Loving on Breton Stripes... and Peter Beaton

The Who What Wear Daily blog about the breton stripe is still circling around my mind. No doubt an obvious classically chic go-to summer style. Here are some excerpts from the article.

The Breton stripe originated in Brittany - a French province that occupies the peninsula between the English channel and the Bay of Biscay -- which may explain the nautical affiliation. The long-sleeved cotton garment usually has a boat neck and, traditionally, the stripes begin around the breast bone.

"Because the world is my oyster." That is the fabulous catch-phrase of Peter Beaton's Nantucket-based line of men's and women's apparel. The line is self-described as "bringing to mind old New England families gathered on the beach with children and dogs, dinner with friends under star filled summer skies, and beautifully appointed homes that serve first and foremost as inviting oasises for family and friends."

Peter Beaton's mantra is similar to other designers that I admire calling itself "emblematic of people who are worldly, yet down to earth, trendsetting yet timeless, and fearless rather than flawless."

The Classics

Classic movies, cars, books, sailboats, and female icons... are all part of an undisrupted style that has transcended from an earlier era, which I clearly love. While movies, books, and the characters (both fictional and true) are easily adored, as are cars and boats for the moment... For everything fashion related - a classic style means one thing: guilt-free purchase. 

The perfectly tailored navy Jaeger blazer of my grandmother's will always have a place in my wardrobe, as will the the 1. 2. 3. 4......... things on my lust list, all of which are purchases justified by the same principle. In today's economy (arghh.....) some styles just are not worth the risk of the becoming and unbecoming of fads (not that I ever feel persuaded - no ankle boots here). 

Part of my eternal intern #1 devotion to C.K. Bradley is due to the acknowledgment of her designs that give a nod to the kind of girl who does not fall victim to trends. This type of girl has her own signature style that seeks a continuous flow that develops as she does, without the regrets (or as many of them) as the trendster might experience whilst reading Harper's Bazaar's monthly Buy, Store, Keep section. 

As for right now in Nantucket, Ralph Lauren is my favorite impulse purchase go-to store. I can always find something in R.L. that I can wear now, in ten years, and (granted I take care of said purchase) - pass on to someone with a similar appreciation. It is no surprise that R.L. finds inspiration in such classics such as My Fair Lady and The Great Gatsby for his designs.

 

Some of Lauren's main themes such as haberdashery, Anglophilia, and all things equestrian are thoroughly ingrained in what has become classic American style. While such terms are applicable to both women's and men's fashion, R.L. capitalizes on the foundation created by designers before him. Oleg Cassini, one of such innovative designers, understood the importance of a classic silhouette and the appeal of such a design to the women whose bodies he clothed. 

As Jackie O demonstrated frequently throughout her White House years, Oleg Cassini's understanding of proportion, line, and shape helped established Jackie's position as the icon she is today to millions of women who style themselves in an effort to emulate her grace, charm, and beauty. Not surprisingly, another amazing designer (Givenchy), inspired by a lithe and chipper young actress, helped to catapult her icon status to a magnitude that to increase as girls grow up and find the transformative power of a LBD, big black sunglasses, and pearls to such an extent it has become a kind of cliche. 

And as for those great Ralph Lauren hats as pictured at the top.... the September wedding in London mother!!! I need one for that... and it will be in style forever. Impulse purchase justified. 

The Perfectly Set Table

Perhaps due to the fact that this summer I have been working 7 nights a week, but I have started to plot fun ideas for dinner parties to come... when I actually have the chance to be at home between the hours of 5 and 10 pm. 

While the smells of a din din in the works whets the appetite, so does the welcoming appeal of a well-set table. Table settings allow an opportunity for the host to set the ambiance for the night, and show guests that the efforts towards an enjoyable evening extend beyond a well-chosen menu. In my family, lots of tradition goes in to the setting of the table for one occasion or another. My grandmother "Skippy," through countless examples, how to jazz up a table and attract everyone to it. Place settings, a chic, modern, classic, or unconventional centerpiece, paired with the right china and flat-wear creates the vibe for the night. The right setting is inspired by more than propriety and functionality. Dinner in the barn? Perfect. Silver and crystal for a garden fete? Perche no. 

As demonstrated by a recent ELLE Decor online article on the subject, the best table settings somehow retain a unique and innovative quality as tradition continues and the table grows with those who feel comfortable around it. Of course a little Veuve and a great soundtrack always start things off in the right direction as well... 

Newly Obsessed With POLYVORE

Though Polyvore, sounds vaguely industrial... it is in fact far from. This site enables you to create your own spreads of your latest lusts and the inspirations behind them. Here are some of my favorites featuring the beauty Natalia Vodianova. 

Covetable Covers

While carousing fashion sites... and lamenting that I cannot easily get my hands on British Vogue on Nantucket. I found the website coverbrowser.com. Covers are inspirational as they represent the feel of the magazine at a specific moment in time. Here are some of my favs. 

One of my favorite Vogue shoots

The Chronicles of Keira

Shot by Arther Elgort, this beautiful photo montage of Keira Knightley in Africa has stuck in my mind, probably due to my envy. The scenes invoke images inspired by Out of Africa, one of my favorite films EVER with Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. 

Obsession: Summer CKB

Eternal CKB intern that I am, clearly I'm obsessed with Camilla's blog. Not only does it help me keep tabs on what this adventurous blonde is up to, but she also gives great tips for a wide variety of activities (how to turn a summer dinner party into a twister extravaganza? mix a beachcomber? cook for a race boat team? design a print?). Always entertaining. C.K. Bradley distinguishes itself by always staying true to a fun-loving mantra that reminds us not to take fashion too seriously. While the clothes can outfit you for a casual lunch, or the chicest gala - CKB challenges those to wear her designs to "puddle jump in your party dress, wear your flip flops with your evening gown, take the road less traveled, and look fabulous along the way." 

Here are some pics from Team CKB's SECOND photo shoot aboard Captain Tofia's boat White Wings.  While the first shipment of s/s 2009 is here.... there are is so much to come that I can't WAIT to wear for my own adventures in Nantucket - hostessing at the Pearl, walking Murray, dancing at the Chicken Box, and to a party at the Whaling Museum.