Happy April everyone! I know we’re all thinking about Spring fashion, but I just got back from a ski trip in Aspen where I got to wear a couple of old yet still relevant favorites of mine, which inspired me as the subject of this month’s newsletter entry.

As anyone reading this newsletter knows, one of the services that Urban Darling stylists offer is a closet audit. While of course that involves purging your closet of unused items of clothing and the holes in your wardrobe that need to be filled in in order to help you function optimally in your daily life and look your absolute best, whatever the occasion; it also involves assessing all the items you currently own and deciding which to keep year after year as your own classics.

I purchased the Norma Kamali sleeping bag coat pictured below some 25 years ago (guessing) when NK first introduced them. Mine is fully reversible, black or silver (although I rarely wear the silver side out). It has been the source of endless being made fun of by my family on ski/snow trips over the years; however, I continue to love the way it looks; not to mention that it weighs nothing, you can roll it into a tiny ball in your suitcase, and it never wrinkles. PLUS, while I was wearing it around town in Aspen I was stopped numerous times by both locals and visitors and told what an amazing coat it is – this in one of the most fashionable ski resorts in the world! My husband and my son just shook their head in wonder, and I couldn’t help but gloat.

At the top of the gondola in Aspen

The good news is you can still get a version of Norma Kamali’s sleeping bag coats; she recently reissued them, and there are a variety to choose from: Norma Kamali Collection.

Another old favorite are my black lace-up canvas heeled hiking boots by Stephane Kelian Studio, also about 25 years old; again, I get stopped and asked about these all the time and there are new versions coming out every year.

Here’s a close-up of the boot, and a photo of me in the boots, my Lucky skinny jeans (the only jeans I wear), navy Vince tunic sweater (hides vacation over-eating evils) and Jigsaw purse (excuse the squinting, it was blindingly bright out and I didn’t have my shades!):
 
 
 
 
Here are a few versions that are currently on sale:

Brody – by Coconuts @ Piperlime

Madeline Shotgun – Shoebuy.com

Gray Laceup High Heel Hiking Books – eBay

Wanted Comfy Brown High Heel Hiker Ankle Boots – Lulu’s

River Island Heeled Hiker Books – asos.com

Carvela Sundance Crepe Sole Hiking Boots – asos.com

Spring is a time for renewal (a good time to get your closet audit done!) but keep in mind your treasured classics that will continue to serve you well as your style continues to emerge and change.

With style and grace, Nicole