Work it, kids

December is Kid Style month at The Working Closet; we'll be talking about what to buy for your kids and where to buy it, and also about what to do when your kids decide that they like THEIR style more than yours (god knows I have experience with that). And, to keep it interesting, we're having a contest! With prizes and everything!

Skip on over here for more information. And then start photograhing your kids, in whatever it is they're wearing.

They can't look any worse than my kids. Trust me.

Coming tomorrow: my BlogHer gift guide. Which may or may not be loaded with gifts to give yourself.

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Good things come to those who wait (and also to those who work the price adjustment)

I've been coveting this dress for a while now:


Kaylie wool jersey dress, J. Crew

It was originally $150.00, which was reasonable, I suppose, but still kind of steep, and it was catalog/jcrew.com only, which meant I would have to order it in more than one size and pay the extra shipping. So I waited.

Currently, the dress is on sale for $99.99, and through the end of the day today shipping is free on orders over $175.00 (enter code "holiday" at checkout). This dress, in black, in two sizes, with tax, is $208.00; I won't pay any shipping on the dress I return (to the store in the mall here, OF COURSE) so this isn't costing me any more than it would have if I had been able to go to the mall and try the dress on there. A pretty good deal all around, I would say.

And completely worth waiting for.

Steph, on the other hand, bought this very very cute dress at New York & Company three days ago:


New York & Company City Style dress

She paid $54.95 for it; it's now on sale for $34.95. Bummer for Steph. Or IS it?

NY&Co, like most retail stores, offers a one-time price adjustment on merchandise. Because this item went on sale within 14 days of purchase (in this case), Steph can take her receipt back to the store and NY&Co will refund the difference. Virtually every chain store has a price adjustment policy, even for catalog or internet orders. You can find them in the Customer Service section of the web site, or you can ask a sales associate. Many are 14 days, but some -- like Old Navy -- are only seven days, so check carefully.

Moral: be patient and be vigilant, and you can find nice things for less than the list price.

It's worth it. Really.

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Tuesday links (boots! and shoes! and sweaters! oh my!)

Ann Taylor Loft boots, currently on sale for $79.99

Holiday sweaters: yay or nay? Weigh in now.

Do NOT wear your holiday sweater to the office happy hour. (Also, please head to Sk*rt and share the love. Thank you!)

Cute shoes on a holiday budget: Mir's got you covered.

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Meeting of the minds; or, style on a budget

I'm sure you all know my very pretty friend Mir, and her very VERY useful shopping site, WantNot. Recently Mir had an e-mail from Suzanne, who needs a little wardrobe help, and she suggested that we team up to solve Suzanne's dilemma, because this is the kind of question that requires BOTH a fashionista AND a shopping expert.

Thank god we're here.

Dear Mir,

I was searching the web for tips on how to redo my wardrobe, and I came across the perfect site... yours! I am a 16 year old girl on a rather small income. My parents won't let me get a job until I'm done with high school, and I have to pay for gas. I get $100 a month from them. While this sounds like more than enough for someone my age, my problem is that I would like to give my wardrobe a little make over. I've always been the boring T-shirt and jeans kind of girl. Recently my style taste has changed and I'd like to wear something more fashionable. I am into darker clothing, without going over into the goth/emo area. I really like the layered look too. Also, most of my friends are guys and I like imitating their styles with a feminine touch. I have a closet full of clothes, but it seems like I'm missing what I need to complete my look. Do you have any advice on some key pieces that I could use to boost my style a little (without leaving me stuck at home because I can't afford gas)?

Suzanne

Suzanne is a girl after my own heart, for a couple of reasons. First, she's working on a budget, and she sounds like she has her priorities straight. Second, she's wanting to start with what she has and build on that, which is ALWAYS good.

