Sarah Jessica Parker May Have an Awesome Shoe Line, But Her Promo Style Is Awful

Fashion it-girls are a dime a dozen in today’s fame- and style-obsessed world, but at the end of the day, it’s the lasting style icons who are the only ones who truly matter. We’re talking ladies like Kate Moss, Anna Wintour, even Michelle Obama — ladies who can practically do no wrong, no matter what gorgeous, fashion-forward, and sometimes-risky outfits they sport. And up until recently, we thought the ever-stylish Sarah Jessica Parker fit that bill pretty well — until she started showing up at appearance after appearance wearing ensembles that even Carrie Bradshaw might look at with confusion, that is.

We were beyond thrilled when, months ago, we heard that Parker was launching her own footwear line, and were even more excited as images of the polished, cutesy, and slightly quirky designs started to trickle in. Now that the line — sold exclusively at Nordstrom — has actually launched, however, we’re feeling pretty let down. And not over the shoes, but over the outfits SJP has been wearing to promote them.

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First came the highly questionable denim overall capris that she donned on Ellen DeGeneres’ daytime talk show while talking up her SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker shoe line, which she completed with an off-the-shoulder white blouse and an admittedly adorable pair of teal suede pumps. Sure, that wouldn’t be our choice of outfit while promoting our new shoe brand on national television, but it is probably an outfit that Carrie Bradshaw would both approve of and wear herself.

The real problem arose when SJP ditched her glamorous gowns, tasteful frocks, and sleek skirts in favor of tween-tastic dress-and-T-shirt ensembles. First, she showed up to a pop-up shop event in New York City sporting a white lace crop top over a plain, long-sleeved black dress and tights, then she headed to a Nordstrom-hosted event in Los Angeles wearing a white lace dress over a black long-sleeved shirt, black tights, and the same teal pumps she wore on Ellen. The most recent disaster happened when she donned a red, lace tank dress over a puffy white button-down, sheer navy tights that stopped at the ankle, and a pair of black T-strap heels to a launch event in Florida.

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The dress-over-shirt ensemble isn’t a bad one in and of itself, as we’ve seen stars like Alexa Chung pull this look off perfectly again and again, and it can be a chic way to warm up a summer dress for cool, winter weather. But there’s simply no excuse for a woman of Parker’s sartorial caliber to don a look so uninspiring not just once, but three times over the last few weeks.

And it’s not even that these outfits are so wacky that they borderline on good (or at least intriguing), because we could understand that coming from SJP. (After all, this is a woman who’s worn a leather jacket over a ball gown and the world’s most insane headpiece to the Met Gala). Rather, it’s that they’re so un-noteworthy, average, and just plain boring that we can’t believe one of today’s living fashion legends would dare to step out in them.

Not that it’s our job to put the Carrie Bradshaw in her sartorial place, but we do have a few sage pieces of advice that Parker may want to consider next time she throws on a lace dress over a T-shirt and tights.

First, try a little statement jewelry. That white lace dress would have had at least a little visual intrigue had she traded out her tiny pendant necklace for a major bauble à la the one she wore to last year’s AOL Digital Content NewFront event.

Second, if you’re going to tuck a button-down shirt under a loose-fitting lace dress, be sure to choose a slim-fit blouse to avoid drowning in a ton of unnecessary fabric. And finally, when all else fails and you really can’t think of anything more exciting to wear, it never hurts to throw on a bright, bold red lip.

Listen, we love Parker more than your average girl, so that probably explains why her promo style is upsetting us so much. But is it too demanding to ask for one of our favorite style icons to put in at least a little effort on her latest fashion adventure? We think not.

Kendall Jenner, Off Duty: Style and Beauty Lessons to Learn From the New "It" Girl

It’s difficult to separate Kendall Jenner from the Kardashian empire, but the 18-year-old seems to be doing everything she possibly can to do so. Jenner stunned the fashion world when she walked the runway at Marc Jacobs’ Fall/Winter show in New York last month, and while rumors swirled whether it was a one time thing, Jenner has proven she’s here to stay.

Since then, Jenner sat in the front row next to Anna Wintour at the Topshop Unique show in London and has walked for Givenchy and Chanel this Paris Fashion Week. Being part of a famous family surely helped her become recognized, but her poise and professionalism (and that supermodel bod of hers) have definitely earned Jenner a ton of respect as a high-fashion model. I doubt that Karl Lagerfeld gives two shits about what family she belongs to, so if she gets the Kaiser’s seal of approval, I think we can all expect to see more of Kendall Jenner the model in our future.

