Closet Makeover: Shannon (or, What Happens When You E-Mail Me Asking For Help)

Nothing makes me want to completely overhaul my closet like the start of a new school year. I feel like, at the least, I deserve a new bag or some shoes. But I also get inspired to reconsider everything in my closet, because a new school year marks a clean slate, a new start, and--hopefully--the advent of days that are not 198 degrees.

And I am not the only one who feels that way.

More than anything else, sending that first child to preschool seems to guarantee that you will feel like you need a new wardrobe, if only because you can clearly see your way to a few hours a week where you might not be used as a walking Kleenex. This fall, the very lovely Shannon is looking to rehab her closet in celebration of the new school year.

Like legions of other women, after being either pregnant and/or postpartum and/or nursing for all but 2 months of the last almost-4 years, I have very few clothes left that actually fit. And, because I have not worked much since all that childbearing/nursing/etc., all my work clothes (meaning, anything even remotely "nice") no longer fits and so has been gotten rid of. All that's left are my kid-friendly clothes which may or may not be sloppy and non-flattering, depending on the day. (In my defense: I adore skirts instead of shorts, which automatically improves things a little.) My main issue is a very, very tight budget. I need a few things, I think, but I have to limit myself to seriously just a few. So they really need to work for my current lifestyle. Which includes numerous bodily fluids landing on me on a regular basis, and much up-and-downing from the floor and on playground equipment.

Does that sound familiar? Of course it does. So Shannon has very graciously agreed to let us SEE her current wardrobe! I know! Remember that when you e-mail me for help.

This is Shannon. Shannon is so cute it makes my teeth hurt.









Shannon is doing quite a few things right here. Her skirts are a good length and shape, and her chinos (both from the Gap) are really working for her. She is choosing basic pieces that she really can mix and match, which is important on a budget.

Because Shannon is shopping on a budget, she needs to think about pieces that can multi-task--in other words, she wants to look for tops and bottoms that can be either very casual or a little dressed up. Shannon should look for a new denim skirt, preferably in an A line with a plain front (the pockets on this one make her midsection the focus of the outfit). Shannon should also look for more tops like the black V-neck, which is incredibly flattering on her AND more versatile than either the tank or the black tee.

Let's talk for a second about tanks and tees. When you're a mom on a budget, the urge to gravitate toward very basic tanks and tees is huge; they are typically inexpensive and machine washable, and with very young children, we often wind up feeling like our wardrobes are disposable any way. But I very strongly believe that you should resist this urge; I think your money is better spent on a more structured top like the V neck Shannon is wearing here. Ann Taylor Loft has some great "fancy" t-shirts just now (I like this one and this one, both of which have some great visual interest at the bustline). Shannon should also look at some color--the pink top pictured here is beautiful on her--as well as basic black, which also looks chic with her fair coloring.

(SO! VERY! CUTE! Don't you just want to eat her up?)

Shannon is wearing very heavy shoes with her skirts; instead, she needs a really terrific pair of flats or skimmers, something more like the blue shoes she's wearing in the last photo. Old Navy has some great little shoes just now, in a range of colors and prints, for about $20.00. Shannon can do a printed shoe because she's not wearing a lot of prints elsewhere. I would suggest she get one pair of ballet flats and a second pair of sneaker-inspired skimmers.

You can see more of Shannon's wardrobe here, and you can also join The Working Closet Flickr pool and start posting your own pictures. And if you want your own closet makeover, shoot me an e-mail (fridaystyle DOT susan AT gmail DOT com) and we'll talk.

Continue reading . . .

A Little Color Goes a Long Way (or, How to Wear Red Shoes and Not Look Like a Hooker)

In the comments on this post, Catherine asked a good question: "Are red shoes and clown-attire synonymous? Can one wear red patent leather in the daytime to a job that doesn't include a pole?"


