It is a rarity when a day goes by and I don’t walk up to a total stranger to compliment them on their clothes, or their hair, or the way they walk their sweet walk. Sometimes you just see someone and feel compelled to give them a bounce in their already rockin’ step. So, how do they do it? What goes into their decisions every morning when they wake up? And, more importantly, how can you be one of those people? It is easy for someone with funds to walk into a store, and ask for the salesman on commission to dress them in “their latest.” I rarely compliment people whose clothes don’t take skill, only a credit card. So how really do you dress well?
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Art of Dressing Well: From Degas to DSW
Friday, November 6, 2009
Dressing for the Sexes: Do You Dress for Him or Her?
Right now I’m sitting at a Panera. There is a crowd of four women having lunch. Two have Burberry check totes, one has a quilted Kate Spade, and one has a Prada hobo. All have variations of cardigans, button-downs, and straight leg khakis. Two are wearing low heels, two are wearing flats. Jewelry is pretty minimal: diamond studs and wedding rings. I would say all take care of themselves, are “well dressed,” and seem to have some sort of handle on fashion. Next to me there is a blond girl, 20-something and I would venture a guess to say that she might work in the mall...perhaps at Bebe. She has on destroyed (and I mean completely shredded) skinny jeans, very high heels, and a black leather jacket with studs at the sleeves and around the collar that seem to accentuate her (artificial?) bustline. Her hair is down in a blond hot-mess and her black eyeliner is reminiscent of mine…on Halloween. Now, most people would say that it is clear that the women who are most obviously lunching (please excuse my stereotyping) dress for eachother. They most certainly didn’t wake up and think that a button-down and cardigan would make their husband late for work…again (or at least I hope not). I would also venture to guess that the girl next to me might have woken up today and thought that she was going to dress for a man. Tight jeans. Super high heels. Blond hair. Lots of eyeliner. Yet I’m looking around at all the men here and none of them have actually looked her way. Some might have glanced and thought the shredded jeans looked a little ridiculous (as did I), but other than that, nothing. So where are they looking? If the men aren’t checking out the women who obviously didn’t dress for them (the lunching ladies), and aren’t even checking out the one who is stereotypically oozing sex (the Bebe girl)—where are they looking?
Then I see her. Red wavy hair that is loosely pulled back in a low pony-tail, simple green top tucked into a full printed skirt, brown heels, and a great brown bag. I can’t name any of the brands she’s wearing (skirt maybe Ann Taylor 2 years ago…but not sure). She isn’t stick thin, probably an 8 or 10, and isn’t super tall. But she is smiling. Her conversations are animated and when she gets up to get an iced tea refill about 6 pairs of eyes follow her every step. So here it is. My guess is this woman didn’t wake up to try and impress her friends, or her boss, or even her significant other. She woke up and decided to dress for herself. She put on something that she feels comfortable in, that fits her body and looks great with who she is. And that’s the key. Don’t dress for her, don’t dress even for him, dress for yourself. Needless to say, I’m pretty sure she might have been the one running late to work today.
xoxo
Carrie
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Height of the Matter: Why Heels are ALWAYS a Good Idea
Recently I was on the phone with my mom…she is a beautiful 50 something who was lamenting the fact that her feet have finally rebelled—and after 40+ years her days of wearing heels are over. You might find this ridiculous, but I actually sympathized with her and silently begrudged the day that it will happen to me. The only thing I can do is hope that it doesn’t. It will, I’m sure. Women sometimes have differing opinions on heels, some like stilettos, others like wedges, some espadrilles, some kitten heels—but one thing we can ALL agree on: they are always a good idea. Why, you ask? Simple. You wake up…laundry hasn’t been done for weeks, slim pickins on the clean jeans and cute tops. You settle on a long belted cardigan and the cleanest pair of jeans you got. You lace on some Chuck Taylors. Look in the mirror. Hmm. Something isn’t right. You swore your legs were skinnier, your butt perkier, your back straighter. And for some reason the smile just isn’t coming. This is where your eye catches the heels halfway hidden under your bed. Huh. Maybe?…and that’s that. You get rid of the Chuck Taylors and slide into the heels. Yes, in 5 hours your feet may be screaming for escape…but right now, your legs look amazing, your butt is thanking you, and that smile once lost is creeping its way back onto your face. Now you are ready to begin your day.
So, when it comes to heels, what should every woman have? Definitely the classics: a brown pair, a black pair (in leather and suede)—a fancy pair (ie: black satin, something that looks great with cocktail dresses or under long gowns), and a "showstopper." The showstopper is a pair of heels that is so unnecessary that by anyone else’s standard would be wasted money: but this pair is money. It’s the pair you put on and immediately sigh. You love it. It may be crazy, 6 inches tall and strappy—or perhaps it’s just red. But these are the shoes that you strut around in to prepare for a hot night out on the town-whether you are actually going to wear them or not doesn’t matter, it’s the way they make you feel. Ok. So these classics you spend money on. They are made of quality leather and are in timeless styles (except for maybe the showstopper). These go on the credit card. All other heels are for the checking account. These are the ones you get at DSW on sale—the trendier, the less practical: the pairs that match only one outfit in your closet, or the heels you wear stumbling down streets late at night. Remember to take care of the classics--they will pay for themselves over and over--they others may not.
Finally, the matter of height. I am tall.Very tall. I wear heels. Lots and lots of heels. My height doesn’t keep me from heels, never has, never will. This is something that drives me nuts about my taller friends—them not wearing heels. Ladies, a man has a relationship with you, not your height. Remember this. Please. And any man that doesn’t like you for your height, or is intimidated by it…is he really someone you want to be with? A man that doesn’t want you wearing heels, this is grounds for a breakup. Which is fine, because when you’re walking away—you better bet he’ll be checking you out as you leave.
xoxo
Carrie
www.piperlime.com: member of the GAP family of brands, great place to check out lots of different types, styles, colors. Makes sure to check out resident stylist Rachel Zoe’s picks!
www.zappos.com: An obvious choice, the internet’s largest shoe store. Easy to order, and—if it doesn’t work out, easy to return.
www.christianlouboutin.com: Purely for the “showstopper.” Enjoy.