Weddings

Photo credit: cosmopolitan.com

A friend of mine has a daughter getting married, and she asked me about bridesmaids' dresses. I had a tiny wedding with only a maid of honor, but I hold some strong opinions about wedding attire having been in several weddings in my 20s. I am a big believer in encouraging bridesmaids to wear dresses of the same or complementary fabrics, and in the style that suits their particular body shape and personal style. These photos from Cosmopolitan magazine (!) support my view.

Crush on Kai

Photo credit: Marketplace.org

I've mentioned before that I have a crush on Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal (above, left). Imagine the thrill I got when I sat next to him for dinner once!

Anyway, his take on fashion and trends always amuses me. I liked listening to his interview with renown perfume nose Rodrigo Flores-Roux (above, right).  Learning what Ryssdal's colleagues thought of his new cologne was entertaining and I wish that I had been there to offer my opinion.

Flores-Roux's approach to wearing a scent is bold: "when he [Flores-Roux) goes out, he’ll 'empty the bottle.' Spritzing a perfume cloud and walking through it? He does not approve.
'That’s nonsense, and that’s a waste of money. I want people to wear perfume and to own it and to express themselves with perfume. Putting it in the air is a waste of money. You might as well not wear it,' he explains."

Podcast Discovery

Image credit: iTunes

I sure enjoy listening to podcasts. Friends ask me when I find the time to listen to them, and I answer that I listen to them at the gym, during my morning walks, while I am doing chores at home, gardening, and in the car. Podcasts are great!

One I discovered this week is The Seams. Jackie Lyden, from National Public Radio, hosts this show about fashion and style. I like her decidedly non-insider, unsnooty demeanor and the variety of fashion related topics she explores. I encourage you to give it a listen!

Cintra Wilson

Photo credit: goodreads.com

Somehow I am only now becoming acquainted with fashion observer, writer, and critical commentator Cintra Wilson. Now that I know about her, I am eager to read all of her books, especially her new one: Fear and Clothing. Here is part of a review of the book which made me want to read it right away:

Acting as a kind of fashion anthropologist, she documents and decodes the sartorial sensibilities of Americans across the country. Our fashion choices, she argues, contain a riot of visual cues that tell everyone instantly who we are, where we came from, where we feel we belong, what we want, where we are going, and how we expect to be treated when we get there.

I agree with her 100%: What we wear matters. 

Inside and Out

Read my article on page 26 in this month's Coastal View News. I share an experience working with an old college friend who wanted her outward appearance to mirror her new,  upbeat attitude. We both learned a great deal from our time together.

Flattering, Schmattering

Photo credit: Buzzfeed.com

When I work with clients, I try to determine what styles will be most flattering according to their particular body shape. Since I worked in retail for years and have studied body shapes and fashion for a long time, I think I have a good grasp on what looks best. But as this article points out, what is flattering to one person (even a stylist) can be completely inappropriate to another. Moreover, the person trying all the clothes on may feel a total disconnect between the stylist's perspective and her own. It's a great read!

Ready for Flares

Image credit: www.pinstopin.com

For years we have been hearing that the skinny jean style cannot last. Yet this style has had remarkable staying power! Even women who have been reluctant to try skinny jeans (like my mom), are giving them a go. Naturally, just when women are accepting skinny jeans, comes the arrival of flares.

These wide legged jeans bring back sad memories for me. As a curvy elementary school kid, neither Dittos nor Luv-It jeans fit me. I saw all my friends looking so great in their flared pants, and I had to settle for just looking okay in my not-so fashionable ones. Since I am petite, I never thought flares would really be flattering on me anyway (sour grapes?)

But I am slowly getting used to the idea that I might want to introduce a pair of flared jeans into my wardrobe. I plan to follow the always excellent advice of Clinton Kelly to learn how to wear them well. Looking at the vintage ad above, maybe I did not miss out on much with flares the first time around.

A New Makeover Show

Photo credit: Clintonkelly.com

Clinton Kelly's new makeover show will premier next month. I just checked out a preview clip here and have mixed feelings about it. TV programs that are supposed to seem unscripted yet appear rehearsed annoy me. And a program all about how to attract a partner seems so retro to me. Still, I like Clinton Kelly and am hoping to like his new show when I see an entire episode. He definitely knows style and how to dispense good advice.