I've got it figured out

Thanks to all of your for your votes on what to wear to the wedding. I think I've got it figured out and I'll be sure to post pictures so you can see. You know I really want to wear the polka dots, but you'll have to wait until AFTER Saturday to see. Thanks again for the comments. Feel free to continue to comment on any of my posts- feedback is always welcome. I'd also love to hear from all of you about what you want to read about. Great bargains? Current trends? How to wear vintage? Maybe you have a specific style related question you'd like answered. Consider me your own personal Stacey & Clinton.

Fair Indigo is fair-bulous!

Wow, that is the cheesiest title I've come up with to date. It's late, I guess, so my writing may be suffering. I also think I may be coming down with a cold. I'm knocking back Emergen-C and Airborne like it's going out of style. But I digress...

The reason I am posting today is to RAVE about a website I was turned on to just a little over a week ago. My fabulous friend Beth introduced me to Fair Indigo, a fair trade clothing and accessories online retailer. As Beth told it, she was on the hunt for more environmentally friendly, yet stylish clothing that didn't cost a fortune. These days it's almost easy to find clothing made with organic materials, but I have to be honest, they can cost a fortune. Fair Indigo offers some beautiful, if basic pieces at very reasonable prices. And even more incentive is the fact that you can buy their clothing without an ounce of guilt. They personally inspect the factories where the clothes are manufactured to ensure the workers are treated and paid fairly. You can read about it on their website- I'm sure I am not doing the concept justice with my awkward explanation.

While I may not be particularly eloquent when it comes to discussing the details of the fair trade concept, I do think I can adequately express my complete satisfaction with the pieces I purchased. I say "pieces" but I actually bought 2 of the same top ($22.50 each):

I have been needing some more tops lately- so much of what I have is too summer-y. I needed some light-weight, long sleeve tops that are appropriate for layering. I bought the above cowl neck knit top in both the "glacier blue" pictured and a lovely neutral "shale." I am positively thrilled with both of them. First of all, they are exactly as pictured and described, but what you can't possibly experience or anticipate through a website photo is how incredibly soft they are. I tried on the blue just to see how it looked, and I didn't want to take it off. It is the softest top I've ever owned and I'm really happy I bought 2 of them because I can picture myself trying to work them into every outfit possible this fall. I'll be sure to take pictures once I have some good looks worked out. Also, I'm so satisfied with the product, I'm sure I'll shop there again in the future.

Another detail I have to mention is how wonderful the communication is with Fair Indigo. I not only received the immediate standard form-email confirming my internet order, but also a more personalized note thanking me for the order and answering a question I'd had about shipping. And it was sent what felt like mere moments after I'd asked the question. In other words, fast.

The bottom line is that I can't recommend this website highly enough. So thank you, Beth for the tip!

P.S. Thank you all for the comments on this post- keep 'em coming!

Shoesday Tuesday

As promised, here at last are the super bargain shoes I got last week at BonTon:

Each pair was only $5.99! I couldn't decide if I wanted the silver or the gold, but at that price, I figured it was fine to get both! As I'm sure you've figured out by now, I like animal prints in small doses, and shoes are my favorite way to incorporate a little splash of it. What do you think? Love them? Hate them? Indifferent?

And while you're here, PLEASE leave a comment on my previous post about what you think I should wear to Amy's wedding this Saturday. Yes, THIS Saturday- the clock is ticking, friends! Help!

