An open letter to "dressy" capris

Dear Summertime Bastard Cousin of Dress Pants,

I kind of hate you and why are you still in my closet? Please leave.

Yours in confusion,
KK


I'm putting my summer wardrobe together and found some pants I've purchased over the last few years. I've never worn them. They have just hung around from season to season, perhaps waiting to find a purpose. Or perhaps waiting for Godot. I really don't know and pants don't talk. And if I did have talking pants, you should be worried about me. But sometimes shoes talk to me. I assume shoes yelling "buy me" to women is fairly normal, right?

Let's get this straight right out of the gate: I generally like capris and certain cropped pants as a casual alternative to shorts. Some are really flattering and comfy. I remember the fury capris caused when they first came into vogue. The fashion people of the world had a fit because they were somewhere in between shorts and pants and nobody knew what to do with them, except for the fact that they had the potential to be really, really unattractive and unflattering on women, sometimes making even the skinny, long-legged chicas of the world look short and stubby.

Well, women decided they liked wearing them (hey, they cover cellulite, unlike most shorts) and capris gradually changed from a one season fad into a classic summer staple for many. The fashion world listened to what shoppers wanted for once. Yay us.

The conundrum laying on my closet floor right now is what to do with "dress pants" which are actually capris, cropped pants or anything in between. They look, fit and feel like dress pants, except they end awkwardly at my calf, ankle or some strange no man's land in the middle.

Flattering. Hmmm...

I've never worn a pair of these out - whether casually or for work. I feel weird just trying them on and attempting to make something look right with them. They certainly throw the body's proportions off. A jacket which looks great with a pair of pants will be off balance when those pants are capri or cropped-length.

Do we really need to wear these as career wear? Most folks work in air conditioned environments in the hot weather and I know a lot of people whose offices are so cold that they're grabbing for the sweaters they need to keep around.

Shoes never look quite right with them either. I've seen sandals, slides, wedges, pumps and yikes...flats. Because every woman is different, you have to 1) know your body type and how to enhance it; 2) wear them at exactly the right length (much like a skirt); and 3) wear the right height and style of shoe or they can change your leg and body shape in all different ways. Of course, none of them are good.

Dressy capris kind of look like they're trying to be pants, but haven't tried hard enough. Or like they're pants, jr. All the complaints the fashion pundits had when capris first came on the scene are especially true of the dress pants version of them: awkward length, unclear purpose, unflattering, making women look short, squat and heavy instead of the usual goals of appearing leaner and taller.

For work or for dressy occasions, why not just wear lightweight dress pants which fit and flatter without much effort instead? Save the capris for the grocery store or a picnic.

Shorts. Tank Top. Fake Tan. Check, check, check.

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read that I have been lamenting recently about my inability to use self-tanners because of severe breakouts. I still don't know why every one I've ever tried makes me break out on only my face, neck, upper chest and back, but it's the ugliest and most painful version of the cystic acne I've struggled with for years. And it scars - so I have to be extremely careful.

I am so bright white and I crave color. While I used to be able to tan as a child - my school pictures from grade school, which were taken in early September always showed me with a golden tan from spending nearly every day at the pool - I seem to have lost the ability to tan naturally. I don't even tan when using tanning beds, which I won't use nowadays anyway (and I honestly miss the "ultraviolet coffin"). I don't burn either, which is just bizarre. I just get warm-colored freckles over the bridge of my nose. That's how you know I've been out in the sun. I start morphing into the Wendy's girl. (Good thing my hair isn't red!)

A medium tan on me looks like most other people's pale winter skin tone. So all I can do is use self-tanners to get some color.

Spray tans are great too, and I will get them for special occasions or vacations. But they fade quickly and I just find them to be a pain. I like to control when and where I put on my tan. Here's how I do it.

PREP:

I make my own sugar scrub. Just use about half a cup of table sugar and a tablespoon or so of olive oil, mix it into a paste and take it into the shower. Just try not to get it wet until you scrub your skin with it. You want it to stay thick and paste-like. A harsher version of this is to use coarse kosher salt in lieu of sugar. They both work - it just depends on the amount of exfoliating you want to do.