Mossimo Darby Mid-Heel Peep-Toe Pumps, Target, $24.99

Red patent leather can be tricky, for the reasons Catherine points to, but it can also be sexy and classic all at once. Red shoes can work like a great bag or a dramatic piece of jewelry to personalize an otherwise basic suit or pair of jeans. Let your shoes be the focal point of your outfit; don't overwhelm them with too many other bright pieces. The pumps pictured here (thank you for the link, Catherine!) would be fantastic with a pair of tailored neutral trousers or a neutral skirt. Keep the rest of your outfit fairly simple, though--a crisp white shirt and a navy skirt, for example--and err on the side of a more conservative line. Pairing red shoes with a plunging neckline or skin-tight jeans or a short short skirt is a big no for daytime. Or, really, for ANY time.

For colder weather, wear your bright shoes (yes, even peep toes) with black tights and a black skirt. The pop of color at the end of a long, dark line of legs is fun and surprising but not over the top, and tights with peep toes is a little bit funky (but wear actual TIGHTS, not panty hose; the look should be deliberately off beat).

If you're still nervous about looking clown-like in red shoes, opt for red suede instead of patent, or a ballet flat or loafer instead of a pump. Or look for a black shoe with red detailing, for just a dash of color. Small details like the peep toe or a bow or buckle will also make your red shoes look professional (and not in a pole dancer kind of way).

Continue reading . . .

Tuesday Links: Basic and Girly

It's Tuesday! All day! I'm at BlogHer today, talking about the most basic wardrobe essentials. It's a short list, I promise.

Building a basics wardrobe doesn't mean tossing everything you currently own and replacing it with someone else's idea of what is stylish; it means building on well-made, classic pieces that will never go out of style. What you add after that is up to you. The goal is not to look like everyone else; the goal is to make getting dressed every day more fun and less work.

And at The Working Closet, I'm thinking about how to make your menswear basics a little more feminine.

Tailored trousers and blouses and jackets are everywhere, which is terrific news if you’re working on building a wardrobe of timeless basics, and the strategy for wearing those tailored clothes is to soften them with more feminine accents. Jewelry is an easy solution–pair a basic button down with a funky necklace or with a pair of classic gold hoop earrings–but there are other options as well.

Finally, September 1 is THIS SATURDAY! Which means it's time to join The Working Closet's Flickr pool and show us what you're wearing to work. I'll be doing it, every day for a month. So get ready.


My clean closet. Let's see yours.

Continue reading . . .

Seeing Red

This fall, add some color to your closet. Pink is hot this year (especially hot pink) but for a slightly more sophisticated option, try red instead.

But instead of head to toe red, choose accent pieces--bag, trench, shoes--in classic shapes and styles that will last beyond the fall and will work well in your wardrobe for years to come.

What should you shop for? I'm so glad you asked . . .


Nylon Somerset Tote, J. Crew, $98.00


Patch Pocket Coat, Gap.com, $58.00 (regularly $78.00, so ORDER NOW)


Geox D Euro 16, Zappos, $123.95

Continue reading . . .

Coveting: Embellished Flats

A couple of you have expressed some concern that maybe I'm a little TOO down on shopping these days. Au contraire, my Internet friends! I'm not at ALL opposed to The Shopping, I just want you to think carefully about what you buy.

And what SHOULD you be buying right now? How about some embellished flats?

I'm currently in love with these, from Steve Madden.


Steve Madden Kizmit ballet flats, Zappos, $83.95. Also available in mustard. And be SURE to price match!

Embellished flats are a simple way to bring your fall and winter basics up to date. For those last, not-yet-cold fall days, wear them with capris or a skirt; once the temperature drops, pair them with jeans. Wear bright colored flats with a black skirt and black tights, and let them be the focal point of your outfit.

Don't be intimidated by the bling--these are everyday shoes. On their own they may seem a little loud, but paired with a cozy turtleneck and a great pair of jeans or wool trousers, they add a little panache to what could otherwise be a basic uniform.

Think about adding a coordinating bag, but steer clear of anything with too much sparkle. A little bling goes a long, long way.

Continue reading . . .

