I've Been Meaning to, Wes Gordon

Dear Kristin,
I've been meaning to show you Wes Gordon, because he doesn't get enough play and because we both fell in love with him a few seasons ago.

It's maybe not the Wes we fell for two years ago, but he and his clothes were younger then and so were we, and this is a damn decent Wes.  Maybe even the best Wes.  Love a punch-in-the-face red, especially when that red is a jumpsuit, but it's the separate-ness of all four I appreciate most.  These are grab and go pieces, but they have a distinct top and bottom thing going for them.  They look like separates that go together but aren't boring.  (The third look actually is, obviously.)  Anyway, I like that.  I'm easy to please.  Rich separates.

Love,
J. Benny

Reem Acra, I got the shivers

Dear Kristin,
I love it so much

I do not hate pink now.  That's a new thing.  It happened a month ago.

Of course I do.  This is why I still look at them as soon as they go up.  Reem Acra is why:

If it ain't broke, do not fix it.  Classic.

Good lord.  That is a dress.

Love,
J. Benny

Marc Jacobs

Dear Kristin,
He gave us permission to have fun with it:

Staid color.  Less staid collar.

It is not exactly my brand of fun, or the way I'll be doing it, but it did make me feel bright.   I smiled.  First thing in the morning, a smile and my coffee.

 The 90s could not be more back.  And for some reason that delights me, at least at Marc Jacobs.  Again, though, I will not be doing this.  I will be doing a version of the 90s, but it shan't be this one.

And what I would do, the tops:

And my reaction notes to the whole collection: Pseudo-lady-like, separates, hip-bones at the ready, pantless, mod and modern, jester meets jailbird, that kook, big disorienting prints, and the truly bare midriffs of the 90s.
 
I realize there are some glaring omissions in the above visuals.  WHERE IS THE PANTLESSNESS?  More hip-bone!  More kook!  Thankfully, style.com is here to answer all your most pressing questions.

 

Note: I shall forever prefer no pants to wearing skirts over pants. 

Love,
J. Benny

Mara Hoffman with Fun Stuff

Dear Kristin,
This

And then this:

Love,
J. Benny

Altuzarra: I tried

Dear Kristin,
I tried, but I couldn't fall in love.  I do, however, like-like the spirit of these three looks:

You too?  We could totally do these.

Love,
J. Benny

Alex Wang: Can We?

Dear Kristin,
I had a reaction.  That's always the goal for me with these fashion things.  Do I care?  I cared for Alexander Wang.  The thing is, will this caring do us any favors?  Will this collection?  It's simple of me, but you remember my most recent sartorial resolution--which was maybe more of a revelation than a resolution--I want to wear close that flatter.  That make me look good.  And maybe it would be one thing if I could afford tons of Alexander Wang pieces, or any designer pieces for that matter, but I cannot.  I can only afford the High Street shops they inspire and perhaps one or two of the originals onces they hit the sales.  The point I'm making here is this: I was taken by the show, but I'm not quite sure I like what the success of this little number:

will do to the likes of Zara.  Not least of all because the knockoff will have to look cheap, but because you're made to look as though you're almost drowning in it.  My thighs and bum do not drown.  I'm not sure anyone who's not a size 0 can drown.  The above was my favorite look of those I shouldn't touch.  (And I may go for it anyway.)  There were others that would do worse to me, but this is the only one I really, really want.  And good heavens those shoes.  He's always so great with the accessories:

That picture makes me think I need more shoes and bags.

Lies!  But that's the point, no?

He's also just wonderful at coats.  That might be The Thing I took away from this shows: coats to want.  It's not been as warm here as it is/was there, so I suspect I may be a little more up for it.  Or, rather, it's not a tough mindset for me to get into.  I need me a coat.  Here are my favorites from the entire collection, three of which contain coats and all of which happen to be ones that will flatter and/or hint at a flattering shape beneath.

Click on me so I can get big.

This blogging was a great way to start my day, pre-work blogging.  I am refreshed.  There's a long day of internet ahead of me, but I am refreshed.  That's always the best part about the beginning of Fashion Month--how exciting it all can be.  You're not tired of it yet.  And if you are tired, a glow-in-the-dark finale is just around the corner:

Love,
J. Benny

Heaven knows I don't keep up

Dear Kristin,
It's New York Fashion Week.  I shall do my best.  There's just so much work blog and pinterest and twitter and then all I want is to read a book.  Here's something pretty from the first few days.  Nothing to love yet, though I'm thinking and thinking about Peter Som.  So perhaps he'll grow into a love you'll get one of my collages. 

From the second to last look at Costello Tagliapietra

Love, 

J. Benny