Shaping up your wardrobe for the New Year

Many of the clients that my husband and I work with look for our help to revamp their wardrobe. And although each client is unique, there are many consistencies between the areas in which their wardrobe needs the most help. So with these observations in mind and the inspiration that comes with a whole new year of stylish possibilities; I have some tips below for how to make this year your most fashionable.

1. Do a clean sweep. These is the year to truly take stock of what’s in your wardrobe and with a critical eye, get rid of the old, tired, and ill fitting to make room for the new. I recommend calling on a friend, (that you trust and that can be brutally honest), to help you with the edit. If she says it needs to go, it goes – straight to Goodwill.
2. Take another look at your denim. By this I mean try on all the denim you have, (yes all 20+ pairs), and be honest with yourself about what pairs truly flatter and what pairs are doing nothing for your figure. Toss the pairs that are not working and reinvigorate the ones that are by taking a pair or two to the tailor and getting them hemmed so that you can wear them with flats.
3. Add a little eco into your répertoire. Here’s a trend that’s here to stay and one that you can feel great about supporting. One of my favorite “sustainable” designers is Heather Heron. Her bags are incredibly chic and are perfect for the woman looking for a little more glam in her eco fashion: http://www.heatherheron.org/
4. Welcome spring by purchasing a couple pieces from the hot trends. Neutrals, and lightweight knits are a couple of the trends that I think are worth the investment as they’re truly classics. I would suggest buying a great pair of shorts* in a neutral tone, (*they’re back in a big way and are cut to fit all shapes and sizes). And pair them with something colorful like a loose and lovely Missoni, (or Missoni-inspired), sweater.
5. Purchase some wear-with-all accessories. It’s time to invest in some classic pieces that you can wear with anything and this doesn’t mean these pieces need to be boring. Today the easiest and chicest way to reinvent a look is with a bold necklace or with a textured wide (or thin) belt.
6. Take a closer look at the condition of your shoe collection. Many people keep shoes around too long; either they’re outdated or they’re just worn beyond repair. And some forget that although a favorite pair may still be “wearable”, they may be in desperate need of some maintenance. Make a thorough pass through your collection, donating or tossing the passé and repairing and/or cleaning up the rest.
7. Make it a goal to invest in a few key pieces. There are some items that are worth the investment, always. And with careful consideration and research, as well as a little more money, you will truly realize years of “returns”. My top investment pieces this year: a classic trench, a classic pair of pumps, and a sheath dress that fits your figure perfectly – all of which are timeless and essential pieces for every woman’s wardrobe.
8. Look and feel good in your workout wear. For most of us January is the month where we get motivated to work out again, so I say make it the time to evaluate what you’re wearing while doing so. Does your athletic wear make you look long and lean, or short and stubby? If it’s the latter get into a shop like Lulemon – ASAP to have an expert outfit you in some flattering gear.
9. Add a pop of color (or three) to your wardrobe. Like most women I tend to wear a lot of black and grey; I say make this the year to be bold by adding some fabulous colors like fuchsia, red or purple to your selection. Put on this solid or print blouse with your neutral pant or black blazer and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how vibrant you now look!
10. Purchase some stylish shoes to kick around in. As much as I love a sexy pair of Louboutin heels, on Saturday and Sunday heels are not on my radar – it’s time to bring on the flats! For some women this may mean a comfy pair of tennis shoes, (no running shoes please), instead buy a pair of distressed Jack Purcell’s from J.Crew. For others it may mean a pair of skimmers; I recommend buying many pairs to try from a retailer like Piperlime that has a great assortment and free shipping.

New Year’s Resolutions for Men

Guys, it’s that time of year to take a step back and think about ways to improve yourselves for this new year. It can be anything from exercising more, eating better, or drinking less. And, since I can’t help you with those three types of resolutions, I’ll stick to something I know – clothes. So, following are some resolutions I encourage you to follow. Read them, say them out loud, and live by these 10 rules…

1. Embellishments don’t belong on your clothes, period. If your shirts or denim have some form of embellishment on it (i.e. embroidered patterns, studs/rhinestones, straps, etc.), it’s time to let them go.

2. If there’s an embroidered tiger or dragon (or any other kind animal for that matter) on a pair of denim – don’t buy, wear, or even look at them.

