Though most of the comments I make regarding my distain for wearing pants are facetious, I really have taken somewhat of a hiatus from wearing the garment. The pieces that I once couldn’t get through the week without wearing (Current/Elliott bf jeans, Acne skinnies and my old Gap camouflage cargos) were collecting dust on the top-most shelf of my closet while I rocked leggings, skirts and dresses for the duration of the dark season. Then came the fall runway shows, and suddenly it appeared the fashion world was once again obsessed with pants. Fixated on pleated trousers from Ann Demuelemeester, leather crop pants at Isabel Marant and velvet at Alexander Wang (which I’m sure I’ll come to love by the time they hit the retail floor), I was inspired to pull down my old faves and create some updated looks. In anticipation of what I’m predicting to be the summer of many things including pants, I am offering you a list of the looks I plan to wear in heavy rotation:

1. Acne Gin Chinos in navy rolled at the ankle with an Alexander Wang Classic T and driving flats

2. Current/Elliott Captain Trousers in army (coming soon!) with a beater and my C/E Bomber Vest

3. Splendid Harem Pants with a worn in t-shirt and my trusty Acne jean jacket

Administrative authority by day and graphic design guru by night, Alison Monday also knows her way around a kitchen, a sewing machine and the blogosphere. One would assume such as creative chameleon would carry a bag jam packed with remnants of her many projects. Instead, being the super cool girl she is, she carries only the necessities. And some rock candy.

Bag?

Ashley Watson

What’s in your bag?

iPhone, 2 pairs of sunglasses, business cards, keys, wallet, iPod, toiletry bag that lookslike a cassette player, a blue reusable shopping bag and rock candy. Read more

I’ve never been so happy to see a week come to an end. I suffered a particularly brutal string of poor life choices involving ‘drinking off’ the wooziness of 5 immunizations for an upcoming trip to Morocco, hosting a ridiculously unnecessary Tuesday night after-bar and breaking up (almost creepily verbatim as 5 years earlier on 13th and 1st) with someone I wasn’t even dating. Add this to a paralyzing bout of writer’s block, usually my one saving grace, and it goes without saying, my moods have seen sunnier days.

However, keeping in mind the words of a wise-beyond-his-years friend, “Bekah, there are countries that can’t even cure polio. Your life is far from difficult,” I’m determined not to let any of it get me down. Considering I actually received a polio shot this week (who knew they still gave those out?!), it’s easy to put things into perspective. I’ve busied myself planning an upcoming photo shoot (more details soon!) and changed my disposition to downright cheerful, day dreaming of the countless spring outfits I’m dying to debut.

Topping my list is a LaRok silk playsuit, an ancient Grey Ant dress I’m modifying into a shirt (thanks to the talents of a genius tailor) and either some new rag & bone or Alice by Temperly lovelies. I haven’t quite decided yet.

What about you? Does clothing change your mood as much as it does mine? What’s been waiting patiently in your closet for spring?

After waking up 30 minutes late this morning, I threw on the first outfit I saw and ran to Atticus….and of course I didn’t realize I had unintentionally paid homage to Nicole Richie. Today I’m wearing:

“Ooooh, I’m so excited to wear it, I just don’t have enough prints yet!” I nodded excitedly at a friend’s recent sentiment during a lengthy spring trends discussion. As someone whose closet is approximately 98% black (with heather grey when I’m feeling really crazy!), mixed prints reign supreme as my must haves for the coming months.

Designers delved deeper than conventional florals for spring 2010, infusing high-impact patterns and hues. Bursts of colors and textures at Balenciaga, leopard-prints merged with whimsical blossoms at DVF and the oft referenced futuristic tie-die at Proenza reinforced that this spring, there’s no such thing as too much of a good thing.

Nailing this playful look is as simple as taking cues from the kindergarten set. Polka dots with florals, tribal patterns with plaids, stripes and above all color, color, color! For those not fortunate enough to have a 5 year old on hand or for most of us who rarely stray from black, prints and patterns in similar variations or colors paired with neutral elements won’t overwhelm.

A few pieces to get you started (from left to right):

Loeffler Randall tank, Alice by Temperley Skirt, Alice by Temperley shorts, Loomstate Tee, Alice by Temperley dress, Current/Elliott Vest, Loomstate Dress

My love for Loeffler is no secret. (See here, here and here.) In addition to showcasing their drool-inducing footwear and apparel, the brand’s absolutely gorgeous e-commerce site houses what’s quickly becoming a favorite blog. Granting behind the scenes access to photo shoots, insider interviews, inspiration palettes and my personal favorite, a peak at the incredibly stylish staff, it’s a must read. Call me biased but I squealed with schoolgirl glee when I saw the most recent ‘How We Wear It!’, featuring the enviable style of my cute as a button friend, Steph. Check it out here.

Garance’s top 10 basics list got us giddy with excitement. The chance to combine two of our favorite things: fashion AND making lists? Kristin and I could barely write fast enough, attacking this task with an almost disturbing intensity. Here’s our version:

My day is starting out in sunny Madison, Wisconsin and ending in an apparent winter storm in Breckenridge, Colorado. The precarious weather and the chance that I may end up spending the night in the Denver airport led me to a look of layers, comfort and of course black. Actually all black. It’s my favorite color for many reasons, but even I have never gone completely monochromatic. Until today. Would you ever wear all one color?

Jokingly referred to as “our boyfriends” around Atticus, rag & bone designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville’s impeccably tailored, effortlessly cool styles quickly become indispensable, ‘how did I ever live without these?’ staples. The crisp essentials are structured yet street, with clean functionality and an obsessively unparalleled fit. Forgoing the fast fashion route, rag & bone’s style ethos reintroduces quality construction and pure form. Fundamentally timeless, the brand rises beyond trends, proving that function truly is fashionable.