fall/winter 2012 trend: coats...

when it comes to the coats of this upcoming season...think big...think voluminous...think architecture...

but as in any trend...the advice i give my clients and friends...is that it needs to be a trend that works for you...your body...and your life style...the worst thing anyone can do...is to wear a piece of something or other...that the magazines dictate as the "in" thing...and in or not...if it is wrong for you...what good is it?

i loved seeing this spread in the october issue of vogue...the coats were photographed by craig mcdean...i mean...it looks like art...doesn't it?  and although i can appreciate the trend...and how lovely it is...this lovely trend will not work for some women...like me...for sure!

i have hips...and drawing this much attention to them...is not something i plan to do...but again...i can appreciate them...in pictures...in stores...and on others...just not me...

and as with any trend...if you look hard enough...you should be able to find something that is suitable for you...and only you...these next two...i am loving...although i have a huge coat collection currently residing in my closet...i never say no to a new coat...if it speaks to me...right?

are you planning on investing in a new coat this year?  obviously depending on where you live...the heavier the better...in california...that is a bit hard to justify...if you are looking...think of expanding from what you already have...a classic camel color is always classy...but think of adding some color...perhaps a fur collar...

if you are thinking you need to stick to your current coats...try adding a belt to an existing coat...to show a new look...change out the buttons...instant update...mix in different scarves...gloves...little changes can make an otherwise old coat...look new again...

(all photos scanned by moi)

good-bye sweet chester...

this last tuesday evening...i had to do one of the hardest things ever...saying good-bye to my sweet chester...who has been in my life for 22 years...22 years of loving and cuddling...the only thing that makes this a little easier...is that i know he had a fabulous & spoiled life...as all our furry friends should...

so i thought...why not dedicate one post to sweet chester...so all of you can see his beautiful coat that he wore daily... =)

you are...and will be missed...have fun in kitty heaven!

men's corner: details...

i am always on the lookout for details in men's clothing...let's face it...when it comes to clothing...men don't have as many options as women...but there is still a way to make your wardrobe reflect you and your personal style...

for my men clients...and guy friends...i am always talking about the little details...a small detail in a coat...for example...can be the difference between plain and pretty fabulous...

when i saw this ad for burberry prorsum in the april issue of vogue...i was delighted...how gorgeous is the little tangerine tango trim...the color of the year by pantone...i might add...

details...a little goes a long way...start looking at your wardrobe...from your socks...to your shirts...to your sports jackets...when shopping...are you looking for those small details that will set your wardrobe apart from others...

scanned by moi

how to update that old coat of yours...

just like shoes...i feel one can never have too many coats...but that is just me...i happen to really love coats...but whether you have one or two...or like me...too many to mention...they are a big investment...and not one that you get rid of year after year...

so if you've got some old coats hanging in your closet...and they happen to be in great condition...but maybe...you are just a tad bit bored with them...why not update them? make them "new" again...

one of my favorite fashion tidbits: want to spruce up an old coat? add a fabulous big belt or some new buttons to create a brand new piece...

those are two very easy ways to update an old coat...sometimes the belt might not work...it really depends on how thick your coat is...but the buttons? the options are limitless...have you ever taken a look at the rows and rows of buttons offered? you can go vintage...modern...and everything in between...

i thought i would offer up a few more options...sometimes what worked before...may seem dated now...for example...sometimes...the sleeves can be changed...how about making the sleeves 3/4? and then style this with some long leather gloves? or work with the length of the coat...perhaps shortening it will give you more options...

depending on the style of the coat...sometimes (with the help of a tailor) the collar can be re-shaped...or be adventurous...hunt through a local antique, vintage or thrift store for a fur collar...it can easily be attached to the current collar...

small embellishments work wonders as well...sometimes...something as simple as adding a vintage brooch to your coat...or step out of the box...and add a cluster of three...tre chic!

most recent update that i saw...by a fellow image consultant...one of her clients had an old boxy jacket (more of a blazer jacket)...so they cut of the sleeves...tapered in the sides...and made a very classy vest...added a nice thick belt...and voila! a whole new piece to a current wardrobe...

while i am an advocate for getting rid of items in your closet that you know in your heart of hearts you will never wear again...there are those items that may not be right as they are...but can be "fixed" to be one of your favorite pieces...

have you ever updated an old coat? what tricks did you use?

photo source

you had me at hello: i'm feelin' kinda blue...

my name is elena...and i have a coat addiction...but i'm wondering...is it an addiction or just a love of beautiful coats? hmmm...

while i was flipping through a bloomingdales catalog...my eyes feasted on this lovely...i've never really gravitated towards blue...but this sweet maxi coat...had me at hello...a blue double -breasted maxi coat by nanette lepore...doesn't every coat collector need a blue one as well?

did you notice i went from having an addiction to being a collector of coats? has a nicer ring to it...either way...i'm not ashamed...the only problem is...i don't see this on the bloomingdales website...maybe i'm too late...

i wonder what started my love for blue?

the maxi coat by nanette lepore
scanned by moi

a terrific coat...

ok...i know for a lot of you...you are not thinking about coats...at least not here in the bay area...as we are having some rather pretty perfect eighty degree weather kind of days...but coat season will be upon us soon...and the days will turn chilly...

and although we may not be thinking about coats...they are already filling up the stores...

as your most public piece of clothing...your coat has a lot to do not only with how warm you are but with your mood...if you feel good about how you look coming and going...you're likely to feel good when you're there...what counts as terrific is up to you...

for some women...only black will do...another woman says she'll never go through another winter without a bright coat to cheer her up...for still another it's the ultimate classic camel coat or navy polo...

a good coat is a steep investment...but keep in mind that you really do wear your coat nearly every day for maybe six months or so a year...and that a good coat should last three years minimum...that's about 350 to 400 wearings...so when you think cost per wear...a terrific one is well worth a dollar or two (or even more) per wear...

burberry brit double breasted peacoat
nordstrom.com

baby...it's cold outside...

and "the savvy chic boutique" is going to feature coats & sweaters this coming weekend...and the best part?? all at 50% off...so come in out of the cold...and grab yourself a new coat...sweater...or two...or three...lots of styles...lots of designers...and lots of color...oh...and did i mention all at 50% off?

so grab a friend or two...and come on by...and pick up some deals on some fabulous "one of a kind" pieces...

featured items...
mara khodara from new york (european designs)
imma cashmere
designer's corner
hallet sweater art

and so much more! hope to see you!

