Blog Archives

One skirt for a trip to Africa

2/28/2014

Dear Fashion Feline:
We're terribly excited! We're going to Africa over Spring Break! The packing list is very short & particular. We are required to travel very light for the safari, & we'll have to wash our clothes in the sink at times during this trip. I need a knee-length skirt that packs light, washes easily, & doesn't wrinkle--will you help me? --Samantha

Dear Samantha,
How amazing to go to Africa! Here are 4 travel skirts that are both stylish & versatile.
Wish I could come along to see all those big kitties there :-).
--FF >^.^<

1. The Eddie Bauer Aster TRAVEX Skirt

Eddie Bauer carries a line of travel gear called Travex. Below is the ad for it from their catalog & the link to the skirt if you click on the photo. It comes in 3 colors & can be converted into a dress. I think the length might be nice if you won't be able to shower & shave your legs as much as you might like on this trip.

Eddie Bauer Aster Convertible Skirt TRAVEX, $45

2. The Athleta Strata Skirt

I own this skirt in two colors, & I'm crazy for this patterned version. It can be worn year round, it doesn't wrinkle, it's the right length, & the price is right if you buy one of the solid colors.

Athleta Cassava Strata Skirt, $54

Athleta Strata Skirt, $24.99

3. The Patagonia Vitaliti Skirt

I own this skirt too, in blue. It's a lightweight, high-tech material that washes without wrinkling. It has a flattering shape.

Backcountry,com Patagonia Vitaliti Skirt, $59

4. The Horny Toad Chaka Skirt

I love this color below ("night shade"). It seems to me not so dark & drab as black, multi-seasonal, & versatile.

6pm.com Horny Toad Chaka Skirt, $41.99 as shown. Some colors $19.99. Available in 9 colors.

You may also like...

Fashion Feline
at your service

Zand convertible skirts

Spring shirts, $10 & up

4 Comments

How to wear a blazer: a tutorial inspired by Rachel

2/26/2014

6 Comments

What is your relationship with blazers? Some women toss one on daily to upgrade & pull an outfit together.

My friend & colleague Rachel is one of these people. She created this cartoon on the right at designhergals.com modeling her signature style: a shapely black blazer & skinny jeans. The blazer adds a little sophistication & class to her outfit.

I've tried to wear blazers for years but have never quite pulled it off. I own a fair number of them, but most have only seen the light outside the closet once or twice.

Rachel very kindly offered to give me a primer on how to wear blazers, & last Friday she brought a selection of them over to my house for me to try on. We moved from my trying on Rachel's blazers to putting together combos with my own.

Rachel

The Common Denominator: Skinny Jeans
One mistake I've made for years is in trying to wear a blazer with dressy pants. Abiding by the principle of pairing high with low, jeans or a mini-skirt seems to me now the best option. Rachel's jeans shown in these photos are Seven for Mankind that she snagged for a song from ebay. Mine are BDG jeans from Urban Outfitters. We both like a dark wash.

The Black Blazer
We started out with Rachel's classic style: a striped shirt & black blazer.

We discovered that Rachel prefers to keep her blazers open while I prefer buttoning mine up. We tried adding a belt to the look to help lighten it up & make the blazer less formal.

Also in Rachel's collection (& supposedly heading for a clothing swap) was my favorite of Rachel's jackets: a short, swingy, less structured jacket. Rachel said "It's yours now," & I wore it the rest of that day & out for happy hour that evening!

The Colored Blazer
Next up was the colored blazer, great for spring! This yellow gingham one is mine (from Target), but I'd only managed to wear it once before. With the added cow-hide belt, I suddenly felt light & playful. Rachel says I should wear this to work next week!

Rachel was wearing this pink blazer when she arrived. Rachel looks so natural & relaxed in it, & I love the color on her.

We tried belting an old, more casual blue jacket of mine, but I'm not sure if it works or not. My hubby says the belt cuts me in half, & maybe there's a bit too much going on with the pockets and the white seams along with the belt.

Dressing down the conservative blazer
Our biggest challenge of the day was to save my dressiest, most conservative blazers from the donate pile. The trick appears to be in the top! Here we tried a slinky, long, monochromatic top with my stoddgiest gray blazer, and I'm shocked to say I really like the look! Some casual jewelry helps to lighten up the mood.