The Waiting Game, or Why It's Okay NOT to Buy

Here's the thing about cleaning out your closet: if you do it well, you lay bare all the places where, honest to god, you have NOTHING to wear. That totally cute skirt that you forgot all about has no top to go with it. That great plaid blouse that made you look punk and Preppy all at once is a little too 1980-something. And that stain on your white shirt is just never going to come out.

And so of course it's time to shop!

I've been thinking quite a bit lately about why I shop. I would like to say that I shop only when I need to, when there is something that is clearly missing from my closet, but that would not be true. And of course the whole notion of "need" is slippery, because really, unless you are barefoot, do you NEED one more pair of shoes?

Probably not.

I think most of us overshop; we buy things we don't need because we like them or they're on sale or it's Friday and we've had a long week or it's Monday and we're GOING to have a long week or . . .

It is worthwhile to think carefully and honestly about why you shop. In my case, I do my most significant purchasing in times of transition, when I am feeling like I need to reinvent myself in order to move forward (because clearly the Old Me is not good enough for this New Venture). I will turn 40 in the spring, which means that I am inevitably conscious of where I am versus where I thought I might be at 40, and while I am generally content with my life (I have a great marriage and wonderful children and a lovely home and a challenging job) I still find myself wondering about what else I could be.

And somehow it seems like a really great black dress will make all the difference.

Shopping is rarely about need. Instead, it is about satisfying something else, some other craving for novelty or change. There is nothing wrong with this, but it's also not the best approach to your closet. The next time you find yourself standing in front of the dressing room mirror thinking, "Oooh, I like that . . . " do this: walk away. Don't buy whatever it is you are looking at.

Yes, really.

Wait--one day, three days, a week. Do you still need that piece, that outfit? Can you stand in your closet and imagine it with three other things you already own? Can you think of three different places or occasions to wear it? Can you pay cash for it? Can you find something to give away, to keep the balance in your closet?

If the answer to all of those things is yes, then buy. If you wait out the one day or three days or one week and you still find yourself thinking about that dress/bag/pair of shoes, then get them. I would bet, though, that in that time, probably 80% of what you THOUGHT you needed in the dressing room will turn out not to be so necessary.

And if, after a week, it seems like that little black dress really WOULD make a difference in your life, then buy it. And wear it and love it.

Continue reading . . .

What I Found In My Closet, and How to Get YOUR Closet Organized

Not my actual closet. Although good lord I wish it were.

The Great Closet Clean Out is FINALLY finished, and after all these days I know you are expecting me to say that I have ten bags for Goodwill, at the least. Instead, I have two bags for give away (which includes some things from my husband's wardrobe), a Sterlite box of things I'm thinking about (all from Old Navy; I wonder what we should make of that?) and a jacket and sweater that need to go to the tailor. Everything that is left is hung by style (jackets, dresses, skirts, pants, tops) with winter things in the back of the closet and summer things close to the front. Pieces are organized by color (Roy G. Biv) with prints and solids alternating (two print shirts together make me dizzy). Sweaters are folded and stacked by weight (light sweaters on top shelves of the sweater rack, cashmere on the lower shelves) and color (again, Roy G. Biv).

It is possible that my own anal retentiveness slowed me down the most.

I don't have all that many clothes, really. My entire wardrobe, winter and summer and everything in between, lives in one half of our walk in closet (three bars and two shelves) and in one chest of drawers (four drawers, one of which holds my jewelry). In general, I do a good job of choosing pieces that work and getting rid of what doesn't.

But I've been feeling like I could do a better job. I've been wondering, in fact, just how few things I could get by with.

I have things in my closet that really ARE wardrobe basics: pieces that I have owned for years, and that have been the starting point for more than one outfit. I have a violet J. Crew cashmere twin set, a black boucle skirt from Ann Taylor, a skinny jean jacket from Old Navy. I have a black cashmere turtleneck and a tailored white shirt and a pair of khakis that fit perfectly.

I also have some funkier pieces--lime-green cropped pants, for example, and a pink brocade jacket with a bow on the front, and a chocolate brown suede skirt with a flouncy hem. These pieces work because I can mix them in with the staples, which tones them down a bit at the same time that it makes my jeans and black skirt and white shirt seem a little more interesting.