ARMS & LEGS:

Since my appendages don't break out, I'm using L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Airbrush self-tanner in Medium.

No, it's not an air horn.

You can layer this product several times over a few hours to get a nice base tan. I had been using the Sublime Bronze towelettes, but this is the same price and I feel like you receive about four times more product. Also - and this is IMPORTANT - you don't have to rub it in, it evenly covers the tops of my hands and feet (which streak like crazy!!!) and doesn't settle into dry skin. We all have that skin (ankles, elbows and knees) which collects self-tanner and stains for a long time, regardless of how well it's exfoliated. I've made some wild and unattractive streak patterns in the past while trying to avoid those areas.

Also, it claims a "fresh citrus scent." I've never encountered any type of citrus that smell this this, but it's a better scent than any other self-tanner I've ever used.

FACE, NECK, CHEST & BACK:

For my sensitive, acne-prone areas, Clarins Self-Tanning Milk is gentle and hasn't caused breakouts. (Thanks, @reinhoren!)

The color blends nicely with my arms and legs, is able to be layered to obtain a lovely, golden shade, and also smells better than other self-tanners (yay!).

So that's how I'm spending my summer in shorts, tanks, sundresses and faking a tan. I feel like I can finally participate in summer again!

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Stripe Trend?

I can't go into a store this season without seeing black and white horizontal stripes everywhere. Because of all the image, style and body line analysis classes I've taken and the books I've read over the years, I've discovered just how conditioned I am - B.F. Skinner-style - to avoid them in the same way I avoid mosquitoes and bears. 

What I didn't realize is that most of my clients, no matter how un-fashion-savvy they claim to be, at the very least know to avoid the evils of the horizontal stripe.

Recently, a few clients have thought I was absolutely nuts when I slipped a couple of such pieces onto their racks of clothing to try on. Scary! This was one response from a 49 year old:

"Oh my gosh, my mother 

would kill me if she knew 

 I was buying this!"

Seriously, folks.

(If you want to read more about mothers, ex-boyfriends, 

catty friends and how they never leave our closets, 

check out my article Fashion Exorcism.)

Trends come into our lives to present us with opportunities to get out of our fashion comfort zones. Some are only for crazy fashion daredevils (did anyone buy into triple-pleated pants that were here and gone in about two weeks?) and other trends can be molded to fit any style, coloring and body shape. 

Horizontal stripes can work for pretty much anybody in one way or another - just follow a few simple tips.

1) Dresses and tops should be close to the body, but not clingy. 

Beware! This full skirt with wide stripes may not be your best buddy.

2) A narrow stripe is typically - but not always - more flattering than a wide one.

3) Don't wear the most obvious thick stripes across the widest parts of your body. (The above is not a good choice if you have a thicker torso.)

4) Confuse the eye - not all stripes have to be horizontal. 

5) Even a small amount of stripey-ness goes a long way. 

 Layer a striped cardigan or jacket over something plain or a plain jacket or cardigan over a striped top or dress.  

Kristen Kaleal is a wardrobe stylist, speaker and fashion writer. The black and white stripe trend reminds her of one of her favorite fashion icons, The Hamburglar. Ironically, she is a vegetarian.  *rubble rubble*

_

Wearable Spring Jewelry Trends

Summertime Dog Cocktail - stirred, not shaken

Despite living the first year of her life in Las Vegas, my dog Bailey absolutely hates hot weather. In fact, she would not be happier than if there was snow falling every day of the year.

But this year, I discovered something that is making my thick-coated Schipperke really happy, even in the heat and extreme humidity.

Ice water.

Sounds really simple - throw a few ice cubes in your dog's water to cool it down. Only my persnickety dog will have none of that. She will stick her paw in the water bowl and try to scoop out the floating ice cubes, making a slippery mess on the floor (not to mention the dirty paw prints all over the place). 

