Miami Vice

I love this look from Lucky magazine with the pink pastel blazer over the bold geometric dress. It's sexy and different, but still work appropriate with just a touch of 80's miami vice.

Asos has a great silk dusty pink jacket ($109). The color is not too bright and I like the slightly oversized fit and wide lapels.

This vintage romper ($30) from Brownbag Vintage on esty.com looks a lot like the graphic dress in the photo, but for an amazing price!

Pair with a chunky necklace and an oversized bag and you have a great summer work outfit.

I Sing the Body Electric

That bright 80's electric blue is back and showing up everywhere right now. I love it paired with white or black as in this look. That pop of color against a neutral background is amazing.

It's easy to recreate this look for not too much money. There are a variety of vintage electric blue skirts to be found on etsy.com in the $20-$40 range. For example I like this vintage silk floral skirt ($28).

You can also find more plain options like this longer linen blend skirt ($28) with side pockets.

A pair of bright blue pumps like these suede Steve Madden heels ($70) finishes off the look. You can also find some vintage blue heels on etsy.com.

Pair the skirt with a white t-shirt or an eyelet blouse and you are ready to go from work to evening.

The Kooples

I just discovered the French boutique chain The Kooples which carries cool understated basics, with just a bit of an edge. Unfortunately they do not yet have an outpost in the US, but they do have a webstore.

I love the quilted leather jacket (395 euros) which looks great with jeans or dressed up with a skirt for work.

The draped tulip skirt (125 euros) in rayon/polyester has a metallic sheen to it that almost looks like leather.

I also love the buckle wedges (195 euros) which I would wear with absolutely everything right now--from sun dresses and shorts to skinny jeans.

I love the super wide chain bracelet (80 euros) with rows of chains connected to a studded leather clasp. So dramatic and cool!

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

The tulip skirt is everywhere this season. I like this White & Warren tulip skirt ($90) in rayon/spandex. This skirt is available in neutral khaki, bright cherry and black.

Elaine Kim's matte jersey tulip skirt ($275) in black is longer and more sophisticated. I love it paired here with a drapey blouse and wide belt.

From the Zara spring collection, this tulip-shaped bottom is more pant than skirt, but features the same drapey feminine silhouette that I like.

Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

Whether drapey or ruffled the waterfall jacket or vest is a must-have for summer. This drapey Ever Eros silk vest ($135) from shopbop.com. features ruching at the shoulders and an off-center tie closure at the wrap front. Can be worn open or closed with on-seam hip pockets and an asymmetrical hem.

The Elaine Kim Damara ruffle vest ($295) in seaweed and cotton poplin, is a dramatic piece that can be worn as a sleeveless jacket or as a cowl-neck top with the side pinned. Also great belted.

From Topshop this khaki sleeveless watefall vest ($90) has drapey side pockets in addition to the waterfall neckline.

This J. Crew silk waterfall jacket ($198) has almost a tribal feel with the nubby texture and pattern of the fabric. Would look great for work or dressed down as it is here.

Watercolors

Like pieces of fine art, I'm loving the painterly patterns on these Spring dresses.

The Mina Stone silk dress ($345) features two front pockets a gathered natural waist and cross back detail. Throw a sweater or jacket over for work and bare all on those warm Spring and Summer days. This dress is available at stevenalan.com, but I'm sure it won't last long.

I especially love the colors in this Lia Kes one-shoulder dress ($356) which reminds me of the sunset on a warm tropical island. The dress is also available in a more white print (ideology). Both dresses are available online at The Marin Store.

I've blogged about New York transplant and designer Lia Kes before and I absolutely love her designs. She has a new shop in the Marina on Fillmore.

The Blurred Boundaries dress ($178) from anthropologie.com definitely looks like a painter just put down their brush. Love the lush colors that flow across the a-line skirt.

Online comments about the dress say the fit is strange. So, this is one I would definitely want to try on first. However, the print is oustanding!

My Top 5 for Spring

Here's my take on the top five pieces you can add to your closet this Spring for an instant update. These pieces don't have to break the bank either, you can find great versions at economical retailers like H&M and Zara.

White Blazer

A white blazer is an essential Spring/Summer piece. Paired with neutrals, denim and even black it looks light and fresh. White also makes even the palest skin look sun-kissed.

I love this Madewell cotton Garcon blazer ($135) paired here with shorts and heels. However, for an even better deal, Zara makes an outstanding white cotton blazer accented with black buttons for only $59 or a linen version for $99.

Pleated Slouch Pant

Yes, 80's pleats are back, but this time around they feature a more modern silhouette that is nipped in at the ankles and cropped. Worn with heels, oxfords or gladiators they are a great updated Spring basic.

The Vince pleated slouch pant ($195) pictured on the right is available in a great khaki taupe. Although you can find inexpensive versions of this pant at stores like Zara for $79 or less like these Lyocell pleated trousers (left).

Drapey T-shirt

T-shirts this season are less fitted and more boxy. Some are cropped and super oversized and others are more refined. Look for styles that are sheer and flowy like this Wilt tissue jersey pocket tee ($135).

I especially like the burned out tees that come in an assortment of shapes and styles. This Alice and Olivia tee ($118) with rolled sleeves is more 80's style.

I picked up a great burned out drapey tee with a v-neck and pocket for only $12.99 at Zara.

Girly Skirt

There are so many options out right now in this category it's hard to choose a favorite. Ruffle skirts are all the rage. I like them paired with boots like this ramie/cotton ruffle skirt ($39.90) from Zara which is available in cream, khaki and olive green.

Petticoat skirts are also making a comeback like this short petticoat skirt ($65) from American Apparel available in black or white that can be worn alone or under another skirt. You can find them in knee-length versions as well which is more my speed.

