outfit has an awful lot going on. I can name four textures just looking at it off the top of my head (carpet-like wool, quilted nylon, velvet, spandex tights. It goes on and on. So how does it somehow work--and I think it does--is because each piece is a streamlined, contemporary shape. They could all be some weird draped fit or cut but they're all pretty classically cut meaning she can wear each piece without letting them wear her. Yes, she stands out, and yes her look attracts attention. But that's the best part about fashion. You can focus on what she's wearing instead of how crazy she looks in so many different pieces.

(photo: courtesy of All the Pretty Birds)

Pretty Prints Ready for Spring

Stumbled upon this artist on the internet who makes the most visit pieces of art that are perfectly poised for Spring. They call to mind the likes of Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto and I'm just getting started on all the ideas there are to do with such a beautiful print. I could bring it to a pattern maker, pin it to an inspiration board or keep these colors in mind for what I want for Spring. Check out her site, she's got some incredible color combos and ideas for the seasonal warm-up.

(photo: courtesy of Society 6)