This outfit--a cotton velvet blazer (also Rachel's, also one that she gave to me since she claims she has several)--seems to work thanks to the untucked shirt & embellished sweatshirt underneath.

To Sum Up...
*Do choose jeans or a casual skirt for the bottom half. Skinny jeans seem offset the bulk of the top layers.
*Do add casual accessories--even messy hair--to keep from looking too stiff & mature :-)
*Do choose youthful, trendy, playful, sexy tops instead of a starched shirt underneath.
*Look for blazers in soft fabrics with unstructured shapes & try belting them.
*Great thanks to Rachel for helping me & giving me new styles I can wear!

What do you think? Do you own any blazers? Do you wear them regularly?
What's held you back & how can we get your blazers out of the closet?

You may also like...

Not a working stiff: how to look smart & feminine in a blazer

Colorful skinny belts

Here's to stripes!

6 Comments

All of the above

2/22/2014

4 Comments

Last Sunday I asked whether you could wear stripes with patterns, lace, florals, & more. A few people came back saying some of the combinations like stripes with patterns were a no-no.

So last night I pulled out my favorite striped top (it's from the GAP) & threw on a bunch of skirts--seems to me stripes do indeed go with everything.

What do you think?

@saritacoren @OpenMindFashion Doesn't work for me. Spent years teaching daughter that this was a fashion no-no.
— catmac1 (@catmac1) February 16, 2014

stripes with lace

Forever 21 skirt

stripes with a pattern

Joe Fresh skirt

stripes with pleather

Forever 21 skirt

Stripes with crochet

Athleta skirt

stripes with stripes

Abercrombie shirt, LOFT skirt

I copied this outfit from this one:

Ann Taylor Striped Perfect Long Sleeve Shirt, $79.50 minus 30%

The photographer (my 8-year-old son) insisted I try the striped top with the striped skirt since they are so similar.
I actually kind of like the result. Would you wear these together? Maybe if I added a jacket or something...

I think my combos aren't as unexpected as those in the original post, but I do think we can put our striped tops to more uses than we originally thought :-)

4 Comments

Two trends walk into a bar

2/17/2014

2 Comments

Two trends are hitting the stores: the side-stripe pant & the high-ankle cuff sandal.

The side-stripe or piped pant

Ann Taylor Petite Side Striped Straight Leg Pants, $79.99 minus 50%

J. Crew Piped Andie Chino, $78

The Limited Exact Stretch Side Inset Pants, $49.99, also in red, $69.95

GAP True straight piped pants, $59.95 minus 35%, also in black

The high-ankle cuff sandal

Piperlime Chinese Laundry Time Flies, $89

Sundance Catalog Skye Belt Sandals, $228, from Frye, also in black & camel

Piperlime Chinese Laundry Cosmos, $89

6 p.m.com Steve Madden Figo, $54.99

LOFT Alissa Colorblocked Ankle Strap Heels $89.50 minus 50%, also in animal-print

Victoria's Secret Cut-out Sandal, $78

Who's buying?

2 Comments

Stripes with benefits

2/16/2014

4 Comments

We knew we could wear a striped tee with solids, but how 'bout with patterns, lace, florals, & more?

stripes with solids...

Ann Taylor Shimmer Stripe Long Sleeve Top, $24.99 minus 60% with code SHOPANN

Victoria's Secret Low-back Ballet Tee, $34.50

stripes with patterns...

J. Crew Factory Outfit Obsession #2

Here's her top:

J. Crew Factory stripe boatneck tee, $24.50

stripes with geometric patterns in a similar color ...

Banana Republic Bold-Stripe Metallic-Trim Tee, $39.50

Boden stripe tee with Statement Ankle Skimmer, $118

stripes with dots...

Boden Essential Short Sleeve Tee, $20-$22

stripes with florals...

Ann Taylor Petite Ottoman Stripe Ponte A-Line Top, $29.88 minus 60% with code SHOPANN

stripes with lace...

Ann Taylor Petite Shoulder Button Striped Top, $19.88 minus 60% with code SHOPANN

Stripes with sequins...

Joe Fresh outfit: striped top & sequin skirt

Can't find exact top on left, but this Joe Fresh striped tee is $6.99 minus 15%

Joe Fresh Fringe Sequin Skirt, $16.99 minus 15%

stripes with side-stripe pants...

