neutral + pop
From left to right: Chloe, Reed Krakoff, Tod’s, DVF, Boutique 9
I’m loving a color block shoe; neutral with a pop of color. Especially fond of the ‘pop’ being in a neon. Pair with a neutral shift dress, all white (flowy top and white skinny jeans), neutral top with colored denim, or floral dress. Fabulous.
Greek Chic
One of my oh-so-fashionable + fabulous friends, Dallas, is less than 1 week away from the trip of a lifetime. She and 8 friends are sailing around the Greek Isles on this boat for 7 days. Pinch her now! Seriously. PINCH her.
What to pack?? Yacht Chic, of course…
1} Ikat print silk tank 2} White denim cut-off shorts 3} TKEES nude flip flops 4} Marcelina scarf (I could not resist: hair accessory, bandeau top, halter top, sarong, endless options wrapped-up in one little light-weight piece of fabulous-ness) 5} Striped tank (you HAVE to see the back) 6} Bubble rings 7} Love this book (not the movie so much; but the BOOK!). Perfect summer read, especially while in Greece! 8} White denim skinny flares 9} Fabulous summer tote 10} The most perfect easy, breezy sandals 11} Little silk dress 12} Chambray tunic (also doubles as a cover-up) 13} The coolest sunglasses (I have them and LOVE them) 14} Darling beach bag
Live in the Houston area and would love to have help packing? (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) me. I can help! We’ll work with what you have and shop for the rest, if need be. It takes the stress off packing and puts the focus on the fun…
white on white
Linea Pelle Skinny Studded Belt in Vanilla- on sale!
White tee. White denim (skinnies or flared; no matter). White belt. So fresh for Spring! Just punch it up with some neutral accessories. Taupe wedges. Lightweight, oatmeal colored cardi. Gold jewelry, of course. White on white. Easy Breezy!
flares and stripes
These are super cute to wear with this season’s flares (and stripes)...
flare for spring
Spring has Sprung, right? As much as I love my skinny jeans (they’re not going anywhere, they’re a permanent wardrobe staple, even Women’s Wear Daily recently said so), it was so refreshing to live in something else today. I can’t tell you how comfy these high rise flares are. Yes, high rise. Still bellow the belly button, so not all sorts of crazy-ness. They aren’t for everyone, but they are everywhere. Are you on board this season?
classic with a twist
This evening, I gave a little talk to the local Kappa Alumni group, of which I’m a member. Fitting for this month, I titled it “Love what you wear; wear what you love”. I addressed the traps that we fall into that keep our wardrobes from working for us. One of the traps is jamming our closets full of ‘bargain buys’ or super trendy items, which often translates into these pieces parking in our closets, dead weight, and with the tags perpetually attached. By the time said person gets around to wearing said item, said item is out of style! Hmmmmm… waste of money, don’t you think?
What is the solution? There are a few, actually.
1. Edit, edit, edit out what you don’t truly LOVE
2. Now that you can see what you have, SHOP your closet!
3. Make a list of your wardrobe holes
4. Always bring that list with you when shopping. Stay focused!
5. Buy quality over quantity
6. Take your time. It’s not the end of the world if an item you are contemplating gets sold out. Walk away. If you are still obsessing a day (or preferably a week later), then it may be meant to be yours. You will love it and wear it. So, you will bring the cost per wear down.
When you are working on step #2. Look for your fabulous classic pieces and twist them a little. Wear them in an unexpected way. Need a little inspiration? My Cakewalk Style Shop partner, Gina, posted this on our Cakewalk blog. This video inspires me. Actually, I’m a little obsessed…
beholden
So, where was Anthropologie when some of us were getting married sixteen years ago (I got married young. Very, very, very young, in case you were wondering)? We soooo could have used your help. My dress? Still love. Bridesmaid dresses? Cool. At the time. Could have used a little Anthropologie. Sorry girls…
arrive in style
Did you see this Chrysler commercial during last night’s Golden Globes? Isn’t it lovely? I usually fast forward through all the commercials (b/c we watch everything on DVR). However, I found this one very inspirational. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it since last night. It’s mesmerizing (that’s the point, right?)
