We Love Heidi Klum

Is Heidi Klum not just perfect? Of the many models turned hosts out there (that means you Tyra) Heidi has managed to retain a sort of down to earth appeal that does not rely on convincing the world of the tough life she's had. She also happens to be reasonably likable on camera (that means you Nikki Taylor and Tyson Beckford).

We definitely love the adorable family and as if the seal pups weren't reason enough, she also pulls off the cute printed hoodie look better than Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and Cameron Diaz combined.


She can also do many things that most people including but not limited to Sienna Miller and Mischa Barton cannot such as high waisted denim.


She's never let us down on the red carpet,


and we love the idea of having a signature style. Ms. Klum has perfected one of our personal favorites, the sequined top/blazer/skinny jean ensemble.

Toga! Toga! Toga!

Something's afoot in Hollywood and that something is more mysterious than the last David Lynch film. Starlets are parading around in a very special mix of John Belushi's Animal House Toga and Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Right, so Cate Blanchett can be a little edgy, what with films such as The Talented Mr. Ripley, Notes On A Scandal, and every movie ever made about Elizabethan times. So sure, we'll just chalk this one up to an off the shoulder column of a dress in which this turquoise is flattering and she's carrying around just enough, I realize I'm wearing a bedsheet chutzpah.

But in what world do Mischa Barton and Courtney Love meet up for Pinkberry and then shop for matching ensembles of crazy? We speculate that perhaps these two were shot in these getups sometime around fashion week and thus may be some sort of trend/practical joke as played by a designer who's done way too many drugs.



And if that's the case, we have our suspicions of who just might be that designer's muse...

Denim on Denim...On Denim

We've never felt so much like we were in a codependent, on-again, off-again relationship than when we're thinking about or discussing denim on denim. In fact, we feel like we've just had a conversation with a Justin Bobby (read: head exploding in moment of hari kiri) every time we have to talk about it. Let's explain. For years, YEARS, although we've never, ever, deigned to wear it ourselves , we've sort of maintained the position that maybe, when executed correctly, denim on denim might be a legitimate fashion possibility. (Phat Tony: "Oh, awkward.... umm... I think I wore a denim jacket at the same time I was wearing jeans once. There was, however, a non-denim segue that softed the edge a little bit, but still... never again. In truth, before I left my apartment that night, I was thinking it was a risk I would be willing to make, but not even halfway through the evening, I was feeling awkward in that 'ugh, I'd kill for a Juicy Couture velour sweatsuit right now.' And, as we all know, that's a clear sign that something was wrong.... I've learned my lesson.")

Through thick and thin, as if we were working very hard in couples therapy, we've thought, hey, one can pull of most looks with the right amount of bravado, denim on denim should be no exception. Even when faced with hard times we kept the faith.

This picture is a visual expression of the innocence of youth, is it not? Before the baby dropping, before Jessica Biel...we long for simpler times when matching denim on denim outfits said "togetherness." Unfortunately, it also says BIG FLAMING MISTAKE. (PH: "And what about 'denim patchwork' cries 'subtly irony and elegence'? NOTHING.")

As if we finally summoned the courage to end a bad relationship, we've finally admitted that there are zero situations in life that call for denim on denim. Not matching, not contrasting, not when paired with horrible sneakers and a midriff bearing white tee.


We challenge the public to show us a correct, even passable, interpretation of the denim on denim scenario. Anyone....anyone?

Weighing In: Ray Ban Wayfarers

The latest fascination with Ray Bans classic Wayfarers is an interesting matter of taste. While we admit they're being overused in hipster circles, we can't quite write them off. The style was most recently stamped in our memory by classic 80s film and television:


Looking a bit further back, the Wayfarer first launched to its most significant fame as worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Chloe Sevigny is credited by many to have brought this look back in this millenium but we like to share that credit with The Closer's Lieutenant Michael Tao.

We find it dificult to create any hard and fast rules here. We think Wayfarers look good on lots of people and great on few. Try not to do this:


We suggest taking great pains to bring your look back to the Millenium at all costs. It's so easy to make mistakes here but as you can see, this look isn't going anywhere for a while:

Unemployment Looks Great on Rachel Bilson

"California here we come, right back where we started from..." Are we the only folks rapidly approaching 30 and weaned on 90210 that grew a special place in their hearts (guiltily perhaps) for the OC? Ever since Seth Cohen welcomed us to the family like a hoodlum from Chino, we haven't been able to get that song out of our heads.

We like all the characters really, from Ryan with the brooding eyes that only make us laugh to Sandy Cohen and his crooning. We've noticed that since the show was canceled, we haven't seen much out of the cast. We don't really mind as they are immortalized in our season one box set dvd collection but in one instance, we think it's working out to her advantage.

Summer Roberts entered the show a vapid teenager with a stereotypical southern California teen wardrobe. She ended the season a little bit boho but what's really remarkable, is how great she looks post Adam Brody split and more importantly post OC cancellation. We don't always love the "jailbird chic" look but this example shows a great sense of color and proportion.



And even more recently we noticed this great use of pintucks.


A quick check on IMDB reveals that Ms. Bilson may have a project in post production for '08 but for now, Mischa Barton should take a page out of your playbook Rachel Bilson because unemployment looks great on you.

Weighing In: High Waisted Pants

Let's spin a yarn: Picture it, Sicily, 1942... Or maybe it was just last week on the lower east side. Regardless, Betsy was doing a little shopping. Looking for not much in particular I spotted what I thought to be a pair of flowy ivory linen wide leg pants. Snatch. Grabbed my size off the rack and headed towards the dressing room. The sales clerk breezed by stating encouragingly, "those pants fit so great they are really high waisted." Time stopped. High-waisted? Laughing nervously, I pressed on, not wanting to be rude, into the fitting area. Well, what can I say friends, it was as if Bea Arthur's wardrobe stylist attacked me in my sleep. I lost my appetite for days. Then I saw this:

Mischa Barton is a thin girl. I'd put her at 115 pounds tops. As she scurried past the mirror in the morning, she must've noticed that these jeans MAKE HER LOOK HUGE. Then I saw this:


After all the work Ken Paves and Mike Alexander did on post-divorce Jessica did no one in the Simpson camp call a stylist? Kate Moss can barely pull this off and as we all know, Kate Moss is 100% at the border of the final frontier of edgy. Kate Moss is as far out as you go people. Step away from the high waisted denim.

Skeched Out

We're tired of the casual sneaker for women. We think it's a cop out. We think that keds were lame the first time around (sorry Mischa Barton). We don't think your laces should match your shirt (sorry Carrie Underwood) We strongly believe that in life one should aim less for Marissa Cooper and more for Summer Roberts. Marissa has a funny accent. We think the casual sneaker is silly. It says dilletante. It says, I can't be bothered to run but check out my new tracksuit. Unless, of course, you're sixteen. Or you live in New Jersey. Then you get a pass for things like that.