Archive for the 'General' Category

Top Indicators of Your Social Class

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

One morning not long ago as I was minding my own business in a dressing room at Macy’s, my sensibilities were assaulted by the sounds of three high school girls trying on prom dresses. As they grunted and tugged their way into various gowns using crude language laced with expletives, they discussed THEIR body parts, their boyfriends’ body parts, thongs, acne, and birth control. Then things got really crass.

Appalled and seeking escape, I skipped trying on half the garments I’d brought with me and was just leaving the dressing room when one of them mentioned a fellow classmate and one of the others snickered, “That girl has no class.”

Please!

Look, I don’t care if it WAS Macy’s, no one will ever mistake these girls for blue bloods. Their manners and language will keep them far away from polite society, just as their cutting school to shop for formalwear without their mothers will guarantee that they’ll be inappropriately dressed come prom night. The signs are all there.

When I mentioned the episode to some of the other mothers as I picked up my son from preschool that day, it sparked an interesting debate. What, exactly, is “class” and at what income level do you “switch” classes?

If only it were that easy!

Once upon a time, it was. The old hereditary caste system divided people by rank and occupation, and typically, those with the highest incomes were also at the top of the social ladder. But times changed. Merchant princes were born. Dynasties were founded on cotton and steel. An aristocratic title was no longer a guarantee of vast wealth.

Today, the concept of class remains complicated, because money doesn’t necessarily equal class. There are lots of people with money and no class (see opening paragraphs, above), just as there are lots of people with class but no money. Not all rich people live grandly, not all poor people live modestly. It’s not just about the money.

It’s a combination of things, the four most prominent factors being:

  • Occupation

  • Education

  • Income

  • Wealth

Let’s look at these a little closer:

    Occupation - what you do for a living makes a difference. A doctor or a lawyer is perceived as being higher class than a plumber or a brick layer because one category requires brains, the other requires brawn. Whether you use your head or your hands to make a living puts you in different classes.

    Education - a good education has been an indicator of class for millennia, for only those with money could afford to hire instructors. Today, most people who complete high school are considered middle class; those who receive a college or post-graduate degree move into a higher class. A degree from a college with a long history and difficult entrance requirements, like Oxford, Harvard, or the Sorbonne, confers greater status than one with minimal entrance requirements, like the local community college.

    Income - in the United States, you’re considered to be low income if you make less than $30,000 a year, middle income if you make $30,000 to $60,000 a year, and high income if you make more than $60,000 a year. The ultra wealthy are described as those making more than $200,000 a year.

    Wealth - how you hang on to and invest that income can put you in different classes. If everything you own, including your house, jewelry, retirement fund, etc., is less than $50,000, you’re considered low class. If it’s between $50,000 and $500,000, you’re middle class, and if it’s greater than $500,000, you’re in the upper class. If you have assets of more than $50 million, you’re considered ultra-wealthy.

So what’s YOUR social class? Here’s an interesting calculator to help you scientifically determine where you sit in the grand scheme of things (click on the “Components of Class” tab and use the drop-down menus to build your profile):

http://www.theclothingchronicles.com/class.htm

So what does all of this have to do with clothing and image?

In our society, we often say that “image is everything.” I don’t believe that. I think that how you look can get you in the door, but what you know will keep you in the room. This study of class confirms it.

Regardless, there are those who will try to fake their way into anything, including those class-questionable high school girls in the dressing room. Many think that money - or the appearance thereof - should grant them access to the highest echelons of society. But as we’ve just seen from the occupation/education/income/wealth variables, it just doesn’t work that way. There’s a lot more to it than the superficial.

So how can you determine someone’s probable class if you don’t know their background? It’s easier than you think. Don’t get distracted by the flashy exteriors some people hide behind. Here are the easy-to-identify indicators of your social class:

    1. How You Speak

    “An Englishman’s way of speaking absolutely classifies him,” sang Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady.” “The moment he talks he makes some other Englishman despise him.”

    It’s true. How you speak reveals SO much about you that you can talk to someone on the phone for just a minute and accurately pinpoint his background. Accent, grammar, vocabulary - everything you need to know to tell where he’s from and how much schooling he’s had. Double negatives, letter dropping, poor grammar, and unchecked expletives indicate a lower class; proper grammar, ease of pronunciation, and a large vocabulary indicate a good education and thus, a higher class.

