Fall 2006 – Wardrobe Essentials

1. Denim Pencil Skirt – the darker the better. Stretch is good too. It doesn’t have to be tight all the way down, just a classic straight style (a slight a-line will be unnoticeable and far more forgiving for some figures). This is a dressier denim; go light on the stitching, rivets and other traditional dungaree fare. The fabric may be denim, but the look is appropriate for work, dinner and nights out on the town as well as a weekend jaunt to the market. What to wear it with – a white collared shirt and gold chains for a very crisp elegant look. A black turtleneck and boots or peeptoe pumps for a chic work-worthy outfit. A blazer (could be twill, or a luxe fabric like velvet, suede or leather – dark denim is so versatile) and tank or shell for most any event. A v-neck slim-fitting sweater and boots for lunch with the girls. Even in the between season, a slim scoop necked tee and sandals can be quite lovely. 2. A work-appropriate dress – Be it a wrap dress, shirt dress, a heavier wool knit sheath; dresses are very big this season. Work-appropriate means you can wear a traditional bra with it, it comes to your knees, does not cling to your curves, and is in more subtle of a print or color. Have the dress with a flattering but not plunging neckline, and at least short sleeves so it can travel through seasons and situations with ease. Use Diane Von Furstenburg’s dresses for inspiration and if your budget or shape doesn’t allow her pieces, you can find similar concepts with many of the other brands. I have a matte jersey wrap dress I bought on sale at Express a few years ago that gets tons of wear, even if I gain or lose a few pounds. I have worn it to a bat Mitzvah with pumps, to work with boots, out with the girls with strappy heels. What to wear it with – slim boots with a feminine heel, pumps, ankle-strap heels, most anything in your closet. Try jazzing it up with a long gold chain necklace or an oblong scarf slung around the neck. 3. A chain necklace – the longer the better. Even if you are a silver fanatic like me, consider buying one in gold. This does not have to be high quality – I have found gems in Claire’s, Express and Rampage. The bling of previous summers has become muted, but luxe looks are all over the runway. A great way to get that glitzy compromise is with a chain necklace. Let it loose hanging past your waist for a carefree, stylish and elongating look. Loop it a few times and have it displayed in the neckline of a sweater or collared shirt. Loop it twice and wear it with a suit for a flash of shine. If it has a clasp you can get creative and make it into a belt, wrap it around the wrist as a bracelet, or clip it as a lariat-style necklace. What to wear it with – most anything in your wardrobe. Nothing is more sophisticated than a dark turtleneck, dark bottoms in the same color and a single gold chain necklace. Jazz up your wardrobe essentials with this chain – white shirts, sheath dresses, simple black suits all can use a dangling necklace! 4. A chunky strappy heeled sandal – This is a wonderful wardrobe addition to transition pieces from summer to fall and fall to winter. A sleeveless black wool shift seems appropriate in September with a pair of dark green suede sandals. The weight and fabric of these shoes makes them more stylish, work-appropriate and comfortable too! Thanks goodness for the return of the sturdy heel. It balances out soft floaty skirts and dresses and summarizes heavy dresses and suits. What to wear them with – skirts of all shapes, dresses, denim trousers, jeans. Replace your espadrilles, flip flops and thin strappy sandals with these shoes to make the step into fall. 5. A kimono-inspired top or dress – Movies always seem to inspire designers, and it shows with this trend and Memoirs of a Geisha. What is great about this trend is that the focus is on the piece, not your figure. Light floaty fabrics, watercolor prints and dramatic shapes cause for an artistic yet chic look that is stylish and flattering. Make sure to stick to light fabrics – silk, matte jersey, organza for the best drape and most flattering fall. With the right fabric, the piece it totally evening-appropriate or lovely for a shower, luncheon or daytime wedding. I am personally partial to the top because it is so versatile. What to wear it with – tops can be worn with crisp jeans, denim trousers or even your favorite black pants. Dresses can be worn with strappy heeled sandals or delicate pumps. Your shoes and accessories will dictate the dressiness of the outfit – hoops, jeans and heels will be right for a club, flowing black pants and a single bangle makes it fitting for a wedding or evening event. Please understand that this list is not all-inclusive. As with every post I write on this blog, I hope to include all ages, sizes, budgets and lifestyles of the readers. There are some gorgeous new styles this coming fall – inspiration can come from online retailers (check the list to the right), magazines (I am partial to Bazaar – they break down couture and make it understandable for all incomes and ages) and other great websites and blogs. Feel free to post your particular favorite look for fall, it may influence or inspire another reader!

Tuesday’s Tip: Switch It Up With Color!

