SNOK! Approved: Sweater + Blazer = Swazer

The swazer is a hugely convenient item: sweater fabric, blazer cut. Its somewhat tailored, but still casual. I think the swazer for women has been a relatively widespread phenomenon. Gap did a sweatshirt/blazer last year, and a number of higher end knitwear designers have taken on the new shape as a more streamlined approach to comfortable winter wear. The most formal version features a collar in a suiting material to balance the knit, and the most casual is more of a cardigan style, with a rolled collar that mimics a blazer neckline. Simple enough.

However, I am now on the hunt for something slightly more elusive, but just as smart: the man "swazer." Sometimes grouped in with lighter outerwear, other times with sweaters, cardigans, or blazers, the hunt for such a difficult-to-categorize item, can lead to a search across departments. Here are a few choice picks.

On a somewhat related note: Keep an eye out for the L.L. Bean Signature Collection, by Rogues Gallery's Alex Carleton, which features some very promising trench/field coat hybrids, and modern plaid concoctions that flit around the boarder of swazer territory.

SNOK! Approved: Fall Frye

I could have a closet full of Frye boots and never have to worry about fall/winter shoes again. I'll never get over the rough, vintage quality that every pair they turn out possesses, and the way that they ground any outfit with that classic equestrian air. Here are three pairs I'm pining for.

These could go with almost anything, equestrian inspired leggings (like these by Derek Lam or these by Rag and Bone), and a chunky sweater or a big draped scarf. The canvas top makes them more laid back and separates them from the all leather masses. Not to mention the softness makes them completely cozy for the winter that awaits.

Melissa Short

$248

The almost Victorian quality makes them feel vintage, but the classic Frye shape keeps them from being too costume-y. And there might just be a touch of Doc Martins in the shoe shape that's making me faux-nostalgic (I was probably 10 when Docs were everywhere) for the chunky grunge shoe of yor.

Melissa Riding Tall

$378

This is the female version of that worn out work boot look that was all over the Sartorialist this past spring, which included casual and business looks incorporating the unconventional choice. The boots were the one kind of "off" piece, a look that could translate wonderfully for women. Add a dark wash skinny jean,a plaid button down, and a tailored vest.

Owen Crepe Tall

$298

How to Look Crazy Real Fast: A Calendar Year for Cats Dressed as Humans

Photos from United Bamboo website

Maybe I'm on a cat kick lately, but I can't help but to share these amazing, but mostly hilarious, photos from the latest United Bamboo project, a fashion/cat mash-up style calendar for 2010. The calendar, which is currently sold out on the brand's website features 12 months worth of itty bitty kitties dressed up in looks from the runway. Now normally I'd never be such a sucker for animals dressed as humans. I don't want to see your cat dressed as a witch, a clown, a flower, or what have you, but these fashions, and the photography are so fabulously ridiculous. I'm left wondering how many assistants got clawed to death in the making of this so-horrendous-it-might just-be-amazing shit show.

SNOK! News: Club Monaco's Vintage Jewelry Collection

Photo from ClubMonaco.com

As of September 6th select Club Monaco locations (there are 2 in New York!) will be selling hand-picked vintage jewelry, including earrings, bracelets, and a old fashion-y item I've been dreaming of for months, sweater clips. The pieces were all sourced from flea markets around the country and range from $39 to right on up around $600. I feel like I'm constantly becoming a bigger Club Monaco enthusiast the more I have a reason to go business casual. I can't overlook their perfectly classic, yet magically right on trend clothes and jewelry, but while I admired the bolder pieces of this past spring/summer's bold, sculptural jewelry collection, I think these deco-inspired, jewel-encrusted pieces might be right up my alley.

Available at:

160 Fifth Ave, at 21st St. 212-352-0936

6 West 57th St., near Fifth Ave. 212-459-9863

An Alexander Calder-inspired piece from the previous collection

SNOK! (kinda) Approved: Big Cats, Overkill?

