Falling--Again

Here are a few more recommendations for fall 2010--just in time for the start of our last summer heatwave.

Sweater Dressing – Yes
Nothing could be more comforting.  When the thermometer dips and the winds are brisk, a chunky knit sweater with an oversized collar can’t be beat.  It’s like having your own personal nest.  As the autumn leaves crunch under the soles of your bad ass boots you’ll feel caressed and coddled under layers of soft wool, cotton, alpaca, or cashmere. The Sche Report notes four main categories of sweater dressing: Layered Knitwear (using thin gauge knits); Sweater as Dresses; She’s Crafty (intricate crafty creations from designers such as Rodarte and Missoni); and Nordic Warrior (featuring Fair Isle designs).

Utilitarian Chic – Yes
Jacket and pants with uniform-like references--lots of pockets, snaps and zippers.  What’s cool about this trend is that you probably already have this stuff in your closet--it’s easy-to-wear, sporty, and hip.  Pair your olive green army-inspired jacket with a long-sleeved ruffled T-shirt and layers of jewel colored glass beads, or with a lightweight tee silk screened with a rock band logo (The Beatles, AC/DC, Nine Inch Nails), and a funky fringed silk scarf for warmth.  If you’ve got slim fitting khakis, a leather bomber jacket or a trench coat in a neutral color, you may only need to update your accessories.  This trend features items that can be found at wallet-friendly retailers (The Gap, Old Navy, Target) as well as high end merchants (Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom).

Classic Camel – Yes
Contrary to my early summer post – camel is the color for fall 2010 (no hard feelings red, OK?).  Shades of warm tan and beige are everywhere.  For many it signals a return to elegance.  Camel can be worn by anyone, with anything, for any occasion, and has amazing versatility.  You may already have a treasured piece–-camel cashmere cardi, beloved handbag, stylish overcoat--in your closet.  However, if you don’t have a scrumptious butterscotch or caramel-colored item, it won’t be hard to find a stand out piece this year.  Every designer, every store has something that will make you feel richer, sleeker, classier.

Gimme That Wine*

Mary Janes, platform pumps, stilettos, oxfords, ballet flats. Shoes are many things to many people and there are innumerable ways to express yourself through your choice of footwear.  The right shoe makes you feel glamorous and powerful.  The wrong shoe puts you on the short road to torture.

You know which kinky boots to wear on the first date.  You would never wear flip-flops to the White House.  Your running shoes enable you to be as fleet footed as Mercury, messenger of the Roman gods.

However, did you know that in addition to being a missile, hammer, or weapon of mass seduction your shoe can open a bottle of wine?  Watch this video and you'll be amazed!  Caveat - this method will not work for screw top caps or boxes.

*This post is dedicated my wenches!

Trends for Fall 2010

It’s August.  Summer is still bearing down on us and it’s hard to think about fall.  But if you’re a trend setter or a trend spotter, here is a short list of looks for your consideration. 

Equestrian - No
This look (jodphurs, tailored jackets, and slim, sometimes quilted vests, flat boots) has been trotted out for way too many seasons.  (Adding a riding crop might make things a bit more interesting.)  As an urban girl I cannot imagine looking like I just left the Devon Horse Show and will be mucking out the stalls later.  Who walks around like that?  Especially if the last horse you saw was a wooden one on the carousel.  And just where do you wear this look—shopping? Clubbing? Sunday brunch?

Metallic - Yes
All that glitters!  This 1980s trend is back, but be careful.  You don’t want to look like you wandered out of a Reynolds Wrap ad.  Metallic color was seen on most runways at Paris Fashion Week.  Current trends include crinkled Lurex, tote bags in gold leather, shimmery brocade blouses, and metal watchbands.  The main metallic color in most fall collections is gold, although there are cool looks in platinum, copper and silver.  I love silver and I’m looking forward to rocking my classic charcoal, slate and pearl gray clothing with touches of silver for daytime.  Get more information on this re-trend here:

The 50s - Yes
The July Vogue featured a melodramatic fashion tale inspired by late 1950s cinema.  It was brilliant, gorgeous and absolutely inspiring.  Think Dior’s New Look, or Douglas Sirk’s glossy melodramas such as All That Heaven Allows, Magnificent Obsession, and Written on the Wind.  Kitten heels, full sweeping skirts with narrow waistbands, slim but ladylike pants.  The epitome of vintage glamour!  Ultra feminine looks that flatter a woman’s body.  Add red lipstick for instant sophistication.  Check out the slide show that accompanied this article and get ready to go for classic chic!

