When to Give Up the Daisy Dukes
Viewer warning: This is NOT for the faint of heart!
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At what age should you give up the short shorts? If you’re in excellent physical shape with no cellulite or excess weight, I’d say the very latest you can get away with wearing these is late 20’s. Age 30 is the absolute limit. This is a young woman’s style – just like pinafores are for girls – and trying to push the limit with them will make you look ridiculous. You don’t have to give up every style as you age, you just have know what’s appropriate for each decade so you can look fabulous at any age. If you’re NOT in good physical shape, don’t even bother. Styles that showcase hardbodies are absolutely merciless on softbodies. So, to recap: Youth + hard body + short shorts = hot look Age + soft body + short shorts = well, see for yourself => |
Photo courtesy of ebaumsworld.com |
Fashion victims come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. Don’t be one of them. Learn how to dress well at any age.
Popularity: 11% [?]
Give ‘Em the Slip
As I was getting ready for a function recently, pulling out the clothes and undergarments I planned to wear, my oldest daughter strolled into my room and noticed the half slip laying on the bed.
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“Why do you wear those things?” she demanded in that –uh- darling 12-year-old, know-it-all voice. “They’re so old-ladyish.” “Really?” I asked as that old tabloid picture of Lady Diana Spencer flitted through my mind, the one when she was dating Prince Charles, left home without her slip one day, and naively posed for pictures with her Kindergartners while standing in the sun. “What makes you say that?” “Because NOBODY wears those things any more except old ladies.” Old ladies?! |
Lady Diana Spencer |
That’s weird. Because the way my mother explained it to me when I was about 12, ladies (of all ages) wore slips while (common) women did not. If you didn’t want untoward attention from men or catty comments from other women, you kept your unmentionables out of sight under thin or sheer clothes by wearing a slip or camisole. It was as simple as that.
Now yes, times have changed a bit since “dinosaurs roamed the earth when I was a kid” (as my children like to say), but the polish, modesty, and comfort offered by a good slip still remains. Don’t like your bra or panties showing through your clothes, or hate wearing scratchy fabrics (like wool) against your skin? Wear a slip or a camisole. Problem solved.
If it’s been awhile since you’ve updated your slip collection – or if you’ve never owned a slip – here’s a good selection of slip staples you should have in your underwear drawer. You’ll use them more than you think.
Remember: wear flesh-colored pieces under white or light-colored clothes; wear black, navy, or brown under dark clothes. Otherwise, they’ll show through.
Types of Slips
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| Macys | Figleaves | Amazon | Chadwicks |
| Full slip – (or dress slip) wear under dresses or tops and skirts |
Half slip – wear under knee-length skirts or dresses |
Long slip—wear under evening gowns and maxi dresses |
Camisole – wear under sheer blouses and shirts; can also be worn under itchy sweaters |
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Should you always wear a slip? No. If the garment has a lining or if the fabric is relatively thick, you probably don’t need a slip. But if the fabric is thin or becomes transparent in sunlight or under bright lights, you need one. If you expect to walk a red carpet or be photographed for an event, play it safe by wearing a slip or having your garment lined; flashbulbs can have the same effect as sunlight in rendering a garment translucent. Finally, if you can’t get past the notion that slips are old-ladyish, remember that some of Hollywood’s leading ladies steamed up the screen in their slips – and you can, too. Sensible can sometimes be very sexy. |
Paul Newman and |
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| Diana Pemberton-Sikes is an image consultant and author of Wardrobe Magic, an ebook that teaches women how to dress and build a wardrobe they’ll actually wear. If you’d like to receive regular fashion tips from Diana, be sure to sign up for her FREE ezine, the Clothing Chronicles. |  |
Popularity: 7% [?]
Green Fashion Basics
With all the press about “going green,” it was only a matter of time before the term was applied to the fashion industry. But for many, it’s an oxymoron – how can you possibly apply the term “sustainable” to something that changes every season?
It’s a good question.
After all, fashion has a long, l-o-n-g history of frequently changing, dating back to Louis XIV, who changed men’s jacket styles 68 times in his 72-year reign (the longest in European history, by the way, starting when he became king at age 5).
Then there was Napoleon, who, in an effort to revive the battered French economy after the Revolution, mandated that no one could come to court wearing the same thing twice. It jump-started the country’s finances and re-established France as the world fashion leader.
Finally, Charles Frederick Worth, the “Father of Haute Couture,” established the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in 1868 to protect his work from knock off artists and to set guidelines for the couture industry. Among them: produce new collections twice a year for spring and fall.