Three Days Only

Thursday, January 13
Noon - 5 pm

Friday, January 14
Noon - 5 pm

Saturday, January 15
11 am - 4 pm

319 Primrose Rd (upstairs)
Burlingame, Ca

when buying a winter coat...

...be picky...especially those that live in the "real" cold climates...if you think about the time that is spent wearing your winter coat...and because of the cold...your coat is the only thing people see you in...why why why would you skimp on style? it's first impression...once again...

and while we are on the topic of coats...it truly is essential for the grown-up wardrobe to have multiple coats...it makes no sense to be all dolled up for an evening out...only to cover yourself up with your everyday run around town coat...so how many should you have? =) wrong question for me to answer...i of course am obsessed with coats...but truly...eventually...you should strive for the following:
- a nicely tailored coat for work...i would opt for black or camel...
- a run around town doing errands coat...
- a glamorous cocktail coat...
- a faux or real (whatever your preference) fur coat for a dressy evening out...
and of course...as i write this...one or two of the options may not relate to your lifestyle...but if it does...have an appropriate coat for it...

now at the beginning of this post...i did say to be picky...and in picky...i am talking about the fabric...the cut...the length...scale...proportion...color...trim...basically everything you are picky about when choosing clothing...why be so meticulous about your wardrobe...and then skimp on a lumpy bumpy coat? as i've said before...a shoe can make or break an outfit...well...that same line works for coats...it can make or break your outfit...

so don't let a little...or a lot of cold...leave you with no personality...why be forgettable in a boring basic coat when you can "wow" everyone in a memorable coat loaded with personality? bring on the color...the shine...the pattern..the drama...when we are in the midst of a bleak dark & grey season...we definitely need some extra fashion fun...why not have it with your winter coat?


photo source

you had me at hello: perfection in a coat...

along with my shoe obsession...handbag obsession...baubles obsession...i absolutely love a good coat...and this one...well it had me at hello...so simple...yet so elegant...just what i need want...

speaking of...how many coats do you own? i know it must seem odd that a california girl has more then one or two coats...but i do...from my vintage selections...to my leopard print...to my leathers...i have nothing remotely close to this beauty...should i splurge?

scanned by moi
instyle november 2010 issue
max azria coat

my vintage coats...

by popular demand...and shy readers =) who emailed me asking me to post pics of my vintage coats...here they are...i just finished packing them away till next winter...

this first one is one of my very first vintage finds...it was found during a girl's weekend in lovely santa barbara...for a steal...and i continue to wear it year after year after year...love the mustard color...(although the pic doesn't show that too well)



awww...love this one...in one of my favorite colors...hmmm...seems i gravitate to fur collars...


i wear my long leather gloves with this coat...the 3/4 sleeve is so jackie o...


oh look...the fur collar is back =)


for someone who loves wearing color...i'm thinking i need to step out a little more in my coat purchases...no? everything is brown...


my purchase at the rose bowl flea market...


nothing better then a little winter white...


after this post...i realize that my wardrobe is slightly skewed in that most of my winter coats are for the dead of winter...where as vintage coats that i posted in "i confess...i am a vintage coat addict"...are more lighter...i'm thinking i need a few more of those...just sayin...

i confess...i am a vintage coat addict...

the lovely cherie over at shrimpton couture wrote a lovely post about me...i just had to share...it's all about the vintage coat...

on a side note...if you are an avid vintage lover...keep checking her website as she adds new items daily...i am in awe of the pieces that she has...

in cherie's post...she says about me "she is a bit of a vintage coat addict"...that made me laugh...how right she is!

here is the other vintage coat i purchased from shrimpton couture

i guess i need to confess...that yes...i am a vintage coat addict...if you would like to see more of my collection...that i have gotten over the years...let me know...i can always do a vintage coat post =)

so...what vintage pieces do you gravitate to?

all puffed up in down...

my favorite section of the ny times is the fashion & style (big surprise...right?) and of course...i can never get enough of bill cunningham "on the street"...he basically rides his bicycle around ny city and captures people and fashion on the streets of ny (yes...i would love that job)

this last week bill cunningham did a segment on puffed coats...i have to admit...i did not realize there were so many different styles out on the streets...but the pictures prove otherwise...and he tells the history of the first down coat...interesting listen...

i seem to have been surrounded by this theme of puffed coats...as i've read about them in different blogs...my favorite being taffetadarlings AND the lovely stacy from taffetadarlings even posted a pic of herself in her puffy coat...even though she had a bad dinner experience...doesn't she look adorable?

our weather here in northern california does not really get cold enough to warrant the need for a puffy coat...but if it did...i would be sporting that red number in bill cunningham's video...nice pop of color on a gloomy grey day...

speaking of being surrounded by talks of puffed coats...my girlfriend treated herself for christmas & news year's by traveling to italy...(i know...can you stand it?) and she said that it was strange to see the puffed coats in almost every store front window...

hmmm...guess it is all the rage...do you like??

photo by lorena...in italy!