StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

I love, love, love high-waisted jeans.  Chic with all tops and sweaters, no belly baring with cropped jackets and tops, and no baring anywhere else either (if, for example, you were executing the "bend and snap").

I own at least five pairs, which I have collected over the past year and a half.  Some have too much of a "That 70s Show" vibe -- tight in the hips with exaggerated, voluminous legs. 



Others are too skinny in the legs.  This cut looks great on Jennifer Lopez (then again, what doesn't?), but I didn't have the same luck. 



Bill Davila/Startraks

I have never been loyal to particular denim labels; I like to experiment and test-drive all options.

That is, until now (at least in the high-waist category).  I just got my first-ever pair of Hudson jeans, specifically the high-waisted flares (buy your very own pair at ShopBop.com, $154), and they are denim perfection.

The streamlined fit through the hips continues through the thighs and knees and then flares slightly -- these are neither bell-bottoms nor sailor pants.  They have a smidge of stretch, but not too much, which gives them a comforting, old-school look and feel. And, a very important detail, these jeans are looong.  As in, I-can-wear-them-with-my-tallest-platforms long.  Nothing kills high-waisters like high-waters. 

I am so obsessed I had to find out more, so I went straight to the source, Rick Spielberg, Vice President of Hudson Jeans.   

STYLE SPY:  Why are high-waisted jeans popular again?
RS:  Women want options.  This shape gives a fresh, vintage & glamorous look, reminiscent of women from the 50s.

STYLE SPY:  How are women responding to these jeans?
RS:  Fashionistas are buying them where they can find them, but not all stores or women are quite ready.  But, they are the most-requested style editorially [by fashion magazines], which means they will be requested by consumers as soon as they hit the fashion pages in the next few months.


STYLE SPY BOTTOM LINE:
If you haven't already, it's time to get a jump on this trend!

I have a thing for street artist KAWS (see the proof right here).

So imagine my delight when a sleuthy colleague tipped me off about these limited edition wallets that he designed for Comme des Garcons (exclusively at Paris boutique Colette, of course).





And the good news is that you don't have to book a flight to get one.  The wallets are available online at Colette.com, and they start shipping November 15th. 

SHOP YOUR HEART OUT!

ONE DAY ONLY: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8th

Last night the revamped Royalton Hotel (transformed from a wonky 90s wonderland to a variation on a midcentury-modern-meets-1970s ski chalet) was the backdrop for the TeachersCount benefit hosted by Zac Posen (who dressed the part in a neon yellow hoodie, fuzzy hat and scarf).

There was a killer silent auction, free-flowing bubbly, fab tunes spun by the MisShapes (Leigh has the best hair)... 

Leigh from the MisShapes; image from LosAnjealous.com

...and even a visit from Lucy Liu.

But I must admit, I most enjoyed my magical, model-esque moment with one of my favorite fashion friends, Miss J Alexander. 

StyleSpy and Miss J; image by Mr. Husband

Some things -- a good cause and quality time with friends -- are even better than champagne.

p.s.

check out Miss J on TRL today!

Designers were starstruck at the Spring 2008 shows, and it had nothing to do with the A-list celebs stead in the front rows.

Bearing the celestial motif, dresses, sweaters, jewelry and more raided the runways.

Photo: Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty

At first glance the constellations struck me as gimmicky (especially when there were sequins involved), but at second glance my eyes adjusted to the glare (perhaps my Lucky Charms obsession is partially to blame?), and the sparkles induced an unexpected craving (in the form of this Yves Saint Laurent dress, for example).

STOP. 
Before proceeding, download "STARRY-EYED SURPRISE" by Paul Oakenfold onto your Ipod, and give yourself a spritz of Thierry Mugler's Angel perfume.

Now you may continue.

Fashion All-Star Karl Lagerfeld worked stars into his collection for Chanel (stars even decorated the surface of the runway), as well as his namesake label. 

Photo: Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty

Photo: Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty

An out-of-this-world bangle at Karl Lagerfeld.

Photo: Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty

Alexander McQueen presented Olympics-inspired stars in his youthful McQ collection in downtown Manhattan.

Biasion Studio/WireImage

And I spied these baubles backstage at Anna Sui.

But why wait till Spring to shop for stars?

Here, some INSTANT GRATIFICATION...

MARC BY MARC JACOBS WATCH NECKLACE

GET IT NOW at ELuxury.com, $125

SONIA BY SONIA RYKIEL STAR CARDIGAN

GET IT NOW at MadisonLosAngeles.com, $350

Tiffany Stars Multi-drop Diamond and Platinum Earrings

GET IT NOW at Tiffany.com, $9000

HELLO STYLE SPY FRIENDS!

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR VOTES AND INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS (both on the blog and via email).

Here's what YOU chose:

1.  3.1 PHILLIP LIM:  6 votes! Two voters said they would prefer it without the scarf or with a colored scarf.  Alas, the scarf is attached.

2.  CATHERINE MALANDRINO:  5 votes!  All noted the gorgeous color.

3.  J. MENDEL: 7 votes! Make that 8 including mine -- this was my top choice!

4.  BADGLEY MISCHKA: 10 votes! 

5.  REBECCA TAYLOR:  3 votes!

6.  NAPAPIJRI: 29 votes!!!  Apparently everyone wanted me to go for the gold.  I like how you think!

7. CHRIS BENZ: No votes.  Unfortunately the silhouette didn't work for me, but I adore the color.

8.  JULIE HAUS:  6 votes! 

9.  PORTS 1961:  6 votes!

10.  PETER SOM:  4 votes!

Here's what I chose: (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SEGMENT!)