Suzanne wants to start by going through her closet, in a really thorough way, to determine what she has and what she really wears and what she loves the most. She should try everything on, and pull out what is working for her; she can hang those pieces up front, where she will see them all the time. And then she should take the time to mix and match what she has, and experiment with outfits. Because I'm willing to bet that in her closet full of clothes, she has a couple of things that she has forgotten about, or some pieces that she's never though about wearing together.

For inspiration about how to mix and match, Suzanne can flip through the photos at Wardrobe Remix pool at Flickr. I prefer Flickr groups to fashion magazines, because the clothes are actually from someone's closet. And Wardrobe Remix is an eclectic mix of styles, which is always helpful.

Once Suzanne knows what she has, she can look for some new things. She will need to balance trendy and functional, which means looking for pieces that are cool right now but that will ALSO work with what she already has, and can be worn in more than one way. Fortunately, quite a few of this season's trends do just that.

Cool tees. Suzanne can take her basic look and dress it up with tees that have some interesting detailing -- ruching at the neckline, or lantern sleeves, or a longer hemline. She can also look for graphic tees with a more sophisticated edge -- say, a slimmer fit, instead of the basic boy cut, or a more artsy graphic, rather than the logo of a high school or university.

Multi-functional tops. Suzanne should look for tops that can double as dresses; this season, there are quite a few really terrific long top/short dress options. She wants to look for pieces that can be worn in more than one way: as a dress, with tights or leggings, or as a blouse, over jeans. She also wants to look for a piece that she can layer in various ways: under a cardigan or jacket or over a tee or turtleneck.


Lantern sleeve dress, Old Navy, $34.50. Available in red and black.

Girly accessories. Suzanne can dress up her boyish basics with some simple accessories. Again, she wants to choose pieces that will be multi-functional, because she's on a budget. A pair of embellished or textured ballet slippers will give her jeans-and-tee a more feminine touch; a metallic or patent leather bag is edgy and current.

Where can Suzanne find all these magnificent things? You will have to go visit Mir to find out ...

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Tuesday links, and the Best Tee EVER

Ask me a question, and you will wind up with your photo on the BlogHer front page.

In my closet, red is a neutral.


Tees for Change crew neck tee, $28.00

Tees for Change makes the most fantastic tees -- soft and lightweight, with a nice selection of inspirational sayings.

From their web site: "All our tees are fair trade and made under sweatshop-free conditions from 100% organic cotton or 70% bamboo/30% organic cotton. The cotton is cultivated without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which is good for the environment and for the workers who grow and manufacture the shirts. Naturally sustainable bamboo is fast-growing and, because of its natural antibacterial properties, it needs no pesticides and is 100% biodegradeable. Our shirts are dyed using low impact eco-friendly dyes and are locally screenprinted."

Tees run a little slim, so order a size larger than you would expect to wear. I've been machine washing mine and hanging it to dry. I love it, and so will you.

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What's on TOP of that A-line skirt

I want to try this. The problem that comes to my mind is that I have a rather large bust. My shirts have to be big enough to fit over my boobs without being too tight across them. This means that my shirts are usually longer than I'd like them to be and more baggy in all other places besides my chest. Any suggestions on a shirt that will still hit at the waist?

There are three important things to consider when you have a large chest.

1. Make sure you are wearing the right size bra. Your bra will change the way your clothes fit, for better or worse; the right bra will get your boobs up where they are supposed to be, and give you a smoother line, no matter what your cup size.

2. Choose tops that fit properly through the bust. This may mean having things taken in at the waist, or wearing tops tucked or belted, to control extra width. A blouse or shirt with buttons should close without gaping or pulling across the chest. Look for boxier cuts that hit at the hip and taper slightly at the waist. Look also for three-quarter length sleeves, which will help balance a larger chest.

3. Use layers wisely. For knits or button front tops that don't QUITE contain The Girls, an camisole or tank can make up the difference. If you have a blouse that buttons fine most of the way up, or a V neck sweater that fits well but plunges a little low, wear it over a second top, something that fits properly and has some visual interest (pretty color or a little embellishment) to fill the gap.