3. Seven jeans are done, Guys. They had their day which is now referred to as “yesterday”. Women can still pull them off. You can’t. Don’t panic, there are many incredible brands out there. It’s time to branch out.

4. Tuck in your dress shirts, it’s time. It’s been time.

5. Driving mocs are not to be worn with socks. Ever.

6. If all your dress shoes have rubber bottoms, it’s time to get a pair with leather soles.

7. If it says “Ed Hardy” on it, don’t buy or wear it.

8. Don’t wear anything from Tommy Bahama unless your over 80 years old, on a secluded island, or…actually, those are the only two exceptions.

9. Keep your sunglasses classic/understated. No gaudy logos. No over-sized frames. You can never go wrong with a simple pair of wire or plastic aviators.

10. “Corporate Casual” does not mean chinos with a blue oxford or polo shirt (with your company logo on them). And, it doesn’t mean that you never have to wear a suit or sport coat. I’ll elaborate on corporate casual looks in the coming weeks.

Now that you’ve seen my top 10 New Year’s resolutions, following are a few pieces of advice that will help you begin dressing better in 2010.

Denim Advice:

-If you haven’t done it yet, do yourself a favor and get a pair of dry selvedge denim. Get them as early this year as you can and see how long you can go before washing them. (Go at least 6-9 months!)

Shirt Advice:

-Most dress shirts (unless they’re a slim or tailored fit) have too much room in the body and arms. Tailors can turn a good dress shirt into a great dress shirt and for much less money than you think.

Shoe advice:

-For a more casual look, try a pair of all-white sneakers (i.e. adidas Stan Smith or Rod Laver) with a slim-cut pair of dress pants and/or suit. It’s a great way to give it a fresh new look.

General advice:

-Try to find a signature item or two and find ways to keep it fresh. For example, a few items I always mix into my wardrobe are merino wool sweaters and one-color polo shirts (with the collar popped). I mix them with everything from suits/dress pants to denim/shorts.

Five Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas

I never did stockings during Christmas growing up, but recently had many conversations with friends regarding their stocking traditions which has been very intriguing and enlightening for me. So, with the big day just around the corner, I thought I’d share five last-minute stocking stuffer gift ideas the men in your lives.

My take on stocking stuffers is that it’s the perfect time to get him some accessory items that he may not always think to get himself. Far too often, guys don’t think of the small things that can really help finish/refine an outfit – which is why these gift ideas will be perfect for him. And, since Christmas is just around the corner, I’m focusing on items that you should be able to get at a department or local boutique instead of online.

Socks

I know how this sounds, but I’m not talking about the bulk package of tube socks you may get from some family members. I’m talking about a really fantastic pair of dress socks. A great pair of socks can be a great pop of color and put the finishing touch to an outfit. There are many options out there, but my personal preference are socks by Paul Smith. Incredible color and pattern options and extremely well made (meaning they’ll hold their shape and last a long time.)

Cufflinks

I absolutely love cufflinks and have quite a collection started. Other than a watch, cufflinks are the perfect jewelry item for men. There are so many options from which to choose, but the one piece of advice I’d give is, look for something that fits his personality – this is the perfect opportunity to have some fun. And, don’t feel you need to just look for them at a department store, you can find incredible options at local boutiques and vintage stores!

Pocket Squares

I don’t wear a suit or sport coat without one, it’s just one of my many personal rules. I love bold color and pattern options for the pocket square, but don’t underestimate the standard white-linen pocket squares as well. There’s a reason you see the white folded squares on men throughout history – clean, classic, perfect.

Cologne

I know it’s easy to simply get him the same cologne over and over. But, I like to change my cologne by season. In the summer I like to go a little lighter with citrus tones, but in the winter I like something a little bolder and “manly”. Two of my new favorites are La Nuit De L’Homme by YSL and Pour Homme by Gucci.

Galoshes

This is the wild-card I’m throwing into the mix – and my favorite gift idea. I know you probably think of your grandpa when you hear the word “galoshes” but rest assured – these are not your grandpa’s galoshes. I’m talking about Swims galoshes that are extremely well designed and an extremely practical item to have since you need them for rain in the summer months and snow in the winter. They come in a variety of colors so you can of course get them in the standard dark/drab colors, but why? Have some fun with them! (I’m going to be going with the bright orange color myself.)

Happy holidays. Happy shopping.

