Gone Missing

I apologize for being an inconsistent blogger recently. The holidays have left me breathless. Today I am setting off for San Francisco with my oldest daughter. We plan to spend a few days shopping, eating wonderful food, exploring the city, and discovering some consignment stores. She loves to take photos, and I know she will find some great places to shoot in the city.  I am hoping to post some photos on Instagram, too. Look for some new Wardrobe Wisdom posts in early 2014 and thank you for reading my blog!

Gift Cards

I've always felt uneasy when I return an item and get handed a plastic gift card, even when I plan to spend my credit that day (probably within a half hour). It has always seemed so wasteful, knowing I  will have that card for a very short time before it ends up in the trash. Why can't they just hold on to my returned item until I come back with something else? Or give me a receipt which shows my credit?

When I got the real scoop on the wastefulness of those gift cards from this story in the Los Angeles Times today, I decided not to give gift cards anymore. And I was pleased to learn that Sustainable Cards, which are made with 30% less energy than plastic cards and are compostable, are becoming more available. I also learned about companies turning to cards made from wood from sustainably managed forests.

Sure, this news is hitting many of us after we have done our holiday shopping. But armed with the information about plastic gift cards may cause us to rethink giving plastic gift cards in the new year.

I wish all of my Wardrobe Wisdom readers a very happy holiday!

A Little Sparkle

Image Credits: JCrew

Sometimes I am flummoxed: Will this accessory or garment I want to wear make me look matronly? My fashion sense is evolving as I get older, and some things I used to love seem too young for me now while other things seem too mature. I wonder why Talbots speaks to me now, having not shopped there a few years ago. I tell myself it's because their offerings are more hip today, but it could just be that I am nearly 50. I am their demographic!

In any event, such thoughts went through my mind the other day when I pinned a sparkly brooch to my sweater. Do I look like a grandma? I wondered. Is this brooch beautiful or over the top? But I really like it and decided it made me feel festive and cheerful.  I wore it all day, smiling whenever I noticed someone taking note of it. Did any of the junior high kids comment on it? No, but that may be a good thing!

My point here is that if you have something in your wardrobe that makes you smile, for goodness sake wear it. Moreover,  it is definitely the time of year to wear things that sparkle and shine.

How to Wear Belts

This month I worked with a client who described herself as "belt challenged." Although had purchased some lovely, chic belts, she was unsure of when and how to wear them. I assured her that belt savvy is a learned skill, and that I use a cheat sheet (photos of nicely belted ensembles discreetly displayed in my closet) to remind me of ways to wear belts. This is a pretty nifty cheat sheet from Nordstrom.

Here are some websites and blog posts that have photos and descriptions of belted looks:

http://fashion.about.com/od/latesttrends/ss/How-To-Wear-A-Belt.htm

http://www.ebay.com/gds/b-8-Tips-for-Wearing-Belts-With-Any-Outfit-b-/10000000177630943/g.html

http://www.merelymothers.com/2012/12/07/fashion-friday-put-a-belt-on-it/

When I want to buy a belt I go to Lovebird, Anthropologie, or Talbots. The saleswomen in any of these stores will be happy to help you add a belt to your wardrobe.

Be assured that belts are a foolproof way to pull together a complete look. Plus, they give you an air of cool glamour.

 Top 3 from Anthropologie

 Middle 3 from Talbots

 Bottom 2 from Nordstrom

This Year's Styles

Here is my monthly Coastal View News column, featuring my daughter's sketches:

I hope you enjoy reading it and learning more about current trends. Remember that it takes some time for your eyes and mind to adjust to new styles so try not to dismiss them too quickly.

Since the resolution on this image of my column is not optimal, I'd be happy to send you a more easy-to -read copy. Simply email me at loricooper@wardrobewisdom.com.

The Little Black Dress--and Beyond

Image Credit: Jigsaw London

Most "must-have" clothing lists for women include a little black dress. I have several black dresses, including a long one and a couple of casual short cotton ones for summer. However, I know not everyone looks great in or even likes to wear black, so when you think of this sort of must-have frock, expand your imagination. A perfect dress for you could be one in a jewel tone (such as ruby red, emerald, or sapphire), a rich brown color, or a winter white one. Jigsaw London, one of my favorite websites to peruse, features several little black dresses here. Give them a look and keep in mind the styles you like best, and then look for them when you shop for a dress--in any color.

Silly Words

Image Credit: Dr. Seuss


The fashion world, like all other microcosms, often takes itself quite seriously. But it is hard for me to say some terms without cracking a smile. Such is the case for a current shoe heel, called a pancake heel. At least the name describes the heel accurately: it's a small round disc on the bottom of the shoe.

