Menswear for the coming year

Guys, I know I say it every time, but I've been neglecting you again. It's just so easy to do sometimes because let's be honest:

1.) I'm a woman
2.) Womenswear is SO much easier to write about because there is SO much out there

But despite these two key factors, I'm going to give it my all for all the gentlemen out there. Because let's be honest again: there is nothing finer than a well-dressed man.

I've been thinking about the economic crisis of the last year and how it has effected our style. Historically, times of economic distress usually coincide with a more conservative approach to clothing. For example, the Roaring 20's brought about lots of super short hemlines- women in that era dared to bare their knees and sometimes even an inch or two above. Sounds like nothing to us today, but in that time it was huge. See the difference in these patterns:

The necklines on the top pattern are low cut and the hems are high. The 2nd pattern has a dramatically longer hemline as well as a more conservative neckline. In terms of menswear, suits went from the more flashy "zoot suit" style to conservative cuts and more sturdy fabrics. In this day and age, the differences aren't quite as noticeable, but they are there. However, I want to encourage all the men out there to dress for what they hope for themselves for the future. Rather than tone down your attire to reflect the down economy, focus instead on dressing for your future success. If you want to be a top executive at your company, dress like you own the place. If you're looking to get out of the corporate environment and into a field more laid-back and relaxed, lose the 3-piece suit and pocket silks. The economy may have forced you out of a job, and in turn made you look at the other skills you can bring to the table. Dressing for your new career path will not only help you present yourself better at interviews, but will also help you get into the right frame of mind. It's like an actor who puts on a costume for the first time. Suddenly the character comes to life in a way that they hadn't before the dress rehearsal.

1.) Corporate Cody:

Are you hoping to make partner this year at your law firm? Or gunning for the top PR Exec position? Maybe you're just starting in the corporate world and you want to make an impression. Wear a suit. A nice one. This $365 suit from J. Crew may seem like a splurge, but when it comes to suits, you get what you pay for. A well tailored suit will separate you from the pack in a good way. Plus, a suit is more of an investment, so you should spend a little more on it anyway. It's something you'll wear for years to come, so consider the cost of it spread out over those years- not so pricey anymore, right? Look for classic cuts and fabrics that will stand the test of time and accessorize with power pieces- a strong tie, leather briefcase and shoes, and a classic and classy timepiece.

2.) Arty Arthur

Maybe you've been in the corporate sector for too long and now you're hoping to pursue a more artistic field- music, art, design, etc. Transition easily with the professional-yet-quirky vest look. The above pictured J.Crew vest for $98 seems a bit steep, but shop around and you'll find plenty at bargain prices. Second hand shops are great places to hit for quirky but cool vests. Also, it doesn't have to be a button-front vest- a sweater vest works as well. It also doesn't have to be on top of a button-front shirt- a long sleeve graphic tee or henley under the open vest can take the look in a more casual direction. Just make sure the vest is well tailored and fits you perfectly. Tie or no tie, this look exudes confidence and style while still looking perfectly professional. Also, it works with jeans or a pair of trousers. Depending on where you are in your job transition, you can have a lot of fun with accessories- the right ivy or newsboy cap along with a leather cuff and "Beatle" boots- you'll look super cool, and very put together.

3.) Roamin' Roger:

Maybe the downturn in the economy has you moving to a different state or even another country to seek out a new career path. Sweaters will keep you warm on the road, plus they make great layering pieces. This one from J.Crew is actually a decent price- $69.50. Sweaters are like suits- a quality classic will last a lifetime. A henley and a button front underneath this shawl collar plus a quilted "puffy" vest on top will be warm but mobile. Reuters terms these guys the "wanderers:"

"...the Great Recession presents a great opportunity to pull up stakes and hit the open road." They advise men to "begin your adventure with outdoors-y clothing." Good advice.

No matter how the economy has effected your job situation, take the opportunity every day to dress for the future. You won't regret it.

And the winner is...

Comment #7- SHOPKIM!!! Whoo-hoo and congratulations! If any of you are super jealous and wish you could have the necklace for yourself, just visit Lauren's Etsy shop to purchase one. (ShopKim, Please email me with your mailing address and I will get the necklace in the mail to you early next week. I will be shipping via USPS.) For any of you wondering, I used random.org to generate the winning number, so no favoritism went on. Look for a new giveaway this coming Monday- a $20 gift certificate to Eshakti.


