Late August Boredom

Nothing is going on here at the end of August. I think I am getting close to dying of boredom. I have had no business of any important note to conduct for these last two weeks – probably because I intentionally kept things to the bare minimum! I’ve been able to catch up on some of my writing - although I have NOT worked on any of my books yet. The least important one - about SHOES will likely be the first one finished…hopefully by the year 2020.

I am tempted to escape to Vegas for a few days, but I know that the 100+ degree temperatures would kill me. Perhaps it’s better to just relax here where the weather has been unusually cool. I am not complaining – I’m enjoying it. But I am totally bored with the shopping here and Vegas has so much more great stuff to offer in that area. I would love to hit Last Call Neiman Marcus and the BCBG outlet at Primm – about a half-hour west of my old house in Henderson, NV – Primm is right on the CA border. Of course, after I moved, they also immediately put in a Nordstrom Rack two minutes from my former place. What luck.

I just need to find a cure for my boredom until September hits. Then I am off to the races. I seem to be double or triple-booked next month!!! Then I’ll be complaining that I’m too busy!!

Obviously, boredom does not agree with me.

The Importance of Casual Clothing

Sometimes I wonder if there are a lot of people out there like me. Even though I’m a pro at wardrobe building – for myself and others – I admit I do have a serious clothing blind spot. I am one of those people who never seems to have enough casual clothes. I’ve always had my “investment” wardrobe full of suits and slacks and skirts and jackets. It works for everything from the highest level of business function to speaking engagements, TV appearances, luncheons, business social events, and nearly everything else imaginable. I must admit it takes care of about 75% of my clothing needs, which is fabulous.

But I have a perpetually lame casual wardrobe. When I say “casual”, I don’t mean Business Casual. In my life, “casual” pretty much means jeans and items I would wear with jeans.

I must tell you that being a Classic/Romantic fashion personality, I have had to learn to do casual wear – but on my own terms. I need tailored looks that are very “finished” from head to toe (my Classic side), and soft fabrics – crushed velvet, sueded fabrics, or cashmere - with feminine details to satisfy the Romantic side of me.

I run around much of the time – whether I’m going to the grocery store or to Starbucks or the Borders close by – in my cute little track suits. They either have matching sneakers for the cooler months or matching flip-flops for summertime. In many people’s eyes, a track suit may seem too dressed down, but when it’s neatly presented and looks like you have actually put some thought behind it, it’s generally quite acceptable.

I would never go out socially in a track suit, naturally. And this is where my wardrobe fails me.

First of all, buying jeans is a nightmare. It always has been for me. And it is that way for many, many women. It really takes patience to find the right jeans for one’s body. For me, it takes a shopping excursion for only jeans and nothing else. Discount stores are not the best place to buy jeans. While I am really into the “thrill of the hunt” at discount stores, they don’t work well for jeans. You want to shop a department store because you need to find the brand and cut that works for you so you can buy the same thing again and again (different washes, and details, of course). Shopping for jeans for me includes trying on about 15-20 pair. I am unapologetic about this. It’s too important to not get it right.

I was out today and bought three pieces that will take me far this fall and winter – three corduroy jackets to pair with my jeans. I bought a tan blazer, a black shirt jacket style, and a very wide wale teal cropped jacket (really cute). I had already bought a Nine West cream cropped corduroy jacket last week, so I am really ahead of the curve in terms of prepping for the cooler seasons to come. And I am excited that I am thinking ahead! I usually have my mind on the business events I will be attending, since they are generally planned more in advance. Social events can be planned at the last minute which usually prompts a mad dash out to the store to buy something (anything) to throw on with jeans and boots.

Now, I’m pleased to say that I will be at least semi-prepared for anything that comes my way this fall and winter. Now I just need to add several pairs of boots, more jeans, sweaters, turtlenecks, and various other basics. Just when I thought I was set…..

I Don't Love the 80's (Addendum)

I went out to lunch yesterday with my friend Michelle after completing my last blog entry. Imagine my dismay when I realized I was dressed like the 80's!! I was wearing skinny jeans - the one pair I have, a black top, bright multicolor polka dot scarf, big geometric dangle earrings, and hot pink pumps!

Okay, so I was adding an 80's feel to two basics with accessories. I swear it was completely unintentional! Too much thinking about the 80's has taken my casual style back a couple of decades. I promise I will still stay away from the Freddy Krueger look! (I swear a mannequin at Express at Beachwood was dressed just like him - in skinny, skinny jeans - all that was missing was the scary glove!!!)

I Don't Love the 80’s

On Monday, August 7th, trend analyst Kelly Smith and I went out to Crocker Park for my birthday. The visit had a dual purpose since she will be leaving to return to school in NYC and we wanted to do a fall preview column in our September newsletter.

I am not a huge trend watcher, so I’m thankful that Kelly has her finger on the pulse of what’s new and hip in the fashion world. And because the fashion world is constantly recycling old styles, we never know what we’re going to get each season.

Imagine my dismay when I learned that the 80’s were back. Yes, the 1980’s – the decade of Flashdance, Working Girl and the Brat Pack. I thought I was going to die when I saw what the stores were offering. We saw everything from bubble skirts to belted sweater dresses with leggings, super skinny jeans, bold black and white, black and purple, and black and red horizontal stripe tunics – which are wrong in so many ways. I mean, wasn’t Freddy Krueger around in the 80’s? And didn’t he wear a red & black horizontal stripe sweater? Who in their right mind wants to look like that??!!

We also saw a plethora of dolman sleeves, very wide belts, vests with ruffled shirts a la Janet Jackson in 1986, high-waisted skirts, and clutch purses. Layering is still really big. There is also a lot more gray out there than I have seen in years.

What does this all mean?

Kelly thought a lot of the 80’s inspired outfits were cute. And some of them were. But, as I explained to her, there is a reason those styles did not catch on and stay in style and become classics. It is because they do not flatter most bodies. Try putting a big thick belt on a short-waisted woman. Or a sweater dress on someone who has a few pounds to lose. How about a horizontal-striped top on a woman who is topheavy?

Unfortunately, most people are oblivious to their own unique body shape. I warned Kel that the fashion victims would truly be victims this fall. There is a lot that can be done wrong with the season’s clothes. And wouldn’t you know, I was at Beachwood Place the next day when I saw one of those fashion nightmares.

A young woman, probably in her early 20’s was dressed like the 80’s. And I’m sure she thought she looked super cute and on the edge of fashion. Unfortunately, she was about 5’0, very fair skinned, and wearing a black and white horizontal-striped tunic with a wide belt over leggings with flats.

Nothing about this outfit was right for the person wearing it. From the colors and contrast that completely overpowered her to the horizontal stripes that made her look shorter and wider to the belt that created rolls of flab where there probably weren’t any to begin with.

So, yes, the 80’s are back, but I will be warning every trend-conscious woman out there to pick and choose their pieces even more carefully than usual. I am predicting this look will not last beyond winter. Thankfully.