    2. How You Eat

    Good table etiquette, including knowing how to hold your fork and chewing with your mouth closed, is just one way you show your class at the table; another is what you consume. While each class has its own definition of “good food,” the differences are significant and a direct reflection of the food budget. The higher classes tend to favor small portions of a wide variety of high quality ingredients while the lower classes tend to opt for large portions of a handful of low quality ingredients. Hence, a distinct class difference in waistlines.

    The dining table is also one of the favorite testing grounds for potential employees and spouses, to see what they eat and how they manage their place settings. Many a promising candidate has been eliminated before dessert.

    3. How You Dress

    Clothing and accessories have been used as class indicators since ancient times, and they still are today. Modest, well-fitting, occasion-appropriate pieces in fine, natural fabrics are signs of an upper class; revealing, poor-fitting, occasion-inappropriate pieces in cheap, synthetic fabrics are signs of a lower class. In many cultures, wearing a lot of makeup or showing lots of skin (legs, arms, or cleavage), marks you as a prostitute (low-class).

    4. Your Manners

    How you treat others says a great deal about you. From simple courtesies like “please” and “thank you” to holding doors and keeping the radio volume low, when you show respect to others regardless of their position, it means that you are confident and comfortable with yourself — which is very classy. But when you’re oblivious to others or when you treat them poorly because you think you outrank them, it marks you as petty and low-class. Want to know what to expect of a potential employer, spouse, or in-law when they let their guard down? Watch how they treat waiters, doormen, and custodial personnel. It will tell you everything you need to know.

    5. Your Personal Library

    “You can tell a high-ranking man by the size of his library,” a mentor once told me, “and a low-ranking man by the size of his television.”

    Worldly people tend to read, travel, and ask questions. Unworldly people tend to sit, watch, and accept. When the small Library of Congress went up in flames at the hands of the British army in 1814, Thomas Jefferson offered part of his own library in replacement - 6,487 volumes. This from a man who taught himself seven languages, proposed a new government, quadrupled the size of the country with the Louisiana purchase, and founded the University of Virginia — in addition to his tenures as Ambassador and President. See what you can get motivated to do when you turn off the television and crack a few books?

Here in the United States, we like to think of ourselves as equals, without rank or class distinction. But while we don’t have the formal aristocratic hierarchies of other countries, we’re often quick to describe ourselves as being middle or upper class, as having class, or to condemn others for NOT having class. It’s part of our culture.

So is aspiring to greater things. It’s part of the American dream.

So who’s “the real deal” and who’s “playing” you? Go back and re-read all the indicators of social class. Watch how people move. Listen to how they speak and what they say. In a very short time, you’ll be able to discern the classy from the classless, the carefully cultivated from the haphazardly thrown together. The signs are everywhere. Just follow the clues.

Want to increase your own class quotient by nailing the dress code for every occasion? Download a copy of OCCASION MAGIC,

http://www.occasionmagic.com

to see how easy dressing appropriately can be.

Occasion Magic

 

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How to Choose the Right Handbag

Thursday, April 10th, 2008

As I was leaving church on Easter Sunday, talking to friends and seeing everyone in their Easter best, I noticed three women in quick succession who had made unfortunate handbag choices. I say unfortunate because while each handbag was beautiful, each also magnified a figure challenge on the woman who wore it. It’s an all-too-common problem.

The first woman was dressed in a lilac sweater, lilac trousers, and lilac high-heeled sandals, which was all very spring-like. Her confection-like handbag was completely embellished with pastel silk flowers, and was the focal point of her ensemble. The problem? The woman is tall - probably 5′10″ or so - and her monochromatic ensemble and heels made her look even taller. Her handbag, unfortunately, was only about the size of a paperback book - too small for someone her size. The disproportion made her look bigger and her handbag look smaller - almost child-size, in fact. What could have been an eye-catching combination looked well, sort of weird instead.

Woman number two had a similar problem. She was sporting one of the miniature hobo-style bags. She had the short-handled bag looped over her shoulder à la Jennifer Aniston - but without Jennifer’s toned arms and torso.

