Don’t be a Fashion Victim

Fashion Victim:  The fashion police should arrest all such persons. they can be identified easily, all their clothing will have designer logos, they will be perfectly manicured, groomed and waxed and buffed. But instead of looking chic they will look “over the top” because they have no real taste or style. The mark of a true fashion victim is wearing every “faddish” trend that comes out. (Urban Dictionary)

Dress fashionably, but don’t be a fashion victim.

There’s a big difference between being a slave to the latest trends and being aware of them. You want the latter. Every season, the fashion industry presents hundreds of trends. Some are exciting, some are fun, some are silly, and some are downright Ridiculous. Your mission is to be a smart shopper and buy only the trends that work for you—your body, your personality, your lifestyle.

Fashion coach Susan Sommers, whose business, Dresszing, helps women shop in their closets, advises her clients to ask themselves, “What one or two pieces will make my wardrobe pop right now?” The pieces don’t have to be super expensive, but they should be of the moment and the color and style should mix well with at least two items you already own. If the of-the-moment item is pricey, before you splurge ask yourself, “Is this something I can wear after this season is over?” Treat your wardrobe as an art collection, and curate it with looks that are worth the investment because they go the distance. If you have doubts, skip it. Know that you can always add a hit of style with more disposable items, like costume jewelry and other fun, instant-gratification accessories.

And that was yet Another Fun Excerpt from How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better by Charla Krupp. Loving my new bible!

Confessions of a Shopaholic.  Loved the book, did Not love the movie, which was also the victim of Bad Timing!  A movie about an obsessive compulsive shopaholic at the start of a recession, had disaster written all over it…as did this outfit.

Don’t follow a trend if you don’t love it, and don’t love you in it.    Wear what makes you look good, and feel good about yourself.    Just because something is trendy, does not mean you need to follow that trend..(Jeggings)!

Top Ten Worst Fashion Fads

We’ve all fallen victim to poor fashion choices. Sometimes we go out looking unkept or not up to snuff, sometimes we make the mistake of wearing jeans to a formal occasion (not I, but I hear it can happen) or a LBD to a parent-teacher conference (;) ).  You’ll be pleased to know that You are not alone.  Bad fashion choices are everywhere, and here is a  list of some of the worst fashion fads in history:

1. Those mega shoulder pads, which date back to the 80’s- we all thought that bigger was better, and some of us aspired to look like well-padded up quarterbacks!  I had Norma Kamali dresses and tops in the 80′s…and thought they were Fabulous!  They were not, and I looked like a linebacker.  But lived and died via the fashion of Dynasty!
2. Ponchos.  I personally much prefer my shawl!
3. Spandex pants, which Olivia Newton-John made famous in ‘Grease’.  Suddenly everyone was wearing them.   Think Peg Bundy.  These were styled like jeans, but fit super tight.  And were super unattractive.  They didn’t look good on anyone, except Sandy in Grease!
4. The awful fashion trend of big hair or Bouffount Hair – And I’m not referring to “poofy” hair.  I’m referring to Over the Top, Overly Teased, Bouffant Hair, where you could hide a small family of mice in (sorry, mice still scare the daylights out of me).    That kind of style defied the law of gravity, and made the head look out of proportion.  Now poofy hair, I’m all for it!
5. Those dreadful pants with writing on the back – stuff like “Hot” or “Wow” printed on the backside.  Let the lewd comments begin.  Reminds me of a joke…”A girl is walking by with ‘Guess’ on her t-shirt.  The man passed by and said “Thyroid problem?”  Having writing or a question on any item of clothing is just Asking for trouble!
6. Bellbottoms. Whatever possessed  people to wear them?  The shape was odd, often they came in really ghastly colors, and most of the time, it looked so terribly tacky!  Plus didn’t the bellbottoms get caught in your heels, sofa bottoms, and the brakes in your car?  They say that fashion comes full circle, so my fear is bell bottoms are coming back, since we are now on skinny jeans!
7. Tattoos – 2 words.  Please don’t.  And while it may look great now, it will Not when you are over 50.  Or over 40 for that matter. Actually, I don’t think it EVER looks great!    And do NOT even get me started of the “tramp stamp”!  I mean, Really?!
8. Crocs – they’re still around, but why? They look really unattractive, rather like a “blob of rubber” stuck on your feet.   Though I do realize that those in the medical profession wear them because they are comfortable.  But please don’t wear them with a skirt, or out to dinner.  Or perusing the streets of Fisherman’s Wharf or Michigan Avenue!
9. Low-rise jeans -  Seriously, don’t let your hips and backside hang out.  Seems everyone is sporting their “plumbers crack”.  Not a good look…even if you have the body to pull it off.    And if you have jeans that you absolutely Love, and are too low, you can wear a long cami, underneath your shirt, to cover any skin that may show.  And please add Acid-washed jeans this list.
10. Leisure Suits – Ugh!  That’s all I can say.  My goodness…and the colors they came in. Again, it’s a walking Saturday Night Live skit.  Oh yeah, I wasn’t supposed to elaborate.
11. And Lastly, another terrible fashion fad – harem pants. What was wrong with them? Too many pleats, too low-waisted, and they just didn’t look good! Totally the wrong thing to wear to college or let alone to an office.  And I’m Not naming names! MC Hammer!  Barbara Eden is the only person who should ever wear these pants!

