“Fashion Fantasies”

As we head into the fourth full week of our new unreality, there has been a rash of fashion-related articles advising you how to dress for being at home. They offer advice on the best clothes to be comfy and cozy and help us look professional from the waist up.

Nobody knows when we will be able to resume our normal lives, but that hasn’t stopped me from fantasizing about it. Keeping that in mind, I selected some outstanding designs from recent runways and tried to match them with the appropriate occasion.

The Met Gala was to take place on Monday, May 4th. What could be a better choice of an outfit than this museum-worthy Comme des Garcons runway gown from spring 2018? This rare collector’s item’s fabric is covered with the surrealist paintings of 16th-century painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo. The artist is best known for his portraits of painted fruits and vegetables. It is $27,500 and for sale on 1stdibs.com.

You are spending the weekend with a friend who has an estate in the English Countryside or Middleburg Virginia: horse country. Brunello Cucinelli’s elegant pantsuit in an old school menswear check and classic riding boots assuredly fits the bill. Fox hunting optional.

You have plans to attend the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, January 21 – 31, 2021. This sumptuous floor-length shearling coat, distressed jeans, plaid shirt, cashmere cardigan, and cowboy boots by Dsquared2 is a luxurious take on western wear and could not be more appropriate. Of course, this ensemble would also work if you are going to spend the holidays with Ralph Lauren and his family at his Double RL Ranch in Colorado. The coat is so fab that Ralph would not mind it not being his.

You’re hosting a New Year’s Eve bash or another formal soiree at your home. You want to be dressed up yet at ease. This Schiaparelli ensemble would make a perfect choice. The cropped jacket is wholly embellished with heavy gold chains and is sensational. I love how Daniel Roseberry paired it offhandedly with perfectly cut black trousers and flat black sandals. Coincidentally, Daniel called this collection “Dreamer in Daytime,” and he emphasized easy, relaxed and luxurious designs.

You are a tennis fan who loves going to the US Open. What could be better than a great tennis sweater from the Michael Kors Collection? It is made of Italian cashmere and has a matching scarf. Paired with striped trousers and white oxfords, it has a classic spectator sports vibe that never goes out of style.

When the invitation reads “Black Tie Optional”, nothing is better than an evening pantsuit. This one, from the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring 2020 collection, features a slightly over-sized silhouette. The plunge front soft silk blouse has an undone glamour thanks to extra-long ties that fall ‘just so’. I love that it is formal but not stuffy, masculine yet alluring and sensual.

Your calendar includes numerous business and board meetings. You want to look smart, chic, and feel pulled together—no need for bells and whistles, just a perfectly tailored trouser suit. You cannot do better than one from Marc Jacobs. Everything about it is perfect, including the square-toed black boots and a discreet clutch bag.

You are going to take a stroll through Central Park on a perfect fall day. What about wearing The Row’s floor-length trench coat, wide-legged velvet trousers, and silk button-down shirt? Accessorize it with a soft clutch bag; this outfit has that ideal mix of luxury, pragmatism, and comfort, that has become the Olsen twins’ signature.

Your weekend includes gallery hopping in Chelsea and Soho. Peter Do’s minimalist black leather tunic, flared viscose leggings, and chunky black cashmere capelet shrug, is appropriately urban, hip and cool, while not competing with the art. I also love Peter’s restrained use of gold metal hardware and jewelry. It adds just the right touch.

What should you wear when the invitation reads, “Festive Attire”? For me, it means having fun, being creative, and wearing something colorful! Tom Ford’s fuchsia cashmere turtleneck, floor-length paillette skirt, and exotic feathered earrings check all the boxes.