Josh

‘Tis the Season for Day to Night Looks

How many of you have found yourself with the oh-so-daunting task of figuring out what you can wear to work that will also “work” for that holiday party/happy hour/client dinner/husbands work-thing, that you’re attending right after your long day is finished?  I’m guessing that many of you have had to solve for this as I get the question of “what would you wear…” quite often from friends and clients at this time of year. Luckily, this particular season I am feeling like there are more possibilities than ever to solve for this dilemma, and strangely I think we can thank the downturn of the economy for this somewhat happy turn of events within the choices of apparel.

What you’ll see in the stores this holiday is an awareness by designers that women are making very careful and calculated choices about what to spend their money on. Dispensable income for most of us is not as plentiful as it may have been years prior, so when we’re buying clothing we’re buying pieces that are more classic and much more versatile to truly getting the most for our spend. The other trend that I’m seeing this season is a huge selection of very luxe, high-end-designer-looking items, for less.  Many of my favorite retailers as well as some new, or re-discovered ones, are offering value-conscious, yet still really fabulous choices for those of us that want to look like a billion bucks, but just not spend anywhere close to that to get the look.

I’ve chosen 3 retailers that we all trust and I’ve pulled together some investment-worthy outfits that you can wear to work and then to your night out with only a simple adjustment or two. I hope they’ll inspire you!

First, Ideas from Ann Taylor, (www.anntaylor.com)

1. Compact Knit Triacetate Jacket and Compact Knit Triacetate Skirt; $230 and $110, but 30% off if you purchase the two together.
2. Silk Crepe Confection Top; $95
3. Pavé Mirror Ball Drop Earrings; $35
4. Perfect Platform Pump; $175
5. Modern Control Top Tights; $20
6. Pearl and Pavé Cluster Bracelet; $60

How would I wear? I would wear all of these pieces to the office except for the cluster bracelet. Before leaving the office I would probably take off the tights to add a little sexiness (don’t forget the self-tanner!), and put on the bracelet with the intention of taking the blazer off upon the arrival to the function.

Second, Ideas from Net-A-Porter, (www.netaporter.com):

1. DVF, Stretch Jersey Shift Dress; $300
2. Vince, Belted Cashmere Cardigan; $335
3. Christian Louboutin, Babel 100 Boots; $1465
4. Ringseclectic, Oversized Crystal-Embellished Ring; $130
5. Giles & Brother, Rhinestone Hoop Earrings; $160
6. Tibi, Sequined Silk Blazer; $600
7. Kenneth Jay Lane, Crystal-Embellished Cocktail Ring; $100

How would I wear? I would wear all day the DVF dress with boots and sweater, plus the earrings and over-sized embellished ring. Then before heading to the event I’d replace the sweater with the very cool sequined blazer (scrunching up the sleeves and popping the collar), switch the oversized ring with the crystal-embellished stunner, and off I go!

Third, Ideas from Banana Republic, (www.bananarepublic.com)

1. Silk Ruffle Printed Shell; $70
2. Crewneck Cardigan; $69
3. BR Monogram Striped Suit Pant; $132
4. ‘Gaby’ Suede Round-Toe Pump; $120
5. Double Hoop Earring; $34
6. Plated Scales Bracelet; $36
7. Velvet Blazer; $152
8. Drama Chandelier Earring; $40

How would I wear? I would wear the blouse, pants, pumps and bracelet all day and into the night. The only additions to this look would be for day I’d layer on the cardigan and wear the hoop earrings, and then for an evening look I’d slip on the blazer and replace the hoops with the elegant chandelier earrings.

Martin Patrick 3

During a recent trip to Minneapolis, I checked out a new (to me) men’s accessories store in the downtown warehouse district called Martin Patrick 3. I went based on a strong recommendation from my friend, Jennifer Knoch from Radar (radar-msp.com) and had no expectations, since I’ve never heard of the store before. But I definitely didn’t expect to walk out knowing I found one of my favorite new stores – which is exactly what happened.

From the moment I walked in I felt like a kid in a candy store. The store was completely full of every kind of accessory you could imagine. Items like: hats and gloves, bar accessories, vintage cuff links, weekend bags and briefcases, pens, vintage lighters, reading glasses, and on and on. Each item was completely hand picked by the owner, Greg Walsh. The best part is, the prices found in the store varied so greatly, I think it would be impossible not to find the perfect item for any guy no matter what price-range you have.

