Coach Update

The Coach website is now featuring nine of its iconic "classic" styles.  A few months ago I wrote about the brand's descent to a gaudy, easily dated style.  The brand is catering to an audience that prefers trendy accessories, but Coach is happily ringing up those sales!

Coach is still a luxury brand, but it has all but lost its sophistication, its quiet "old money" cachet.  I'm happy to see the return of some of the classic styles.  These legacy bags are made of glove-tanned leather and have a natural finish that ages beautifully.

Now if you want to own a City bag or a Stewardess bag (my favorite), you can buy a brand new, non-counterfeit piece from their website.  Curl up with a classic in the New Year!

The Divine Lady Di

Diana Kline

There’s another Lady Di on the scene, my friend and trusted aesthetician Diana Kline, owner of Spa Bavu, the best place to be pampered in Philadelphia.  The staff at Spa Bavu makes you feel like a spoiled celebrity from the moment you enter.  This is all part of Diana’s anti-assembly line approach and her adherence to personalized attention. 

Last year we talked for hours about beauty for women over 40, and what follows are some notes from that conversation.  I hope you’ll appreciate her down-home nuggets of advice.  There will be more from Diana in future posts.

Lady Di on skin care: 
“Ninety five percent of my clients say, 'Oh, I don’t have to wear sunscreen [everyday], but if I know I’m gonna be outdoors in summertime I’ll definitely wear it.…'  That’s very interesting because the last time I checked we get daylight every day which means the sun comes out every day! 

"Look for a sunscreen that gives UVA/UVB protection.  UVA is responsible for aging skin.  Application should not be an arduous process--you know how you use soap and deodorant daily?  You should use sunscreen daily.” (Real Simple likes these bargain-priced products:  C.O. Bigelow All-in-One Protective Daily Lotion SPF 25; Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion SPF 15; and Sonia Kashuk Replenish Essential Face Crème SPF 15.)

“You can also commit to a facial once a quarter--our skin needs exfoliation.  The process will remove dead skin cells, erase dull tired skin, brighten (not lighten) up, and give you a nice dewy look.  Exfoliation kicks off a domino effect--the process stimulates the fibroblasts’ production of collagen and elastin that we want for tightening.  That is responsible for keeping your skin from sagging.

“Understand how much is too much and how much is too little.  Get a consultation from a knowledgeable aesthetician.  If you have sensitive skin--do not exfoliate two or three times a day.  Don’t scrub a hole in your skin!

"You need to work on your skin but it doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition.  Your repertoire should include a good cleanser, toner, exfoliant, moisturizer and sunscreen (you can get it combined).  You can always add or subtract things--some women like a Vitamin C serum.  A good Vitamin C serum will serve as an antioxidant and brighten your skin.  It is an excellent antidote against environmental pollution.  You can also use a high quality eye cream.

"Another tip--as the weather changes your skin care regimen should change.  You know in the summertime everybody’s slicked up and has an oil build-up that you can fry a chicken in.  In the wintertime it could be a completely different story.  And as we mature that tends to be the case more often.  You’re not going to use the same moisturizer in the summertime as you would in winter.  It’s ok to make an adjustment."

Coming soon:  Diana on make-up!

Oops I Did It Again

I’m absolutely atwitter about an amazing vintage haul that I made at a friend’s house.  She has been curating ladies clothing from local thrift shops for years and decided to part with many of the accumulated treasures.  Most items were never worn after she had them dry cleaned.  I was lucky enough to comb through the collection!

There were so many fabulous things: sassy little cocktail dresses, colorful silk shirtdresses and jackets for day, ladylike luncheon suits, even an emerald green bridesmaid’s dress that has strong possibilities as a hostess dress for New Year’s Eve festivities.

Resale stores are bustling nowadays; some are packed like the Tokyo subways.  You’ve got to elbow your way through gaggles of chattering art students and other recessionistas who are looking for intact treasures from Betsey Johnson or Norma Kamali to amp up their personal style.  So I was grateful for the opportunity to sift through these goodies in a quiet bedroom.  Here’s the take:

• Black double knit wool dress with faux jeweled mock turtleneck.  No need for a necklace; all eyes will follow this one (pictured).
• Early 1960s peach wool skirt suit with a fur trimmed jacket. Perfect for high tea at the Ritz (jacket pictured).
• Stray cat-grey modified swing jacket with shawl collar and embroidered details all over.  Great for the office with a pencil skirt, dark grey scoop neck and tights, or on weekends with slim pants and ballet flats (pictured).
• A yellow and black 100% rayon dress from the 1970s that only needs to be cinched by a black patent belt to totally rock (pictured).
• Chocolate soufflé-brown wool coat with a fetching fox fur collar.
• Sleeveless black lace cocktail dress with black velvet sash at the waist.  Reminds me of the Audrey Hepburn/Humphrey Bogart film Sabrina.

The key to pulling off these looks is current makeup, an unstoppable hairstyle, and shoes, boots, and jewelry so fierce that you can feel the growl.  Just don’t go vintage from head to toe--you don't want to wear a costume.

Bold Sole Sister

The NY Times recently ran a story that will satisfy your sole.  If you are a fashionista who refuses to sacrifice style for comfort, read this article! 

You probably remember hearing grandma say, “If your feet hurt everything hurts.”  She was right and that’s why she adopted “sensible shoes.”  Sensible usually means boring, but my shoes must be sexy and comfortable--these are non-negotiable.  I can strut much more effectively in 3” heels than I can in 5½” platform pumps and can rock the heck out of a pair of kitten heels or flat boots.   

If you’re hesitant about entering a new comfort zone, just remember--the pinched look on the fashion victim’s face is because her feet are aflame.  Winching with each step is so unattractive!

Making A List, Checking It Twice

‘Tis the season for lists--holiday gift lists, personal wish lists, Oprah’s go-buy-this-now list, top 100 songs of the year lists, New Year’s Eve guest lists.  This year Casual Friday has a list to share with you. Here's what we're wishing for this year...

1. My sisters will buy clothes that fit properly.  Banish the blouses that pull across the bust, the low rise pants that almost fasten beneath overflowing bellies.  Junk the jackets that pull tighter than a corset, straining buttons that could pop off, ricochet, and put somebody’s eye out.  Toss out tight skirts that show too many lumps in the rump.  Pass on painted-on looks.  Spandex can fool you into thinking that if you can still breathe it fits.  But the waistband is digging deep into your midriff, cutting off circulation to the lower extremities.  That’s why your feet feel all tingly! 

2. My sisters will buy the right undergarments.  One word.  Spanx.  If Spanx is too rich for your budget Target has an inexpensive line “Assets,” that does a great job of smoothing and firming.  Stop the jiggle!  Get firm!  Create a smooth, lump-free line under everything.  Bonus--you’ll look ten pounds thinner.