Ann Taylor Petite Striped Ponte Boatneck Top, $59 minus 30% with code SHOPANN

stripes with stripes...

Ann Taylor Striped Perfect Long Sleeve Shirt, $79.50 minus 30%

To quote my husband, "They're breaking all the rules. Do people really wear stripes with patterns like that?"
Do you think they've gone too far?

T-shirt Sunday Tees

4 Comments

Colorful skinny belts

2/13/2014

2 Comments

I know you don't want to, but let's talk about belts. Many of us gave up belts when our bellies got big or pregnant & never took them up again. And who wants to spend money on some little piece of leather or fabric, an accessory? But if we can find the right outfit that won't make us feel like an elephant, belts can add some spice when used as a contrasting color.

With pants & jeans...

Red & pink belts contrast nicely with navy

Banana Republic Heritage Velvet Skinny Ankle Zip Pant, $69.99; patent skinny belt, $34.50

Banana Republic Floral Ikat Print Skinny Ankle Jean, $89.50; patent skinny belt, $34.50

Banana Republic chinos & patent skinny belt in turquoise, $34.50

An otherwise bland outfit gets refreshed with a strip of bold spring color

Boden Skinny Ankle Skimmer Jeans, $23.40 to $46.80; yellow Skinny Belt, $19

Pink, gray, & yellow seems such a pretty combination to me.

Red, yellow, & off-white works well too.

Skinny Ankle Cord, $29.99; yellow belt

Anything goes with jeans...

GAP 1969 stripe-hem always skinny skimmer jeans, $48.96; Colorblock belt, $24.95

Garnet Hill Red Engine Cayenne Skinny Jeans, $59 - $124; pink belt

Land's End Long Sleeve Print Fine Gauge Supima Cardigan, $40-89; Perforated Diamond Belt $29

Land's End Women's Pin Straight Colored Jeans, $59; Perforated Diamond Belt in light meadow mist, $29

The bright belt becomes the centerpiece. Just add a basic white shirt.

With skirts...

Boden Italian Lace Jacquard Skirt, $82.80 to $110.40; Super Skinny shocking pink belt, $20.40

Belted over a pullover, the bright pink belt makes a playful statement when contrasted with dressy neutrals.
Do you like the look?

You don't have to have belt-loops to add a belt to your outfit.

Garnet Hill Lace Pencil Skirt in jade, $44; pink belt

Boden Zoe Top, $27.20; robin's egg blue belt

I have such a weakness for turquoise & burgundy.

With dresses...

Belting dresses can add life to dresses old & new.

Boden Laura Dress, $59.20 to $74.00; yellow skinny belt, $19

Garnet Hill Ponte Knit Dress, $29; Anna Leather Braided Belt, $54

I hear blue is the new neutral this spring.

Land's End Sleeveless Ponté Sheath Dress with Pockets, $69; Patent Leather Bow Belt, $29

One of my favorites of the belts pictured above--GAP's Colorblock belt:

GAP Colorblock belt, $24.95

I think colorful belts in the spring are the equivalent of colorful tights in the fall. Do you want to give them a try?

You may also like...

Shortening & belting old dresses

Delayed gratification

You'll get used to it

2 Comments

You'll get used to it.

2/11/2014

2 Comments

The best way to get used to wearing something is to wear it.

Think about children who have to wear a uniform to school. At first it probably feels uncomfortable, but they adjust quickly & even grow to make it their own--through their mannerisms, their individual ways of holding themselves, if nothing else.

Think of wearing sports gear. At first it may feel uncomfortable, but it quickly becomes a source of pride & identity.

Think of a boy wearing a tie for the first time. It feels at first constricting, but he'll get used to it. Later in life, he may wear a tie to work every day.

Think about someone who's dyed her hair pink. The first day out is hard, but after that, it becomes commonplace.

So what is it that you want to get used to?

Would you like to wear more dresses, but you never have, so you feel uncomfortable in them?
Would you like to wear a more exotic or bohemian style--flowing skirts, draped fabrics? It's uncomfortable purely because it's not your usual style?
Would you like to change your image to something more hip & current, but you don't think you'll feel comfortable in the latest fashions like tight skinny jeans?
Do you wish you could wear an elegant but also dramatic scarf, but you're not comfortable making a statement?
Do you have new clothes in your closet you bought for a certain look, but you don't feel comfortable in them yet?
Are there colors you know look good on you like all black or red, but you're nervous about the power they convey?

