Ikat(ch) Me If You Can

I’ve been showing some major love to ikat prints over the past year or so — just yesterday I wore a silken ikat dress in vivid blues and reds with black stockings {when will winter just.end.} and the highest heels I can manage at work without wanting to chop my feet off — and have at least 3-4 other summery ikat dresses I adore hanging in my closet, just waiting to come out to play at the first sign of a warm breeze.  Anyone else obsessed with the slightly tribal vibe of this print?!  I’m in.love.  {Aside: while “ikat” actually refers to a style of weaving that makes use of a dying process similar to that of tie-dye, I’m grouping tie-dye and ikat together in one category since it’s all…of a cloth, as it were.  Visually similar, and equally eye-catching.}  A few top picks:

Ay chihuahua.  Come to momma, little bag ($165, Matt&Nat — an entirely vegan line of handbags).  Love the idea of punching up my current uniform of black, black, and more black with this cheery add-on (my mother, aka the color police has been at their house in FL for the past few weeks, so I have been able to get away with this slightly depressing wardrobe palette without complaint for going on 10 days now).  Can you imagine it with a crisp white shirt ($158, Steven Alan), black skinnies, retro-chic cat-eyes (House of Harlow — sorry, I can’t get over them…need ’em! — $138, BoutiquetoYou), a sick turquoise necklace (Gerard Yosca, $262, Charm&Chain), and some simple, wear-anywhere black boots (Zanotti, on sale for $438, ShopZoe — one of my favorite fashionistas, Betty of Blog de Betty, owns these puppies in a slightly more Vegas-ready style)?  Slam dunk.

Or how about this fantastic asymmetrical Rebecca Taylor top ($425, Harvey Nichols) with some dark-wash skinnies and some amazing heels (still hung up on these puppies…tragedy that they aren’t snuggling with the rest of my shoes in my closet — $735, Barney’s):

Finish with funky earrings ($53, Yochi), red lips ($24, Nars), and an oversized clutch (I’m obsessed with this affordable American Apparel style and may have to buy multiples, especially since they JUST THIS MORNING released a whole slew of BRIGHT colors…I’m definitely getting the yellow one, a la fashionista Carolina Engman — $45, AmericanApparel):

Alternately, with spring in mind, how about a peppy little shift — love both of these options (first: $395, Jules Reid; second: Whit, $375, ShopBird):

Finish either with a classic brown clutch (if you see this Marc by Marc Jacobs style in person, you’ll love it even more — it is HUGE and glam — $298, Barney’s) and some hot-chi mama platform sandals (very Eva Mendes, and I like ’em that way — Sergio Rossi, $760, Intermix):

Obsessing over the earthiness of the rich brown leather against the bold ikat print.  Perfect.  Finish with some “global-leaning” jewelry, like these plated earrings (KJL, $76, Pret-A-Beaute), this wood bead necklace (love the pop of color — $76, Max and Chloe), and this amaze-balls cuff ($135, Surevolution):

I’d round it all out with these perfect Thierry Lasry shades (cost a pretty.penny — $425, Henri Bendel — but remind me of these shades I spotted on Olivia P.):

For just a little pop o’ ikat, tuck one of these Anthropologie notebooks in your tote ($28/pop, Anthropologie)

Keep your notes with my favorite pen on the planet — the “Le Pen” ($4/pen, JamPapers — although I have it on good authority that they carry them at Michael’s for cheaper and you can always find coupons there…thanks, Kara!)  It has the finest, most laser-point edge in the universe — perfect for my freakishly neat, typewriter-liked handwriting.  {My maid of honor mentioned in her toast at our wedding that my handwriting should be a font, which I wear as a badge of honor.}

Or go to the expert in ikat, world renowned Madeline Weinrib, for her lovely lingerie bags, which I would def.in.ite.ly use instead as a clutch:

{She also has “real” clutches, articles of clothing, bedding, tablewear, etc.  Amazing.}  Speaking of tablewear, outfit your own with ikat print bowls, like these Nate Berkus lovelies ($24, HSN) and accent with some fun hot pink cutlery ($75 for 20-piece set, Murval):

While on the subject of pink, I stumbled upon Ikat & Batik while cruising around on Etsy (time suck #2 in my life, right next to Tumblr), and am absolutely drooling over the idea of ordering one of these pillow collections, which feature a variety of prints in the same color family for an affordable $160 for the entire set!  How chic on your couch?!

