Falling Into The Gap

Went to The Gap today to exchange a pair of roll waist yoga pants. The roll waist is hot this year, topping skirts, capris and pants. It's comfy and forgiving of a stromboli lunch. You can find inexpensive roll waist items at Lands' End, Target, Athleta (catalog and website), The Gap and countless other places.

But, I digress. I went to The Gap to exchange a pair of yoga pants. I hadn't been a fan of The Gap for years; every visit pulled me into an undertow of boring. Recently, though, I read about the anointing of the American designer Patrick Robinson as the last gasp savior for the chain. I read about his background, style sensibilities and vision, and his plan to put The Gap back into every fashionista's closet.

So, I watched and waited. Over the past year I occasionally wandered into the store to kill time and yawned as I wandered among the shelves of white shirts, salmon colored sweaters and racks of cropped khakis, straight leg khakis, khaki skirts, wide leg khakis and shamefully unsexy jeans. When would Mr. Robinson move his neighborhood a little closer?

I'm happy to say that he has arrived. Today I was knocked off my feet by baby blanket soft cafe au lait wrap sweaters with ruffled collars (also available in white or navy). Cotton knit little black dresses that are flattering to every figure and allow you to express your inner-Audrey. Summer weight jewel-colored t-shirts with cuffed sleeves, sherbet colored jeans that can be sneaked into the "no jeans" workplace. Stylish and comfortable cotton knits that are perfect for travel whether to the Jersey shore or to Paris. Gypsy-inspired skirts -- shorter, with subdued flounces. Trimmed down for today's body conscious woman.

These are jazzed up but not tricked out basics for secure adult women. Items that flatter and fit and have found their way into this fashionista's closet. Thanks, Patrick!

Closet Queen

I am a rock star, or at least that's what a section of my closet tells me. I am an unashamed and unapologetic fan of 1960s soul and rock music with a preference for driving beats, layers of screaming guitars and charismatic lead singers who seethe, seduce and strut. I love black rock, Brit rock, funk rock, thrash rock, brass rock and rock lullabies.

My inner Barbie is an icon like Tina, Janis or Chaka. She's the lead guitarist or percussion princess. The one who renders microphones impotent with one extended wail. I adore Nona Hendryx and the Graces -- Jones and Slick. I am Chrissie Hynde, Sandra St. Victor, or Joyce Kennedy (Mothers' Finest) whenever I pull on a form fitting black t-shirt emblazoned with a silk-screened 1970s era Harley or hand painted with the word "LOVE."

Last week I wore the vintage Banana Republic brown patent leather vest buttoned tight over a pair of low-slung chocolate corduroy jeans. Heavy silver belt buckle, ginger-colored urban cowboy boots with rhinestones at the ankle. I felt delicious and in perfect harmony all day.

Tomorrow I'll wear the olive suede blouse with hook and eye closures, floppy sleeves and wrist ties with a slim black skirt and fishnets and pretend that I'm a background singer on Dark Side of the Moon. Next week I'll rock the Burgundy suede tuxedo blouse and skinny jeans and daydream about opening my first set as headliner at the Tower Theater with a banshee wail. This summer I'll travel to Europe with the black lace pencil skirt and channel my inner Nancy Wilson.

Red Frye boots, a black velvet coat, funky black t-shirts, Chuck Taylors decorated with a constellation of silver stars, loads of inherited costume jewelry. I keep pulling these things out of the trunk and closets.

Guitar Hero anyone?

Welcome to Casual Friday

Hello, and welcome to Casual Friday! I hope that you'll be entertained by my posts. I am a casual but ardent observer of fashion and style and created this forum to share my thoughts. I am a big fan of makeovers, but also a true believer in makeunders (sometimes you've just gotta leave the feather boa at home). Currently, I share my thoughts and observations with a couple of friends, but now I'm chasing a wider audience.

My primary sources of inspiration are foreign fashion magazines (favorites include the British Elle and Italian Vogue); my glamorous mother, Betty, and great aunt Lucille; and Audrey Hepburn. I'll share more about the family influence in future posts.

Soon I'll be diving into my trunk of spring/summer clothes - weeding out the duds and planning new looks with the remaining treasures. I am my own Barbie, and I look forward to sharing my dream closet with you.

Thanks for reading!