23

Jan

Please Don’t Wear Your Jammies to Work

No ma'am, Rachel Roy.

Nightwear as daywear is a trend that’s shown up on runways (and recently on the front page of shopbop.com), and I’m warning you: this does not mean your Forever Lazy footie pajamas, slinky negligees, or saggy Hello Kitty  flannel bottoms from freshman year are now in style and meant to be inflicted upon the public.  Those fashion choices will make you a perfect candidate for People of Walmart, not anyone’s best dressed list.  If you’d like to incorporate the look into your wardrobe smartly, here are some tips on how to wear pajama-inspired looks with flair and good taste.

1.  Try a lacy camisole under a cardi or jacket for the office, or a vintage bustier with a pencil skirt or cigarette pants for evening.  The key here is balance.   If you pair these items with a super short skirt or shorts, or anything skintight, the effect will be more “streetwalker” than chic.

2.  Pair silky or print pajama bottoms with a structured piece on top,  like a cable-knit cardigan.  Or, try a menswear-inspired pajama top with skinny jeans and a pair of fun loafers.  The blend of textures will keep you from looking like you rolled straight out of the boudoir.

3.  Please leave anything with a cheeky phrase on it in the store,  or spare the rest of us and save it for wearing at home.  Your seat isn’t for advertising to the general public. 

4.  Several words to the wise about leggings: I’m all for them when worn properly.  And by “properly” I mean that the leggings should be opaque, not sheer, fishnet, etc.  One’s legs should not look like they are squeezed into sausage casings.  And a blazer, long cardigan or tunic-style top that skims or covers the rear is most flattering.  

5.  PajamaJeans are to be avoided at all costs.  The printed zipper and pockets are…strange.  There are too many other options for affordable, comfortable and flattering denim for women of all shapes and budgets to resort to something that pulls on and has a hidden drawstring.

6.  The last word: be sure to wear appropriate undergarments so that your silhouette is sleek and your “unmentionables” remain unmentioned by passers-by.  Smooth ripples and provide an extra layer under unlined items by wearing a pair of  fleshtone hosiery that has been snipped at the calf or knee.

Image via Gawker.com

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Haute or Not?/The Look

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20

Jan

Is This What 30 Looks Like?

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I wasn’t invited to Dwyane Wade’s 30th birthday bash and thank God, because what is he wearing?  A morning coat,  trinkets on his lapel, SKINNY tuxedo pants, AND what looks like Stacy Adams brogues?  Tell me not. 

The outfit sported by Wade, Rick Ross’s “grooming” and the get-ups donned by Lebron James and Chris Bosh lead me to these important points when it comes to menswear:

1.  Your wife, girlfriend, sister or mother – whatever female presence you have in your life – doesn’t love you if she lets you leave the house looking like you’re impersonating a ringmaster in a circus.  Unless of course you actually ARE a ringmaster in a circus.

2.  Lotion is a good thing.  Especially in winter.  Please moisturize your situation!

3.  Beards aren’t for everyone.            

4.  Those tiny little fedoras just look ridiculous.  They don’t make anyone look cool; they just emphasize the size of your head and remind everyone of Blossom.  Please stop trying to make them “happen.”

5. The same goes for those who insist on the “I’m so cool I have to wear a winter scarf indoors” look.

Gentlemen…how many times do I have to emphasize this point? Keep it simple!  The effortlessly debonair Cary Grant was known for wearing a gray suit, crisp white dress shirt, with the appropriate tie and shoes, and embodying the Every Man while still looking singularly suave.  Try too hard to do something “different” and you might end up doing way, way too much.

Images via YB&F

14 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

Haute or Not?/Learn From My Mistakes!/Something in the Milk Ain't Clean

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20

Jan

If the Shoe Fits…

A sharp-eyed reader pointed out that I recently cooed over the studded slip-ons worn by Idris Elba at the Golden Globes last Sunday, despite having come down hard against people who wear sneakers with formal wear in a previous post.  That’s the thing about fashion.  Just when you roll your eyes at someone in a Canadian tuxedo, O Magazine  decides it’s what’s hot and happening for Spring.

Sigh.

But isn’t that what’s wonderful about style?  We have the opportunity to have fun with it, to take one special piece, wear it in an unexpected manner and change the conversation about what’s fashionable.  If – as in Cinderella’s case – one shoe can change your entire life, imagine what a wardrobe of well-considered clothes and accessories can do?

I’ll go on record as saying I prefer evening shoes with evening wear, and that anyone who deviates should have an awesome pair of sneakers (studded, bedazzled or otherwise “dressed up”) to make me reconsider.  Beat-up Nikes just won’t cut it on the red carpet.