So after nearly 300 of years of “out with the old, in with the new” in fashion — 140 of which by command of the couture industry – how can we possibly “go green,” you might ask?
Actually, it’s easier than you think.
Let’s take a closer look at what “green fashion” means:
1. Clothes made from natural fabrics like organic cotton and hemp require less manufacturing time and energy than man-made fabrics like nylon and polyester. Less production time = less harmful emissions.
2. Clothes that can be washed in cold water and lined dried cut down on greenhouse gases as opposed to clothes that are washed in warm water and thrown in the dryer. Green advocates recommend only using a dryer for emergencies.
3. Wearing a few pieces many ways extends the usefulness of the garment, cutting down on the need for more clothes that are worn less often.
4. Like locally grown vegetables, buying locally made clothing and accessories helps the local economy and cuts down on emissions produced through transporting goods long-distance.
5. Clothes made by reputable companies instead of by “sweat shops” show respect for human welfare and quality of life.
6. Clothes that are recycled by vintage shops and second hand stores cut down on new production.
7. Recycling old clothes into new styles or unworn jewelry into new pieces cuts down on manufacturing.
As you look over this list, you may discover that you’re already doing some of these things – especially in this economy. Recycling and making a little do a lot are not new ideas, particularly in this column. The goal is to THINK about how you use and wear what you already have instead of automatically buying new. Then, when you do buy new, do so with an eye towards economy and multi-tasking. It’s a great way to save money and enjoy “green fashion.”
Need some help in finding ways to make a few clothing pieces do a lot? Download a copy of WARDROBE MAGIC to see how easy dressing well can be.
Popularity: 6% [?]
Jump Start Your New Year’s Resolutions
Planning to start 2009 off right by quitting smoking, losing weight, or getting out of debt? So are millions of others! But rather than just “think about it” or do something “some” day, get the tools to do it right NOW. Invest in YOURSELF and make 2009 THE YEAR to make change happen!Here are some resources that can help: The 10 Ten New Year’s Resolutions Happy New Year! |
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Popularity: 8% [?]
Fashion Advice from Yesterday and Today
I saw a story on Style.com yesterday that made me laugh out loud. It compares fashion advice from two new books coming out (by “Spice Girl” Victoria Beckham and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe) to fashion advice given in a 1959 book about the art of being a well-dressed wife (by 1950’s fashion designer Anne Fogarty). I haven’t read any of the books, but after howling through parts of this article, I may track them down. Perhaps you’ll enjoy the fashion advice as much as I did.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Replace or Repair?
Have a few favorite wardrobe pieces you’ve worn so much, they’re nearly worn out? You’re not alone. When I see people walking around with worn heels, frayed straps, and threadbare cuffs, I know I’m seeing pieces that have performed faithful service.
But as comfortable as those old standbys are, they don’t last forever – even with meticulous care and cleaning. Since worn pieces suggest inattention to detail or a meager bank account – neither of which will help you climb the mountain to self-actualization — at some point you have to ask yourself, “Should I replace – or repair?”
In our disposable, throw away society, our first inclination is often to just replace. “Out with the old, in with the new,” as the saying goes. But as headlines report of mounting credit card debt, dwindling savings, and tardy mortgage payments, it’s obvious that replacing isn’t an option for everyone.
So what’s “Plan B”?
Repair.
Now some of you might think this is obvious. If you grew up with parents or grandparents who were heavily impacted by the Depression or World War II, when luxuries were few and rations were plenty, you were told repeatedly to take care of what you already had. “Waste not, want not” and “A penny saved is a penny earned” play in your head every time you face a purchase.
But for many, those hard lessons are long forgotten. They like to have the “latest and greatest” of everything, from new cars and gadgets to cocktails and clothes. They can’t get another thing in their closets, attics, garages, or basements, but the siren’s song of “new and improved” is just too tempting to ignore. So off they go on their latest quest.
Yes, everyone likes new things. But if your bank balance or retirement fund is suffering from regular spending sprees, perhaps it’s time to take a step back and make your old favorites LIKE new again instead of just replacing them.
Here are a few ways to do that:
Re-Heel or Re-Sole Your Shoes
If you’ve worn the heel or sole off your favorite shoes, take them to a cobbler and have them repaired. He can re-stitch, re-glue, re-heel, and reinforce and have those babies back on your feet in a couple of days. I still remember when one prominent socialite made the best dress list years ago, she said one of her dressing secrets was a good cobbler. He’d re-soled her favorite pair of black pumps FIVE times.
