SPONSORED POST: Worshipping At The Altar Of AllSaints

If you don't have an AllSaints within driving distance (though I guess, to paraphrase the late, great most everything's driving distance if you have the time), I feel very very sorry for you. In fact, you should probably consider moving. I mean, that's reasonable, right? (No, no it's not.)

So, I first discovered the British high street retailer (not to be confused with All Saints the British GIRL GROUP) when I went to Scotland in 2006 and stared, slack-jawed into the windows at the ominous simplicity of the shop's name spelled out in somewhat imposing bulbs and the stark display of all black (not to be confused with the New Zealand rugby team!) drapey, slouchy dresses and leather jackets. It was like Topshop's moody big sister moved to town. And, thankfully, AllSaints DID move to town in May of 2010. As psyched as I was for Topshop to open (love Topshop but – and here’s where I sound old – it’s so loud and bright and full of young people that I feel like I woke up in a rave), AllSaints is to Topshop as PJ Harvey is to Britney Spears. The rugged, rough-hewn, industrial, vaguely Steampunk design of the shop – floor-to-ceiling vintage sewing machines, World War II-era aviation artifacts and ephemera -- is worth the trip alone. You feel like you’re shopping in a converted airplane hanger (instead of what used to be that hideous, harrowing Michael K). Even my husband, whose reaction to shopping for clothing is akin to placing a cat in a pillowcase, walked into the men’s section and instantly said “Woah. I think this is coolest store I’ve ever seen."

And, speaking of AllSaints’ men’s, I actually most love their men’s selection (though their women’s shoes are enough to make me cry happy tears), particularly their leather jackets. The snug, second-skin fit, super-soft feel and distressed-disheveled style is super modern (none of those bulky bomber jacket nonsense). The other great thing about All Saints’ mens’ jackets is that they’re stylish enough for a man, but tailored enough for a woman’s body. (Did you get that I was trying to make a deodorant joke? You did? Okay good.)

Anyway, I take back what I said earlier, about how if you don’t live near an AllSaints then I feel bad for you. f you don’t live in the UK or New York, it's okay. (Besides! That's just a rude thing to think or say). AllSaints stores are multiplying like rabbits. And, there's always the Internet, which, like New York, is always open 24 hours a day. Thank sweet baby Jehu.

($620, AllSaints)

AllSaints Jacket

The Other All Saints

What I Want Now

Hi, everyone, as Nina Garcia would say. I'm back from my amazing, double-rainbow-caliber trip to Yosemite, and I promise not to post anymore dreary hiking gear (though I will say that my beet red Keen sandals, bought on Craigslist, were perfect and kind of awesome). If you want to see some snaps that capture SOME of the glory, as well as me in an Andrew W.K. bandana, click here. I now want to go to like every national park in existence. Acadia, anyone?

In the meantime, however, we have fall to contend with. Uh, almost. It's 95 degrees in New York. But soon, soon, it'll be crisp skirts-and-tights weather. And jacket weather. And this is the THE jacket I want to be wearing:



Rachel Rachel Roy leather "Aries" jacket, $299. Is it not FULL awesome?? Thanks to Sugar Rock Catwalk for the excellent find!

UPDATE, 9/8: This jacket has inexplicably disappeared from the RR site a mere week later! How?! It better come back! Argh!

Hessnatur Makes The Only Pants You'll Need This Fall + A Sick Leather Jacket For Just $200

I'm glad we don't, but if we lived in a one-pant Communist nation where we were forced to wear just one pair, I'd happily go with these gorgeous grey pleated wool pants from Hessnatur, which is a German sustainable clothing brand. It's eco-chic, as I like to call apparel that's good for the environment and doesn't look like matted, mangled, gnarled dreads in the form of clothing.

($198, Hessnatur, us.hessnatur.com)

These 100% wool grey trousers are just lovely, and that's thanks to Spanish designer Miguel Adrover, who partnered with Hessnatur, hence that gorgeous sheen, slight taper and smart volume. I love the idea of styling them with a darker charcoal top or just a fitted black shirt and a snug leather jacket, like these:

($199, Old Navy, Oldnavy.com)

Uh, can you believe this sick leather jacket is from OLD NAVY of all places? Diagonal details, wide collar, and zipper details!??! YaRLY!

($856, Graham & Spencer, Nordstrom.com)

Usually I abide by a strict "no brown clothing" rule, but I'd consider breaking that ban for this gorgeous distressed brown leather jacket. Love the texture and the slightly '80s draping.