Look around. What DID happen to style?
Style is not made-up trend on top of trend, over-embellished, a thousand different details, overly mass produced (you know what I mean), and only goes with one thing (restraint is key). It isn’t jam packing our closets with impulsive buys (that just sit unworn). It isn’t about getting ‘stuck’ and buying the same concept, slightly different version again and again (often, it’s the same brand. I’ve seen it). It isn’t buying quantity over quality.
How about buying less, but focusing on quality? Buying basics (that you wear again and again and again) and embellishing with fabulous accessories (that you wear again and again and again)? And, I think this is so important: how about buying things that have some sort of a historical point of reference? Like ballet flats (hello, 16th century? Or, how about Audrey Hepburn?). Cropped skinny trousers and a crew neck t-shirt; done well of course (think Jackie-O). Wedges and bangles (and big floppy hat: 70’s?). Nautical inspired, striped tops (think Bridget Bardot, or even Picasso!). Chains and pearls; done tastefully, of course (à la Coco Chanel).
Feeling inspired? Need help? (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) me! I can help you (Hourly rate: $40).
I say we should bring the glamour back.
Speaking of glamour, I so want one of those big, vintage cars…
stripes
Blue Life Oversize Crew Tee found here
When asked what I’m loving for Spring, my mind conjures up images of sophisticated 70’s. Big vintage convertibles, big floppy hats, anything from silk bow blouses to billowy tops. High-waisted flared jeans for sure. Lots of metallic, stacked bracelets (throw in some wooden ones, too). And, lots of tan. Tan wedges, flats, bags, belts. And, very importantly: throw in the nautical. Stripes are even bigger this year than last. I love the top pictured above. Our shop is getting this in next month. This is going to be an essential piece that can be worn a thousand different ways. High waisted flared jeans with tan wedges, boyfriend shorts, white cocktail shorts and wedges or metallic flat sandals, white linen pants (and again the tan wedges), white skinny jeans, the list goes on. I, for one, can’t wait to wear it!
mix it up
Ripped from the pages of Lucky Magazine (circa several years ago). This hangs on my inspiration board. It still inspires. I haven’t worn them this year, but I still love these boots. They are hard to find, but these are cute (I like them in brown).
C’mon Houston. Get cold.
P.S. Please do mix your browns and blacks. So chic…
now and later
Linea Pelle stackable leather studded bracelets found here
These are perfect to wear now with your Fall/Winter palette but will be perfect with your pops of Spring colors, as well! Or, you might just stack several black ones and wear them with lots of white and your big black sunglasses. I can see it now. You’re so chic…
an exotic journey
Pantone: Spring 2011.
An Exotic Journey. These color combinations satisfy the consumer’s continued need to escape current, everyday challenges. We are transported to foreign lands. These colors are an unique mix of cool and warm tones that enable us to take our current Fall colors and add in the punchy colors of Spring. These colors bring something different to the mix and have been described as Flirtatious, Spicy, Sensual, Alluring, Fresh, Ethereal, and Dramatic. I’m inspired. Not only to start thinking about Spring Wardrobing, but to plan. Plan my exotic journey…
Out with the old; In with the new
Q:
I am emailing you because I need help!!!! This is going to sound strange, but I am cleaning out my closet and have a hard time getting rid of things. How do you make yourself do that?!?!
Nicole from Wichita Falls
A:
Hi Nicole. It’s so nice to hear from you!
Yes! Clean out your closet. You will be so happy you did. You will feel so relieved.
Women can tend to become emotionally attached to ‘things’, so it can be hard to get rid of clutter, whether that’s in the closet or elsewhere. Actually, there was a study done by some German Scientists many years ago that led to the conclusion that women lose their ability for rational thought during shopping sprees, especially when ‘bargain-shopping’. Sidenote: men do the same when confronted with gadgets, power tools, cars, etc… The scientist that led the study stated that ‘Shopping frenzy is rooted in our ancestors’ hunter-gatherer instincts’.