I've been spending a lot of time chatting with my girlfriends lately- I am a sucker for some good girl talk. I'm not talking about gossip, I'm talking about the things that you can only talk about with your girlfriends- relationships, hopes & dreams, insecurities, how we really feel about ourselves- and your close girlfriends are the only ones who you KNOW will be honest with you. They give you the tough love when you need it, or the support an encouragement to get you through a rough time- they're also the best ones to celebrate with when you've got a reason to pop open a bottle of champagne. And because we know our girlfriends so well and vice versa, the conversations we have with them have so much more impact than nearly any other. Let's be honest- if you do not have a girlfriend in your life who has in some way- large or small- shaped the person you are today, then you have missed out on one of life's great joys. Not to be completely cheesy, but I am reminded of the song "For Good" from the musical "Wicked."

I've heard it said that people come into our lives

for a reason,

Bringing something we must learn.

And we are led to those who help us most to grow,

If we let them;

And we help them in return.

Well I don't know if I believe that's true,

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

Who can say if I've been changed for the better,

But because I knew you,

I have been changed for good.

Sorry if that was unbearably cheesy, but I actually do believe it's one of the great things of having close friends- the way we help each other grow and learn, not only about life, but about ourselves. In one conversation this week, a friend and I were talking about our issues with our appearance- our insecurities and how we feel the world perceives us as a result of how we look. I used to have terrible, terrible acne and it really bothered me. I thought no one would want to date me or befriend me, and that when people looked at me, all they saw was a bright red face with hideous bumps and lumps. I hated being around people with good skin because I felt like it only heightened others awareness of my terrible skin. When I talk about my bad skin today, people don't really believe me, so let me offer up some hard evidence:

This photograph was taken when I was in college (and still a blonde- my natural hair color). It was a good day- meaning I was not having an all-too-frequent flare-up, otherwise I never would have allowed the picture to be taken. When I look at this picture, even today all I can see is my acne, but what I need to remind myself- and all of you- is that our image issues are exactly that- ours. Did I have fewer close friends because of how I looked? No, I didn't and I'd be silly to think so. Our friends see us in our entirety- they see our face, our personality, they hear our voice- to them, we are more than the sum of our parts. Do I look at my friends and think of them as "the one with acne" or "the tall one"? "The brunette" or "the one with crooked teeth"? No, of course not! I think of them as the people who have been there beside me when I got fired from my job, supporting and encouraging me. I think of them as the people who make me laugh at something silly. I think of them as the people who enjoy eating a package of Oreos with me while watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy or the people who call just to say "Hi." I think of them as these and so many other things. And I know that is also how they think of me. So now, when I get dressed in the morning, do my hair, put on my make-up, choose some accessories, I have two choices. I can focus on the little things about my body or my skin or my hair that bother me and what other people will think and let that determine how I feel about myself and my appearance or I can see myself the way others do- as a complete person who is more than the sum of my parts and I can embrace that. And so that is what I choose to do. And it is because of my friends (particularly my girlfriends) that I am able to choose that path and head out to face the world every day with confidence not only in how I look, but in who I am.

Fashion Freebies

One of the great things about being a self-described "fashionista" or "stylist" is that other people love helping you look fabulous almost as much as they love getting help from you to make them look fabulous. In the end, everyone wins. Occassionally, there are fashion freebies that one will encounter as well. For example, the giveaway I've been hosting this week (one last plug, since tomorrow is the last day to enter- winner will be announced on Sunday).

Other times, it is an unexpected gift from a friend- "I saw this and thought of you, so I got it" or "This was a gift, but it's not really my style- I thought you'd enjoy it" or even "I bought this for myself, but it just isn't working- would you like to have it?" Whenever I purge my closet or dresser drawers, I try to think of the people in my life and whether or not something of mine would make them happy. I recently gave away a truly fabulous (and authentic) Coach bag that I'd bought on craigslist of all places. It was such a good deal- $5!- that I couldn't resist, but the truth was that it wasn't really my style. Fortunately, it was perfect for a friend, so I passed it on to her. Today was my lucky day for fashion freebies. First, my good friend Michael Minor (a performer at AMT) brought in this super cool hat for me:

Isn't it fabulous? It's a tan suede newsboy cap from Nine West and it fits perfectly. He bought it for his wife, but it didn't fit, so they passed it on to me- sweet, huh? I literally put it on the minute he handed it to me and haven't taken it off since. It kind of works with my outfit today, so why not wear it right away? (P.S. I took the picture in my office towards the end of the day, which is why I'm a little shiny and sleepy looking. Flourescent lighting is not flattering on ANYONE.)