Two words.  New bras.  Get refitted!  Bra sizes change with time, weight gain/loss and childbirth.  That mean old man, Gravity, delivers the final 1-2 punch.  Don’t let the girls droop--pull them up from your waistband.  Chances are you’ll find a more comfortable, flattering fit that’ll lend to a sexier silhouette, better fitting garments, and second glances from not-so-secret admirers.

VPLs.  No excuses anymore.  You are not relegated to fanny floss.  Boy shorts come in every color, size, and fabric.  They’re cute, unabashedly sexy and incredibly comfortable.

Slips. Wear ‘em!  They keep that darling little BCBG dress from bunching up between your legs as you walk.  If you’re sentenced to wearing pantyhose, this little slice of silk or nylon can help calm the cling.

3. Mama wants another pair of boots.  Boots can add a fierce element of cold calculating style to your winter wardrobe.  Ankle low, knee high, western, biker, flat or wedge--I can’t get enough.  Boots make me feel powerful like Wonder Woman, sleek like Catwoman, proud like the conquering she-ro.  I can climb Mount St. Helens and not get ashed.  Wrestle with my conscience and win.  Grind my stiletto heel into the faces of those who dare me.  Right now I have my eye on a pair of black suede ankle boots from Naya with a half-inch platform sole, origami flower detail and a walkable 3” heel.  Winter can be sexy. 

4. Kinky peep toe shoes from Sofft.  Speaking of footwear, how about a pair of sexy strappy glossy shooties ($110)?  The straps makes the foot look caged.  Lots of studs.  Zippers and straps, call it a wrap.  I’ll take them.  I feel wicked just looking at them! 

5.  Faux cheetah coat from Garnet Hill.  The coat is as cute as a tiger cub.  Daring and loaded with attitude.  Oversized portrait collar, slim shape, plush velvety fleece.  The only thing Jane had that was this sexy was her man Tarzan.  Above-knee length and modestly priced ($180), this could be a signature look for the chilly fashionista. 

6. Better mascara.  A formula that doesn’t cost $25, fluffs in one coat, and doesn’t make my lashes look like little black spikes. 

7.  The return of Bobbi Brown’s “Cassis” lip color.  Bobbi discontinued one of the sexiest colors ever to coat these luscious lips.  It was a rich ruby red with brown undertones that worked well with dark skin.  It ignited the inner vixen of any woman wearing it, giving her an old school pin-up glamour.  Haven’t found a worthy substitute yet.

8.  More vintage!  Hip, funky, inspirational pieces of fashion’s past. Love the thrill of the hunt and the opportunities to create one-of-a-kind looks.


9.  A bailout for Loehmann's.  The designer discount chain is in deep financial doggie-do, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization last month.  Love the higher end designers offered at many of their stores.  Once snagged a pebbled leather Michael Kors shoulder bag there for less than $100.

10. Another year at 12th Street Gym.  Year 11!  Spinning. Tae Bo. Step. Weight Training. Yoga.  Looking fierce, feeling fabulous.  

Happy Holidays!

Fossilized

The Fossil 2010 holiday gift guide arrived today.  Leafing through...nice stuff.  Great crossbody bags, and lots of vintage-inspired accessories:  watches for ladies and gents, woolly hats and scarves, colorful flower pins, glitzy necklaces and earrings.  Lots of bright shiny things that will broaden your smile and brighten your day.

But the coolest and most craved accessory for this blogger is the Fossil Maddox tote. It's large. It's loud. It's $228. It's perfect.

This is a fabulously psychedelic hunk of leather that would work with everything you own.  Working it on the weekdays, and on  Saturday for errands and a gossipy lunch (with wine) with your best friend.

Put it at the top of your list for Santa Baby!

Vintage Coats

The brisk winds of autumn are kicking up again, and it’s time to pull on colorful tights and cashmere-lined gloves.  Biker jackets, pea coats, trenches and hoodies will keep you snug as a bug in a rug, but if you really want to work the personal style, vintage coats are your ticket.

I have three vintage coats (see pics below) and each one makes a unique style statement.  Each coat was bargain priced and proves that you can get more for less.  Here's how to make the best choices.  Study labels and fabrics. Watch Douglas Sirk movies or films from the French New Wave.  Read about Studio 54 and check out the outrageous fashions of the 1970s.  Scan the wonderous street styles on The Sartorialist!  Then visit Goodwill, the Salvation Army, local resale stores.  Spend $20, look like a million bucks and be warm as toast.

Village Thrift Find

The main reason that I bought this coat was its price--$5.  It's from the now-defunct Village Thrift Store chain where I also found a pleated black wool crepe  Chanel skirt for $5.  Needless to say, this shopper's diligence paid off! 

I’ve worn this coat to parties where the “hip” vibe was stratospheric.  It’s big (great for layering), warm and the fur collar is Cocker Spaniel-cuddly! 

Franklin Simon Evening Coat

This beautiful coat belonged to my mom. When I was a kid, she wore it when she and my dad went to cabarets and parties that lasted into the wee hours of the morning.  If this coat was on her shoulders there was a sweet overnight stay ahead for me at my grandmother’s or great aunt’s house.

It's an adorable cover up for sexy velvet evening skirts, crystal-studded sweaters, rows of silk ruffles and ropes of pearls.  For day, this is a glamorous head turner.  I would never wear this coat without stepping up my game, so I wear it with my current favorite lipstick color, Bobbi Brown’s Burnt Red.

Ercoli Coat

I was introduced to the Ercoli brand in 1996.  Their boutique always gave me a kid-in-a-candy store high with their dizzying spinning wheels of color splashed all over comfortable, wearable clothing.  It was a place where I could find delightful overdyed wallpaper print dresses and jackets that reminded me of Aunt Bert’s sofa print. 

I spotted this coat on a rack while shopping in their South Philadelphia warehouse.  I asked how much, was told $10, and immediately snatched it up.  I can wear it anywhere.  It’s fabulous for day, always gets second looks and tons of compliments.  It’s a lush, jungle green tapestry which lends a springtime air to chilly days.

L.L. Bean--Tweaking Tradition

The other day the L.L. Bean Signature Collection catalog landed in the mail.  L.L. Bean was never on my fashion radar, but a couple of years ago I ordered a pair of their cozy shearling slippers and an adorable and affordable faux shearling coat, so I was on their mailing list.

L.L. Bean is widely known for mom jeans and boxy cardigans with tomatoes or frogs knitted into them, and styles and colors that are about as exciting as peat moss.  Pepto pink, seafoam green and mud brown have been popular colors on their palette.

I expected more of the same when I opened the catalog, but was pleasantly surprised to find stuff that I really want in my closet.  Like a navy Donegal tweed jacket styled like a vintage hacking jacket.  Fitted, self-belt, with leather elbow patches.  Hits at the top of the hip.  Cute, cute, cute and infinitely wearable! 