How is YOUR closet clean-out going? I have three suggestions for you, if you're still staring at the mess and wondering what to do.

1. End segregation. Don't separate your clothes by destination or event; instead, organize them by kind or style. A fancy jacket can be great with jeans, and a beaded skirt can go to the office with a fitted tee, but if you've got your dressy clothes hanging off by themselves, you won't ever think to mix them into your everyday wardrobe. Get everything in one place (at least all the seasonally appropriate pieces you own) and then wear everything.

2. Face your hang ups. As you move from summer to fall/winter, hang everything backwards (with the hook of the hanger on the wrong side of the bar). When you wear a piece--actually WEAR, not just try it on--flip the hanger around. At the end of the week or the month or the season, you will be able to see what you have worn, and what you have not. Think carefully about the pieces you have NOT worn. They are taking up valuable real estate in your closet.

3. Get hooked. Install a valet hook outside your closet (or, if you have a walk-in, on a blank wall inside the closet). Real Simple suggests that you use the valet hook for "hanging dry cleaning before it goes into the closet or to plan outfits for parties, vacations, or the next day's work." I like the last suggestion, as it eliminates that part of the morning where you are standing in the closet in your underwear swearing at your clothes.

I've cleaned out my closet--now it's your turn. What are you finding, what are you tossing, and what are you storing for later? And how are you planning to keep it all from turning back into a jumbled mess?

Continue reading . . .

The Trapeze Jacket Revisited

Let's talk once and for all about the trapeze jacket. I know that some of you are skeptical, and understandably: the trapeze is NOT for every one.

But don't write it off yet!

A trapeze jacket--one with a triangular shape--CAN work on many body types.

Curvy or chesty girls can layer the trapeze jacket over a curve-hugging dress, or pair it with straight-legged pants or a slim skirt. Choose an outfit with a waistline, to balance the volume of the jacket.


Metallic Swing Jacket, Avenue, $59.95

The V neckline and Peter Pan collar on this jacket make it ideal for a larger chest. Be sure that you can button the jacket without it pulling across the shoulders, even if you don't think you will wear it this way.


Ruffle Sleeve Swing Jacket, Avenue, $59.95

If you are thick through the middle, look for a swing jacket with some detailing on the sleeves--the ruffles here are fantastic. Layer this jacket over a turtleneck or ruffle collar blouse, or add a chic scarf at the neckline for a retro 1940s look. Pair with flat front, straight leg pants, or a skirt that falls straight from the widest part of your hips.

Please note that neither of these jackets is particularly gigantic; rather, they are not tapered or skinny. The first jacket will show off your waistline nicely while the second slims your midsection. Keep the other pieces in your outfit sleek and slim (not skinny, but not wide--no wide leg trousers or A line skirts) for balance.

What if you are not curvy, or are smaller on top than on the bottom? Then opt for a jacket with a little more volume.


Cropped Trapeze Jacket, Old Navy, $29.50

The round yoke and big buttons and fuller cut of this jacket will give smaller chested girls more weight; the cropped length won't draw attention to a wider backside, while the three-quarter-length sleeves draw the eye up and create the illusion of a waist where you may not really have one.

Don't be afraid of the trapeze jacket; if you choose the right jacket, one that fits properly in the chest and shoulders, and pair it with a slim bottom, the look is curvy and feminine. Trapeze jackets are more tailored than capes or ponchos (think 1950s suits rather than 1970s sit-ins) but still very feminine.

And of course, if you don't think the look works for you, don't wear it. Not every look is for every woman, and having a successful personal style means choosing pieces that look and feel great in. Instead of a swingy jacket, try a more traditionally styled jacked with shorter sleeves, or with a skinny belt.

Continue reading . . .

Tuesday Links: Because I'm Still Working on the Closet

Happy Tuesday! I'm still weeding things out of my closet, because now I'm all how few things can I actually get by with?, which I may regret later, but whatever. And taking that show on the road, I'm at BlogHer today challenging YOU to pare down your closet, too.

