A Love For Lace

I'd like to tip my bangs to any designer who featured lace in their spring 2013 runway collections. Lace isn't just for wedding dresses - speaking of which, my wedding dress had a beautiful lace train. It's one of my favorite fabrics as it's ultra feminine - so I'm totally down with seeing more British lace in spring fashion this year.

And while my striped top meets the requirements of any run-of-the-mill striped blouse, I think it's Peter Pan lace collar takes whatever pants or bottoms I pair it with and makes the outfit more delicate.

But I have to admit, while this look is very House Of Jeffers (it meets the requirements of a striped anything a la my Kate Spade New York handbag and New Look blouse purchased during a trip to England, has a shot of BAM via the red pants and a new pair of Madewell Andie sandals for good measure), it sorta reminds me of something I French mime would wear.

Only my bangs are doing the silent talking.

Outfit Details:

Striped Peter Pan Collar Top - New Look / Red Denim Jeans - Forever 21 / The Andie Sandal - Madewell / Kaleigh Vanston Striped Handbag - Kate Spade New York / Silver Pyramid Stud Bracelet - Forever 21 (similar style here) / Wendy Brandes Exclamation Point Ring

The Dutchess & The Duke

What Jen's Wearing:

Peter Pan Lace Top - Charlotte Russe

Pink Jeans - Forever 21

Cut-Out Peep Toe Pumps - Nine West

Black Leather Satchel - Zara (similar style here)

Faceted Triangle Bracelet - Forever 21 (buy it here)

Rhinestone Cord Bracelet - Charming Charlie

Pink Rhinestone Lanyard Bracelet - Henri Bendel

I'm convinced the British influence American fashion and retail more than anyone... Or at least me.

I'm not the first to make this observation, but I will say that I feel like it takes the U.S. months for us to catch up to trends that already happened in the UK.... like, two years ago.

Plus, being married to a Brit has it's advantages. During my last trip to England in 2010, I came across many shirts flirting with adorable Peter Pan collars. To me, Peter Pan collars wreak of baby doll cuteness. They're the ultimate in gawking at your age with something that is fashionably adorable, no matter how young or old you are. 

And you can thank Alexa Chung for inspiring this outfit. You should be jealous of Alexa Chung, actually. She can do no wrong... Google homegirl up. Peter Pan and her need to go into business together.

I swear England is so ahead of the fashion game... The rest of us, or those in New Jersey searching for fashion glimmers among a plethoras of malls, have to admire from afar, and dream of the day they get to visit Miss Selfridge, Oasis and River Island, again.