But wait! That wasn't my only freebie! I also got an email from Eshakti offering me some samples to review here on my blog! How cool is that? I ordered a pair of pants and a top, which are being custom made to my measurements. I'm SO excited about them. You should check out the website when you have a minute- their clothing can be ordered as-is, or you can make custom alterations. And by "custom" I mean that they will build a garment to your specific measurements AND alter the design to your preferences including sleeve length, neckline style, etc. Pretty cool, right? I'm sure you'll be as impressed with their designs as I was- there are a lot of pretty and interesting details that will catch your eye.  Here are the pants I'll be sampling soon:

I fell in love with the high waist, the wide leg and of course the bow sash detail. They are really gorgeous pants. I admit I've given them a difficult challenge- a pair of high waisted pants- but I'm confident they'll deliver. You will be able to read that review in the next coulple of weeks, so be on the lookout for it. In the meantime, I'll be hosting a giveaway for a $20 gift certificate to Eshakti to use towards their clothing or accessories. Fabulous, right? It was a fashion freebies windfall for me today, and I'm so excited to be able to pay it forward with the gift certificate! If any of you have purchased from Eshakti before and would like to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment! Have a great night!

Project Runway-Penultimate episode

I have a somewhat love/hate relationship with the second to last episode. While I find it interesting, it makes me feel impatient to see the final collections on the runway in their completion. That being said, I'm going to reserve judgement until I see next weeks final episode.

In fact, the only thing I really want to comment on this week was the surreal moment with Tim and Heidi shaking some booty behind the screen. Weirdo, right?

What about you- do you have any final thoughts before the final episode? Leave a comment!

Caring for your clothes

BEFORE YOU FINISH READING THIS, DON'T FORGET TO GO TO THIS POST AND LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY DRAWING. YOU MAY COMMENT UP TO THREE TIMES.

So many times when thinking about what to wear, what clothes to buy, etc., we barely give any thought to taking care of our clothes. And it really is such an important aspect of maintaining a working wardrobe. Garment care can seem a bit intimidating if you aren't particularly knowledgeable when it comes to fabric and textiles. In my work at the theatre, cleaning and maintenance is part of our daily wardrobe routine. Here are a few tips to keep your clothes looking as good as the day you bought them:

First and foremost: LOOK at the LABEL. It seems so simple, but so often we forget to do it. Garment care can really be simplified by that one simple act. If it says "Dry Clean Only," then guess what? Dry clean only! If it says soak, then hang dry, then please do NOT put it through a regular wash cycle and then toss it in the dryer! Also, save yourself the headache and look at the care label BEFORE you purchase the garment. If dry cleaning is too much of a hassle for you, then avoid it from the get-go. But to be perfectly honest, so many people skip the first essential step of reading the care instructions on the label and that is how garments are ruined. Sweaters shrink, stains refuse to go, all sorts of terrible things happen to our favorite pieces. I'm here to help you avoid that heartbreak, just do me one favor: read the label!

Ok, now on to the nitty gritty.

Step one to taking care of your clothes is to store them properly. Do not jam your closet full of every piece you own. Rotate your clothing with the seasons. Your immediate closet should only have the garments appropriate to that particular time of year. The rest of your clothing should be stored in air-tight containters or a separate closet space. Most people can rotate twice a year- spring and summer go together, as do winter and fall.

For storing specific items, follow these guidelines:

Items that should hang:
Dresses
Skirts
Blouses
Mens dress shirts
Suits
Dress pants

Items that can/should be folded in a drawer or storage bin:
Sweaters
Jeans
T-shirts
Knit pieces

A hard and fast rule to follow is to never hang a sweater- gravity will pull those poor knits to the point where you barely recognize the garment anymore. Also, avoid keeping natural fiber sweaters (such as wool or silk) in an air-tight container. Natural fibers should be allowed to breathe. A cardboard box or wooden check is better. I keep all of my sweaters folded in a cedar-lined chest year round. Once a year, I go through it and donate any sweaters I haven't worn in over a year to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. (Regular closet purging is something everyone should do, by the way.)

As for my closet, I prefer plastic hangers to wire ones, simply because if left on the hanger for a long time, the plastic ones are more forgiving and less likely to leave a crease. I use clip-on hangers for all pants and skirts. Avoid folding a garment on a hanger- you'll always end up with a crease. As for keepers, use them! Keepers are the thin loops of ribbon inside a garment that help it to stay on the hanger. Clothing manufacturers put them there for a reason, so use them, or your clothes will pay the price.