I need YOUR help

You read it right. I mentioned in a previous post that you need to get your stylist caps on because I can't decide on an outfit. Here's the deal: my good friend Amy is getting married on Saturday and it's been a while since I've been to a wedding. I decided not to buy a new dress since I'm certain there is something in my closet that is appropriate. Weddings can be so hard because you want to look like you dressed for the event, but you don't want to pull any focus from the bride or the bridal party. No white allowed and try not to match the color scheme of the wedding if you can help it. Some people say that you should not wear black to a wedding, but I don't think there's anything wrong with a great LBD. So, I've got the possibilities down to a short list of 4 options. I took the pictures this evening after I got home from work and I was racing against the setting sun to get them done. So if they're not fabulously accessorized and styled, forgive me for my haste. I did think it was important to take the pictures in natural light, outdoors because the wedding and the reception will be outdoors. All right, here are the options:

#1: This dress has personal significance because I was with Amy when I bought it. She actually convinced me to get it- and I needed the convincing simply because it was a little pricey. Anyway, I did not regret the splurge for one second. In fact, this is one of my favorite dresses I own. The color is amazing, don't you think? I've paired it with a black clutch that was a gift from Beth for my birthday this year and a fabulous statement necklace- they are so hot right now. The shoes are just a pair of generic black satin heels with a little rhinestone detail on the toe.

#2. I like this dress because it is very subdued and at a wedding, bright colors can sometimes be inappropriate. As you can see, I've kept the shoes and the necklace the same. I clearly forgot to grab the clutch for the picture, but you get the idea. Another reason I like this particular dress is because it's a Renee T. Bouchard original. I made it last summer with fabric purchased for $6. It sure doesn't look like a six-dollar dress, though! I admit, in my haste, this dress suffered the most in terms of overall styling, but I'm confident that with the right accessories I could glam it up a notch or two. Speaking of glam, let's move on to option #3.

#3. This dress is a personal favorite of mine and you may remember it from this post. In this photo, I'm wearing the same necklace as that outfit, but a different pair of shoes. Since the logic behind the don't-wear-black-to-weddings is that black is the color of mourning, I figured I could negate the funeral-esque quality with a pair of hot pink rhinestone heels. I don't put much stock in that rule to begin with- in my opinion, if you look best in an LBD, then go for it! I changed out the clutch for a sparkly beaded bag for that extra punch of retro glam and also to send the point home that this dress is NOT for a funeral!

Since the light washed out the necklace so much, I'll repeat the picture of it from the original post so you can get the full effect of it. Just ignore my blotchy red face for now:

#4. This last dress is perhaps my favorite, but I think that is clouding my judgement. It's my favorite outfit, so I want to wear it, but is it really wedding appropriate? That's why I need your help! I think any of the previous three options would be fine- no one would really frown upon them for any reason. This one? I don't know- there's something about it that I love, but I need opinions as to whether or not it's really ok to wear it. It's another Renee T. Bouchard original (the dress, anyway). It's a royal blue matte taffeta with velvet polka dots and a cool ruffle down the front. I've styled it with a black patent leather belt, cute black satin bolero shrug, the same black shoes as the above options, the same black clutch and black chandelier earrings. I'm loving it. What about you?

All four options are equally comfortable. Depending on the weather, I may have to consider different jacket options, but so far the forecasts look good. So, all things being equal, which one is your favorite? Leave me a comment and tell me which one is the best choice. I'll be on the edge of my seat! 

Etsy Besties

If you have not been living under a rock for the last several years, then I am sure you know about Etsy. For those of you living under rocks, Etsy is a webstore for all things handmade and it is pretty darn fabulous. For crazy vintage-obsessed people like me, it's a wonderland of re-purposed antiques and vintage style goodies. I'm a fan to say the least. In honor of Etsy and the start of fall, I'm dedicating this post to some wonderful pieces available from Etsy sellers that I think are perfect for fall. For starters, check out this adorable "Pumpkin Pie" headband available here. Love it!

A headband probably can't keep you warm as the temperatures drop, but this amazing "Chunky Heathered Wrap" can. Available here, it's a top pick for me because it's so unique. There are several other pictures on the listing that show the many ways it can be worn. So versatile and chic!

Next up is some more headwear. I'm a huge fan of berets, so you can understand why this one is black textured fleece caught my eye. Available here, I'm sure you also know that I'm a huge fan of brooches, and this one has one included!

