He's the Man

Image credit: nordstrom.com


My husband needed a new blue blazer, and I found a very smart one at Nordstrom during its Anniversary Sale. He also needed some slacks for work, so I enlisted the help of Drake Johnson at the Santa Barbara store. Drake was immensely knowledgeable, helpful, and fashion savvy. He is the man to see! Contact him at 805.564.8770, ext. 1220 or at drake.p.johnson@nordstrom.com. Full disclosure: I receive no monetary payment or merchandise from Nordstrom or any other store when I recommend them.

Variety

 Image credit: Etsy.com

Perusing Etsy's website is something I like to do every once in awhile. I am always blown away by the variety of goods for sale and the incredible talents of so many people. It reminds me of when my husband and I went to the eastern region of Canada one summer: since the winters are long and cold, it seemed everyone we met was a craftsman, making gorgeous stained glass, furniture, or mosaics, to keep themselves busy during those snowbound days.

Just take a look at what's on offer in Esty's skirt section. There is something for everyone, no matter what style/s you prefer. I fancy the skirt above, by LoveAlanaDesigns, though I cannot imagine where I would wear it! Sometimes it's just fun to see what's out there and to dream a bit.

Run, Don't Walk!

Photo credit: recycledrags.com


If you live in (or near) Orange County, be sure to hit this upcoming sale at one of my favorite consignment stores:
Recycled Rags

THIS SUNDAY * AUGUST 30TH * 9AM- 4PM

Be sure to arrive early!
The first 25 customers to arrive will receive a coupon good for $5 off any purchase of $25+ to be used on the day of the sale!

Get in line before the doors open at 9 and you'll be eligible to win a $100 Gift Certificate(no expiration)!

Enjoy refreshments served throughout the day while shopping a stunning selection of designer clothing, shoes and bags for women & men!

   We hope to see you there!
2731 E. Coast Hwy
Corona del Mar, CA 92625

949-675-5553

for more information, please
VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Missing the Boat

Photo credit: Violeta.com

I'm not sure how long it is going to take for major designers to make plus-size clothing for women.  "The industry has done a disservice to themselves by not offering some of those great choices for the plus-size consumer," says Marshal Cohen, NPD retail analyst. For now, the industry is foolishly missing the boat, and plus-size women are not pleased. There is hope, however, since some celebrities are making their displeasure known and are getting into the design business.

Go here to listen or read more about this topic on NPR. Included in this piece are some suggestions of where to shop for fashionable clothing in sizes 14 and up. I also think Mango's Violeta line is pretty great.

Fantastic Dresses for Young and Teen Girls

I have spent a great deal of time lamenting the dearth of nice, modest, and cute dresses for young girls and teens. There are dozens of extremely short and revealing dresses which require complicated undergarments to wear. I am frustrated and angry with designers for making such sexualized clothing for young girls, and I am exasperated and appalled with adults buying these frocks. (Yes, I realize I sound like an uptight prude, especially after I used the word "frocks.")

So imagine my sheer joy upon entering Gazillion Dresses on State Street in Santa Barbara. My 14-year old daughter had been there before with my mom, and I was surprised to learn that they both loved this store since their tastes are very different. Now I understood why: the dresses were stylish, unique, fun, well-made, and were for young girls, not Victoria's Secret models!

I fervently hope that stores like this will be successful, so if you are looking for a dress for a daughter, niece, friend, cousin. . . please check out Gazillion Dresses. And let me know what you think!

Easy Sign Up!

Subscribing to blogs has often baffled me. I don't have a firm grasp on what an RSS feed is, or if I want someone's blog to go to one of my email accounts or to Facebook, or . . . UGH! I wonder how many others share my bewilderment over the how-tos of subscribing to blogs. Finally,  my blog is now easy to receive via email. Eureka! Simply enter your email address under "subscribe" in the upper right hand corner here, click subscribe, and you will receive regular doses of Wardrobe Wisdom. Hooray!

A Tip

 Image Credit:thredUP.com

Last week I ran into a client who asked me for a brilliant Wardrobe Wisdom hint, "just one!" She took me a bit off guard and I had to think a minute about what little gem I could pass her way. While I was thinking, she passed along one to me: Thredup.com. 