Keep special event garments in a garment bag. Gowns and nice suits often come with a garment bag and it's for a reason. Even the plastic covering that the dry cleaner uses is better than nothing. Since special event clothing is so rarely worn, it's even more important that it is stored properly. I'd hate to pull out a dress and have the shoulders covered in dust because it wasn't properly covered in storage. Talk about a huge bummer, right?

Once your closet is organized and all garments are being stored properly, you can focus on the care of the garments you regularly wear. This brings me back to my main piece of advice: READ THE LABEL. Follow the instructions to the letter and you should be safe.

If a garment is dry-clean only, dry clean it only when necessary, preferably at the end of a season before you put it in storage until the next year. Dry cleaning causes wear and fading, so you don't want to do it any more frequently than is absolutely necessary. However, if you send out a suit coat to be dry cleaned, make sure you also send the matching pants or skirt. If you wear one piece of a suit more than another, and clean the pieces separately, they will wear and fade differently and after several cleanings they may no longer look like a matching set.

Removing Stains:

This is a big one that everyone always wants to know about. Removing stains can be very difficult, but if you know a few key things, you can extend the life of some of your clothes. And always remember: remove the stain as soon as possible. Try to clean it before it has a chance to set.

REMOVING BLOOD:  
- Here's a little known secret: your own blood can be removed with your own saliva. It sounds gross, but it's true. It has something to do with the enzymes, I think. So, if you prick your finger and get a small drop of blood on your white blouse, immediately spit on it to treat it. If it is not your own blood, do your best to scrape off any dried blood, then fill a sink with cold water and a capful of strong detergent. Soak the garment until it is completely saturated, then wash by itself in the washer with another capful of heavy-duty detergent. After the cycle is finished, check the garment. If the stain is still there, repeat the process, soaking the garment for at least 30 minutes. If the garment can be safely bleached, you can try that as well.

REMOVING MAKE-UP:
- Another little known secret for you: Clarifying shampoo makes an excellent make-up remover. Take a damp washcloth and gently work a small amount of the shampoo into the stain. Work in a circular motion, allowing the shampoo to foam up a bit, then rinse off the stained area with cool water. If the stain isn't completely gone, repeat the process. Be careful to rinse well so as not to leave a soapy residue on your garment.

REMOVING OIL:
- Have you ever dribbled a little salad dressing on your top while out to dinner. Not only is it embarrassing, but it's a potential wardrobe disaster. In this situation, you need something to absorb the oil out of the garment. Baby powder or corn starch are good choices. Sprinkle the powder onto the stain and gently press down with a paper towel to help the powder absorb the oil. Use more powder if necessary- the idea is to have the powder soak up the moisture from the oil. Next, pour some strong detergent onto the stain and gently work the detergent into the fabric. Once you've treated the stain, wash the garment by itself on the highest heat setting that is safe for the particular fabric. Once the cycle is complete, check the stain. If it is still there, treat with detergent and wash again. Dry the item only after the stain is completely gone.

REMOVING NASTY SMELLS:
- Underarms tend to get the worst of the nasty B.O. smell, but cigarette smoke can be annoying as well. Before smoking was banned in most bars, I used to hate coming home reeking of stale cigarette smoke. FeBreze is a fine product, but it often takes so many applications that it's more hassle than solution. The best deodorizer I've ever used has been plain old vodka. Pour some cheap vodka into a spray bottle and saturate the offensive garment. If it's just the underarms, stick to that area. If it's all over, then spray all over. Allow the garment to dry and voila! Smell-be-gone! I've heard of other methods using vinegar and baking soda, but I've never tried them myself.

Other tips and tricks to keep your clothes looking and working as good as new:

- Dab the center of buttons and sequins with a bit of clear nail polish to keep the threads from breaking.
- Rub the teeth of a zipper with wax to keep the zipper running smoothly. The stub of a wax candle works fine.
- If you don't have a lint roller, wrap wide tape (sticky side out) around a discarded paper towel tube or a rolled up magazine.
- Invest in a sweater shaver- they only cost a few dollars, and they remove the pills on a sweater in just a few minutes making it look good as new.
- Store whites in a blue plastic bag, or blue tissue paper, or an acid free tissue paper- these will help prevent yellowing. Also, detergent residue can cause yellowing, so make sure whites are always thoroughly rinsed.
- When washing, use cold water on darks and colors, warm or hot water on whites. Warmer water causes fading on colored clothing.
- Always lay sweaters and knit garments flat to dry.
- Stuff leather purses with crumpled newspaper or tissue paper to prevent mildewing.
- Never store leather in plastic- always keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent moisture and mildew damage.
- Never rub a wet stain- blot it to lift the liquid out of the fabric.
- Remove chewing gum or wax by freezing it, then scraping it off the garment.


