Two looks from Kate Spade's new clothing line

“She packed her tote and hit the road,” the Joan Didion-esque caption reads next to one of the looks from Kate Spade’s new clothing collection. The wool A-line marigold shift worn under a boxy short sleeve jacket is part of a fashion time machine that is firmly parked in 1962, the year Kate Spade herself was born. Polka dots, sequins and scalloped lace are also abundant, adorning classic shapes which are paired with unexpected colors (lilac for fall?). Ironically for a brand which heralded the minimalist accessories movement in the early 90’s with boxy black nylon handbags, Kate Spade has evolved into one of the few labels that does color and print very precisely.

The Madeleine Dot Ruffle Placket Dress

Over the years the brand has slowly introduced a scattering of tops, dresses and coats to complement their wildly popular handbags and shoes, though this is definitely the largest and most thought out clothing collection so far. The looks are all very office appropriate, that is if people still dressed this way to go to work. The culture of contemporary work attire has somehow allowed for things like flip-flops to make their way into the office and Kate Spade is notably addressing this issue one ladylike trench coat at a time. A standout piece is the Bisous Stella Chubbie, a plush faux-fur jacket with a removable collar and three-quarter length sleeves.

Zooey Deschanel seems to be their unofficial muse (note the model’s bangs, blue eyes and quirky vintage style). Though avoid the literal vintage over-saturation and stick to one piece at a time. The look book’s suggestions are paired with dark denim, crisp white shirts, a smattering of costume jewelry (Kate Spade as well) and above all a sense of humor.

The Bisous Stella Chubbie

The Embellished Gail Dress worn under the Bisous Michelle Jacket

The Debora Peacoat worn over the Dot Maggie Top

Kate Spade clothing is available at Kate Spade.

Tags: 1960s, accessories, color, costume jewelry, faux-fur, Joan Didion, kate spade, minimalism, print, vintage-inspired, Zooey Deschanel.

Valentine’s Day holds dear for many as a sentimental holiday. Remember the exciting fuss of passing out cookie-cutter valentines in grade school? As adults though, many cringe at the thought of having to acknowledge loved ones on February 14th with a supermarket sweep of roses, Russell Stover chocolates and Hallmark greeting cards. Contrary to cynical belief, Hallmark did not actually invent the holiday which had became popular in the days of Chaucer when written love notes to friends and loved ones first appeared.

Let’s continue the tradition and count the ways we love our significant others, friends, and ourselves with these non-supermarket ideas..

A love note for the arm: Valentine’s Tote available at Kate Spade / What could be a greater symbol for amour than the Love Bird, available at Anthropologie / Woo her with a pink stretchy bracelet that looks like candy hearts. Pink Sand Stretch Bracelet available at Marni

The Australian label Lover represents “romance, drama and a touch of rock’n'roll swagger,” just as any modern-day love affair does. Gloria Lace Dress by Lover available at Revolve Clothing / What could be more romantic than cherry red shoes? Lattice Pumps by Chie Mihara available at Far Fetch

A Lolita-worthy maillot: Retro One-Piece available at Urban Outfitters / No more standing on your tippy-toes for a kiss: Pierre Hardy for Gap Platform Sandals available at Gap / The eyes are the window to the soul! Express your love with Tom Daschle-inspired glasses: Round Vintage Eyeglass Frames available on eBay

Further Reading: Urban Outfitter’s Young & In Love

Tags: Chie Mihara, Gap, Gifts, hallmark, Holiday, kate spade, love, Lover, Marni, Pierre Hardy, valentine's day, vintage.

Our favorites this week are monochromatic (well, with a touch of red) but speak in other ways. Vocal pieces such as Rachel Comey’s Bradbury Wedge shout while others whisper (Kate Spade’s Have Courage Bangle has a private message for its wearer).

1/ Rachel Comey Bradbury Wedge available at Totakelo.com

2/ Online shopping can be a lonely affair. Totokaelo.com’s solution is the members only online store of Seattle based boutique Impulse. With a roster that includes Acne, Tom Scott and United Bamboo, the site expands social networking ideas and allows users to leave comments on pieces, creating a community shopping atmosphere.

3/ Antique Buttercup Set Diamond Ring available at Doyle & Doyle. Solitaire diamond engagement rings are always teetering on the border of being too loud or uninspired. This ring avoids both with a balanced combination of rough and delicate with a unique setting and an etched band.

4/ Comme des Garçons Alphabet Wallet available at Aloha Rag.

5/ Antique drawer knobs. Find similar ones at Anthropologie.

6/ Kate Spade Have Courage Bangle available at Kate Spade. The graphic enamel bracelet has an unexpected message etched on the inside, for times of intimate resolve.

Tags: antique, Comme des Garcons, diamond, kate spade, Rachel Comey, Totakelo.

Beautifully illustrated books to pore over, color photography to warm up our bare walls, our favorites by Jack and Kate (Spade), a whole world of travel destinations, and a slyly crafted gift bow wrapped wallet to hide all of our holiday cash. What more could we want?

1. Was She Pretty? illustrated book by Leanne Shapton

2. Mini MUNNY ornament by kidrobot

3. Gift Bow Wallet by Martin Margiela

4. The Ingmar Bergman Archives by Paul Duncan

5. Holiday Motel, C-Print by Aileen Tat

6. Queen of Spades, C-Print by Joyce Lee

7. “Earth, Wind and Fire” Boarskin Matchbook Cover by Jack Spade

8. Airline Cosmetics Pouch by Kate Spade

9. Black and White Tuft Bangles by Yarborough

10. City Guides by Wallpaper

Tags: Aileen Tat, gift guide, holidays, illustration, Ingmar Bergman, Jack Spade, Joyce Lee, kate spade, kidrobot, Leanne Shapton, Martin Margiela, Photography, travel, Wallpaper, Wishlist, Yarborough.

There are ten days left to show off a little flair before we head into the voting booths and many design labels have taken this time to incite a little fashionable democracy. The message that is being delivered is not partial to one specific political party, but rather it is the opportunity to be fashionably vocal in a very important election.

Kate Spade’s spot of patriotism comes in a canvas tote decorated with buttons that read, “Speak your Mind,” “Have Courage,” and “Play Hooky.”

The buttons are reminiscent of vintage election flair from the 1950s-70s - however, both parties can wear the Vote Tote comfortably. The buttons were also used to create a poster as a part of the Wolfsonian’s “Thoughts on Democracy” exhibit in Miami on show now through December 7th, 2008.

Likewise, Gap’s Vote T, lets the wearer choose their own slogan. Fill in the blank (”Vote for…”) with a slew of non-political endings like: “beautiful art”, “rocking out,” or “the power of love,” to the more skewed: “cheap gas,” “change,” or “science,” to the plain nutty: “cupcakes,” kittens,” or “beer.”

Tags: Campaign, Election, Fashion, Gap, kate spade, Voting.