Hobo bag
Overstock.com

In fact this gal, who is about fifty pounds overweight — and as a classic V-frame, carries most of the extra weight in her torso — managed to make her upper body look even larger with this tiny bag. It wouldn’t have been as noticeable if she had carried the bag in her hand, but putting it on her shoulder threw everything out of proportion. The round shape of the purse also echoed the curves of her upper body.

Finally, woman number three was sporting a long-strapped shoulder bag that put the bag hip-height. Not a big deal for most people, but this gal is a petite A-frame (pear shape) with a long torso, short legs, and a few extra pounds around her hips. This style of bag further exaggerated her shape.

Now I know most women don’t think about their body shapes when they go looking for a handbag. They think about things like acceptable style, appropriate color, and whether it will hold all their stuff. While these factors are certainly important, the evaluation shouldn’t stop there.

Here are some other things to think about when buying a handbag, shoulder bag, or clutch:

Size

The size of the bag should relate to the size of your body. If you’re large or tall, you need a larger bag. If you’re small or petite, you need a smaller bag. Otherwise, a small bag will make a large woman look bigger, just as a large bag will make a small woman look smaller.

Shape

The shape of a bag should be the OPPOSITE of your own shape so as not to further emphasize it. If you’re tall or thin, opt for a bag with curves; if you’re curvy, opt for a bag with straighter lines. Otherwise, the shape of the bag will emphasize and exaggerate your own shape.

Long bag Round bog
Overstock.com

Which shape is right for you?

Strap Length

Where the bag falls against your body can have a HUGE impact on how well the bag works on you. If you’re top-heavy, opt for straps that put the bag waist-height or slightly lower. If you carry extra weight in your hips, look for straps that put the bag waist-height or slightly higher. Otherwise, putting the bag against the bulkiest part of your body will only make you look heavier. If you can’t adjust the straps of your bag, ask your favorite shoe repair shop for help in adding or cutting material.

Shoulder bag with long strap
Overstock.com

Watch that strap length

Strap Width

If you tend to carry a lot of stuff in your bag, look for straps that are wide enough to carry the load comfortably. Narrow straps will dig into your hand or shoulder; wider straps won’t. If you have back problems, stay away from shoulder bags as they’ll only exacerbate the situation.

Finally, ALWAYS “try on” a bag standing in front of a full-length mirror. This may involve traveling a bit in some stores in search of a full-length mirror, but it’s VITAL in helping you make the right decision. You’ll be able to check the proportions and the shape and see where it hits on your body.

If it doesn’t work, don’t buy it - even if it’s the hottest bag of the season and EVERYONE is wearing it. Remember, not all styles work well on all bodies, so don’t waste your money on pieces that don’t make you look your best. If you can’t find the right style, remember that there’s always next season.

Whatever you do, DON’T ignore the basics of shape and proportion, as the women I saw apparently did. The only thing worse than wasting your money is looking bad because of it. So don’t. Put your handbag through the paces BEFORE you buy it - so you can look good whatever the occasion.

Need some other tips on buying the best handbag styles for you? Download a copy of ACCESSORY MAGIC to see how easily you can use accessories to define your style and stretch your budget.

http://www.accessorymagic.com

Accessory Magic

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Popularity: 7% [?]

Is Carla Bruni-Sarkozy the Next Princess Diana?

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

Carlamania. That’s what the British press called it when Carla Bruni-Sarkozy dominated British headlines last week in her first official state visit as the First Lady of France. Accompanying her husband of less that two months, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla managed to snag most of the attention with her grace and elegant Dior wardrobe.

The endless coverage of her clothes and flat shoes (so as not to tower above her husband) was reminiscent of the late Princess of Wales, just as taking the spotlight away from her husband called to mind Jackie O’s success in France in 1961. “I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris,” John Kennedy said on that trip when the French basically ignored him in favor of his glamorous, French-speaking wife.   

