Animal Crackers

Fashion has an undeniably appealing element of play, as if we're perpetually locked in some fabulous childhood game of dress-up. Without this aspect, the game loses much of its fun, and style lacks an integral channel of imagination. This lovely facet in mind, picture a whimsical school play, with children dressed as lions, antelopes, and zebras to depict some magnificent, folksy scene. Fall fashion is much the same, the key terms being imitation, proportion, material, color, shape, and craft. Take your favorite animal and seek to emulate its constitution through clothing! For this post, the Grand Mademoiselle has selected the buffalo, as depicted in Mamie Deschillie's darling work at the Smithsonian. This piece embodies a personal charm, reflected in the furry beast's quizzical stare and woolly mane, and the best way to carry bits of this fabulous work through in your ensemble is to define your theme, then select colors, shapes, and materials that successfully relate your message. A stylish response to the buffalo suggests larger proportions on top, tapering down to shiny, black heels that peek out beneath cigarette pants.


To achieve those billowy top-side angles, look no further than venerable fashion house Ports 1961, whose impeccable tailoring ensures a highly intriguing creation crafted of sumptuous materials in captivating colors. The Blouson sleeve cotton top fits the bill perfectly, with its dramatic sleeves, pullover style, inverted pleat details, and aptly titled gazelle hue. The rich golden tone, faintly reminiscent of the buffalo's softly gilded fur, is a delightful way to bring play back to your style lexicon. For a bold look, opt for a lusciously gathered Ports 1961 muslin shrug in a delicious hand-dyed safari hue that evokes barley fields and matted animal hair. The tight, unbounded dried coils are deep enough to sink your fists into, recalling the graceful mash of silk adorning the buffalo's back. Slip into this wild little shrug and you're bound to feel like loping across the grasslands ...

On your feet, slide into something hoof-ish, that is, with a compact heel shape to give you the illusion of teetering atop shiny black hooves, much like our buffalo buddy. The Grand M adores the Zara heel from Corso Como, with its black patent pearlized leather upper, slightly angular square toe, and chunky 3" banana heel. The charming bend gives the Zara a unique shape, that when worn with straight leg trousers imparts a devilish twist on an old-school classic. For something a bit more traditional, go with Burberry's patent leather high heel Mary Jane. An embossed logo plate adorns the low Mary Jane vamp strap, resting across a high-shine black pump. The 4" heel is no laughing matter, but if you've got the skills, definitely go for it. This delightful pump has an aggressively small, rounded toe ... very hoof-ish. For those with smaller feet, stick with a trendy Giuseppe Zanotti peep toe. This particular heel, crafted of sinfully reflective black patent leather, has a high-gloss tortoise shell 3.5" heel and a cheeky hidden platform design to give you even more oomph. Take whatever animal inspiration you need, my dear Grand M's, and play a little dress-up!