Repair or Replace Handles, Straps, and Zippers
If the handles or straps on your favorite handbag, tote, or briefcase have frayed, become unstitched, or are hanging by a thread, take them to the shoe repair shop and have them fixed. Replace the zipper or other closure, if necessary, and have the cobbler add a leather layer to the bottom of frayed bags to hide the wear and reinforce the bottom.
Patch Holes, Repair Pockets, and Replace Cuffs
If your favorite coat, jacket, pants, or whatever require minor repairs, fix them rather than replace them. Lost buttons, loose hems, and small holes can all be remedied with a needle and thread. Sewing-challenged, like me? Take them to a seamstress. She can even do more complicated stuff, like replace frayed cuffs, worn collars, broken zippers, and the like.
Do a Dye Job
Have pieces that are in good shape except for a permanent stain or faded color? Try bleaching them white or dyeing them to a new color. It doesn’t always work, depending on the fabric and the color, but sometimes it does. You may be able to salvage something.
Update and Re-Design
Have a nice calf-length skirt that would see more use if it were knee-length? Have it shortened. Hate the collar and cuffs on your old holiday favorite? Replace them with ones you like. Have an old bridesmaid’s dress that could work well as a formal or cocktail dress? Change it and wear the dress. Updating old pieces is often cheaper than buying new.
Recycle and Repurpose
| Use your imagination to transform your old favorites into something completely new and wonderful. Some of the most unique ideas I’ve seen include turning an old winter coat into a teddy bear, a leather patchwork skirt into a handbag, the ruffled train of a wedding dress into the ruffle on a bassinet, and old kimonos into new shoes. Waste not, want not indeed. |
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Replacing worn apparel and accessories can be expensive, so always try to think of ways to extend their life instead of throwing them away. Repair worn items, add new embellishments, change the design, or transform them into something else completely. Not only will you get to keep your old favorites, you’ll get to save money as well.
Or, as Gloria Steinem once observed, “Rich people plan for three generations. Poor people plan for Saturday night.”
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Want a few more ideas on how to extend your wardrobe? Download a copy of ACCESSORY MAGIC to learn how to define your style and stretch your budget with accessories. |
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Popularity: 7% [?]
The Fall 2007 Fashion Review
As the weather starts to change and all the new season catalogs land with a “thud” on your doorstep, it’s time review your closet to ensure it’s ready for the coming season.
You’ll want to maintain a good inventory of classic staples that you can mix and match, of course, but you may also want to add a few new pieces to freshen up your look. So what should you spring for?
Remember that since NO ONE looks great in EVERY style, regardless of her age, weight, or bank account, you need to think carefully about the items you choose. Opt for pieces that flatter your figure, camouflage your trouble spots, and work well with your lifestyle.
With that in mind, here are my top picks of the season:
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Menswear Want to be “one of the guys” but still look like a girl? Then tap your inner Katherine Hepburn with some of the menswear looks that are popular this season. Borrow the credibility-enhancing collars, jackets, and vests from the guys without ever letting them forget you’re a woman.
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Dresses The dress revolution that started last spring carries into fall with easy, eye-catching dresses. Dress them up with scarves or belts; dress them down with more casual accessories. But do grab a couple this season so you can still look great — even on those hectic mornings when you have trouble getting out the door.
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Wide Pants For those of us who had trouble pulling off the leggings look the first time around back in the ’80’s, here’s a figure-flattering alternative: the wide leg pant. It makes heavier thighs look longer and thinner and nicely balances wide hips. Be careful of cuffed styles, though, particularly if you have short legs. Cuffs visually shorten the leg.
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Black and White and Red All Over Black and white remains popular year after year because it’s simple and easy and always looks good. Add a little red to the mix for the cooler months and you have an eye-catching combo. Other easy looks? Try all black with a red bag, all white with a black bag, all red with a black bag, etc.
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Jewel Tones Like shiny ornaments on a Christmas tree, jewel tones and cool weather go hand-in-hand. Emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red – well, you get the idea. Want a little more luxury? Try adding some emeralds, sapphires, and rubies to your jewelry box for years and years of jewel tone style!
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Metallics Cool gray, shimmering gold, burnished bronze – if it’s metallic, it’s hot this season. You’ll find it in apparel, accessories, home furnishings and more, so if you like this look, you’ll enjoy this trend. Just be sure to stick with tones that flatter your skin tone for a flattering, luminescent look.
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Great Outerwear Great coats return this season with interesting shapes, fabrics, and colors. Pick up pieces that work for your lifestyle (casual, dressy, etc.) or fill in those holes in your outerwear wardrobe. You’ll find a nice selection of cool weather hats this year as well, and lots of gloves in varying lengths.
