Tim Gunn

Photo Credit: dinnerpartydownload.org

I've expressed my admiration for Tim Gunn before on this blog. He is an expert on fashion and clothing, and is consistently polite, charming, intelligent, and gracious any time I have seen him on TV or in the press. All of these qualities are on display here, where he is interviewed by Charlie Rose.

An Inspiring Website

 Photo credit: dontletcancerwin.com

I was happy to learn about Isabel's website, dontletcancerwin.com , from a friend. This cancer survivor's philosophy can be motivating for all women:  "I hope you’ll come here for information and inspiration. And because one of the key ways we don’t let cancer win is by feeling good and looking fabulous during our treatments and beyond." Go here to read what she has to say about wearing white pants and to see the cool ensembles she puts together.

Clogs?

Photo credit: James Hamilton

When I was pregnant, I loved wearing clogs.While I may not have considered them the most fashionable shoes I could sport,  they felt heavenly as my girth increased. I liked reading about the Clogmaster, Cecilia Tidlund, in Sunday's Los Angeles Times.

She has been spreading the "clog gospel" for over 32 years, and custom fits each pair of shoes she sells to clog devotees. When she moved from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, Tidlund's fans had to "make do with reaching her by phone or email and waiting for the two yearly visits she promised them."

I may not be ready to purchase a pair of Tidlund's clogs--especially since I have not been able to find their price anywhere--but I admire her work ethic and insistence on a precise fit.

It Happens to the Best of Us

I was a bit rushed and stressed as I ran out the door, heading for the vet to get my cat her shots. Hence the mismatched shoes which I noticed once I arrived at the office (on the wrong day!).

WWW Wisdom

This list from whowhatwear.com, titled "The 5 Basic Principles of a Complete Wardrobe," is precise and smart. I am going to keep it in my wallet when I shop and suggest you do the same.

Confidence

The other day, I complimented one of my students on how nice she looked in her dress. She said that she had received several compliments: "It's just been a great day!" I asked her if she felt good about herself before she got the compliments, and she said, yes, since she felt "really happy and pretty" in the dress prior to leaving her house. We talked about how clothes have the power to lift us up and help us feel confident. This is an important lesson to learn at a young age. It's a lesson that many successful women live by, when they say their deliberate clothing choices are like "armor," making them feel powerful and competent.

Through the Decades

In this month's Coastal View News column out of Carpinteria, I look back on my style evolution over the years. Go here to read it, on page 21.

Looking Chic

Image credit:whowhatwear.com


Whowhatwear.com just ran a piece about the rule of 3, a dressing guideline used by Nordstrom and Banana Republic employees. This rule--adding an interesting third element to your basic outfit-- is something I talk about with my Wardrobe Wisdom clients and that I think about when I get dressed.