Stylists estimate that most women wear about a third of what is in their closets. There are a lot of reasons for this: we are crunched for space and wear what is accessible, we are crunched for time and wear what is clean, we are crunched for ideas and wear what is safe. But while we are consistently falling back on the same outfits over and over, we are constantly shopping, because we know we need something else to wear.

And then we bring those new pieces home and stick them in the closet and continue to wear the same things over and over, all the while declaring "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR."

At The Working Closet, I'm talking about jackets for fall. Yes, the swingy one. Again.

For fall 2007, the look is all about balance; a cropped jacket with a full skirt, or a wide jacket over a slim bottom. And yes, when you look at fashion magazines, you will see wee tiny models who haven’t eaten since the late 1990s sporting this look, but don’t let that deter you. This combination of slim-and-full is a look that works for just about every body type, if you do it right.

I don't currently have a swingy jacket, and since I've sworn of shopping for all of September, I may not get one, but I do have a nice selection of blazers, in full and three-quarter length sleeves, which I plan to wear often. As soon as the heat index stops topping out at nearly 110 degrees.

Coming soon: photos of The Great Closet Clean Out. And tomorrow, we'll talk about why you should keep all the shoes and handbags, or at least most of them, even when you're unloading everything else.

Continue reading . . .

The Overloaded Closet: A Cautionary Tale

This morning, I was jolted awake by the sound of the phone ringing. It was 6:41 am, and I thought, "My god, who DIED?" because the only reason ANYONE would be calling my house before seven am on a Sunday morning would be to announce a death in the family.

Except that today is MONDAY and I had overslept, and it was my five-year-old's teacher on the phone, asking if I could sub for their classroom aide for a while this morning. And I said, yes of course, and then commenced freaking the hell out because we have to leave for school at SEVEN FORTY and everyone in my house was still asleep.

We made it to school on time, thank god, and everyone ate breakfast and had a lunch in his bag and was dressed in clean uniform clothes, and I even managed to get a shower, but the worst moment came when I went to get myself dressed. My closet is a disaster just now, because I'm in the middle of the Great Closet Clean Out (on my To Do list for today, in fact, right after groceries, was try on all those pants because seriously WHO NEEDS THAT MANY PANTS?) and there is no rhyme or reason to where anything is hanging. In fact, probably a third of my clothes are in a pile on the bedroom chair, because they are things that I feel tremendously ambivalent about just now and don't think I really want to keep. And then there's the Try On pile, which is another perhaps third of my wardrobe. And then there's the stuff that needs to be ironed.

Which left me approximately five things to wear today, which honestly was three too many.

I'm thinking more and more about about the idea of a minimalist closet, a wardrobe that is quite literally made up ONLY of things I wear regularly. Right now I have pieces that I like, in theory, but only rarely (or, let's be honest, NEVER) wear. Which means that on a day like today, when I am scrambling to get dressed, I find myself staring at my closet and swearing instead of getting dressed and getting on with my life.

I hate that.

Yesterday, Seil wrote about how easy it is to become a fashion victim, and how a less-is-more attitude is both green AND chic. She advises that you "make sure you really, really like what you're buying, because it looks hot on to you, instead of just buying 'acceptable' crap cuz it's on sale." I agree entirely, and I want to go one step further and say this: when you shop, be brutally honest about what you really NEED. And unless you can guarantee that you will wear whatever it is that you are fondling in the store, DO NOT BUY IT.

I'm still cleaning out my closet (pictures coming soon) but I've upped the ante a little bit. I am going to take every single thing that I absolutely do not wear on a regular basis OUT of my closet. I'm going to pare down to the bare essentials, to the things I really wear, and I'm going to see just how small a wardrobe I need to get through the month. And starting September 1, I will not buy anything for 30 days.

Tomorrow: building a functional core wardrobe. How many pieces do you REALLY need? And why do we keep all those extras hanging around?

Continue reading . . .

Green is the new black

Considering what to buy for Fall 2007? Would you consider not buying anything at all?

