Shoes + Booties = Shooties

I've seen the word shooties in a number of magazines and catalogs recently. It makes me laugh every time. The ones above are by Botique 9. Go here and here to see more shooties (hahaha).

A Few Pointers

I read a column in last week's Los Angeles Times in which "a handful of Hollywood's top stylists" gave tips on how to look "as pulled together as the stars" without their resources and minions. Here are the tips intended to be for a special event, but applicable to everyday life:

1. Know your body shape: once you figure out if you are curvy, straight up and down, top heavy. . ., you know what clothing styles suit you best. When you shop, you save time by choosing garments made for you shape. Learn how to "maximize the sum of [your] parts."

2. Details, details, details: Pay attention to your hair, makeup, nail color, accessories, and undergarments.

3. Professional help: Use experts to help you achieve the hair and makeup look you want. The stylists also recommend using the Internet, since "almost any question you could think of regarding how to dress one's body shape, how to complement one's complexion, how to create a look using specific pieces, etc. can all be found on the Web."

4. Build on a solid foundation: Undergarments make a HUGE difference in how clothing looks on a person, so find ones that elongate and streamline "to create a smooth silhouette."

5. Tailor: Every stylist quoted in this article emphasized the value of hiring a tailor for a custom fit. I emphatically agree.

6. Take photographs and practice: Had I known that my arms would look ENORMOUS when I posed in a certain way, I would not have done so during the photo session we had with friends for my husband's recent birthday. A test run--even if it's just in front of your mirror--is a splendid idea.

7. Don't deflect, accentuate: "Always work with what you have." If you have great legs, show them off; if you like your shoulders, wear clothes that reveal them; if your smile is an asset, wear bright lipstick, etc.

8. Balance and harmony are key: "Too many beautiful things (jewelry, hair accessories, makeup) just compete and then nothing takes center stage. Knowing how to balance and harmonize and edit is really important, If you;re not sure, always ask.

A Snappy Dresser

John Legend knows how to wear clothes. He always looks handsome and comfortable.

A Sad Day

For several years, I have been stalking a black blazer by Theory. I have tried it on when I am shopping, I have visited it on the web, and I was tempted to steal it off the back of a co-worker when I spotted hers. This jacket seemed perfect to me for its weight, timeless style, flattering fit, and comfort. HOWEVER, this jacket is priced around $400, which is way out of my budget.

So when I was shopping Nordstrom's recent Anniversary Sale with my friend, Stacy, I tried on the jacket again. Its sale price was closer to $350 which was better but still not a bargain. Stacy told me several reasons why I needed to just bite the bullet and make the purchase, mostly quoting my own Wardrobe Wisdom shopping advice. (She also added that the jacket was worth the price if I would stop pining for it once and for all.)

I bought the jacket and went home feeling giddy. When I returned to Nordstrom later that week, I intended to get its sleeves shortened. This is when things went downhill. The tailor informed me that I would lose a button if the sleeves were shortened, leaving me with only 2 buttons which looks weird. She also said that once they were shortened they would be too tight to roll up, thus depriving me the ability to show off the cool, striped lining. I felt deflated. My perfect jacket was flawed. I returned it with a heavy heart.

Sorry, Stacy. The quest continues!

Not that I Need Them . . .

Photo Credits:  Jen7 on top, Saksfifthavenue.com; Spanx on bottom, Nordstrom.com

But I am quite eager to try two new jeans lines: by Spanx and 7 for All Mankind.

Over the years I've recommended Spanx for my clients. These undergarments do what they are supposed to do: they smooth out bumpy parts of our bodies and hold in the jiggly parts; they support our breasts and lift our bottoms; and they offer myriad styles. Women tell me they like how they look when they wear Spanx, but they are not very comfortable. Well, that's the trade off. Tim Gunn, one of my fashion world idols, likes to say that if you want to be comfortable, dressed in your pajamas all day, then don't get out of bed!

Obviously, these new jeans are not pajamas. Founder Sara Blakely claims that the main difference between her jeans and others "is a lot of slimming jeans on the market didn't have the wise waist panel and side zipper. . . We spent a significant amount of time on the back pocket--the size, the shape, how high up on the rear it should be."

According to another article I read in Sunday's Los Angeles Times, "Jen7 aims to offer the tailored fit of high-end jeans without trend-driven teen silhouettes. The Jen7 top block has been designed to have a higher rise that eliminates gapping and allows for more room through the hips than the traditional pair of premium jeans."  Vice President of Product Peggi Jewell states, "this top block was built for a woman who is fit but has possibly had children and encountered some inevitable changes in her body."