Or, for a more refined version, opt for a simple skirt in the same shape with like this cotten & linen skirt ($59.90) with elastic waistband from Zara which closely resembles the Wren skirt I showed in an earlier blog post.

Chambray Shirt

If you have not succombed to this trend yet, there is still time to get on board! They look great paired with a ruffled skirt or lacey skirt like this look at left from Zara's lookbook.

You can also wear them like a jacket over a flowered dress or romper (right). Note the heels with socks which is another easy update I love for Spring!

You can find these shirts at every price point and from more fitted styles to boyfriend shirts. A few examples are the the UrbanOutfitters boyfriend chambray shirt ($48) or the Gap chambray western shirt ($44.99).

RIP August Mill Valley store?

It appears that one of my favorite Mill Valley boutiques is no more. I drove by yesterday and the windows were blacked out and the space is currently for rent on craigslist. The August website is still online, but doesn't appear to have been updated recently.

I got an amazing pair of Golden Goose tuxedo pants there as well as some handprinted t-shirts, homemade soaps and cool locally made jewelry.

I am so bummed that the economy is driving out all sorts of interesting shops. I guess I should have done a better job of spending money! Hoping the shop rebounds in a new location...

Uniformly Chic

My must-have item for Spring and Summer this year is a utilitarian jumpsuit. I love these 70's inspired versions from French clothiers A.P.C. and Zadig & Voltaire which are simple and very chic.

The A.P.C. Short-sleeved jumpsuit ($280) is available for pre-order on the A.P.C online store. Made of 100% cotton in a deep blue indigo with a drawstring waist and contrasting color buttons.

I also love the long-sleeved A.P.C. Disco jumpsuit ($330) in a burnt orange color which appears to be completely sold out online. Dommage!

The Zadig & Voltaire jumpsuit ($400) has more of a military vibe. Available as shorts in khaki or in a long pant version in a dark grey (coke) color.

I'm going to see if I can find a vintage version of these jumpsuits that are more in my price range on Etsy.com.

Wren

I'm obsessed by this star t-shirt from the clothing line Wren which was shown in the latest edition of Lucky Magazine.

I love that the stars are silk-screened on the inside of the shirt as well. The shirt is not up on the website yet, but I'm going to keep checking back.

The Bonjour Tristesse t-shirt/dress ($78) is also really cool. I would pair it with a cropped tuxedo jacket and leggings.

This shirt would also look great with the sequined shrug ($495) although it's a little out of my price range.

I like the shrug paired here with the cotton skirt with a metallic waistband ($198) for a just a hint of the unexepcted.

Wren clothing is also available at revolveclothing.com and at Dish in Berkeley.

I Want You (for the US Army)

On my trip down to L.A. a couple weeks ago it seemed like everyone was wearing an army jacket of some kind. Some heavily embroidered, some just basic and oversized.

I love the Black Label army jackets ($110) from Planet Blue. Each one is unique with patches, embroidery or stud embellishments. Unfortunately they tend to sell out the minute they are posted online!

I'm thinking of looking for a plain one at American Rag and then doing my own embellishments. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Romper Room

I would normally avoid a piece like the romper, but these examples of how to style a romper from shopbop.com actually make me want one! Using the Joie Amara romper ($298) as a base they created multiple looks--one for each season. Here's three of them:

The Aqua silk patterned romper ($78) is an affordable alternative to the Joie version. Available from bloomingdales.com. I don't like the pattern, quite a much but definitely like the price better!

Denim Blazers

One of the must-have items for Spring this year is the denim blazer. They are available in a variety of washes and styles to work into either your work or weekend wardrobe. Here's a few of my picks:

Rock & Republic

The Rock & Republic Brooks jacket ($228) is a shrunken style jacket with a bit of stretch. It features peaked lapels, a one-button closer and flap pockets at the waist. I love how it is styled here with white jeans.

Gap

The Gap denim blazer ($88) is a more casual jacket in a faded waded. A great weekend jacket with darker wash jeans or thrown over a flirty floral dress or romper.

Charlotte Russe

The Charlotte Russe denim blazer ($17.49) is a bargain, but I'm sure it won't last long. In a dark wash denim with a notched lapel and single button closure, a floral interior lining. It's even machine washable! I like that this jacket could be dressed up or down.

Mango

The Mango denim blazer ($109.90) is more of a boyfriend style blazer. I love this look for work paired with trousers and a feminine blouse or it would look great with a crisp pair of white pants for summer and a bright top.

Sinners and Saints

On my recent trip down to L.A. I was excited to discover the UK clothing store Allsaints which has an outpost on Robertson Blvd with lines for men, women and children. The esthetic is very post-apocolyptic--muted tones of grey, plum and black which I am loving right now. Graphic t-shirts like the one at left mix with suiting.

Combat boots, leather bags, flannel shirts and vests all figure prominently with a vibe that's part vintage, part modern, part hippy, part rockstar. I love the flannel shirts with cutoff sleeves ($120).

The military boots ($250) already have that vintage patina. and are available in chocolate brown or black.

There are more refined pieces too. Tailored jackets, skirts and pants all have a slight edge like the Cameo jacket ($305) with ruffled neckline and nipped in waist with subtle pleating.

Dresses range from the complex draped and asymetrical looks, to the more simple silhouettes. I love the Vallerma dress ($320) which a corseted bodice and a flattering twisted silhouette in black cotton fabric.

In fact there are so many pieces I love that I can't even begin to list them all here and I haven't even talked about the men's line! Check out the online store for yourself at: www.us.allsaints.com.