Could Clinton Kelly Be More Wonderful?

Readers of this blog and my newsletter know what a fan I am of Clinton Kelly. Go here to watch a video clip from his show, The Chew, which features Kelly's handy laundry tips. It's worth watching just to learn how to fold a fitted sheet without losing your mind.

More About Denim

Photo Credit: Schaeffer's Garment Hotel

Today's Image Section in the Los Angeles Times was devoted to denim. I enjoyed reading about Schaeffer's Garment Hotel, a place where "Robert Schaeffer and his crew of three tailors meticulously handcraft blue jeans." The rest of the description gets a bit esoteric, but I was impressed by the spirit of Robert's work. He wants to make the best product, in the U.S., with a focus on fit and durability. Who else guarantees his jeans for life?

Go here to read the entire article. And know that Schaeffer's offers men and women's custom-order jeans, in addition to denim repair and alterations.

A Denim Inventory

Photo Credit: WhoWhatWear.com

Do you wear jeans during the warm weather months? I see them on women in the summer and wonder how they can bear to put on such a heavy, body hugging garment. I have not worn mine since May.

But as any regular reader of my Wardrobe Wisdom blog knows, I LOVE denim in just about any form. This year I am going to get out all of my jeans and try each one on. Only the best fitting, most figure-flattering ones will make the cut.* The rest can go to a consignment store. For a look at what is hot this year in denim, go here.

*Note: The ones pictured here will not make the cut; they were never in my closet!

Dressing Commandments

Image Credit: Garance Dore


We can all get lazy about getting dressed. I tend to grab a knit shirt and blue or white jeans at least more often than I care to admit. These clothes make me feel great: confident and comfortable. I give more thought than most people about what I wear, but this post inspired me to be even more conscious about my style and how it changes.  The author, Garance Dore is a bon vivant whose insights about clothing and living well appeal to me. I suggest you sit down and write your own "commandments" of style. This exercise will help you become a better shopper and dresser.

100 Outfits--Well Done, Wendy

Photo Credit: Wendy's Lookbook

As mentioned in other posts, my hat is off to Wendy Nguyen and her fantastic videos. This one, in which she models 100 outfits by interchanging their components, is another example of her talent for impeccable styling and making videos. I covet her wardrobe!

Your Jewelry Must Haves

Image Credit: Hammeredhoops.com

I recently came across a post from WhoWhatWear.com titled "What Are the Top 10 Pieces of Jewelry Every Woman Should Own?". These kinds of lists always interest me. I take them with a grain of salt, keeping my own lifestyle and sense of beauty in mind. I made this list of must have earrings in a past blog post.  Do you love and wear all of your jewelry? If not, consign, donate, or give away to friends and family the pieces you do not regularly wear. They are just taking up space and make accessorizing  a more lengthy process than it needs to be.

Fashionable Person in Santa Barbara

I loved how Fran added festive embellishments to her outfit. Notice her shoes, pink nails, and the flower in her hair! My daughter and I were struck by Fran's happy personality which was reflected in her ensemble. Getting dressed should be fun, right?

Neckerchiefs

Image Credit: Kate Spade New York

I am feeling pretty smug. Last week I worked with a client and encouraged her to wear neckerchiefs. And then I read on WhoWhatWear that this is the "transitional trend you should try now." I like wearing small square scarves this way and got some good ideas on how to tie and wear them from WWW, which you can view here.

Hard Working Wardrobe

This month's column in Carpinteria's Coastal View News is about building a wardrobe that works overtime. In other words, I describe how to make wise investments in clothes that will serve many purposes. Go here to read my Wardrobe Wisdom, on page 18.

Hope for Heels

Image Credit: Bodenusa.com

Why, oh why are heels so preposterously high these days? I hear this all the time from clients and friends who are looking for shoes--from pumps to boots. For the last few years heels have been sky-high: 3 1/2 inches and upward were the norm. And really, even though celebrities claim their Jimmy Choos are "super comfy," we regular folk know better.

So it was with great joy that I came across this news from whowhatwear.comhttp://www.whowhatwear.com: the new heel height is under 3 inches! Go here to read the entire piece and to see photos of the new styles. I, for one, am looking forward to shopping for shoes again.

Passing up a Bargain

We all like a bargain, right? So imagine the temptation to buy a pair of Prada ballet flats for only $88 at a consignment store in Santa Barbara. They were my size and super cute. But guess what? They were terribly stiff and pinched my bunion. Did they look fantastic? Yes! Was their designer status alluring? Yes!

But I asked myself if I would have liked them if they were a Payless shoe. And would I think they were so great if they were $200? Since I answered "no" to both questions, I walked out of the store empty handed. I dwelled on them for a few minutes, but then congratulated myself on my restraint. A deal is not truly a deal unless you will use/wear it.

Can you pass up a bargain? 

By the way, this lovely loaf of challah bread my younger daughter is holding was not a bargain. But it sure was worth it!

Inside Out

Photo Credit: Nordstrom

I often tell my clients that if they feel good on the inside, their clothing should reflect that happy spirit. You can clearly see this woman's joy from the Advanced Style blog. I also tell people that if they make an effort to dress better, they will start feeling more confident on the inside. I have witnessed this over and over in my Wardrobe Wisdom work.

We all have clothing (I hope!) that we feel great in. Today I wore a new pair of workout pants (above) to the gym. They were not my usual black crop ones, but a much wilder style than I am used to. Still, I felt very good in them and know that my workout was more energetic as a result of that feeling. I urge you to get rid of clothing that does not lift your spirits. If the thought of being left with just a few things in your closet scares you, try to remember that having a few terrific pieces is preferable to a closet full of mediocre garments that can bring you down.