Sign me up! I plan to try on these jeans and report on my experience this fall. Jen7 will be available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom. Spanx jeans are sold at Macy's and Nordstrom.

Farewell

 

Image Credit: saphanloy.wordpress.com

Do you have items in your wardrobe that are pretty, feel good on, were purchased due to their special and unique qualities, but which, nevertheless, are a real pain to get on and off? My Wardrobe Wisdom advice concerning such things is to bid them adieu.

An experience the other night led me to this topic today. I have a beautiful black silk blouse in my closet that feels heavenly on and looks terrific with jeans and fitted skirts. However, getting it on requires patience and a good deal of complicated maneuvers. After failing 3 times to put my arms in the proper holes, I gave up, flinging the top onto a shelf in frustration. Since I have another nice black blouse, I have made the decision to say good-bye to the one that confounds me. I think you should do the same to clothes that are just too darn hard to put on.  And if you are shopping, do not purchase clothing that makes you feel like a contortionist in the dressing room.

Packing Success Stories

 In Croatia, regretting my decision to wear Crocs on the bike ride. I'm happy with my shorts and shirt, though!



Most of the things I packed for my month-long trip were great and a few were true champions. I wore my jeans over and over, and was happy to have my medium weight, neutral colored cardigan with me. As it has done in past trips, my little black dress made me feel feminine and chic, though I think I will update it by making it knee-length. The navy and khaki shorts I packed went with all of my tops and looked good (especially when I ironed them). I liked having a couple of printed scarves to liven up my outfits. I wore them around my neck, over my shoulders, and under my sweater on chilly evenings. The silk tunic I brought was a superstar, drying in a snap and not showing any wrinkles. I think I'd like another silk print dress to bring on my next trip. The purple rolling suitcase I bought for this trip was such a step up from the tired, black duffel bag I'd had for years. This new bag was lightweight and accommodated all of my clothing as well as the souvenirs I bought along the way. I also liked its useful inside mesh pockets.

Packing Failures

This week I will let you know how well I packed for my European adventures this summer.  Though I am known as an expert packer, and have packed for many clients successfully, I had a few failures this time around.

You may remember my Crocs angst from a previous post.  In the end, I purchased a pair of them in the Mary Jane style, thinking I'd wear them on bike rides and on the rocky beaches of Croatia. These shoes did not pull through for me in either area. Of course since they are made of plastic, they became sweaty and uncomfortable on the bike ride. While they felt okay on the beaches, they were too buoyant once I hit the water. My daughter's classic swim shoes (shown above, from Ebay) were the best option (and were not so much less attractive than the Crocs).

My other failure was my choice of tote bags. I wanted one that would go with all of my outfits, that had a zipper closure, and that would accommodate my important travel papers and reading materials. The Kate Spade navy bag I purchased on Ebay was a wee bit too small to hold everything. I really had to move my items around to make them all fit. It was also made of an unyielding fabric that made it tough to cram under my seats on the plane, buses, and ferries. For my next trip, I hope to find a tote made of soft fabric, leather, or faux leather that is a big larger (like the one above, from Brass Plum at Nordstrom).

The Lingerie Goddess

Photo Credit: Sears.com

 July's Instyle magazine featured a fancy New York City lingerie boutique owner, Rebecca Apsan. She offered some good tips on undergarments.

- To determine whether or not a bra fits you well, you should have a snug fit when you "slip your index and middle fingers inside the back of your bra. If you can't get two fingers in there, it's too tight; if you can fit a third, it's too loose."

- "Hand-wash bras and keep four to six in rotation per week."

- "Have a little fun, for goodness' sake." In other words, don't simply purchase nude or black "utilitarian" bras. Get one or two colorful, lacy ones.

Whether you shop at the exquisite Purrmission Lingerie in Santa Barbara or at Sears, it is probably time to look for a new bra or two.  And both stores have practical, everyday bras, as well as fancy, fun ones (that you can also wear everyday!).

Very Clever

I've written before about Bonobos, a terrific online menswear company known for its chinos. Now Bonobos has opened a real bricks-and-mortar store.  I read about this "walk-in online store" in the Los Angeles Times. Called a "guide shop," it is a place where customers can touch and feel the clothes, and can see how they fit and look in person before making a purchase right there.

Yes, this could be dangerous. Once J.Crew stores opened,  I shopped there an awful lot. And if a Boden walk-in online store opens in Santa Barbara, I could be in trouble. Still, it's an excellent concept, and I hope other online companies will follow suit.