Instead, to appease my pooch, I keep a pitcher on the counter with a strainer lid. I fill it halfway with ice cubes and almost all the way to the top with water, swirl it around and filter out the ice cubes and the dog gets her ice water. Much like a bartender stirring a martini. 

This past week was especially hot here and my precocious dog started taste testing her water whenever she saw me go into the freezer and heard the ice bin rattling around.

"Let's see... (lick) Wait, my water isn't cold yet? I'll look up at mom and make sure she's getting it ready."

And then she drinks contentedly for a minute straight....ahhhhh! 

Happy dog time.

(If you want to make a special ice cold cocktail treat for your hot doggy, here's what I do - dissolve one beef or chicken bouillon cube in 1 cup of boiling water, swirl with ice, strain and serve.)

What's New for Spring

Little White Dress (zappos.com) 

Bright Floral Blouse (Arden B.)

Bangle Bracelets (maxandchloe.com)

Beige Basics (True Kiss Clothing) - Be sure to pair them with bright colors like turquoise, pink or coral

Teal Accessories (shopstyle.com) - It's the in color for spring!

Statement Necklace (Banana Republic) - They're back for yet another season

Bright, colorful bags (Nordstrom)

Basic Trench (Net-a-Porter.com) - Again, pair a basic like gray with any bright color. I'm partial to wearing it with yellow!

Mosquitoes Prefer Blondes!

So THIS is why I get eaten alive every summer!!!!!!

Why do certain people attract mosquitoes? The mosquito is usually attracted to a person by scent and temperature, but sometimes also by looks. Just like gentlemen, mosquitoes prefer blondes. It's possible that blondes are simply more noticeable to mosquitoes than brunettes.

Adding fuel to the fire, I seem to be allergic to mosquito bites because they turn into huge swollen pink welts on me and I'm in agony until the swelling goes down.

My grandma (also a blonde) also seems to get bitten more than most people. This explains a whole lot. We'll need to watch out for my little blonde niece Marissa this year too.

Before summer, I need to do some research on avoiding bites (Off! works to an extent for me) and treating bites...or I'll just buy a brunette wig and stop smelling so darn yummy!

After a long Cleveland winter, we’re finally starting to believe that spring is here. At last, we can say buh-bye to the heavy sweaters and boots and a happy hello to our spring garb.

If you don’t want to spend a bunch of money to update your wardrobe right now (and who does?), here are 5 super quick pieces that will help you step into spring style!

1. Yellow Accessories
Yellow is white hot for spring, but not everyone wants to look like a full-out lemon or banana! What's the solution? Just add a shot of yellow somewhere in your outfit. What shoe diva can possibly resist these adorable yellow slingbacks!?

2. Peasant Top
Flowy, fun and cool for when the weather gets hot, the peasant top has become a staple. Pair it with a skirt, jeans, capris or even shorts!

3. A Fun Clutch
Leave your big bag behind and try a casual clutch for day or evening. Trust me, you will feel like you lost 20 pounds off your shoulder! To compliment all the bright colors we’re seeing right now, try a neutral color or an exotic print, like snake.

4. Ballet Flats
I can’t imagine a better shoe for spring. Ballet flats are in season after season for a good reason – they’re comfy, easy and elegant. Just slip them on with jeans, slacks or capris and go. Bold colors and patterns can add some excitement to a basic outfit.

5.Multicolor Necklace
Is there an easier and cheaper way to add a pop of spring color to what you already have? Probably not. If bold geometrics aren’t your thing, find an inexpensive colorful necklace that you love!

My Feet, the Pope & other esoterica

It's beautiful today. My feet are freshly pedicured (pretty red toenails) and ready to take on the world in some sexy shoes. I was excited to wear my favorite sparkly lime green platform flip-flops on a little walk through the grass with my dog today. Bailey has spring fever, and only going outside with me seems to help it, much to my chagrin. I have work to do!!!

