Sunday, July 29, 2007

The black blazer....

Is a staple in my closet as I would suspect it is in yours. Many a work day outfit has been saved by slipping it on over a, perhaps not quite business classic outfit.

Over at Styledash they have an excellent post on this classic favorite with tips on how to wear it just right..

Styles that Stick: Black blazers

Also from Styledash...

This just made me smile....

Xpose yourself

Having just finished the last Harry Potter book, maybe I'm just in a dark humor state of mind.....

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

More on Fall Trends....

Fashiontribes weighs in with their favs for Fall '07:

The Top 10 wardrobe, accessory and beauty must-haves for fall:

Except for the cat-eye thing (Yikes!), I think that every one of these choices can work for the 50+ woman!

My favs from their list: a kick of bright color (a bright scarf could do the trick as well), a leopard print bag (not a big fan of animal prints myself, but I can see how they can edge up an outfit) and the black beret (lets face it, a classic!)

I guess I just should have done....

One long post with tips from Ms. Teresa!

Here's another good one to go with all our Fall fashion dreamin'...or any other time you're contemplating the best approach to pulling together an outfit...

how to create a polished outfit

The one issue I find with this is that it's not always that easy to find pieces that match in color if you are obliged to buy the top in one line and the bottom in another - as I often, as a pear shaped gal, find myself having to do!

The principal, however, remains a good one!

More Fall '07 Trends....

This time from Ms Teresa!

fall 07: the funnel collar


The more tailored looks for fall continue!

In my mind this could be somewhat tricky to pull off, you really need to make sure that the jacket fits correctly around the shoulders so that collar isn't sliding back and forth like an untethered boat!

Still well worth trying on to see if you can incorporate it into your Fall wardrobe!

Okay, yet another thing I should have known....

but didn't....

Yet another sharp tip from Ms. Teresa over at Wardrobe 911:

a hem tip that's worth remembering

Timely advice for me as I've got at least one pair of pants I need to take down to my cleaner's for hemming! ;-)

And if you want to lengthen the hem....

Skip over to YouLookFab for tips on how to do it...

Lengthening Your Pants

Trends for Fall '07 - Menswear Style!

Looks like that perennial favorite, Menswear for women, is back again this fall...

What to Buy Fall 2007: Menswear for Women

Personally, I'm thrilled about this on several levels, not the least of which is that menswear is going to be a heck of a lot more flattering to my post 50+ frame than the whole baby doll thing that has been rampant this spring and summer. I also tend to be a classicist when it comes to dressing and the tailored look of menswear definitely fits that look.

I agree with the Budget Fash - tailor jackets and pants have become something of a staple for women's wardrobes for years now - why the special name for it?

Anyway, for the first time in a couple of seasons, I'm actually looking forward to a runway trend making it's way down the fashion food chain to something I can afford!

Monday, July 23, 2007

The YOU by Crocs....

Site is up!

Way back in April, I posted on this new line by Crocs. I've seen many a snarky comment on the whole idea since, with folks all but saying that the idea of Crocs making an actually attractive shoe was like imagining Ghirardell's making low fat chocolate.

But even my girl, The Budget Fashionista, NOT known, by the way, as a fan of the brand, is giving it a second look:

What to Buy Fall 2007: You by Crocs

I'm not sure about the boots she pictures, but I do agree about the comfort factor! And there are some cuter items in the line.

You can check out the whole line here: YOU by Crocs

Devi Kroell for Target...

Rocks!

I actually got a chance to see the bags in the flesh, so to speak, this weekend - and I must say that they are absolutely beautiful! Made of substantive materials, there is nothing cheap about the feel or the look of these bags.

Now I'm no fan of "exotic" bags - I just don't get the love of bags made of reptiles. It doesn't help, I'm sure, that I hate snakes!

All that being said, these bags are so nice, especially for the price, that I am deeply tempted to pick up one!

My favs:




Hobo - Light Goldtone - $34.99


This bag is just gorgeous! If it zipped instead of just having a magnetic clasp I would definitely buy it!





Shopper - Dark Gray - $39.99


Roomy and sleek - and a lot less faux snake than the others in the collection (Yeah, yeah, I know - that only matters to me!)




Clutch - Anthracite - $19.99


This is the one I'm definitely leaning towards buying! The faux snake aside, the size is perfect for a night out and the color is the same!

So if you don't, like me, get a yuck feel when you see a handbag made of snake skin, get thee over to Target and check out the new Devi collection!

Cafe Glam....

Kicks it out with several worthwhile posts!

Top 7 Summer Shoes and What to Wear with them


Bathing Suits to make you Look Sizzling in the Sun


It's not too late to hit the bleach in style -- and with your dignity intact! After all, there's still Labor Day!

Fashion over 40 -When to Skimp and When to Splurge?


