Easy Does It

The end of July makes the Grand Mademoiselle feel, well, slow. Oppressive heat, combined with the heady gloom of East Coast humidity makes every surface sticky, and one regards any article of clothing as far too much for comfort. However, a plain white ribbed cotton T can only take you so far, and my best advice, dear Grand M's is to keep it simple, searching out easy, forgiving cuts, loose designs, light fabrics, and gentle flats to offset summer's angry glare. Dressing up for even a casual dinner date seems downright cruel in the dog days, but the chore can be made enjoyable by sticking to simple pieces and selecting punchy colored accessories to add a bit of fun back to the lethargic atmosphere.

Instead of skinny jeans, which turn to glue in the summer sun, opt for breezy, unlined trouser jeans in a dark rinse to maximize elegance while dialing down 90 degree temperatures. The Grand M loves trouser jeans in all seasons, but the decidedly laid back style is especially suited to the languid summer months when the body feels a bit out of sorts. J.Crew is wonderfully chic when it comes to all things denim, and they don't disappoint with their latest incarnation of the trouser jean. The lightweight stretch cotton denim is endlessly forgiving and wildly classy, providing an easy-does-it style with no fuss. These trouser jeans are the perfect way to wear denim without being bogged down by too many buttons or too heavy a fabric. Pair your trousers with an easy shirt and let your accessories do the talking, donning happy-go-lucky tones and comfortable flats that impart interest to your otherwise lackadaisical ensemble. The Grand M adores all things Botkier, and the teensy-tiny little Lita Lambskin Clutch is a no-muss-no-fuss way to carry only the essentials because let's face it, in July less really is more. The delightful turn-lock hardware with logo and gently gathered front folds scream slow down, while the bright fuchsia leather is a flirty little pick me up for the lazy days of summer.
To keep your tired, hot tootsies from turning on you, stick with flats in forgiving fabrics like cotton for day and satin for night, keeping in mind that summer weather does not demand an open toe - comfort is key. To sidestep the risk of alienating her small-footed friends, and at her readers request, the Grand M has decided to include all shoes in her search for the perfect pair, while keeping in mind that the larger sizes are her true niche. As such, the first pair to make the cut are the Zoe satin flats by Maloles. The adorable lilac bow and center vamp cut add girlish interest to an already feminine shoe, made unique and fun by a cheeky purple satin upper and gathered toe. What's more, the bright satin is unbelievably comfortable while retaining an easy, uptown elegance that gives any lazy summer ensemble an extra dose of oomph that is unforgettable. If sandals are really your cup of tea for this time of year, stick with something design-conscious in a gorgeous, punchy color, like Matt Bernson's classic Love sandal in yellow leather. The beautifully criss-crossed leather straps and deeply oiled leather foot-bed are insanely forgiving and allow in what breeze there might be.

Fire And Rain

Contrasts are always strangely compelling, holding the fashion critics hostage as they attempt to decide which mismatches are allowed and how far they can go. Sporting uniform duds is certainly for the birds, but going out on a limb by pairing articles that bear no resemblance is not for the faint of heart, nor is it as easy as throwing on two tank tops. Successfully styling a contrasting ensemble requires patience, daring, and a little dash of bravado to steel yourself against the hard looks that you will undoubtedly garner from fashion traditionalists. The Grand Mademoiselle adores translating contrasts into entire style genres, rather than merely wearing a piece from each end of the color spectrum or lazily donning multiple layers. The point is not to look like a rebel or garbage lady, the point, my dear Grand M's, is to achieve the height of current trend awareness-ness. To this end, the best approach is to select your favorite trend, be it bohemian or buttoned-down, and pair it with an opposing trend that also defines your style and interests. The Grand M suggests reserving this approach for accessories only, letting contrasting shoes and handbags do the talking to avoid looking like an old Halloween costume, unless that's what you're going for.

