Now that the weather is definitely spring ,I sense you are well on your way to the final round
of your closet cleanup . If you have been a little slack ,dust off one of those favorite CDs
you always played when your wore that outfit many moons ago and let it go !!!!!
I found that stacking up the clothing pile was much easier than those lovely shoes
you just love and cannot resist to place in the '' TO GO BAG " . Is the color a little outdated ?..
is the heel too high now and was then ???? .Did you buy them for one particular outfit ?
and the outfit is in the TGB...????????
Don't feel alone I am right there with you .I have even gone through 2 bottles of 'shoe stretch '
to no avail ..and only Cinderella can fit those babies !!! Let go of the torture ,free your mind and
treat yourself to a pedicure after the last pair is in the TGB !!
My love for shoes will and has never stopped ,but I know I have to get a little sensible with
brands other then Louboutin ,Kirkwood and Clergerie ..just to name a few . My eyes are wide
open I am just not a stilt walker . But those who agreed all is not lost ,there are some new shoe
designers for mature feet like mine .There is a even a vegan line name Cri de Couer ..another ..
Olsenhaus ..There is a vendor ,Glory Chen with decent heel heights and gorgeous designs .
Also Rag and Bone the clothing line has now launched a shoe line featuring ballet flats,oxfords
and easy loafers .So there is HOPE !!!!!
I will search out more shoe lines and dive into the world of accessories for the season .
Before I forget Fall 2009 is showing extended shoulders on waist length jackets ...if you have
one or come across one see if it will work into your wardrobe .The ones shown re; Donna Karan
look very retro ,so the search is up to you .
A demain
Janice
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Clues to Closet Cleanup !!!!
As everything had to come to a screeching halt for the last week...I am now revived and can attend to all those who need help with the spring cleaning concept .Quite frankly as I submit these thoughts the mirror is reflecting on my surplus of stuff !!!
As Debra said ,garage sales are the thing !! As I strolled by an BF Exchange store there
were a pair of cream wingtipped oxfords in mint condition retailing for $110 ,about a size 7/8 .
Well I have a great pair in a cordovan color ,Sorry..!!!!! holding on to mine ,because they will always be in style ,with a great pair of cords and fun socks, top it with those boyfriend blazers
that is the rage and I am sure you can figure out the underpinning .In otherwords an investment piece. But they have been in my closet just needing a rubber half-sole so they will
not be to slippery .
If you have not wore that great piece in the last year ,LET IT GO !!!Go back and research in your senses and really acknowledge why you purchase it ? Was it a great price and you couldn't
resist...Did someone you know had one similar and it looked great on her....need I repeat ..GREAT ON HER...!!!***Did someone pass it on to you and you knew it really,really was
not your style and you were being polite...And of course it never really fit in the beginning
but you were signing up for your membership@ the gym the following day....Oh woe is me ...
I have been there and had to stay totally focused while shopping .
Debra and I will definitely continue with followups with those investment pieces...
Now that spring is almost here and we are updating our closets ...a good rule of thumb is
to shop especially @ some of the consignments stores is to look for a winter item...a coat
to replace the one that you have had for 20 plus years...boots...etc...cause everyone is thinking
Spring !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A demain
Janice
As Debra said ,garage sales are the thing !! As I strolled by an BF Exchange store there
were a pair of cream wingtipped oxfords in mint condition retailing for $110 ,about a size 7/8 .
Well I have a great pair in a cordovan color ,Sorry..!!!!! holding on to mine ,because they will always be in style ,with a great pair of cords and fun socks, top it with those boyfriend blazers
that is the rage and I am sure you can figure out the underpinning .In otherwords an investment piece. But they have been in my closet just needing a rubber half-sole so they will
not be to slippery .