Um, hello, I need a set.  Speaking of interiors, keep your knickers drawer smelling lovely and looking equally as cheerful with these ikat-print sachets ($16/3, Furbish), and render a boring corner of your apartment (or desktop) a sunny spot with a darling ginger pot ($125, Dana Gibson — check out the large ikat tray and ikat frames she has, too!):

Makes me happy just looking at it.  Also would be the most adorable vase in a pinch.  OK, back to dressing the self.  How about one of these splashy Adam dresses (on sale for $127, TheOutnet)?  Perfect for a summer bridal shower.

Either would look GORG.EOUS. with some serious gold hardware accessories — I’m talking this Alexander McQueen clutch (ah!  in.love. — $441, TheOutnet — note: for a similar hard-case clutch for less, try this $144 Menbur style) and some glossy gold tootsies (Rupert Sanderson, $610, Boutique1):

For jewelry, I’d go all out with some futuristic Alexis Bittar baubles — some frosted gold earrings ($275, Ylang23), and a coordinating bangle ($250, Charm and Chain):

For something a bit more casual, I’m SMITTEN with this Mina Stone number ($368, Steven Alan) — I know, I know, we’re straying a bit far from the target, as this is more painterly than ikat, but bear with me…

For summer months, I can see myself pairing this dress with some wedge espadrilles ($69, Nordstrom), a few fabric beaded cobalt necklaces (around $20/pop, Elias & Grace — and check out this amazing patterned version!  Yes, yes, I realize they are for children, but they’re just too cute in their happy colors!), and a raffia clutch ($58, Hat Attack):

Right now, I’d probably style it with dark blue platforms ($189, PiperLime) and a slouchy off-white tote (LOVE the texture and shape of this Be&D style — $1,190, Be&D):

And while this All Saints dress doesn’t pack the some color punch I’m after this spring, its muted dusty rose and gray palette is just as ladylike as they come ($299, AllSaints):

I’d take that dress out for a walk with these unexpected, slightly edgified Be&D pumps (they correspond with the color palette oh-so-well and impart a sort of downtown swagger to the whole look — $375, Be&D):

At the risk of over-stating my obsession with this clutch, I’d pair with the American Apparel medium-sized clutch in stone gray ($45, American Apparel) and a pair of eye-catching danglers ($150, Suzanna Dai):

I’ll conclude with some of my top accessory picks, beginning with these punchy Reed Evins flats ($155, Endless), which would be ideal with an otherwise simple getup of black/dark-wash skinnies, a blazer, and a BRIGHT, oversized clutch:

Or consider the mother lode: a pair of sky-high tie-dye effect platform Louboutins (suh.woon — $795, FootCandyShoes):

Or how about this Sammy clutch, which I’ve featured before, but simply cannot get over (get yourself to a Barney’s to check it out in person — the soft leather fabrication is just so yummy!  — $215, Barney’s):

Or consider one of these silken headbands — I’ve seen turbans all over the place lately, and while I simply cannot get onboard with that level of man repelling fashionizing, this scaled-back version seems much easier to pull off and more flattering ($29, Nordstrom):

Alternately, try out the look in the form of a scarf ($95, Calypso St. Barth):

Finally, some flashy arm candy seems in order — check out this Cynthia Vincent bucket bag ($295, PiperLime — a Rachel Zoe pick to boot!) or this punchy wristlet/clutch ($48, Swell):

I’m all.about. ikat.