I Can See (by Chloe) Fall Just Ahead

If there were a designer or a collection that could embody a season, See by Chloe would epitomize summer.  The diffusion line from Chloe has become well known for roomy, breathable silhouettes in fun and flirty colors with tongue-in-cheek super kitschy details. (Like the cute sailors notch and square pleats on the back of the silk dress, or the chiffon bow lopped through a chunky gold chain link on the linen dress).

The designs in the much more youthful contemporary line are full of details that bring you back to your childhood days on the playground… but in a much, much, more fashionable way. (If I had worn these pieces then, I may have been able to avoid a several yearlong fashionably awkward phase)

The diffusion line was launched in 2001 by Phoebe Philo the same year she took over as Creative Director for Chloe after the departure of her dear friend Stella McCartney who left to start her own line (During this time she also developed Chloe’s “Paddington” Bag, arguably one of the most coveted “it” bags in the industry).  Trained at Central St. Martins, like all of the other British fashion powerhouses, Philo knows her stuff. She redefined not only a silhouette with this diffusion line, but also the Chloe customer.  Traditionally, Chloe is seen as a sophisticated, mature, and even austere house in the upper echelons of the fashion world.  They were known for their  body conscious avant-garde boarding haute couture ready to wear style  which they define as “luxury prêt-à-porter”  (They were in fact, considered the first French luxury fashion house to launch a ready-to-wear line, which Chloe’s founder Gaby Aghion did in 1952). Chloe, for the most part, was reserved for the fashion elite.  Under the Stella McCartney/Phoebe Philo regime however, a fresh take on the brand was in the air. Stella brought a sense of “lifestyle” to the house, while Philo infused it with a “street sensibility”.  With the introduction of See by Chloe to the market Philo took her street sensibility to a whole new level, and to a whole new customer. See by Chloe became sought after among the young, fresh, up and coming fashionista’s that resided the world over.  Interestingly enough, the See by Chloe brand, earns more revenue than its older sister Chloe.  If you take a look into Philo’s own sense of fashion it makes the playful nature of the collections all the more clear. She didn’t always take herself so seriously… in fact; she often sported diamante studded nails and even a gold tooth.  She made it a point to have fun. In recent years however, she has seriously cleaned herself up, actually looking the part as Celine’s Creative Director (She took over Celine in 2008 when Ivana Omazić was fired).

Phoebe Philo, Image from Businessoffashion.com

Having so much of Philo herself stamped into the collections, it’s easy to see why See by Chloe has become so popular.  The clothing is easy to wear, almost instantly recognizable without being logo driven, and it’s pretty much a smile stitched in fabric. You can’t help but think of butterflies and sunshine when you put these pieces on.  The two dresses I have in my own wardrobe are great examples of this. They make you warm and fuzzy all over, not because they keep you warm… they in fact do the opposite… but because the quirky scalloped hem, sea foam green color, and wooden detailing (that look like shells) instantly evoke images of the beach, or the bright white linen nestled neatly between rows of day glow coral and raspberry make sunglasses not an accessory but a necessity to anyone accompanying you.

Now, as August comes to a close, I’m sadly reminded that in essence, so too the summer comes to a close. While September in New England brings some of the things I love most in life… hills covered in orange and red trees, apples, and long sleeve knitwear I find myself desperately trying to cling on to those last few days where it’s appropriate to mix white with bold colors (I am making it a point to not just say “wear white,” because white despite what your mother may have taught you, is a universally accepted seasonless color now. In fact “Winter White” will be one of you hottest trends come December January and February). Or, to eke out that one last day in a silk slip dress with a bare leg. Knowing I have at least 6 months (hush, I’m sticking to 6 to make myself feel better) ahead of me of shorter days and increasingly cold weather means I hold onto these summer memories, and my summer attire like no other.

This also means that finding a way to extend these pieces into those first few weeks of fall, maybe even when Indian summer hits is also a necessity for me. Luckily, grabbing a sweater, long sleeved t, and a pair of boots is all you need to extend the life of these summer staples. 

The sea foam green of the dress looks great paired back to charcoal gray. The contrast between the ultra youthful femininity of the silk dress and the nubby woolen texture of a grandfather sweater is the perfect way to pull off an adorably appropriate “Chic Mr. (or I should say Ms.) Rogers” look for fall.