No fall outfit would be complete without a handbag. My dear friend Beth is forever on the hunt for a fashionable yet functional bag- large enough to carry a notebook, plus all the other accoutrements typically stored in a purse, but small enough that she doesn't feel like a pack mule lugging it around. My recommendation? This lovely maroon velvet corduroy tote available here. I love love love the pleating detail on the front and I can just picture it with a sparkly brooch pinned to the front for a little added glamour.

Lately I'm totally in love with tunics and this hoodie-tunic is so interesting, I just had to include it. Available here, I'd snatch it up quickly before someone else does!

Finally, since I also just love me some floral details, I had to include this spectacular skirt. Available here, it just might be gone by the time you check it out, since I am seriously considering buying it! Love it!

I hope this has been a helpful introduction to the wonderful world of Etsy. If you purchase anything there, send me a picture and I'll post it on the blog. And if you're an Etsy seller who'd like a little fashion blog exposure, let me know! As always, comments are welcome on any of my posts.

P.S. I am going to need all of you to put on your stylist caps because I'm having a minor fashion dilemma and may need some help in the form of opinions. First I need to take some pictures, so keep an eye out in the next day or so!

Earring storage

If you are anything like me, you have what feels like a million pairs of earrings. Storing all of them is a bit of an issue. For the last year I've utilized a simple method that I would like to share with all of you. It cost about $5 to make and it is the most effective earring storage method I've ever used. Here it is:

I don't intend to have this blog function as an arts & crafts do-it-yourself style website, but this has been such a great piece both in terms of function and aesthetic that I felt I should share it. To make it, you will need:

1 piece of cardboard measuring 12 by 18 inches (or thereabouts- make it as large or as small as you like- make it a circle if you like)

1 piece of fabric about 2-3 inches larger than the cardboard on all sides (as you can see, I used white satin, but you can use whatever you like)

1 piece of batting the same size as the fabric

1 spool of 1/2 inch ribbon (once again, you can see that I've used a satin ribbon, but any type you like will work just fine- organza, grosgrain, whatever you like)

1 stapler or staple gun

Lay the fabric right side down on a table or flat surface. Lay the batting on top of the fabric. Place the cardboard in the center. Starting in the middle of each side of the cardboard, pull the fabric & batting and staple in place. Work your way around the cardboard until the fabric is secure. Cut the ribbon in lengths to fit diagonally across the fabric-covered board. Staple each end of the ribbon to the back of the cardboard, making sure to pull the ribbon taught. Attach the "handle" ribbon by stapling it in place. Hang it where you like using a small nail or thumbtack. Place your earrings on the "X's" formed by the ribbon. As you can see in the photo, mine holds over 30 pair of earrings. It also displays them in a way that makes it easy to pick a pair to wear each day- no rifling through jewelry drawers and boxes. For me the old expression "out of sight, out of mind" is all too poignant, so having my earrings where I can see them helps me out a LOT. Let me know if you make one of these- take a picture of it (or any jewelry storage method you think is fabulous) and I'll post it here on the blog.

I'd like to thank the Academy and...

...LuceBuona! Thanks so much for the "Star Blog" award! You are too sweet! It is my very first blog award ever, so thank you!

I'm very new to this whole "Blog Award" concept, so I'll do my best. I guess what I'm supposed to do is post the award on my blog, link back to the blog who awarded it, and then choose a blog (or 2) and pass the award along to them. As you can see, I've done the first 2 steps, and all that's left is the 3rd. My choices are as follows:

1.) First I'd like to award the girls at Wear Necessities because I think they are adorable!

2.) Next, I'd like to return the favor to LuceBuona and make her blog a "Star Blog," too.

3.) Finally, my last choice for "Star Blog" is Ruth Parker Jewelry because I love how she re-purposes vintage jewelry into something fresh and new.

Thanks again for the Blog Award, now if I could only get Blog of Note, I'd be really excited! Anyone know the secret to getting it? In the meantime, I'm thrilled to be a "Star Blog!"