Looking stylish isn't always about buying what's new or hot. Instead, it's about finding a look that works for you and building a wardrobe of pieces that fit your body and your life. Fashion is one small step beyond style; fashion is the ability to take that basic wardrobe and bring it up to the moment. Moving from stylish to fashionable should not require purchasing an entirely new wardrobe for every season or every trend; instead, it is the ability to tweak what you have and make it relevant for this particular moment.

You can read the rest at BlogHer, and see my favorite "new" fall look, one which I am certain you can pull together from pieces you have in your closet right now.

Continue reading . . .

Fashion Faux Pas, or I Love You Enough to Share This With You

I like to think that I have a pretty good grip on what does and does not look good, at least on me. And most of the time, I think I'm right. Yesterday I wore this dress and every time I passed a window or mirror, I wanted to French kiss it. It is incredibly comfortable and flattering and fabulous.


Gap V neck empire dress, $39.50

TODAY, however, was a completely different story. It's hot here (like well over 100 degrees) and frankly, that always throws me because what, besides a swimsuit or maybe your birthday suit, is the right thing to wear when you're sweltering?

I chose a lime-green J. Crew polo shirt, an A-line skirt from Ann Taylor, and a pair of brown wedge heel skimmers with wee greenish blue dots.

And on the way into my sons' school to pick them up--after wearing this outfit ALL DAY, including to lunch with my husband--I realized that I looked . . .

Frumpy.

The polo is great, the skirt is cute, the shoes are fabulous, but together? Meh. Worse than meh. Blah. Ick.

It's time, my Internet friends, for me to clean out my closet and try EVERYTHING on. And perhaps reorganize the way I'm storing things (currently, by color, which is why a green shirt and a khaki skirt SEEMED like a great idea).

And so I ask you: how is YOUR closet organized? Can you find things easily? Or are you constantly digging for that Perfect Piece that you just KNOW is in there SOMEWHERE? Do you organize by color or by category or by some other system? Do you even HAVE a system? Or are you giggling uncontrollably right now at the idea that some people (ahem) actually THINK about this stuff?

The Great Closet Clean Out begins tomorrow. Get ready.

Continue reading . . .

Tuesday Links: What to Pack, and the Flickr Pool

My children go back to school TOMORROW, which means that I will resume my regularly scheduled combing of the internet for cool and affordable fashion finds. In the mean time, I'm at BlogHer today, making recommendations for what to pack when you're on the road and house hunting. For example, think about this cute skirt with these cool shoes:


Skirt by Libby Dibby, $69.95


Berne Mev Swill, $64.95

Add a white tee or tank and you're good to go.

And please PLEASE join The Working Closet's Flickr pool, and get ready to show us what you're wearing to work. I'll be cleaning out MY closet this week (after the kids GO BACK TO TO SCHOOL) and photographing the process. And starting September 1, I will show you what I'm wearing every day for a month.

I don't care what you do all day or where you do it, as far as I can tell, you're all working. And I assume you're not working naked, so you MUST have clothes on! Take a photo of your outfit and share it with the pool. Post every day or when the urge strikes or when you can sucker someone into taking your picture. Show us your whole outfit or one piece or a simple detail.

Just show us what you're wearing to work.

Tomorrow: everyday shoes that are practical AND cute. Is it possible? Yes it is!

Continue reading . . .

That's Hot (but not in a Paris Hilton kind of way)

I'm in Tulsa this weekend, where it's 104 degrees. Yes, you heard me. ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR. What am I doing here? Watching the men's PGA golf tournament. And sweltering. In that order.

Fortunately, I have some tips for you all about how to stay cool when it's hot.

These last few weeks of summer can be brutal, both because the temperature is up and because we're all feeling compelled to get in one last trip to the beach or the park or the golf course. When you're partaking in hot hot summer fun, it's important to dress smart and not overheat.

You can read the rest here. And may I also suggest that after a long day in the hot sun, a gin and tonic is a nice reward? Just be sure to drink plenty of water first.

Continue reading . . .