I brought three coats to the Today Show studio Saturday morning: the Julie Haus (below), the Napapijri, and the J. Mendel. 

Upon arriving, I learned that the segment would be inside (it had been planned for outside, but the weather did not cooperate). So, the fact that I would be wearing outerwear indoors factored into my final choice. 

Also, what works on TV is very different from what works in real life.  I didn't bring the Badgley Mischka shearling tunic because after trying it on again, it felt a bit too bulky for TV (that isn't to say it's not perfect for a chilly afternoon on Madison Avenue, of course). 

I ran into another TV vs real life dilemma with the gold Napapijri puffer coat (above). Although it got the most votes from you (p.s. it's a limited edition jacket, $495, at Napapijri stores in New York and Miami), a very sage make-up artist asked: "Won't the puffer jacket make all sorts of swishy noises when you're wearing it with a microphone?"  She was right.  Microphones pick up every little rustle, so one of the primary rules of dressing for television is to avoid anything that makes noise. 

My lovely models, however, can get away with anything -- not just because they're beautiful, but also because they don't have to worry about wearing microphones.  No puffer coat dilemma here!

Challenges and changes aside, I ultimately chose to wear the coat that made me feel the most fabulous. 

There was something about the precise cut and luxurious details of this
J. Mendel design that made me feel like a movie star. And, when it comes to mastering great personal style, the number one rule is that you need to go with your gut -- go with what makes you feel stunning both inside and out.  If you follow that rule, you will not only look stylish but you will feel stylish -- and that aura of confidence is what people will notice first and will remember the longest.

I wanted to extend that movie star feeling as long as possible.  After the show, I did a few laps around my neighborhood and even convinced Mr. Husband to stage a few glamour shots. 

Oh, and speaking of Mr. Husband...if you're a StyleSpy regular, you already know that he is my crafty style sidekick.  I thought it was time for a proper introduction:

Tune in to NBC's "Weekend Today Show" tomorrow at about 8:40am (Saturday morning -- ouch, I know);  I will be featuring some of the hottest coats of the season along with tips on how to wear them.

All week my InStyle team has been working overtime tracking down the best toppers.  After a rigorous editing session and a fitting on our models yesterday, we still had loads of fab extras -- ONE of which will still make it on the show...worn by me! 

I'm getting picked up bright and early at 5:50am, and I would love to have one less thing to think about when I wake up.  I even staged a self-timer photo shoot in my office (with Gwen, our September cover girl, watching over my shoulder, haha) so you could help me pick THE COAT.  I narrowed it down to my Top 10.  Take a look and let me know which one you think I should choose...PLEASE!

In no particular order:

1. 3.1 PHILLIP LIM CAMEL WITH TWO-TONE SCARF

2.  CATHERINE MALANDRINO TURQUOISE WOOL WITH OBI BELT

3.  J. MENDEL BLACK WOOL WITH FUR SLEEVES

4.  BADGLEY MISCHKA SHEARLING TUNIC

5.  REBECCA TAYLOR WITH FUR AND BEADED TRIM

6. NAPAPIJRI METALLIC GOLD PUFFER COAT

7.  CHRIS BENZ MOHAIR CROPPED JACKET

8.  JULIE HAUS FUSCHIA WOOL TRENCH

(you'll have to use your imagination on this one)

9.  PORTS 1961 TWEED WITH PUFFY COLLAR

10.  PETER SOM TWEED WITH PATCH POCKETS

PLEASE POST COMMENTS, OPINIONS, CHOICES ASAP -- I NEED YOUR INPUT!

THANKS!!

XX
STYLESPY

P.S.  A GIGANTIC THANKS TO EMILY EPSTEIN WHO SEEMED TO MAGICALLY MAKE ALL OF THESE COATS APPEAR IN MY OFFICE!

I was extra-proud of my last minute Halloween cat costume upon discovering that one of my style icons, Gwen Stefani, also chose a fashionable feline ensemble for the holiday. 

MEOW!

I hadn't planned to dress up for Halloween this year, and instead was looking forward to a raucous night of TV-watching.  Woo-hoo!  It's hard to resist ABC's Wednesday night line-up: "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money" (my favorite new show of the season, followed closely by "Gossip Girl" -- some insider fashion scoop on that coming soon!). 

But once I got home, I found it even harder to resist the call of mini Snickers, Magner's Cider and a few games of pool at Meade's, my trusty neighborhood bar.  One problem:  Meade's was having a Halloween party, and in my opinion it's just bad manners to show up at a Halloween party sans costume.

I can't say that my creation was the most original disguise, but I was impressed by what I was able to pull off in less than 30 minutes -- even as the StyleSpy.  It was quite the chic ensemble, especially for a black cat (as inspired by my cat Tabitha). 

Adrienne Landau fox stole, Julie Haus sequined camisole, J Brand skinny jeans, Club Monaco fur clutch, vintage rhinestone belt as a collar, glittery false eyelashes (very Madonna), amazing -- and long-lasting! stood up to beers and burgers -- make-up from Smashbox (who knew a little pot of eyeliner could do such big things?!), and couture cat ears.

By "couture" I mean custom-made just for me (that Mr. Husband is quite crafty).  He transformed a black headband, a Marc Jacobs shoe box and electrical tape into kitty ears before I had even figured out which black jeans to wear (and I only own two pairs).

Three lessons learned:

1.  "I didn't have time to get a costume" is not an excuse.
2.  Never choose watching TV over, well, anything.  That's why we have DVRs.
3.  Celebrating Halloween is not optional.

Happy November!