Handbags (no Gladrags)

I have three cherished vintage handbags that belonged to my mom.  One dates from the late 1950s, one from the pre-mod 1960s, and the other from the superfly 1970s.

The 1950s and 60s bags are ladylike and proper with these imagined contents: embroidered white hanky, a tube of Revlon’s Cherries in the Snow lipstick, big black sunglasses that made her a mysterious glamour girl, a small hair brush and a compact.

I always thought of the leopard bag (pictured) as her Jackie bag.  She had a sassy little leopard pillbox hat that she often wore with it as part of a “special occasion” outfit.  You know, an adult dinner out, maybe a cocktail party.  Other accessories may have included a fox fur stole and a chunky charm bracelet with a jade heart or glass-encased four-leaf clover dangling from the links.

I coveted the 1970s shoulder bag for years.  She bought it in Vineland, NJ shortly after moving there in 1972.  It was the style of the time—hippie, unlined, tooled heavy leather with leather laces that attached the shoulder strap to the bag.  She carried this bag constantly for almost a decade and I always teased her about borrowing it.  That bag reminds me of her essence—bold, sometimes outrageous, unafraid, and proud.  The imagined contents of this bag would be an Afro pick and car keys, in addition to the oversized black sunglasses, neutral colored lipstick, and embroidered hanky. In her new role as a suburban housewife she also carried shopping lists as well as outgoing and incoming mail retrieved from their post office box.

I haven’t used any of these handbags, but I can’t part with them.  They’re history and they’re style from my mother, my muse.

Spring 2011--Shop Your Closet

Yippee!!  Spring rebirth and rejuvenation are just around the corner, but the fashion theme this year seems to be--wear what you wore last year…and the year before that…. 

I leafed through pages and pages of fashion blogs and magazines, reading the breathless editorials listing everything a woman needs to be on trend this summer.  Problem is, although I liked the trends, I saw very little that was new or fresh. 

My perennial favorites were trotted out (maxi dresses, utilitarian chic, denim, white shirts, ethnic prints), and some traditions have been tweaked, such as the “new” high-rise jean (with waists reaching the belly button) from labels such as Derek Lam and Citizens of Humanity.  Seventies-style bell bottom pants that will recall Lauren Hutton’s long-legged stride, Bianca Jagger’s smoldering glow or Pam Grier’s high kicks are also hot, as is the preppy cardi, and animal prints.

For the trendier reader the newest look in skirts is the “tail hem.”  According to Fashioning.com tail hems, “…fill the void between mini and midi and midi and maxi.” Basically it’s a asymmetrical hem with the back being longer than the front. Think of a shirttail hem and you’ve got the picture.  Is it booty-flattering?  The jury is still out on this one.  But before you slap your plastic on the counter, check out tail hem designs from Etro, Dennis Basso, or Topshop Unique. The longer styles are probably easier to wear than the minis.

Accessories for the season include 70s-style sky high clogs, sophisticated kitten heels, and glam cat eye sunglasses.  Do you see what I mean about the season of nothing new?  So, steam the wrinkles out of your lovely 2009 and 2010 togs, and freshen up your look with a sexy new pair of wedgies or adorable and comfy ballet flats. 

Better yet, bypass the trends and create your own timeless look.  Make Keds classic canvas sneakers your go-to shoe for fleet footed comfort.  They come in great colors and look sleek with skinny jeans, leggings, or slim fitting capris. Wrap your pretty head with an African print fabric. Wear a sari to an evening event.  Brighten your Colgate smile with a femme fatale red lipstick--and make that color your signature. 

My best advice--wear vintage!

Hat Trick

I'm addicted to old movies. Love the melodrama, the larger-than-life personalities, the fabulous fashions. I adore glamor on the silver screen as conceived by early to mid-20th century design luminaries such as Edith Head, Orry-Kelly, and Adrian. 

The appropriately-named golden age of cinema shows us an era in which men (and women) always wore hats in public. Hats were standard items of clothing for rich and poor, and whether you were a gangster, reporter, preacher, or bookie, you never left home without le chapeau.