I Had A Baby--NOW What Do I Wear? (Plus--Fun at Flickr!)

You all are savvy and stylish and smart, and I need you to put your thinking caps on and help me out. I've been writing a series of posts at The Working Closet about maternity and postpartum dressing; for Friday's post, I'm putting together a shopping guide, a What To Wear After the Baby Pops Out and Where To Buy It kind of thing. (Links to the entire series can be found here, at the bottom of the post.)

I'm thinking about two different stages of postpartum: that six or eight weeks immediately after you give birth, when your maternity clothes don't really fit any more (and you really, honestly, are sick of wearing them anyway, and you would rather set fire to them in the driveway than wear them ONE MORE DAY--or was that just me?) and that window from about the two month mark to the baby's first birthday, or whenever it was that all the baby weight finally went away and you were (sort of) able to get back to your pre-pregnancy clothes.

That would be the LAST baby's SECOND birthday for me, just in case you're wondering.

The Working Closet is primarily a blog about what to wear to work, but this week I'm thinking about what to wear on maternity leave (yoga pants and super soft nursing tees) AND what to wear once you go back to the office. And what I need from you is this: what did YOU wear post-baby? Where did you shop? Were there things that you loved,things that fit well and looked great? Or do you have cautionary tales of Things Not To Even THINK About Wearing? Were you nursing? Pumping? Both?

I'm looking both for specific style recommendations (machine washable EVERYTHING) and brands (I bought lots of things on sale at Old Navy, because I was only going to wear them for a short time--again, that was TWO YEARS). Links are also fabulous, if you've got them.

Leave your suggestions in the comments here, or e-mail me at fridaystyle DOT susan AT gmail DOT com, or just stop by on Friday and participate in the discussion. And please, tell me where I can find you. Because I'm all about giving credit where credit is due.

Bonus: Flickr Fun!

Last fall, Chris and I conned a bunch of you into photographing your shoes every day in November. Fear not, NoBloShoeMo will be back, but not until NOVEMBER because Chris is a stickler for the schedule.

In the meantime, I want to invite all of you to join The Working Closet's Flickr pool. Starting September 1, I challenge you all to show me what you are wearing to work, every day for one month. Or longer! I will be posting every day, too, because my kids will be back in school and I will (most likely) not be lounging around unshowered and in my yoga pants and ball cap.

Not that I'm doing that TODAY or anything. No no no.

Sign up now, and get ready to show us what you're wearing. Other women's clothes can be the best source of inspiration, honestly, and it's fun to see what's hot in other cities and other offices (including the office the doubles as your kitchen table).

Continue reading . . .

Tuesday Links

It's Tuesday, which means that I am elsewhere.


Photo from Vogue

At BlogHer, talking about fall suits:

The modern suit balances classic menswear with a new, feminine edge. Consider pairing a cropped jacket with a fuller skirt, or a sheath dress and a swingy jacket. Look for traditional suiting fabrics--three-season wool or boucle--in more girly colors.

And at The Working Closet, dishing about what to wear after the baby arrives:

For the six or eight weeks after the baby is born, cut yourself some slack and stick with pieces that are comfortable, like drawstring yoga pants and soft nursing tees. That first two months is a huge adjustment period for a new mother, and you should give yourself time to get used to the changes in your body and your life.

That post is Part Three of an ongoing series about pregnancy and work clothes; you can find the first two posts here and here. Coming Friday: The Working Closet's Postpartum Shopping Guide.

Continue reading . . .

Coveting: A Swingy Fall Jacket

Summer is still going strong here, but it's time to start thinking about your fall wardrobe, because one of these days you will wake up and it will be chilly.

Or at least that's what I'm hoping.

In anticipation of the coming cold, may I suggest a swingy cropped jacket?


Cropped Trapeze Jacket, Old Navy, $29.50

A swingy jacket is incredibly versatile. This one, from Old Navy, comes in two colors (sandcastle and coffee grounds, pictured) in sizes XS to XXL. It is made of 100% cotton corduroy and is machine washable.

