Wear What Works

Making Sense of it Fall

By now the Fall fashion magazines have started arriving in force, no doubt clogging your mailbox, and making you wonder how on earth you'll find time to figure out what to buy during this crucial season and what to leave behind. The first hint is to look for common themes. Last week all three major department stores -- Saks, Neimans, and Bloomindales -- had the same metallic Bottega tote and Louboutin knee boot on their respective homepages on the same day. For apparel, all, including Tobi -- the site favored by the hipster set -- featured cashmere sweaters in that smoggy gray with a drapey ruffle down the middle. In short, it only takes a few minutes to see what everyone is pushing. 

Once you get a view of the landscape, it's time to separate the more classic trends, those items that will stand the test of time, from the noise. For example, shoe booties in camel and black suede are everywhere this Fall. I got mine from Gucci, and they not only look great with trousers or skirts, they're quite comfortable. That said, Jimmy Choo has made a spectacularly tacky version featuring lace and studs. These would be the kind to avoid. Not only do you risk looking like a fashion victim now, next Fall there will be no graceful way to incorporate this shoe -- which costs $1,097 a pair -- into your closet. It will simply look too dated. Now, if this look happens to be a really trendy-trend that you have to have, I suggest waiting until it goes on sale. This kind of merchandise is harder for stores to move and it typically goes on sale before the major season sales -- June for Summer; November for Fall. 

Finally, this season, the question everyone is asking is whether to spend money on clothes at all. Being a clothes horse, I say: Of course you should! But seriously, my suggestion is what it always is... don't compromise on quality, cut, and fabric -- just buy fewer pieces. (Valentino was on Oprah recently and he had the same advice: don't buy as much and don't -- for God's sake -- skimp!) Take time to shop around, find those few items that make you look and feel great, and buy them. Anything that you're remotely on the fence about, wait until November when it will inevitably go on sale. Oh, and never ever feel guilty about adding a few pieces to your closet. This, after all, is how great closets are built -- one piece at a time! 

Boyfriend Jeans: What It All Means

I've already shared that I like structured clothes, so you can already guess that I am not a jeans person. It doesn't help that any extra pounds I'm carrying alway resides around my mid-section, making jeans not all that comfortable. And, frankly, not all that flattering. (I believe the expression is "muffin top." Nice visual, huh?) That said, every girl clearly needs at least one or two pairs of good, workable jeans. 

Because of their price point -- not yet in the thousands of dollars -- my theory with jeans is that it's okay to throw yourself with reckless abandon into whatever trend has hit the street. The trick is not globbing onto a really trendy trend too late in its cycle; we don't want to look like fashion victims, after all! So where does one look to spot an upcoming denim craze? Los Angeles, no question.

Let's be clear, L.A. is not the harbinger of all fashion trends. In fact, it's usually six months behind New York and London and Paris in most other clothing categories. But for denim, it rules. Between the weather, the casual style, and the stick-thin chickies how could it not? (I was once shopping in London and when the clerk found out I was from California, she grilled me about what denim girls were wearing. I was living in San Francisco then -- definitely not a bellweather for jean-trends so I had to demure.)

So what's hot now? In this order: White, ankle length, distressed. All three together if you're really feeling brave. Jessica Alba and the fabulously-pregnant Heidi Klum have both been photographed wearing such a pair repeatedly lately so I suspect you'll see that combo fly off shelves for a while. 

As for how to pick a good pair of everyday jeans, you already know. Petite girls should stick to capri-cut or skinny jeans. Ankle length denims are perfect if you tend to carry your weight in your hips and rear-end, hence Michelle Obama who doesn't wear anything but. For average-height or taller girls, bootcut, boyfriend, and straight-legged jeans all work, you just need to pay attention to the waist -- high or low cut depending on whether your torso is long or short respectively. (I happen to love the boyfriend -- aka, slouchy -- look, although, again, if you're not on the slim side, it can look too sloppy.) As for picking a wash, well, that's when you venture into trend-territory. It's always safe to stick to the classic: a straightforward darker dye, like the one Levi's 501s are made from.

I will close with my personal favorite, although the answer won't surprise you. The trouser jean, of course!  

