the classics with a twist...

when i think of the classics...one that comes to mind is the lovely jackie o...jacqueline kennedy onassis...was always picture perfect in her classic looks...she looked chic...and more importantly...effortlessly chic...some may find the classics "boring"...but when you add a twist to your classics...they will be anything but boring...

so when we think classics...what comes to mind?  cardigans...sheath dresses...trench coats...turtlenecks...fitted tweed pants...these classic shapes have been around for a long long time...but there are ways of adding a new detail that can up the anty on these classics...

take the sheath dress...in this pic...you can see that a different belt is added to each dress...such an easy way to add dome new detail to a sheath dress...but don't go for basic black...how about a fun gold belt?  or any metallic...a bit more adventurous?  add a vibrant colored belt...the options are limitless...and so will your sheath dress then take on several new personalities...nothing better then wearing a plain ole sheath dress...and it looks like a new one everytime you put it on...just by changing up your belt...

accessories are another way to add a twist to your plain old sheath dress...whether you add a nice statement necklace...or add a range of different lengths of necklaces...you can change it up so many different ways...and once again...the dress looks different every time...

talk about cost per wear!  and if you are shopping for a sheath dress...go for some color...while the piece will be classic in its look...the color will be fresh...vibrant and new...and then...even with color...you can still play around with the belts and/or accessories...

photo source

if you are shopping for a new trench coat...how about skipping on the khaki standard...and go for a rich color...want to take it up a few more notches?  how about a trench in a black patent leather?? how edgy will that trench coat be?

when looking at cardigans...or twin sets...again...look for the unexpected details...and if you are working with items already in your closet...repeat repeat repeat...add a new belt...add a scarf...add new accessories...

classic with a twist...coming right up!

put together: minimalist chic...

the minimalist classic...so chic...it has really been catching my eye...saw this lovely pictorial of claire forlani in the may issue of more magazine...

goes to show...less is more...and sleek is definately the new chic...












all pics scanned by moi...

quality vs quantity...

in my book...quality will always win...especially when it comes to my clothing...and more importantly...my wardrobe budget...

the first step...is the recognition of quality...whether you are someone with unlimited funds or a hard-working woman struggling to make ends meet...you won't look monied without an awareness and appreciation of quality...and i realize as i write this...it may not be your objective to look monied...but...your objective is to have your money be worth the purchase in the long wrong...and nothing satifies this criteria more then spending your hard earned money on quality pieces...

no matter the price tag or label of a garment...you have to be well equipped with your own personal built-in quality detector to guarantee that you will get your money's worth and that you will recognize a genuine bargain when you see one...

quality is a condition of excellence...in regard to fashion it means the highest standard of design...fabric...and workmanship...unfortunately...quality...in all aspects of life...is developed and marketed to appeal more to the taste of the middling mass than to the taste of the most discerning...and that...to put it simply...makes for a lot of junk out there...

so...to choose quality...over quantity...our taste level has to rise above the masses...we have to train our senses to recognize quality and to be more discerning...whether old or new...quality always looks rich...

so if the comparison is apples to oranges...where does your wardrobe stack up? quality or quantity?

photo source

shop smart...

whenever i talk to my mom...while she is at work...towards the end of the conversation...i will always say..."don't work too hard" to which my mom ALWAYS replies with "no, no...work smart" i think i say it more just to hear her say her response...such the dedicated employee she is...

which got me to thinking...when anything is done...when done "smart"...well...it alleviates the needing "to do over" scenario...and this same concept applies to shopping...shopping smart...

so...here are some tips to help you "shop smart"

- know what you need...seems simple enough...right? i say...always have a list...whether on paper...or just in your head...this helps you zero in on what you need...and in that...avoiding bad purchases...

- know yourself...truly be honest about what styles flatter your body type best and are appropriate for your age...and if you need help with that...get it! it makes a difference...believe me...and always...shop for the size you are now...

- mix and match...style today is often more about mixing and matching than "outfits"...try buying pieces that work together to solve the "what do i wear this with?" question...and take it one step further...buy a piece that you can think of wearing more ways than one...

- amortize the cost...is the $800 coat way too much or within reason? calculate the cost per wear and factor in how many seasons you might wear it...

- be sure about it...ask yourself..."do i love it? does it look great on me? will i wear it?" and don't buy it unless you get a very strong yes!

- buy classics...don't feel guilty about spending more for classic pieces such as wool trousers...pumps...or a leather handbag...they will last you a good long while...spend less on trendier items...

and to make it a really fun shopping experience...

- dress comfortable...wear clothes that are easy to get into and out of and shoes that slip on...when you've changed a few times in several dressing rooms...you will be thankful you did...