I was also ready to pull out the credit card for a zippered pebbled leather fold over clutch in black or dark brown with brass hardware.  Another favorite piece is the wide-legged stretch denim trouser.  Cuffed with a pleated front, all you need is a fierce pair of heels to create a leggy Charlie Girl look.  And this collection has a fierce and fabulous brogue.  Vintage look with perforated details.  Platform sole with a 3½” heel.  Comes in a smokin’ black patent and a gorgeous saddle tan.

So, what gives?  Alex Carleton, L.L. Bean’s new creative director, took their legendary quality and added style.  Updated fits closer to the body, pants with a lower rise.  Skirts pretty enough to be featured in the pages of Elle, More, InStyle and Lucky.

How cool!  Kudos to L.L. Bean for flying its chic flag and giving us more to add to our wish lists.  Check out their website--I'm sure you'll be surprised!

Green Daze

An acquaintance traveling in Brussels and Amsterdam tells me that their hot, must-have color of the season is green.  Grass, asparagus, string bean green.  Lush forest green.  Soothing, relaxing, it is second only to blue as a favorite color.  Green doesn’t incite uncontrollable passions--it is the color of peace. 

He sent me pics of shop windows to illustrate the point.  I like the idea of pairing this color with black, midnight blue or chocolate.  Will this fresh hue hit the states in Autumn 2011?  These gorgeous tones will make it easy to be green.

Photos courtesy of Jason Bloom

Plaid Men

Target has saturated the TV airwaves with ads featuring handsome guys decked out in plaid shirts.  Red & blue, grey & yellow, brown & white, green & purple--name your favorite color combo and it‘s available in plaid.  For many, plaid shirts are a vivid reminder of the early 1990s grunge scene, but they have been standard issue for lumberjacks, carpenters, gardeners, and granddads for generations.  Plaid screams "tradition" and this season we’re seeing more traditional casual and dress attire for men and women. 

Plaid shirts connote "real" men.  Not the “Home Improvement” buffoons, but guys more like Norm Abram, master carpenter on PBS’s perennial, “This Old House.”  A man wearing a plaid shirt implies a master of tools, art, music and nature.  He’s an angst-ridden guy who writes fretful songs, knows how to use a reciprocating saw, and will help you retile your bathroom.  He can manicure the boxwood, select and plant azaleas, tame crabgrass and move boulders.  He will calm the wild beasts, including your twitchy Cockapoo or sweet, but soggy-mouthed, Newfoundland. 

I usually keep a couple of plaid flannel shirts on hand during the winter.  My favorite is a old Gap chamois-soft turquoise & navy blue which has withstood countless washings and is really cozy on a chilly day.  If you need to restock your supply you can find them in a broad range of prices and stores.  The Gap has a $49.50 model, there is also Rag & Bone for $220, Diesel for $120, Ralph Lauren for $195, and a  wool/cashmere manning plaid from Bergdorf Goodman for $725.  (I think I’d buy a couple of coats with that cash.)

Beloved

In this season of classic styles I started wearing a watch that my dad gave me many years ago.  It is a beautiful, timeless piece crafted by Wittnauer, one of the top watchmakers in the world.  I don’t recall whether or not I needed a new watch at the time of the gift but I was happy to dispose of an ugly, inelegant digital display piece that had embarrassed my wrist for months.

For the past few years this watch had been lying at the bottom of my jewelry box, lacking a working battery and a stylish watchband.  This watch is not a chronograph, doesn’t have a heart rate monitor or screechy little alarm.  It won’t tell me the time in Reykjavik but it adds an authentic new dimension to the look I’m cultivating.  Delicate, small gold framed rectangular face, Roman numerals, new black lizard band.  It is tiny on my wrist, delicate like a tattoo.  Sometimes I have to squint to see if it’s lunchtime.  Although I wore this watch every day for years, I’ve become accustomed to my sportier, funkier watches with their oversized, backlit faces and wider straps. 

I love this watch and had forgotten how much I enjoyed wearing it.  In this era of cell phone as timepiece, it is a privilege to have an accessory that lends an air of sophistication to my everyday life.  Thanks, Daddy.  I think of you every time I wear it.

Coach Has Left the Building

“Coach has lost its mind,” a good friend uttered as we passed the Coach store on Walnut Street.  I agreed, sadly.  The window was dotted with gaudy, logo-laden handbags loaded with shiny hardware.  They looked like cheap souvenirs.

Coach had been a sophisticated staple of my life for decades. The hallmark of a Coach bag had always been rich colors, with impeccable construction featuring sturdy brass hardware and luxurious leathers that grew lovelier with age. Coach bags were never trendy; they were simple, elegant styles that complimented both casual and working wardrobes.  You never worried about them going out of style or going with everything.  Buying a Coach bag was an investment, the purchase of a quiet status symbol. The classic Coach was the best-designed handbag, built to last a lifetime.

I bought my first Coach bag when I was 26 and it was my constant companion for years.  Over time I accumulated a few more, including an oversized tote in British Tan that was used daily, usually stuffed to capacity.  (I had to do shoulder strengthening exercises at the gym to carry it comfortably!)  It eventually became my carry on for in-flight entertainment, food and necessities. 

Some would use the word “opulent” to describe the new designs; I use the word tacky.  Some of the contemporary Coach bags look like scenes from a bad acid trip.  Are these collections for adults or children?  Candy colors.  Shiny, noisy, inelegant.  Over-logo’d.  I saw a $298 backpack on the Coach website that was made of printed denim canvas.  I will accept nothing less than leather at that price.

I’m clinging to my classic Coaches and plan to have them buried beside me.  Most of these bags are no longer in production and can only be found on eBay or in consignment shops.  Recently I’ve seen a few 20-somethings with vintage Coach bags hanging from their shoulders.  Maybe they raided their mothers’ closets for the Stewardess or the Willis bag.  Maybe they are learning the classics.

Falling--Again

Here are a few more recommendations for fall 2010--just in time for the start of our last summer heatwave.

Sweater Dressing – Yes
Nothing could be more comforting.  When the thermometer dips and the winds are brisk, a chunky knit sweater with an oversized collar can’t be beat.  It’s like having your own personal nest.  As the autumn leaves crunch under the soles of your bad ass boots you’ll feel caressed and coddled under layers of soft wool, cotton, alpaca, or cashmere. The Sche Report notes four main categories of sweater dressing: Layered Knitwear (using thin gauge knits); Sweater as Dresses; She’s Crafty (intricate crafty creations from designers such as Rodarte and Missoni); and Nordic Warrior (featuring Fair Isle designs).

Utilitarian Chic – Yes
Jacket and pants with uniform-like references--lots of pockets, snaps and zippers.  What’s cool about this trend is that you probably already have this stuff in your closet--it’s easy-to-wear, sporty, and hip.  Pair your olive green army-inspired jacket with a long-sleeved ruffled T-shirt and layers of jewel colored glass beads, or with a lightweight tee silk screened with a rock band logo (The Beatles, AC/DC, Nine Inch Nails), and a funky fringed silk scarf for warmth.  If you’ve got slim fitting khakis, a leather bomber jacket or a trench coat in a neutral color, you may only need to update your accessories.  This trend features items that can be found at wallet-friendly retailers (The Gap, Old Navy, Target) as well as high end merchants (Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom).