Kristen did a spin in the cute dress she had on, telling me it was purchased from this site, along with several other great things which she wears all the time.

Perhaps you have been to this site which is like an online consignment store/thrift shop. I went home and immediately did some investigating and think it's one of those sites I'll need to visit once a week to find anything I love. There are A LOT of items to look at.

Where Do I Shop?

I get this question pretty often, and here are my answers:

For shoes, makeup, and clothes for my girls--Nordstrom

For clothes that fit just right and that I end up loving: J. Crew, Anthropologie, and Boden.

For clothes that are unique and to support local businesses: Lovebird, Indian Summers (in Summerland), Lola, Renaissance, Jessica Fine Consignment, and Lewis and Clark (for jewelry).

Once in awhile, for jewelry or other nice things, and when I just want to splurge: Encanto, Diani, and Hawthorn (Santa Claus Lane).

And lately, thanks to my very fashion-savvy boss: Ebay. Yes, I have embraced watching and purchasing clothing on Ebay (mostly Anthropologie skirts).

I shop an awful lot, and the more I shop, the more I know what I like and don't like, both in clothing and accessories and in the overall shopping experience. I really appreciate friendly, helpful salespeople and find them in some surprising places sometimes. I have met lovely people at Forever 21 and Tilly's (thank you for training your employees so well!), and at Talbots--always.

What are your go-to shopping places?

Fancy Pants

I felt underdressed in my casual maxi dress and flip flops when I entered the glorious A'maree's in Newport Beach last week. This store is renown for its designer and couture clothing, gorgeous and unusual jewelry, and jaw dropping shoes and handbags. Still, I had gone to school with the owners and Denise (on left)  had always been friendly when I had come into her store. After all, the website invites you to "Come as you are. Have a cookie. Hug the dogs...and leave feeling like a million bucks." 

Go here to watch a video about the store's new location which is breathtaking, inside and out. My younger daughter and I spent a long time gazing at the spectacular collection of clothing and accessories, and had a nice chat with Denise. If you love and appreciate exquisite garments and other adornments, A'maree's is a very worthwhile visit. 

Waxing Poetic

Today I took a stroll down Lillie Avenue in Summerland. Besides getting some lovely soaps at Indian Summers for my daughters' teachers, I spent time looking in shops. For the first time I visited Waxing Poetic, where I met store manager Ellie Olsztynski (above), who could not have been friendlier.

Waxing Poetic started several years ago with vintage and historically inspired pendants designed by Patti Pagliei Simpston. Today her stores in Summerland and Los Olivos carry her renown pendants, as well as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and gorgeous silk and modal scarves in breathtaking patterns. I showed impressive restraint by walking out of the store without a scarf of my own, but I may not have such willpower next time!

60 and Sensational

The site 60andsensational.co.uk is quite impressive. I especially like its blog. Looking at this site made me ponder, once again, why American designers ignore the huge 40+ demographic when designers in other countries make beautiful, decidedly non-frumpy clothing for women.

I am happy to report that someone is making a real effort in the U.S. In the past 2 years, Talbots has revamped its image, offering stylish, well-made, and--dare I say--hip clothing. Just look at the accessories above, which they will be carrying this spring. Furthermore, the service at Talbots is exceptional. When I suggest to some of my Wardrobe Wisdom clients that they shop at Talbots, they often check to see if I am kidding. I assure them that not only will they be delighted by what they find at Talbots, but they will LOVE the personal attention and help they receive there. Every time.

Amazing Alpha Thrift

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of getting a behind the scenes tour of the big Alpha Thrift store in Old Town Goleta. As a result, I feel better than ever about donating to and shopping at this amazing place. Here are some facts I learned that day from its FAQ sheet:

- Alpha Resource Center was established in 1953 by three moms of children with Down's Syndrome.

- Alpha provides family support and advocacy throughout the entire County of Santa Barbara, with offices from Santa Barbara to Guadalupe.

- 100% of the net proceeds of the stores go directly to supporting services.

- Alpha serves approximately 1,200 families and 95 adults with developmental disabilities in South County and provides social/recreation services for 53 teen and young adults and provides support for 485 individuals through the advocacy and wellness program.