Now, while the linen one shouldered number might be the most “summery” of all its actually is conducive to a few options.  First, color-blocking is perfectly on trend for fall, as is that mod 60’s silhouette. That means, for at least through Labor Day it should be allowed to join the trend party in a way suitable for the weather.  Throwing a boat neck white t under the dress and pairing it back to some rugged boots is a great solution…. I kept saying all day that I felt like a neon version of Taylor Swift. A cozy wrap cardigan provides an extra layer for when it gets even cooler.

If the boots don’t do it for you, the dress can be easily tucked into a pair of slouchy harem pants to keep your legs covered up.  I know… I know… a dress in pants???  Yes, your dresses can actually multi task. The great thing about a harem style pant, is that you can tuck the dress in, with very little bunching. 

Also, while we are on the subject, I would just like to vent for a second about the versatility of a dress.  A dress is perfect for those days when you only want to worry about picking out one thing… it’s a top to bottom ensemble in and of its self. That does not however, mean it is limited to being worn alone.  Dresses can be worn under, over, or in addition to pretty much anything else you have in your closet. Don’t be afraid to let your dresses make other friends in your wardrobe; they enjoy a good supporting cast every now and then too.  Ok, sorry about that… as I was saying…. These woven khaki ones also by See by Chloe work wonders.  These pants by the way are the most comfortable pair of pants I own. The slightly cropped ankle length looks great with a heel or flat, and the pleated detailing provides another delicate dimension to an ordinary pant.  The smocked elastic finish on the back of the pant, and side zip make it so that even on your worst days (yes we all have them) they always fit with ease.  Breathable, playful, and most importantly wearable…. Signature See by Chloe.

The Circle of Life and Circle Skirt

Summer means a lot of different things for different people.  If you’re a member of the Broderick family summer usually mean lots of travel, and a massive family BBQ at my Aunt Maureen’s house.  As  our family gets larger (and as you will see as you continue reading, “larger” is an understatement) and we all get just a little bit older this gathering only gets more and more fun. It always ends up being one of my favorite and most memorable days of the year.  

My Grandma brought quite the special treat with her this year! In addition to her famous broccoli salad she brought out a Modern Jr. by Gale & Gale skirt she had worn on her honeymoon! It was astonishing on so many levels! First, it was just simply stunning.  The beautiful floral pattern dances across the cream circle skirt in lively hues of lilac, pink and cobalt.  Quilted waves create another dynamic layer to the skirt that you can’t help but to twirl in.

Second, it was in beyond remarkable condition! Even after 56 years (yes, that’s right, 56!) the skirt looks like I could have pulled it off the rack today.  It’s the perfect vintage summer skirt.  There was no way I could leave without trying it on. 

Being in that skirt, standing next to my Grandma and looking across the yard at my brand new nephew (the first in the family) it’s hard not to think about how our family has grown.  It was also hard to wrap my head around the fact that it all started with just two people. When my Grandfather and Grandmother (assuredly looking amazing in that phenomenal skirt) walked hand in hand through the Fountain Blue in Miami 56 years ago on their honeymoon, I believe it must have been hard to imagine four generations later the tremendous (as in both fantastic and enormous) family they would create.

It’s probably easiest to grasp in pictures, so I’ll tell the story that way.

This striking woman, Veronica McNiff married John Broderick in October of 1955.

The expansion of the family quickly began. My dad was the first of EIGHT children to come over the next 10 years.

Then came the in-laws…. Or the “out-laws” as they like to joke.

Then came the grandchildren… in droves. From 1983 to 2009 there was rarely a time when a baby wasn’t being born.

And then, in 2010 we welcomed the first of the 4^th generation, Ethan. Not only is he my nephew and Godson, he’s also the most important person in my life under 3 feet tall. He’s the most perfect little nugget whose two-toothed smile and curly- cued Mohawk melt my heart like no other.  

(P.S. I’ll be doing a post on this dress a little later)

It’s still a little mind boggling to think of my tres chic Grandmother as a GREAT Grandmother...

Or to see my own (also superbly well-dressed) Godmother with my Godson.

But, now I see where I got my fascination with fashion from. I clearly descended from quite the stylish family tree! A tree that all started with an extraordinary woman who is not only someone I look up to for her unparalleled capacity for love, faith, and dedication (hopefully she has passed on a few of those genes this way too!) but as a personal style icon.