Pope Benedict XVI is in the U.S. right now. This is very exciting. I grew up Catholic (went to Catholic elementary school and to a Jesuit college - John Carroll), but now I don't know what I am exactly. Maybe I'm the catch-all phrase "spiritual." But having the Pope here and seeing the excitement of the people greeting him was a really good thing. It seems to be a reassurance that there is still good left in the world. I had tremendous respect for John Paul II, despite my misgivings about a lot of the Catholic doctrine. Perhaps it was from my grandparents, who revered him. First, it was because they are devout Catholics, but they also took great pride in him because he was the first (and still only) Polish pope. So there was a special connection there. Gram always referred to him as "our" pope. I don't think Benedict XVI will ever be "ours." He's German.

I respect Benedict XVI because he is a renowned scholar. From college, I have learned to respect those who study religion, because I have seen that they do so from a "world" view, not just from the point of view of their own religious persuasion. He seems to understand the importance of inter-religion dialogue. Everyone thinks their views are correct, but all that really matters is that you're a good person, right?

So as a casual onlooker - not a religious person - I actually like seeing the Pope treated like a rock star in our country.

On a completely different page, I'm so glad Jen Toohey enjoyed our shopping adventure yesterday. I loved hearing her talk about it on the radio!!!

I'm starting to volunteer at the Art Museum soon! I'm really excited about this as my degree is in Art History. And while I never planned to make art my life's work, I use a lot of the principles I learned studying art in my image and style business all the time. I definitely developed my eye for color and pattern (I have always been inspired by Matisse, Dufy and Miro) from my art background. I miss the museum terribly since it has been closed for renovations. It seems like forever already. I used to just take a day whenever I was feeling stressed and stroll leisurely through the galleries. Starting with contemporary, I would move backward through time, and ultimately end up in the African gallery. I collect African tourist art. I have a special affinity for it (despite disliking the African, Pre-Columbian & Oceanic art course I took in college).

And finally...
My friend Raven is starting a wrestling school down in Georgia, and I just wanted to wish him luck. His classes start on May 6th. I hope it's a success!

And....
I finished one of the three books I promised to complete! If you ever want to know what your dog is thinking, just ask me! I'm now a dog behavior expert after reading one book! Yep!!

Or should I say "Yip?"

Fun in the City

I haven't been blogging this past week because I am deeply entrenched in another event I have the privilege of hosting here in Cleveland.

The Association of Image Consultants International OH/PA Chapter (I am the prez!) is having an education retreat here August 17-19. Very exciting for those of us attending and presenting. We've actually opened it up to local business people or anyone interested in image as a profession. This is our first stab at something so ambitious. We have invited the worldwide organization, booked some fabulous speakers (ok, most are my buddies, but fabulous nonetheless), and are just going to have an awesome time. Image consultants can PARTY! And we look really good in our party clothes!!

Here's the link.

I will admit I am the most excited about the stupid Lolly the Trolley sightseeing tour. I haven't a clue why. All this great stuff we have planned and I want to ride around on a trolley in the city I'm in every day.

So anyway, speaking of fabulous times, my party, Style & Cocktails, this past Monday was a big hit. Can't wait till the next one!

Here is a collage of pics from it! For the full event details and to put names with the smiling faces, check out ClevelandWomen.com!

Wild & Fruity

As I continue to write my book, my therapy (or what keeps me out of a straightjacket) is doing a little shopping here and there. My daily writing uniform inlcudes a track suit, t-shirt with a girly saying (i.e., “Eye Candy”, “Smart Blonde”, “Hell on Heels”, "I'm naturally blonde, so please speak slowly" – the shirts I don’t dare leave the house in!), and my hair is up in a bun. Really attractive, I know. But it serves its purpose. Writing a book is a no nonsense, zero glamour business.

But I am shopping for next summer. After the book is finished, I plan to have lots of FUN, FUN, FUN and maybe go on a cruise or take a vacation to Hawaii.

My wardrobe is reflecting my future fun in a really strange way.

Somewhere along this journey, I unconsciously decided to dress like a big bowl of fruit.