And Lastly, sadly, I believe poor Greg Olsen will be a fashion victim wearing a Carolina Panthers jersey…what were the Bears thinking?!  I am Not happy with that move!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

T.

This picture is in no way supposed to be a Fashion Victim…I love it, actually.

Related Posts:

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/dont-buy-it-if-you-dont-love-it/

Jay Cutler needs a Life Coach

Since this week commenced the arrival of my Bears season tickets (though we still don’t know if there will be an NFL season) I thought I would make a few comments regarding our “illustrious” QB.

I have spent way too much time defending Jay Cutler…and quite frankly, I’ve never met the man.  I think he’s a good quarterback.  Make that a great quarterback.  And based on this magazine cover, he is, indeed, Stylish!  But does he have a bubbly personality, that can win over the masses, I think not.  Does he have the smile, and charm of Walter Payton?  Nope.  Does he have the outward  passion of Brian Urlacher?  Don’t think so.  But, I think he plays with his heart, and his head…but, to the city of Chicago, he hasn’t won them over…yet.  Of course we want a winning season, and that’s what is most important (again, if there will even Be a season this year, but we are close)…but I truly believe Jay Cutler would be a whole lot happier, and a lot better quarterback if he played in a city that was able to embrace him, and he in turn would embrace the greatest city in the world.

So, my suggestion, is he needs a Life Coach.  Actually, I think  most professional athletes need a life coach, financial planner, and a minister, or priest, and their Mothers  to keep them on the straight and narrow.  I’m tired of the  immoral, unruly behavior by these new mega-millionaires…But let’s concentrate on Jay for now.  And as my friend Cinda says, and I get my best material from her, “If you are gonna be somebody’s Life Coach, you’d best have your own life in order”!  For the record, I didn’t indicate I should be his life coach, I just said he needs one.   Though I am quite certain that Cinda was offering me up for the job.

A Life coach would tell him he needs to develop a personality.  Think Jim McMahon!  That Punky QB was chock-full of personality.  He not only played with Heart…but Showed Heart.  The city of Chicago loved him.  The city of Chicago could love Jay Cutler…but Mr. Cutler needs to give the city a reason to.  He doesn’t have to win a Superbowl to get our fair city to embrace him.  He needs to show us he has a personality, and cares about us.  If he does that, We will also care about him.

In press conferences he needs to lose the arrogant attitude.  He needs to smile more (and not only for magazine covers).  He needs to embrace and cheer his team while on the sidelines (no need to bring up that game again).  He needs to show his personality on TV and in newspaper interviews, not just when he mugs for Magazine covers.    He needs to act as a gentleman, and a role model to his young fans (and not so young fans).  And yes, he is indeed a role model, so he needs to act like one.

Easy.  And not easier said then done.  He can do this!  We’ve seen him smile, it just doesn’t happen that often.  Someone…and I am recommending a Life Coach, needs to sit that young man down and explain his behavior, and lack of personality has had a negative effect on the way  the city of Chicago views him.  Chicagoans are the greatest people in the world.  We want to love our quarterback.  I mean, we still love the Cubs!  I rest my case.