Another term that makes me laugh is the "micro trend." This suggests that a trend is going to have an even shorter run than usual.

I appreciate talented designers and fashion folks who can see the humor in their business. Clinton Kelly, Diane Von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi, and Tim Gunn come to mind.

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?

Opulence

This holiday season's fashions are carried over from some luxurious fall looks. Besides all kinds of velvet (which I covered in this post), designers are using luxe fabrics to convey a festive, rich mood. Below are the definitions* and examples of a few of these royal treatments. I hope you include one or more in your ensembles when you are thinking of what to wear to holiday events.

Jacquard: A fabric with an intricately woven pattern.

Brocade: A heavy fabric interwoven with a rich, raised design.

Satin: A smooth fabric, as of silk or rayon, woven with a glossy face and a dull back.

Lace: A delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern.

All the trimmings: embroidery, fringe, feathers, beading, sequins, and fur.

I think this is the most beautiful bag I have ever seen (by Dolce & Gabbana)

*Thanks to the Free Dictionary by Farlex.

Calla Gold Wisdom

Photo Credit: mytwobutterflies.blogspot.com


Calla Gold, my personal jeweler, has a couple of new videos that are super informative. The one I watched first pertains to untangling necklaces. Ugh! I used to pay my daughters to do this for me, but they have not been interested lately. Thanks to Calla, I have now possess the knowledge to do it myself without too much difficulty.

In Iran. . .

Photo Credit:  Afra Pourdad, at afrascorner.com 

How refreshing it was to hear a story about Iran in which the topics of nuclear power, economic  sanctions, and Islamic fundamentalism were not dominant. Instead, this NPR story is about a model posing in an outdoor bazaar in Iran.  The photographer, Afra Pourdad strove to show a colorful and very personal side of Iran. The images she captured are spectacular.

Holiday Fabrics

                                                                        burnout

                                                                            crushed

I am not ready for the holidays and like to wait until after Thanksgiving to get our Christmas tree and decorate my house. Easing into the season is a tradition for me.

One thing I do give thought to though--long before things get very festive in the retail world--is what I have to wear for special events. When I take my fall and winter clothes out of storage bags, I love to see all the luscious fabrics and sparkly pieces. Below is a guide to velvet, a favorite winter and holiday fabric seen on skinny jeans, jacket lapels, skirts, dresses, and blouses.

Velvet: a fabric with a soft, plush feel made of silk or a synthetic blend of threads.
  burnout: sheer flat and raised velvet patterns in the material have been created by "burning out" parts of the fabric.
  crushed: the material has a look of having been scrunched up and then flattened out.

Velveteen: This is a stiffer fabric with a soft feel, made of cotton. Velveteen is more casual than velvet.

In order to show you some examples of luxury fabric (seen above), I visited the luxe world of neimanmarcus.com. You can find comparable styles for your budget at most every story,  from Nordstrom to JC Penney to H & M.

Still Under Construction

Go to page 10 in this week's Coastal View News for further suggestions on building a basic wardrobe. The accompanying drawings are by my younger daughter!

Back in Blue

Photo credit: photos.cokertire.com
This is not my car, but it sure looks like it! 

Oh, how thrilled I was to read the headlines in the Los Angeles Times' "Image" section yesterday, proclaiming: "Bolder, brighter, blues." A quick glance in my closet reveals that my favorite color--without a doubt--is blue. Besides my love of denim, I like all shades of blue and must be mindful of looking at other colors when I shop.

According to Pantone, "dazzling blue" is the key color for 2014. I think this was the color of my first car: a 1963 VW Beetle. Do you like blue, too?

Remember This

Whenever I hear women and men complaining about the time and effort it takes to look good, I recall some wisdom from Tim Gunn: 

Remember:  if getting your fashion right were easy, everyone would look fabulous throughout history. And, as we know, it's never been easy and probably never will be. But that doesn't mean it can't be fascinating and a whole lot of fun.

In short, Gunn is saying that attitude is everything. I agree. 

(Today is my mom's birthday. Thank you, Mom, for encouraging me to enjoy fashion and for all of our special shopping excursions.)

All about Sleeves

Someone asked me the other day what kind of tops she should wear, given (what she perceived as) her broad shoulders. Here's the scoop on different sleeve types and what is flattering on different shapes:

1. Set-in: A sleeve sewn into the armhole. This is a great style for women with narrow or sloping shoulders.

Image Credit: Bodenusa.com

2. Drop: The sleeve is sewn in below the shoulder area. Women with broad shoulders are flattered by this style. 

Image Credit for this top and one below: Jigsaw-London

Neither here nor there:

This sleeve looks good on just about everyone!

