Homme Edition:: Lapo of Luxury...

Doing some research earlier this week I got lost for at least an hour, studying every detail of Lapo Elkann.  After the initial exam, the Italian style icon has been showing up everywhere I look...and with good reason.  All week long I've kept coming back to these same images and video inspired, curious, and indecisive.

I have been completely seduced by his mirrored sunglasses, apotheosis demeanor, & definitive Italian style {with an eccentric touch}.  Check out the video below to see his painstakingly sharp style brought to life in vibrant colors.


{all images & video from Lifestyle Mirror}

Camo-lot...

My roommate Chinae and I grabbed coffee Saturday morning and on the walk back to our apartment joked about the tailoring company that lives around the corner.  I can't remember the slogan, {I think something like "When you wear a suit tailored by "company's name here" you always smile!"}.  WOW was my first thought followed by a Steve Harvey reference.  A quick instagram check sent me into full fledged joy rage (ie intense happiness).

I give to you my incredibly stylish friend M. Liu or the LIUtenant to you.  His charcoal suit with camo guts will be coming back for a special Coco Canal feature...so stay tuned.


Immediately I sent the LIUtenant a text inquiring on his new suit and in our exchange camo was discussed and it went something like this...

-Liu::Camo has been my favorite color forever.  I know that its not a recognized color.
-Me:: It is def a color to me.  If leopard can be a color, so can camo.

Alright, so it isn't exactly going to show up in a crayon box or color wheel, but that doesn't discount its greatness.  I too love a good camo print and when it is done in bold colors and interesting unexpected ways, it becomes so much more.  Take into account the Orlebar Brown-Nick Wooster collaboration exclusively for Park and Bond.  An example of the perfect beach to lunch ensemble is below but head here to see even more fabulous looks and inspiration.

Yep In My White Jeans...

How smart is this look, and most importantly, how easy?!

{they all hate us}

I will be channeling this ensemble verbatim for some April/May attire...especially for my flight/trip to Texas in a month. Lets be honest though, I'll recreate with white distressed boyfriend jeans.

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe...

It is no secret that I'm a bit of a sneaker head these days...and with so many killer options can you blame a girl for trading in her heels?!

*Be and D has made quite the splash with their heel painted canvas shoes. Comedic and comfortable, I dig!

*One of the models at work strolled in wearing these red blazing kicks and I fell for the old school style.

*Found these knock off Sandro sneakers on eBay and realized I like them better than the real deal...probably because of the modified wedge heel!

*I'm sorry to bring us back here, but yes I am talking about another pair of Isabel Marant sneakers. This time in bleached denim...everything I've always wanted!!!

Wardrobe Diaries:: Color Me DIY...

A wardrobe diary is long overdue around here! I woke up late yesterday morning and in my rush to get out the door, I opted out of wearing a jacket. Seeing as the spring days are getting longer and warmer, the wearable life of my very limited sweater collection is coming to an end. I only say that with slight disappointment because I found and purchased my favorite sweater only a few weeks ago.

Yes, the sweater really does radiate that much neon...obviously you understand why I love it so much. Upon closer inspection, you would be able to see that H&M took a white cable knit sweater and painted neon over it--GENIUS! And like most of the fashion crazed world, I have been drooling over the Acne pop trash jeans. The only difference is I refuse to pay the MSRP that is upward of $400-500. Instead I took notes from B. Jones and a pair of $15 wranglers and got to work. I am so pleased with how my jeans turned out (meaning I've been wearing them religiously). In true Coco Canal form my look had to be layered. Oversized white shirt, distressed jeans, neon, and spiked heel boots...I would say my extra 45 minutes of sleeping really paid off in the form of sartorial last minute, grab and go style.

Shoes:: Sam Edelman Pax Bootie

Pants:: DIY Acne Jeans

Shirt:: H&M sheer dress (worn as a shirt)

Sweater:: H&M neon painted sweater

Homme Edition:: The Spring Jacket...

(The Hood Shop}

I thought about my answer to this and decided to leave it to Gilt Man's Style Director, Josh Peskowitz (sometimes guys receive advice better when it comes from a man)!

"The math here isn't complicated. You want something that is light, but will also give you some protection when the showers come. There are plenty of great options based on army field coats and parkas...and don't be afraid of a little color (think red or yellow) in your selection."

{l-r Junya Watanabe, Penfield, Burkman Bros}

I love the chambray hooded jacket. It can function as a denim jacket but also protects you from undesirable elements (think April showers and windy spring nights).

{l-r Michael Bastian, Mark McNairy, Woolrich Woolen Mills}

Mark McNairy is a genius when it comes to giving old staples new life, and this neon anorak is just one example of his tongue-in-cheek reinterpretation of American classics. Matter of fact, I think I'll take one for myself!

Living For...

If you're a long time Coco Canal reader, than you are fully informed of my unconditional love for DSquared (confidently proclaimed my favorite collection/brand), so whenever I get the opportunity to visit the showroom to preview the latest collection, I react like a kid anxiously awaiting Christmas morning! I calmly pillage the racks, at least three times, examining fabrics, silhouettes and fit, new design details...hoping that the genius and essence of the brand will somehow permeate into my very being.

***SIGH***

I walked away inspired, excited, and with a full memory card of images. When I got home I refreshed my memory (read went back to my happy place), and got to thinking about the pieces I wanted to use for work vs wear. I never thought of my style as being uniform, but I'm starting to notice familiarities (exhibit A below).

{Dsquared jeans & fur pullover:: Margiela sneakers}

Boyfriend jeans + an injection of fur + sneakers.

Yep, this is what I've been all about for..well, unapologetically, quite a while! Seriously though, those jeans with the bottom of a vest sewn onto them with a pocket square. Who could forget those high tops?! And PLEASE for the love of all things holy, do not overlook that fur pullover...Just saying fur pullover gives me a full heart and tear filled eyes! Perfect color combination, proportion, and casualness...you know just throwing on my fur sweatshirt to grab my morning coffee and walk my french bulldog pup!

The Little Black Book...

After obsessing over white double breasted jackets for our gentlemen friends, I couldn't help but want my own version (said in the whiny voice of Veruca Salt)! I haven't found my exact match yet, but that hasn't kept me from day-dreaming of new ways to wear a spring/summer staple...and this year it is all about the whiteout.

This look with an Adidas tee will most likely be my everyday go to. I'll finish it off with my Isabel Marant sneakers, Sam Edelman spiked boots, or sexy strappy sandal. A look to take me from work to a designer's preview or happy hour. Can't wait!

I know...Most people would shudder at the thought of a completely white ensemble, but I think it is beyond chic. And if something gets dirty, I always have a shout wipe on me to clean up a mess. For this look I'm thinking a neon belt is the perfect finishing touch.

I leave you with lyrics from "musical genius" Young Jeezy::

All white everything

I'm 'bout to kill 'em this summer

I'm doin' all white everything