fashion friday

Hello friends! I’ve missed you.  How about we tackle a color for today’s Fashion Friday?  Excuse me?  That’s right, let’s tackle pink.  I know, you didn’t realize pink needed to be tackled.  In fact, of all the colors, it seems the most averse to tackling.  Yet here we are.

I don’t wear pink. I might have one or two pink-ish items in my closet.

But you know what I’m seeing a lot of this spring? PINK.

Here’s my theory. The world is a mess.  There’s a lot of fighting and nastiness and talk of bombs and war.  And while fashion can’t do one stinkin thing about the hard and sad in the world, I think designers might just want to cheer us up.

Hence pink.

Because pink is intrinsically a happy color. And regardless of your skin tone, there’s a shade of pink that will work for you.

Where are you seeing pink? Everywhere.

Let’s start at Talbot’s. I actually broke down and bought this jacket.  I haven’t gotten it yet so it might go back but I’m just so nuts with the classic lines and bright cheery color.  I’ll pair this with a fun necklace or scarf and navy trousers and heels for work.  Or with jeans and a tee for brunch on the weekend.  And look at their cover add.  The thing is peppered with pink!  From pants to dresses to accessories.

Ann Taylor is doing it less in a head to toe way but it’s all OVER their blouses. This adorable bell sleeve blouse comes both in blush and in “Bollywood” pink and they have oodles of sunglasses and shoes in shades of pink.

Banana is doing different shades – super soft pinks, I’m nuts about this blazer but have no money in my shopping budget right now, and then smack-you-upside-the-head neons. (I may go sell a pint of blood to get these adorable pink ankle pants though…)

Nordstrom, of course, has a million options including this perfect shirt by BP for less than $50 and fabulous dresses. Would someone please go to a fancy summer wedding and wear this dress and send me a picture?  I love it but have nowhere I could wear it…

Why oh why, is Boden so expensive? They’ve got such cute things. I’m seeing a lot of pink and green which takes me back to my sorority days and to super preppy looks, but I’ll just go with it because it’s happy.  Boden and Talbot’s both are showing a lot of pink with green.  I love this green Martha dress with pink polka dots, plus Boden has everything in a lovely deep pink shade they’re calling carnival pink – from sweaters and blouses to skirts.  This is generally a flattering color for most skin tones.  (They are running 20% off today y’all!)

So what say you? Are you a pink wearer?  Are you going to break down and wear it this season because it makes everyone happy?  If not, what spring shade brings a smile to your face?

Oscar de la Renta.

The name immediately brings to mind visions of red carpet, stunning detailing, and high fashion.

I love high fashion. Not the kind of “high” fashion that involves wearing garbage bags or creating jeans out of Ziploc bags.  That is someone who didn’t get enough attention as a kid who’s now trying to make a mark.

But true high fashion which oozes sophistication and beauty.

I received a lovely invitation from a friend to join a small group of women for cocktails and a private showing of the Oscar de la Renta exhibit which is currently at the Museum of Fine Arts of Houston. I love MFAH.  And I’d seen the exhibit advertised and had tried to go several times.  Alas, life intervened and my visits kept getting pushed.

Well, I finally got to see his gowns up close and personal.

It brought home a few fashion themes near to my heart:

Vibrant color is good.

You know I’m a color girl.  I have my fair share of neutral pants for work and basic turtlenecks.  But there’s nothing like a shimmering silver cocktail dress or a bright red sheath to catch my eye.  Well, Oscar sure loved color.  From head to toe solid colored evening gowns, to bright patterns, to marrying of less obvious colors to create a stand out profile.  He knew how to go bold!

Details make the outfit.

The most touted gown in the collection was Amal Clooney’s wedding gown. It was stunning.  What made the simple silhouette extraordinary were the details.  Incredible individual lace flowers.  Tulle peeking out the bottom.  A mantilla with a lace border mirroring the gown’s lace flowers.  But it wasn’t just the wedding gowns.  Details ranged from layers of “petals” on a gown to bows and bodice seaming to unexpected collars or sleeves.  Finding detailing which fits your personality and style really glams up an outfit.

Fit is imperative.

There were photos and videos of the women wearing the items displayed. ODLR knew how to fit a dress.  I know we don’t have high fashion access, but I remain a proponent of having a tailor.  I don’t use tailors nearly as much as a I should.  Not to mention, our size might shift from time to time (ahem).  But the reality is that most of us don’t have an off the rack fit.  Longer pants, shorter sleeves, nipped in waist.  Spending a few extra dollars on tailoring, and it usually is very reasonable, will pay dividends every time you wear your clothes.

For you Houstonians, the exhibit will be there for a few extra weeks (they extended it – yea!), and it’s worth the viewing.

Out with the old, in with the new?

Pish posh!

In today’s Fashion Friday, we say In with the Old!  That’s right friends.  We’re all broke after Christmas and don’t need one more stitch of clothing/accessories/shoes.

Let’s go hunting in our closet.

I challenge you to do these five things this week to brighten up your New Year fashion:

1. Wear a scarf. Tie it a new way.  Are you just worn out from accessorizing for the holidays?  Well one of those old scarves needs to be dusted off and repurposed.  Plus, BOY is it cold outside where most of us are so it actually serves a purpose!  (This is my favorite way to wear scarves now. A boutique owner taught it to me. Throw both ends of the scarf behind you back. Leave a cowl in the front. Then cross them and bring them back to the front. Looks great with everything.)

2. Try sporting a pair of shoes with a different outfit than usual.  Partner cowboy boots with tights and a skirt for work (pun intended).  Don wedges with your leggings (don’t get me started, they’re yours not mine) and long furry vest.  Heels with a denim jacket.  You get the idea. Mix it up.

3. Find an item of clothing you haven’t worn in over six months.  Wear it. It’s in there.  I know it is.  Look hard.  If it hasn’t fit for a year, donate it.  If it fits, find a way to wear it so you’ll put it back in circulation.  (My friend from work says you can’t shop your own closet if you can’t see anything in it.  Maybe you start with #3!)

4. Belt something.  Some of you are already awesome at this.  I know, I’ve seen you.  Belts are my greatest fashion failing.  I don’t love them.  But I have them.  Find one you have and figure out an outfit to pair it with.

5. Wear sparkly or dangling earrings.  They will make you feel festive and bright even though it’s now cold bleak January with nary a vacation day in sight until May (unless you’re one of those lucky ones with a Spring Break trip planned).

Okay.  Send me your pics!  I want to see your repurposed fashion.  We don’t need no stinkin’ credit card – just a little ingenuity.  In with the Old!