- feel good...don't shop when you're really hungry or really tired...or...when you have only a few hours to find something to wear to a party...

can you think of some "shop smart" tips that you live by? please share...

photo source

jungle prints...

as i was perusing my closet the other morning...looking for a particular garment...i came across a leopard print blouse i had completely forgotten about...so...needless to say...i'm excited to wear it...soon...but it got me thinking...i seem to have many choices in leopard print...some blouses...a skirt...shoes...a belt...clutch purse...a coat...why only leopard print? when it comes to jungle prints...i think i need to expand my horizons...

animal motifs are truly classic...and easy to wear...and this season...they are still hot hot hot...so...a few questions for you...do you have a favorite animal print? and what is your favorite way to wear it?

photo source

the classic pump...

i am all for buying those outrageous...impractical...bold shoes...believe me...my closet is proof of that...and most of the time...what i hear is..."i don't know how you can walk in those"...but...despite my love for the outragous...the impractical (in other's eyes) and the bold...i believe that every woman should own at least one black pair of a classic high heel pump...

i know some will look at the picture i've attached and focus on the heel height...it is not the heel height i am talking about..it could be 1", 2" or 4"...whatever your comfort level is...mine just happens to be "higher"...

while my outrageous shoes do get a lot of attention...i don't need much more additions to my wardrobe...for example...a bright red 4" heel shouldn't be competing with an outfit that has a lot going on...sometimes...all you need is a classic black pump...which will let the other pieces of your outfit speak...which sometimes...is just what you need from a shoe...

put together: in black & white...

nothing is more classic & beautiful to me...then a simple black & white outfit...this beautifully put together ensemble was in one of the nordstrom catalogs...all in st. john...so simple...yet so elegant...all at the same time...

the scanned page doesn't do the outfit justice...this is such an easy outfit to re-create...and is an excellent "go-to" when you are not quite sure what to wear...

so among all that black...add some white for a crisp and new look...

scanned by moi

this pic is a bit more clear...

source

fashion accounting 101...

as i was shopping with a girlfriend the other day...we got on the subject of a "good investment"...she was undecided on buying a dress that she absolutely loved...that was not on sale...so there i was...asking away the questions...to help her get to the answer of...was it a good buy for her to make?

when we got to her end result...she was more impressed with how we got there...then the actual answer...which then got me to thinking...there may be others that don't understand the easy fashion formula that should be used on purchases...

so...yes...i saw a blog post coming on...

i come across some clients who have a very limited budget when it comes to shopping...nothing wrong with that...i also have some that have no budget...that would not be me... =)

that being said...there are certain things i never skimp on...shoes...handbags...and the classic pieces that i know i won't be buying often...but need in the wardrobe...an example would be a black suit...or the perfect lbd (little black dress)...

so what don't i splurge on? very trendy pieces come to mind...something that i know i won't be wearing for years and years...

so based on all that information...here is the not so secret fashion formula...

take for example...you are eyeing a pair of shoes...good quality leather shoes...you can think of many occasions that you will wear them...and they are $250...at first glance...it seems the price is a bit steep...so...if you wear them two days a week for seven months out of the year...for three years...you are going to wear them 168 times...and let's say you get them resoled two times in that three year period for $50...the cost of the shoes is now $300

easy fashion formula: $300 divided by 168 wearings equals $1.79 per wearing...now that's a number that is doable...

keep in mind...the most expensive item in your closet is the one that hangs with the tags still on it...so whether you buy something on sale or full price...buy it knowing that you will be wearing it over and over...otherwise...it is best to pass it by...

a little classy with a dash of trashy...

it sometimes amazes me how often someone will ask me specifics about a fashion rule...seems that many spend their days and nites worrying about making mistakes and social faux pas...ok...that may be a slight exaggeration on my part...but work with me here... =)

why not just go ahead and do it intentionally? relax and have a little fun by adding a touch of trampiness to your ordinary outfit...ignore rules of jewelry; wear ropes of pearls with your jeans...like coco chanel, who wore pearls while riding...her big ropes of pearls were fake...of course...which adds a bit to their trashiness...but what fun would that be? or wear your diamond bracelets with a casual outfit...don't wait for that big "black tie" event...

here is the secret: as long as you know the social rule...(no diamonds before 5 pm., say, or no white after labor day), you can choose to openly flaunt it and impress people with your daring side...if you don't know the rule and break it...you look like a rube...if you do know the rule and break it...you are the ultimate sophisticate...and as taffetadarlings so eloquently wrote about "white lies" and not to miss in that same post...wendyb's take on wearing white...

diana vreeland said, "a little bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika...no taste is what i'm against..."


so...go ahead and add a leopard print scarf to your sedate blue business suit...go ahead and wear fishnet stockings with that sedate business suit...go ahead and wear silky underthings while helping out in your child's kindergarten class...it can be your little secret...

men's corner: to catch the right break...

virtually every day there is one clothing item that a man puts on every single day of his life...the infamous pant...and in the illustration below...we are specifically talking about trousers...not your jeans or khakis...

so...you go out to buy a suit...a very cool suit...let me just say...however...that it just isn't cool if your pants stack up at your ankles like baggy jeans...


first..to cover the basics...the break is where your pants fall on your shoes...creating a horizontal crease in the fabric across the front of your pant leg...it is simply a result of the length of your pants...a good break is not only visually appealing...but it also lets you know if you’re wearing your pants too short...or too long...

