Aesthetics + Economics

En Vacances

Hello and Happy New Year! I am posting to let you know that regular posting will resume shortly. After a whirlwind shopping trip in New York, I jetted off to a small town in the French Alps to ski with le boyfriend et sa famille. I have only now found wireless here. Bonne Annee!

Merry Christmas!

Photo: "The Twelve Days of Christmas," shot by Steven Meisel for the December 1998 issue of Vogue.

Haute for the Holidays: Part III

With red headbands, luminous makeup, and dresses with bows, the girls at Valentino's Spring 2007 show were styled very appropriately for the holidays.  To recreate the look, begin with a simple white dress with a bow. (Chances are you've got a variation in your closet--they were ubiquitous this fall!). Add in the gorgeous makeup and hair pictured in this post and you've got a look that's festive yet fresh.

More pictures after the jump!

Photos: Imaxtree

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Still stuck on what to get that chic friend of yours? T'inquiètes pas--I've got you covered. Clockwise from top left:  Ruzetti & Gow Salt Burgus & Pepper Cockle, $175.00 at Suede Box. Dark chocolate "south sea pearls" as seen on Style.com, $40.00 at L'Artisan du Chocolat. A massage, because you can never go wrong sending a friend for a massage. Bianca couture cocoa flavored with lemon myrtle, lavender, and white chocolate, $25.00 at Vosges. A luxury chocolate product from sustainable chocolatier Vere. A playfully posh jouet for your pup from Trixie and Peanut, such as their signature Chewy Vuiton bag ($15). A subscription to a hard-to-find, foreign fashion magazine, such as Numero or Vogue Paris. Happy shopping!

Bienvenue aux lectrices de Vogue Paris!

Aesthetics + Economics is featured on Vogue.fr in an article about Blogs de Mode and is ravie to welcome readers of one of my absolute favorite magazines, Vogue Paris. Bienvenue!

Haute for the Holidays: Part II

Black sequin dresses were a hit on the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 runways. Whether you prefer a straight patterned mini, a floaty patterned frock, or a more classic, solid sequin number, this is a look that will carry you through both the current and coming season. Pictured above from left to right: looks from Oscar de la Renta Pre-fall 2007, Calvin Klein Fall 2006, Jason Wu Spring 2007.

For additional style suggestions, photos of chic women in black sequins at events, and shopping help, continue reading.

Fashion Hacks: Holiday Edition

Style Bites shares her stylist know-how to help us get camera ready for holiday parties.

Festive style suggestions from Fashiontribes.

Harried for the holidays? Bonbons in the Bath suggests an Avon Instant Manicure.

Mattie Roberts identifies a winter moisturizer that really works.

Visit the Beauty Addict for foolproof gift ideas, and plenty of them!

The Makeup Girl asks Santa for Bond No. 9's Custom Blend Perfumista Box.

Twelve days of Christmas shopping with Second City Style.

Check out The Beauty Newsletter's podcast and learn to recreate the 3D red lip seen at Valentino this fall.

The Jewelry Weblog gives us the ins and outs of "jewelry gift etiquette."

Coquette recommends a selection of fashion books that would make great gifts.

And last but certainly not least, The Bag Snob asks us to spread some holiday cheer to a woman who really needs it. Please take a moment to visit this link; you can help save a life with a simple click.

Haute For The Holidays: Part I

Aesthetics + Economics's holiday style suggestions are based on an economics-influenced theory of style. I approach style from the perspective of a girl with two goals: optimization and differentiation. For yours truly, styling should be about (a) what pleases you, (b) what impresses or is at least appropriate to those you will be gracing with your presence, and (c) maintaining a sense of individuality as opposed to looking like a late-adopting victim/clone.

Everyone and her mother is going to show up to holiday parties this season in a gold sequin dress (striped like the French Connection Serpent dress, or cut with a bow a la Sienna Miller at the Costume Institute Gala) paired with black tights. I trust that you, dear reader, agree that this look has become trop clichéd. "Differentiate" yourself by opting for a sequin dress in a color besides gold (I suggest silver, red, or a silvery blue as seen in the Max Mara and Stella McCartney Fall 2006 collections). I love the styling in the shot above--the way the dress has been layered over dark jeans, and perfectly accessorized. Patent leather shoes make the look particularly festive.

Photo: Elle Accessories Fall 2006.

Martin Grant - Fall 2006

The Martin Grant Fall 2006 collection, consisting primarily of perfect basics, is an aestheticspluseconomist's dream. The new minimalist feel doesn't hurt either. I would totally ask Santa for one of these coats.

Photos: View the rest of the collection at Style.com.

Sticker Shock: Audrey's Givenchy

The famed Givenchy frock worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's was auctioned off for charity by Christie's this week. It sold for $807,000--more than six times the estimated sale price--to an anonymous telephone bidder. Talk about sticker shock! (Although in all fairness, the gown is iconic; it has completely different value for the buyer than a "regular" piece of couture.) Proof of Audrey's timeless style from flickr member H Golightly.