Rate My Look... again!

I've got to be honest- I'm loving this outfit. And it came about because of what I initially thought was a tragedy. The top was actually a dress that shrunk in the wash! I was SO bummed out because it was one of my favorite dresses to wear over the summer. It was short before, but now I think it would be obscene. So, not one to give up a favorite piece, I decided to pair it with a pair of dark wash jeans and some leopard print heels. I kind of love the juxtaposition of the super girly, almost naive lace top and the super high heeled leopard shoes. The picture above is not doing them justice, so here's a close-up:

Super hot, right? I love them. I'm not a huge fan of animal prints unless they come in small doses. A pair of shoes like this is just perfect for me. Here's the outfit breakdown:

Top: Forever 21, $17.80

Jeans: Old Navy, $19

Shoes: Target, $5.98

Earrings: H&M, $6

The shoes were a serious bargain. Speaking of bargain shoes, I found 2 fabulous pair at Bon-Ton today. They are currently having their big Goodwill Sale, so the prices on some of their stuff is out of this world. For example, the shoes I bought? Six bucks each! Seriously! I promise to take pictures and post about them soon.

Rate My Look

This photo, my friends, is clear evidence that I practice what I preach, specifically breaking the fashion rules and even more specifically, the idea of mixing prints. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the scarf around my waist is all sorts of prints- diagonal stripes, checks, etc. And the dress is a sort of geometric polka-dot. And I think you'll all agree that it totally works! From the colors in the scarf, you can see I pulled out a turquoise to accent with my lovely cocktail ring and of course the mustard yellow shoes. Since I happen to remember, I'll break down the cost of the outfit for you:

Dress: H&M, purchased at a second-hand shop for $15

Scarf: No label, purchased at a vintage shop for $3

Earrings: Ann Taylor Loft, purchased for $7

Shoes: Pulse, purchased at a Deb Shop for $10

Ring: I'm sorry I don't know the name of the designer, purchased at Festoon in downtown Lancaster for $40

The ring cost more than the rest of the outfit combined, but it's still all less than $100 for the whole look. Not too shabby.

I think for these "Rate My Look" posts, I really need to start taking the picture at the start of the day, rather than at the end of the day like this one. I'm just a little more shiny than I'd like to be! But more importantly, what do YOU think? Love it? Hate it? Indifferent?

Dancing With the Stars

Fall television has started up again and I have to admit, I'm a little overwhelmed. You know, if I didn't have to work for a living, it would be a LOT easier keeping up with all my shows. And I admit, there are quite a lot of them:


NCIS
CSI
Dancing with the Stars
So You Think You Can Dance
Grey's Anatomy
Glee


not to mention the others already in progress:


Top Chef
Project Runway
Say Yes to the Dress


and the most exciting one yet to come:


LOST


Needless to say, it takes a serious DVR schedule to stay on top of it all. Most difficult for me is Dancing With the Stars, simply because it is such a HUGE time commitment. We're talking 2 hours for the competition show, followed by another hour for the results show. You can pretty much bet on the fact that I will not be blogging about it nearly as regularly as Project Runway. Due simply to the time commitment required, I rarely watch DWTS in real time. I DVR it and then watch it at my leisure, often both the competition show and the results show in one sitting!


In addition to the dancing, what I love about DWTS (and So You Think You Can Dance), are the costumes! Saw that one coming, didn't you? One of my absolute favorite things to do is to design and make dance costumes. Movement in a garment is to me one of the most important qualities and while I always encourage people to wear fitted clothing, I think it's just as important for your clothes to have movement to them. On DWTS, the movement can be a long, flowy skirt for a Vienniese Waltz, or the shake and shimmy of dangling sequins and beads. No matter what it is, I almost always LOVE it. In my dreams, I'm often working in the DWTS wardrobe room! I'm forever impressed by how perfectly every costume not only fits but flatters both the pros and the celebrities. Each costume is custom made week by week and that alone is really impressive to me. I've made a few dance costumes in my day, but they pale in comparison to what I see each week on DWTS.