And here are some remarkable things I learned during the tour:

- The stores get 200 customers per day.

- 70% of things in the stores get sold and the rest get recycled or re-purposed.

- The stores have several loyal, long-term employees.

- Alpha Resource clients often work in the stores, which gives them life skills and builds their self-confidence.

- 400 garments go in and out of the store each week (!)

- It is the place to go for Halloween costumes.

If you would like to go on a tour of the thrift store or Alpha Resource Center, and I highly recommend you do, call Marisa at 805-683-2145, ext. 105 or email mbourke@alphasb.org. This organization is a true gem in our community.

P.S. Alpha Thrift is the place to get beautiful men's ties--for a song!

Shopping in SLO

Last weekend I fled my chaotic, flooded house and visited my great friend Heather in San Luis Obispo. After eating at the magnificent and unusual Granada Bistro, we shopped. By far my favorite boutique was Trio. The owner makes her own pretty jewelry and designs wonderful clothing as well. Trio carries other lines of clothing and some truly beautiful wedding and baby gifts.

Here is what I look for in a small boutique:
Excellent, personal customer service--no pushy salespeople;
A relaxed, friendly environment;
Fair prices; and
Unique clothing and accessories

Trio possesses all of these qualities, and I hope to return before too long. It's important to support small businesses which are making a go of it during these challenging economic times.

Plus-Size Clothing

A woman came into Patty Montana recently, telling me how happy she was to learn that clothing for plus-size women is becoming more attractive and easy to find. This was news to me: Several of my Santa Barbara Wardrobe Wisdom clients relate stories of frustration while searching for plus-size clothing, and I find shopping for them challenging as well. However, one of my friends and clients just sent me this blog post which does offer some hope for plus-size women.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Over the years I have heard friends and Wardrobe Wisdom clients complain about the unwelcoming environment at Saks. Yet many of these same people have no problem shopping at Blue Bee and its offspring--stores that make me feel like a country bumpkin. Perhaps shoppers need to visit Saks again to feel more comfortable there.

During my recent tour of Saks, with its down-to-earth, friendly women's departments manager, I met some very nice sales clerks and was extremely impressed with the store's inventory. There is something for everybody (Well, almost. There is no longer a men's department) at Saks. For working women, clothing by Tahari, Theory, Natorious, Akris Pinto, and Zenobia is just right. Even wearing one piece from one of these designers can give a businesswoman confidence; they are beautiful and well-made. I am a big fan of Theory and I so love clothing by Milly.

For decades Burberry was known for its iconic trench coat. Now it offers some more fun and lively pieces. I saw a number of on-trend, cute jackets and great outerwear pieces.

The section of the store I loved the most is downstairs, where menswear used to be. In this contemporary department, I saw a staggering selection of premium denim jeans, lovely pieces by Joie and Twill Twenty-Two, super nice clothing by Marc by Marc Jacobs, and loads of separates to mix and match. The selection of shirts by James Perse is the largest I've seen anywhere, and I saw a number of good-looking belts. This section of the store is hip, fresh, and full of surprises without being pretentious.

So, ladies, it is time to give Saks another chance. I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Jeans, Again

Among all the names that fly around in the denim world, one seems rather unsung: David Kahn. These jeans are pricey, but boy do they flatter a woman's figure. I have seen lean, curvy, tall, and short women in David Kahn jeans, and they all look fabulous, due to the various available styles. The one style that suits most women is called, eponymously, the Butt-Lifter. It works, truly!

These jeans are available at Patty Montana in Goleta and at Nordstrom in Paseo Nuevo Mall. Give them a try!

Gap Jeans

Last week I spent an afternoon at the Gap, trying on their new 1969 jeans. Melissa was super helpful, finding all but one style (The Boyfriend) in my size and ferrying jeans to and from my dressing room. Did I like them? Yes. Was the denim similar to other premium brands' denim? Not quite. Did they fit? Some better than others. Would I recommend trying them on? YES!

Here are the different styles and my comments:

Perfect Boot: I liked the wide waistband and cute 2 button closure. The dark wash looked dressy and they were flattering from the back. These were as close to perfect as I got that day!

