Kate Schelter in the Coco Weekender, Harbour Island. House of Lavande necklace. Photo Kate Schelter.

My friend and Gypset Style author Julia Chaplin, recently launched a Gypset dress and pareo line with the tagline Here and There. I was very lucky to be able to test drive the brightly colored tunics during my recent jaunt to Harbour Island, where I personally imported an order to India Hicks’s breezy boutique The Sugar Mill where they are sold. I had fun meeting India and her partner Linda and wearing the tunics all over the island. Here are a few snapshots as well as some insider tidbits from Julia herself.

Kate Schelter in the Sant Joan on Harbour Island. Photo Kate Schelter

Kate Schelter: What’s you favorite Gypset location?

Julia Chaplin: Lamu, Kenya

KS: What’s the farthest you’ve ever traveled from home in pursuit of adventure?

JC: I went to Trancoso, Brazil from Mexico via Uruguay so it really took forever. I was in Jose Ignacio, went to a late dinner then a party, drove 2 hours to my 6am flight in Montevideo, flew to some city in Brazil, missed my connection, slept in a luggage storage area for 8 hours, flew to Salvador, took a ferry and than a taxi down a bumpy dirt road and finally arrived in Trancoso.

KS: Where did you get the inspiration for the Gypset clothing line?

JC: So I could have something groovy to wear when I arrived in a Gypset enclave. Cool but not dripping with logos.

KS: Where are the fabrics from? Where is the line made?

JC: The fabrics are from both the east and west coasts of Africa. Some I smuggled back in my suitcase. I had the line sewn up here in NYC’s garment district.

KS: How often will you put out a new line?

JC: I’ll do stuff as often as I’m inspired. I like the idea of being a bit outside the fashion industry in that sense. It’s more Gypset to operate on your own schedule.

KS: Gypset is a great term. What’s the best Gypset slang you know?

JC: A Gypster [rhymes with Hipster] is the younger Gypsetter who maybe lives in Bushwick and has an 80′s caftan.

KS: Can you name three pieces from your collection and where your girl is wearing them in your mind?

JC: Sant Joan – Jade Jagger in Sant Joan Ibiza.

Coco Weekender – Karen Elson in Montauk

Poppy Weekender – Honor Fraser at Art Basel

Available at www.gypset.com

Coco Weekender watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Harbour Island watercolor by Kate Schelter.

Tom Ford True Coral lipstick watercolor by Kate Schelter. The perfect Gypset color.

Originally published on The Huffington Post on June 7, 2010.

Watch me tour the city’s premier vintage archives: the hush-hush resources for celebrity stylists, fashion insiders and top designers, and the most eccentric, amusing dress-up chests imaginable. I also share some vintage shopping tips.

Originally published on The Huffington Post on 26 May 2010.

With Memorial Day weekend coming up, here are some summer style jump-starters for the men out there. After my 10 Summer Style Spiff Ups for Women, the response was loud and clear: make one for us men too! With the help of my bespoke-obsessed boyfriend, here are 10 classics – that easily go from town to country, or the beach – for the dapper gent and the sporty jock. I know they have a penchant for the preppy but many have updated, modern twists and what can I say… classic is classic: it works!

1. Lock & Co Straw Hat. Available at Lock & Co

Lock's website declares that the origins of today’s boater hats are the sailor’s hat issued to midshipmen in the Royal Navy near the end of the nineteenth century to provide protection from tropical sun. These hats were then adopted by children in Victorian England and became part of their uniforms wearing their school or house colors as bands. And did you know that Panama hats are made exclusively in Ecuador and are hand-woven from the Tequilla Palm? The origin of the black band on the hat dates back to 1901 when Queen Victoria died.

2. Wilson Six.One Tour BLX. Available at Wilson

As in: 6 - 1, game over! Ace ‘em just like R Fed with this classic Wilson frame with all the modern updates for immaculate accuracy, power and precision. Giant Roger Federer signed tennis ball not included. Photo Getty.

3. Brooks Brothers Social Primer Bow Tie. Available at Brooks Brothers

This bow tie is yet another innovative - and playful - take on a classic designed in collaboration with K. Cooper Ray and just in time for the Summer bow tie season. Using Brooks’ authentic fabrics, the collection features reversible styles that create not one, but many ways to wear the bow tie.

