Vital, vanished

The recent seismic staff shifts at Elle magazine resulted in Joe Zee being named creative director of the magazine, replacing Gilles Bensimon. Elle definitely needed an update, and the news reminded us of Vitals, the folded magazine that Joe Zee last helmed. If you haven't checked out Vitals, try to get your hands on an issue. The magazine's design was beautifully executed; Vanity Fair's departments section was recently updated and looks similar to many of the pages in Vitals. The extinct magazine was an interesting blend of culture and fashion, and strived to be more literate than it's shopping counterpart, Lucky. Alas, publishing is a tough business.

Gwynnie in a mini

This week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list had an ecclectic mix. We loved seeing '90s standbys Kirsty Hume, Amber Valletta and Christy Turlington, and the requisite Katie Holmes selection was one of the best looks we've seen her in. She's wearing a gorgeous trench in Paris, with Suri in arms. But Gwyneth Paltrow looked awful! She's photographed in a sack of a Stella McCartney dress looking as if she did her hair in the car on the way to the event. What's going on Gwyneth? Recently she's looked more glum than glam, with her long, straight, center-parted hair and poor dress choices. Gwyenth, come back, we miss you!

These boots are made for (elephant) walking

This photo from a recent issue of Vogue has garnered a lot of negative attention. Although it's beautifully shot, there is something obscenely extravagant about the Louis Vuitton blanket on the elephant. But what's neither obscene nor extravagant are the boots Keira Knightley is wearing. They're perfect with her outfit, and work with dresses, skirts and jeans. Frye makes the best boots, and their low harness styles are only $188 at www.fryeboots.com.

Pump up the volume

CNN did a segment a couple of weeks ago where they interviewed postal carriers about the weighty issue of the day: the size of the September issue of Vogue. While carting the issue from room to room in my house as I read it, I wondered what the equivalent weight would be. A pineapple? Three apples? A gallon of soda? The answer: A brick. An informal test in my garage revealed the two to weigh the same. Volume is indeed still in.

The life of Lindsay

REBEL, REBEL: Lindsay Lohan seems troubled in the same way that Britney Spears is, you almost don't want to say anything bad about them because you feel so bad for them. When it comes to wardrobes though, Spears isn't in anywhere near the same league as Lohan, who wears the trends well, and always mixes it up. We like Lohan best when she looks the age she really is, and when her hair is either her natural red or the dark brunette she tried last year. The look at right is our favorite, she's wearing a floaty little frock perfect for her age, has returned to her roots with red hair and is wearing the best accessory of all, a smile.

Michelle, la belle

Sometimes it's nice to keep things simple, as evidence by Michelle Phillips, the beauty from The Mamas and The Papas. Phillips kept her hair and makeup almost as simple as it could be. She had straight hair, worn with its natural wave, parted down the middle. Her makeup was also clean and natural, she wore black eyeliner but kept the rest minimal. So once in awhile it's OK to forego the lipstick, eyeshadow and highligher. And it'll cut your cosmetics costs.

Neither leather nor lace

FASHION FLASHBACK: This page ran in The Examiner on Aug. 18, 2005. It was at the height of boho style, when photos of Sienna Miller walking around London with Jude Law and wearing thrift store cowboy boots were ubiquitous. Some of this summer's fashions still channeled Stevie Nicks, think long floaty patterned dresses. But most of today's styles are more geometric than gypsy.

Mod love

SIXTIES STYLE: A modern riff on mod is in vogue. Think minidresses, headbands and cropped jackets. You can also bring a bit of the era into your clothes through color. Pick a mostly monochromatic pallete or white, black and/or gray and punch it up with pops of bright color. If you're going with a minidress, stick with platforms, which are still in style, or tights and boots. Need a little visual inspiration? Try old photos of Twiggy, or if that's reaching back a bit too far, Austin Powers.

Knit happens

While structured ladylike looks will be in this fall, the trend of loose layering so popular last year is still lingering. Cozy knits and comfy sweaters are already appearing on racks in stores everywhere, including that '80s throwback, the sweater dress. To look modern, choose a style fitted enough to show your figure, and pair it with stacked heels or boots when the weather turns colder. Patterned tights work well with solid knits, especially gray, the most popular color for fall, and don't be afraid to work a belt into the look to define the waist. Pull your hair into a simple ponytail and keep your accessories to a minimum to complete the look.

