Easy and Elegant Life

The Search for Everyday Elegance and the Art of Living Well.

Animal Magnetism

Well, I can’t believe it! I’ve run across a couple of fashion editorials with which I agree completely. It just goes to prove that if you stick to your guns long enough, your opinions will once again be in vogue. Or in this case, Harper’s Bazaar.

Bazaar10-09_NEW
(Photo by Sean Cunningham from the November 2009 issue and used without permission. Let me know….)

Effortless chic. That’s what I’m always going on about. And this must be one of the easiest ways to throw on a single piece over a basic and make your look something special. I can even live with the “Python Extras” because they’re done in grey. But it’s that fox funnel scarf that takes this outfit into the effortless chic realm.

Call me what you will, but I like fur and leather both. Do you remember that scene in “Die Another Day” when Miranda Frost meets Gustav Graves who’s just dropped in at Buckingham Palace? Grey dress and coat, charcoal stole or wrap, tortoiseshell sunglasses? Perfection.

Perhaps it’s a case of animal magnetism?

Consider what a touch of the wild does to the typical all black ensemble of turtleneck, pencil skirt, tights, heels, sunglasses. Now add in an accessory in leopard or alligator. Is it just me?

We men have been quietly doing this sort of thing ourselves (Joe Namath not withstanding.) An alligator watch strap and belt to play against grey flannel and chocolate suede shoes. Peccary or calfskin gloves that match the beaver fur hat. Lizard print embossed Belgians and an ostrich wallet.

It’s all fair game. Give it a try.

8 thoughts on “Animal Magnetism

  1. I love this look too- all though I would wear a faux fox collar… (I don’t wear fur). I love mixing animal prints with basics. I have a few faux croc and snakeskin ballet flats, and bags. I think the great thing about them is that they add a touch of texture that can bring your outfit into the realm of luxe…

  2. DC, Mrs. E. has a lot of vintage fur that she can mix in when appropriate. I should’ve mentioned the great faux pieces out there. Much better looking than they used to be.

  3. Mr Elegant, welcome, sir. I’ve shyly followed your blog for a very long time and am honoured you popped in. Do hope that you come back, and thanks for giving your compatriots the skinny on this great series. So pleased you enjoyed it. Won’t spoil the surprise on Harry, though if my blog is covered in black crepe mourning bunting the next time you visit, you can guess.

  4. I just bought the most wonderful grey wrap dress with a ruffle around the edges. dress it up or dress it down. perfect. may have to go back and get it in black now.

  5. So glad that I bought that grey tasmanian wool suit, now to find a fur stole and a bit of skin to bring on some animal magnetism and tame the shrew.
    pve

  6. Pigtown, do, When the fashion planets align take advantage. The next cycle is already underway.

    Mrs. PvE, fine choice! And you and Meg make sure to look into a dark brown croc or mock something. A fine pairing with greys.

  7. Chris – you have personal style! What you wear combined with your posture and personal traits are style that are YOU alone. If you replace the beautiful woman on that page with The Elegantologist and the same caption on the bottom right – someone would be writing a blog post with our famous friend on the cover page.

    (I think I caught ADG’s germ – I feel awful this afternoon). I hope is isn’t the oink flu.

  8. Paul, thank you. I am a work in progress; as are we all. Hydrate. Chicken Soup (the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld has a line out “The Soup Man” that is very, very good.) Sleep.

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