4. Sperry Top Siders. Available at Sperry

Sperry is celebrating 75 years of the ultimate low-fi lace-up for kicking around town or healing out during the regatta.

5. Flower in Lapel with Linen Pocket Square

Details, Details! So dapper and dignified is a summer blossom peeking out from a man's lapel that it sets the lady's heart a flutter. Add to that a crisp, colorful linen pocket square and all eyes will be on you! Bespoke suits (and many off the rack) are made with a small cut-out in the lapel with fasteners on the reverse side to keep the flower stem in place. Pocket square from Bergdorf Goodman. Photo Kate Schelter.

6. Laird Hamilton Stand Up Paddleboard. Available at REI, Surf Tech and Laird Hamilton

The new craze in surfing are these stand up paddleboards (and paddle) which are great for cruising lakes, rivers, creeks, or wave riding. Walk on water!

7. Murray’s Toggery Nantucket Reds. Available at Murray’s Toggery

The. Most. Classic. New England. Pant... Period! Now available in shorts too.

8. Argentinian Belts. Available at Arandu

Made popular by dark and handsome Argentinian polo players, and now in demand for the fly fishing set, these hand-woven leather belts are easy going with a nice pop of color. Thread them through your jeans, khakis and Nantucket Reds and you're golden.

9. Swatch Color Code Watches. Available at Swatch

Accessorize your rope bracelet with these monochromatic timepieces – sporty for summer. They come in matte and shiny in every color of the rainbow.

10. Smathers & Branson Flask. Available at Smathers & Branson

For those long breezy sails or late afternoon tee times.

Originaly published on TheHuffingtonPost.com on 17 May 2010.

Whether you’re a city slicker or beach bound — these styles are equally useful for both — here are 10 easy pieces to stay chic in the heat and jump start your summer.

1) Lanvin Silk and Straw Hat. Available at LouisaviaRoma.com

The technology of this hat falls somewhere between a child’s craft project and effortless style. Silk ribbons are shredded and knotted to look like a flower. This would also make a great DIY project with an old panama hat and some satin ribbon as it has a hand-made quality (which is exactly what’s so appealing about it.)

2) St James for Calypso Stripy Shirt. Available at Calypso-cell.com

They took the traditional St James striped blue tee, and gave it a vintage wash for a new take on an old weathered favorite. This is the ultimate Francophile Picasso beachy look that equals instant style when worn over a bathing suit on the beach, or with shorts or white jeans.

3) Chanel Mini Classic Pocketbook. Available at Chanel

Enter "The Tiny Pocket Book"! Lighten your It Bag load for summer, and pair it down. This bag is more like jewelry than a heavy handbag.

4) Christian Louboutin Animal Print Sandal. Available at Net-a-Porter.com

One part pony hair leopard print, one part Grecian goddess, these flats are a step in the right direction from the all-popular gladiator style. The ankle architecture looks great with long, flowy, toe-dusting dresses or short mini skirts. Try them with shredded jean shorts and a t-shirt.

5) Farmer’s Market Carry-Alls: The French Tote and European Wicker Cart and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. French tote available here and Wicker Cart available here.

Farms are bursting with their most colorful, tasty veggies and fruit of the year. Stock up and buy fresh, buy local. Farmers markets aren’t all hippies (who play pan flutes) and vegans. They are the new see-and-be-scene in your local piazza filled with savvy foodies like your stylish self so make sure you know your chard from your chervil and look chic! Read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

6) Alexander Wang Leather Corset Shorts with Front Tie. Available at Shopbop.com

You won’t look like Zena Princess Warrior or a female version of Mad Max in these, I promise. Pair with a ratty white t-shirt or a light blue oxford with rolled-up sleeves and, Voila! you’re “country” with an edge. A fashion forward edge. Also goes great with the striped shirts above and your favorite black sandals.

7) Vince Draped Suede Jacket. Available at Neiman Marcus

Now this may be called a leather jacket but it actually feels more like paper, stretchy paper because it’s so light. But paper is also the wrong word because it’s soft like butter. Whatever you want to call it, this is perfect worn as a cardigan or a jacket over jeans or a pretty floral mini dress. Treat it more like a jean jacket and you’re good.