Genius

I was looking at Level 99's website the other day and had to ask myself why other denim companies do not do as Level 99 does: offer an easy to understand graphic on how each of its jeans fits. You find a style you like, then click on it. Alongside the photo of the jeans is a picture like the one above, telling you how this pair of jeans fits, from where the waist hits to the size of the leg opening. Sheer genius!

C is fo Costume

If you read my blog on Wednesday, you learned about my costume angst. Thanks to a Huffington Post piece, I figured out what to wear. The beauty of the Post article was its suggestion to look in one's closet, not in a costume store to create one of the ten looks.  Sure, I could have been a great deal more creative, but my costume did not cost me a dime, it was comfortable, and I felt good in it. I will save the nine other ideas for the future.

Happy Halloween

Tomorrow is Halloween, a holiday loved by children and an increasingly popular holiday among adults. Unfortunately, I become paralyzed when I have to wear a costume and past efforts have been halfhearted at best. This year I will be working at my new job, as the assistant library technician at a local junior high school,  and I am expected to dress up. I feel so anxious.

My older daughter informed me that putting on a witch hat and wearing a black dress (my usual costume)  is a cop out. Last year my husband and I were Robert and Laura Petrie from the Dick Van Dyke Shoq, but I am quite certain Laura would not be recognized by the students. I will let you know what I came up with on Friday. 

Compared to me, my cats (pictured above) are quite comfortable dressing up.

Sale!

Renaissance is located at 1118 State Street

Stylish Person of the Week

I realize this is blurry and apologize.

For the past month or so I have seen Shannon nearly every day, and she has been unfailingly  fashionable. Two things which make her an especially wise stylish person are: her interest in and ability to accessorize like an expert and how she values tailoring.

The concept of accessorizing paralyzes many women. It can be hard to know how much bling is too much or what kind of necklace to wear with certain tops. Shannon knows just what her outfit needs and  seems fearless in her accessorizing choices, from scarves to bracelets.

She also values her exceptional tailor. Though a lot of clothing is made for her tall, slim frame, she realizes that a seam here and a tuck there can make a huge difference in how the clothing fits her. We agree that clothing can be inexpensive or designer, but if it does not fit perfectly, it just looks cheap and sloppy.

For some accessorizing ideas, go here. And for my list of great local tailors, go here. Lately my tailor of choice has been Jennifer Johnson. She even tailored a bra for me and now it fits beautifully! Contact her at 805.382.1700 or bewitchment2000@roadrunner.com.

How to Stop Shopping in Vain

My lifelong friend, Stacy, told me about a peacoat she purchased the other day. She is famous for returning clothes, taking forever to make decisions about what to keep or not. I was ready to hear about the coat's pros and cons and how she was deliberating taking it back. What I was not prepared to hear was this: "I am keeping the coat. Although it will not be practical for all my needs, it will work well for some areas of my life. I should not expect one garment or shoe to do it all."

What a revelation! Once you understand that every garment in your wardrobe does not have to be suitable for every occasion, or go with everything else you have, you do not have to experience shopper's angst. Instead, think about the different areas of your life you spend the most amount of time in, and buy clothing that will fit into one of those areas (as long as it complements what you already have).

For example, I have been coveting a friend's raincoat for a year and a half. Do you hear that, Laurence?   Since I know there is little likelihood that it will be mine one day,  I focus on its shortcomings and how it is not perfect. I tell myself,  "It's not lined so I would get cold," "Navy doesn't go with everything," and "It doesn't have a hood."* But guess what? I found a similar coat which, like Laurence's, is not perfect for every situation. However, it looks great with jeans, provides some protection from the rain (we used to have that in California), and with its subtle metallic sheen, provides a chic note to my outfits.

So stop looking for that unattainable item that will magically work in every part of your life. It's not realistic to expect a garment or accessory to be just right, all the time.

*Ha! When I unearthed a photo of Laurence in her coat, I saw that it does indeed have a hood. It really is wonderful.

The raincoat (top) photo does not do Laurence's (or the coat's for that matter) beauty justice. The second photo is of her with my equally beautiful cousin, Gina.

I Couldn't Have Said (or Written) it Better

Sometimes I am struck by a brilliant topic for my blog. Inspiration can hit when I see a spectacular outfit during my day or while I drift off to sleep. Other times I take my hat off to those who have written well about topics that interest me and my Wardrobe Wisdom blog readers. Here are a few of the best ones I have recently come across:

From the Huffington Post:
What 40+ women should have in their closets;

How to build wardrobe capsules, from CapsuleWardrobes.com; and

just about every post from my new favorite blog, Wardrobe Oxygen.