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?