If you have not wore that great piece in the last year ,LET IT GO !!!Go back and research in your senses and really acknowledge why you purchase it ? Was it a great price and you couldn't
resist...Did someone you know had one similar and it looked great on her....need I repeat ..GREAT ON HER...!!!***Did someone pass it on to you and you knew it really,really was
not your style and you were being polite...And of course it never really fit in the beginning
but you were signing up for your membership@ the gym the following day....Oh woe is me ...
I have been there and had to stay totally focused while shopping .
Debra and I will definitely continue with followups with those investment pieces...
Now that spring is almost here and we are updating our closets ...a good rule of thumb is
to shop especially @ some of the consignments stores is to look for a winter item...a coat
to replace the one that you have had for 20 plus years...boots...etc...cause everyone is thinking
Spring !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A demain
Janice
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
McQueen for Target
Well ladies, I saw the collection and overall was a bit disappointed. I am going to keep checking on it because it was a Saturday afternoon and IT arrived on Wednesday. So possibly, there were better pieces than the ones I saw.
Have you ever looked at a garment and wondered what it was? Is this a dress? Is it a wrap? Someone help me. Well it was true to the pink and black theme but it was not at all fetching. Okay there is one great jacket in a distressed grey denim with an asymmetrical zipper; priced at $59.95.
There was a pair of black, tone-on-tone, vertical striped, pleated front trousers that were very nice. There was a matching jacket that left me wanting something a little more fashion forward (too corporate looking and not at all McQueen). And yes there was also a skirt. Then you got to the net cover ups, a blouse in a very pale tan with pink accents and some really shapeless, formless garments. It was not his best effort.
I will say that the fabrics were not as bad as I imagined they would be. Polyester is polyester. Even Jones New York uses poly and it has evolved from the late 60's and early 70's from that really scary stretchy stuff that would pick and pull and even bead up. However careful around flames because it does still melt. It is a polymer and if we can get people to go toward rayon, we will save some fossil fuels (you need petroleum to make polyester).
Now I will say that it was both generous and brave of Alexander McQueen to design a line for Target. It does allow the masses to wear a designer label. It also gives him some exposure in a market that may not recognize him as a household name.
You see I believe that people can change their station in life. Today's Target shopper may just be the Saks shopper of tomorrow. Besides as I wrote in my last post, I shop at both. Keep going back and maybe there are new pieces coming in later in the season.
Oh and if anyone from Target happens to read this, you could still carry Isaac Mizrahi. All clothing stores carry multiple designer labels. It really isn't viewed as competition. I really liked what he did for the Target collections. He stayed true to his design standards and used different lower end fabrics. I miss the colors and the clean lines. He did a great job.
So here is my challenge. Let's assume that some designers actually run upon this blog post. I challenge designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Rock and Republic, Vera Wang, Dries Van Noten and the likes to do the same. Maybe not for Target but How about designing for JC Penny or Sears. Just broaden your market. Every woman on the planet want to be beautiful and every woman wants at least one designer label in her closet. Who cares if it say "for Target". Alexander McQueen is Alexander McQueen.
Next post What on the runways in Paris!!!!!
Have you ever looked at a garment and wondered what it was? Is this a dress? Is it a wrap? Someone help me. Well it was true to the pink and black theme but it was not at all fetching. Okay there is one great jacket in a distressed grey denim with an asymmetrical zipper; priced at $59.95.
There was a pair of black, tone-on-tone, vertical striped, pleated front trousers that were very nice. There was a matching jacket that left me wanting something a little more fashion forward (too corporate looking and not at all McQueen). And yes there was also a skirt. Then you got to the net cover ups, a blouse in a very pale tan with pink accents and some really shapeless, formless garments. It was not his best effort.
I will say that the fabrics were not as bad as I imagined they would be. Polyester is polyester. Even Jones New York uses poly and it has evolved from the late 60's and early 70's from that really scary stretchy stuff that would pick and pull and even bead up. However careful around flames because it does still melt. It is a polymer and if we can get people to go toward rayon, we will save some fossil fuels (you need petroleum to make polyester).