For example, take a gorgeous, ladylike kitten heel and pair it with an outrageously wild clutch to pay homage to the likes of Jackie O and Jerry Hall in one fell swoop, indicating that you dislike being restricted to only one fashion point of view. You'd make dear Jackie awfully proud by slipping into Butter's delectable 'Gardenia' heel, with its cheeky peep-toe cutouts and playful violet hue. As the name suggests, Butter's shoes are impossibly comfortable, crafted of sumptuous Italian leather as soft as cream and enhanced by their signature cushioning. The Grand M is delighted to find them in larger sizes and she'll do 'ole Butter a good turn by letting the world know. Given the prim yet chic look conveyed by the 'Gardenia', be bold and carry Carlos Falchi's serpentine Python Gathered Clutch in bad girl black metallic. The gathered pleating on this oversize envelope clutch exaggerates the snaky scales, fanning them out in a suggestively scary spray. The marriage between these mismatching accessories represents the most prominent trends that fashion has to offer, as uptown meets downtown in a titanic pairing of style greats.

If neither Jackie O nor Jerry Hall light your fashion fire, choose entirely different themes by donning Butter's prom Queen perky 'Flamingo' sling backs with Kate Spade's bohemian south-of-the-border raffia flat tote. Butter's open-toe heels are classic pent-up, well-coiffed, fifties teenager, reveling in the pink light by the punch bowl that catches the glitter suede silver uppers. The Grand M loves a good retro revival, and the 'Flamingo' manages to capture the best parts of a motif while leaving the cheese puffs behind. Show off the depth of your fashion personality by letting the 'Oaxaca-Reyna' tote dangle lazily from your elbow, stuffed to the brim with Joan Baez lyrics written on torn scraps of paper. Kate Spade's lovely creation ensures that you will indeed be a Mexican Queen, albeit of a different kind. The simple shape and orange embroidered bird details epitomize carefree boho style, providing a perfect contrast to the priss and girlish dreams evoked by Butter's sparkle-spangle heels. Mix and match to your heart's content!

Wanted: Fabulous Flats

The Grand Mademoiselle is far from alone in her search for the perfect pair of flats. A great set of ballet flats are versatile, chic, and most importantly, easy to wear with everything from mini's to skinny jeans. Sadly, most flats are either poorly designed, uncomfortable, or quite simply ... uninspired. Lanvin's iconic creation comes as close to flat heaven as earthly possible, but carries with it a tremendous price tag and lack of options in larger sizes. What's a girl to do? Enter the 2008 private label collection from Barefoot Tess to solve the mystery of the ages by creating two flats that are not only impossibly stylish, but perfectly cut in sizes 7-15, accommodating every girl's needs. What's more, the collection was designed by uber-trendy, fashion wonder, media darling Matt Bernson, whose popular sandals are a Grand M must-have. These gorgeous goodies have Bernson's trademark whimsy and panache written all over, and the luxurious leathers translate to serious style.

The delectable 'Tess Classic Scrunch' is fairly guaranteed to become an It flat overnight, with its timeless elastic top line that ensures a snug fit, simple construction, rich leather upper, and full metallic lining. The wide variety of colors, ranging from Blueberry and Black to shiny metallics, offers a plethora of options, and the Grand M imagines herself with a different flat for each day of the week. The Rum tone is particularly gorgeous, with a depth and hue that inspires without being unwearable or difficult to match. Bernson's collaboration serves Barefoot Tess well, and the Scrunch captures the elements of comfort and chic with an effortless ease that makes this flat absolutely fabulous. The private label collection also boasts the more modest 'Tess Classic', which feigns simplicity while moonlighting as a seriously well-designed masterpiece. Its cheeky crinkle patent leather upper, gently gathered elastic heel, and perfectly shaped toe (neither too pointy, nor too round) ensure that the Classic is poised to live up to its name, securing a spot in the Flat Hall of Fame. Like the Scrunch, the Classic is available in a rainbow of lovely leathers, the candy-apple Red being the Grand M's personal favorite. With these flats, my dear Grand M's, flat heaven is indeed possible to attain, and both Bernson and Barefoot Tess can rest assured that great minds really do think alike.