She may be getting all of the attention being on the runway, but Jenner’s off duty style is pretty enviable, too. Because she may be fashion’s next “It” girl, here are a few lessons you can learn from the model herself.

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NOURISHING YOUR BODY IS KEY TO OUTER BEAUTY

Taking care of your body and mind is just as beneficial as any skin cream or beauty product can be.

BAND TEES ARE STILL IN

Sure, snack-inspired shirts and parody tees still reign supreme, but your favorite tattered band tee, like Jenner’s Lynyrd Skynyrd top, will never go out of style. Don’t be afraid to represent.

LAYERING CAN LOOK SEXY

Yes, it’s still cold outside and while you’re itching to show some skin in your cute spring dresses, it’s totally possible to look and feel sexy all bundled up.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO KEEP THINGS CASUAL

Unlike her older Kardashian sisters, Jenner likes to keep things casual when she’s off duty, sporting her favorite comfortable sneakers and a backpack, albeit super-chic, to throw everything in.

WHEN IN DOUBT, WEAR RED

Even when you’re having an off day or aren’t feeling particularly pretty, there’s nothing a swipe of red lipstick can’t fix.

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2013 British Fashion Awards Winners Include Harry Styles, Christopher Kane, Burberry, and Edie Campbell

Put down that coffee. Stop the world from turning. Last night, as the most fashionable Brits in the world gathered at the British Fashion Awards to celebrate their own Brit-ness and fabulosity, the event took a turn that no one except rabid teenage girls could have anticipated: Harry Styles of One Direction won the British Style Award, which is determined entirely by public vote.

Is this real life? Sure, Styles is a cutie, if you’re into the whole deep v-neck on a 19-year-old look, but he was competing against Kate Moss. Kate “I single-handedly popularized heroin chic and the Vivienne Westwood pirate boot” Moss. Kate ”I’m on the cover of Playboy at nearly 40” Moss.

Other nominees that are probably sobbing into their champagne right now: Kate Middleton, poster girl for subdued millionaire chic; Florence Welch, who is hopefully writing a song about it; Anna Wintour, dictatoress of all things high-end fashion. Helena Bonham Carter is all “frizzy hair, don’t care!” As for the rest of the male nominees, they’re hot, but they basically just wear well-fitted suits. They have no reason to be bitter.

Yeah, yeah, Harry’s last name is Styles, so he’s clearly the Second Coming of Chung, but the dude’s kind of a one-trick pony: Tight jeans, blazer, curly hair, screaming groupies attached to every limb. Style means innovation, experimentation, not finding-a-look-that-makes-girls-swoon-and-sticking-to-it, right?

Maybe we’re just being bitter and old. What’s so special about Cara Delevingne and Carey Mulligan anyway? Styles does androgynous cuts and statement eyebrows just as well. After all, he does look pretty slick arriving at the British Fashion Awards:

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And he’s definitely adorable in a collar:

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But ew, here’s the unwashed Burberry shirt that sold for nearly 5K:

The clear takeaway here is that in the case of the British Fashion Awards, “voting public” clearly means “every teenage girl in the entire world.” Case closed.

Other notable winners: Christopher Kane snagged Womanswear Designer of the Year, Miuccia Prada won International Designer of the Year, Burberry got Burberry Designer Brand of the Year and the Menswear Designer of the Year, Edie Campbell was Model of the Year, and Nicholas Kirkwood was named Accessory Designer of the Year for the third time.

Thankfully, to keep the informed public from mutinying, Kate Moss was honored with a Special Recognition Award that paid homage to her 25-year career in fashion and her incredible and unfading style influence. I still think she should have won every award. Yes, even the imaginary ones, like the More Fashionable Than One Direction Award and the Doesn’t Need to Sell Unwashed Burberry Apparel Award. Next time, Kate. Next time.

How to Take on the Elements in Style

EVEN ON THE MOST BITTER and blizzard-iest of winter days, Waqaas Fahmawi, a 36-year-old financial lawyer, would never deign to travel to his Stamford, Conn. office in a parka or puffer jacket. "I'm pretty conservative sartorially," said Mr. Fahmawi, who instead wears a single-breasted, notch-collar Aquascutum overcoat, hand-tailored in heavy wool-cashmere. "The puffer is reserved for the most casual occasions," he added. "Like going to the store."

If you're keeping score at home, that would be: Elements, 0. Elegance, 1. It's a point of pride among a certain set of professional men, from young analysts to Masters of the Universe, to maintain decorum in the face of wintry mixes and cold fronts, even as the rest of the huddled populace caves to comfort and function.

