More about Sizing

While writing about clothing sizing in the previous blog, I was reminded of one of my past posts. You can read it here.

Steady Sizing

What size do you wear? When I look at clothing in my clients' closets during a Wardrobe Wisdom consultation, I always see a range. One women will have size 2, 4, 6, and 8 pants, and they all fit! The lack of standard sizing can be incredibly frustrating and can make shopping a tiring task.

There seems to be reason for hope, however. I just read a very interesting article on this topic in the New York Times. The graph was especially enlightening, showing how even the same designer sizes clothes differently for his differently priced lines. Tanya Shaw is an entrepreneur and the chief executive of MyBestFit. In short, a customer using her system receives a full, 20-second body scan, which measures and then figures out "things like thigh circumference." Sign me up, right?

Seriously, I think Ms. Shaw is onto something. Once a woman completes the scan, she learns how her measurements correspond to the sizes at individual stores. For example, she may learn she wears a size 2 at Old Navy and a size 4 at Talbots.

Unfortunately, MyBestFit has not made its way to the West Coast yet. But other entrepreneurs are devising methods for making labels more consistent and easy to read. Marie-Eve Faust, program director of fashion merchandising at Philadelphia University states, "The next step is to have the major players sit together, manufacturers, retailers, brands, and say, 'This type of label should be appropriate for all of us. Let's standardize.'" I second the motion!

Shopping in Santa Barbara- One

Locals and tourists want to know about the best places to shop in Santa Barbara. For the next few weeks, I will be sharing information about my local shopping forays. I will let you know where I went, who was helpful, what I found, and why you should go there. I welcome your shopping experiences via comments on this blog or on my Wardrobe Wisdom Facebook page. And if there is a store you'd like me to visit, please let me know.

My first place is not one of Santa Barbara's (few remaining) local boutiques, but Saks Fifth Avenue, at 101 State Street. Many, many women have told me over the years that they never go to Saks. They think it is "too snooty" "too expensive" or "too old ladyish." I think a lot of people are intimidated by Saks Fifth Avenue's reputation an upscale East Coast institution that has not kept up with the times. Are the prices high? Some are. But most of Saks clothing is no more higher priced than what you will find at (the now defuct) Blue Bee, Wendy Foster, or Diani. Comparable items are actually a bit less, which always surprises people.

Here is what I like about Saks: helpful salespeople such as Patricia Elswick upstairs. She helped me find items for a client and did not seem to care whether or not I purchased anything. I also like that there is an experienced seamstress on site to show me how something can be altered. I like how there is a large department on the first floor devoted to jeans and current labels, and that there is always a small sale rack there. I LOVE the Theory, Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, and Sinclaire lines featured on the second floor. Today I purchased a divine DVF dress for $169 (originally $425!).

It is worthwhile to pop into Saks, even if it is just to gaze at its remarkable selection of shoes.

It Takes Time

We have all shopped in a hurry, and know that it is not an ideal mode. Somehow we expect to be able to find that perfect pair of jeans, or a special dress, or a darling pair of shoes in 20 minutes. Then we get frustrated, tired, and give up when we try on a few things that don't work. I am hear to say that if you care about fit, style, and quality, you will need to invest some time in shopping.

I recently spent over 4 hours shopping with one of my Santa Barbara Wardrobe Wisdom clients. Since I was the one wearing a watch, she gasped in amazement when I told her the time halfway through. She then commented that no one else would take so much time to shop, thinking she was a particularly challenging client. I told her that smart, careful shoppers do take time.

Now, let me be clear about what an efficient shopper I am: I do not dawdle in front of shoes, wondering if I like them or not or if they would suit a particular client. I do not take my sweet time, touching every knit top slowly to see if I like the way it feels. Instead, I am extremely good at doing a quick recon in a store and then zeroing in on my target items. I can quickly see what garments look good or not and if certain things just need a bit of tailoring.

When you head out to shop, decide what stores you want to hit. You do not need to visit every shop in the mall. Go to the one or ones that you have had the most luck in and/or those that suit your style and needs the best at this time. If you can, find an experienced salesperson who will be both honest and thoughtful. Or bring an honest friend who is shopping compatible (a friend who understands your style, budget, and body shape).

Do one round in the store to get a feel for what they are showcasing and what you want to return to. Then go around again with the salesperson, telling her your needs and showing her what you like. Now you can let her do the work, ferrying things back and forth for you. Let her know what is working for you and what doesn't and why.

If you are on your own, with only bored-looking or vaguely helpful salespeople, do your recon, gather what you want to try on, in different sizes and colors, and start getting undressed. Yes, you will have to try on many things. It is very rare for that perfect garment to find its way to you straight off. This shopping business takes time and effort. But when you find truly wonderful clothing that looks fantastic on you, instead of simply settling for mediocre things, you learn that your time was well spent.

The Trusty Uniform

Having an outfit or two you can always count on can be a big time saver and stress reducer. Three years ago (time moves so quickly!), I wrote about my uniform, and my post only needs a little revising. The clothing boutique, Patty Montana in Goleta, has closed, so I no longer need to get ready for working there. I have also cut my hair very short, saving countless minutes with the hair dryer every day. Hooray! Jeans, a knit top, and a cardigan still constitute my casual outfit of choice, but now I've also incorporated scarves into my go-to wardrobe.

Learning that Gwenyth Paltrow is also a fan of the uniform reminded me of its value. I imagine her closet is a dream, and that she has a lot more clothing choices than most of us. Still, she seems to rely on a few pieces to look good on casual days, and I like how she lays out her outfits.

Thank You, Calla!

I recently worked with jeweler Calla Gold. Yes, that really is her name and she creates gorgeous jewelry that goes way beyond gold baubles. We discussed my upcoming birthday and how much I would like something in my birthstone, aquamarine.

The next time we met to discuss what to wear to an upcoming conference, Calla let me know she had some gemstones for me to look at. We sat down at a table, and she put three sets of sparkling blue stones in front of me. I was speechless! They were all beautiful in their own way, but one pair particularly stood out. Twinkling from every angle, they were a pale blue that reminded me of the ocean between the shore and the really dark deeper part.

Within a couple of weeks, Calla rang my doorbell, a little black box in hand. When she opened the box it I squealed. She had created the perfect earrings for me. From Calla herself: "The glistening icy subtle blue of the aquamarines are simply set in white gold prongs that hold them as they flash and nestle on Lori's ears like little friends." I absolutely adore them and wear them nearly every day.

I told Calla the other day that they looked even better when I wore them with my Wonder Bras for Ear Lobes. Now I keep imagining the other extraordinary pieces she can create for me in the future.

100 Dresses

No, that is not the number I have in my closet. It is the title of a book featuring iconic and historical dresses from The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Reading this book transports me to different eras and places. I learn how exaggerated the bustle (that huge, shelf-like extension of a woman's bottom) became in 1885. I see how modern a floral silk dress by Coco Chanel can look. I feel thankful that the very tight corsets from the early 1900s are no longer required. Oh, and the gorgeous details, such as sequins, beading, hand embroidery, hand stitching, and hand painted designs, are simply divine to admire.

Anyone who loves fashion and likes to learn about its history would enjoy this book immensely. I purchased it at the Museum Store at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.