I’m not sure socks with sandals will ever be in style either, no matter what Donatella Versace would have us believe in this ad featuring Cindy Crawford’s doppelganger daughter Kaia Gerber, the new face of Young Versace.

But I’m open to being proved wrong.

Image via Versace

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/He Said She Said/Learn From My Mistakes!/Random Acts of Fashion

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19

Jan

S.W.A.K.

Do people write actual letters anymore?  When I was retrieving my mail yesterday evening and sorting the circulars, catalogs and bills, I suddenly wished a letter might present itself.  In this age of text messages, emails, tweets, BBMs and (unfortunately) pokes, I miss the intimacy of a well-written (or even hastily dashed off) missive.  When I was younger, my friends and I filled pages of looseleaf or totally awesome Lisa Frank stationery (which is kind of hard to look at now without having a seizure) with girlish thoughts, gossip and daydreams about our crushes.  Before cell phones, we bought stamps.  Before Facebook friends and tweethearts, we had pen pals.

I still send notes, and generally stick to pale pink monogrammed correspondence cards.  This year I plan to choose a set with a little more pizazz;  SteelPetalPress ‘ cheeky letterpress notecard is perfect.

If putting pen to paper strikes your fancy, remember: neatness counts!  There’s no point in sending a letter the recipient can’t decipher.  And if you’re sending thank you notes, be sure to check out Something New: The Bride’s Complete Guide to Writing Thank You Notes by Emily Smith and Rachel Daniels.  The sisters have narrowed composing the perfect thank you note down to a science!

Image via SteelPetalPress

14 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Love That!

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17

Jan

It’s Showtime!

Tasha Smith

One of Birmingham’s most elegant and entertaining evenings is almost upon us as  The Sickle Cell Foundation  hosts It’s Showtime at the Apollo – Birmingham Style 2012 on Saturday, January 28th!  Similar to the famed talent show conducted at Harlem’s  legendary Apollo Theater, the event features a local talent showcase and actress Tasha Smith  (For Better or For Worse) will serve as host.  Sharon B. Lewis (Executive Director) speaks passionately about the Foundation’s mission and the necessity of a cure for sickle cell  and gave me a sneak peek into what guests can expect.

“Sickle cell disease affects the red blood cells and it causes extreme pain and can cause major organ damage,” Lewis explains.  “[The Sickle Cell Foundation has] been the advocate for improved medical care and access to social services for affected families. ”  Celebrities like Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins (of TLC fame) have put a face on the disease, which can lead to severe health complications. 

Lewis – who is very optimistic that a cure will be discovered soon – emphasizes the upcoming gala’s impact.

“Funds from this event have gone towards making sure adults have access to comprehensive medical care.   If we are who are working are experiencing tough times, imagine how much tougher it is for families facing tough times [compounded with] sickle cell anemia.  [We] help families obtain prescriptions, as well as dental care and vision care.  We’re able to fill in the gap, even [providing] things like transportation to the doctor.  And there are many complications.  It’s not unusual for a person to have numerous hospitalizations throughout the year, and it’s an ongoing cycle for them.  It’s really a vicious cycle.  In addition to financial needs, I hope that the foundation also offers emotional support to help them weather the storms they find themselves confronted with. We really thank the community for all of their support in the past and hope that they will continue to support us. ”

Lewis promises guests will enjoy “a fabulous evening with incredible food and this year [there will be] an extra special twist for patrons. ”  The black tie event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, and a limited number of tickets and tables are available for purchase by calling the Foundation’s office at (205) 780-2355 or 1-800-735-0405 (tickets are not available online). 

Image via TSAW.com

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14 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

Birmingham Live!/If We Weren't There It Didn't Happen/Scene and Heard

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16

Jan

Oh, My…

Look up "swag" in the dictionary. This is who you'll see.

 Yeah, there are no real words for this ladies. 

Congrats to Mr. Elba on his Best Actor win at the 2012 Golden Globes. (Loving the studded loafers!)

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

C'est Si Bon/Love That!/The Look/Who Wore What Where

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16

Jan

Best Dressed: 2012 Golden Globes

*Yawn* 

That sums up last night’s fashion at the Globes.  I saw so many subdued and severe teal, burgundy, navy and dishwater (that dingy marriage of  lavender and beige) trumpet gowns that watching quickly grew boring (best of the crew: Sofia Vergara’s navy Vera Wang).  

