Tag Archives: fall 2014

More of the best of Fall 2014: Burberry’s ruanas

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More of the best of Fall 2104: Burberry's ruanas

OK, so these are woven, but there’s no reason they couldn’t be knitted — and imagine how amazing that would be! (Sort of like that Micaela Greg square scarf I’ve never gotten over.)

I just looked up “ruana” at Wikipedia, because I wasn’t sure I had the right word, and learned (duh) that it comes from the Andean style of slit-square blanket ponchos. Do you know about ruanas? Here I think of them as being sold in upscale department stores, always in charcoal or camel, and worn by striking, well-to-do older women. I can’t figure out why they’re not worn by all ages and types — it’s such a smart shape for a wrap! So imagine my joy at seeing these funky patterned ones on the Burberry Prorsum runway. There’s a shearling version on Look 15, but the first woven one walks out with Look 20 and they repeat through Look 32, the only one that’s worn “properly.” The rest are slung chicly over one shoulder. (Which always makes me think of Meryl Streep in “Out of Africa.” Swoon.) I mostly hate the clothes, which is not my usual response to Burberry, but the ruanas? That’ll be sticking in my mind for the foreseeable future.

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SALE: Speaking of things that should be way more popular, I’ve marked down a couple of my favorite canvas pouches along with the remaining copies of last spring’s Kinfolk. We’re reorganizing the studio, anticipating new goods, and clearing out the last odds and ends of these few things, so get ’em while they last!

AND: Not on sale, but the XL Bento Bags are back in stock in all three available fabrics!

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Next of the best of Fall 2014: Lemaire’s never-enough knits

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Best knits of Fall 2014

I’m a little choked up over Christophe Lemaire’s Fall 2014 collection, but I’ll try to make this coherent. There are three major knit trends this season, at home and abroad: tunics and sweater dresses, a preponderance of knitted legwear (swants and such), and elaborately layered and/or multi-tiered knits. It all comes together beautifully and wearably at Lemaire, where there are not only loads of denim culottes and flawless shirtdresses and all manner of things I’d die to wear, but also models absolutely swathed in knits — from the voluminous sweaters and sleeved-adorned scarves tied around their necks down to the ribbed footless tights pulled down over their ankle boots. Can I just refill my empty closet with this whole collection, please? I’d be happy and done.

Best knits of Fall 2014

Next of the best of Fall 2014: Wool and the Gang’s runway beanie

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Wool and the Gang's runway beanie

There have been all sorts of moves toward immediacy in the past few years, where the big fashion shows are concerned — to the point where some shows now allow for people to order the garments as they’re walking down the runways (and then wait months for them to arrive). But I’m pretty sure Wool and the Gang broke new ground this week with the first beanie to grace the catwalk and be available as a knitting pattern on the very same day. Apparently Giles Deacon approached WATG for a collaboration and this Eek Hat was born. WATG created the ones that were worn in Monday’s Giles show, along with 200 more to be scattered all around London Fashion Week in various ways. The Eek is a new spin on the basic Zion Lion hat they do so much with, in this case with big ol’ googly eyes added via duplicate stitch. So dang cute — I want one.

See their blog for the backstory and lots of behind-the-scenes photos.

Wool and the Gang's runway beanie

First of the best knits of Fall 2014: A Détacher

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Best knits of Fall 2014

I have such a design crush on Mona Kowalska of A Détacher. It may be because her personal motto seems to be “Two sweaters are better than one.” Or maybe “There’s no such thing as too many layers.” But for whatever reason, I always find her collections amusing and odd and inspiring. Sweater dresses are a clear trend in the Fall 2014 shows, and Kowalska has several in her collection — including a couple of swoony dress-length hoodies used as layering pieces. She’s also got swants and other sweatpant-shaped pants layered under all the sweaters. Plus thin, meshy turtlenecks under tunics and dresses with sweater-cuffed “sleeves” tied at the waist. Another reason I love her is that she almost always wears it best:

Best knits of Fall 2014

Also: If I can’t have this outfit, I can’t go on.