Classic Camel – Yes
Contrary to my early summer post – camel is the color for fall 2010 (no hard feelings red, OK?).  Shades of warm tan and beige are everywhere.  For many it signals a return to elegance.  Camel can be worn by anyone, with anything, for any occasion, and has amazing versatility.  You may already have a treasured piece–-camel cashmere cardi, beloved handbag, stylish overcoat--in your closet.  However, if you don’t have a scrumptious butterscotch or caramel-colored item, it won’t be hard to find a stand out piece this year.  Every designer, every store has something that will make you feel richer, sleeker, classier.

Gimme That Wine*

Mary Janes, platform pumps, stilettos, oxfords, ballet flats. Shoes are many things to many people and there are innumerable ways to express yourself through your choice of footwear.  The right shoe makes you feel glamorous and powerful.  The wrong shoe puts you on the short road to torture.

You know which kinky boots to wear on the first date.  You would never wear flip-flops to the White House.  Your running shoes enable you to be as fleet footed as Mercury, messenger of the Roman gods.

However, did you know that in addition to being a missile, hammer, or weapon of mass seduction your shoe can open a bottle of wine?  Watch this video and you'll be amazed!  Caveat - this method will not work for screw top caps or boxes.

*This post is dedicated my wenches!

Trends for Fall 2010

It’s August.  Summer is still bearing down on us and it’s hard to think about fall.  But if you’re a trend setter or a trend spotter, here is a short list of looks for your consideration. 

Equestrian - No
This look (jodphurs, tailored jackets, and slim, sometimes quilted vests, flat boots) has been trotted out for way too many seasons.  (Adding a riding crop might make things a bit more interesting.)  As an urban girl I cannot imagine looking like I just left the Devon Horse Show and will be mucking out the stalls later.  Who walks around like that?  Especially if the last horse you saw was a wooden one on the carousel.  And just where do you wear this look—shopping? Clubbing? Sunday brunch?

Metallic - Yes
All that glitters!  This 1980s trend is back, but be careful.  You don’t want to look like you wandered out of a Reynolds Wrap ad.  Metallic color was seen on most runways at Paris Fashion Week.  Current trends include crinkled Lurex, tote bags in gold leather, shimmery brocade blouses, and metal watchbands.  The main metallic color in most fall collections is gold, although there are cool looks in platinum, copper and silver.  I love silver and I’m looking forward to rocking my classic charcoal, slate and pearl gray clothing with touches of silver for daytime.  Get more information on this re-trend here:

The 50s - Yes
The July Vogue featured a melodramatic fashion tale inspired by late 1950s cinema.  It was brilliant, gorgeous and absolutely inspiring.  Think Dior’s New Look, or Douglas Sirk’s glossy melodramas such as All That Heaven Allows, Magnificent Obsession, and Written on the Wind.  Kitten heels, full sweeping skirts with narrow waistbands, slim but ladylike pants.  The epitome of vintage glamour!  Ultra feminine looks that flatter a woman’s body.  Add red lipstick for instant sophistication.  Check out the slide show that accompanied this article and get ready to go for classic chic!

A New Leaf

I got the fall 2010 Boden catalog a few days ago and realized that I don’t need everything in it.  This is a first for me; I always spent hours poring over its pages of colorful velvet blazers, funky appliqued a-line skirts (see photo) and body hugging floral print jersey dresses.  Imagining myself draped in colors with names that summon smiles such as silver melange, damson, petrol and sulfur.  Prints with outrageous names like chocolate 40s floral, yellow puffball, and navy pop spot.  Great quality goods with reasonable prices.

I’m trying to buy less.  Soon I’ll be weeding out dozens of items that don’t jibe with Me 2.0 and not replacing them.  I’m moving towards classic styles in classic colors with funky accessories.  The pencil skirt will now become a staple, worn with turtlenecks, boots, flats, high heels, black tights.  Cashmere cardis, fitted jackets in good wool or corduroy over long sleeved T-shirts or fabulous button down shirts.  Great jeans.  The timeless sheath dress.

Goodbye to things that pill, stretch and fade.  Goodbye to trends and fads.  Goodbye to cute.  I am creating a system that makes decision making easy by narrowing choices.  No more buying it in every color.  No more buying because “it’s a good price.”  Everything has to have a real purpose.

You could say that I was inspired by the shopping diet (see July 24 post), or by my visit to Joan Shepp, but the reality is that I have too much stuff.  I have to turn over a new leaf.

Joan Shepp

I enjoy looking at imaginative, oh-wait-slow-down window displays, but they’re in short supply in metal gate-obsessed Philadelphia.  However, one store’s window is always cool – Joan Shepp.  This high end boutique near Rittenhouse Square carries the best designers: Balenciaga, Chloe, Ann Demeulemeester, Christian Louboutin, Yohji Yamamoto, as well as hot new labels like Elizabeth and James and Opening Ceremony, among others.  I’ve traditionally admired this boutique only from the outside—it’s a bit too rich for my slim wallet.

So imagine my surprise when a friend and I stopped at Joan’s window one evening and I spotted this gorgeous Beracamy Paris bag at 50% off!  Half-price made it affordable!  Other bags available at the store include a leather backpack by Johnny Frank ($1,245), leather tote from Ann Demeulemeester ($2,216), and one of the store’s favorites, a large leather tote from Givenchy ($1,660).  Half-price for these items for most of us still means choosing between groceries for a few weeks or the admiration of other fashionistas.

The next day I stopped in to confirm the discounted price.  I still doubted that the marked down price ($200) was correct—it’s a steal for high quality leather.  Well, the price was correct so I bought the bag.  The afro puff-soft leather is a dark camel color.  The spacious interior is fully lined with pockets for my cell phone, mp3 music player and keys.  I’m in love!

Here’s what else I loved--the staff at Joan Shepp is helpful, patient and friendly to everyone who comes in.  They don’t annoy shoppers by helicoptering, but you don’t have to wander far to find someone to answer questions, offer advice or search for a smaller size.  A wonderful sales consultant, Yoko Arayama, assisted me.  She was pleasant and accommodating.  While I waited to make my purchase we struck up a conversation about buying quality items.  She advised me that all merchandise at Joan Shepp is not out of reach, and to consider revisiting the store. 

Usually I walk out of a store relieved that I don’t work there.  I get an attitude brought on by stalled lines, self-absorbed clerks chatting among themselves instead of waiting on customers, loud music.  My experience at Joan Shepp was classy and civilized.  The courtesy Ms. Arayama showed was mirrored by all of the boutique staff.