A New Leaf

I got the fall 2010 Boden catalog a few days ago and realized that I don’t need everything in it.  This is a first for me; I always spent hours poring over its pages of colorful velvet blazers, funky appliqued a-line skirts (see photo) and body hugging floral print jersey dresses.  Imagining myself draped in colors with names that summon smiles such as silver melange, damson, petrol and sulfur.  Prints with outrageous names like chocolate 40s floral, yellow puffball, and navy pop spot.  Great quality goods with reasonable prices.

I’m trying to buy less.  Soon I’ll be weeding out dozens of items that don’t jibe with Me 2.0 and not replacing them.  I’m moving towards classic styles in classic colors with funky accessories.  The pencil skirt will now become a staple, worn with turtlenecks, boots, flats, high heels, black tights.  Cashmere cardis, fitted jackets in good wool or corduroy over long sleeved T-shirts or fabulous button down shirts.  Great jeans.  The timeless sheath dress.

Goodbye to things that pill, stretch and fade.  Goodbye to trends and fads.  Goodbye to cute.  I am creating a system that makes decision making easy by narrowing choices.  No more buying it in every color.  No more buying because “it’s a good price.”  Everything has to have a real purpose.

You could say that I was inspired by the shopping diet (see July 24 post), or by my visit to Joan Shepp, but the reality is that I have too much stuff.  I have to turn over a new leaf.

Joan Shepp

I enjoy looking at imaginative, oh-wait-slow-down window displays, but they’re in short supply in metal gate-obsessed Philadelphia.  However, one store’s window is always cool – Joan Shepp.  This high end boutique near Rittenhouse Square carries the best designers: Balenciaga, Chloe, Ann Demeulemeester, Christian Louboutin, Yohji Yamamoto, as well as hot new labels like Elizabeth and James and Opening Ceremony, among others.  I’ve traditionally admired this boutique only from the outside—it’s a bit too rich for my slim wallet.

So imagine my surprise when a friend and I stopped at Joan’s window one evening and I spotted this gorgeous Beracamy Paris bag at 50% off!  Half-price made it affordable!  Other bags available at the store include a leather backpack by Johnny Frank ($1,245), leather tote from Ann Demeulemeester ($2,216), and one of the store’s favorites, a large leather tote from Givenchy ($1,660).  Half-price for these items for most of us still means choosing between groceries for a few weeks or the admiration of other fashionistas.

The next day I stopped in to confirm the discounted price.  I still doubted that the marked down price ($200) was correct—it’s a steal for high quality leather.  Well, the price was correct so I bought the bag.  The afro puff-soft leather is a dark camel color.  The spacious interior is fully lined with pockets for my cell phone, mp3 music player and keys.  I’m in love!

Here’s what else I loved--the staff at Joan Shepp is helpful, patient and friendly to everyone who comes in.  They don’t annoy shoppers by helicoptering, but you don’t have to wander far to find someone to answer questions, offer advice or search for a smaller size.  A wonderful sales consultant, Yoko Arayama, assisted me.  She was pleasant and accommodating.  While I waited to make my purchase we struck up a conversation about buying quality items.  She advised me that all merchandise at Joan Shepp is not out of reach, and to consider revisiting the store. 

Usually I walk out of a store relieved that I don’t work there.  I get an attitude brought on by stalled lines, self-absorbed clerks chatting among themselves instead of waiting on customers, loud music.  My experience at Joan Shepp was classy and civilized.  The courtesy Ms. Arayama showed was mirrored by all of the boutique staff.

Everyday courtesy is in short supply right now—it’s 95 degrees and everyone is in meltdown mode.  But you know what?  I’ll save up and treat myself to another visit to Joan Shepp (when they're having a sale).