Now I will say that it was both generous and brave of Alexander McQueen to design a line for Target. It does allow the masses to wear a designer label. It also gives him some exposure in a market that may not recognize him as a household name.
You see I believe that people can change their station in life. Today's Target shopper may just be the Saks shopper of tomorrow. Besides as I wrote in my last post, I shop at both. Keep going back and maybe there are new pieces coming in later in the season.
Oh and if anyone from Target happens to read this, you could still carry Isaac Mizrahi. All clothing stores carry multiple designer labels. It really isn't viewed as competition. I really liked what he did for the Target collections. He stayed true to his design standards and used different lower end fabrics. I miss the colors and the clean lines. He did a great job.
So here is my challenge. Let's assume that some designers actually run upon this blog post. I challenge designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Rock and Republic, Vera Wang, Dries Van Noten and the likes to do the same. Maybe not for Target but How about designing for JC Penny or Sears. Just broaden your market. Every woman on the planet want to be beautiful and every woman wants at least one designer label in her closet. Who cares if it say "for Target". Alexander McQueen is Alexander McQueen.
Next post What on the runways in Paris!!!!!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Off to Target
Okay it is time to head off to Target. Yes that's right Target. Alexander McQueen has designed a line exclusively for Target. I want to see what it looks like and what types of fabrics were used. I also am interested in the price point. How much will it cost to go McQueen head to toe?
It is really funny talking to women about their perception of clothing and elegance. It isn't always about the amount of money you spend on clothing; it is about how well you put a look together. The classic example is that I have all of these tank tops from Target. They are priced at around $10. It is basically an underpinning and serves as either a piece to add some modesty to a very low cut top or to protect a jacket or blouse from the oils from my body.
So the question is this; why would I spend $150 for a tee shirt or tank top to wear underneath a $3,000 jacket? Is it really that much better than the $10 piece from Target? No it isn't. It is not a principle piece and it may never be seen. A cotton tank is a cotton tank. Save you money for something everyone will see.
Is there anyone who is ashamed of purchasing clothing from the lower-end department stores or the discount retailers? If there is then change your way of thinking. I have clothes in my closet from high-end boutiques, Saks, Nordstrom, Target, Nordstrom Rack, you name it. I got a really great sweater from Nordstrom rack for $59.95. That isn't bargain basement for some but if the sweater was originally $500, it is a steal!
I was looking for a navy blue blazer and wasn't having much luck. Ralph Lauren has a great blazer but there was the issue of the Polo logo on the pocket. It took something away from the jacket for me. So I continued my search and it ended at J C Penny. Hunt Club had the blazer I was searching for. Ralph Lauren for the everyday person. Yes it was a wool and poly blend but it wasn't horrid. It wears well and I had the shoulders taken in and the sleeves shortened. So for $119.95 I got a functional blazer that would have cost me hundreds more had I purchased the Ralph Lauren.
I say all of this to let some of you off the hook. You don't need $10,000 to build a credible wardrobe. You need a sense of style and the ability to spot great pieces. You need to be willing to shop the sales at the end of the season. If you are buying quality pieces then they will be great for seasons to come. Start viewing your clothes as an investment. They contribute to your personal well being.
Now that said, I need to get to the gym. I have these Sarah Pacini grey wool harem pants that are a bit too tight right now. I invested in these and I refuse to give them away.
It is really funny talking to women about their perception of clothing and elegance. It isn't always about the amount of money you spend on clothing; it is about how well you put a look together. The classic example is that I have all of these tank tops from Target. They are priced at around $10. It is basically an underpinning and serves as either a piece to add some modesty to a very low cut top or to protect a jacket or blouse from the oils from my body.
So the question is this; why would I spend $150 for a tee shirt or tank top to wear underneath a $3,000 jacket? Is it really that much better than the $10 piece from Target? No it isn't. It is not a principle piece and it may never be seen. A cotton tank is a cotton tank. Save you money for something everyone will see.