Everyday courtesy is in short supply right now—it’s 95 degrees and everyone is in meltdown mode.  But you know what?  I’ll save up and treat myself to another visit to Joan Shepp (when they're having a sale).

You're Wearing What??

This article from the NY Times made me want to clean out my overstuffed closets and learn to exist on only eight items (sorry—six would feel like a school uniform).  A great report and fun read on an interesting month-long “fashion fast.”  Many participants felt liberated afterwards! 

I would choose these eight items if I were to participate: a pair of black leggings, black skinny jeans, black skirt, black boyfriend jacket, two white tees, and two gray tees.  What would you choose?  Could you choose?

What a Doll - Defending A Style Icon

Am I the only woman who was not traumatized by Barbie?  My dad bought me Barbie and Midge for Christmas when I was eight.  The dolls were the Fashion Queen models that came with a set of three wigs that could be styled according to their moods, outfits or personas.  They arrived in a big ol’ red vinyl case with storage for dozens of glamorous outfits that could have come straight from the pages of Vogue:  strapless stain jumpsuits, bolero jackets, peplum skirts, classic sheath dresses, slim velvet pants, sweaters with angora collars, cork wedgies. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Barbie as she was--a fashion icon for the playground set.  For my friends and me the Barbie scenario was always about getting dressed for a special event.  Choosing the right outfit for the matinee or the dinner party.  My dolls didn’t have poufy wedding gowns, but they had plenty of dresses to wear to work. 

Barbie was never my body ideal because she didn’t look like me.  I wasn’t stupid--Barbie was a grown up, I was a little kid.  She was white, I am black.  Besides, my childhood role model was my mother.  She was pretty and had lots of cool clothes and accessories.  A hunk of molded plastic was simply a way to pass time. 

I don’t get the anti-Barbie rant.  If a young girl’s identity is wrapped up in a hunk of plastic you need to ask what kind of relationships are being forged among the women in that family.  Are they demonstrating strong identity and self worth to the daughters?  Look closely at your family’s values for women and the powerful messages that are being communicated everyday.  If the girls in your family, in your acquaintance, in your charge, put more stock into a toy to craft their identities don’t rant and point fingers at the toymaker.  Check yourself and the messages that you send about being a woman. 

Barbie was fun, but her life wasn’t real.  Set a better example!

Photo from www.fashion-doll-guide.com

Hot, Hot, Hot

We’re baking, frying, panting, sweating, dripping.  Moving more slowly, loathe to leave cool comfortable cars and cribs.  Cocooning in the air conditioning.  Idling with iced drinks.

On a two- or three-shower day why would anyone drape their bodies with anything that isn’t absolutely necessary?  Young fashion victims are stomping around town in calf-high Frye engineer or Tony Lama cowboy boots and barely there lace sundresses.  You cannot convince me that their sweaty little feet and ankles prefer that style in this satanic heat.  House plants will wilt when they take off those bad boys.

Leggings under dresses?  It’s a great look that I often sport on casual days but it looks downright dumb on a 100 degree afternoon.  It’s one more article of clothing that I don’t want sticking to me.  I don’t want to feel like a picnic leftover swaddled in Saran Wrap.

I’m equally puzzled over the head wrap under the wide brimmed hat.  The head wrap is a great look, a head turning statement for individuality.  The wide brimmed hat is a perfect way to keep harmful UV rays off your beautiful face.  It can be very Audrey@Tiffany’s.  I’ve seen a few fashionistas rock the hat with a fabulous faux jeweled hat pin.  Glamour!  But I don’t get the combination of the two on a sweltering day.  How hot do you want to be?  Just how bad is your bad hair day?

Which leads me to one of my favorite rants--the weave!  Come on sistas!  Give it a rest!  Rows and rows of extra hair sewn in or glued to your existing hair--how hot are those extra layers?  How much more does your head weigh?  Can you take a cooling dip in the pool or are you afraid of dunking your ‘do?  Think about taking a break for the summer.  Liberate yourself!  Remember how carefree you were as a kid in the summertime with your hair pulled back in plaits, cornrows or afro puffs?  You’ll be surprised at how good natural hair can look and feel even now. 

Right now the imperative is to look and feel cool.  Strip it down to the basics--lacy lingerie, cool little dresses (you can find plenty of adorable sundresses on sale right now as the stores clear out summer wear in preparation for Fall), and strappy sandals.

This heat wave will pass.  Before you know it, you’ll be shoveling the walkway and grumbling about the latest arctic blast.  Remember, as hot as it is right now, you can remain chic and graceful.  Just leave the boots in the back of the closet until September.

Senior-itis!

When I’m 77 I’ll be sassy and classy.  I’ll be stylin’ something fierce, like my great aunt Lucile.  Elegant like Bacall and Horne, ravishing like Kitt.  Eccentric, wearing whatever the moon dictates.  Colorful, crazy.  Outfitted in urban black accented with swaths of Ruby Tuesday red, Baby Boy blue and Sunshine Superman yellow.  Jangling in mom’s brassy bracelets and ropes of faux pearls.  Rocking a cap of cropped glacier-white hair.

Found this cool blog that shows me how to do it.  Check out these pics of free-wheelin' and fabulous folks over 60!!  Show it to your mom, your flirty Uncle Jack.  Follow these examples and keep your future as fierce as your present.  When I'm 77 I'll show everyone how it's done; the path has already been placed before me.  Orthopedic Chuck Taylors will carry me down that path.

Photo of Iris Apfel courtesy of sfgirlsbay.blogspot.com

A Whiter Shade of Jean

White jeans, the ultimate symbol of summer, are everywhere right now.  I love them--they bring to mind sunny beaches, outdoor concerts at dusk, dining at sidewalk cafes in the city.  Everyone can look cool and stylish in them, but watch those grass stains.  And be careful with that glass of red sangria!

Styles range from simple and skinny to washed and distressed, and can be found at almost any price from bargain priced Old Navy ($15) to the more extravagantly priced True Religion ($275). In between are brands such as 7 for all Mankind ($149), Easy Money ($98), Rock and Republic ($158), and Levi's 542 ($32.99).

Accustomed to the slimming effect of dark wash?  Concerned about fit?  Check out this great guide to finding your perfect look.  And for extra panache, wear the jeans in the fall.

Photo courtesy of thefashionpolice.net.

Firenze Fantasies

No doubt I'm going back to Florence.  I was there for an unfortunately abbreviated visit in 2008 and fell in love with the Renaissance city.  It is rich with some of Italy's best and most popular museums, breathtaking cathedrals, and elegant shops.

A friend recently traveled to Florence and reminded me of another reason to start planning my return--unspeakably gorgeous leather goods.  Check out her colorful pics of shop windows and remind me to keep my passport updated!

This Just In…

Trend watchers and style makers have spoken and the color for fall 2010 is-–RED!  There was a lot of it heating up the fall runways and it looks so right with the workday neutrals.  Everyone looks fabulous in red and there is a shade that flatters every skin tone.  It’s a color that warms the soul, stokes passion, whets the appetite.  It’s bold, sexy, confident, and may lower your inhibitions. 