How do you wear a trapeze jacket? Layer it over a tank or short sleeved top for warmer days, or over a long-sleeved tee or a light-weight turtleneck when it turns cold. Pair it with jeans in either a straight-leg or a skinny silhouette. Wear with a pencil skirt and pointy-toed shoes, or an A-line skirt and ballet flats. This is a piece that can go from work to weekend and back again, and that is equally terrific with a denim skirt and a pair of tailored wool trousers.

Grab one now, while it's hot. You will thank me come fall.

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Because Being Healthy is Always Stylish

Ever wonder what to wear to work out? I've got you covered.

I find that I'm typically squeezing my workouts into days that are already jam-packed with work and family commitments. I often go directly from a yoga class or power walk to carpool or the grocery store, because who has time to change? And inevitably when I'm running errands in my workout clothes, I run into someone I know--my son's teacher or my husband's boss or my mother-in-law's impeccably dressed best friend. Sound familiar? Fortunately, workout wear CAN be functional and stylish all at once.

You can read the rest here, all month long.

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Style Explicated

Last week, Eden Kennedy wrote about her love/hate relationship with TLC's What Not To Wear.

. . . the basic premise is that the friends and family of a badly dressed woman can nominate her to have her wardrobe, fashion sense, core beliefs, and self-worth undermined by the show’s two hosts, Stacy and Clinton, who will then replace her very concept of self with their expensively constructed idea of who she should be.

In other words, they throw out all her old clothes, give her a $5,000 credit limit, and hector her into buying a bunch of unimaginative crap that they think makes her look better.

Eden is right; the fundamental problem with WNTW (which I watch RELIGIOUSLY, just so you know) is that Stacy and Clinton are working with a specific idea of what constitutes Style, and they use that one idea to shape every makeover. And yes, for the most part, the participants on WNTW really do look significantly better at the end of the show, but "better" is a relative term here; the participant is wearing clothes that fit her particular body type (which is always a good idea, no matter what your style) but often she has lost whatever little edge it was that she had in the first place, or her edge has been replaced with a sanitized version of itself.

Finding clothes that fit your frame can be difficult, particularly if you're not sure where to shop or what to look for. But finding a genuine Personal Style, that specific something that sets you apart from the crowd and makes you memorable, is even harder, particularly since the fashion industry's job is to undermine any little individual deviations in favor of mass consumption.

In other words, I think Nancy Soriano has a GREAT look, specifically because her outfit is quirky and different and, honestly, not something most of us could pull off. Some of you disagreed with me on this one, and you got me thinking about what our assumptions are when we talk about what's stylish and appropriate and fashionable, and how those assumptions are tied to where we live and what we do all day.

Nancy's look is very New York Creative (if you can forgive me for labeling her, in a post where I talk about breaking the established mold). It is not a look that would play well on the mean streets of Oklahoma City, for example. It is also not a look that would work for many of our bodies or our lifestyles. But what I liked about Nancy's look was specifically that: she has found a look that works on her, that fits her body and her personality and her job. She was charming and funny and creative and quirky, and I think that all comes out in her outfit.

Do I think YOU should try to replicate Nancy's outfit? Probably not. But I DO think you should be thoughtful about what you wear and what it says about how; I DO think you should take the time to find some sort of signature for your wardrobe. You can do something simple, like wear one striking piece of jewelry all the time, or something more complicated like mixing textures or colors in an unexpected way. You can also opt for a basic "uniform" (jeans and a white shirt, for example) and then add on cool shoes or bright colored bags. The idea is to take something predictable and make it original, make it reflect who you are. Nancy's choice to layer her H&M coat over the baby doll dress and leggings is a wonderful example of moving mainstream fashion out of the mainstream.

Developing a personal style takes time and thought, but it's worth it to create a look that stands out in the crowd. Do what is comfortable for YOU, for your body and your job and your day-to-day life. Don't be afraid to fall back on pieces that you really love; you will move more confidently in them, which is an important part of having great style. But find a way to make those pieces stand out, to make YOURSELF stand out.

That's what Personal Style is all about.

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