Top twin

LOOSE AND LOVELY: With the release of their upscale fashion line, The Row, the Olsen twins have made it official: they're style stars in their own right. The pair were part of the bohemian layered trend that overtook stores a few years ago with their signature long skirts, roomy shirts and sunglasses. But Ashley has always been the more polished of the two, preferring a more streamlined silhouette. To get the look pair casual Ts with more formal skirts, be generous with your accessories, go for an unexpected shoe and choose a coat that will be as stylish as what its covering.

Summer blues

WARMING UP: This page ran in The Examiner on Aug. 4, 2006. It is almost impossible to feel pretty and put-together while sweating through the humidity of late summer. What to do? Wear natural fabrics that breathe, put your hair up, keep your clothes loose and envision yourself in front of a fan, drinking a mint julep and channeling your inner Ashley Judd on a warm August day.

Summer swing

It was all about dresses this week when it came to Vogue's 10 best dressed list. From Mischa Barton's short and swingy minidress to Cristina Cuomo and Karolina Kurkova's long and feminine frocks, the look was simply pretty. Before the weather turns cold, invest in one last summer look like this Tracy Reese printed halter dress, $215 at www.nordstrom.com.

Giddy-up

Heidi Klum is the new face of Jordache, and is appearing in their new ad campaign, as shot by director Brett Ratner in the penthouse of the Chateau Marmont. It's a match made in denim heaven, pairing the once sexy jean label with the always sexy Victoria's Secret angel and "Project Runway" host. But the real question is, does the fashion fit the hype? Klum is a perfect fit for the ads, but are the jeans a perfect fit for shoppers?

Step to it

TWO-STEP STYLE: Ballet-inspired clothing takes the stage with figure-flattering pieces that follow the body's natural curves. Think wrap sweaters, wide-neck tops and leggings, tights and headbands. Even if you can't be a ballerina, you can look the part with a few fast finds.

Fit to be wide

DENIM DOS: On this week's Vogue's 10 best dressed list, two of the top 10 looks features wide-leg jeans. Both Katie Holmes and Lauren duPont sported the style, in equally semi-successful ways. Holmes' jeans were a little loose for our liking, and, alternately, duPont's shirt was too roomy. But, overall, wide-leg jeans create a very flattering silhouette, one that women of all shapes and sizes can pull off. Think fitted shirts and platforms, and you'll be channeling Lauren Hutton in the '70s in no time.

Swedes do it better

SWEDISH FISHING: Except when it comes to food. What is it about Sweden that makes its residents so stylish? Marimekko is best known for its bright and bold patterns when it comes to textiles, but they also make clothes and accessories well worth a look. Check out their site to find out if there's a Marimekko store near you. If not, don't despair. There are many other retailers that carry their wonderful wares, including the ubiquitous Anthropologie.

The sleuth of style

ON THE CASE: This page appeared in The Examiner on Oct. 24, 2006. The new trend for this fall seems to be Charles Dickens' inspired fashion: Think overalls, caps and lace-up boots. Sienna Miller even listed Dickens as an influence for her new line Twenty8Twelve. No hard times for this fall fashion.

Gwyneth gets the gold

PRAISING PALTROW: Gwyneth Paltrow appears on the new W magazine bronzed and boldly declaring her desire to get back into making Hollywood hits. Paltrow has always made good movies and given good style, similar to our Aussie favorite Cate Blanchett. Our favorite flicks to check out with Paltrow? Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle This small flick from the mid-'90s is a peek into the life of Dorothy Parker, and has an incredible 1920s look and feel. Sliding Doors This is the film for which Paltrow cut her hair, leaving her and then-fiance Brad Pitt looking eerily similar. Shakespeare in Love It's every bit as good as the hype, and Paltrow has never been more radiant, or likable. The Talented Mr. Ripley Paltrow was channeling Grace Kelly in her role as the tragic Marge in this Anthony Minghella thriller. Shot in Italy, the scenery is as engrossing as the plot, and, um, Jude Law.

More than teen TV

CALLING CATALANO: The best show to only last one season on TV? "My So-Called Life," followed closely by "Freaks and Geeks." Jordan Catalano was gorgeous, sullen, brooding and clearly trouble, which made him the most irresistible character ever to appear on TV. And Claire Danes' Angela Chase was as complicated and misguided as a real teenage girl. And her clothes were perfectly accurate for that mid-90s period, Danes wore thermals, flannel shirts and Converse. Also very cool, Juliana Hatfield makes an appearance as an angel in a later episode.