Is there anyone who is ashamed of purchasing clothing from the lower-end department stores or the discount retailers? If there is then change your way of thinking. I have clothes in my closet from high-end boutiques, Saks, Nordstrom, Target, Nordstrom Rack, you name it. I got a really great sweater from Nordstrom rack for $59.95. That isn't bargain basement for some but if the sweater was originally $500, it is a steal!
I was looking for a navy blue blazer and wasn't having much luck. Ralph Lauren has a great blazer but there was the issue of the Polo logo on the pocket. It took something away from the jacket for me. So I continued my search and it ended at J C Penny. Hunt Club had the blazer I was searching for. Ralph Lauren for the everyday person. Yes it was a wool and poly blend but it wasn't horrid. It wears well and I had the shoulders taken in and the sleeves shortened. So for $119.95 I got a functional blazer that would have cost me hundreds more had I purchased the Ralph Lauren.
I say all of this to let some of you off the hook. You don't need $10,000 to build a credible wardrobe. You need a sense of style and the ability to spot great pieces. You need to be willing to shop the sales at the end of the season. If you are buying quality pieces then they will be great for seasons to come. Start viewing your clothes as an investment. They contribute to your personal well being.
Now that said, I need to get to the gym. I have these Sarah Pacini grey wool harem pants that are a bit too tight right now. I invested in these and I refuse to give them away.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Spring Approaches
Spring is almost here and we know this because it is time to change the clocks. So the next step is spring cleaning. While it may be that ultimate dusting that takes about 2 hours to get through each room. It also means getting to that closet.
I know, the closet is really in bad shape. So where do you start? How about with a little thinning of the clutter. If there is something you no longer wear, send it on to a better place. If there are shoes and boots that you know you will not wear, they too can be released. Get to the basics. It is the essential wardrobe that you are trying to get to these days.
I am a firm believer in garage sales. That is where you can unload all of those garments and accessories that just aren't doing it for you anymore. Say you prepare all of these gems and price them for quick sale. All of a sudden you are in possession of a few hundred dollars. That is incentive.
We know that a few hundred dollars isn't going to get you that new Dries Van Noten skirt but it may get you a couple of accessories to update what you already have. Before you toss that scarf think about using it as a belt or a head wrap. What does that star shaped pin look like if you use it as the closure on a scarf or add it to that new straw hat.
These challenging times can really spark your creativity. You don't need a new wardrobe every season. You need to augment that basic wardrobe with a signature piece or two. Building a wardrobe piece by piece makes the seasonal clean out much easier and a lot less time consuming.
If you are not sure what you should keep and what you should toss stay tuned. Janice and I will get you through the clean out and rebuild step by step.
So get going on that closet. Janice and I are in the same boat. Closet time for one and all.
I know, the closet is really in bad shape. So where do you start? How about with a little thinning of the clutter. If there is something you no longer wear, send it on to a better place. If there are shoes and boots that you know you will not wear, they too can be released. Get to the basics. It is the essential wardrobe that you are trying to get to these days.
I am a firm believer in garage sales. That is where you can unload all of those garments and accessories that just aren't doing it for you anymore. Say you prepare all of these gems and price them for quick sale. All of a sudden you are in possession of a few hundred dollars. That is incentive.
We know that a few hundred dollars isn't going to get you that new Dries Van Noten skirt but it may get you a couple of accessories to update what you already have. Before you toss that scarf think about using it as a belt or a head wrap. What does that star shaped pin look like if you use it as the closure on a scarf or add it to that new straw hat.
These challenging times can really spark your creativity. You don't need a new wardrobe every season. You need to augment that basic wardrobe with a signature piece or two. Building a wardrobe piece by piece makes the seasonal clean out much easier and a lot less time consuming.
If you are not sure what you should keep and what you should toss stay tuned. Janice and I will get you through the clean out and rebuild step by step.
So get going on that closet. Janice and I are in the same boat. Closet time for one and all.
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