A Correction

The title of Dana Steven's article on Slate.com is "Your Flip-Flops Are Grossing Me Out."

Flip Flop Rage

I tried on a darling pair of Havaiana flip flops (above) at The Bikini Factory in Summerland yesterday. They were tempting to buy, but I don't need them, especially after reading the hilarious and spot on "Against Flip-Flops: Put a Shoe on, You Slob" from Slate.com. I've had thoughts similar to that of author Dana Stevens who says, "Because of the ease with which they’re put on and removed—along, perhaps, with their generic ubiquity—flip-flops connote a sort of half-dressed slatternliness, a sense that the wearer has forgotten to do anything at all with his or her body from the ankles down." Yes, I believe there is a time and place for flip-flops, and I certainly wear them a lot in the summer months. But, like Stevens, I would appreciate people putting a shoe on most of the time.

High/Low Skirts

Photo Credit: Anthropologie

When this style emerged a few seasons ago, I was confused. And I am a huge skirt lover! Now that it's been around for awhile, I can say that this skirt can look really cute or really strange, depending on what's worn on top. As usual, Wendy gets it right and shows how to style high/low skirts in this video.

Thank You, Esquire Magazine

Photo Credit:Geoff Charles Collection at the National Library of Wales

Sure, I get annoyed when I open up Esquire magazine and find exploitative photos of women. I also don't appreciate the chauvinistic tones of some of its columns and have to remind myself that I am not the magazine's target audience. Still, the writing is overall very good, and I frequently find informative, up-to-date stories about men's clothing and investigative journalism which is often outstanding.  It may sound like a snooze, but this article, "Do We Really Want to Live Without the Post Office?" was terrific.

Anyway, a small piece in May's issue caught my eye: "How to Be Gracious, and Why." Although this article was aimed at businessmen, its advice is universal. Here, according to writer Tom Chiarella, is what you should do "when wandering the world:

      Stay interested in others;

      Smile. If you can't smile, you can't be gracious;

      Stand when someone enters the room; and

      Introduce people to others with pleasure in your voice.

If you can't muster enthusiasm for the people you happen upon in life, then you cannot be gracious."

Here is why you should behave graciously:

       "The return--the payback if you will--is the reputation you will quickly earn, the curiosity of others, the sense that people want to be in the room with you. People trust the gracious man to care. The return comes in kind."

I read this article to my 12 and 14 year old daughters and will quote it when I talk to groups about dressing professionally. Our world can benefit from more gracious behavior. 

      

Hidden Treasure

I am finally getting my front and backyards beautified. It's taken me a long time to decide what I want to do, and my dad's been helping me by building lovely raised beds and digging holes for my new plants. On Saturday I headed to the nurseries and was reminded of a hidden treasure 5 minutes from my house: the gift shop within Terra Sol Garden Center.

Everywhere I turn in this space reveals something delightful. I find pretty cake stands for my friends who love to bake, bee motifs on pots and jars for my honey-loving daughter, tiny flowers and fairy-inspired decorations for my other daughter, napkin holders, trivets, cute hand towels, plates and trays. . . I could go on and on but will let the pictures here do the work.

So the next time you find yourself flummoxed, wondering what you can get for someone special, I suggest you head to Terra Sol.

I Wish I Were in London!

Pictured: HM The Queen visits the German Embassy in a Norman Hartnell gown. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Oh, what I would give to be in London right now. After visiting my friend Ena, I would head straight to Kensington Palace in order to see "Fashion Rules," an exhibit that "traces the evolution of royal style through the wardrobes of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and, of course, Diana, Princess of Wales." Clothing can provide insight into particular periods of history, and I am sure this exhibit would be very interesting and educational.

The Palate and the Eye

Leave it to Bill Cunningham to link wonderful food with making an effort to dress for the occasion. Go here to view his slideshow of a recent morning at one of New York City's farmers markets.

An Agenda

Image Credit: Neiman Marcus (Cole Haan Air Bacara Back-Bow Ballerina Flat)


A friend and I were discussing Nordstrom's upcoming Anniversary Sale (it starts this Friday). I detest crowds but like to hit the sale one evening a few days after it starts. Believe me, they have plenty of inventory for those who don't line up early on day one of the sale.

My friend asked me what I was looking for, and I took awhile to answer her. What do I need? Frankly, besides a pair of black flats to replace the ones I have worn out, I don't need anything. Not so exciting for a wardrobe consultant, huh? Sure, there may be a few items on my wish list, but my only agenda shopping-wise right now is to find those shoes. Wow! So why will I go to the sale? To see what Nordstrom is carrying for the fall, what trends and colors they are highlighting, and to get a beat on what interests me fashion-wise these days. 

What about you? Do you have any holes in your cool-weather wardrobe that need filling? Now is a good time to determine what you may need this fall and begin scouting the pre-season sales. Try not to get caught up in the sale frenzy though and buy only what you truly love. Or you can just enjoy the rest of the summer, making the most of this beautiful weather and slower paced days. 

What Do I Think?

More than one person has asked me to opine about InStyle magazine's "Closet Commandments" in its August issue. I got several good ideas from this piece (I love the clear acrylic clothing rod), and recognized some familiar tools and systems of the trade. I also noticed some storage "solutions"  that have not worked for me or my clients. Much of the suggestions assume you are a single woman who lives alone; therefore you can do things like hang your jeans decoratively, display your handbags as works of art, and install pretty accessory holders throughout your bedroom in plain sight. Since I have already taken over our big closet, I have given up my rights to any more clothing and accessories real estate in my house. I also worry about the dust that would accumulate on jewelry, scarves, and belts if they are left to the elements.

Overall, I do think this article is worth reading, but keep in mind your particular needs and space. I must also recommend that you do NOT purchase the belt and accessory loop or scarf hanger set (page 157) unless you enjoy battling with these dubious tools every day. My belts are hung on hooks on the back wall of my closet, and my scarves are stacked in piles of 4 or hung two to a hanger. The Baroque hangers at Unitrex, featured in the photo, were new to me. They appear to be attractive and functional!

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. 

Clothing Rules

I get a lot of questions about the appropriateness of certain clothing during certain times of year. When I grew up in Newport Beach in the 1970s, little attention was paid to sartorial rules. But if you grew up on the East Coast, or are a more mature reader, you were raised to obey such dictums as "No white after Labor Day."

In Santa Barbara, where I currently live, clothing edicts are broken all the time. People wear jeans to fancy restaurants and to the theater, and women of all ages run around in workout attire and short shorts. I would like things to be a bit more formal sometimes, but I sure love wearing a tank top and shorts to run errands during the summer.

When it comes to events such as weddings and funerals, though, I think following some guidelines is polite and the right thing to do. For some serious advice on this matter, go here. This link takes you to the Emily Post Institute, a place where etiquette means,  treating people with consideration, respect, and honesty, and being aware of how our actions affect those around us."

Unfathomable Fashion

Image Credit: WhoWhatWear.comhttp://www.whowhatwear.com



Here is a terrific quote from one of my favorite authors, Bill Bryson, in his book: At Home, A Short History of Private Life:



"For anyone of a rational disposition, fashion is often nearly impossible to fathom.  Throughout many periods of history - perhaps most - it can seem as if the whole impulse of fashion has been to look maximally ridiculous.  If one could be maximally uncomfortable as well, the triumph was all the greater."

I think the shoes (sandals?) pictured here qualify as looking "maximally ridiculous."