These were pretty simple to make and they looked fabulous on stage. The picture really doesn't do the green velvet justice- it looks almost black in the photo, but trust me, they're a gorgeous, lush green with rhinestones applied in a snowflake pattern. It's also difficult to see the rhinestone snowflake on the hat, but trust me it's there. Another favorite, for a swing/tap number was this little number:

I loved how each girl got to have her own color, but my favorite detail of the costume were the spectacular spectator tap shoes!

Unfortunately, they've been discontinued and trust me, it was no small task finding the sizes I needed for this one number. If you ever come across a pair for sale, please let me know! These particular ones are the Capezio brand. Savion Glover has a pair that is almost identical, but they run about $200/pair and that's generally a little too rich for my show budget. They are really nice shoes, though!

Ok, enough about the shoes, back to the dance costumes. Last Christmas, we had a ton of dance costumes and I had a blast working on them, but I can't seem to find a photo of my favorite one! It was a red glitter dress with super long fringe down the front & feathers at the shoulder- very latin, very fun. And of course, no Christmas show would be complete without a Rockette-style outfit:

The amazing thing about these outfits is that the dancers went from this outfit...

...directly into the red Rockette outfit in literally about 4 counts of 8. No joke. That was a serious quick change nightmare! (BTW, the military costumes are from Curtain Call Costumes based in York, PA. They make some really cute stuff over there!)

While Christmas shows are always fun for building dancer costumes, perhaps my favorites that I've done while working at AMT are these "Bushel and a Peck" costumes from the 2007 production "Broadway's Best" a revue of 100 years of Broadway song, dance and comedy.

 

Project Runway- Episode 6

Wow. That was a crazy episode! I have to admit, I was a little confused by the guidelines. It's hard to know exactly how far to go. Sometimes the judges are a bit hard to predict. I think that with this challenge, they were really comparing apples with oranges. Designing a western costume versus a sci-fi/fantasy versus an action adventure, etc. It sort of explains how wacky the judging seemed this week. So, on to the details:

WIN: Nicholas
AUF: Ra'mon

I am surprised by both of these. My winner would have been Epperson for sure. His character was extremely well fleshed out and the outfit was not only ambitious and dramatic, but totally perfect for the story he created. I understand why the judges liked Nicholas's outfit, but in my opinion there was no contest! I can only hope that it looked better in person than it did on TV. To me, Epperson's was not only an interesting costume, but it was also very fashionable. Same for Christopher's, but I'd like to point out that YET AGAIN Christopher is using his "play on volume" gimmick. I need to see something else from him and soon!

As for Ra'mon, I understand his garment was hideous, but no more hideous than Nicholas's white "ice queen" craziness! And Ra'mon has pulled off some really stunning looks in the last few episodes! If I were to kick someone off, it would have been Louise for sure. I'm very disappointed in the judges this week and I can only hope that they make a better decision next week.

One person who did a great job and didn't get mentioned was Carol Hannah. Her Action/Adventure look was straight out of a Matrix-esque comic book movie and I thought it was fabulous.

What about you? How do you feel about the judges decision this week? Were they spot on or off the mark?

Shoesday... Wednesday?

Sorry guys, but I've got the blues and I've got them bad. I've got them so bad that I had to dedicate this blog post to them. By "got them," you should know that I mean "I wish I got them." And by "blues," you should know that I mean these amazing shoes from Aldo:

These aren't Elvis's blue suede shoes, baby!

Shoesday Tuesday

A lot of people have been asking lately about clothing and shoes that are better for the environment- organic fabrics, vegan shoes, fair trade manufacturers and distributors, etc. It's obviously an important aspect of shopping for quite a lot of people. It can be difficult to find clothing and shoes that are both affordable and green. Until the practices used on these items become more commonplace, you can expect to pay a little bit more, but as green clothing becomes more mainstream, you will see the prices come down a bit.