Come on Jay…make the call.  Huddle with your advisors, and make a change.    The city of Chicago would just Love to Love you!

xoxo,

T.

p.s.  Go Bears!

What the Cobbler, aka Shoemaker, can do for You!

A Cobbler, is “a shoemaker who repairs shoes, rather than manufacturing them”

A great shoemaker is as important as a great tailor.  The right cobbler can help make those really fabulous, yet heinously uncomfortable shoes, wearable enough to allow you to dance the night away!

Here is what a good shoemaker can do for you and your feet:

1.  Stretch – Of course none of us wish to buy shoes that are too tight, but if you end up with a pair that is , indeed too tight, you can get them stretched at a shoemaker.  The key is to have them stretched for at least 24-hours.  If they are stretched for less, they will go back to the original size.

2.  Add rubber soles - thin, leather-soled shoes , are not only incredibly uncomfortable, but they can wear through very quickly.  By adding a half sole (from the arch up to the toes), it will extend the life span and make your feet feel more comfortable.

3.  Change Heels - you can immediately change the look of a pair of shoes, replacing the heel…you can replace a skinny heel, with a sturdy, chunky heel.  You can also replace worn or broken heels.  I have 3 pairs of my favorite boots, which have had worn heels, and I have had them each replaced for less than $20 each.  Sure beats paying $200+ for an entire new pair of boots or shoes!  (Note to file…when replacing heels, best have both replaced, so heels are even).

4.  Add padding - to upgrade a shoe’s foot bed, you can upgrade and add a cushioned in sole or pad at the heel to prevent slipping. 

5.  Take boots in (and out) – you can add a 1/2″ in or out on a boot, so the boot hugs the calf as it was meant to.  My favorite pair of boots stretched, and kept falling a few inches down (not the look I was going for), so I went to my cobbler, and he repaired them, and they stay upright!

And how do you find the right shoemaker?  Ask around.  Ask your friends for referrals.  It’s great to go to one in your own neighborhood, but if you have to drive 30 minutes to find a great cobbler, it’s a terrific investment.

I wore a pair of totally fabulous high-heel, 4-inch patent-leather, peep toe pumps to a “gala” at Navy Pier…by the end of the evening, not only were my “dogs barking”…but my eyes were tearing… I was in horrific pain! Of course,  I knew better, but opted for fashion over function, which is how I roll…and since I knew I knew what I was getting into, I had no business complaining.  I should have remembered my mantra:

Happy Feet make for a Happy Life!

Oh Happy Day!  Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today!  Happy shopping!!

xoxo,

T.

A Cape and a Tiara…

It’s Friday, and I have received many emails and texts asking where my Friday blog is.  Today is just not a good day to post my little blog.  So, in lieu of a blog, I shall share my new favorite quote, given to me on a set of cocktail napkins from my dear friend, Kim:

I am fairly certain that given a Cape and a nice Tiara, I could save the world.

I may not be able to save the world, but I shall have fun trying.  Make the most of everyday.  Life is short.

xoxo,

T.

I do Pity Freddie…

But am appreciative of the nuggets of wisdom that popped to my mind after I read the story of Freddie, Mrs. Bourne and Heidi.  Surprisingly enough, you can always find  reminders of life lessons in all walks of life.  They don’t have to be something that has affected you, per se, but something you heard on the news, or read on the internet…and this can even be something that you have found Hysterically Funny, yet Tragic, all at the same time.  If you are scratching your head as to what I’m actually blogging about…it’s this little email that was sent from Carolyn Bourne, future mother-in-law to bride-to-be , Heidi Withers, in response to what Mrs. Bourne felt were poor manners exhibited by Ms. Withers.  In short…Mrs. Bourne thought Heidi was rude, inconsiderate, planning a wedding above her means (or her parent’s means), and dare I say, “boasting” about her condition of diabetes.  Talk  about poor manners!  And I’m speaking of the mother-in-law.  

This is the email that Mrs. Bourne sent: (I’ve highlighted the parts that I find the Most entertaining)…I do not have to do much commentary, as this email speaks a thousand words (or insults, as the case may be).