So, this means that it’s not our fault, right? This explains why women tend to get jam-packed closets. And, fear of loss can a reason many women find it hard to purge. No wonder many women can’t make sense of their closets and get overwhelmed. They get ‘stuck’ in their closets.
Here are some thoughts:
* Be ruthless: if you don’t 100% love it, get rid of it. You won’t miss it. You will actually love having an ‘edited’ closet. It’s a great feeling to have a closet full of clothes that you actually love.
* If there is something in your closet that you never wear, there is a reason for that. It may be a sub-conscious reason (fit, color, bad memory, last year’s trend, etc…), so listen to it.
* Be strong; let go! Some of the very most stylish women in the world have very edited, sparsely populated closets. But, they love everything they have in there, they buy what looks great on them, and they have a knack for mixing and matching.
Organizing:
* If you do not have uniform hangers, buy some (crystal cut, wood, velvet, whatever).
* Face all your clothes the same direction and don’t have things hanging inside-out.
* Keep the current season’s clothes in the most visible part of your closet and move the off-season clothes to the back or in another closet.
* Only keep your current size in your closet.
* Arrange colors from light to dark.
* Separate pants and skirts according to length (and then from light to dark).
* Keep your accessories in plain view.
* Fold your sweaters.
* Get an ‘inspiration board’. Make it, buy it, whatever. Tack the pics from magazines or copies of photos you snap that inspire you.
Shopping:
Many women really need to re-direct how they spend their clothing budget:
* So important: shop by a list. After you edit down your existing wardrobe, make a list of the clothes you need to complete ensembles using what you already have (especially in order to utilize those ‘orphan’ pieces) These are the’holes’ that need to be filled before anything else so that you obtain a more versatile wardrobe.
* How many pieces do you have in your closet with the tags still attached? Are those markdown mistakes? DO NOT purchase clothing simply b/c the price is good. Purchase because you LOVE it and it looks great on you.
* Only fill your closet with the type of clothes you actually wear (for example: don’t spend on lots of fancy-night-out clothes if you live in ‘mommy wear’. Or, if you work heavy hours, spend most of your budget on office appropriate wear separates that you can mix-and-match for casual chic weekend wear.)
Take care and Happy New Year!! Hope to hear from you soon!
it’s like magic
Cameron Diaz wearing James Jeans in Black Clean
Love skinny jeans? Well, you will LOVE these (Cameron does). Don’t love skinny jeans? Try them! Just TRY them. The fit is amazing. James Jeans do fabulous things for the bum. I put clients in James Jeans that are very hesitant to put on a pair of denim, not to mention skinny jeans. The Reboots (skinny bootcuts) are fabulous, as well. 98.2% of the time (or something like that), the client is amazed with how they look in these jeans. Big Smile.
The waist is cut higher, so it keeps the tummy in. Not to mention, much more comfortable to sit. These proved very helpful after my Two Thanksgivings (FULL Thanksgivings). The next couple of weeks, the lower-rise skinnies did not feel good (or look good, for that matter). When I put on my James Twiggies, it was like the week long Thanksgiving over-indulgence thing never happened (almost).
Magic, i think. Seriously. (Get them here. Free shipping!)
update?
I’m not keeping up with my blog posting, am I? I seem to be sending any post I have time for over here. In fact, look at my last Twitter update (look to the right and scroll down a little). 460 days ago. I’ve misplaced my login info for the Closet-ologie Twitter account and I have yet to find it. I did, however, find that Boyfriend Jacket. Last summer. Nordies Anniversary Sale; which, by the way, is going on and you need to check it out (if you have not done so already).
I’ll try to do better. In fact, I might set up a FB account where I post ‘finds of the day’ (or, most likely week). Until then, let me tell you what the stylish girls were wearing in Florence when I was there last week: Shirt Dresses (love them), Black Leggings (Yes, still. Yet, these stopped right below the knee), Gladiator sandals (I know we are wearing them here, but they were everywhere); Messenger Bags; and Romper Shorts. I only had a few short hours in the city and we filled the day with museums. I wish I had more to report. Next time!