Paul + Joe Sister Leopard Ikat Bikini. Available at Mywardrobe.com

With bikinis, I’m assuming if you wear one then you feel good in one. Bikini Styling Tip: less is more, that is, the less fabric the better. A suit should be snug on you (but not tooooooo snug); if it’s baggy it only gets worse with water! Bikini tops also double as colorful bras with summer sundresses.

9) Vince Denim shirt. Available at Net-a-Porter

Actually this pairs well with your leather shorts and is also a great beach cover up. My boyfriend likes to take his chambray shirt to the beach so he can dunk it in the salt water and air-dry. It creates a nice fade with a dry crinkle.

10) The Princess Sovereign Bike and Berkley Helmet. Available at Adeline Adeline

Slow Transportation is like the Slow Food movement: returning to the joys of simple everyday pleasures in a healthy, fulfilling way. Talk about smelling the roses, this quintessential English town and country bicycle is still handmade in their Stratford-upon-Avon factory. Throw some blossoming pink peonies in the front basket, ring-ring your bike bell and pedal through the streets in a “time stops” romantic elegance. We just hope The Sartorialist spots and shoots you!

Palacio Duhao, Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, An historic French style mansion restored to perfection with modern touches. Breakfast on the patio, Malbec at midnight. Good night, sleep tight while spoiling yourself here. Get a room in the modern tower (6th floor) that faces the historic palace.
Avenida Alvear 1661
Tel: +54 11 5171 1234

My favorite hotel in the world!

Confiteria Ideal, Tango the night away with the authentic Argentineans in this Belle Epoch dance hall. A perfect, crumbling-grandeur romantic fairytale.
Tel 52650 8069 or 4328 7750

Cafe Tortoni, Since 1858, it’s the most FAMOUS cafe in South America to drink coffee and watch tango.
Ave de Mayo 825
Tel 54-11- 43424328

Milion, Dine alfresco or indoors–or pop in for a drink–in this impeccably renovated French-style mansion, with several floors, moody lighting, vines and greenery spilling from the sides, with a grand marble staircase and rambling table seating that’s charming, warm and elegant in the most understated way.
Parana 1048
Tel 4815-9925

Bar Ueriate, Modern, fresh cuisine. Sit in the back garden.
1572 Uriarte
Tel 54 11 4834 6004

Belushi-Martini Bar
Honduras 5333
1444 Palermo
Tel (5411) 4831 8665

La Martina, Men’s + women’s patchy, pique, polo-gear.
Costa Rica Street

Castillo, Men’s quirky, preppy, stylish duds… very cool.
Gurrachaga 1683
Tel (54 11) 4833 9191

Comme il Faut, Tango Shoes in every color and style!
Arenales 1239 Puerta 3 Dpto. M (1061)
Tel 4815 5690

Santos Bazar, Elegant silver and horn home goods, champagne buckets, salad tongs, trays.
Thames 1759
Tel (54 11)  4833 3770

Gil Antiguedaded, My favorite antique and vintage clothing in Sunday’s San Telmo market.
Humberto 1
Tel 4361 5019

San Telmo Market, Top antique stores and outdoor market on Sundays since 1897.
961 Defensa or Bolívar 998

Arandu, Argentinean handcrafts and leather saddles, polo boots, belts and all things stylish and equestrian.
Ayacucho 1924
Tel 54-11-4800-1575

Fortin, Traditional style boots, shoes, handcrafted leather, custom orders.
Santa Fe 1245
Tel (54 11) 4812 2731

Polo Lessons with Edgar Pelado. Edgar is a polo master and former international champion. His estancia, an hour south of BA, raises the most sought-after polo ponies in Argentina. His incredibly laid back nature, and his true dedication to the sport (and not just the pretense and pomp of polo) make him an incredibly agile, patient and acutely skilled teacher. Novices and experts alike would enjoy a sunny day on his farm and fields. Email Edgar or his son, Santiago, and tell them I sent you. peladortelli@hotmail.com

You'll be cantering and knocking the white ball around in no time.

Afterward, enjoy some Quilmes (Argentinean beer), cheese, and charcuterie.

