BlogHer '07: What We Wore

I spent the weekend in Chicago, saying really smart things like, "I love your SHOES!" and "You are FABULOUS!" and "Isn't she ADORABLE?"

Yes, really. And I meant every word of it.

I also stalked some lovely women with my camera and insisted that they let me take their pictures (and then, after my batteries died, I enlisted Chris to take pictures for me, which was sort of like being a Real Fashion Writer, with a photographer and all). And in the next few weeks, I will be posting about What We Wore at BlogHer '07.

My first post is here. Go see how fabulous Nancy Soriano is. I promise she will make you want to run out and buy some leggings.

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Free Stuff! For You!

As an antidote to the Photoshopping of Faith Hill, I bring you this: More magazine ("Celebrating Women 40+") wants to give you a prize. Because you are so fabulous.

In celebration of powerful women, MORE magazine has generously offered Friday Style readers the opportunity to take time for themselves. MORE magazine offers articles about fashion and beauty, health and wellness and empowering women, each month. For the next two weeks Friday Style will offer 3 lucky readers an opportunity to win MORE magazine bundles, including a FREE year long subscription and make-up bags. It’s simple to enter: Submit the reasons why you believe YOU are a MORE woman to the following address, morefabulousat40@yahoo.com before August 8th. Be sure to include your name and address, as well as the subject line “Friday Style site MORE magazine contest." Good Luck!

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Happy Feet: Cool Canvas Skimmers

Looking for good casual shoes, for work and play? How about a great pair of skimmers? Available in solids and prints, in varying heel heights, with peep toes and fancy embellisments. Wear them with shorts and skirts and jeans and capris. Just like being a kid again, but snazzier.


BC Footwear Yours for the Taking, $45.95 (these are Danielle's favorites)


Keds Eleanor (Frog), $49.95


Sugar Smokin' Cat, $40.95


BC Footwear For Pete's Sake, $50.95

All shoes from Zappos, home of FREE overnight shipping and the 110% price guarantee. Zappos also permits returns for 365 days AND pays your return shipping. A good deal all around.

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Dear Redbook, what the hell were you thinking?

Via Jezebel comes the story of Faith Hill and the Photoshopped Redbook cover. Unless you have been living under a rock this week, you've heard about this. And I assume you are appropriately outraged.

You know how we're always talking about how hard it is to find great, affordable clothes if you are hovering around 40? And how we're all ready to whip out our checkbooks and shop shop shop, if only there were something to shop FOR? The Redbook cover is another version of that narrative, but THIS story is about how we're all terrified of aging and we'll do anything to hang on to our youth.

Wait, that sounds like a totally different story, doesn't it?

Redbook is completely missing the point here: instead of showing us Faith Hill as she really looks (which is pretty damn good, really), they've airbrushed and edited a good ten (or more) years off of her, which shows us that we should all just GIVE UP NOW because really, no one wants to be 39 anyway. And while you're at it, don't expect to find any great clothes either, at least not for women who actually LOOK like they are 40 and have the bodies of moms and perhaps even CROW'S FEET (gasp!) around their eyes.

I wrote about this over here, too, in case you've not gotten enough already.

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Fluffy, But Not In a Good Way

Over at my other blog, Lisa asked a question that has stumped me. And so I turn to you, because that's what I do when I don't know things. Because you all! know things!

Lisa's dilemma is this:

All of my cotton and cotton-blend clothes get this sort of pilling on the surface, but not really pills perse–more like flat fuzzy white fluff. If I hang to dry, the pilling is much worse, so I use the dryer (which isn’t a lot better, but at least the clothes are still wearable). Do you have any idea why this happens? Or better yet, a solution to try?

My suggestions were that Lisa wash things inside out, on the SLOW or GENTLE cycle, in cold water and a mild detergent (Woolite or Eucalan or Dreft) and THEN hang to dry.

Aaaaaand . . . that's all I've got.

Suggestions? Theories? ANYTHING?

Help Lisa out, please.

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I bought the attached Cole Haan flats this weekend because they were cute and comfy. But I've never had a pair of natural color shoes and am having a hard time matching it up with things in my (lacking) closet. Can you please give me some ideas as what colors I can (and can't!) wear them with? I have a feeling this black dress and green necklace I'm wearing with them today is WRONG.

Thanks,
Crist

There are certain fashion rules that we all just know, intuitively, not necessarily because they are useful but because they're, well, The Rules. A surprising number of these rules have to do with shoes, things like No White Shoes After Labor Day, or Match Your Handbag to Your Shoes, or Always Wear Black Shoes With a Black Dress. Rules can be useful, of course, because they eliminate the worry that can come with trusting your own fashion instincts (let's face it, we ALL make mistakes) but they can also limit us, because really, there's no reason you can't carry a great red bag with your great black flats.

Or wear a pair of tan shoes with a black dress.