Photo from Sartorialist, Belt J. Crew 39.50, Bag Mulberry $995, Dress Alexander Wang $350, Shoes Christian Louboutin $207, Scarf Prova for CO-OP $395

It seems that in the past few weeks I literally cannot open a magazine or look at a blog without being bombarded by animal, particularly cheetah and leopard, prints. Not much of a cat print girl myself I went on a hunt for the animal print items that may just suit this dog lover. The results were few and far between but came down to more youthful pieces, colored prints, and patterned shoes! Scott Schuman, the Sartorialist, described the ubiquitous print as a "password" in New York. Something to think about, especially considering the idea of subtlety. A password should be whispered, no?

Nonetheless, the cat happy spread in October's InStyle (pg. 133) was just a few steps beyond the straw that broke the, er, cheetah's...hmm. Here are a few of the layouts I've spotted (oh, cat puns):

• The Sartorialist did a cheetah feature, in which I particularly enjoyed the "west village" and "chinatown" shots because of the creative execution and funky colors. They managed to freshen up a print that can easily come off as tacky.
• Who What Wear also did a leopard print themed Accessory Report this past week featuring Rihanna, Agyness Deyn, and Mischa Barton all bedecked in spots. The WWW girls are quick to reccomend keeping your cats to a minimum with accessories.
• Marie Claire paid homage to the history of leopard in fashion in their October issue with pictures of Jackie Kennedy and Diane von Furstenberg wearing the print. The MC take on the trend can also be found here.

I must say, I think the best part of all this has to be the innumerable and shameless cat themed puns magazine writers and bloggers alike have managed to squeeze out of this story: Animal magnetism, picks of the litter, fearless feline, prints on the prowl, savage chic, urban safari, and animal instinct. I suppose all I can say is, here kitty kitty kitty.

How to Look Crazy Real Fast: Head Gear at Gareth Pugh

Most of the models at the Gareth Pugh show scared the crap out of me. Pasty grey make up and an unsettling evil stare made them look quite zombie-esque, if zombies were impeccably dressed in slick, modern, almost start trek inspired suiting. It was as if Pugh was letting us know what chic dressing would be in the future. The star of the show however, was clearly the head pieces. Beginning with thick charcoal headbands and little black beak-like caps and progressing to an enormous, and rather dangerous looking, double fan structure fastened to either side of the model's head. For me it conjured a distinct image of a frilled lizard. Perhaps centuries from now human's will be equipped with defense mechanisms such as this. In the meantime, I can't wait to see what celebrities attempt to wear this for-runway-only look in real life (my money's on GaGa), and who loses an eye.

SNOK! Approved: The Great Glove Hunt

I may be yearning for indian summer thanks to this sudden cold snap, but there are just too many things I’m looking forward to wearing now that there’s a chill in the air to miss those 80 degree days too much. I'm clearly a fiend for fall-ish accessories (modern cloches, anyone? just wait til I get started on slouchy knit hats!), but one item that has always been somewhat elusive to me is warm (but not itchy), pretty (but still functional), awesome gloves. So I started a hunt for the perfect pair. Toasty, comfortable, and cute! Here are a few first round contenders.

Clockwise from top left:

Topshop studded leather gloves $36

On Mischa Carolina Amato opera length Gloves $375

Mod Cloth (both Petite Bouquet and Lady Sage) $15.99

Portolano suede and leather gloves at Neiman Marcus $295

SNOK! News: New Bravo Show for Project Runway Alum (Hint: Hope it's not a hot tranny mess!)

Christian Siriano is bringing the fierceness back to Bravo. Perhaps seeing his adorable little self in action, and of course making sassy commentary all the while will make us forget those horrifying shoes and floppy hats that tainted an otherwise well-recieved show at New York fashion week, Spring 10. The series will follow the designer, who recently released a book, Fierce Style, and a shoe line for payless, as he creates a new collection and sets up shop (presumably in NYC).