I’ve always said that women – including me – rely too heavily on their basics. Mainly, this means we wear too much black. Right now though, I’m sailing in untested waters for me. I called it “true style evolution” to LisaMarie. I am buying only what I’m attracted to on a very primal level.

And believe me, it’s fruity.

The colors of lime, tangerine, tomato red (tomatoes, are, after all, really fruits), bright grape, lemon yellow, kiwi and watermelon are attracting me right now and I’m powerless to resist.

I’m not wearing pastels or colors muted or toned down in any way. I want everything to be pure and bright. And the patterns I am selecting are absolutely wild. I don’t know where this is coming from. All I can say is that a force greater than me is at work here. I must be celebrating something on the inside and it’s bubbling to the surface.

As a professional color analyst, I will admit I am taking a few liberties with my color palette. So sue me! I have no choice in the matter.

I only hope I am feeling this wild and fruity next summer when I actually have to wear these clothes :P

Summer of Color

I’ve already mentioned my penchant for the color orange. I can’t believe where this summer is taking me with my foray into color. Wow. I can’t even explain it! I had to dash out to meet Dan to pick out some promotional items for ClevelandWomen.com. I had maybe ten minutes to get dressed. I threw on “petite” jeans, this means they are short enough to wear flats, a light lemon yellow twinset, and the red leather ballet flats I bought last week along with the tote bag I bought to go with them. It’s white with big red polka dots. It looked 1) bright and 2) cute. Not cutesy. But cute. I looked like I had put a whole lot more thought into that outfit than I actually did.

Sometimes (ok, most of the time), I’m really smart about planning outfits ahead. I almost bought the black & white version of the bag, but was also holding these red shoes in my hand (I wanted them for accent anyway and noticed that they matched the red bag. What luck!

It’s amazing how much color I am buying and wearing this year. In the fall and winter, I was living in black and brown, but since the warm weather hit, I just want colors that are clear, bright, warm and happy!

These include orange, tomato red, lime green, watermelon, salmon pink, clear shades of yellow, coral, aqua, bright purple, and bright turquoise. I’m really exploring the “Spring” side of my “Light Summer” color season. Pastels, dusty colors, muted shades, and colors that are too dark are such a turnoff to me right now. The colors I’m wearing are really happy colors to me and I’m loving wearing them. I’m even buying jewelry in these colors. It’s really fun to explore this side of myself.

Color psychology. There really is something to it! I think everyone should go through a colorful phase to understand the power of color on their mood and how it can impact so many facets of their life.

But I shudder to think of what I will think next year about my crazy wardrobe from the summer of ’07!

I can only hope it will make me as happy then as its making me now!

Flat-Out Inspired

We already know that flats are the cool shoe for spring. But, being 5’2, I need heels and I need them to be as high as humanly possible. But – these pics inspired me to buy a couple pairs of flats for running around in the nice weather. Super cute!

Madonna for H&M

I asked Kelly to review the H&M spring line M by Madonna for our April newsletter. I decided to take a look at it as well. I had heard it was rather blah, which is surprising for the usually controversial Madge. I was shocked that I loved so many of the pieces, which means that, officially, Madonna has gone soft!

The lines are great, even though most pieces are white or cream or black. Very minimalist, but very classy. And always, the prices are great - which is my biggest concern with their clothes - they aren't high quality. I invest in pieces, and the H&M construction is usually poor. Typically they are 'throw away' clothes. And the Madonna line is so classic that they are things I would love to have around for several years.

I am still baffled by the $99.50 shoe price when some of the dresses are $34.50. See? It's all about the quality.

But that's the H&M philosophy and it certainly is working for them.

So who am I to argue?

Uninspired Spring Shopping

It’s a gorgeous day in Cleveland, so I got up this morning and washed the dog. She now smells like a pina colada. (That’s the shampoo scent – I did not wash her in rum, coconut, or pineapple juice!) She must have liked it - she was later seen licking her paws.

After the pooch bath, I decided to take a little shopping excursion to get away from the book writing for a little while.

