Preppy Is Back

When I was in high school during the 1980s "The Official Preppy Handbook" was extremely popular. It was written as a joke, satirizing the WASPs and their world. It led the way to a whole preppy movement in clothing. However, since I grew up in Newport Beach, dressing preppy was not a passing fad. People had been dressing conservatively there for decades. At any given event, I saw my friends, our classmates, and their families sporting button down and polo shirts, oxfords, khaki pants, seersucker jackets, Lily Pulitzer dresses, twin sets, and other preppy looks.

So when I heard that the sequel to "The Official Preppy Handbook," called "True Prep" was coming out, I was curious. An interest in the Mad Men style, along with strained economic times has prompted designers to promote a more simple, streamlined, classic style. Cardigans, longer skirts, jackets, and well-cut men's suits are everywhere right now.

Meghan Daum's article in the Los Angeles Times on September 9, titled "A Preppy Guide for Hard Times" maintains that a message deeper than how to dress can be gleaned from the new book. I am going to quote a long passage at the end of her article because I could not paraphrase it better: "Perhaps preppiness is less about demographics and style than it is about living decently in an often indecent world. As stuffy and elitist as its preoccupations can be, preppiness at its core is ultimately about self-respect. It's about pulling your pants up. It's about being able to come up with an acceptable answer when asked what book changed your life. It's about knowing that you don't necessarily need to have money to have class."

I am all for promoting self-respect and displaying integrity and class. If adopting a more preppy or conservative way of dressing leads people down that road, hooray!

Pantsuit Alternative

Some of you may have received an unfinished post about pantsuits that I sent instead of saving. Sorry for any confusion!

Now that I have ridded my closet of pantsuits, am I terribly out of style? Fashion journalists everywhere are stating a must-have item for fall is a pantsuit. What is a woman to do?

Fortunately for me and the other women out there who have never enjoyed wearing a pantsuit, there are alternatives. What you are looking for is an outfit that exhbits confidence and seriousness: You mean business. Here are ensembles I wear when a pantsuit would be appropriate:

1. Trousers, simple blouse, with or without a tailored cardigan;

2. Pencil skirt, simple blouse, with or without a tailored cardigan;

3. Pencil skirt and classic twinset;

4. Trousers and classic twinset; and

5. Simple, classic dress in a solid color with a jacket or tailored sweater. Or a sweater dress in a solid color.

See, there are things to be worn in lieu of a pantsuit. Wear a solid blouse in more serious environments; otherwise a print is fine. None of us need to invest in a brand new pantsuit as there are other options. Phew!

P.S. All these looks are from Talbots.

How to Gently Help Your Partner Update His Look

So many women over the years have asked me, usually with a heavy sigh, how on earth they can get their husband, fiance, or boyfriend to get rid of some clothing and consider different styles. I do have some advice for those women, as I can completely relate to their wishes and struggles.

In general, men develop their look after college or once they've established themselves in a career. Then they tend to sort of wash their hands of the entire building a great wardrobe idea and just buy the same sorts of things repeatedly, year after year. Their look does not evolve with the times and they are sometimes pretty prickly when their partner suggests an update.

When I moved in with my then-fiance, I remember spending a couple hours going through his wardrobe. He knew me well by then so was not surprised at my eagerness to engage in a bit of Wardrobe Wisdom. Still, he had an excuse for keeping every absurd, outdated, ill-fitting garment in his closet. Oh, the baggy, ugly patterned harem pants! Oh, the skinny knit ties! Oh, the fanny packs! I remember laughing a lot and him finally going along with my suggestions to chuck several things. Still, he held onto those pants and one of the fanny packs for awhile!

Today he asks me for wardrobe advice and allows me to do most of his clothes buying. Over the years he has come to appreciate my motto (thanks to Tim Gunn) of buying once and buying well. When he received a promotion recently, we talked about how this meant dressing for his new position, and he finally purchased a beautiful dark suit and some timeless gray slacks. He would much rather spend his money on Apple products or bikes, but he does see the value of dressing well.

I am not suggesting that you laugh uproariously at your partner while going through his closet. My husband was an exceptionally good sport. What I do suggest is that you show him some pages from current men's magazines or clothing catalogs that you like, telling him how handsome and dashing he would look in similar clothing. Let him know you are delighted to do all the shopping (or let me or a personal shopper at Nordstrom do it for you) and slowly introduce a few new items into his closet. At the same time you may, very gently, ask him if you can box up some of the outdated items he no longer wears (or shouldn't be wearing!). Assure him these things are not being eliminated, just moved out of the closet to make room for clothes that look great on him NOW.

I have had to be patient with my husband, mentioning a shirt or sweater I saw that would look good on him, or suggesting he get rid of some things he no longer wears. Sometimes he gets defensive and wears things I don't favor, such as his riding knickers, but overall I have seen his confidence grow as his style has evolved. He feels good in his clothing. So have courage, women, and don't give up!