Several years ago I worked in retail. I was a trainer, I traveled teaching staff about the proper way to fold a pair of jeans, the correct way to dress a window, the company’s standard on accessorizing, and later in my retail career I preached about proper bronzer application and where to spritz perfume and how to layer scents for fragrance longevity. I wore a lot of black during this time. When I worked for the beauty care company, it was required. Notice the people at the makeup counter, Sephora or even your local salon on day spa. Usually they are wearing at least 90% black. The reason is not to make the employees look slim or sophisticated; in fact black shows the least stains and it also disappears. If you are selling great hair or makeup you want to have that be the eye-catcher, not your outfit. I wore black when I sold fashion – it accentuated my accessories and made me look older and more of an authority figure. When I left retail, my husband and I had a bonfire in our back yard chimenea – seven pairs of black pants, stained with oily foundations, liquid liners and moisturizers up in smoke. It felt so good, so liberating. I promised myself that I would only buy one pair of black pants a season and bring more color into my life, and not just on my eyelids. Something came with the color switch – a personality switch. No longer was I a tough professional, suddenly I had personality. I laughed more, and I was complimented more. I seemed to gain a warm heart along with warm colored clothing. It is as though people saw me in my black merino v-neck and black trousers and black boots and saw me as tough/mean/unapproachable. Switch to same sweater in blue and pants in tan and I was a nice/warm/open person. It isn’t that black makes one look slim, it’s that black disappears. You still have those thighs, you still have that chin, you still have that tummy. It’s just that you aren’t memorable. From the back your ass will look the same, be the pants black or brown or gray. So why not make it fun? If you are willing to paint your walls, your toenails and even your lips with cheery colors, why not your body? Doesn’t your body deserve a little color and fun? The next time you consider picking up yet another black sweater, try it in a different color. Start of slow with a plum or maroon. Maybe try a pair of charcoal trousers in place of a 50th pair of black. You’ll see the difference in how you are perceived. Suddenly you look prettier, slimmer, happier. People will compliment your hair even if you haven’t had a cut in months. You will be asked if you have lost weight, even if you are bloated and PMSing. The best thing about color is that it reflects your personality or mood. A simple top in a favorite color is far more telling of your spirit than a creatively designed black one. Consider this when you meet his parents for the first time, when you have that interview or when you’re presenting in front of 300 people the proper way to fold jeans. Now that I have conducted presentations, interviews and training outside of a wardrobe of black, I realize that I can command just as much respect in color and look just as sophisticated, stylish and powerful. Now I am powerful, but personable.

Tuesday's Tip - Making the Clearance Rack Your Friend

When I go into a store, the first place I look is the clearance or sale rack. I don’t want to be tempted by full priced items when a good equivalent is available at half the price in the back of the store. Even when planning my wedding I first scored sample sales and discount bridal shops before even looking at a single full-priced gown. It is better to buy quality instead of quantity, but just because it’s on a sale rack does not mean it’s poor quality or lacking style or fashion. Take Your Time Clearance racks are a mess. Why waste good salespeople hours in cleaning up the back of the store when the real money making is in the front displays of new product? Because of this, do not limit your search to the section designated with your size. Take the time to flip through all the racks. You may find a size 10 amongst the size 2s or a great size Small blouse hidden amongst size 14 blazers. Grab everything that even remotely appeals to you, and a few things you would not usually consider. The best way to spend money on trendy pieces and unusual finds is to pay for them at a discount – less buyer’s remorse. Sizes Can Be Deceiving Sometimes items are on sale racks because they are missized. I have tried on size 6 jackets that are too big for me and size 14s that are skin tight. Don’t just look at the label – pull the item from the rack and see if it may possibly fit. Often the missized items are at a super reduced price because they are being looked over. Consider a Tailor I decided to write this post because of my clearance rack prize of yesterday. Sueded cotton trench, hip cut, gorgeous color, originally $179 on sale for $29.99. No obvious flaws but the coat was too large for me – I am petite and it is not. It is an XL and a generous cut, I am not. I bought the awesome bargain after trying it on and seeing that the shoulders were fitting decently, though the sleeves were past my fingers, the waist was too big and the length too long. I took it to my local dry cleaner and for $35 she is shortening the arms and hem and nipping in the waist. So for $65 I got a $179 jacket that is perfect for the upcoming fall. Sleeves that are too long, hems dragging on the ground, gaping waists and baggy jackets can all be easily fixed by a neighborhood tailor or dry cleaner. They can also replace missing buttons, broken zippers and some torn seams. If the price is right, often the tailoring still keeps the garment at a discounted price. I have bought suiting pants 75% off just because the zipper is broken, a suede blazer at 80% off because the lining had pulled away from the jacket body. Do not invest in garments that are stained (salespeople usually try to remove the stains with a cleaning fluid, if it’s still stained it probably won’t come out in the wash or at the cleaners), torn (resewing a seam may make the item fit differently), irregular (remember quality is key – no one should be wearing a sweater with two different sleeve lengths) overly large (tailor costs will be insane and the true look of the garment will be lost) or too small (don’t buy for the body you hope to have, buy for the current you. Also tailors can’t make things larger – there’s usually not enough fabric at the seams and if they attempt the fit of the garment will be compromised). If You Don’t Love It… Don’t buy it. Would you buy it if it were full price? If the answer is a quick “no” leave the item in the fitting room. Just because an item is cheap does not mean you can scrimp on cut, style or fit. A 50% markdown does not justify a gaping armhole, an unflattering color or even a staple that you really have enough of already. The world sees you and your outfit, not the reduced price. They don’t know if what you bought cost $200 or $20, they just know it doesn’t look good, doesn’t flatter your body or your personality. Every dollar in your wallet is precious, don’t waste it on crap. If you can’t imagine the item with at least two other things in your closet, it’s not worth your time or money.