Today's Shoesday Tuesday focus is on Madden Girl the vegan shoe line by Steve Madden. It's a positive sign that established designers are jumping on the green bandwagon, even if it is in small doses. You can find Madden Girl just about anywhere, but today I'm bringing you four Madden Girls shoes that are not only perfect for fall, but they are all available at Zappos for around $50. In addition, Zappos offers free shipping both ways nearly all the time, so there is no risk involved when placing an order. First up are a pair of fabulous black heels with the trendy cut-outs I mentioned a few weeks ago ($49.90):

What I love about these is that they're simple, but edge-y at the same time. Also, the criss-cross detail on the front can be eye catching or subtle depending on how it contrasts against your skin or colored tights, or if you wear the shoes with a pair of opaque black tights.

Next up, a super cute pair of peep-toe ankle boots ($49.90):

Once again, these could be paired with either bare legs, opaque black tights or trendy brightly colored tights. It all depends on your personal preference and the occassion. I also love the buckle detail and the interesting "pleating" on the front. The heel is substantial enough that you could even wear these to work provided the rest of the outfit is toned down a bit.

Next, are the most expensive of the day at $54.90, but I think they're worth it.

What trend ISN'T covered with these fabulous shoes?

• 
  
  Metallic? Check!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Ankle boot style? Check!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Cut-outs? Check!
  
  
  
• 
  
  80's throwback? Check!
  
  
  

You'll really cover the gamut of trends with these shoes. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the pewter metallic finish- it's so sophisticated, but not flashy, like so many metallics tend to be. I think I just talked myself into ordering these.

Wrapping up this post is another fabulous combination of sweetness and edge ($49.90):

I just love the deep, saturated color of these, but just like the pewter booties above, they are also available in black. What's interesting about these is the 40's style rounded toe, mixed with the oversize buckle and the almost Escher-like swirling detail in the front. It also kind of reminds me of a Celtic knot. Either way, I love them and I hope you do, too.

And the best part for all you vegans out there is that none of these shoes use leather of any kind- they are all man-made materials. Talk about guilt-free! And for those of you who are hesitant to shop for shoes online, you're in luck. Not only are there plenty of Steve Madden stores all over the country, but most major department stores carry the line as well including Bon-Ton, and Boscov's. You can also check Marshalls & TJ Maxx as well- the styles might be a little older, but the prices will be fabulous.

Red Carpet at the Emmy's- The best and the worst dressed according to Renee

So, the Emmy's were last night. I'm afraid I didn't watch them, but I did check out the red carpet a bit. There were some really fabulous looks and some really hideous ones, too. I guess that's par for the course. Anyway, here are my best and worst looks of the night:

BEST: Chandra Wilson. She looked stunning! Go, Dr. Bailey! Also, I'm really happy that the writers of "Grey's Anatomy" have given her character such a good story. The first couple of seasons I felt like she was sort of left by the wayside, but not anymore. But I digress....

1st Runner up: Olivia Wilde. This gown is so romantic! I love it!

2nd Runner up: Rose Byrne. Simple, but totally gorgeous.

Honorable Mention: This one's a tie: Aaron Paul and  Hayden Panettiere. For her an elegant gown in a stunning color. For him a great use of the 3-piece suit. I appreciate the deviation from the standard tux look.

And now for the worst dressed. Unfortunately, there were FAR too many of these to choose from.

WORST: Phoebe Price. Let's just let this look speak for itself:

1st Runner up: Nancy O'Dell. It's frumpy and boring. I just really hate this dress! Sorry, Nancy!

2nd Runner up: Angela Kinsey. This dress is AWFUL! The weird beading on the bust is bad enough, but the skirt is just a mess, too! Ugh! 