My Handbag Has a Name

The notion of giving a handbag a name is, let's face it, a marketing ploy by the big fashion houses to generate hype. And while the idea of an "it" bag has largely gone by the wayside in recent years, the naming of a bag as it hits the market has not. 

I will admit to developing a nasty handbag fetish a few years back, although I will defend myself by saying that of all the ones I've purchased only one is really trendy. The rest, I am sure, will stand the test of time. They're the kind of bags a daughter-in-law (since I have only sons) would be thrilled to inherit. 

I also defend the right of women everywhere to invest (okay, indulge) in a good handbag because there's no doubt if you choose the right one you won't just get enjoyment out of it, you will put it to good use! Men everywhere can thank moms, girlfriends, and galpals for baling them out with useful things from their handbag everyday. Breath mints, tissues, combs, writing instruments, birth control of all types... you get the point...

What's more, handbags have developed into a real art -- a testament to incredible talent, craftsmanship, and vision. There are beautiful bags on the market (new and vintage) that you can use season after season. The Hermes Birkin bag is the most oft-cited example of this, although the price range is out of reach for most of us. Other recognizable classics: the Chanel Classic Flap; Louis Vuitton Speedy; and the Coach shopper. My addition to this list is the Mombasa with horn. It was one of the last bags designed by Tom Ford while he was at YSL, and, while it doesn't look like much in photos, it is absolutely lovely when worn. 

My suggestion, before you purchase your next everyday handbag, is to do some research. Avoid spectacularly trendy colors. Last Spring's blueberry and eggplant are two hues that will look dated in the short-term (although you can always bring them out several seasons from now and "work" them as vintage!). Determine what size works best for your frame. Figure out what pockets you need -- inside and out -- for it to work as an everyday bag. Oh, and if it is going to be a workhorse, avoid soft calfskins because it will -- I know from experience -- stretch to the point of distortion. 

As for shapes, totes are big. Smaller than a tote you'd take the beach, and multi-colored, Kate Spade and Coach are offering a nice selection. As for Fall -- my favorite season! -- here's what I like: Givenchy's Eclipse hobo, a great everyday bag; Fendi's peek-a-boo tote, ideal for the working set; and Valentino's Petale line, perfect for evenings. I am also hoping we see more Celine on the street now that Phoebe Philo has come back from her sabbatical and taken their helm. And, lastly, another reminder about this bad economy. You can probably secure a favorite on sale -- if not now, eventually -- so be patient. There's nothing better than finding a great bag at a steep discount!

 

Fall. Fashion. Yeah!

I admit it -- I am a junkie for Fall fashion. There are several reasons why. First: I fare better in clothes that are more structured, hence Spring/Summer "looks" just don't suit me. Second: Fall tends to be the season for trousers. Which I happen to be obsessed with, for reasons I will explain at a later date and time. Third: Fall is my favorite season, period. The weather is more temperate, the frenzy that summer vacations tend to bring is over, and the stress of the Christmas season has not yet begun. Nevermind that my birthday is in October!

So what's not to like? Or, in my case, love.

What's going on this Fall? Burnt red is the hot color, with "smog" (a chalky gray) coming in second (see below for both), and, let's be clear, black is never out of style, especially in the colder months. Man pants -- aka, Hammer pants -- are still hanging around (my $.02, ugly on any frame). And, fortunately, patent leather looks like it's here to stay.

Let's spend a few moments on this season's trousers. Luckily for me, wide-legged, cuffed slacks are big this season. Realistically they are never really out of style, and, happily, it's one of those looks that is timeless. Bottom line what it means is that they're relatively easy to find this season. I have pre-ordered a pair from Celine; Akris also has a great pair, which I got on sale at Saks recently. For me the trick is to find ones with a low waist (since I am so short-waisted), and have long legs (since I have bizarrely long legs for my height). The only other thing I have to worry about is not tripping on the cuff when I'm wearing 4" heels! (It's true I am somewhat lacking in grace.) For you it may be that you need a pair by someone focused on high-waists (like Fendi, see below). Either way, find a pair that works -- preferably on sale since this is the "recession economy" -- and enjoy!