Pairing a tailored, fitted top half with an A-line skirt will give your large chest balance and proportion; the same is true of a pair of mid-rise, wide leg pants, as long as the leg falls straight from the widest part of your hip.

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A-line skirts: A primer

I am always extolling the virtues of the A-line skirt, but I rarely talk about how to wear one. Let's revisit that now, since Thursday is a holiday and I am SURE you don't want to go to Thanksgiving dinner in your yoga pants (or maybe you do, in which case DO NOT DO THAT PUT ON A SKIRT ALREADY).

Keep the following things in mind when you are pulling together your outfit for Turkey Day:

Definition: An A-line skirt is one that is wider at the hem than it is at the waist; it can be a slight A-line (only a little wider at the hem) or very full (much wider). A-line skirts can be pleated or voluminous or slim; what they are not is "skinny" or straight.

Why the A-line is The Perfect Skirt: An A-line skirt flatters every body type. It gives slim girls curves, minimizes big hips and thighs, defines a waist for girls who carry their weight through the middle, and balances out a heavy top half. No matter what shape or size you are, an A-line skirt (either on its own or as part of a dress) will give your figure curve and balance.

What NOT to wear with your A-line skirt: Don't cover your A-line skirt up with a long sweater or tee; the whole point of the skirt that nips in at the waist and out at the knee is to draw attention away from your hips and thighs and create the illusion that they are the perfect size (not too big, not too small). Pairing an A-line skirt or dress with a sweater that falls nearly to the hem throws the proportions all off; instead of camouflaging your hips and thighs, the long sweater draws the eye to them. Pair your long cardigan with slimmer pants, either in a skinny cut or a wide-leg boot cut.

What to wear instead: Look for tops -- tees, sweaters, blouses -- that hit no lower than the hip. Tops that you will wear untucked should be a little bit shorter (but not short enough that you are showing off your backside when you sit down), while tops that will be tucked need to be long enough to stay tucked in (again, keep your backside covered). Ideally, tops will hit above the flare of the skirt; this may mean looking for a wider waistband or something with pleats that flare out a few inches below the waist.

Give yourself a waist. We worry so much that having a waist line will make us look fat, but that's not true at all. If you are curvy, an A-line skirt and a V-neck top will draw attention to your waist; play it up with a belt. If you carry your weight through the middle, pair an A-line skirt with a more structured blouse or jacket, something that will hide your middle while creating a nice V at the neckline and some movement at the hemline. If you carry your weight on the bottom, pair an A-line skirt with a wrap sweater or blouse, to bring the eye up to your top half.

Don't fear pattern. A patterned skirt will not automatically make you look like a sofa. Choose a pattern in two neutral colors (black and white or brown and cream) and then add color in your top and shoes (and tights, if you are feeling daring). Think of the skirt, pattern and all, as a neutral. If you are slim, OR if you carry your weight on the top, feel free to opt for a more boldly patterned A-line skirt, but keep in mind that this will draw the eye. Don't want people looking at your thighs? Don't wear a pink and purple plaid skirt. It's that easy.

Wear the right shoes. That means pretty much anything. Pair an A-line skirt with flats or heels, sandals or boots. Match them to the top of your outfit (turtleneck and boots, or tank and sandals). But remember that your shoes are an important part of the look. Don't give up at the hemline.

Speaking of hemlines ... A-line skirts work best when the hemline hits close to the knee. For petites, this means just ABOVE the knee, for very tall girls, this means just below. If you are average hight, you can go either slightly above or slightly below (although I think shorter is always better than longer). Avoid extremes: an A-line mini skirt still shouts "hooker," while an A-line skirt that falls to the ankles says "member of a religious cult."