Sexy Boot: This one had a super low rise (not good on me with my long waist) and flattened out my bottom. Not pretty. Again, the dark fabric looked and felt good.

Real Straight: Indescribably bad on me. These would be good on a taller, leaner person who wanted to tuck them into boots.

Long & Lean: Inexplicably, I took a smaller size in this style. They had some distressed whiskering in the front and looked great from the back. I think it's funny that this style fit me as I am only 5' 4".

Curvy: I really liked the feel and leg of these though the pockets hit me low in the back. I am not very curvy.

Always Skinny: See Real Straight above.

The 1969 Jeans are definitely worth trying on, and I would suggest trying all the styles. Buying jeans in a current style is a foolproof way to update your wardrobe. My body shape (rectangle) did not match up with the style for which it was designed. Every pair but one was a bit big in the waist which is highly unusual for me. So give yourself time in The Gap--you may find your dream jeans there.

P.S. There are some super cute, reasonably priced T-shirts at The Gap these days!

A Happy Accident

While visiting family and friends in Orange County last weekend, I grazed a snazzy BMW with my vehicle. Damn! I hopped out of my car and looked the other one over. The only marks were a few horizontal ones where my white paint had met with the BMW's lovely gunmetal gray. I scribbled a note to the car's owner and left it on the windshield, cursing myself for being distracted while I was hunting for a parking spot.

The following day I received a call from Anita, thanking me for leaving the note and wanting me to meet her at a nearby car wash. She was hoping that the car washers could rub out the marks. Relieved that Anita did not seem angry, I explained the situation to my two daughters, and they looked confused but understood we needed to make a side trip on our way back to Santa Barbara.

At the car wash, I was met by friendly Anita. We began talking and I learned that she was the owner of a boutique in Newport Beach called Maison Saint Marie. When I told her that I was a wardrobe consultant, she began to describe her boutique and invited me to see it. At the end of our conversation, we learned that the car looked like new and she was pleased with the result. Whew!

I zipped down PCH and walked into Anita's store. What a gem! She carries one-of-a-kind gowns, cocktail dresses, gorgeous purses, and beautiful jewelry. Immediately I began thinking of clients who would be drooling over her wares and I am anxious to share my find with them. We both felt that our meeting was meant to be!

Bras. Panties, and More!

On Monday, July 27, a number of women gathered after hours at Purrmision Lingerie. Miss Kitty, aka Melanie Doctors, is the owner of this fine local store and takes her work very seriously. Thank goodness because getting the right undergarments is serious business! She and her very efficient and knowledgeable bra fitter, Tiger, offered to fit my Wardrobe Wisdom clients and friends. Most learned they were wearing the wrong size and were thrilled to discover pretty bras that truly did their jobs.

Miss Kitty and I agree that building a bra wardrobe has a great deal in common with building your outer wardrobe: spend the most on the bras you will wear the most, in accordance with your lifestyle. For example, if you wear knit, body-skimming tops several times a week, invest in a couple of t-shirt bras, one in nude and one in a darker color.

We also talked about getting away from black bras. They tend to be the go-to item when we are wearing dark colors, but why not get a bra in red or bright green, or a beautiful purple? Why indeed? Putting such a lovely thing on first thing in the morning can and should be uplifting in every sense of the word. In fact, wearing great-fitting bras, underwear, and slips just make us feel good and we are SO worth it!

White House/Black Market

When my friend Loren started working at the White House/Black Market in Paseo Nuevo Mall, in Santa Barbara, I dropped in more frequently. I was always impressed with the good quality of the clothing and the helpful saleswomen. On July 23rd I invited my Wardrobe Wisdom clients to an evening of shopping, refreshments, and a talk about wardrobe basics at the store. We had a swell night!

Most of the questions I fielded had to do with accessorizing. I talked about how such things as scarves and an interesting necklace can finish an outfit, making it look pulled-together and chic. I was happy to find some simple yet unusual silver hoop earrings that would go with any outfit. I was also taken with some fun patent leather, crocodile embossed wallets.

Of course, what I liked most was a darling denim jacket (above) that fit me perfectly. I am such a sucker for denim. But, taking my own wisdom to heart, I left it at the store since I already own two denim jackets. Such restraint!