It is high time someone explained to you about good manners. Yours are obvious by their absence and I feel sorry for you.Unfortunately for Freddie, he has fallen in love with you and Freddie being Freddie, I gather it is not easy to reason with him or yet encourage him to consider how he might be able to help you.

It may just be possible to get through to you though. I do hope so.

Your behaviour on your visit to Devon during April was staggering in its uncouthness and lack of grace.

Unfortunately, this was not the first example of bad manners I have experienced from you.

If you want to be accepted by the wider Bourne family I suggest you take some guidance from experts with utmost haste.

There are plenty of finishing schools around. You would be an ideal candidate for the Ladette to Lady television series.

Please, for your own good, for Freddie’s sake and for your future involvement with the Bourne family, do something as soon as possible.

Here are a few examples of your lack of manners:

When you are a guest in another’s house, you do not declare what you will and will not eat – unless you are positively allergic to something.

You do not remark that you do not have enough food.

You do not start before everyone else.

You do not take additional helpings without being invited to by your host.

When a guest in another’s house, you do not lie in bed until late morning in households that rise early – you fall in line with house norms.

You should never ever insult the family you are about to join at any time and most definitely not in public. I gather you passed this off as a joke but the reaction in the pub was one of shock, not laughter.

I have no idea whether you wrote to thank [your future sister-in-law] for the weekend but you should have hand-written a card to her.

You should have hand-written a card to me. You have never written to thank me when you have stayed at Houndspool.

[Your future sister-in-law] has quite the most exquisite manners of anyone I have ever come across. You would do well to follow her example.

You regularly draw attention to yourself. Perhaps you should ask yourself why.

It is tragic that you have diabetes. However, you aren’t the only young person in the world who is a diabetic.

I know quite a few young people who have this condition, one of whom is getting married in June. I have never heard her discuss her condition.

She quietly gets on with it. She doesn’t like being diabetic. Who would? You do not need to regale everyone with the details of your condition or use it as an excuse to draw attention to yourself. It is vulgar.

As a diabetic of long standing you must be acutely aware of the need to prepare yourself for extraordinary eventualities, the walk to Mothecombe beach being an example.

You are experienced enough to have prepared yourself appropriately.

No-one gets married in a castle unless they own it. It is brash, celebrity style behaviour.

I understand your parents are unable to contribute very much towards the cost of your wedding. (There is nothing wrong with that except that convention is such that one might presume they would have saved over the years for their daughters’ marriages.)

If this is the case, it would be most ladylike and gracious to lower your sights and have a modest wedding as befits both your incomes.

One could be accused of thinking that Heidi Withers must be patting herself on the back for having caught a most eligible young man. I pity Freddie.

  

Where does one begin to comment on this email?  Now the most obvious would be to say “I also pity Freddie”…but for other reasons.  I’m pretty sure that line will also become viral, so I’ll just assume that will be a given.  Plus, I’ve bought the copyrights to” I Pity Freddie” T-Shirts (kidding, but not a half bad idea).   I truly could have a field day commenting on every portion of this email, and I have to say, if Heidi did, indeed, do all the things she’s being accused of, Mrs. Bourne has a point.  But, to put it in an email, showed poor form…and in turn, it also was highly inappropriate for Heidi to send it to her friends, who helped make this go Viral.  Big time.  The castle comment, I have to admit, is Hilarious.  (And here I thought I was living high off the hog getting married in the penthouse ballroom of the hotel in which I worked).  The comment that the parent’s should have been saving all their lives for their daughter’s wedding is delusional…Yet…her comment about having a wedding within your means is Right on!  And the piece de resistance, I pity Freddie…is going to become the next, “nobody puts baby in the corner”.  Yeah, I think I’m gonna have to do those t-shirts!

Here is a picture of Heidi and Freddie…clearly in happier times:

And in happier times (or perhaps not), Mrs. Bourne:

All this being said, what I feel rings true in this story, is the fact that Anything you put in writing, be it a text, email, or letter…can be forwarded without your knowledge or consent.  I’m sure Mrs. Bourne would never have put this in writing, had she realized she was going to become the next Imelda Marcos of late-night humor and blogger fodder.  One of my All-Time favorite people and former boss, Dave (will not use his last name, so when he Googles his name, this little blog doesn’t appear), once told me, and it’s one the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received, “Don’t do or put in writing,  anything that you do Not want splashed over the front pages of a newspaper”.    And I believe Mrs. Bourne wishes she had received that advice from Dave, when I did in 1999.