Nicolas Sarkozy understands — even if he lacks President Kennedy’s self-deprecating style. “You have a curious idea of a couple,” Sarkozy snapped at a French reporter who asked him if he felt upstaged by his wife. But a week after the visit, no one in Britain remembers what the President talked about while he was there. However, they can probably tell you in rich detail about every outfit his wife wore during the visit.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrives in Great Britain
Mrs. Sarkozy arrives in Britain
for her first state visit as First Lady of France
BBC News

Still, this trip was good for the President’s ratings. After divorcing his second wife last fall and taking up with Italian Carla Bruni, a former model and singer, last December, Sarkozy saw his approval ratings collapse. Both parties have scandal-ridden pasts, and putting them together did not win fans in France. Still, the French and British press can’t bring themselves to snub Carla because she’s beautiful, well-spoken, and well-dressed. It’s such a rare combination in international politics that the media will praise her sense of style even as they recount all of her past transgressions. The day she landed in London, newspapers were running a nude picture of her taken during her modeling days in 1993. The photo is set for auction in the U.S. a little later this spring.

But there’s no denying the First Lady made an impression. After “Carlamania” broke loose, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown asked Mrs. Sarkozy to spearhead an initiative aimed at injecting more style and glamour into British national life. The program will focus on fashion and cuisine — two things Brits aren’t especially known for — and bringing savoir-faire to the people of Britain. Mrs. Sarkozy will relocate to London for three months, beginning in June, according to a Brown aide, traveling back to France as necessary to participate in State events.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy at a State dinner in London
Mrs. Sarkozy at the State Dinner
BBC News

Wow. The British calling on the French for help with style? Victoria Beckham and Naomi Campbell must be miffed. Perhaps Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, could take up the British fashion title held by their late aunt, Princess Diana. It’s a thought . . .

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Popularity: 7% [?]

Colored Trenches and Print Dresses Popular For Spring

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

The fashion industry is feeling the sting of the nervous economy, but there are at least two selling bright spots:  colored trenches and print dresses.  According to WWD.com, these spring favorites are flying out of stores, as are separates and accessories.

It makes sense.

Not only does a little color add a splash to any wardrobe, a few separates and accessories can add versatility to exisiting wardrobes and make old pieces look new and different.

If you’re looking for ways to stretch your clothing budget this season, re-visit your closet with a copy of Wardrobe Magic in hand to discover how you can make a little do a lot.

Good luck!

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Isaac Mizrahi Leaves Target for Liz Claiborne

Thursday, January 17th, 2008

Fashion designer and style personality Isaac Mizrahi will be ending his association with mass retailer Target when his contract expires at the end of this year.  He will then take the helm as creative director for Liz Claiborne Company in Spring, 2009.

The announcement comes none-to-soon for the struggling Claiborne brand, which revolutionized wardrobing for the working woman in the 1970’s but has fallen behind in recent years.  Originator Liz Claiborne passed away in June 2007.

“Liz Claiborne is an American fashion icon,” Mizrahi said in a statement on Tuesday.  “Her clothes were not only beautiful, not only smart, they were revolutionary. She invented separates, and invented an entirely new category in the department store.

“She made fashion friendly and accessible, and in doing so, she became every woman’s best friend.  These are all ideas I treasure and I’m honored to have the opportunity to build on this fantastic legacy and excited to reestablish the label as a must-have. And, as excited as I am about developing Liz Claiborne, the collaboration also affords fantastic opportunities for growth in my own brand.”

Mizrahi’s sales for Target have topped $300 million annually since he started the line in 2003.  He also designs a higher-end line under his own name for Bergdorf Goodman.  He’ll continue that association with the department store once he becomes creative director at Liz Claiborne next year.

The appointment is viewed by many in the industry as a step in the right direct for the Claiborne brand.  Will it be a hit — or a miss?  We’ll know some time next year …

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Celebrity Fashion: Writers’ Strike Hurting Fashion Industry

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

First it was the writers.  Then it spilled into the production staff.  The makeup people.  The lighting guys.  Then, with no paycheck coming in, everyone in Los Angeles stopped going out to eat and buying video games.  Mortgages and car payments have fallen behind.  Then, no Golden Globes to watch and dissect.

So now who’s the latest victim in the two-month-old writers’ strike?

The fashion industry.

Yep.  Seems those red carpet strolls by starlets wearing designer apparel and jewelry “to die for” has become such a lucrative marketing strategy for the fashion industry that many designers rely on the “I gotta have it!” mentality of the adoring public to rack up scores of award season sales.  But with no award shows, there is no red carpet.  Which means no sales.

