We are loving little cardigans right now. Partly because First Lady Michelle Obama is such a fan; seeing her wear them so often makes us remember how cute they are. (She’s wearing her favorite cropped Azzedine Alaia black cardigan here during her visit to Europe. Photo from New York Magazine.)And partly because this time of year is notorious for buildings not getting the a/c quite right. You go to work and it’s cold at your desk, but by the afternoon you’re hot and bothered (and not in the good way).

So we’ve dropped by a bunch of our favorite stores to check on their cardigan supplies. Our only sweater rule, besides the fact that they must be irresistible, is that they be appropriate for work. We chose (more…)

We don’t need to extol the virtues of sensational shoes, but when it comes to the crème de la crème of fabulous footwear, the poshest of peeps turn to Roger Vivier. Bruno Frisoni, creative director at Roger Vivier, made a personal appearance last week at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City to present the spring/summer shoe and bag collection. 

Oh, to be in NYC!  

Roger Vivier was a true creative genius. He opened his first boutique in Paris in 1937 and designed the first-ever stiletto in 1954.  Vivier died in 1998 at 91, and the designing dynasty was passed to Bruno Frisoni in 2002. He’s kept the brand’s legacy thriving.  

(more…)

Enough with the winter sleepwear, already. Enough with the flannel and coziness, the sweat pants and T-shirts. Today our mission is to get you shopping for cute, flirty PJs that are worthy of spring’s warmer nights and summer’s crisp linens. These are not cocooning PJ’s. These are warm-breeze, bare-feet, breakfast-on-the-patio PJ’s. And you need them now.

Here’s a perfect example. The racerback pajama at Victoria’s Secret is made from soft cotton that is ruched in the back, with matching Capri-length pants. There are five cute prints; we sort of favor the spring green with raspberries, but the white and pink floral would look great sitting in the sun ($29, above).

(more…)

When is shopping for spring sandals not good enough? When you stick to the same boring retailers and see the same names from season to season.

Cease and desist, we say. Here are 10 cute pairs of sandals, from 10 excellent Web sites that you may have never seen before. Some of them aren’t completely outside the box, but we bet you haven’t seen them all. (And if you’re a fashion blogger, you don’t count.)

Here’s what we are excited about: (more…)

It is a creative writing exercise of the highest order: Naming the rabid riot of intense pink that is all over the spring collections right now. Some designers call it hibiscus. Fuschia is popular. Hot pink, magenta and blush all make appearances. Geranium, even.

Whatever you call it, it’s one of the It colors of the season. And because we’re in a mood to browse  handbags, we’re sampling the shade across the price spectrum — from $23 to $2,300. Enjoy.

The best place to start? In the aisles at Target, of course, where their soft-sided Xhilaration ruffle top tote carries all the exuberant spirit of the season while leaving some green in your wallet. ($23, at top)  Patent leather is tres chic right now, and this Guess shine candy tote gives you the sparkle at a PVC price. With double handles, metal feet and four inside pockets, you’d be happy even without the free shipping (but it’s yours anyway). At Ebags ($88, above)

(more…)

The Style Insider occasionally wanders into a charmed window of opportunity, a moment when our desires and the real world actually align in some sort of affordable universe.

This is one of those times. Not quite spring, and (praise be!) no longer winter. The mornings are chilly, the afternoons are warm, and we are yearning for a couple of cute jackets to smooth the transition, to brighten our trousers and update our skirts. And — this is rare, so take note — they’re all on sale.

(more…)

The official winter uniform of East Coast businessmen and elected officials, especially those of the D.C. ilk, was out in force last week.

Whether standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, or meeting the crowds for the inaugural parade, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and a phalanx of other elected officials, secret service agents and male family members showcased the style in polished fashion. On inauguration day, Portfolio reports, the president wore a Brooks Brothers coat. (more…)