Julie Bowen (Modern Family) was lovely in her Grace Kelly-esque Reem Acra nude chiffon gown with jeweled cap sleeves and softly curled hair.  Effortless – although I wish her coiffure had been a touch looser.  Dianna Agron (Glee) was HAUTE in a Giles Deacon fire-engine red laser cut, tiered gown with swan detail, matching pout and minimal jewelry.  Heidi Klum definitely made it work with a simple but deadly beige minimalist Calvin Klein gown with turquoise detail and simple hair.  Paula Patton was a ray of sunshine in Monique Lhuillier.  And Salma Hayek was totally gorgeous in black and gold Gucci with an Art Deco feel (her husband is owner of the luxury goods company which owns the label). 

Double-faced linings were popular, as seen on Natalie Portman in pink and scarlet Lanvin and Angelina Jolie in blood red and white Atelier Versace.

And I’m calling worst dressed a tie between Lea Michele’s pewter Marchesa gown that looked like it was screaming “HEY! Look at ME! I’m wearing a flesh-eating disease!” and (the newly engaged?) Jessica Biel in her Miss Havisham by Valentino wedding gown. Thumbs down.

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Congrats to Alabama native Octavia Spencer on her Best Supporting Actress win for The Help!

All images via InStyle

14 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

Random Acts of Fashion/The Look/Who Wore What Where

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13

Jan

Raven Symone, Get Your Life

We get it. You’ve lost weight (congrats!). You’re no longer cute little Olivia from The Cosby Show.  We salute you for being a mogul.  But these pum pum shorts and Pretty Woman boots?  No ma’am.  You’re too fabulous for this haute mess!  [Sidenote: the ‘fro on your companion is everything!]

Images via YBF

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Haute or Not?/Learn From My Mistakes!/Something in the Milk Ain't Clean

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13

Jan

Best Dressed: 2012 People’s Choice Awards

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The People’s Choice Awards are a little tricky.  They’re not quite the Golden Globes or the Oscars, so hitting the red carpet in a dramatic gown is a misstep.  But looking like you just rolled out of bed is inappropriate as well.  Better to err on the side of a look that is smart and sophisticated without trying too hard to look glamorous.  Ginnifer Goodwin succeeds in a well-chosen sleek,  shocking Schiaparelli pink cocktail dress with bell sleeves by Roksanda Ilincic, waved flapper hair and lace booties.  Haute!

The bad news is there’s a three-way tie for worst dressed (proving that the LBD isn’t always one’s BFF), as Pauley Perrette (NCIS) looks like she escaped from 1995 in a high pony and unfortunate Mary Jane pumps, and  I’m not exactly sure what event Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls) is dressed for.  That’s a shame, because she looks fab in a recent InStyle shoot!  And then Lacy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) came dressed as the Gulf Oil Spill.  Maybe next time, ladies.

Images via MSN

 

 

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Random Acts of Fashion

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12

Jan

Change is Good

One of my very elegant grandmothers once told me:  “If you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got.”  Now, she was giving me advice on finding a man (which is a post for another day and a whole other blog), but the same applies with fashion.  If your look needs a serious shot in the armoire, now’s the time to try something different.  I’m not suggesting you tattoo your neck or decide to wear a tutu every day.  But I’ll give you an example:  I’ve never, EVER shopped in Talbots.  I always peeked in the window as I passed by, but shop there? Never.  Why?  Because I always thought it was for someone far older, far wealthier, far more something [insert another totally off-base assumption here] than I happen to be.  But this recent photo shoot for O  Magazine  made me see the women’s store in a new light.

In search of the pink pants pictured, I stepped into Talbots at the Summit earlier this week.  And while some of the items were not my taste (which is probably going to be the case wherever one browses), I did find several pairs of  kicky flats festooned with bows, a bright turquoise suede clutch, and other pieces that fit my lifestyle, budget and aesthetic. (The  fact that the store was in the middle of a serious sale didn’t hurt, either.)  I left the store empty-handed, but it occurred to me: what have I been writing off that I should be trying?

My challenge to you this week is to stop in a store you’ve never considered.  Try something on that you previously thought was too daring, too colorful, too young, too old or out of your league fashion-wise.  If you only buy high-end, saunter into Forever 21 for something fun and frivolous.  And if you stick to fast fashion that is heavy on trends, consider an investment piece that you could own forever.  You might be pleasantly surprised.

Or you could play it safe, blend in with the wallpaper and remain age-appropriate.  How’s that working out for you?

Riiiiiight.

Image via Talbots

14 years ago Short URL Comments

Random Acts of Fashion/Shopping is My Cardio

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