Life is short.  Make good choices.

xoxo,

T.

The 3-Bling Rule

 

And another blog stemming from our new bible, “How not to look old”.  Today’s topic:  The Three-Bling Rule! 

 

Whatever does that mean?  Well…it means when going out for the evening, adhere to the Three-Bling Rule”.  Which, in a nutshell means…Don’t over-bling your bling. If you wear all your jewels at once, you look desperate.    Too much bling, especially matching earrings, bracelet, and necklace sets, can scream,  ”Look at me.  I am not young and hip…and quite possibly, ‘I  think I’m Queen Elizabeth’.”   No need for that.  Mix things up, or go with nothing at all (Jewelry, not clothing).  If you are driving the vehicle above, go with No bling…because how could you compete with that Mercedes Bling?  I mean, Really!  And your tiara?  Not part of this 3-bling rule…no rules there.  If you have a tiara, wear it and wear it proudly.

 

Like many women, I get giddy when I think of jewelry (and shoes and handbags and chardonnay).  I rarely go out of the house without a watch and earrings.  It’s what I do and who I am.  When I go out at night, I do tend to “bling it up”.  The 3-bling rule is a great reminder that less is more.  There are many fashion experts that say when going out at night, take off 1 piece of jewelry, and then you will be accessorized just perfectly.

 

 

According to our new bible, essentially, you’ll get the most dramatic effect from your look by limiting yourself to three bling points.   Some examples from the book:

• Sparkly dress (2 bling points) + earrings (1 bling) – necklace = 3 bling points
• Black dress (0 bling) + bold necklace (1 bling) + cocktail ring (1 bling) + shoes or bag (1 bling) – big earrings = 3 bling points
• Dramatic updo (1 bling) + drop earrings (1 bling) + bracelet or ring(1 bling) – necklace = 3 bling points
• Jeweled cuff bracelet (1 bling) + shimmery metallic sandals (1 bling) + bold red lipstick  (1 bling) – watch = 3 bling points

Remember not to use all your bling points in the same vicinity. Location matters (just like in real estate). If you are wearing a big cocktail ring, wear a smaller bracelet.  Wearing  large chandelier earrings?   Don’t wear a large necklace.  (Heavy earrings that make your earlobes sag are Not Cool.  When purchasing large earrings, make sure they are light and don’t make your earlobes sag).  If you have a sparkly dress, limit the amount of bling.  If you are sporting the world’s most Fabulous shoes (shown above), make sure the dress is simple without too much bling.  Same goes for the Stunning Judith Leiber holiday clutch.  The shoes or clutch  becomes the focus.  Don’t have your jewelry clash with them.  If you choose to dazzle the world with fancy hair, then go more simple with the make-up.  Everything in moderation.

Some examples of the 3-Bling Rule:

And for the men…all I have to say, is please Avoid…at All Costs…the Bling- Bling Pinky Ring!

Don’t have your own bling?  Like Bag Borrow or Steal and other luxury rental sites, Borrowed Bling allows you to rent red-carpet-worthy jewelry at a nominal charge.   www.borrowedbling.com

TIP:  When going out for a big, important event…have a “dress rehearsal” and have a friend take some photo’s in your evening attire, complete with hair, make and accessories.  This way you can see what the rest of the world sees, and become your own fashion and beauty editor. 

“Diamonds are forever…jewelry is not”.  Upgrade and update your jewelry…while I have many vintage pieces I wear from my mother or grandmother, and even some bought at a flea market, old jewelry can be just that…old jewelry. 

And if you just don’t want to bling out when going out?  Make sure your personality sparkles…and that’s all the bling you will need!

xoxo,

T.

And Audrey Hepburn is Perfection… WWAD?  When in doubt, ask?…What would Audrey Do?

Related articles

• How Not to Look Old…for the Men! (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)
• http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/what-about-a-tiara/