My mission: Buy a top in a color I wouldn’t normally buy

(I become quite adventurous when it’s sunny and spring-like outside!)

Three stores later, I returned home with nothing. Why? Because I have representatives of every color already in my closet. And I know my taste so well that I will often pick something up off the rack that I absolutely love and then I realize “no wonder I love it – I already have its twin in my closet!”

Hence, the classic “I couldda had a V-8” moment where I hit my forehead with my palm and feel like a dork.

Thus proving that I have to shop when I’m truly inspired, not when I have given myself a mission to accomplish.

I was chatting with my friend Dee as I drove home and she was laughing at how silly I am.

But hey, I’ve built a career on crazy shopping habits! So it’s good to be this way…..sometimes!

Tar-zhay Totally Gets It

I rarely go to Target. There just isn’t one close by. But there is one by my parents’ and I will stop in there once every couple of months.

I had some free time last night and was passing by, so I stopped in and just allowed myself to explore for a little while. Target has never been a destination store for me. If I need to buy something, I don’t go there. Instead, it is someplace I go to browse. They do what they do so well that no one can compete.

My top priority was to take a look at the much-hyped Proenza Schouler line. Its purpose is to let designer looks trickle down to the masses and Target has the right idea. The line definitely isn’t for me. One of my pet peeves is people knowing what designer I’m wearing and where I shop. That may seem strange, but it’s simply a statement of my individuality. This line is a really unusual case due to the extreme publicity it has received. The concern I have is this: anytime and anyplace you wear pieces from this collection, for the rest of eternity, people will know they were from the 2007 Proenza Schouler line at Target.

A lot of the collection reminded me of Kelly. I bet she would like a number of the pieces. She has a funky sensibility that I lack. I do funky in my own controlled and classic way. The SoHo designs (left) are definitely not me! I could do the other two (Couture Class, center, and Museum Mile, right) but the jackets are unusually boxy, and not flattering to a lot of women. When you see me, you will notice that I wear jackets with a definite shape, whether they have a nipped-in waist or a belt.

I really love the Isaac Mizrahi clothing and accessories line. I think it is right on the money, and I’m so glad it has been a longstanding success at Target. Every season, great stuff comes out for that line. I noticed that both O Magazine and InStyle showed a gorgeous Isaac Mizrahi for Target belted raincoat with cut-outs on the bottom. Beautiful, classic, and only $49.99!

The Mizrahi line also has fantastic shoes for $24.99. Love that!

Since I don’t do any clothing shopping there, I was imagining putting together a wardrobe for a client there if I needed to, and had no problem visualizing clothing selections from an interview outfit to business and weekend casual.

And Target is fabulous for accessories. I’ve purchased several of my unique necklaces and earrings there as well as some fun socks and interesting scarves and gloves for winter.

Hmmmmm…..since I sound like a total Target shill right now, I’m thinking they should pay me for this kind of propaganda!

If anyone ever thought I was a label snob or worse, I hope this puts that rumor to bed right now. I will buy anything anywhere and I’ve pretty much convinced myself to buy a piece or two from the Mizrahi collection next time I’m in Tar-zhay!

(They are building one 3 minutes from home at the moment, right on my route to the gym. That will mean serious trouble for me as soon as it opens!)

It’s a Mod, Mod World for Spring

Snooping around the stores, I was surprised what’s coming in for spring. Where did these 60’s- inspired mod dresses and tops come from? Not that I am complaining – I love flowy, soft geometrics – but I just didn’t anticipate it. I’m not a trend junkie, but I was expecting menswear-inspired looks to dominate for spring.

So, my thought is this: COOL!

Mondrian-inspired color blocking seems to be back as well. I will avoid that and focus on the gorgeous soft prints that I always love.

There are also some fabulous shoes out there right now. This seems to be an “anything goes” shoe season with different styles, heel heights, and various heel shapes – wedges, chunky, platforms, stilettos, etc.

Flats are also going to be huge, but I am a heel girl, so flats won’t be in my rotation!

I am totally excited to do some serious shopping!