Worn Stories

Somehow, in the midst of all the hype surrounding the book Women in Clothes last year,
I missed reading Worn Stories, by Emily Spivak. You can read what the New York Times had to say about it here.

Worn Stories describes itself as a collection of "sartorial memoirs." I found myself flipping through it, choosing what to read by the clothing pictured. I wondered what someone would have to say about a canary yellow Hermes coat; why a person would hold onto a bright blue hoodie sweatshirt; and who wore the little hat with the feather and striped band. I'm so glad I happened to read what Susan Orlean had to say about the dress and pants ensemble that accompanied her memoir. She describes her quest for the perfect uniform, and how over the years, she thinks she has found it, only to start her quest all over again. I think a lot of us can relate to her musings:

"It's a temporary delusion that comes over me with regularity--a belief that by wearing this perfect thing, I will look right and feel good no matter what. When I'm in it, I totally believe I have found my look, my personal style. I understand that fashion, by definition, is a changing thing, and so is one's body. " (My bold font added for emphasis.)

 

Beauty and Usefulness

Beauty in Bouzy, France

One simple way to make a decision about a purchase or whether to get rid of something already owned is to ask yourself if it is useful and/or do you find it beautiful? If the answer to either of these questions is no, the decision has been made: Don't buy it or get rid of it.

Do I always follow this advice? No, but I try to. Today I put on my exercise bra--one I have had for years. I used to say that it was unattractive, but it did the job. However, it is no longer doing the job.  When my daughter announced that I looked "saggy on top," I realized the bra had to go. Give your wardrobe the once over and ask yourself about your clothing's usefulness and attractiveness. And have a donation bag nearby!

P.S. By far, the best sports bras I have were purchased via Title9. This website offers a variety of bras,workout clothing, and casual clothing. Title9's customer service is superb!

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.

Dressing with a Tummy

Photo Credit: Clintonkelly.com

As usual, Clinton Kelly offers expert advice on dressing for your body shape on his website. Go here to learn how to dress your best if you have a round belly; it's one of the body issues I hear about most from my Wardrobe Wisdom clients.

Suits that Fit

One thing I appreciated about men on the street I observed during my trip was how well their suits fit (not that I was staring!). I so appreciate the time and thought these men took in getting dressed; it's not that hard, guys!

Packing and Weeding

 Laurence, Gina, and me in the gardens of Giverny, France.

In this month's Coastal View News column, I describe how packing for a trip can often lead to weeding out one's wardrobe. Go here to read "Packing and Weeding", on page 21.

I Spy

I snapped quite a few photos of people on the streets of Paris during my recent trip. What I like about this young woman's outfit is the way her coat hits her just right at the waist and looks so chic with her simple flats. Sure, the sleeves need to be hemmed, but nobody's perfect!