Good Deeds

Good deeds can go beyond telling your best friend that she has spinach in her teeth. Here’s a fabulous example from my professional life.

On a Tuesday morning in June a co-worker asked me to listen to a voice mail she’d received. The message was from a homeless high school student she’d befriended. The girl explained in a teary voice that she had nothing to wear to her graduation that afternoon and asked Peggy if she could help. She had earned a full four-year scholarship to a small private college and wanted to attend her graduation to mark this milestone.

I knew I’d be able to find something for her at my favorite resale spot, The Wardrobe Boutique. The store opened at 11:00 AM. We hatched a plan for the girl to meet us at the office. At 9:00 AM we returned her call, got her dress and shoe sizes, and I was dispatched to do that stylist thing.

At the boutique I sifted through a rack full of trendy floral and tribal print dresses, considered a few adorable mini dresses and settled on a sweet little dress from The Limited with a cream and black windowpane check skirt, empire waist and a black halter top. Perfect for a teenager! I found a pair of gently used Coach black patent leather platform pumps that would be smashing with the dress, and my wonderful ladies at the boutique donated jewelry to add a little sparkle.  My agency picked up the tab for the entire outfit.

Meanwhile, back at the office, our soon-to-be high school grad became the center of attention. She had been given a bouquet of fresh red and white carnations and a “Happy Graduation” card upon arrival. She was surrounded by beaming staff members and wore a bright smile as wide as the Grand Canyon.

I pulled the goodies out of my bag, and my colleagues exclaimed over how cute the dress was. Unfortunately, the dress was too small, so Peggy and I grabbed our happy hostage and dashed back to the Boutique.

I found another dress while our student looked around, a cute little black flapper-inspired mini with an adorned neckline. It fit perfectly and showed off her mile-long legs. She loved it!!  Boutique staff selected a pair of funky dangly earrings to accessorize. Once we got her properly dressed Peggy and I hustled her up to Temple University where the graduation ceremony would take place.

I smiled as she gracefully strode away from us into Mitten Hall. She was absolutely gorgeous for her graduation. She’s off to a promising start, and we’ll be “mother-henning” her for the next four years. I'm looking forward to it.

It's About Time!

Gorgeous boomer women rejoice!  American Apparel wiped the sleep from its eyes, and found a fabulous adult woman with smashing style for its latest ad campaign.  I can’t remember the last ad campaign for any popular clothing retailer that didn’t feature the latest in a line of Lolitas. 

Retailers who still have their heads in the sand check this--boomers have the bucks and will spend them on stuff! Wake up!  Court us!

This is a good start.  With this one savvy move, American Apparel just gained a new customer--me.  Read more about their new 60-year old model here. 

Another Golden Oldie

Today’s color jeans are vivid reminders of the wonderful Wrangler.  Wrangler was THE name in casual/Western wear for men and women and a very popular brand during the 1960s-80s.  You just couldn’t be cute without a pair.  They were available in a rainbow of colors and variety of lengths--Bermuda-length, short shorts, and long.  And they were cheap, cheap, cheap!

I lived in them when I wasn’t wearing my boring school uniform.  I had pairs in denim blue, white, sky blue, mint julep green, and cherry red.  My friends wore them in sunny yellow, cotton candy pink, and Hershey bar brown.  I wore the mint green shorts through my college years.  They grew so soft and comfortable over time that they felt custom made.  I wore them until they were faded and in shreds.

Here’s a pic of the teenage me and my buddies at Hershey Park.  Three of the five of us are Wrangler-clad.  Also check out the pic of my college buddy in the navy and white striped Wranglers!  Crazy!

And yes, there’s nothing new under the fashion sun.

Frosted Frocks

July.  Hotter than Hades.  Public nudity can be tasteless, but during a heat wave a body is tempted to wear the lightest pieces of clothing it can find. 

Look no further than the white dress for a lighter-than-air look.  It’s everywhere this season, and just slipping one over your head on a sweltering day can make you feel as cool as a snowflake. 

White clothing can be a pain to maintain, particularly for city dwellers.  Seems like you become a magnet for splashes and stains of mostly unknown origins.  But white dresses look fresh on everyone, and now’s the time to grab one (stores are marking down and clearing out summer wear).  Here are some of my faves:  Jessica Simpson Cap Sleeve Belgium open knit design - $79; Shabby Apple.com Palantine Hill fitted sheath dress - $85; INC International Concepts Sleeveless Lace Sheath dress at Macy’s - $74; and Old Navy pintucked Dobby Sundress - $20.

Smiles of a Summer Day

Once you find the white dress of your dreams, keep the Tide pen and a bottle of non-chlorine bleach at hand.  

Blazing a New Trail

Here’s a little advice for the woman who wants to rock her blazer.  Blazers can work overtime for both career and weekend if you are creative with your first layer.

First tip--leave the everyday button down in the closet.  If you love wearing blouses with a blazer, opt for a tuxedo style, something lacey, or even a cute blouse with an outrageous center ruffle.  These simple touches will make “traditional” a little less so.

Great for 9 to 5

Second tip--if you prefer a more casual look, pull on a graphic tee.  Or, think about an adorned tee.  Other good choices are a ruffled Henley or a glitter-infused pullover.  Check your closet for something that’s considered evening wear.  You know, something satiny or retro cool with sequins.  If your blazer is tweed, wear a lightweight sweater shot through with metallic thread or a rocker-chic tee with rivets, rhinestones, or studs.  Layer a ferocious animal print underneath for the easiest edge.  

Great for 5 to 9

Third tip--accessorize!  Let bold necklaces of marble-sized ceramic beads nestle in your clavicle.  Loop a funky rayon or silk ethnic-inspired scarf around your neck.  Ten Thousand Villages is a fabulous resource for both. 

Show everyone how special you are, make sure that they see you!  The point is to rock the blazer.  Be chic, be unique!