For me, I think it's statement shoes. I'd like to wear red boots, leopard-print pumps, or blue shoes (& I own some of these), but I can't get them out of the house. I'm nervous about drawing attention to myself.

6 p.m.com Clarks Sage Cooper, $81.99

But why not try it? At least for a day--even if it's a day you're just running errands. What you long for could become your signature style, something unique & special about you. You may gain a new sense of confidence from letting yourself shine. People will probably only notice or comment the first day since it's different than they expect, but then they'll get used to it, and so will you. And you may be very glad you did.

2 Comments

Can a t-shirt change the way they think?

2/9/2014

2 Comments

From www.principle6.org:

"Wearing the Principle 6 merchandise will help uphold the Olympic principle of inclusion and underscore that Russia’s anti-LGBT discrimination is incompatible with the Olympic movement.
The proceeds from sale of the clothing will support the Principle 6 campaign and go directly to lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) advocacy groups in Russia fighting discrimination and anti-gay laws. Join the campaign by ordering your P6 gear here."

Read more about the influence of the Principle 6 merchandise on the Olympics here:
http://mashable.com/2014/02/06/american-apparel-sochi-principle-6/

T-shirt Sunday Tees

2 Comments

Delayed gratification

2/7/2014

2 Comments

How long will you wait for something to go on sale before you buy it?

I've been waiting for this skirt to go on sale for about a week now.

J. Crew Factory Printed Pencil Skirt in Stretch Cotton, $69.50 minus 30% which equals about $50

I've been waiting for this dress to go on sale for about three months. I found it particularly rotten that VS lowered the price to near striking distance ($44.50) & then raised it again--for Valentine's Day?

Victoria's Secret Ribbed Sweaterdress, $69.50

I've been following these Liberate Apparel Bow Trousers for a few months too. They were 50% off over the holidays, & maybe I should have bought them then, but they were still too expensive for me. Their purchase does go toward helping women in Haiti & the Dominican Republic learn a trade.

Liberate Apparel The Bow Trouser, $158

I've been waiting for this dress to go down basically forever, but I don't think it's ever gonna happen.

Boden Alexa Dress, $138

But I can hold out. Oh yeah.

I usually wait until an item reaches about $30 or less.

It's sort of the opposite of impulse buying, & later it allows you to justify your purchase by saying, "Oh, I've been wanting this ______ forever!"

I actually wish we could follow individual items via Twitter instead of following companies. I do follow items already by bookmarking them or visiting them daily. I wave, salute, wish them well, hope no one else buys out my size, & say "see ya tomorrow."

Anything you're following right now?

2 Comments

International shopping love

2/4/2014

0 Comments

What do you remember about shopping in New York City? Or London? Or France? Many of you have browsed stores in the shopping capitols of the world.

You put it down like New York City
I remember peering into shop windows on 5th Avenue, gazing longingly into the boutiques in the Meat Packing District, & jostling with the throngs in the Swatch store & the GAP in Times Square.

In Vancouver, B.C., I remember buying pjs & art on Robson Street, the shops & restaurants stacked above the street.

I'm overseas at about a hundred G's
I remember very vividly buying my wedding dress at a Monsoon store in London...

This photo of the inside of Monsoon is almost exactly how I remember the store. I came out of the dressing room in my wedding-gown-to-be into the center of the store & spun around a couple times before deciding it was the dress for me.

I remember climbing the stairs in the two-story Dr. Martens' store in Camden Town.

Dr. Martens store, Covent Gardens, London

I remember buying a long wool coat at Laura Ashley.

And who can forget Harrods?
My parents took me there when I was quite young, & I remember room after room of beautiful goods--in particular, the teeming displays of cakes & cheeses & chocolates in the glorious food halls.

Food hall, Harrods, London

I haven't been all around the world.
Many of you have been to more cities & visited amazing shopping districts & bazaars across the globe.
What's one of your favorite memories, your favorite stores, in a big city in the States or overseas?

You may also like...