I found myself wandering the store for over an hour simply because every time I turned around there was something new to see and lust over. That said, one of my favorite aspects to the store is the new venture into footwear. They offered a perfect assortment of Grenson shoes/boots as well as Swims galoshes (two brands that I completely adore.)

If you find yourself in Minneapolis I highly recommend checking them out! And if you’re not in the Minneapolis area and are looking for that perfect something, give them a call – their staff is completely knowledgeable and helpful, I’m sure they’d help you find the perfect item.

Quick, Easy and Sexy Hair for the Holidays

Creating “hot hair” that looks like you’ve gone somewhere to have it done can actually be achieved very easily and very cheaply – here are my tips on how-to.

The 5 tools needed, (get ready – this entire list will cost you about $15 and can be found at any drug store):

1. bobby pins (black or blonde, based on your hair color)
2. hairspray (my favorite as well as the favorite of many hair stylists I work with is TRESemmé, Tres Two, Extra Hold)
3. styling wax or pomade (I am currently using a Pantene, Texturize! Sculpting Wax, but I have used several kinds and they all work)
4. rubber bands (I use a black band, based on your hair color white or brown may be a better choice)
5. a comb or pick

To get started I recommend planning on using next-day hair, or end-of-day-hair. Freshly washed or styled hair is often too clean or slippery to best achieve these looks. I encourage you to create these dos with hair that is a little “dirty” as it will have more texture to it; you’ll get much better volume and control.

For a sexy high ponytail look you can choose to sweep all of your hair back for a very sleek and modern look (like Rose Byrne), or for something a little softer, leave a chunk of bangs loose in the front, (like Jen and Eva M.). Either way start this process with as voluminous hair if possible, if needed do a little back combing and add a little hairspray to give texture, especially at the crown.

First, put a little pomade in your hand (about the size of a dime) and work it evenly between both of your hands so that it’s soft and warm.  Sweep the pomade lightly and briskly through all the hair that will be pulled back into the pony, including the back of your hair at the neckline, (don’t touch the bangs if you plan to leave them loose in the front). Pull your hair together as tightly as possible at the highest point of your crown and secure it with a rubber band, again looping the band as many times necessary to achieve a really tight hold.

Next, take a look at how the hair within the pony is falling, most likely it will need to be smoothed and possibly back-combed to achieve more volume at the crown, then lightly set that shape with hairspray. If there is not enough natural wave happening you may also want to use a large barrel curling iron to add a little more volume. To do this separate the pony into 3 sections and create a few large curls, then shake out the curls to work them into one wavy curl throughout your pony, then again set the shape with hairspray.

Lastly the final touches to create a finished look are to take a small chunk of hair underneath your pony and wrap it around the rubber band twice, then secure it with a bobby just under the binder as well as with a light spritz of hairspray. The other thing I like to do if I’ve got a sleek entirely pulled back look like Rose’s, is to add some ridges on the top and sides of my head to make it look like I have more texture in my hair than I really do, (Jen’s photo is a good example of this). To do this I lightly apply hairspray on the sides and top of my hair and then immediately run my fingers through those areas in about ½ inch sections giving the taught hair little ridges that create the illusion of thickness and texture.

And if you’ve left the bangs loose at the front, at this point I recommend doing a little back combing to give them more volume, and then either do a front part and have them loosely hang on either side with a little curl (like Jen has done); or do a side sweep of the bang like Eva Mendes, sculpting them to the shape you want with your hand, and then lightly fixing with hairspray. Another little tip, if these side-swept bangs are long enough lightly sweep the end of the bangs behind your ear after applying the hairspray. By doing this you create a sophisticated look as well as you will get a nice natural curve at the end of the bangs that sets after about 10 minutes, so you may choose un-tuck the hair to let it hang loose and pretty at that point.

To create a second look party look with a loose and fun low chignon like Eva Longoria’s, follow all of the same steps above for the look of the hair on the top and sides of your face. Again it’s your choice on sleek and tight, or loose and romantic like Eva’s, both are appropriate for this hairstyle as well.  The ponytail is obviously now gathered at the nape of your neck to create the low chignon. I like the style of chignon that Eva L. is wearing here because it’s the easiest for a “non-professional” to do. To achieve this look first backcomb the pony to get as much texture and volume as possible. Then separate the pony into several sections, I recommend more sections than less as it’s easier to achieve a full-not-to-done and fuller look with a little more twisting and back-pinning of the hair. With every section (I recommend 3-4), first back-comb, then twist it into a little imperfect circle, back-pinning with bobbys near the end of the twist, (leaving a couple inches at the very end to flow freely), and also to secure the center of the twist. Continue to do this with all of the sections, placing them alongside and slightly on top of each other to eventually create the illusion of a single, playful, design at the back of your neck.

