In Black & White

What's black and white and sharp all over? It's not the spindly sea urchin paperweight your mom got you on her trip to Hawaii. No, this riddle has a far more stylish answer. Need a hint? Think classically sexy dresses by Alice + Olivia and Iisli, and crisp white tops by McQ and Twelfth St. Not enough? There are more sharply chic answers to your puzzler just waiting for you. Find them, right here, at shopbop.

McQueen is King

With a bad-boy reputation and past shows akin to drastic seasonal mood swings, Alexander McQueen’s fall runway marked a renaissance of spirit and a return to his love of fashion. So says a profile of the designer in the June issue of W magazine. The fascinating look at England’s king of style walks through the last year of McQueen’s life and how it influenced his critically acclaimed fall 2008 collection.

The profile has a great selection of images from the runway show as well as a look at McQueen’s new Melrose store. And if you can’t wait for fall, the McQ spring collection should hold you over. The streetwise styles with just a whiff of rebellion are the picture of avant-garde style.

Style It :: McQ Tuxedo Short

With the promise of summer’s heat on the horizon, it’s time to find some city-chic shorts because as much as I love my jeans, they just don’t cut it when the mercury’s pushing 90. I love the McQ Tuxedo Short, but the red waistband makes finding a fab top to match a little tough. Enter my old standby Bop Basics tank in white. Together, they create a clean palette that invites dramatic accessories.

Let’s start with the bag because, if you’re like me, you have a slight obsession with all things handbag related. It’s got to be on-trend, roomy, and downright showstopping. The Foley + Corinna Metallic City Clutch is all three. For my feet, I’m returning to the white palette and donning Eileen Shields’ Elliptical Sandal with its avant-garde design and sexy height. And then comes the jewelry. I love delicate gold necklaces, but I want to make a statement. I’ll layer on two Gorajana Savanna Wrap necklaces and relish in the best of both worlds, and then I'll add a set (or two) of their Studded Bangles for a sweet jangle at the wrist.

It’s a clean, classic look, which is what I like best. How would you style it?