Fashion Friday: London Chic

Our first Fashion Friday feature comes to us from across the pond.

The Model: My Girl A is a London sophisticate, tax expert, and athlete. She enjoys learning foreign languages, eating lemons, and visiting cameras obscura. Having lived in many cities across Europe and the United States, she has developed a keen sense of style with many influences.

The Look: My Girl A models her everyday career look. She pairs chinos with a classic crisp white shirt. She then adds a bright blue vest to complement her eye color. The vest takes the outfit from simply classic to chic, by imbuing a men’s wear idea with feminine tailoring, a trick that European designers such as Burberry and Yves St. Laurent have employed for years. My Girl A completes the look with classic jewelry, pearl studs and a Tiffany’s pendant of her initial “A,” and Ferragamo mary jane flats purchased at Portobello Market in Notting Hill.

Get this Look: For a wide variety of chinos, try JCrew. These are especially good. Crisp white shirts are a staple, available almost anywhere. Some of my favorites are these no-iron shirts from Brooks Brothers for an “investment,” or try Express, the Limited, or Ann Taylor Loft for a less expensive alternative. For a vest similar to My Girl A’s, try this almost exact replica or this ultra-feminine version. Until we can all shop Portobello Market for designer shoes, try Zappos for a wide selection of affordable shoes. Return shipping is free, so order the same shoe in multiple sizes, find the best fit at home, and then ship your rejects back for free.