A rule of thumb is to try not to over-think or over-work this process. The more random-looking the better, the shape will end up more interesting and look even more professionally done. To finish, one final look at how it all came together with a hand mirror will allow you to add any additional bobby pins to secure the shape, and then just a light application of hairspray to fix, and you’re good to go!

 

 

Starting Over

As Josh and I are finishing up work with our latest client she’s been on my mind daily and has turned out to be my inspiration for this latest article. This particular client has a very interesting story as she came to us looking for someone to help her re-build a wardrobe that she’d spent 30 years carefully compiling, only to have it lost in a fire a couple months ago. She’s been amazing to work with and it’s brought me personally so much joy to witness us being able to help her feel optimistic about a very sad and frustrating situation.

I got to thinking about what if that had happened to me? Where would I even start? That’s when I thought this may be a very interesting exploration as it seemed it would be a way for me to communicate to my readers what I think are the must-have foundation pieces for a woman’s wardrobe this fall. I’m not going to lie, this article took me a solid day to pull together as I only let myself choose 20 items, and of course I wanted to find the “best” available. I’m putting best in quotes because what I think is the best is not going to be universal among all of my readers. As you’ll see I’ve “chosen my battles” a technique I’ve written about in other articles. I chose to spend more money where I think it’s important to do so, less in categories where I know you can still achieve the same classic and high-quality look while spending less.  A couple more things: 1. I did not give myself a budget to work within, I simply chose what I think is the best available online today for the 20 different key pieces, and 2. I did not cover things like undergarments, athletic attire, etc. I just stuck to work and casual wear essentials.

After all of that, what did I choose?*

1. Black pants (works with blazer to make a suit)
2. Trench coat
3. Pearls
4. Tank top
5. Pencil skirt (works with blazer as well)
6. Long, refined cardigan
7. Black pumps
8. Black blazer
9. Dark blue denim
10. Statement belt
11. Printed blouse
12. T-shirt
13. Tall boots
14. White button-down
15. Handbag
16. Casual cardigan
17. Dress
18. Hoop earrings
19. Black denim (that I would hem to the ankle)
20. Flats

(*For product details and links to purchase items featured, please email me and I’ll send you the list of the specific items.)

How much would this all cost to buy? My choices ended up tallying at about $8500.00, which may sound crazy but when you’re starting with nothing and you are in a financial position to make some educated decisions about where to spend your money, this is what I would recommend this season. I would love to read what some of your lists/choices would be if you are up for the challenge! Please send them to me at info@cabinetdenvie.com and if I get enough responses I’ll report back in an upcoming article.

You can also read this article among others by Jen Bakken at www.suzysaid.com

The Sartorialist – Book Signing In SF

I’m sure most of you know of Scott Schuman (better known as “The Sartorialist”) by now, but for those of you who haven’t yet, prepare to jump on the bandwagon.

After working in the fashion industry for years, Scott began taking pictures of what real people were really wearing in their everyday life in New York. He then shared those pictures on his blog. Little did he know, the following he’d receive would quickly and continually grow. Now, he’s being sent around the world to continue his work, has retailers developing window displays based on his photographs, and is one of the most influential individuals in the fashion industry. I’ve been following Scott for years and cannot be happier for the enormity of his success.

 

Scott has recently released his first book that showcases some of his favorite images from over the years. The book highlights some of fashion’s most famous figures as well as the random people he’s seen on the streets from around the world.

 

If you’re going to be in San Francisco Wednesday, October 21st, Scott will be doing two book signings. He’ll be at Barney’s from 5:00-7:00 and then at the Paul Smith store from 7:30-8:30.

