Winter in July

There have always been certain items of clothing - like sleeveless sweater turtlenecks - that look great but make me wonder where you would wear them. Well, I guess a cold summer like we've been having is the answer. Who would've thought that boots and scarves could become summertime wardrobe staples. I'm seeing cutout boots (and even non-cutout boots) everywhere. You'd think everyone's feet would be sweating like crazy wearing these things in July, but it's been chilly enough that they aren't totally out of place. I don't know if I'm fully ready to jump on the bandwagon, but here are a few bootie-like picks that I think are a little more suited for July.

These Dolce Vita boots look like a peeptoe sandal with a big sheath buckled over the ankle. I like how the straps are all a little different and keep it from being too chunky.

Light and airy yet fully covering the feet, these Marc Jacobs could probably be worn into the fall - a kind of counterpart to the boot in summer trend. I'd probably change up the laces though, to me it kind of brings down the overall look of the shoe.

HOT! L.A.M.B. always delivers with the sky-high heels and the Rasta is no exception. I can picture these with just about anything - skits, dresses, jeans.

There is something very elegant about the shape of the Velvet Angels Peepshow Peep Toe Bootie. The bright white is a great complement to any outfit with bright colors.

Bliss Lau

Though there are many beautiful things created everyday in fashion, it's rare that a truly unique concept emerges. Let's face it, there are only so many things you can do with clothes - at the end of the day it's usually still a dress, a pair of pants, a shirt, etc. I ran across Bliss Lau on Forwardforward.com (yes I'm obsessed with that site in case you haven't noticed) and was intrigued by her line of body jewelry/clothing accouterments, so different from just about any other accessory I've seen. Her artfully constructed chains can be used to embellish everything from shoes to skirts to dresses and tops. I think it's a brilliant concept and a rocking way to revive anything plain in your wardrobe or kick it up about a hundred notches.

A little styling goes a long way

Yet another example of how different a piece of clothing can look on the internet depending on how it is photographed. Shown below is the Ilaria Nistri Woven Grey Jacket. It's pretty cool that it has a removable peplum so it's like getting two jackets in one. Based on the top pictures, from forwardforward.com, it looks like a beautifully designed piece - modern, sleek, but still feminine. But in the bottom pictures, from ssense.com, it looks like a disheveled accident. Even the look on the model's face seems to say 'you really want me to sell this thing?'. I really hope the top pictures are a more accurate representation.

Real discounts

Since I've been overdosing on the ridiculously expensive posts lately (all these items put together wouldn't buy you half a Mackage coat), I figured I'd try to balance it out and pick a few items that were true bargains. All these pieces have fashiony details and prints that I think contradict their low price tag.

Luxury Discounts

With the recession going on, some luxury retailers are giving the usual discount sites, like Bluefly, a run for their money. Granted, I wouldn't call anything on these sites dirt cheap, even at an 85% discount. But, if you've had your eye on that 'investment piece', or however you want to justify it, now might be the time to take the leap. My advice is to save the (discounted) splurge for shoes and bags. It's a lot easier to piece together a great outfit from bargain pieces, but unless you're a cobbler or know how to tan hide in your spare time, really luxe looking shoes and bags are harder to fake out. The following are my over 50% off picks from forwardforward.com and barneys.com, two sites that always have items that I drool over.

Mackage

I'm jumping the gun here for Fall/Winter, but this line of coats and jackets are too gorgeous to wait. I had the pleasure of trying on a Mackage trench this weekend (for you extra tiny petites, the XXS is akin to a Banana Republic 00P-0P, with longer sleeves), and it was amazing in the detailing, which prompted me to do a little more research into the line. Mackage creates the kind of coats that make every other coat you've ever looked at, and will look at, pale in comparison. You can see the quality a mile away, and each one looks like something off the runway, but not so over the top that you couldn't wear it daily. These to die for pieces are produced in Canada, but luckily also available in the U.S. Below are a few of my favorites.

The Misty leather trench is a luxe version of the classic. The asymmetric buttons are a clever combination of a standard button up straight on bottom, that ends at the top looking like a buttoned up double-breasted jacket. Everything about this is perfect!

I can't get over the wrapped neck and corset belt on the Juju-V. A standout amongst 99.999% of wool coats out there, with details not easily copied by rip off artists. The sleeves on this one also have a slight flare to them thanks to some built in pleats starting at the elbow. Breathtaking!

I've seen the Jules on other websites styled with jeans. Definitely not as cute as shown here, which shows off its dress-like shape. I'd save this one for a ball or charity gala, if I ever get invited to one.

Summer Chill

It's July and I'm still waiting for summer to arrive in the Midwest. We've had a few hot days here and there, but overall it might as well be spring or early fall as far as the temperatures are concerned, especially in the evenings. So sadly, my wispy summer dresses have been sitting in the closet while I try to figure out everyday what to wear to keep a little warmer (I get cold when it's 70 degrees) but not look like I just arrived from Antarctica.

Three-quarter sleeve, lightweight tunics are a great way to stay cool and breezy but keep the goosebumps off your arms. I like both of these from BCBG and JCrew because they are fitted. They needed a little something though, so I thought this coral JCrew beaded necklace would go great with either of them.

' Summer sweater' sounds like an oxymoron, but now I can understand where these items may have some utility. With the short sleeves, they can functions as a slightly warmer t-shirt, and can lend a dressier feel to your work outfits if you work in an overly air-conditioned environment. The fuchsia and ombre sweaters pictured above are two examples of knits that still look summery.

Sheer cardigans are another way to keep the chill away without looking like you have a body temperature regulation problem. I like how the super see-through Victoria's Secret sweater is styled, with the grey over the white tank -very elegant. I also love love the Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan with the mixed textures and off center faux camisole. Unlike the model pictured here, I'm pretty sure I'd wear it with something underneath though.

This artsy wrap is very Prince and the New Power Generation. I think it would only look good with a simple, solid colored outfit underneath, and the shapes would have to be part of the overall ensemble, rather than something just thrown on on top. To tone it down, I guess you could try to fold up the piece that is running along the torso. Though over all I do think this is a pretty piece that is unique but not too weird.