Hopefully, the writers will come to some agreement soon.  While we could certainly do without many of the brainless offerings filling television and movie screens in recent years, there are a few gems out there that deserve to be seen and recognized.  And of course, the elegant strolls down the red carpet just add to the enjoyment.

Not to mention the fashion industry’s bottom line…

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Popularity: 8% [?]

George Clooney and Julia Roberts to Co-Chair Fashion Event

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

George Clooney and Julia Roberts will co-chair the annual Costume Institute Ball on Monday, May 5, 2008. This year’s theme is “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” and is being underwritten by fashion designer (and Clooney friend) Giorgio Armani.

“In recent years, superheroes have reemerged in the forefront of popular culture, both through the renaissance of iconic comic book characters and also through iconic living individuals who have inspired us by their achievements,” Armani said. “It therefore struck me as a thoroughly modern and original theme for the Metropolitan Museum’s next Costume Institute exhibition, which will, I feel, appeal to a broad audience. 

George Clooney and Jula Roberts
Roberts and Clooney
WireImage.com

“I am also naturally delighted that my friends Julia Roberts and George Clooney, modern-day icons in their own right, have agreed to participate as co-chairs for the gala dinner,” he continued.The show will feature about 70 ensembles, from movie costumes to couture, and will feature designs by Jean Paul Gaultier, Martin Margiela, Balenciaga, Armani, Pierre Cardin, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Rudi Gernreich, and companies Nike and Speedo.

The exhibit runs from May 7 - September 1 at the Metropolitan Museum. Want a ticket to the gala? Good luck with that 

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Neiman Marcus Fantasy Christmas Gifts

Monday, October 8th, 2007

Neiman Marcus just released their 2007 Christmas Book,  complete with His and Hers Double Portrait in Chocolate  ($110,000), a diamond-encrusted cell phone ($73,000), and a private holiday concert by the Kirov Orchestra hosted by Regis Philbin for 500 of your closest friends ($1,590,000). A bit out of your price range?  Try the Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Pop Up book ($125) commemorating their 100th anniversary.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com

Looking for something even more down-to-earth?  You’re in luck! Sears is back to publishing their Holiday Wish Book again, the first time since 1993.  You can find it online at: 

http://www.sears.com

Click on “Catalogs” and scroll down.

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Popularity: 5% [?]

Help Ralph Lauren Fight Breast Cancer

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and to help in the fight against this devastating disease, Ralph Lauren is offering their Pink Polo collection through the end of the month.  You can get a pink polo pony logo on several items, including polo shirts, t-shirts, and totes, and 100% of the proceeds go toward helping women in medically underserved communities get early diagnosis and treatment.

It’s a great way to be both stylish AND supportive:

http://www.ralphlauren.com

Click on the “Pink Pony” link.


 

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Popularity: 5% [?]

Fashion Designer Valentino to Retire After 45 Years In Business

Wednesday, September 5th, 2007

Well, it had to happen sometime.

Just weeks after celebrating his design house’s forty fifth anniversary with a lavish, multi-day party in Rome, fashion designer Valentio has announced his plans to retire.  The January couture shows will be his last.

“Last July, in Rome, I celebrated my 45th anniversary in fashion. It was a moment of infinite magic and tremendous joy, and I cannot fully express with words how deeply moved I was by the occasion,” said Valentino in a statement. “I received an outpouring of good wishes from all over the world, which brought me great satisfaction. I was very touched that friends-old and new-traveled from far reaches to be a part of the festivities. It was a moment that will be impossible to repeat. And so, at this time, I have decided that this is the perfect moment to say adieu to the world of fashion.”

Valentino went on to say, “My future will be filled with new interests and challenges. Some may be linked to fashion, as I have a strong desire to create and support institutions to promote the study of fashion design, and to preserve the history of the art of fashion. It will be a marvelous continuation of this amazing adventure that I had the privilege to have. Even as a young boy, my passion was to design, and I have been very lucky to be able to do what I have loved all my life. There can be few greater gifts than that. I am especially grateful that I have been able to keep my own style over the decades, in spite of the many changes that have taken place in the world of fashion and in its business.”

His successor, Alessandra Facchinetti, will take over the Valention’s Women’s Wear collections.  Her most recent tenure was at Gucci.

Arrivederci, Valentino!

 

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