See his blog at:

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

You can purchase the book in various book stores across the country as well as online. Or, you can purchase now here:

http://www.barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Search-Show?q=the+sartorialist&x=0&y=0

10 Observations Made During NYC Fashion Week 9.’09

1. Pulling together a show is a CRAZY amount of work. This could possibly be the understatement of the year, but for those of you that have never been to fashion week, but watch shows like “Project Runway” the final episodes when they’re at the tent only begins to tell a fraction of the story. A show in the tent at Bryant Park (and beyond) is as involved as a Broadway production but unlike Broadway the “show” really only lasts for about 15mn, (not counting the hour you wait for the show to begin at least as they never start on time). Here’s a little video of Zac’s show that does a pretty good job of showing some of the prep: http://videos.nymag.com/video/Zac-Posen-Spring-2010-Collectio#c=YR6LF31TF3L9YWT2&t=Model%20Diaries:%20Sean%20O’Pry
2. You get what you pay for. It was clear to me, (and now to my husband after me pointing it out), between the 3 shows that I saw this season and shows I’ve seen in the past you get what you pay for when it comes to talent, (i.e. the models). Because unfortunately the performance on the runway by those models does influence how your audience will interpret your work. We were at one show that clearly had a small budget so the designer was forced to use models that were probably good at commercial/catalogue work, but were not trained for the runway and many of them just looked nervous and anything but graceful on the stage. Runway models are meant to be essentially clothes hangers for the designers, so their lines need to be sleek and their movement needs to be steady, smooth and extremely confident. Mr. Posen on the other hand used amazing girls for his show, many of which I recognized from other runway shows by top designers and a couple I recognized from Vogue spreads, (you too possibly if you watched the video). If it were me and I was casting for my big opportunity at the park, I would take a less is more approach and invest in a few killer girls because they do make the clothes look that much better, which could mean millions to a fashion designer.
3. I’m loving the trends that I saw happening for spring. I must admit that I’m a fall/winter fashion lover at heart, but what I saw at two of the shows in particular really made me excited for what’s to come in a couple seasons. At the Academy of Art show I really loved the student’s use of fabrics and knits in a beautiful array of muted peaches, yellows, blues, purples and pinks. Everything that I saw coming down the runway felt really pretty and happy. Modern geometric shapes influenced the designs as well as bold patterns, while traditional madras plaid inspired some of my favorite looks.
    
   At Zac Posen’s show he too applied similar trends in his use of bold patterns and geometrics, but his palette overall was in much bolder hues. Zac gave a very noticeable nod to the 40’s in a lot of his work and I love his playful introduction of colorful fur for spring – very San Francisco appropriate! The gowns of course were out of this world with sequin detail to die for, and the sculpted silk pant that he designed (featured below) was not only fabulous, but it looked wearable – as did 99% of the clothes I saw go down his runway btw. I want to note again how prevalent fine-gauge knits are going to be for spring and I couldn’t be happier. Although we’re all going to assume that these knit pieces are going to look perfect on the models, I am confident that this style (ala Missoni) is one that really will work on everyone. It moves with your body, flows over your curves and wears much better than others.

    

4. Chanel is still the “it” bag. Now this may seem like common sense to some of you, but to me it was a bit of a surprise. Sure, it’s Chanel, so of course anything by the label will be 1. Extremely high in quality and 2. Timeless/ageless in style, but I guess I don’t think of it as a bag that I would carry to a show as a statement piece or the must-have accessory to pair with my look. Seems I was sadly mistaken because at least at NYC fashion week, Chanel was the bag to carry.
5. Anna Wintour and Rachel Zoe look exactly the same in person. I had to put this in here because these are the two that I saw at Zac Posen’s show that I got the most questions about. What were they wearing, how did they look, etc…? The one bit of dirt that I will share is that I was about 12 inches away from Donna Karen in a restaurant; she did not look the same as she has looked in mags, TV… And let’s just say, to be kind, the woman could use a very long nap and possibly a little tutorial while in the hair and make-up chair.
6. Choose your battles. It became clear to me pretty early on that although all of us attending the shows would love to be in couture from head to toe, in this economy it’s just not the possible for the majority of us. Women are now “choosing their battles” in that they’re making choices about what key pieces they’re investing in, and they’re mixing those pieces in with affordable yet fashionable items. For example, at The Academy of Art show in the tents that we attended on Saturday I sat next to a fabulous woman that was wearing a ring that was easily $20,000, yet her outfit was quite plain, black layers, no labels to speak of. At the Zac Posen show I noticed some of the same, I saw a woman that was dressed in Zac but sporting a very affordable, but very chic, Alexander Wang bag. And at both shows I noticed several girls confidently wearing denim paired with a form-fitting blazer, but their bags were clearly where their money had gone, as they were some of the best of this season. I too practiced this philosophy, (see pics below); I went to 3 shows and at each wore a mix of high and low. On the far left I’m wearing a Trina Turk fur bomber, over an Ann Taylor satin sheath dress, a wide faux diamond necklace from Neiman’s, (the designer’s name escapes me…), Prada pumps and Prada bag. In the middle shot I’m wearing a Zara denim biker jacket, over a Rachel Roy dress – (her exclusive line for Macy’s is fab – check it out!), bag and accessories from a no-name favorite shop in Chicago, and grey Louboutin pumps. Last but not least, on the far right I’m wearing an M by Missoni dress, Marc by Marc jewelry, paired with Prada boots and bag.