I like the idea of Crist pairing these great flats with her black dress; it's an easy way to make a dark dress more summery and less heavy. The lighter shoe will also take some of the dark edge off the black dress, which is good for daytime. And with a colored necklace, the shoes become part of a palette, rather than an isolated break in Crist's black line.

What else could Crist wear these great shoes with? Virtually everything--jeans and wool trousers in pretty much any color. I would steer clear of khaki colored chinos (too blah, with the saddle leather of the shoes) but other than than, she should feel free. Navy, green, pink, red--everyone needs a really fantastic pair of colored chinos.

For winter, she could wear them with very sheer stockings, or--are you ready?--with black tights and a black skirt or dress. If she wants to do the latter, I would recommend she finish the outfit with a bag that matches the shoes. I know, I said that those rules were arbitrary, but they came about for good reasons, and sometimes, it's good to have a bag that matches your shoes.

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If the Jacket Fits . . .

I've never found a jacket that works for me...this is such a good
price that it makes me want to try it. But I wonder if the fit might
be too dowdy. I'm 27, about a size 6 or 8. Any opinion on this jacket? I'm thinking the peat.

Thanks!

Corey

jacket from J. Jill, $24.99

I love this jacket, particularly for someone who doesn't really do jackets because it's a very versatile cut and color and a great price. Corey needs to be sure that it fits properly in the shoulders AND that she can button it, even if she will never wear it that way. My experience with J. Jill is that things run large, so I suggested that Corey order the jacket in a couple different sizes so she can try it on and get the right fit. She should order the size she usually wears or thinks she wears and one down. And one up, if it's not too much of a problem.

Corey can wear this jacket over a great tank or tee for a summery look, or with a ribbed turtleneck for fall. She can wear it with jeans or a denim skirt or with wool trousers. A great jacket is a terrific core piece for any wardrobe.

Speaking of core wardrobing pieces, today at The Working Closet, I'm talking about capri pants for the office, and at BlogHer I'm offering up suggestions for retro-inspired athletic shoes and other summer footwear, all of which would go nicely with a cool jacket like this one.

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The $8.00 Boob Job

Over the weekend, I bought this tee shirt at Ann Taylor Loft. It's lovely--nice soft cotton, in a longer length, with cap sleeves and what I would describe as a boat neck (they call it a "scoop" neck, but whatever). You know, your basic white goes-with-everything tee. On sale, for 40% off of an already reduced price of $14.99 (regularly $19.99, which still isn't bad).



Imagine my delight when I put it on this morning and realized that for some reason, it makes my boobs look FABULOUS. And by that I mean GIGANTIC. (Or at least relatively so, considering that I'm a nearly A cup). And now I'm kicking myself for not buying about five of these, because I really sincerely would like my breasts to look this great every day. Especially for $8.00 a pop.

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It's Thursday! Let's go shopping!

Two weeks from today, I will be in Chicago, doing some Market Research.

Yes, that means I will be shopping. But I won't be enjoying it. (Okay, maybe a little. Okay a lot. Because SHOPPING! In CHICAGO! Woo hoo!)

Fortunately, Thursday is the best day to shop for clothes, according to Smart Money. "That's the day when stores stock their shelves for the weekend, and when many retailers — including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic and Express — start their weekend promotions." Thursday evenings are also typically slow at the mall, which means less of a struggle for a parking place or that fabulous sweater you've got your eye on.

Thanks to Mary for the tip! I'll be shopping with her! In two weeks! Want to join us? Shoot me an e-mail, but be forewarned: I'll have my camera, and everything you try on is fair game. (Kidding.) (No, not really.)

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What Say You? The Wide-Legged Pant

The Hot New Thing for fall 2007 is a trouser with a wide leg. Fashiontribes has a comprehensive round-up of the Top 20 Wide Leg Pants, Jeans and Trousers, if you want to get a good look at the whole range of options.

Although I don't really know why you would want that.

The Gap, in their ongoing effort to hip up and stay out of bankruptcy, has a whole line of wide legged pants for fall.



The wide legged pants aren't doing it for me. It's like a designer somewhere decided that what women REALLY wanted was to look more like hip hop artists, or teenage boys; either way, the pants look long and sloppy and just wrong. A tailored, boot cut trouser is a much more flattering look, for everyone, even hip hop artists and teenage boys.

But maybe I'm just very conservative and a little cranky. What say you? Are the wide legs just what we need? Or will you be searching the sales racks for last seasons skinny jeans, as an antidote?

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Because I am ALL About the A-line Skirt

If you only buy ONE piece of clothing this summer, it should probably be an A-line skirt. I have a new post up at BlogHer about how to top it off; over at The Working Closet, I'm advocating for the A-line skirt as a casual office staple.

And I am wholeheartedly recommending this skirt as The Skirt To Buy.


Ann Taylor Stretch Twill Skirt, $58.00

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You Ask, I Pawn the Answer Off On the Internet

From time to time, someone asks me a question and I find that, for the life of me, I cannot seem to come up with a really useful answer. Shocking, I know, but I'm one girl over here, and try as I may, I can't know everything.