I hope this has been helpful. If any of you have specific questions on how to clean or care for a garment, feel free to comment or email. Have a great night, everyone!

Don't forget the giveaway!

Just a quick reminder today to visit yesterday's post and leave a comment in order to be considered for the giveaway prize. All details are in the post, so comment like there's no tomorrow- or until you reach the 3 comment limit, whichever comes first.

In the meantime, have a fabulous evening. I'm on my way out the door to listen to my good friend Amy Banks sing some jazz, or I'd leave a longer post! I'll be back tomorrow, though- I promise. Have a great night!

Shoesday Tuesday (as promised) and... a GIVEAWAY! (Read on)

Good afternoon! I promised yesterday (in my first ever "via-phone" post) that I would share my fabulous shopping deal with all of you. I was at the outlets with my friend Jen yesterday- she was looking for boots- I was looking for nothing- and while she was trying on a pair of Kenneth Cole boots, I happened to see a cute pair of black heels. Now, you have to understand something about me. Due to my love for somewhat outlandish attire, I tend to overlook the basics every now and then. For example, I realized earlier this summer that I did not own an LBD. I'm not even joking! I soon remedied the situation, but I did find it sort of comical that something as iconic and essential as a little black dress was missing from my wardrobe. Anyway, back to my bargain find: I realized when looking at these basic black heels that I was actually missing them from my shoe closet. I have pink shoes, red shoes, yellow shoes, polka-dots, plaids, leopard print, baby blue, snakeskin- the list goes on- but I did not have a pair of simple but versatile black shoes. I own black shoes of course, but one pair has a cluster of rhinestones on the toe, another pair is simple, but is actually a relic from my days as an office worker, so they're super basic. I needed a great pair of black heels. And I found them at Kenneth Cole of all places for a mere $14.97! Originally $79, I had to get them. What do you think?

Super cute, right? In case the pictures aren't clear enough, they are a black patent peep toe with a matte leather and brass buckle detail at the toe and a stacked heel. The official label is "Tribeca: A Kenneth Cole Production." I'm in love. So in love that I wore them to work today. If you've been reading my blog (or if you live in the area), you know that it has been unseasonably warm over the last few days. Today was no exception, although it was a lot more cloudy than it has been and they are predicting rain for tonight. So, to be prepared, I wore a rain coat:

It's a vintage 60's mod-style jacket that I got at a second-hand store in New Hampshire several years ago. I believe I paid $35 for it. I remember talking the saleslady down from $45- yay for haggling! You can see my dress peeking out from the hem of the jacket- I just adore this dress. It really sums up my style in so many ways:

It's comfortable, flattering, bright pink floral fabric- I just love it in every way. It shows just enough leg without being too risque, but I do have to add the cami to keep the top half from looking completely obscene. I just happened to have the bright pink cami before I bought the dress, so I think that worked out perfectly. The dress is a couple of years old- I got it last summer (2008) and I have gotten a LOT of wear out of it. You may have even noticed that it's what I'm wearing in my blogger profile picture. The accessories today include my favorite turquoise cocktail ring, chandelier earrings from H&M and the necklace I won last week from Ruth Parker Jewelry. I didn't plan on wearing the necklace, but after I got dressed I checked my mail and sure enough there was a package with this inside:

And here it is on me with my pretty-in-pink outfit:

I hate how my face always photographs so shiny-looking. I swear I am the LEAST photogenic person I know. It doesn't matter where or when or how, but if someone takes a fairly close-up shot of me, my skin/face looks TERRIBLE!!! It's a bummer, but what can you do? Some people just photograph better than others.

And now for the exciting news for YOU. I have decided to pay it forward with my Ruth Parker necklace win. I think it's exciting to win contests and prizes, but isn't it just as fun to give away a prize to someone else? I think so! So here's how the giveaway will work. Leave a comment on this post (up to three comments per person) and at the end of the week, I will randomly select a winner who will receive the fabulous necklace. To learn more about it (and see a better picture of it), go here (to Lauren's blog) or here (to Lauren's Etsy shop). Thanks in advance for participating!