Net-A-Porter: Delivers

As regular readers of this blog you know I worship the folks at Net-A-Porter. The fashion, the simplicity of the site, the freshness - I could go on and on.

Until last week, I had not tested the most important piece of NAP - the purchase. I know, my purchase is so small you can barely see it...I'll work my way up to the coat (which I think is already sold out - it was $5,900).

Not disappointed. In fact, NAP overwhelmed me with their level of service. I was personally contacted by a NAP rep regarding delivery issues (the billing address was different from the delivery address). This was rectified and I received my purchase in two days.

Also of note was that NAP provided full delivery details on the address label (including my cell phone number). The courier actually called my cell, when I was unavailable to receive the delivery, to schedule another time for drop off. How good is this?

Now about that coat......

Hair Care Minis

Image: aveda.com

Why do you always run out of the expensive stuff all at once? Is that just me? Luckily, the sight of Aveda Air Control Hairspray Travel Size made the sting of today's purchases slightly less painful.

Air Control is THE BEST hairspray on the market. Not for Robert Palmer do's - but for natural hold. It smells great too. No more packing big cans of hairspray in my luggage. These little guys are perfect for purse travel too.

And this video cracks me up. I actually wore my hair like that. In 1989.

Achtung! Short Shorts

Image: The Sartorialist (always perfection)

Jackie Onassis on the Greek isle of Scorpio in 1975.

Short shorts fall into the same category as the high-waisted jean. Done right, they are stunning. Done wrong, they are horribly, horribly wrong.

I've been seeing a lot of SS lately that fall into the latter category. So, another list coming at you - I must be feeling preachy these days.

Note: these guidelines do not pertain to short-wearing at the beach. Wear whatever the heck you want at the lake - I'm talking city-wear here.

1. Sorry to have to say this but, if your legs are not in great shape - don't even attempt it. You won't feel comfortable or confident and consequently, you won't look your best.
2. SS are more flattering if they flare out slightly at the bottom. Your legs look skinnier. Enough said.
3. SS look best with flats. Try sandals or a cute ballet flat. If you must wear heels, go for an espadrille.
4. Cut-offs? Don't even.
5. Wear something with full coverage on top. Think peasant blouse (a la Jackie O) or a tailored shirt. Let's keep the focus on your legs.

Be prepared for stares. All that leg exposure might break a few necks.

The White Suit

Image: Kate Moss rocking the white suit

For summer, nothing looks sexier than a white suit. A clean, unsoiled white suit - which is pretty much impossible. That said, I keep trying and encourage you to do the same.

A few recommendations if you're going to attempt the white suit:

1. Make it a pant suit. White skirt and blazer - too much "ladies who lunch" not enough Katherine Hepburn.
2. Find the stretch. Linen or cotton fabrics will wrinkle immediately and look sloppy. Find a suit with spandex content. If will look and feel better.
3. Synthetics (again) are your friend. A suit with nylon or other polyester will resist absorbing moisture and other dirt. It the fabric has a bit of sheen, you can often brush off many minor marks.

And finally, rules for all suits:

1. Don't wear the pieces separately too often (ideally never). They will age differently and eventually look mismatched.
2. NEVER dryclean suit pieces separately for the same reason.

Haute Thursday

Chanel

Givenchy

Of course we can't afford haute couture clothing. That's not REALLY the point is it? The point is to look...then sigh. These two images (from the Paris haute couture shows) are very different, but very, very sigh-worthy.

First up, Chanel. Tweeds, my favorite. Could he (Karl Lagerfeld) please stop it with that dress? There are FEATHERS on the hem! I simply cannot take it.

Second shot, Givenchy. Love the GRAY boots, the fur "vest", the whole thing - very modern and totally gorgeous. I've got to unearth the fur vest I bought a few years ago. I think it's in the costume box with my "cougar" costume - must retrieve.

Bonus item, Chanel two-tone tights. I hate tights. They cling in all the wrong places, sag in all the wrong places and make you sweaty in all the wrong places. I would suffer all of those things to wear these tights. Ridiculous.

LVMH: 1, eBay: 0

eBay lost their court battle with LVMH (best known for their Louis Vuitton bags and Moet Champagne) and has been fined the equivalent of CDN$61 million for the sale of counterfeit luxury bags at http://www.ebay.com/.

British Vogue reported:

"Bernhard Arnault's luxury goods powerhouse set the legal process in motion in 2006 after launching an investigation into the pedigree of Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior handbags offered for sale. Investigators found that nine out of ten were fake."

Ya, DUH. Shopping on eBay for authentic Dior bags is akin to cruising the night market in Chang Mai, Thailand. Buyer beware. That said, eBay can be nailed down in court, unlike the individual vendors who sell knock-offs the world over.

Score one for the good guys (and girls).

Shiny Toys

This Canada Day, still obsessing over red patent. And since I cannot afford the to-die-for Celine bag, or the red Marc Jacobs, I will be content with these Via Spigas. Less of a financial commitment but still fun.

I feel a pointy toe is mandatory for the red shoe. Not everyone agrees but I'm stickin' to that. Black (or other dark color) patent can be rocked in a round toe, peep toe or sandal. These Stuart Weitzman's (below) would do nicely. Wouldn't they be perfect with this dress?