But before you jump out there in head-to-toe ruby with rose-colored accents, please remember that most things are best is moderation.  Consider a pair of tomato red suede pumps with a black sweater dress, or a cherry red cardigan with a chocolate felted wool pencil skirt.  I would like a coral cashmere scarf tucked snugly around my neck with a black pea coat.

So, get your red on, and wear a little bit of your heart on your sleeve (or your back, head and hands) this fall.

Sweet and Lowdown

Some say that lower heels are just around the corner.  Leaning towers of woman are almost passe.  Skyscraper soles that put your perfectly coiffed head closer to the clouds are clumping towards oblivion.  Sleek kitten heels will be padding their way back into your closets.  Modern, easy-to-wear three-inch heels (the new “low”) will return.  You’ll be able to descend stairs without gripping your best friend‘s shoulder for support.

After a few years of shoe styles that led many fashion victims to the chiropractor’s office or left them yearning for a soothing foot bath and massage, “sensible” shoes are returning.  According to Mark Holgate in Vogue, “…it’s reduced heels that have really caught the eye.”  He advises us to “…get ready to look different and look at the world differently.”  He acknowledges, however, that his empirical research in Saks and Bergdorf Goodman yielded no takers for the new styles.  Superhigh platforms shape a woman’s legs as well as her view of the world.  A woman in six-inch heels can look her male boss in the eye.  But does equal in height translate to equal in power? 

Designers are working to make the new shoes colorful and sexy, with cutaways and ankle straps.  New styles from Christian Louboutin, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs and others promise flirty, elegant, feminine looks.  Get ready to walk!

M*A*S*H Notes--The Houlihan Pant

She was the love interest of the repressed, hypocritical war hawk Major Frank Burns, a talented and dedicated nurse, and an object of lusty ridicule by Majors Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John McIntyre.  She was uptight, rigid and unquestionably sexy.  And now there’s a trendy military inspired pant named after her.

Major Margaret Houlihan gave olive drab an appealing swagger.  The J Brand Houlihan pant, the pant of the season, will give you some of that simmer.  This pant is a stand out in a season of military/utility inspired clothing.  The Houlihan is fitted, cropped, with a long ankle zipper and shorter inseam that makes it great for shorter women.  The fit is unforgiving, so keep up your leg and booty toning work at the gym.  It’s made from a lightweight but rugged fabric--Japanese cotton twill with two percent Lycra. Vintage wash.  Celeb endorsements: seen on pop stars like Rhianna, Gwen Stefani, and Ciara. 

If you can get your mitts on a pair, your wallet will be $230 lighter.  The pant has been available at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Barney's NY and Bloomingdale's, but has been a sellout at each store. Knocks-offs have to be right around the corner--keep your eye on Forever 21, Uniqlo, and The Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy.  In the meantime, you could prepay for one of the 40,000 pairs that are on back order. 

Hair Club

Janet Jackson has a new look -- very close cropped hair.  And it’s news.  Celeb watchers everywhere are feverishly asking each other -- why??  Most posts I’ve seen on the topic begin with an outraged “OMG!”

Here we go again -- the age old discussions about hair and women’s identity.  Janet removed the extensions and went natural.  She has (for now) shunned the flowing shoulder length locks that we associate with her.  Does she feel naked or free? 

Janet has a face that the camera loves and she’s rocking her natural hair.  She looked great in the photos that I saw.  This look has been embraced by many sistas for decades and has been carried off with ample attitude and tremendous style.

A pixie cap of curls, kinks, waves.  Yes, the crop is a bold move, but showing the world how much you love your hair is a sign of confidence.  And confidence is sexy.  Go, Janet!

Viva Vintage!

One of my 2010 style resolutions is to wear my beloved vintage items more often.  These quirky pieces are brimming with history and stories of love and loss, striving and succeeding.

A recent New York Times slide show ”Vintage Finds From Around the World” is a testament to our enduring love of unique, dramatic pieces.  Readers from around the globe uploaded pics of their favorite vintage pieces and shared why they loved them.  Sample items: grandma’s leather boots, Louis Vuitton luggage, prom dresses from the ‘50s, ‘70s and ‘80s, elegant day wear from the ‘50s that recall Grace Kelly, and a motorcycle helmet that recalls Evel Knievel. 

My favorite vintage accessories are the boxes of costume jewelry that I inherited from my mother and grandmother.  Attention-getters like a two-headed snake bracelet, bold brassy necklaces and medallions.  Ropes of faux pearls that dress up a classic black sweater and black pants. Glittery flirty pieces that add a little jazz to the day.

Do you have a treasured timeless piece that you found in an attic, the Salvation Army, or on eBay?  If so, you will love this delightful article.

Sew What?

A friend and I were discussing the importance of good tailoring which can make the difference in your suit jacket hanging on you like a sleeping bag, or looking as if was hand made to accent your gorgeousness.  And, yes, good tailoring can make you look as if you spend hours at the gym pressing, squatting, spinning and lunging.  It can make a cheap suit look expensive and mean the difference between “you’re hired/you’re hot” or not.

Tailoring is for everyone.  Nothing fits perfectly off the rack, not even spandex bike shorts.  Be honest in the dressing room.  Tailors are happy to hem your slacks, let out your waistband or replace that zipper that you broke in rush hour haste.  The best ones can give advice on the best fit or length for you.  If you have a good tailor you can buy that darling Kenneth Cole dress that is a little too big at ½ off and have it lovingly nipped and tucked to fit the best parts of you.

You can be tres chic with the assistance of a needle and thread in skilled hands.  The local dry cleaner can handle routine sewing requests such as hems and replacing buttons.  For more complicated matters such as refitting suits or replacing linings, I recommend an old school tailor whose work uniform includes a tape measure worn rakishly around his or her neck.  However, if you’re lucky enough to have an aunt or cousin who knows her way around a Singer sewing machine, take your clothes to her with a good bottle of wine as a down payment.  Just make sure that you raise your glasses after she has measured, pinned and basted.

Seasonings: Samples of All Things Spring

1. Sandals that are embedded with rhinestones, crystals, or brass are among the hottest footwear trends this spring.  Glam up your shoe collection this season!
2. Extreme heels, scary stilettos, platforms, and wedges that look like small buildings on your feet are being offered by everyone from Ferragamo to Nine West to Donald J Pliner. High fashion or fetish?  You decide.
3. Super strappy sandals from Jimmy Choo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Coach, Calvin Klein, Via Spiga.  Knockoffs at earth-bound prices by Alice and Olivia for Payless, Aldo, Nine West. 
4. Cascades of ruffles like flower petals on everything: t shirts, blouses, dresses, cardigans.  Pretty, but not precious.
5. The trench: short, classic, sexy.  Think “Come Spy With Me.”
6. Utilitarian fashion: utility jackets and sporty anoraks in fabrics ranging from silk to waterproof canvas can be dressed up or down. 
7. Bold floral motifs.  Dainty prints need not apply.
8. Menswear-inspired pieces: the endlessly wearable boyfriend jacket in every fabric imaginable. Button-down shirt. Sexy fedoras--the ultimate in cool. 
9. To my mid-life sisters - just say “no” to thigh high dresses.  Sorry, but they really are for younger women who strut along on long slim shapely limbs. 
10. Deny any knowledge of the dropped crotch pant.  It’s unflattering and makes one look like she needs a diaper change.

