Must See.

My hero's doc is out!

Want to see this with me? I'm so there.

Puff: The Magic Jacket.

Down jackets are getting a little full of themselves lately. They think they're high fashion or something, jumping from ski slopes to runways on the backs of models. I've never been fond of the puffer's shape (think: fat-making) but have always loved its generous warmth here in the upper east.

Puffers on the Men's Fall 2010 runways for Jil Stuart, Thom Browne, Etro, John Varvatos, and Emporio Armani

So, I'm glad designers are taking it and making it something a bit more special. A little quilting can go a long way in the winter, and forsaking fashion for warmth doesn't always appeal to vain city goers. But, as Bill Cunningham found out this week, you can always count on this city's denizens to keep things snappy, even coats originally based on a camping store's sleeping bags. Here, watch his interesting piece on the puffer:

See that? From sleeping bags to high end shopping bags. You just never know. Puff away.

Respect Your Elders: Louise Doktor

That's Louise on the right with the indominitable Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at F.I.T. See? From executive assistant to fashion insider! Admittedly, this is not Louise's best work, but it's all I've got for now...

This may seem silly because I can't find any pictures of her online, but I'm telling you, you have to respect Louise Doktor. If nothing else, let this post inspire you to make Louise spotting in Bill Cunningham's weekly "On The Street" video slideshow, a favorite activity. Louise absolutely fascinates Mr. Cunningham, as she should. She's an executive secretary for a Midtown banking firm and she's been dressing in ways that boggle the mind and land up in Cunningham's photos for nearly 25-years now. Her wardrobe includes plenty of Martin Margiela, like a blazer with four sleeves, and so many other distinctive articles of clothing that she should head her own museum. In fact, I cannot wait for the inevitable Costume Institute exhibit at the Met that I'm sure will materialize one day. Her style is unbelievable, like a Gothic dream of pop for the senior set. I love that she dresses how she does in a corporate environment. She's the Gaga of her age bracket. I know, I wish I had more pictures of her also, but if you want to start a Photographic Evidence of Louise Doktor's Style Society, I have a general idea of where she walks every morning to get to work. Somewhere near Central Park and 5th. Or, of course, you can always spot her in The Times on stylin' Sundays.

Model Tee

Artist Dana Veraldi of DEERDANA does my inner fashion geek good. She draws caricatures of fashion's most phenomenal characters (Bill Cunningham, Andre Leon Talley, Hamish Bowles) and even models like Agyness Deyn and prints them on tees and totes. I totes love them.

That's Alber Elbaz, Mr. Bowles, Bill "Snappy" Cunningham, St. Yves, Purple Olivier, and Tentastic ALT. Click 'em to get 'em.

Once Again, With Feeling

Bill Cunningham is one of my favorite people on earth, fashion related or not. He is so happy and his happy spreads right through his photos and online audio slideshows for The New York Times. His weekly look at what New York is wearing always makes me smile.

This week he features fashionistas with a mind for style and saving. Granted, not everyone has a museum quality 1960s Balenciaga coat in the closet, but if they do they should throw it on and stop lamenting their dwindling spending accounts. This is good encouragement to see what you have behind your closet doors. Get out the goodies, friends. Refresh and renew the oldies. If there is nothing there, take Bill's advice and stop throwing away your good designs just because you think they have some imaginary expiration date. Great style never goes out.

Photo: Bill Cunningham for The New York Times.

Take it to the Streets

If I was ever (god forbid?) to be in position to petition the folks at the Make a Wish Foundation for a dream day, I would beg to strap on a bike helmet and be a guest on Bill Cunningham's handlebars. His cheery, street fashion audio slide shows are the highlight of my Sunday Times web surfing. He loves what he does, and I love what he finds. This week he spotlights the footwear fever that has struck the fashion community. I saw more chunky, sky high, leg lifters in this city this week than I have in my two years of residence here and Bill captured a good sampling of them.

The best part is that he followed the teetering ladies around the corner where they shed their stilettos in favor of flip-flops. Ah, the fashion facade.

I just want to have fun.

Someone call Cyndi Lauper and tell her her time has come again!

Her album She's So Unusual was my first prized possession and first lost love (after my brother stepped on it and cracked it in half, killing it). And what have we here? It's a vintage Cyndi look accessorized with modern technology as featured in Bill Cunningham's NYT "On the Streets Column" about Fall color.

Maybe with the escalation of global warming people will let their fluorescent freak flags fly all year long! Yay for greenhouse gasses!