... Speaking of things that VAGUELY sound like "draping," let's play word association. Draping? Okay. DON DRAPER. Boom. Gratuitous Don Draper photo:

Jon Hamm. My favorite type of ham.

Heaven Is This Temperley London Studded Leather Jacket

If I had a one-day pass to heaven, I'm pretty sure this Temperely London Ava grey studded leather jacket would greet me at the pearly gates. For truly, something this gorgeous must've been heaven-sent.

($2150, Temperley London, Net-a-porter.com)

+ Video that encompasses the feelings I'm feeling for this jacket: "You Got It All" by The Jets.

The Jets - You Got It All @ Yahoo! Video

Beacon's Closet Scores: Leather Motorcycle Jacket & Redonk Heels

Dropped some stuff off at the Park Slope Beacon's Closet today and exchanged some old stuff for some new-old stuff, including... these ridiculous...LY AWESOME brown leather studded heels from Italian brand B&H or Bag-Het or something. They're studded but not in a super on-trend way, which I kinda like. They were $15.95 and in perfect condition.



And, for some bizarre reason, this PERFECTLY fantastic old-school black leather motorcycle jacket from Bona Drag (seriously!) was just sitting there! Waiting for me! For just $29!

It's currently available at Bona Drag for $95. For real.

+ Past Beacon's Closet scores...

You NEED To Get This Jones New York Hooded Leather Bomber Jacket IMMEDS!

($229, Jones New York, Smartbargains.com)

DUDES! This brown leather bomber jacket -- WITH HOOD -- is the BEST way to drop the F-bomb on winter, once it's actually warm enough to wear a transitional jacket. Get it! It totally reminds me of a Mike & Chris leather hoodie but WAAAAAAAY less.

Bad-Ass Binge: Pyramid Studs, Leather Jackets & More Punk Princess Gear!

AGAIN my sympathy for the pyramid studded devil continues, this time in the form of these low-top leather sneakers, which I'd rock in a skipped heartbeat:

($295, Upper Echelon Shoes)

I'm lusting after these studded low-tops by new brand Upper Echelon Shoes. Very Kanye West, which, in this case, is a good thing. You can walk away in them at Fred Segal (don't get me started on how there isn't one in New York -- I know it's an L.A. institution and all that, but if they could put a Barney's in L.A. they can bring a Fred Segal to New York, damn it!), or at the UES shop in the Lower East Side (I know that's a bit confusing) at 100 Forsyth Street.


I'm also kinda ruving skate brand Supra's black croc hi-tops. I'm pretty sure they're just for boys tho, at least size-wise, unless you're a size-10-wearin' lady, in which case, have at! They're available at Element and Dogfunk.com. (Hee! Funny name!)

($300, Topshop)

I'm sorta drawn to Kate Moss' rugged leather jacket, though I normally find a blanket stitch to be pretty revolting. But how cute would this be with any of the following necklaces...

($670, Alex + Chloe)

Alex + Chloe's jewelry perfectly embodies punk princess, and I'd snap up all of their pyramid pieces if I were so financially inclined! The 14K Pyramide Pointue sharp pyramid necklace on the right is $670, but the sterling silver pyramid necklace, as seen on Taylor Momz, is a more recession-friendly $120.

($340, Alex + Chloe)

I had plumb NO idear that Alex + Chloe made rings! Dic def of punk princess right there! Diamond oxidized silver ring!

($780, Alex + Chloe)

Killin' it!

($74.50, Kiel Mead, Delight.com)

More quietly adorbs forget-me-knot pieces from Kiel Mead. How great would these be, peeking out from behind Kate Moss's leather jacket, like don't forget: I'm awesome!

Belatedly, You Should Buy Me This...

Due to vacation, two straight days of this, and weeks of preparation that went into the latter, my bday came and went sweetly but rather quietly. That's basically why this blog's been a bit hushed lately, but that will change. This is, after all, the BINGE, where blogging is both fashion FEAST and, unfortunately, sometimes fashion FAMINE. But anyway, back to my BEEEEDAY, I propose you all pool your resources and come up with JUST $600, which, combined will buy ME this C'N'C by Costume National grey and black leather jacket. Yes? Yes!

($600, C'N'C by Costume National, Tobi.com)

Only thing is, the color is referred to as "elephant." That's just bad marketing right there. After carbing up to celebray my beeeday, I don't know if psychologically I could handle wearing something named after one of the largest land mammals. Sighz.

Regardless, I'll thank you all in advance for the AWESOME gift! SUCH a surprise! Truly you SO didn't have to!