So, what will I be wearing?

• Jean leggings with tunics and lightweight casual dresses
• Sophisticated, ladylike sheath dresses in a variety of colors and prints 
• Pencil skirts from J Crew, Banana Republic and Boden USA
• Skinny jeans
• Colorful sandals
• Cute flats in blue patent, purple patent, black patent and pewter

It's an exciting season which inspires me to be joyous, sassy, and bold.  How are you feeling today?

Les Hommes

A list of the 75 best-dressed men of all time was recently published.  It is a list of international style icons that hewed towards classic style. There were also frequent nods to personal style, most often embodied by writers and rock stars.

My dad was a sharp dressed man and his sartorial savvy shaped my view of how great-looking guys should dress.  The men listed have effortless style, bottomless character, and even an air of royalty.  They also prove that there is no substitute for good tailoring.

Here are some of the amazing gents who made the list – maybe one of your favorites is here:

Muhammad Ali

Fred Astaire

Jean Paul Belmondo

Andre Benjamin

Humphrey Bogart

David Bowie

Sean Connery

Miles Davis

Johnny Depp

Duke Ellington (pictured)

Duke of Windsor

Tom Ford (pictured)

Cary Grant

Jimi Hendrix (pictured)

Marcello Mastroianni

Steve McQueen

Paul Newman

Yves Saint Laurent

What are the secrets of a well dressed man?  Refined tastes, knowing what works.  Elegance, tried and true classics.  Good grooming, self confidence, fine fabrics.  Dress shirts made of crisp cotton; suits of world class wool.  Legendary pieces such as trench coats, single breasted suits.  Less is more when it comes to jewelry (apologies to Mr. T.)  Help put a tailor's kids through college by being a stickler for the best fit that money can buy. 

Well dressed men pay attention to the details. They recognize that first impressions are lasting. Hey guys, take off the sneakers, shine your shoes, and look sharp!

Photos of Jimi Hendrix, Tom Ford and Duke Ellington courtesy of PicApp.

Walk A Mile in These Shoes

I’m smiling because two new pairs of fabulous summer flats from 6pm.com arrived on my doorstep this week.  Both pairs are black, flat and shiny with big buckles.  One pair is a perforated ballet flat by Bella Vita, the other is a dainty peep-toe by Donald J Pliner.  Both were on sale at giveaway prices.  The Pliner shoes have ankle straps, a dancer’s pedigree, and look as if they were rinsed in gold spray paint.  The Bella Vita shoes are great for those warm days when your pedi is raggedy but you still want to look cute.  It’s likely that I’ll live in these shoes for much of the summer--they are funky, unique and will make everything look fresher. 

6pm.com is a great website for bargain hunting shoe addicts.  Big names (Stuart Weitzman, Cole Haan, Charles David, Calvin Klein), small prices.  Have your credit card ready!

The Chucks Report – Exclusive Edition

This caption from the March 2010 Harper’s Bazaar caught my eye, “Vintage Missoni prints go modern in a new collaboration with Converse.”  These Chuck Taylor sneakers featuring the iconic Missoni print are $200 a pair and will be available at boutiques in NYC and Beverly Hills early next month.  But at that price are they still the ultimate in cheap cool?  Would you wear them daily until the soles disintegrated?  Would you wear them in the rain or on a muddy field?  How about to a beer-soaked dance party where they’re destined to be stepped on and splashed on?  If I bought these, I'd have them encased in glass with a prominently placed sign, "For Emergency Use Only."

Shoe Be Do

I took a step back in time with one of my most recent shoe purchases.  Had to--still can’t understand the appeal of the current Lego-land shoes or the desire to mince along city streets in 6” heels. 

I wrote about the style ascent of women’s wingtips last summer (see July 11 2009 post) and spent the months following that post drooling over fuchsia patent, black and white, or silver wingtips by Robert Clergerie, Kenneth Cole, and Charles Tyrwhitt.  Gorgeous shoes that would force brown bagging every day for the second quarter of 2010. 

A recent article in More magazine on the exquisite former model Veronica Webb featured her in a cute pair of cream colored wingtips with a sunrise high price tag.  I wanted that look and resolved to scour the Internet to find it for a sunset low price.

I was a fan of Bass Weejuns as a teenager and nubuck lace ups as a thirty-something, so it was a small leap to the GH Bass website in search of an affordable oxford.  I found a collection of two-toned saddle shoes that are reminiscent of my (rebellious) Catholic school days.  I chose a dune/wheat combo with a perforated upper and the traditional red sole.  They’re so uncool that they’re cool!  I’ll wear them with jeans and other slim pants this spring.

Won Over

The February issue of More magazine ran a brief article on Tracy Gardner, the President of J. Crew.  Having recently shared my opinions about some of the retailer’s new offerings (see my January 20 and February 20 posts), I read the article to see if she had a good excuse for some of their marketing decisions.  Of course, the interview didn’t touch on the issue of $79 cut offs or $168 skinny jeans with a paint splattered-finish.

What I found instead was a thoughtful over 40 fashionista who loves colorful classic looks with an urban edge.  She believes in timeless versatility and displayed it in the items she wore for the article.  She discussed evolving into your style and “creating the unexpected” look.  And she looked fabulous!  The article also featured available items that are sharp attention-getters such as a water color inspired pencil skirt, a rainbow of embellished tees and tanks, and the sleekest of slim pants.

A couple of days after reading the article I popped into the Center City store and found the clothes that were featured.  I was smitten.  These are looks for women of all ages and stages in life.  I found the classic pencil skirt in a variety of unusual patterns and colors.  Their collection of pants is far from ordinary.  J. Crew now carries fabulous costume jewelry, and their wedding collection is still one of the coolest, most flattering collections that doesn’t have a high end designer name attached to it.

So, now I’m looking at J. Crew with a more favorable eye.  It’s pushing me towards a more sophisticated spring, sans the paint splattered jeans, of course.  For more gorgeous items, visit their website.

The Jean Genie

The latest J. Crew catalog has another puzzling item for sale -- jeans that appear to be paint splattered for $168 (Vintage Slim Jean in Painter Wash).  I had jeans like that -- an old pair of men’s Levis from the Salvation Army that I wore to paint my kitchen.  I never thought those jeans were sexy.  I didn’t wear them with silver gladiator sandals, ropes of opera-length pearl necklaces and a silk jacket. 