     

7. Act like you know what you’re doing and people will think you KNOW what you’re doing. That was the vibe we gave off when we were at the shows and because of that we were offered better seats, invites to next year’s events, as well as interest from designers. Confidence is everything, especially in NY and especially while navigating fashion week.
8. Watching a show at Bryant Park is something that anyone that loves fashion should do.  Seeing the excitement and anticipation on my husband’s face as we were waiting to get into the Academy Show was really amazing. I had been to shows there before so I think I forgot what it felt like to go for the first time, the rush you get from the eye candy of a tent full of people dressed incredibly, (most of them anyway), that are there because they have a shared passion for the industry or the scene itself, is pretty invigorating. And the show itself, especially the first time, always exceeds your expectations. The experience, (albeit extremely quick), is also truly inspiring as you see such incredible craftsmanship parade in front of you and you think of the months of work that went into every stitch.
9. NYC (more specifically Manhattan) is the only part of this country that truly lives and breathes fashion, period. I have traveled to, lived in, and almost lived in, the most cosmopolitan cities our country has to offer and every time I go back to NYC, (and not just during this particular week), I am always in awe of the appreciation that both men and women have of fashion and the time they take to actually “dress”. And by “dress” I mean taking the time to pull together a look for whatever they’re doing; going to work, going out to eat, going to the gym – it doesn’t matter, New Yorkers are doing it in style.
10. A girl (i.e. this girl) can only be glamorous so many days in a row. Before I left SF I told my Mom over the phone that I was going to NYC to “play dress-up” for a few days, and that’s what I did and it was great, but by day 3 of heels and make-up and “dressing” – I’ve got to tell you I was ready to come back to CA to scale it back a bit. In California it seems just about anything goes, (this is both good and BAD), but I have to tell you it’s pretty nice to have the option to wear just about anything at just about any time of the day; and stepping out of the airport to the smell of redwoods in the air, well that didn’t hurt my feeling about being back home either.

Fall Boots for the “Rugged” Man

The rugged work boot trend has carried over from last season and is still alive and well. I absolutely love the look, but it’s difficult for some people to pull off. For example, it’s almost not right for me to wear a pair of Red Wing work boots to the office. It’s just not fair to the boots themselves. It would be like buying a Ford Super Duty truck to commute to an office job in the city. The good news is, there are some incredible boots that will allow you to achieve the “rugged” without looking like you’re going to chop some firewood right after your 3pm conference call.

 

Maybe it’s my Wisconsin roots showing once again. Or, maybe after three years in San Francisco, I’m truly turning into a hippie more and more every day. Either way, over the last couple of years I’ve fallen in love with two shoe companies, Quoddy and Yuketen. Quoddy has been making hand-sewn boots and shoes in Maine since 1909. They make many varieties of shoes/boots, but my favorite is the Grizzly Boot.

http://www.quoddy.com/styles.html

 

Yuketen on the other hand began in 1989 and is based in California. They too have many styles of shoes/boots, but the Hunt Boot is perfect for my taste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.yuketen.com/06HuntBoots.html

 

If either of these boots are still too “rugged” for your taste, I’d instantly go to the new John Varvatos deck boot. It’s the first boot he’s made under his USA line (which just means, it’s really quite affordable at $265.) The boot comes in multiple colors, but I love the blue or the weathered brown seen in the picture. They’re great boots that you can wear with just about anything, including your heavy flannel shirts or thick, cable-knit sweaters.

http://www.johnvarvatos.com