Instant Update

Do your clothes fit you properly? I'd like you to donate or set aside anything that does not fit you at this moment.  This means clothing which pulls, tugs, and makes you feel uncomfortably squeezed into it. Conversely, ill-fitting clothing drags on the ground, bags around your waist, and falls off of your shoulders. Decide what can be altered and what is hopeless. Then go shopping--all out at nice favorite store, or hitting a discount store, outlet mall, or your local consignment or thrift store. Buy a few basics that fit you RIGHT NOW. I think you will feel better and look better instantly.

Easy Sign Up!

Subscribing to blogs has often baffled me. I don't have a firm grasp on what an RSS feed is, or if I want someone's blog to go to one of my email accounts or to Facebook, or . . . UGH! I wonder how many others share my bewilderment over the how-tos of subscribing to blogs. Finally,  my blog is now easy to receive via email. Eureka! Simply enter your email address under "subscribe" in the upper right hand corner here, click subscribe, and you will receive regular doses of Wardrobe Wisdom. Hooray!

Uniform

 Photo Credit: harpersbazaar.com

People have been talking about the recent story of a woman wearing a "uniform" to work every day for over three years. I listened to this story on NPR with interest and came away respecting Matilda Kahl (above) for making her daily life of getting dressed easier. Being a clothes-lover, I was also happy to read that she enjoys dressing up and showing her sartorial creativity during her off-hours. You can read the original story from Harper's Bazaar here. And go here to read about other uniforms people have adopted.

Inside "Dior"

 Photo credit: Diorandimoviecom

A few years ago I watched the exceptional film "Valentino: The Last Emperor" and enjoyed it immensely. Now there is another film about a fashion designer, "Dior and I" made by the same filmmaker, Frederic Tcheng. I am so eager to see this film about Raf Simons, who took over the helm of Christian Dior in 2012. Go here to read an interview of Tcheng and here to watch a preview of "Dior and I."

Ten Thousand Villages

I am really stretching out my big birthday celebration this year which is just fine with me. A close friend gave me this beautiful necklace (above) over the weekend and told me where she got it: Ten Thousand Villages. Have you heard of this store and website? I learned that "From humble beginnings, Ten Thousand Villages has grown to a global network of social entrepreneurs working to empower and provide economic opportunities to artisans in developing countries." Ten Thousand Villages  was new to me, and I am so happy to spread the word about it. Before you consider making a gift purchase online or purchasing a decorative item for your home, check out the beautiful and unique items on its website. And look there for a store near you. Sadly, we do not have one in Santa Barbara.

A Reluctant Share

Image credit: Fillmore & 5th

When people are unwilling to share their recipes I get annoyed. What do they think I am going to do? Steal the recipe and make a profit from it? Will their aunt or grandma or great uncle disinherit them if they share the recipe? Sheesh. It burns me up.

At the same time, I can be reluctant sometimes to share recent shopping finds, thinking selfishly that there will be less things for me if the place gets popular. But since the spirit of Wardrobe Wisdom is to be helpful, I have another tip to share.

Last weekend I discovered a FANTASTIC, A+, EXTRAORDINARY consignment store in Westlake Village. It is called Fillmore & 5th and has shops in other cities as well. The merchandise was very well organized, clean, and of the highest quality. The prices were fair,  the dressing rooms were roomy and well lit, and staff was helpful without being  pushy. I left with a dress, a skirt, and a top, all at a fraction of their original prices. I may have to go there every month!

It's the Little Things

Image Credit: Camille Cooper


In this month's Coastal View News column, I emphasize a few little things which will help you dress better with small expenditures of time, money, and effort. Go here and click on the blue button to read what I have to say on page 10.

Athleisure & Impressionist Clothes

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 Photo credit: npr.org

Yeah, I had to look at the word "athleisure" a few times, as well as listening to it being pronounced, before I could say it with a straight face. Athleisure is when gym and exercise clothing morph into casual/leisure wear. Think yoga pants and the wild success of Lululemon. I caught a great story on NPR the other morning about sweatpants and how they are being marketed nowadays for men (to the tune of $195!!!!!). Go here to read and/or listen to the story. I love this last part of the piece:

"As for me, I wore those Bonobos sweats to work one day. My colleague Travis Larchuk said of my look, 'It's like Monet clothes. From far away you look like a put-together person. But then close up, you can you can see that you're really schlubbing it up at work.'"

Fabulous at Every Age

                                  RED?


"Fabulous at Every Age"  is a regular feature in Harper's Bazaar, and one which I've always enjoyed. Now that I am 50 though, I am wondering if the magazine's advice for my decade is relevant to me. For example, "Fabulous at Every Age" recently recommended I find my "forever pieces in bright red." Sure, I am happy to buy some red pieces, but do I need to update my shoes with a silly, chunky-heeled, white and black gladiator sandal? I know, I know: Bazaar is  just offering guidelines, and since I don't like the recommendations for women in their 40s in the same issue, I'm happy to be 50. So, as usual, my advice is to take anyone else's fashion advice with a grain of salt.

The Rise of "Over-grooming"

I so enjoyed reading "Vanity Clause" by Andrew O'Hagan in The New York Times Style Magazine. Of course I appreciate a well-groomed man, dressed in a sharp outfit that fits him well. But it seems men are now expected to be as (openly) vain and concerned with their appearance, health, and grooming routines as women. Could anything be more boring than listening to people talk about their new diet or face cream?   The tone of this essay is humorous, but O'Hagan sure nails it when he talks about the "fresh hell of new choices" in our over-grooming society. Read it!

A New Book

 Image credit: Parnassusbooks.com

I found this interview with photographer Nigel Barker, very interesting. He has insightful things to say about the modeling world's limited definition of "beauty," and how that world is changing.

More can be learned about Barker's new book,  Models of Industry, here, on one of my favorite book/reading websites, Parnassusbooks.com.

Super Site

I just discovered a terrific website for men's clothing and style advice: valetmag.com. Go here to learn how to iron a shirt, how pants should fit, what kinds of hangers work best, and about dozens of other topics. I just want to make a big pot of tea and read from this site all day!

Yellow Anyone?

Image credit: Stylebakery.com

Hold on to your hats! The official "it" color this spring, as chosen by the Pantone Color Group, is Custard. "What? I look terrible in yellow!" is what you are likely thinking. I implore you to give yellow a try; I did last year and was surprised I could wear a color I've avoided wearing for over 30 years.

It's all about the undertone. If you look good in cream, olive and army green, teal, and orange, try wearing "warm" yellows. If you look better in "cool" undertones, such as cobalt blue, emerald green, and white, try wearing icy or lemon yellow. It really is a fun, happy color that will brighten up any spring outfit.