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Saturday links, and what to wear to Thanksgiving dinner

I bought this wonderful skirt (on clearance) from Target that I think would be perfect for Thanksgiving. But my challenge is, I don't really wear skirts an account of the big butt, belly and legs. So I'm terrified of getting this wrong and scarring myself some more.

Te skirt is A-line, cotton, brown and cream. With the sailor-pant style buttons.

My question is this. What kind of shirt do I wear with this? Would a plain cream long-sleeve shirt(if not that then what?) with pantyhose and brown shoes work?

Ceece

I LOVE that skirt -- it's beautiful, and will be lovely on Cece. The buttons are fantastic.

Despite the skirt's bold floral print and strong color contrast, this is essentially a neutral piece, both because it is brown and white, and because it's an A-line. Instead of treating it as the focal point of the outfit (and then worrying because she is calling attention to a part of her that she does not necessarily want anyone looking at), Ceece should pair this skirt with a bright colored top. Pink or turquoise or green would all be lovely with this brown and white skirt. Because Ceece is curvy, she might want to stay with a V-neck tee, which will balance the skirt's A-line and show off her terrific figure.

She could also pair the skirt with a button front shirt, again in a nice color, as long as the hem of the shirt hits no lower than her hips. It's hard to resist the inclination to wear a very long shirt when you are conscious of your backside, but a shirt that covers your butt only makes it look bigger. Trust me.

Finally, a skirt like this is great with a light-weight sweater, either a crew or V-neck (or, for less curvy girls, a turtleneck). Steer clear of anything chunky or heavy, although a little texture (cables, for example) is fine.

Ceece wants to think about footwear in the same way -- rather than matching her shoes to the brown skirt, coordinate them with the bright colored top. Or -- even better! -- pair the skirt with brown boots. SO cute, and yet still kid-friendly.

Other places:

The right bag for your shape (and what you REALLY need to carry inside it).

Planning a 5:00 am post-Thanksgiving WalMart run? Read this first.

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Five-minute style: An ounce of prevention

The simplest way to streamline your morning routine is by starting with consistent maintenance. I'm not talking about mending or cleaning your clothes; I'm talking about caring for your skin and hair.

Before you say BUT I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT, let me stop you; you DO have the time. Because it takes less time to wash your face every night than it does to spackle your breakouts with concealer in the morning. I promise.

What kind of maintenance are we talking about? Not weekly manicures, although that would be great; just a simple routine of caring for your skin and hair, so that your natural beauty can be highlighted every day. In less than five minutes.

Schedule regular hair cuts. Hair that has been recently trimmed is easier to style and requires less work than hair that is growing out of a cut. I know it seems like a hassle to get yourself to the salon every six weeks (hello, I go every FOUR) but the trade off is that you can cut ten or fifteen minutes off your morning prep if your hair is already essentially under control. Don't wait until your bangs are dipping into your coffee or you are compelled to wear a headband every single day. Book ahead and make the time to take care of your hair.

Choose a style that needs as little work as possible. Long hair can be pulled up or pulled back -- keep a supply of hair bands and head bands around for emergencies. Short hair shouldn't require much in the way of styling in the first place; if your short hair has you tethered to a blow dryer or curling iron, rethink your style. Talk with your stylist about a cut that will work for you, one that frees you from flat irons and blow dryers, or that at least gives you the option to skip the hair appliances.

Use the right products for your hair and style. I have no specific advice here; in fact, I am going to redirect you to the most fabulous Whoorl, and her Hair Thursdays, for product and style recommendations. But I will say this: the RIGHT product can make an ENORMOUS difference, both in how your hair looks and in how long it takes to style it.


Terralina facial moisturizer, $42.00. Best face cream EVER.

Baby your face. Makeup is not a must for a beautiful face; good skin, however, is, and the key to good skin is good skin care. I understand not wanting to fuss with makeup in the morning, but make time at night to wash your face, with a cleanser designed for your skin type, please, and follow up with a moisturizer, at the least. A good eye cream is also not a bad idea, nor is a nice lip balm.