This was first published on The Huffington Post on 5 December 2008.

This was first published on The Huffington Post 1 December 2008.

This was first published by Lesley M. M. Blume for The Huffington Post 21 August 2008

At last: fall is arriving. In fashion terms, autumn means tall, gorgeous boots; it means delicious layers of cashmere. Ta ta, ugly gladiator sandals; hello, luscious leopard-print swing coats.

What it also means: those mega-issues of Vogue, Bazaar, and W have been weighing down newsstands and crippling postal-workers across the country.

I don’t know about you, but those phonebook-sized magazines scare the hell out of me. I’m too exhausted from negotiating the first 800 pages of ads to drag myself through the editorials.

So to learn more about what the fashion world has dished up for us this fall, I took the easy way out and called up stylist, trend expert, and Huffington Post contributor Kate Schelter (www.kateschelter.com). Here is her shortlist of five major trends that designers and retailers are peddling this season:
1. The tuxedo shall reign supreme.
An appropriate homage to the recently-departed design master Yves Saint Laurent, who introduced Le Smoking to watershed-moment acclaim in the 1960s. This autumn, practically every designer under the sun — from Zac Posen to Calvin Klein – has reinterpreted that Victor-Victoria sensuality.

above: Erin Fetherston, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

above: Zac Posen tuxedo dress, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

On that note, Schelter reads me a delicious Catherine Deneuve quote about the masculine-feminine tension in YSL’s designs:

“Saint Laurent designs for women with a double life. His clothes for daywear help women to enter a world of strangers … thanks to their somehow masculine quality they give her a certain power, arm her for encounters which may lead to disputes. However, for the evening, when she may chose her company, he makes her seductive.”

above: Yves Saint Laurent’s original 1966 Le Smoking tuxedo suit

With that in mind, go forth and smolder.
2. Beyond Le Smoking, there will be a major glut of menswear-reinterpreted-as-womenswear.

Suits, suits, everywhere – but nary a padded shoulder.

“This is a very empowering look, but it’s less of a Working Girl moment,” says Schelter. “It’s sexier.”

above: Band of Outsiders, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

Look for suits made from materials like silk, as opposed to chunky, tweedier threads:

above: Chris Benz, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

Also, those roomy, slouchy ‘boyfriend blazers’ with rolled up sleeves “were everywhere” — from Balmain to Rag&Bone – worn over threadbare t-shirts:

above: Alexander Wang ‘boyfriend blazer, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

Omnipresent as well: mens’ shirts reinterpreted as dresses, seen here in wunderkind Alexander Wang’s fall ready-to-wear collection:

above: Alexander Wang shirtdress, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com
3. High-octane color.

“Color blocking was really important for this season,” says Schelter. Many collections featured “big colors like mango orange, saffron yellows, pinks … it’s like getting lost in a Ciao Bella ice cream store,” she adds.

above: Chris Benz, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

above: Marni, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

On a less encouraging front: neon colors are back too. Marc Jacobs’s neon bags (with names like “acid yellow”) are still in vogue; fingertips will be going day-glo.

At least it will be harder to get run over by a car at night.
4. Simply irresistible: The Robert Palmer look has been resurrected.

Says Schelter: “We’re seeing the return of the supertight little black dress, referencing Alaia, exentuating the female form.”

above: Herve Leger, fall ’08 ready-to-wear, photo from style.com

Actress Rachel Bilson gave a preview of this look at a recent New York City party:

above: photo from Patrick McMullan

I wanted to die as we looked through runway images of the elastic-y, fat-thigh-showcasing new fare, but Schelter was reassuring: “Don’t worry; there are different degrees of covering up this season.”

Thank God for le smoking.
5. Costume jewelry is de riguer.

Now, this is a very happy, humane trend indeed – flea market chic will be hitting the big time at last. Expect to see big, wonderful, shining brooches and necklaces and bracelets everywhere.

Lulu Frost necklace

“Costume jewelry is the new statement piece, whereas it used to be the ‘It’ bag or shoes,” says Schelter. “But don’t wear it prim and prissy; layer it on.”

Yes, ma’am!

Kate Schelter, photo by Patrick McMullan