(London) I love birthdays. The presents, the gathering of friends and loved ones, the texts, Facebook birthday messages, the fuss – but I will publicly admit that I hate my own birthday. Maybe I have a problem with aging, not that I am doing it ungracefully, but Forever Young is just a song and a state of mind.

With age, one thing that has definitely changed is my personal fashion sense and preferences. Now, I’d rather go for French Connection and not Gap – the last time I bought something from Gap was three years ago. I can’t believe it! Although I still shop at my old favourites, I tend to opt for Mango instead of Bershka, Acne instead of Guess Jeans and Rachel Roy instead of Zara.

For this post I wanted to feature one of the simplest recipes that is a great model for my late 20s dressing – which I insist should not let go of youthful playfulness while still being age appropriate.

Here are my top picks of dresses from the Met Gala this year. Not all the best dresses are on the list but I selected the ones I would most love to wear or have in my closet.

Carey Mulligan in a Metallic Prada dress Met Gala 2012. This topped all best dressed lists for the gala this year and it is obvious why! She looks like a futuristic mermaid. Gorgeous!

Rashida Jones in a printed Tory Burch Dress at the Met Gala 2012 – I love the summery feel of this dress and Ms. Jones looks so romantic and beautiful in it.

Rihanna in a black alligator textured Tom Ford gown at the Met Gala 2012. This dress is so sultry and animalistic with her talon like nails, only Riri could pull it off.

January Jones in a yellow Versace dress at the Met Gala 2012. This dress reminds me of a gorgeous art deco building – very grand.

Emily Blunt in a pastel pink Calvin Klein dress Met Gala 2012. The solid pastel pink of this dress is amazing and very current and I love it. I wish I had a cocktail dress version of it.

Image source: Fashion Week Daily

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(New York) The first time I had heard of ‘Vegan clothing’ was via Avril Lavigne and to be honest, I wasn’t sold. It seemed like hype more than anything but after learning about the socially and environmentally responsible Vegan clothing movement, I am a big supporter. One such Vegan brands that has recently been on my radar is Vault Couture that was introduced to me by my good friend and fellow blogger, Laurel of Laurel on Health Food. She recently won a vegan winter coat at a vegetarian food festival courtesy of Vaute Couture and gave me the opportunity to feature her on The Stylester!

Here, she is wearing the Oru coat by Vaute Couture. Buy the Oru coat on sale right now for $185.

Laurel is wearing a Vaute Couture Oru Coat in soft black, H&M blue skinny trousers, Fossil key-per pouch (clutch), Ann Taylor snakeskin pumps and U.S. Polo Assn. sunglasses.

More about Vaute Couture

Vaute Couture was launched by model Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart and is made with 100% vegan materials. The coats by the brand are are made of recycled and recyclable fibers and constructed locally in NYC’s fashion district.

Connect

Vaute Coutour: Official Site
Follow Vaute Coutour on Twitter: @vautecoutour

Laurel’s Blog: Laurel on Health Food
Follow Laurel on Twitter: @laurelmoll 

(New York) I had the very fortunate opportunity to preview alice + olivia’s fabulous Fall collection last night. There was plenty of textured denim, bold patterns, metallics, cute shoes, and my favorite–sequins and sparkles! Take a peek.

Oh, and how adorable is this sweater? Want!

Author: Editor Iris of OMG Blog

(London) Remember Jason who showed us how London gents dress it up and go preppy? He’s back to show us how they get down and casual.

Jason is wearing a Substance varsity jacket, Uniqlo Sweater, a pair of APC New Standard jeans that he’s had for 5 Years without washing them and the highlight of his outfit - Nike Safari AM1.

See his preppy look here.

(London) Right in the hight of the holiday season in December, two fashion trends were all the rage in London. The Fur hat that I blogged about here and the pleated skirt. For about a 2 week period, it was impossible to walk down Oxford or Regent street without nearly physically colliding with a girl in a long or midi pleated skirt. I spotted one while Boxing Day shopping for a steal (only £7!) and snapped it right up. A little late on the trend wagon but this skirt is going to transition beautifully into Spring. For the time being while I wait for winter to wind away, I’m wearing it with over-the-knee flat boots and cropped sweaters.

I’m wearing a pleated skirt from one of those random shops in the mall (£7.00), a merino sweater from Miss Selfridges, skinny studded belt from DVF and flat over-the-knee boots from ASOS. My locket necklace is from the Canadian store, Mexx.

I love the movement in this skirt!

(New York) Some of the things I miss most about New York are the people – the cab drivers, angry pedestrians, lost tourists, douchy bankers, annoying hipsters and most of all my friends. One of such dearly missed friends is my buddy Joel. Creative and talented, he has been seen on this blog before. He still keeps in the loop with all things fashionable in the men’s style realm like these boots he recently purchased.

On the left are Alden Capped Toes, Cordovan #8 (from J. Crew). On the right are White’s Semi-Dress with a Capped toe on the Swing Last.

Follow Joel:
Photography and Tumblr – http://everyday.joelzimmerphotography.com
Flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelzimmer
Twitter –  http://twitter.com/joelzimmer

(New York) I’m in love with Blake Lively… no, just her stylist, whoever this mystery person is. Blake’s stylist is a genius! Apart from the standard awesomeness of the Gossip Girl outfits, the style team behind Lively always has her looking stunning, sexy and current which is why she graces the pages of The Stylester on a regular basis.

She was spotted in a sublime Valentino outfit at the unveiling of Godiva’s Valentine’s Day chocolates in New York last week. What makes this outfit special? Blake is wearing two key Spring trends – lace and pastels. Her Valentino skirt is the body con pencil shape and with a pastel lace, there is a touch of romanticism in the outfit – very fit for Valentine’s day.

(London) I realise that I am clearly overdoing the ‘ster thing here but I can’t think of a better way to describe my friend Jason’s style. Preppy plus hipster, that sums him up most days (except for his lumberjack or skipper days).  Here, he shows off the cool elegance of London men in a pea-coat and brogues. If black is the NYC uniform, then this is London’s.

Jason is wearing a COS Pea-coat, a COS Shirt, ALBAM Jeans, UNIQLO socks and Mark Mcnairy Suede Brogues.

Jason’s Mark Mcnairy Suede Brogues.

(London) A big trend in 2012 will be flimsy fringes and the flapper is going to make a comeback in a big way. Various designers have displayed drop-waisted dresses in their SS 2012 collections and with Oscar buzzing films like The Artist, the 20s will make the trend unavoidable as well.

Zelda Fitzgerald – The Original Flapper

Take a hint from Zelda Fitzgerald, the original flapper as claimed by her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald, and find some fringy feathers to wear and put a pin-curl in your hair. Stand out by adding some fringe to your outfit like Zoe Saldana and Lanvin’s resort collection below. Late in 2011, we also saw Blake Lively sport the trend.

Zoe Saldana in a flapper inspired dress and Lanvin Resort 2012 collection highlighting some fringe