It speaks volumes that Mr. Fahmawi's coat is from a UK-based company. "The British are not terribly practical people," joked Alex Wilcox, who grew up in the north of England, and opened the custom clothing shop Lord Willy's in New York in 2006. "We're so steeped in tradition we'll sometimes forego practicality for a more elegant appearance."

He's being modest, of course. The British have come up with some of the most elegant solutions to wicked weather. Mr. Wilcox recently collaborated with Scottish brand Mackintosh to make a limited-edition version of their classic Dunoon coat, which he wears in inclement conditions. "It's a lightweight charcoal Loro Piana [wool]," he said, "that has been fully bonded to be completely water- and windproof."

Many men will forgo a coat as long as they can, using only a scarf, the rake's accessory of choice, for warmth. Their thinking: If I can manage without the encumbrance and bother of a coat, then why not?

In certain parts of the world, however, a coat does eventually become necessary, no matter how plush and protected one's commute may be. Classic wool or cashmere overcoats will do the trick, but some brands go one further. Valentino's Subzero Couture collection currently offers a tailored wool coat that hides a thin goose-down lining. Meanwhile, Brioni's creative director, Brendan Mullane, has been finding ways to boost natural fibers with protective coatings. Brioni also makes coats with discreet luxe linings. "The idea is to spoil the wearer with felted cashmere or fur liners that give not only natural insulation, but also a high level of sophistication," said Mr. Mullane. For fall, he created a refined cashmere parka with a beaver fur-trimmed hood that might pass Wall Street muster.

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There are moments where a dash of sportiness can be acceptable. Designer Simon Spurr, who was recently named creative director of British heritage brand Kent & Curwen (his first collection debuts in January), doesn't entirely rule out the puffer. "I'm all in favor of pairing a down jacket with a suit as long as both are perfectly tailored," he said. A few years ago, he bought a down jacket from Moncler with a shell made of gray flannel instead of the typical nylon. "It changed the way I dressed that winter," he said. Loro Piana's Storm System jackets, which are made of wind-proof and waterproof cashmere and come in a hip-length, ski style have also made inroads into the wardrobes of Wall Street. Though these come in dark neutrals, as opposed to the screaming brights of slope-gear.

For some men, the question of functional-versus-formal footwear is easy. A Dainite sole, which is made of studded rubber and is used by high-end footwear brands like Church's and Paraboot, "is the dressiest way to not fall on your face when it's slippery," said Josh Peskowitz, men's fashion director at Bloomingdale's. Mr. Peskowitz also wears brogue boots by Church's. The style, with round perforations intended to flush water from the shoe, was invented precisely for the slosh. Goodyear welting, a technique of stitching the sole on the outside of the shoe so as to leave the part underfoot unpierced, also helps with water resistance.

Opinion is sharply divided on the issue of rubber overshoes, which protect one's John Lobbs from Jack Frost and the pickling effect of sidewalk salt. "I opt for shoe covers," said Matthew Singer, men's fashion director at the Neiman Marcus Group. "They're easy to slip on and off and allow me to not lug an extra pair of shoes." Others aren't so accepting. Mr. Spurr said he finds shoe covers "depressing." He added, "I'll just wear my shoes and be careful on my way to and from work."

If you happen to be pro-cover, English boot-maker John Lobb makes the platonic ideal. However, the company also offers bad weather alternatives. For the gentleman who's not averse to boots with a suit, Lobb's director of operations, Paul Goring, explained that the company makes versions that are weather-resistant yet refined enough for a formal setting. Many of the company's classic oxfords and loafers, he added, can be made custom with Dainite soles and weather-resistant leather.

Upping the gauge of one's suiting fabric offers another level of warmth without compromising elegance. Kirk Miller, owner of bespoke suitery Miller's Oath, said he goes for fabric with more "guts," like tweed, which is peerless in keeping out damp cold. Flannel suiting is also a fine option. Brioni's Mr. Mullane upgrades the tried-and-true strategy of layering with silk and fine cashmere knits. He also adds cashmere-and-silk knee socks.

Mr. Spurr pointed out that accessories might be the most effective weapon in an elegant gent's weather-combatting arsenal: Cashmere-lined calfskin gloves are a must, as is a good scarf. For panache, he also relies on lapel pins and beautifully made umbrellas.

But then, no matter one's level of preparation, there will still be days when the weather simply wins. On those occasions, elegance might just be the ability to laugh through chattering teeth.