Wear sunscreen every single day. Foundation with an SPF isn't enough; unless you are covering every INCH of your face and ears, you're not really getting complete protection in the first place. And because foundation sits on TOP of the skin, it migrates around and leaves you exposed. Go with a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 (I wear an SPF 45 on my face). You will thank me when you are forty and not all wrinkly. I promise.

Drink lots of water, get lots of sleep, and take five minutes each day to do something nice for yourself. The "something nice" doesn't have to be a big elaborate production; washing your face and putting on a nice face cream and a delicious lip balm can do the trick. But take the time to take care of your skin and your hair and your soul, every day; you will look better and feel better and you will find that you need to do fewer and fewer things to get out the door in the morning.

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Tuesday links, and more shoes

Get packing! You only need five things, you know.

Photo essay redux: Necklaces.

Really, who DOESN'T love a wedding? (Translation: I have nothing at AisleDash today, but that shouldn't stop you from reading the site.)

Finally, today is a ballet flats kind of day. Clearly.




Yellow Box Acacia flats. Most comfortable shoes EVER.

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Five-minute style

You all know that I am a big believer in the Minimalist Closet, and in building a wardrobe of basics that fit your life and your figure. I preach this particular gospel both because it is practical and because I don't really think anyone needs to spend thousands of dollars or an entire morning getting ready to face the day.

Get up, get dressed, get on with the important parts of your life, whatever they may be. Amen.

Over the weekend, I read an article in the New York Times about Timothy Ferriss, author of "The 4-Hour Work Week." Ferriss' theory is simple: if business execs cut out all the extras, like Twitter and Facebook and IM and e-mail, they will have time to go scuba diving in the Cayman Islands, rather than being chained to their Blackberries and laptops.

I totally buy that. For the most part.

I think that no matter what you are talking about -- getting dressed, running an internet start-up, mauling through the day with small children -- the fewer Must Do things on your list, the better. And I think that all of us tend, at some point, to see things that are essentially extras as necessities.

The question is, how do you make the distinction? How do you know that mascara is a must but eyeliner isn't?

What are YOUR everyday basics, beyond a closet full of clothes that really work? What ELSE do you do to get ready for your day? Do you wear makeup every day? If so, what are your Go To products? How about jewelry? Always the same pieces, or something specific to each outfit? Do you style your hair every morning, or only on some mornings?

And -- the big question -- is your current routine working for you?

This week we'll think about what the other basics are, beyond just great clothes. What is the bare minimum that we all need to do to leave the house looking polished in the morning?

You start. Tell me about your mornings.

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Saturday links, and frog boots

Winterizing your peep toed shoes.

Bling: it's not just for celebrities!

The perfect wedding gown.

And, of course, the frog boots ...


Frog boots by Target, loafers by Anne Klein.

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Casual Friday will be the downfall of Western Civilization

AK Anne Klein mules

Or, What to Wear When You're the Mom


1. Flat shoes. Pointed toed kitten heels are fantastic, but not for the park; look for really lovely flats. Target has some great options right now (I know because I've been seeing them in the NoBloShoeMo Flickr pool).

2. Mid-rise, dark wash jeans that fit properly. Or a denim skirt -- again, in a dark rinse. The darker wash is a little dressier, but they're still jeans; at the end of the day, you can toss them in the washing machine. Wash inside out and hang to dry. You'll thank me when they don't fade or wear.

3. Cotton sweater. Not a sweatshirt, not a tee shirt, an actual sweater. Cotton is machine washable; dry flat, not in the dryer, to preserve color and fit. Watch end-of-season sales or discount retailers like Target for deals.

That's it. That's all you need to look nice on a regular day with the kids. Add a necklace or earrings if you like, or a scarf, pack your kid stuff in a nice looking bag, and you're ready to roll.

