Pink Gingham Collar

This girl was so cool. I saw her riding the subway one morning a few weeks ago. It was crisp morning before the cold set in and she was wearing a beautifully tailored trench coat and a geometric-patterned silk scarf in primary colors. By any standards it was a classic ensemble.

The twist that made it so fabulous was her collar which was popped up against the wind that morning to expose a pink gingham lining underneath. I loved the feminine pink mixed with the stronger colors in her scarf.

Try as I might, I could not figure out what brilliant designer makes a trench coat with pink gingham under the collar. But, it’s too cold in New York for an outfit like this anyway. Here is the Looks Good To Me take on this look, updated for winter with a trench-inspired wool coat, a beautiful scarf and a tailored gingham shirt with a collar you can pop up for a little bit of spring.

Outfit clockwise from left: DKNY Wool Belted Trench; American Apparel Unisex Gingham Shirt; Diane von Furstenberg Pastures Silk Scarf.

Penny Loafers/Colored Tights

The other day on my morning commute, I saw a pair of mint green legs go by in some very sensible brown loafers. The combination of classic mens footwear mixed with the super-feminine colored tights looked great and really got me thinking.

I love bright tights but sometimes feel a bit too much like a little girl in them. I love how the smart loafers upped the sophistication level just enough to leave childhood territory far behind and keep just a bit of girlish charm. There are so many great styles to choose from out there. Mix and match as you like for a winning combination.

Loafers & Tights clockwise from top left: Chloe Sevigny + Bass for Opening Ceremony, Topshop Polka Dot Tights, Anthropologie Floral Tights, Cole Haan Air Nancy Moc, Urban Outfitters Aqua Tights, Repetto Jackson Loafers, Topshop Pink Rib Tights, Urban Outfitters Patent Loafer, Sebago Plaza Loafer, American Apparel Two-Color Pantyhose

Yellow Socks/Red Shoes

Some people are born with great style and many of them happen to live in New York.

While picking through the wares at the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene this weekend, this fabulous combo caught my eye. Cuffed pants, yellow lace socks and brown oxfords with red soles. Where does one even find such things let alone realize that they should be worn together in perfect harmony?

The whole look was so unstudied and great. I loved the worn-in menswear elements: scuffed shoes and the shreaded hem of her jacket.

I tiptoed around behind this trendsetter, trying to snap a quick photo. (Sadly I am still too shy to walk right up and ask, eep!)

White Dress / Black Belt

Sometimes you see someone who just gets everything right and you want to remember their look forever. The Sartorialist has been catching these folks on film for a while now and has many followers. Here is my own illustrated nod toward some great street style:

While riding the subway home the other day I happened to glance up from my reading in time to spot this girl as she was disembarking the train. I loved her look, it was totally chic without the slightest bit of effort. My favorite part was her feminine white dress with a long black piece of ribbon (it might have been a shoelace) wrapped around her waist several times and tied in a bow. It was just the right amount of contrast between pretty and edgy and so easy to do for yourself.

Further encouraged by the just-right summer tan I have developed from walking all over the city in tank tops, I pulled together a few of my favorite white summer dresses from the web. Now it’s up to you to supply the black ribbon…

Clockwise from top: Built By Wendy, Urban Outfitters, Splendid (via Shopbop), Elizabeth and James (via Shopbop) and Zucca (via Creatures of Comfort)