Some blame the demise of men's hats on JFK, who was topless at his 1961 inauguration. Trendspotters, however, have noticed a slow return to hats as style statements for men.  Chalk it up to the Mad Men influence on contemporary fashion, but I've gotta admit, a man in a fedora can be pretty damn sexy.  A cockeyed oversized baseball cap just doesn't compare.

Check out this slide show from the NY Times. Some of the head coverings are ridiculous, but each one makes a unique statement that will be noticed.

The Wardrobe Boutique--Go There Now!

When I first walked into The Wardrobe Boutique I was ready to surrender my debit card.  Leave it on the counter.  Go ahead, take the money, I’ll sign for whatever.  My head spun ‘round like an LP as I checked out the inventory.  Gorgeous stuff at bargain prices.  Yep, another place to indulge my inner Barbie.  Hmm, let’s see…how many outfits can I create with a slate and silver upholstery print Ann Taylor skirt suit that was on sale for $12.50?  Those teal Banana Republic slacks from the $2 rack would really rock with a pair of fierce red pumps.  And that tweed Brooks Brothers blazer for 50% off?  I’ll unstuffy it and make it look anything but professorial.

The Wardrobe Boutique at 19th and Spring Garden Streets features upscale, up-to-the-minute gently worn fashion that was donated to The Career Wardrobe but are not office appropriate.  Free People.  Joan and David.  Kate Spade.  Prada.  Gucci.  Cole Haan.  True Religion.  Burberry.  BCBG.  A room full of Cinderella bridal gowns and smokin’ evening wear.  Here’s where the frugal Philly fashionista can score some of the best deals in town.  There’s a fun vintage rack featuring items from the 1970s and 1980s. You can find all kinds of accessories--everything from ballet flats to platform boots, ladylike clutch purses to bold psychedelic print totes, funky jewelry, and miles and miles of cute belts. 

A bounty of goodies is added to the inventory daily, so you really need to stop in a couple of times a week.  Bring your best friend on Tuesday, the one who’ll urge you to buy the white leather jacket, and bring your co-worker on Friday.  You know, the one who needs to move her business wardrobe away from the black pants and a top habit.

And, if you’re looking for a no-cost way to change up things in your closet, the Boutique is also a venue for clothing swaps.  Check their website for more details.

So, now that you have one more shopping destination, get going! Shop for a good cause. The super-helpful and knowledgeable staff create a warm atmosphere and they are looking forward to seeing you.  And proceeds from Boutique sales benefit The Career Wardrobe.  It doesn't get much better than that.

The Career Wardrobe

"I'm feeling good from my head to my shoes..."

Give a woman a great outfit and fabulous accessories to wear for an important occasion and watch her confidence grow!  Getting a new suit during a job search makes anyone feel capable, even courageous.  This is the transformative power of clothing, and The Career Wardrobe offers a booster shot of this power everyday to low-income women re-entering the workplace.  Gently used, contemporary suits donated by local business women get a new life there.

I’m a new volunteer at The Career Wardrobe and I’m constantly struck by their commitment to empowering women to succeed in the workplace.  It's a place where women bond, encourage and help each other. Terms of endearment between clients and Wardrobe stylists fly through the air as hangars clatter and piles of suits, blouses, and shoes fill the dressing rooms. The scene is a spontaneous fashion show, smiles widening amid cries of “Girl, you are working that suit!” Hugs are given freely.
 
I love helping someone choose stylish business attire--helping them to create a new self that glows with confidence and pride. Many clients haven’t dressed up in years and are surprised to see how great they look.  I have the pleasure of helping them select the Ann Taylor or Tahari suit, the hot pink silk blouse, the Bandolino pumps. I cheer when they strike a pose in the mirror. Offer encouragement when they feel unsure about their selection, advise on skirt length, debate pant suit versus skirt suit. Push them to add a little nontraditional jewelry.
 
In the end, she walks out the door taller than when she came in. The jukebox in her head is playing Prince’s “Baby I’m A Star,” or maybe Patti Labelle’s “New Attitude,” because she knows that she'll look great at the interview.  She’s seeing herself for the first time as someone with a sense of self-worth and rising self-esteem.  She's wearing a new attitude.