style etoile: love at first look & listen

everyone knows that having a flawless wardrobe is only part of being a true style star. styleetoile is here to help. whether you’re hitting up styleetoile.com for all of your fashion needs, or checking out this little corner of the world to stay musically stylish--we’ve got you covered.

why aren’t you listening to…


…Bahamas (@BahamasMusic)?  Well of course as soon as we do a post on what could potentially be our favorite album of the year, we find another one that gives it a run for its money.  The new contender is Bahamas’ Barchords, and we aren’t sure how we missed this earlier this year…or how we did without it for so long.  Barchords is emotional yet breezy, intense yet sparse, and we can’t stop listening to it.  Bahamas is singer-songwriter Alfie Jurvanen, and his sound is part alterna-folk, part country, with a little rock and roll thrown in.  Check it out.

why aren’t you listening to…


…Gypsy & The Cat (@GypsyandtheCat)?  Anyone who knows Style Etoile knows that The Cure is our favorite band of all time.  So when we hear a song that pays homage to our beloved Robert Smith and co., we are bound to have a strong reaction—we either cover our ears in angst or become immediately hooked.  In the case of Gypsy & The Cat’s “Bloom”, our reaction was the latter.  This Melbourne duo’s sophomore album The Late Blue is choc full of retro goodness.  Gypsy & The Cat is busy touring their native Australia, but we will keep you posted on any stateside love… 


why aren’t you listening to…


…Cold Specks (@coldspecks)?  Well this may be a bold statement, but Style Etoile thinks we have decided on our favorite album of the year.  We know there are almost two months left in 2012, but Cold Specks’ I Predict A Graceful Expulsion is so good, we just don’t see us falling harder for another record.  Cold Specks is London-based (via Canada) Al Spx and she is making soulful, heartbreaking music. Her blues-y sound reminds us of a cross between Bill Withers and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (with a little Janis thrown in) and her songwriting leaves us tearful and moved.  Cold Specks’ show at Mercury Lounge last week broke our hearts in all the right ways, and we can’t wait to catch her again—this time we will remember to bring tissues. 

why aren’t you listening to…


…St. Lucia (@stlucianewyork)?  Until this past summer, the only St. Lucia Style Etoile had ever heard of was a sunny island in the Caribbean.  Boy, were we missing out.  Style Etoile first caught St. Lucia—the Brooklyn based South African Jean-Phillip Grobler, not the island—at a show on the Soho House roof right before Labor Day and man, were we impressed.  St. Lucia is making sunny, synth-filled electro pop that can brighten up any day, and after Sandy’s devastation, we could use the pep.  St. Lucia’s self-titled debut EP was released in February and it is always a crowd pleaser…don’t take our word for it—check it out for yourself.

why aren’t you…

…shopping your closet for costumes? Halloween has finally arrived and while we want to get involved in a major way, we hate spending money on meaningless costumes and always enjoy looking chic. Think of this little lesson as a DIY- ask yourself, what do I want to be for Halloween? How about a fierce punk-y princess or a glamorous hippie with 70s swag? With a little imagination the possibilities are endless— peep our selections for a little inspiration and get craft-y in your closet on this fine Fall day. Happy Halloween!! 

(Source: styleetoile.com)

why aren’t you listening to…


…HAIM (@haimtheband)?  Sometimes Style Etoile needs some good old-fashioned pop music.  Not Britney pop per se (though we do have a soft spot for Ms. Spears), but just some upbeat, catchy, fun music.  These days when we are craving some get-stuck-in-your-head hooks, we turn to LA’s HAIM.  This sister trio is making music that reminds us of Fleetwood Mac (which is a pretty high complement in our book), and their debut EP Forever, is our go-to pick-me-up.  HAIM is currently on tour in Europe, but you better believe we will be front row center when they return home…

Blue Jean Queen The perfect pair of blue jeans is the essential item for a Fall/Winter wardrobe, and we’re constantly searching for “that pair.” They’re flattering with literally any blouse, blazer, chunky turtleneck, or over-sized boyfriend sweater; and look chic with ballet flats, converse, cuffed with a platform, or tucked into any boot. We think we can all agree that finding “the one” is almost as hard as finding prince charming, but fear not because we’ve got you covered! Siwy’s insanely versatile Hannah Slim Crop in “Crystal Ball” is the pair you’ve been searching for. Style Tip: Blue-on-blue is a fun and fresh way to wear your denim, so we love them with this gorgeous Jonathan Simkhai royal blue blouse. The airplane print is playful and retro, but the crisp black collar and cuffs elevate the look to mile-high major. Finish your outfit off with a sick platform heel, (at least until it gets too cold out!), IRO’s black Pheobe jacket (hello leather shoulder panels), and a radass accessory that we guarantee no one else will be sporting: this pearl-encrusted cross-body harness by Eleven Objects. #Fierce.

Blue Jean Queen

The perfect pair of blue jeans is the essential item for a Fall/Winter wardrobe, and we’re constantly searching for “that pair.” They’re flattering with literally any blouse, blazer, chunky turtleneck, or over-sized boyfriend sweater; and look chic with ballet flats, converse, cuffed with a platform, or tucked into any boot. We think we can all agree that finding “the one” is almost as hard as finding prince charming, but fear not because we’ve got you covered! Siwy’s insanely versatile Hannah Slim Crop in “Crystal Ball” is the pair you’ve been searching for. Style Tip: Blue-on-blue is a fun and fresh way to wear your denim, so we love them with this gorgeous Jonathan Simkhai royal blue blouse. The airplane print is playful and retro, but the crisp black collar and cuffs elevate the look to mile-high major. Finish your outfit off with a sick platform heel, (at least until it gets too cold out!), IRO’s black Pheobe jacket (hello leather shoulder panels), and a radass accessory that we guarantee no one else will be sporting: this pearl-encrusted cross-body harness by Eleven Objects. #Fierce.

why aren’t you listening to…


…Still Corners (@StillCorners)?  Oh, man, is this good.  London’s Still Corners caught our attention last October with their gorgeous debut album, Creatures of an Hour, but their recently released single “Fireflies” has us officially hooked.  These guys are making lush, expansive, dreamy synth pop with amazingly layered percussive beats and beyond sexy vocals.  There are nods to both the 60s and 80s here, and we discover something new with each listen.  Still Corners sounds like a hybrid of M83, Weekend Players and Massive Attack and we can’t get enough…go ahead and hear the goodness for yourself.


why aren’t you listening to…


…Kodaline (@Kodaline)?  Here’s the thing about heartbreak: it’s awful.  It is painful and heavy and taxing and deflating.  But it also reminds us that we’re human.  It reminds us how much and how hard we can love.  And so while it hurts to hear a song that strikes a chord of love lost, it also manages to warm us and indulge our emotions and for that we are always thankful.  With that said, today Style Etoile gives you Kodaline.  This Dublin quartet’s eponymous debut EP is full of promise, and while “All I Want” may conjure up a few tears and nostalgic memories, we welcome the stir.