I'll be reading this one closely, as I'm starting to think about Fall and what I can add to my wardrobe that will kick up my game without requiring bankruptcy later!

Looking Youthful with Universal Style

Personally, I'm not that in to the whole "let's try to look youthful" forever obsession. However, I do feel that everyone (women and men) benefit from keeping their look up to date! I also like the list of categories - rarely do you see this kind of break down that includes well known 40+ femes as style examples!

So kick it on over to the Cafe - and enjoy!

And if you, like me, are starting to think Fall.....

Get on over to Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale!

Nordstrom

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Just to prove....

That with enough sense of personal style you can make anything chic....

From the The Sartorialist...





The way she mixes overalls of all things with more classic pieces (black ballet flats, the black pea coat) just gives the whole outfit an unexplected sense of personal chic that makes you look twice and say, "wait a minute - how is she pulling THAT off?"

Bravo!

By the way....

The The Sartorialist has another picture of the same woman on Style.com:

PARIS IS ABOUT WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE


I want to be her when I grow up....

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Speaking of designers I love....

Hope over to The Stylelist for excerpts of their interview with Issac Mizrahi:

Isaac Mizrahi: The Interview

Check out the reader's comments too - very interesting and a perfect example of the desire of women for great designs they can afford and fit in!

As for me - one of the best looking pairs of pants I own are from Issac's Target collection - you go IM!

Over at About.com Women's Fashion....

Their talking the The 10 Secrets of Timeless Style with Houston designer Gayla Bentley.

Just as I was bemoaning the fact that, with Liz C. gone, there was no designer I could think of that designs clothes specifically and unashamedly for the "everyday" woman - let along the mature woman - along comes someone like Gayla who is taking a shot at it! And with a size range of 2 - 28, a woman really needs to sit up and take notice!

Check out her website:

Gayla Bentley

Her clothes are very much focused on wardrobe basics - the kind of pieces you can mix and match with other more daring items. Some of my favs from her line:





White Stretch Matelasse Jacket - $195.00






Carmel Stretch Cotton Satten Jacket - $166.00


The jackets are very similar in style, but I love the simple lines and sharp collar on both!




Black Stretch Poplin Tie Shirt Dress - $190.00


As you know, I love a shirt dress -- and this one is definitely a keeper staple in any woman's closet!




White Jersey Ballet Neckline Top - $130.00


Now I'm not thinking I could pull this one off - but I like the look just the same!




Caramel Stretch Cotton Sateen Pant - $145.00


It's hard to find a good looking pair of flare legged pants that don't make you look like Bozo (of sainted memory I might add!). These just might fit the bill!

She also has a strictly basics line of pieces made to be base outfits. A couple of examples:






Yes her pieces are pricey (at least for my budget!) so she is not quite in Liz C.'s more affordable range. But with the size range she's offering and the fact that you can actually get them on the Needless Markup - otherwise known as Neiman Marcus - online (The Gayla Bentley Collection) their accessible wherever you live.

So checkout her tips for timeless style and her clothes as well!

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Pick up a copy of the July Harper's Bazaar




And enjoy some outstanding articles - not the least of which are:

Why Fashion Needs Eccentrics by J.J. Martin - Not saying you will ever dress like any of the intrepid women profiled in this piece - but I found it an inspiring reminder that 1. Dressing can, and should be, a personal statement and 2. You should dress, as much as the situation will allow, to please yourself first!

The Secret of Hermes by Natasha Wolff - Not too many secrets if you ask me - but a delightful eye candy spread on the incurably snobby saddler!

Fabulous at Every Age - Imagine my dismay in opening the July issue and seeing recommendations for Fall! Horrors! But in the fashion world summer is already passe! HB offers it's look picks for the upcoming Fall season for women 20 to 70+. I recommend this article EVERY month of the year - Harpers B is worth reading for this one alone!

A converable shoe?.....

Hop over to Baghaus' The Bag Buzz for the 411 on this concept...

Convertible Shoes: A Concept Whose Time Has Come


Like the B Buzz, I'll have to think on this one a bit - but I definitely like the concept! ;-)

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Liz Claiborne, Dies at 78

I was saddened to hear that Liz Claiborne had passed away this week.


Liz Claiborne, Designer, Dies at 78



Her clothes have been a staple in my closet and my sister's for many years now. Even my sister, who will proudly tell you that she is no fashionista, commented on the news that "this is a sad day".

Her clear good taste, understanding of women's bodies (her clothes skim your body just right), rock solid basics and her determination to sell those clothes at prices women can afford has been a blessing to my closet and I'm sure to the closet of many, many others.

In a world where good taste, good style and good common sense are becoming rapidly diminished commodities, Ms. Liz C. will be sorely missed.

My condolences to her family and friends.