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Shiny Bags Shiny bags echo the metallic trend and you’ll find glossy and patent styles galore. Bags are available in all sizes, fabrics, and styles to tempt your palette, but remember that neutral colors in classic shapes offer the most versatility.
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Wide Belts Wide belts continue to be popular, and will continue to be so well into spring. They can add definition to waists or hips and finish an ensemble with a flourish. But they’re not for everyone. If you have a large waist, stomach, or bustline, stick with smaller, 1″ belts or opt for no belt at all.
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Boots Boots have been popular for several years and continue to be so this year. Wear them with dresses, skirts, and gauchos for a polished, cool-weather look. For something a bit more fashion-forward, take those ankle boots you always wear with pants and pair them with a skirt or dress. Tie the look together with textured or colored tights. |
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So those are my top picks for the season. Add a handful of pieces that compliment your body shape and lifestyle and you can look up-to-the minute whatever your age, shape, size, or budget.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Swap Clothes and Dance?
How can you be a fashionista and environmentally conscious about your clothes? Is it even possible?
Absolutely, according to a few forward-thinking Brits.
Lori Wiechec and Rachel Stewart started a clothes-swapping event called “Feather Duster” that allows people to clean out their closets, come to a London Pub, swap clothes, and then party once they’re done. They meet a couple of times a month at different places, and have generated lots of attention for their efforts. Other people have organized similar events in the area as a result.
So what’s the appeal?
“The social aspect,” says Rita Clifton, CEO of branding consultant Interbrand. “It’s [about] new communities and affinity groups, and there’s some of the same excitement as with vintage [shopping],” she said in an interview with WWD.
“Half of the appeal is the experience,” agreed Wiechec in that same interview. “One visitor said it was the best Saturday afternoon she’d ever had.”
So does this mean traditional shopping has fallen by the wayside for these people?
“It’s a tiny, tiny minority doing this,” said Clifton. “And [while they] may drive a wider trend…the vast majority want to buy new things and get excitement from that.”
She went on to say that most consumers look for more convenient ways to be environmentally conscious. “People will buy differently rather than buy less,” said Clifton. “[They'll go] to retailers who have a strong social and environmental policy.”
So…ready to do your own part for the environment and start a clothing swap event? Here’s where you can learn to “Swap ’til You Drop.”
Popularity: 6% [?]
Glasses: A New “Old School” Accessory
“Men don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.”
That was the mantra of women who for years would whip off their glasses whenever an attractive man was around.
Those days are gone. In fact, with lots of celebrities walking around in big glasses (Ashley Olsen and Eva Longoria, to name a few) and with horn-rimmed styles showing up on the runways (Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga) these days, you may be wondering what’s going on. Why the librarian look? Hasn’t anyone heard of contact lenses or Lasik surgery?
Of course. But many women (and men too) have come to realize just how versatile an accessory eyeglasses can be, according to a report in Women’s Wear Daily.
“The more modern thinking is, ‘Look, I have 40 pairs of shoes. Why shouldn’t I have at least two or three pairs of glasses?’” says Blake Kuwahara, creative director of Base Curve. In fact, some women are grabbing seven or eight pairs to change their looks, at prices starting around $200 for frames.
So should you grab a new pair of glasses? If you haven’t changed your look in a while, absolutely. Glasses, like hairstyles, tend to change quickly — which means they can also date you quickly. Even if you don’t plan on building a glasses wardrobe, investing in a new pair of specs is an easy way to change your look.
So why not follow the trend and update your frames? You can learn which styles most flatter your face shape in my accessory ebook, Accessory Magic.
–Diana
Popularity: 61% [?]
How to Take One Outfit to Multiple Functions
I received an email question today about a problem many women face: how to make one outfit go to many different activities in a day.
Here’s the question:
“I have followed all of your advice for the past few years and am very pleased with my dressing and feel good and confident always. My main need for help is simply that I often attend 5 – 6 different venues in one outing, eg. visit school, shop for groceries, fit in a swim at the beach followed by an art gallery opening or dinner. Yes I could go back home
repeatedly or take extra changes of clothes but this is quite a burden. I would appreciate some advice.” – Jovanna
Here was my response:
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So if you need to make one outfit do many different things, think “change the accessories,” not “change the clothes.”
Need some more tips on how you can use accessories to define your style and stretch your budget? Download a copy of Accessory Magic.
-Diana
Popularity: 7% [?]
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