the result? fabulous!


ill-fitting pants are a look that will never be fashionable...let alone excusable...so...to help you catch the right break...here are the three types available to you...

full break - covers almost the whole top of the shoe...the full break ramps it up on the fashion scale...since it gives the pant leg a deep crease along the front...the full break is a trendier style for the more daring dresser...

medium break - most popular option and stops at the highest point of the instep...it is the classic look for all men’s dress pants...preferred by more conservative dressers...the medium break is the look of the buttoned-up, put-together, professional executive...it puts a nice, clean, semi-deep break across the pant leg...

short break - covers just the top quarter inch of the shoe and can produce a bit of a growth-spurt effect...to be sure...this look is not for the faint of heart...throwing caution to the wind...the short break gives little to no crease in the pant leg...making for a very precise...tailored look...so it's only for the fashion-forward

you want me to buy a suit?

of course...your base wardrobe doesn't have to include suits at all...some of my clients don't want to look too "suity"...but more creative and daring with their clothes...

if you don't consider yourself a "suit person"...i urge you to give it some more thought before you write them off altogether...a suit can be a lifesaver for those occasions when nothing else will do...and even if you rarely have cause to wear one...the separate pieces of a suit will lend versatility to the rest of your wardrobe...

when looking at suits...the same rules apply as buying separates...the fit is key...and...bonus points...if the suit comes with a skirt & a trouser...i say grab all three pieces...some also come with a dress...more options for you to work with in your closet...

men's corner: what style say you?

men...are you modern, trendy or updated traditional?

modern = your taste is current, but not flashy. your clothing makes a statement, but a subtle one. you always look polished, even when you don’t have to...

updated traditional = you like to look good, but don't let clothes get in your way. you appreciate quality, value and function. you take the basics and make them your own...

trendy = you like fashion, and you're not afraid to admit it. you see clothing as another visual medium — like art, architecture or film. so why not get creative?

i came across this lovely quiz from nordstrom.com to help you out!

tom julian who wrote a lovely book entitled "nordstrom guide to men's style" says the following...

"it's probably not hard to get you talking about your car, your phone, your home, or your golf clubs...for some reason though, many men have difficulty articulating when asked to describe their style...style is like fingerprints - no two people's are the same..

style can be hard to discuss and define, probably because great style involves a certain degree of effortlessness...but think of it this way: style is everywhere - in the cars we drive, in the music we listen to, in the phones we use...so when thought of as a series of design choices, not fashion for fashion's sake, style isn't intimidating at all...in fact, many of us derive pleasure from the latest new thing, whether it's an HDTV or a new pair of sneakers - and you can get that same kick from building your wardrobe...

it may be easier to think of style as lifestyle - not just the way you approach your clothes, but also the way you approach everything else...applying your life philosophy to the way you dress integrates your personality into your clothing and enables you to effortlessly adapt the contents of your closet from work to play to weekend."

well said tom julian!

so...do you know what style you are? take the quiz...and let me know...and as always...if you need help getting outfits together...i am here to help... =) it is what i do!



styles as listed in "nordstrom guide to men's style"

luxury = you enjoy being well put together. you appreciate the tradition, skill, and craftmanship involved in making and wearing tailored clothing. quality is important to you - you want to build a head-to-toe wardrobe that will last. you want to look good without your clothes shouting "look at me!" your clothing choices portray a quiet confidence...

classic = your wardrobe is a collection of great staples. you think about clothes in terms of what they can do for you. you don't want your clothing to get in your way. you appreciate quality, value, and function. you take the basics and make them your own...

contemporary = you have a modern approach to fashion, expressing your own personal style through your wardrobe - but you never say anything too off-the-wall. you want to be current but not flashy...

trend = you like fashion and you're not afraid to admit it. fashion is just another visual medium - like art or architecture or film - so why not stay on top of things? you are able to make edgy fashion choices look easy, hip, and cool. you're skilled at translating the runway into real life...

what makes a classic a classic?

oxford button-down shirts, levi's jeans, white cotton t-shirts, baseball caps, bomber jackets, little black dresses, striped french sailor shirts, a string of pearls, navy blazers, trench coats, gold hoop earrings, cartier tank watches, ray ban sunglasses, cashmere cardigans, loafers...



it's an old friend with a new twist...a clunkier heel, perhaps? an animal-print pattern? it doesn't matter - whatever makes you kick up your heels...

you buy it for what it's always been: a familiar shape that seems to weather time and is always just a comfortable reach away in your closet...
you buy it for what it lets you be: yourself...

a classic classic? it is dependable, time-less, and tamper-proof...yet open to reinterpretation...

men's corner: classic with unexpected color...

on the street with bill cunningham from the ny times...what is he following?? men!

and...if you look real close...you will spot brad from the rachel zoe project looking ever so dapper...

for me personally...i love a man in a suit...and as bill cunningham shows...men are tweaking classic looks with unexpected color...even better! and the best part...no one look is the same...which gives you men some options!

take a look...
on the street - standouts...