Summer houses. Three-day weddings. Destination beaches.
Celebrate the official start of the season — in style, from Memorial Day Weekend to beyond Labor Day.
Make your getaways effortless with a uniform of diamond studs, a holds-every duffel (Keepall, preferably) and a watch that will remind you to savor every moment.
Wherever you’re headed — from the beach to the great outdoors — we’ve got everything you need for one long, chic summer weekend.
Shop the collection here.
With warmer weather, it’s time to swap out dark winter colors with the ultimate summer hue – white.
You may not want to orchestrate a complete wardrobe white-out, but adding a handbag is easier to manage (and way less intrusive on your dry cleaning bill). Take some time to think about what sort of white you want to hang on your shoulder. Will it be a quilted classic Chanel or a boho Chloe or a rebellious Balenciaga? Whatever your vision, this is your blank canvas to run with.
One of the most amazing things about Chanel – vintage and new – is how Coco Chanel’s personal story is reflected over and over again in the details.
That goes right down to the camellia flowers, featured on bags and jewelry. We read about the rich history in Elle magazine. “Talk about love at first sight: Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel fell head over heels for the camellia after one was given to her by her polo-playing lover, Boy Capel. She started pinning silk versions to her lapels, her hair and the blossoms found a home on the black-and-gold-laquered Coromandel screens in her apartment at 31, rue Cambon.”
In Southeast Asia, where the bloom originated, the camellia represents longevity. Truly apropos.
This week, our handbag authenticator Elizabeth Bernstein is hanging out with one of her fabulous friends, Sarah.
The duo prove that you can mix textures and patterns and create a chic 2013 look.
Per Elizabeth: “This is one of my favorite combos. Sarah is wearing tapestry print pants with a black, camel and metallic tweed blazer, paired with a phenomenal studded crossbody convertible clutch by the ever fabulous Valentino. Might I add, I just cannot get enough of tapestry prints on clothing – squeal!”
“I love the eclectic mix of a timeless tweed blazer, matched with an unexpected pastel lady-like print, and finally perfectly executed with a rocking yet delicate bag.”
Also note: “The leopard couch in the background: fabulous but not included!”
Guess we’ll just have to settle for the bag … for now.
Thank you, Fashionista.com for offering this keen style advice. Pretty much no matter what kind of bag you’re carrying – whether it’s clutch or cross-body – if you want to look like a fashion editor, just carry it like it’s a football.
Shop for your next bag here.
On Inauguration Day, we can’t wait to see what Michelle Obama will wear. After four years in the pubic eye, her style has become supremely sophisticated.
The original First Lady fashion icon is, of course, Jackie Kennedy. She wore pillbox hats and carried top-handle bags along with a fondness for Hermès headscarves and Gucci shoulder handbags (now known as the “Jackie”).
American style has never looked better.
After spending a few hours mesmerized by Christian Marclay’s “The Clock” at the Museum of Modern Art, it might be time for a new watch.
Artist Christian Marclay won the best artist at the 2011 Venice Biennale with the film that represents each second of 24 hours with footage from more than a thousand clips. It is shown in real time, so that when you’re there at 3:45 p.m. (as we were), you’re seeing snippets referring to 3:45 p.m. and a clock in the background or on a character.
They’re cleverly edited together to create an experience that is unexpectedly riveting. You quickly get caught up in the game of name that star and name that movie. But you’re also struck by our obsession with time. As you’re literally watching time pass, it’s so weirdly compelling that you want to know what happens next despite the fact that there is no narrative. When we had to leave for dinner reservations as those on screen were eating their dinner, we plan to definitely make more time to see it when it is next shown.
Hopefully soon, because time flies.
We’ve studied the boards and we now have the winners of our first Pinterest contest! We definitely see more pinning in our future (and yours) — so check back for your chance to win.
Here are the #porteropintowin winners:
First place: Chanel + Tweed
Second place: Rare, Classic and Contemporary: Portero Style
Third place: Hooray for Hermes!
Thank you to everyone who entered. We love this contest!
What was classic then, is classic now, and will be classic forever? A vintage gift!
We asked our expert handbag authenticator Elizabeth Bernstein for her tips and favorite picks for this year.
Yes, Elizabeth loves to give her friends vintage — here’s the scoop:
Q Why give vintage?
A You can guarantee it will be one of the most original gifts that person will receive. Vintage and antiques are very personal items that are considered rare, special, have had some type of sentimental value to someone, artistic, unusual, items no longer made with such great quality.
Q Can you give a few examples of vintage gifts you’ve given or received?
A Antique gold and emerald ornate broach, vintage Rolex, vintage gold jade and pearl necklace — to die for, vintage exotic skin bags, vintage costume jewelry, vintage hermes scarves, vintage LV bags and luggage, anything and everything vintage Chanel, vintage briefcases and luggage for every day use or for home decor, antique diamond and ruby cocktail ring, vintage chaise lounge, vintage fur stole, antique paintings and drawings, vintage couture dresses, suits, leather pants and skirts etc. let’s be serious — my life is at least 60 percent vintage. I love a good rare find and at this stage almost everyone I am close with knows it is always a safe bet to buy me vintage.
Q Who would like to be given vintage?
A Wives (I have to list my category first, of course), girlfriends, best friends, people who do not have time to decorate or shop for clothing and accessories because pieces of flare and conversation are always great for these people i.e.. bankers, doctors, lawyers (people with less time), quirky people, husbands, neighbors, boyfriends, I don’t know if there is really a limit to who you can give vintage. They are such special pieces that I think they make anyone feel like you really took them into consideration when you found that special rare treasure.
Q Any favorite vintage items to give this year?
A Vintage Rolexes are always a must have, looking to spend a bit less and get some insane fine or costume jewelry is always a good way to go, vintage Hermes, Chanel & LV bags are an amazing deal and always receive handfuls of compliments when worn, something nice for the home.
Q Any vintage on your gift list?
A Dare I tell? Hopefully the right people are reading this… I do have an affinity vintage/antique engagement and cocktail rings and well-made costume statement jewelry. They are so romantic and unusual with incredible detail. I always have my eye on a vintage Hermes crocodile Kelly bag, and I collect vintage Rolexes and share them with my husband, so it is basically a gift for both of us. Two-for-one is always the best!
Elizabeth’s Vintage Gift Picks
“A cool piece of statement vintage costume, or an everyday sparkler!”
(Chanel Vintage Swarovski Crystal Sautoir Necklace and Vintage Platinum 1.30ctw Diamond Art Deco Ring)
See more of Elizabeth’s favorite picks after the jump
Thank you to Design Taxi for finding this stunning, classic black Birkin…made from Legos. We’re not sure if Hermès approves of it, but we’d carry this. We sure wish we had developed more elementary school construction skills!