Honorable mention: This is another tie- this time a three-way between Elisabeth Moss, Jane Krakowski and Padma Lakshmi. Elisabeth has a gorgeous gown, but what's up with all those wrinkles? That's really the only offense of her look, and it reminds me of a story of a wrinkled gown in my career that is still haunting me. But that's a story for another day. Jane's is just so unflattering. But Padma's is too bizarre with the weirdo red flowers on her hip. It's like a red-hat lady outfit gone wrong. I know that sounds a little mean-spirited, but come on, Padma! You can do better. In fact, you frequently do on Top Chef! 

 

Well, there you have it- my best and worst of the red carpet at the 2009 Emmy's. What's your take on these? Agree? Disagree? Was there someone fabulous or horrifying that I missed? I wonder if we'll see any of these dresses being chosen on the Rachel Zoe Project next season....

Give the gift that keeps on giving (how cheesy!)

Hey everyone! This is just a quick plug for my style consulting business. I just wanted to let all of you know that I am now offering gift certificates. You can choose a dollar amount to give or a specific service. For example, an initial closet consultation starts at $50, so you could get a gift certificate for that amount OR one that simply offers a free closet consultation to the bearer. I have a list of services on my website along with contact information so that you can email me to order your gift certificate. Feel free to take a moment to browse my site and take a look at the services I offer. With the holidays fast approaching, I'm sure you'll be looking for stocking stuffers, and what better stocking stuffer than a gift card?

I really love what I do because I think when people feel good in the clothes they are wearing, they carry themselves differently, with more confidence and a more upbeat demeanor. When you wear clothes that fit, that look stylish and polished, you send a message of confidence that will carry through both your personal and professional life. All too often people take their appearance for granted, forgetting that it can propel them forward if it's good or halt them in their tracks if it misses the mark. Don't wait another minute to make this investment in your future! And while you're getting help for yourself, consider a gift certificate for a friend or loved one. It costs less than you think, too. 

I'm sure many people think that getting personal style advice from a professional is a costly service only available to the wealthy elite of big cities like New York or Los Angeles. Your Recession Fashionista is here to dispel that myth right now. Contact me today and find out how affordable it is!   

Sock it to me

Ok, guys, I haven't devoted a post to you in a while, and I'm sorry for being neglectful. So, this one's for you. I've been thinking a lot about socks. Men wear boring socks, don't you think? And that needs to change. Even if you just start with neutral colors in stripes and argyle prints, and then work your way to fun solid colors- trust me, it's a good thing. Bloomingdales has these Ralph Lauren argyle socks available for $13.50:The great thing about these is that they're available in neutrals AND a bold red! How fun is that? Just don't wear them with a pair of knickers out on the golf course. In case you're not brave enough to go for such bold contrast in the argyle, these socks are available at Macy's for a little more. At $21.00, it's a little more than I'd like to spend on socks:

Even more pricey are these Paul Smith striped socks from Saks at $30:

They're available in 2 more fabulous color combinations. They're subtle, but bold at the same time. I like them! If you want something a little more bold, visit American Apparel- they have the most fabulous socks ever at great prices. Like these striped socks:

They're available in all sorts of great color combinations and at $8.00 are the best price I've seen for such a trendy item. Also available at American Apparel are these for $18 for a package of 3.
Once again, there are all sorts of color combinations. I think they're fun! Now, for the bravest among you, I offer the brightly colored solid sock. Once again, American Apparel comes through for us at $8.oo per pair:

I know you're wondering how on earth to pull of a bright color sock. It's really simple, but you have to make it a clear choice. Start with a suit- 2 or 3 piece is fine- in a navy or charcoal grey. Add a colorful shirt & tie- for example, yellow or robins egg blue. Finish the look with a matching pocket silk and the socks. Done! Or, wear a suit with white shirt & dark tie and just add the socks for a splash of color. It's all about what you feel best in. Menswear tends to be kind of limiting and I think that a fun pair of socks is a great way to spice things up. Have fun, guys!