Stylish with Substance

I love leather. I love the feel of the finest of it, I love the smell of the good stuff, and I absolutely need its dirability. So how could I not love a design company which is headed by leather lovers, too? Mike & Chris started from a love of leather, and not much training at all. Named for the husband designer and wife, Mike & Chris is a fairly new company that got fame from their leather hoodie (right). They focused hard on something rare and wonderful in the clothing biz; feminine leather jackets.

Last year they were rumored to be going under, but in fact they're instead now introducing a shoe line and a bigger line of handbags than they've produced before.

Once I am finished getting into my best shape, and doing the same for my income/bank account, I will definitely buy at least one of their jackets. And come time for Fall 2009 to be introduced, I will watch out for their accessories, too.

I've already done a bit of snooping on their past styles, as you can see in our highly visual bag blog.

See more (current) Mike & Chris jackets:

Sergio Davilla's collection ... was barely there, and far from spot on. First of all, unpictured is a virtually topless female model. And then there are the effeminate men's styles with and select pieces of winterwear that look so out of place.

And I love that hat, for me... geez.

The hooded button-down shirt?

It's a good thing a photo speaks a thousand words, because this fug leaves me practically speechless.

 

COACH is trying a new medium for displaying their well-known Signature logo: a knitting stitch! Their new knitted cashmere scarf and beret are knit with several difficult patterns, including a 100% original: the COACH C's.

If you're a big Coach collector or an avid knitter, you must put this on your holiday wish list. These accessories have my vote for holidays must buy from Coach. Of course you can pick out your own favorite(s) from www.coach.com, yourself, if you'd rather (or in addition to).

Signature Patchwork Knit Scarf: $398
Signature Patchwork Knit Beret: $148

(Kinda ouch, right? Well, you could try eBay. It'd certainly be interesting to see if this knitting pattern will be copied.)

Wherever you live, the trench coat is so seasonal, now or soon. If you want the best in style and class, Burberry's a no-brainer. I love their subtler Metallic Trench Coat with black on metallic black jacquard check. Something this chic doesn't come cheap, though, at $995.

There's some serious worse news though, because it seems all of the rich northern hemisphere has spoken on this coat. I say if you've got some credit, and are the lone size 10, you must make this your fall season charge.

There's more cuteness for Autumn from Burberry, too. If the British range is out of yours, don't worry, practically any trench is flattering, just don't squeeze or swim in a wrong size.

As seen on Shut Up! It's Stacy London, is the Rebecca Taylor Lace Trench. It's made for rain, with real lace coated in plastic, but think well-made Louis Vuitton coated monogram canvas, not cheap trash.

I'm lusting after this $445 totally girly, sophisticated rain coat so bad, it's just *moi*, plus unique and really makes a statement. If your cash is flowing, I recommend you invest in this piece of fashion. And then I'll drool with envy all over it, but don't worry, to clean this jacket, just wipe it down! He he. ;-)

If, like I, you find yourself panicking oh-so late as it is into the season, because of these nasty snowstorms, realizing you need better winter boots, but can't find any and have also realized you need Uggs (fashion pundits be damned) - only to find those are all out in your size, style, colour or all of the above - look no further on eBay.

Sorry, but Ugg brand products are faked. These are designer-quality, expensive and still really popular shoes, so of course they're counterfeited. I'd love to trust my eyes, intuition and the tools available and purchase - but there are no resources nor any intelligence on the web on telling real Uggs from illegal replicas. Some say there really is no difference to be told.

If you're just looking for a bargain, remember you might just get what you pay for (and in this modern world of illegal copies, less than what you pay for).

I'm sure you can find a suitable brand with ugg styled boots or Fugg (copycat ugg boots) boots to tide you over in these short weeks 'til Punxsutawney Phil predicted winter's end. The weathermen even hint it'll be milder already. Just remember, by next November snatch up your perfect boots before this raw, messy weather barrels down upon us as it is bound to. Duh to us stupid people, especially those also like I who had fugg boots and gave them away when those fashionista pundits declared uggs long over. Face it, the appeals of the toasty cushiness on frigid nights beats back the arguments on style, especially with the pretty cute Sunburst version, pictured, doing the talking and walking!

If you have tips on spotting fake Ugg boots, I ask that you please post on this forum thread: Ugg Boots Authenticity Guides.

Omiru, oh my I love you. It's a great fashion blog, especially for trends. And I can't get enough of their polls.

Being bored with my own post ideas I have in line, as I do---I'm quite fidgety, I thought I'd look to see what other bloggers are saying.

Omiru gave a reason (a small one) to wear only faux fur and supplied a list, separated by price, of faux-fur-embellished coats on the web. The best part? The most expensive is only $158 from Nordstrom.

Oh faux fur, I love you, too!

This is post #6 in our Holiday Gifts series, part 5 was on Forever 21 Outerwear.

J. Crew is a fairly new discovery for me, although they're a little pricy for me for non-designer, so I don't often shop there. But when I saw -- and especially felt -- their Shearling-Lined Tweed Earrmuffs, I couldn't stop thinking about them. These really keep one as warm as any ear muff can. I'm just s0 obsessed, it's bad.

As for scarves, the black and white Fair Isle is one of my picks and the Snow Flake Pom Pom is my other.

And for hats and scarves, there are sooo many supernice ones, but many are only subtly different, so you should check them out for yourselves.

The average price of one of these items is about $40, so these could be the gift of a little luxury for not a bad price. These could be a gift set or one favorite item. Give warmth, get warmth perhaps back.