Lisa recently stumped me with One of Those Questions:

I have very small feet and have so far been unable to find any reasonably-priced, cute ballet flats (or any other non-sneaker shoes with backs, really). I usually wear a size 5, but it varies--down--depending on the brand and style. I don't dare shop online. Help?

I suggested that Lisa look at Zappos, which has a terrific selection AND free shipping both ways AND a 365 return window AND! a 110% price guarantee. You can't do much better than that, although that doesn't actually answer her question.

I heard from Lisa again last week, and THIS time, I have an answer for her:

I finally found a pair of nice ballet flats (white lace, size 5, from Kohl's for under $20) but a certain spot in the back of each shoe is rubbing my feet raw. You always give great advice; do you have anything in your arsenal for this? I'm torn between returning the flats or spot-padding with cotton balls (which work...sort of) and enduring the pain for fashion's sake.

Answer: I'm torn. You're welcome!

Just kidding.

On the one hand, my knee-jerk reaction is RETURN THEM, because OUCH. Then again, for under $20.00, maybe we can make it work . . .



If Lisa wants to keep the ballet flats (because for less than $20.00 AND in her wee little size, she might as well), she should get some moleskin, which is an anti-blister remedy typically used by hikers. It can be cut to cover the precise spot where the shoes are rubbing, and unlike a band aid, can be sized JUST to that spot. Lisa can find it in any drugstore, or at a camping store like REI. And unlike a cotton ball, the moleskin will not fall out in the middle of the day, because it sticks to the skin. It's not the sexiest solution, but it's better than a blister.

Now let's go back to Lisa's original question: those of you with petite little feet, where are you buying fabulous shoes? Particularly ballet flats.

Help Lisa out, please. And me too.

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Balancing the Ballet Flat

Lisa wants to know "why can't one wear flats with full-length pants or short shorts? As long as [you stick] with solid colors, I don't see the issue (assuming [you have] the legs for the shorts)."

Flats are fine with full-length pants, as long as the proportion between the pants and the shoe is right. A ballet flat, which is more delicate and tends to have a lower vamp and a rounded toe, is best with a slimmer trouser, if the pants are full-length. A slightly cropped wide leg pant is another good option with a ballet flat.

With full-length, wide-legged pants, a better flat shoe choice is a driving moccasin or something with a pointy toe. A wider leg needs a shoe with a little more substance to it, otherwise, the shoe is swallowed up by the pants leg.

Shorter shorts are a very VERY casual look; they call for very VERY casual shoes. A thong sandal, for example, or a flat espadrille are perfect with a short short; ballet flats are a little dressy for a very short short.

When you're thinking about what shoes go with what outfits, keep proportion in mind. I don't typically wear heels, and this honestly changes the way I think about hemlines; a longer hem on a skirt or dress is perfect with a heel, but may be dowdy with a flat. The volume of a trouser leg can also change what type of shoe you choose; very very full trousers need shoes that will not be overwhelmed by the pants themselves. Ballet flats are not shoes that you want to pair with long skirts or big trousers. Keep your lines simple and clean.

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Dress Like a Girl at Work

It's Tuesday, and I have house guests, which means that I'm up to my elbows in chardonnay and barbeque fixins. Fortunately for you, I took time out of my busy schedule of fluffing towels and preparing cheese plates to mull the gender politics of the office dress code. In other words, when the men in your office wear suits and the women wear casual clothes, what does this say about your office? and about gender in the workplace? and, most importantly, what do WEAR to this mixed office?

The answer is at The Working Closet. Of course.

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"Got the cute ballet flats--now what?"

My husband got a big ol' Coach gift card from work, and since there
isn't much at Coach that floats his boat, he let me horn in on some of
it. I got myself these cute ballet flats (mostly because they were the
only ballet flats I could find that didn't have the big C logo
emblazoned all over them, and also because they're cute).


They're here. They're cute. They fit. But what on earth do I wear them with?

Thanks!
Kelly

The short list of Things Kelly Can Wear These Cute CUTE Flats With:

capri or cropped pants in black, brown, white, cream, khaki, or navy

jeans, with a cropped or straighter leg

long shorts (to the knee, please)

skirt (A line or a pencil skirt, depending on Kelly's figure) in cotton or denim

solid-color shirtdress


I think the REAL question is what CAN'T Kelly wear those with? The list is fairly short: pants or skirts with a bold pattern, pants with a full length, wide leg, short shorts. Kelly CAN wear other patterns with these shoes; the trick is to keep them small in scale, in the same color family, and above the waist.

I like a shoe like this with a basic tee or sweater and a pair of slim cropped pants, for days when you're on the go and don't have time to fuss with your outfit. The shoes add some fabulous color and interest without a lot of effort.

Mostly, though, I just love those shoes.

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