Surprises from Lands End

$85 at Lands End

What comes to mind when you think of Lands End?  Probably the “un-” words: unexciting, unimaginative, unfashionable, unflattering.  Elastic waist pull-on pants.  Box-shaped blouses.  Mom jeans.  Boating and rain gear.  Bulky parkas that give you that enviable Michelin Man silhouette.  Monogrammed everything.  Stuffy stuff.  Nothing edgy, pretty, or fun.  Well, guess what?  They’re pushing pretty dress this spring!  Hard to believe, but they’ve got dresses in flattering styles that you’ll want to wear.  Their latest catalog features gorgeous florals that rival the most vibrant gardens.  Dresses in jewel tones that feature sweet embroidered primroses.  Fitted plaid shirtdresses for the sexy preppy.  Look at this delightful frock (yes...frock). The catalog is in my left hand, the credit card is in my right. How can I resist?

The Diva Diaries--What I Wore to the Gym

A Valentine’s Day workout demands heart—preferably one that’s beating.  For last Tuesday’s masochistic marathon my workout wear covered all the traditional bases—a cherry red bandanna and a blue T-shirt sporting a big red heart.  The best thing about the heart was that it pointed the way in case CPR was needed.

At spinning on Thursday I was the Woman in Black.  I wore a black girl-shaped T-shirt emblazoned with a white “USF” and black padded bike shorts.  A pale gray bandanna atop my head did little to absorb the river of sweat and tears that poured down my face.  Black workout gear is the best choice for hiding sweat stains and making me look composed and utterly in control, even when my legs buckle as I walk out of the spinning studio after class.

I wrapped up my week at the gym today in a pair of black yoga pants, a thrifted T-shirt that speaks fondly of some little-known coffee shop in San Francisco, and my ever-present bandanna. Today was strength training and step class.  No drama, only pride in a butt well maintained.  I've earned the right to wear my Wonder Woman T-shirt.

Coach Boots!

Mama's gonna wear these forever!

Vintage Coach boots!  Yeah!  These boots walked my way from The Wardrobe Boutique and are like most vintage Coach items--classic, sophisticated, elegant, understated.  The leather is luxuriously smooth and the style--mid-calf, 3 1/2" heel, laces at the back, can be worn with tons of things in my overstuffed closet.  They'll be great with skinny pants tucked in, with knee length skirts and cute, colorful tights, and anything maxi.

This is one of the exciting finds that you can score at resale.  Come on down to the Boutique and I'll be your personal shopper!

The Hippest Trip In America

The Soul Train theme has been in heavy rotation in my head for the past two weeks.  Since Don Cornelius’s passing, everyone’s been buzzing about the soul music legends that appeared on the show.  Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White and The Love Unlimited Orchestra, The Jackson 5, Kool and the Gang. Aretha, Stevie, Curtis, Rev. Al Green.  Every week Don Cornelius brought the What’s What of Black American music into our homes.

But Mr. Cornelius also brought us a window into 1970s California style. We saw energetic dancers thrusting their pelvises at the cameras, twirling, bumping, and roboting their way down the Soul Train line.  Their oversized Afros bobbed in time to the music. They were flamboyant, sleek, and sexy.  There was some very fine plumage on that dance floor.  Smokin’ hot pants, sky-high platform shoes, high-waisted slacks that fit the crotch in an oh-so-suggestive manner.  Flare leg jeans, handkerchief hem dresses.  Some women rocked forties-inspired fashion featuring short-sleeved jackets with nipped-in waists, halter tops, and a-line skirts.  The Pointer Sisters worked this look perfectly early in their career (their first two albums on Blue Note are a fabulous illustration).

Check out the looks of this era.  Look at how much fun folks had with colors and patterns!  They say if you remember the seventies you weren't really there.  So, if you've got style amnesia, take a look at this video clip from the Soul Train archives.

Happiness Is a Warm Gunn

Tim Gunn

One of my favorite style gurus, Project Runway star Tim Gunn, was interviewed in the February 2012 issue of Mother Jones.  Several of his quotes should be embroidered on a pillow cover, but here are my favorites:

• "The clothes we wear send a message about how the world perceives us.  People say to me, 'Oh that's so shallow, that's so inconsequential--don't say that.' Well, it's true!  Let me put it this way--if you're at a cocktail reception, how do you know who the waitstaff are? You know by how they're dressed."
• "...I find the whole notion of the multi-thousand-dollar [couture] dress to be thoroughly repugnant.  It's not necessary.  It's how I feel about Kim Kardashian's $2 million engagement ring."

Mr. Gunn also believes that no one is too smart for style.  He says, "There is a notion that if you're concerned about your appearance it's anti-intellectual. I say, "Hogwash!"

Gotta love this man!

On The Fringe

Picked up these incredible ginger-colored Minnetonka boots at The Wardrobe Boutique and was transported back to 1970s hippie chic. The suede is soft and the inside feels like my favorite slippers.

I heard Cher wailing her Top 40 hit, “Half Breed” when I stepped into these boots.  I thought of days-long music festivals like Watt-Stax and Isle of Wight, and Pat & Lolly Vegas, founders of the Native American rock band Redbone.  Remember their big hit “Come and Get Your Love?”

These boots also recall Sly Stone attempting to take the audience higher on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1968.  He and his sister Rose danced into the stuffy audience in similar funky footgear (no one shook their booties--the audience seemed frozen in fear…uh…place). 

My Minnetonkas will look great with tucked jeans, leggings, and my favorite corduroy pencil skirts.  They are just as comfortable as UGGS but have loads more style and attitude.  Love ‘em!