If you have a spare $168 to spend on the latest spring looks, I would suggest Calvin Klein dark wash skinny jeans for $49.50 at Macy‘s.  They are just as sexy with ropes of opera-length pearls and a silk jacket.  The extra $118.50 could score both the black gabardine Tahari boyfriend jacket at TJ Maxx, and ropes of inexpensive colorful necklaces at Ten Thousand Villages.

If you must have jeans with a painter’s wash this spring, come over to the house and help us paint the upstairs hall.  We can get pizza!

Green Street Consignment

I visited Green Street Consignment Shop at 700 South Street with a friend last weekend.  It’s one of my favorite consignment shops in the city -- the merchandise is always in good condition, and the selection is impressive with great labels and a nice range of sizes.  The deal clincher, though, is the wall of career pants lining the back wall of the store.  Navy, black, charcoal gray pinstripe.  Boot cut, straight leg, suede, leather, wool, polyester.  Back pockets, no pockets. Cuffed.  Philly’s working fashionistas can unite behind that!  It’s a rack that I’ll tackle on another visit.

The difference between Green Street and Buffalo Exchange is there isn’t an overabundance of items from H&M.  Lately the Buffalo has become an outpost for sorority-girls’ H&M castoffs.  Green Street's selections are more sophisticated and fashionable.  The designer rack features hot names such as BCBG Max Azria, Prada, Theory, and Blumarine.  There are Coach bags under glass and Louis Vuittons on the wall. 

I bought an absolutely scrumptuous Tommy Hilfiger putty colored leather skirt that feels like buttah, a Japanese-inspired slate blue blouse covered in embroidered flower vines, and a brand new basic black chunky rib cotton turtleneck.  The store also sells every accessory that a woman would want -- costume jewelry, hats, scarves, shoes, bags and assorted small leather goods.  It’s all cool stuff and you can use your imagination to create a unique look for any occasion.  So, take your best friend down to what used to be the hippest street in America and spend an hour at Green Street frolicking among the frocks.  You won’t come out empty-handed.

Selected Shorts

On the back cover of the January J. Crew catalog is a cute outfit featuring a hip length white cotton shirt with a cascade of ruffles down the front and a pair of cutoff shorts.  Here’s where it gets stupid - the shorts are $79.50.  For a pair of cut offs??  The shorts are made of cotton denim, not woven titanium.  I checked the description; there are no gems in the pockets.  Nothing that you could pawn was sown into the inside seams.  Michael Jackson did not sign these shorts.  They are not Lady Gaga’s castoffs.  However, they are the new “jaded” wash - the “faded” wash wasn’t worn out enough.

Here is a look that you can create for practically nothing.  If you can’t bear to lop off the legs of your Sevens, Levi’s or Old Navys, take a trip to the nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill, grab a pair of worn out jeans for $7, take them home and get to snippin’.  With such a tiny investment you can customize them.  Make one leg shorter than the other.  Add buttons and rhinestones.  Embroider your name in fuchsia across the left back pocket.  Bleach them, paint the Mona Lisa on them, dip Fido’s paws in gold paint and let him walk all over them.  Do anything you want - or leave ‘em plain - just don’t pay $79.50 for a pair of cut offs!  Step away from the insanity and slip that credit card back in your wallet.  That money can buy you and your sweetie a decent meal at a number of good restaurants in the city.  Or, use it for a pair of full length jeans!

Cover Me

The best concealer on the market is on its way to me in a small white box.  I found it last year at Sephora, but I just ordered a new supply online from the Derm Store.  It is the perfect match for my skin color and the perfect consistency for ease of use.  It goes on easy and doesn’t cake during the day.  Lorac is the brand; C7 is the color.

In my quest for coverage I’ve tried a bunch of products from high profile lines such as MAC, Prescriptives, Stila, and Fashion Fair, as well as countless drugstore brands.  The colors were usually ghastly and the coverage was not long-lasting.  I felt like I was wearing a mask with these products.

Lorac’s concealer covers very well but is not noticeable on my skin.  I’m not trying to hide much, I just want to look better.  I don’t want to look like I’ve applied makeup with a trowel; I’m not interested in Halloween everyday.  So, if you are looking for coverage not overage, check out Lorac concealer.  This stuff rocks!

Another Anthropologie Major

I am a latecomer to Anthropologie’s sale room.  Found out about it through a friend of a friend.  I work at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the headquarters for Urban Outfitters and its subsidiary brands, Free People and Anthropologie.  I see the happy young fashionistas milling about everyday in the hottest styles, pushing the latest trends.  On lunchtime walks I peer though the windows at the bolts of lively fabrics and adorable sample frocks fitted on the wire models.  But I had never set foot in the Anthro sale room!

My first trip to the spot at 18th & Walnut was on a rainy Saturday after Christmas.  I was delighted by the variety of items on the racks, shelves and in the bins.  I expected to find clothing that no woman over 40 would wear but I was so wrong!  Most of the clothing was appropriate for a high stylin’ over-40 fox.  Strapless minidresses that could be paired with leggings and ballet flats for a funky Friday night outfit.  Gorgeous colorful silk skirts in the perfect, most flattering length, tweed pencil skirts shot through with metallic thread.  Luscious leather boots, sandals, belts and bags. Sweaters that are vibrant rainbows, plaid coats, and quirky home accessories such as embroidered lamp shades and thick, cozy throws.

On my first visit I bought a pair of tan leather thong sandals (had to return them, regrettably - ½” too short), and a purple, orange and black print silk skirt (I felt the tropical breezes against my legs when I tried it on).  Second visit -- I bought gifts for friends.  Third visit -- I bought a heavily discounted coffee table book featuring the photography of Richard Avedon, and a mustard tweed short sleeved cardigan that is a perfect layering piece.  I’m a convert to the charms of the brand.  It’s lively, sexy and un-ordinary.  Print, texture and design details combine to make unique pieces to rev up your wardrobe.   

Sometimes the sale room is a feeding frenzy of bargainistas; at other times you can stroll quietly and examine each item without feeling pushed to move on or having some tasty morsel snatched off the rack right under your nose.  There is clothing for the business casual workplace, clothing for a night out, clothing for weekends.  The best part (besides the dramatically slashed prices) is that the stuff in the sale room is current.  I saw skirts and sweaters from the most recent Anthro catalogue on the racks.  Unlike other discounters that are carrying merchandise from 2-3 years ago, Anthro never leaves you guessing about the currency of its discounted stock.  Plus, new merchandise arrives every Tuesday. 

One word of caution -- there may be items that have a date attached to them (e.g. 2009).  Know what will make you look like just another fashion victim.  For example, too many ruffled sweaters and scarves can give you the appearance of a multi colored head of lettuce.  Take along an honest, open-minded friend whose opinion you trust.  Better yet - take me along!  We’ll have a fun time at Rittenhouse Square and the hot cocoa is on me!