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Today's shoes, or why you need some driving mocs

Enzo Angiolini driving mocs

I hear from a lot of moms who are looking for great everyday shoes. They want something stylish and pretty and practical, something they can wear with shorts and pants and skirts. They want shoes that can go from coffee to the park to church on Sunday.

The answer, my friends, is the driving moc.

Driving mocs are like loafers but cooler. They have lightweight soles (the traditional Tod's loafers have the pebble sole, which is one small step away from a bedroom slipper). They are incredibly comfortable AND incredibly cute. All at once!

What should you look for in a driving moc? Comfort is key -- make sure they fit properly. Look for soft leather or suede; look also for interesting detailing, like a great buckle. If you will be chasing kids, choose a driving moc with a more substantial sole.

A higher vamp is useful for everyday running around; a low vamp looks great with skirts or day dresses. This year there are some great metallic mocs out there, as well as some fantastic colors. I'm partial to a red moc, but don't limit yourself. A driving moc is essentially a practical shoe -- feel free to color it up a little.

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WantNot, sweet friends

Since you are all savvy shoppers, I know that you are familiar with WantNot.net, Mir's incredible site full of awesome shopping deals. And I am sure that you are scratching your savvy heads this week and wondering where Mir and her awesome shopping deals have gone. Because they are not there!

It is so sad.

Mir is having what we shall term "issues" with her web host, which has resulted in WantNot completely disappearing into the ether and has left Mir seeking solace in some pie she found in the fridge. And possibly a chocolate cake from the freezer, too. I don't know because it's been a while since I spoke with her.

Poor thing. She's out of pie.

For the short term, you can find at least SOME of the goodness that is WantNot over here, at Work It, Mom! And hopefully everything will be back to normal ASAP, because we have shopping do to, dammit!

Also, Mir is out of pie. Did I already say that?

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Tuesday links

This is me, tying a scarf. And possibly swearing, but only a little bit, and very quietly.

I can't volunteer for playground duty until I get a really terrific trench coat.

Hipsters need wedding gowns, too.

And of course, my shoes . . .





You can see more shoes in the NoBloShoeMo Flickr pool. There's still time to join! November has 24 more days!

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Today's shoes, and a query about socks

Embellished gold ballet flats. No socks.

Now that winter is approaching, what kind of socks/hosiery do you recommend one should wear with casual heels and jeans? I have a pair of red Mary Janes with a 2 inch heel and am at a loss as to what color socks or hosiery I should pair with them for winter. I feel silly wearing a coat and scarf, but no socks. What's the rule?

Maria

In fall, a woman's fancy turns to socks. Of course.

I am a big fan of going without socks for as long as is humanly possible, but I realize that this is only really practical in certain climates. Eventually, no matter where you live, there will come a day when you are bound to put on some socks, lest you spend the day with blue feet. Which is NOT pretty.

Match your sock to you trousers, for the longest possible leg line. Socks that match your shoe but not your pants will cut your legs off at the ankle (or wherever the sock is visible) and make you look stumpy. If you are wearing jeans, choose a neutral sock in a shade that is as dark as the jeans; black or dark gray socks are fine with dark rinse jeans, for example.

The same rule applies to skirts and bright colored shoes; match tights to your skirts, both to lengthen the leg line and to highlight your beautiful shoes, which will provide a terrific pop of color at the end of a long, dark leg.

Avoid patterned socks and bright contrasting colored socks. And for the love of all that is holy, NO theme or holiday socks. I am BEGGING you. Please.

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November 2: Shoes and links

Steve Madden silk ballet flats

You can also find me a few other places today . . .

Your scarf makes the WHOLE OUTFIT!

Whatcha got under that kilt?

I'm at BlogHer all weekend, and I will probably be putting in an appearance at AisleDash as well. If I post SOMEWHERE every day, do I get NaBloPoMo credit?

Probably not. But there are always the shoes.

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November 1: The shoes

BC Footwear "athletic" shoes, in champagne. Via DSW.

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