If the shoe fits

It's only fitting that the same year "Spider-Man 3" is released, Mary Janes should come around in style again. This pair, from Steve Madden, is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland and is a good match with the babydoll dresses that are popular this season. $129.95 from Steve Madden.

The origins of Lookgirl

This page ran in The Examiner on Jan. 1, 2007. More than halfway through the year, The Shins, platform shoes and Jessica Biel have all lived up to their expectations. But, alas, what was I thinking? "Project Runway" and James Bond could never be out.

Truly Julie

Julie Christie has dazzled on the silver screen for more than four decades, and she's as stunning today in her 60s as she was in the 1960s. In her most recent film, "Away From Her," she stars as a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease. She's been a fashion icon as well as an example of Hollywood glamour, her relationship with Warren Beatty was comparable to today's Brangelina in terms of a blinding marriage of style and substance. Check out these essential flicks starring the British beauty: Darling In this 1965 film, Christie plays an ingenue who'll do anything to make it big. Don't Look Now Christie and Donald Sutherland are a couple in mourning who've lost their daughter in this 1973 thriller. They take a memorable trip to Venice in search of redemption. Shampoo In 1975 Christie and Beatty were at the height of their celebrity. Her blonde bob and black glitter gown in the party scene are pure '70s style. Heaven Can Wait Christie and Beatty team up again in 1978 to make this incredibly charming comedy. Movie magic.

Happiness is a warm Gunn

The way to a woman's heart? Chocolate, cats and cash always work, but so does the mention of Tim Gunn, Bravo's breakout star and "Project Runway" mentor. The "make it work" fashion maven will star in a new show on Bravo this fall, with the debut episode now set to premiere on Sept. 6. Carry on!

Reese's posh pieces

Reese Witherspoon has garnered much praise for her sleek new look. Since the dissolution of her marriage to Ryan Phillippe she has lost weight, gotten a new haircut complete with bangs and precision use of a straightener, and is in the midst of a fashion pas de deux with Nina Ricci, as seen here, in Vogue's 10 best dressed list for the week. But we kind of miss the old Reese, who wasn't razor thin, had looser hair and wasn't locked in with a single designer. She looks modern yes, which goes with her new modern life as a single mother, but why does losing weight have to be the way a woman shows that she's over a man and feeling empowered?

Sense and stylability

Jane Austen and her witty, sensible heroines are back in style, a trend most recently marked by the release of "Becoming Jane," a fictionalized retelling of Jane Austen's young life starring Anne Hathaway. Despite the two centuries since her writing, the characters remain as modern and relevant today as they must have been back then. The most memorable versions of Austen's novels are the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice" starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, the most recent version starring Keira Knightley, "Emma" with Gwyneth Paltrow and "Sense and Sensibility" with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Our favorite though? "Mansfield Park" with Frances O'Connor and Alessandro Nivola. To get the look of a Jane Austen heroine without looking like you're dressing up for Halloween, try a dress or shirt with an empire waist and pink blush to achieve a rosy glow similar to the one brought on from the first rush of love. And, of course, don't forget to keep your sense of humor at life's many twists and turns.

Bonfire of the vanities

The results are in, and "Vanity Fair" has released its 68th Annual International Best-Dressed List, in its September issue. Very few surprises made the list, mainstays like Charlotte Gainsbourg, George Clooney and Sofia Coppola all made the cut, but some pleasant surprises were Lenny Kravitz and Fran Lebowitz. But one point of contention: Posh Spice made the list as one-half of one of the best-dressed couples. She has been sculpted, sucked and sprayed to within an inch of her life. That is not style, that is science fiction.

Cruise control

Once upon a time there was a promising young actress who starred on a popular TV show and dated a popular, wholesome young actor, but who also had a budding career as a star of indie hits. Then she fell in love with the biggest movie star in the world, studied scientology, became a mother and a wife, became BFF with the current Scary Spice, formerly known as Posh, and lost her career, reputation and, finally, even her lustrous locks. The end. Since our once-budding starlet, Katie Holmes, made Vogue's 10 best dressed list this week with her new beau, we thought we'd take a moment to reflect on the days of yore, when the most mystifying thing about Holmes was why it took her so long to choose Pacey.

Creative chic

Sienna Miller's style is so ecclectic her look can easily be achieved with a little creative shopping. She favors some of the trends of the moment, flats, skinny jeans, vests and triangle tops, but puts her own spin on the styles by adding a casual and individual touch. Whether it's braided hair, ripped hems or a messy bun, she never looks contrived, only consistently cool.