Category: 6PM.com

A rant against transitions & in-betweens

3/14/2014

I can dress for winter, & I can dress for summer, but most challenging in my book is dressing for spring. You're hot & you're cold. You're yes & you're no. You're sun & you're snow. You're freezing in the morning & burning up in the afternoon.

I can dress for work, & I can dress for play, but I'm most challenged dressing for in-between events. You know, the Friday trainings when you don't want to look like you're trying to outdo anyone by being dressed up, but you also don't want to look underdressed for the workplace? Ugh!

Here are my grumpy tweets from last week, & several suggestions to help us through these transitions...

Dressing for spring...

Spring colors...

In March, you are expected to dress warmly yet in #spring colors--I find this a challenge! :-)
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 5, 2014

Monica tried to help me... :-)

@OpenMindFashion Mint green tights! Brilliant orchid scarves! If anyone can do it, you can!
— Monica F (@nlmtys) March 5, 2014

Colorful tights--image from Boden

Boden Printed Scarf, $19.20

The shoes

Another problem with #spring is the shoes. Boots seem too heavy, sandals too light.
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 6, 2014

Nikki tried to help me... :-)

@OpenMindFashion great time for brogues, flats and maybe an ankle boot #iheartspring :)
— Nikki Duckworth (@NikkiOnStyle) March 6, 2014

Boden Wedge Ankle Boot, $84-$142.80

6 p.m.com DV by Dolce Vita Manta, $34.99

Another option is a sandal boot...

Zara Suede Leather Block Heel Ankle Boot, $69.99

Zara Slingback Leather Ankle Sandal Boot with Buckle, $99

Dress in layers?
The problem, of course, is that sometimes the layer underneath doesn't look so good after it's been smashed under a heavier top layer much of the day.

The last two days, in my attempt to dress for spring, I've been cold. I hate being hot, but I also hate being cold. #springtroubles
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 9, 2014

So I was cold last week, so on the weekend I went back to heavier sweaters, & then I was too hot. #springtroubles
— Open Mind Fashion (@OpenMindFashion) March 10, 2014

Dressing for in-between events...

Start with denim...
If you start with a denim base (trouser jeans, dark ankle jeans, a denim skirt), you'll never seem overdressed.

Old Navy Women's The Pixie Skinny Ankle Jeans, $25 minus 15%

Boden Chic Denim Skirt, $68

Other suggestions:

Sometimes it's all in the shoes. Wear casual shoes, & your whole outfit will look more relaxed.
Layer a casual top--maybe something stripey--under a dressier tunic or dress.
Bring along a blazer for an instant upgrade if needed.

Image from Boden

Do you have any other suggestions for how to dress for in-between events?

April may be the cruelest month, but it's March that drives me to madness. Throw in a time change, & I'm a complete mess :-) Many thanks to Monica & Nikki for helping me through!

How do you feel about transitions & in-betweens?

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One skirt for a trip to Africa

2/28/2014

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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.

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Two trends walk into a bar

2/17/2014

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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?

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Coral wedge sandals under $50

7/26/2013

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Who doesn't love a wedge?

Blah blah blah wedges blah blah blah wedges. Seems all I can talk about lately is wedge sandals. I'd like some in coral please. 3 under $50...

Rakuten.com Etienne Aigner Women's Kaleb in bright coral, $30.99

6pm.com Christin Michaels Zofia in persimmon, $44.99

Belk.com Adrienne Vittadini Cissy Wedge Sandal in coral, $49.99

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Summer goal: learn how to wear high heels

5/29/2013

2 Comments

Cat Woman

Question:
Dear Fashion Feline,
I came across your site while scanning the internet for advice on how to wear high heels. I'm graduating from high school next week, and my one summer goal before heading to college in August is to learn how to wear high heels--lol! I've already read your post on the topic, and I'm ready to work my way up incrementally. But I'm having trouble locating attractive shoes for the middle phase--sandals with about a 2-inch heel. Any specific suggestions for me? --Emma

Answer:
Hi Emma,
Thank you so much for writing to me! What a great summer mission! Start with kitty heels (mew!) and climb up the tree from there. While famous felines like Cat Woman wear spikes,
I suggest a stacked heel for greater stability, no matter how high. Once you've mastered a high stacked heel, you'll be able to wear anything, and boots this fall will be a breeze. MeOW! Congratulations on your graduation and cheers! --FF >^.^<

High-heel wearing felines: what's your best tip for Emma?? How did you learn to wear high heels?

Phase 1--about a 1-inch heel

Last Call by Neiman Marcus Seychelles Stargazer Low-Heel Sandal, 3 colors, $47.40

6pm.com Seychelles Iris, $58.21

Phase 2--about a 2-inch heel

ModCloth Seychelles Bound to Happen, $89.99

Seychelles (think "she sells seashells by the seashore") has great mid-height sandals. They have leather uppers for comfort but manmade heels--keeps price down.