Fall Trends: To Participate or Not

I enjoyed reading a recent Style Bakery post which included a descriptive list of the fall trends along with photos. As usual, I advise that you think about your personal style, your lifestyle, and your body shape before jumping on each fad bandwagon. You don't have to participate in all or any of them! But getting a few new items on this list can refresh your fall wardrobe. I'll go through their list, giving my two cents on how to wear them.

1. Leather Jackets: If you like wearing jackets and feel good in leather, go for it! A leather jacket can add an edgy look to any outfit and looks good with almost anything.

2. Camel: This is THE color this season, from beautiful wool coats to suede skirts. What is wonderful about camel is its versatility: the color complements all other colors. However, camel does not complement all skin types. If you look good in warm tones, such as gold, rust, cream, and brown, go ahead and wear camel close to your face. But if you are like me, and look better in cool, blue tones, relegate camel to the lower half of your body or in accessories.

3. Military Chic: This means double breasted jackets with brass buttons, epaulets, cargo pants and lace up boots. If you are heavy on top, skip the double breasted jackets. This look can quickly go over the top, resulting in strangers saluting you on the street, if you add more than one military element to your outfit.

4. Animal Prints: Here they are again! I am not sure we can still call this a trend since it's been appearing for about 4 years now. This year it seems leopard is all the rage. I like it in accessories but there are a lot of cute dresses out there this year as well. If you are petite, keep the prints small.

5. Faux Fur: When I went to London 20 years ago, I had to borrow a friend's ratty fur coat during an unexpected snow storm. I remember being yelled at and spit on for sporting fur. Not fun! Faux fur, on the other had, is a fun, whimsical trend that I think will not result in your being spat upon.

6. Minimalism: Think simple shapes and lines, in neutral colors. There are a lot of dull grays, beiges, and taupes out there this season. Starting with a minimalist look leaves a lot of room for having a good time with interesting accessories.

7. Lace: If you like a romantic look, add a bit of lace to your outfit via a shirt collar, cuffs, on a hat or shoe, or as an embellishment on your bag.

8. Jewel Tones: They are here again. If you look good in cool tones, have fun wearing sapphire blue, ruby red, emerald green, and purple. If these colors do not flatter your skin tone, wear bright yellows or saffron or wear the cool tones in the form of accessories or away from your face.

9. Longer Skirts: While I am ecstatic that the super short skirts are largely gone this season, I am fretting a bit over the long skirt trend. Most women's figures benefit from a skirt at or just above or below the knee. A longer skirt can make a petite woman look stumpy and will cut off others' lean lines. So, if you opt in to this trend, you need to wear a higher heel along with something fitted on top.

10. Capes and Ponchos: Well, why not? They can be cozy and cute, worn with jeans or trousers. The runways have been featuring models in tailored pants, heels, and camel-colored capes. If you feel too Nanny and the Professor in a cape, skip this trend.

11. Chunky Knits: Another cozy and cute option as the days get cooler.

12. Pant Suits: Did these ever go out of style? I guess the emphasis has been on skirt suits recently, but pant suits are always around. You know if you look good in and like this style, so now is the time to take advantage of its abundance in stores right now.

13. Wide Leg Pants and Menswear Trousers: I keep seeing these and think they look best on a tall woman. Petites can get lost in all that fabric and draping. Still, menswear trousers can look smart if they are tailored well and are worn with a more feminine top.

14. Metallic Gold: Actually all metallics are still around, from tops to belts, to shoes, to purses. I like metallic and think a flash of it can instantly update a stale look.

15. Boots: Booties, over the knee (really!), cowboy boots, riding boots. . . Take your pick.

I hope you have a wonderful fall! Let me know if you would like help incorporating some of these looks into your current wardrobe. It's one of my most requested Wardrobe Wisdom services.

Now, That's a Closet!

An acquaintance of mine was talking about her closet and how she had made it the centerpiece of her bedroom. She is an interior decorator so I assumed she would have done this with flair. However, I was unprepared for the incredible photo she sent me. I am envious!

Men and Their Clothes

Most of my posts concern women's wardrobe issues. However, I have plans to do some short videos aimed at men and their clothing concerns. The videos on an excellent blog called "Put This On." are very inspiring. My favorite parts of the videos are called "Rudiments," where a guy briefly covers a clothing basic, such as what kinds of shirts should be tucked in or left untucked. Check out the video on denim. It has some valuable tips for both men and women. However, I am still trying to make sense of paying $500 for a pair of jeans even though I've watched the video twice!

Why the George Clooney photo? He is always well dressed, looks gorgeous in a tux or jeans, and well, I just think he is cute.

A Bargain?

I love a bargain as much as the next shopper, but before making a purchase, even if it is a screaming deal, I ask myself the same questions I ask when buying any clothing: Do I love it? Does it flatter my figure? Will it go with other things I already own?

These questions went through my mind when I considered a darling 5 euro skirt at a Paris flea market. I walked by the rack 3 times before I finally pulled out the skirt. Then I held it up to me, and then when the women said I should just try it on, I abandoned all modesty and slipped it under the skirt I was wearing. It fit beautifully! When I learned the price I was even more thrilled. I did love it, and I did purchase it!