Dressing Room Chaos
When my oldest daughter, Cassie (age 11), moved into junior sizes around Christmas time last year, I remember being appalled by the condition of the fitting rooms we encountered: empty hangers, clothes on the floor, cluttered benches. I assumed it was because of the hectic Christmas shopping season at the mall.
I was wrong.
In the six months since, I’ve discovered that a tidy fitting room used by pre-teen and teenage girls does not exist in the Tri-State area. I can only image what these girls’ bedrooms and bathrooms must be like if this is how they clean up after themselves in public.
As Cassie tried on clothes the other night, I watched as one young thing with an engagement ring peeked into a messy dressing room, asked if I was using it, and then shuttered herself inside to try on a dress. When she was done, she simply left the dress on the floor where she’d stepped out of it and went back to shopping. Unbelievable! I guess her guy’s not marrying her for her housekeeping skills –
So what’s my point? Always leave your fitting rooms clean for the next person and teach your children to do the same. You know – “Do unto others” and all that. It used to be called ‘common courtesy,’ but obviously, it’s not all that common anymore.
Popularity: 15% [?]
Our Longwood Gardens Outing
Okay, this isn’t exactly fashion-related, although heaven knows PLENTY of designers get inspiration from flowers. This was a fun outing my husband Robert and I had at Longwood Gardens recently that I think you might enjoy.
Background
Longwood Gardens, like Winterthur and Nemours Mansion, are palatial estates that were once owned by members of the Du Pont family. The Du Ponts were minor French nobility who fled France during the French Revolution and came to the United States in 1799.
In 1802, 31 year old Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours, a chemist by training, started the E.I. du Pont de Nemours Company at the Eleutherian Gunpowder Mill on the Brandywine Creek just north of Wilmington, Delaware. Given the poor quality of gunpowder available in the States at that time, E.I. recognized the market opportunity and seized upon it, creating some of the best grade gunpowder available. His business and reputation grew quickly. Within two years, both the American Military and the John Jacob Astor American Fur Company were using Du Pont gunpowder. The company later expanded into other explosives, including dynamite and smokeless powders.
By the early 1900’s, the Du Pont family was VERY rich, and as was popular among the industrial barons of the time, they began erecting magnificent estates around the Wilmington, Delaware area. Longwood became known for its gardens, Winterthur for its museum-quality collections, and Nemours for its artwork, tapestries, and cars. Meanwhile, down south in Virginia, William du Pont purchased and renovated President James Madison’s home, Montpelier, which became legendary for its horses. Actor Christopher Reeve was severely injured participating in a Montpelier horse show.
| Around the same time E.I. du Pont’s great-grandsons were building their magnificent homes in the early 1900’s, they started buying up small chemical companies and expanding into other areas. They established the first industrial labs in the United States, looking for new uses for plant fibers, lacquers, and other non-explosive materials. Nylon, Neoprene, Lucite, Teflon, Dacron, Lycra, Tyvek – and more – were all developed in DuPont labs. Today, the DuPont corporation stretches across the globe and its company slogan is, “The miracle of science.” |
Did You Know? The DuPont Labs invented nylon stockings and introduced them at the 1939 World’s Fair. They were an instant hit. But they quickly became a war casualty in the 1940’s when the U.S. Military commandered all DuPont’s nylon — for parachutes. |
Longwood Gardens
Located near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens was purchased by Pierre du Pont in 1906 as his “weekend retreat.” Between his keen interest in gardening and his very deep pockets, he transformed the former Pierce family estate into a magnificent venue that has been enjoyed by visitors for over a hundred years. Longwood has a master gardening program and hosts over 400 events a year, including business retreats, jazz concerts, and weddings.
Here’s a peek at the grounds:
The House
Flower Gardens
The Gazebo
The Topiary Garden
The Conservatory, where the orchid show was.
It overlooks an expansive lawn where
they have outdoor concerts and weddings
The Orangery, one of 11 indoor gardens in the conservatory
Above photos courtesy of LongwoodGardens.org
Our Visit
Robert has long been interested in gardening and was a member of the Houston Orchid Society when we lived in Houston in the early 90’s. The orchid show at Longwood was hosted by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society and was attended by people all over the world, given all the accents and languages we heard. Some of the plant growers selling orchids in the sale tents were from as far away as Maui, Bogotá, and Caracas.
Here are some of the shots I took as we strolled through the show in the Conservatory:
Robert bought some of the orange spikey kind
(you can tell I’m not the gardener here!)
Up close, each bloom looks like a bird taking flight. Very cool!
My hubby enjoying some rare time off doing something he loves
Not bad for a little camera phone, eh?
So – when was the last time you had an outing like this? If you can’t remember, then it’s been too long. Go! Live! Isn’t that why you work so hard?
Popularity: 6% [?]
Jason Wu Gets Hits
Jason Wu, the 20-something fashion designer who designed Michelle Obama’s white, one-shouldered inaugural night evening gown, nearly crashed his server on Wednesday as his website was inundated with visitors: 4 million, to be exact. That’s about the same number of visitors Amazon and eBay combined get every day.
You can visit Jason’s site here:
Just thought you’d like to know…
Popularity: 8% [?]
More Retailing Job Woes
If you’re wondering what caused the Dow to drop yesterday, look no further than the December retail reports. Holiday 2008 was one of the worst in decades, in spite of all the sales leading up to and following the Christmas holiday. Now, the pink slips are flying.
Neiman Marcus announced 375 job cuts across all its divisions, including both its Neiman’s and Bergdorf Goodman stores. Half the cuts will be in the cosmetics department. A number of specialty boutiques are closing in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Palm Beach, and Goody’s Department Stores just filed Chapter 11. Sad news all around.
The one bright spot? Washington, D.C. Hotels, restaurants, and clothing stores are bracing for the onslaught of visitors for the Obama Inauguration…
Popularity: 7% [?]
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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Recipe for “Warshing” Clothes
Okay – I don’t usually post stuff like this, but my aunt sent this by email and it made me chuckle. Remember that old chore list:
Monday: Wash Day
Tuesday: Ironing Day
Wednesday: Mending Day
Thursday: Market Day
Friday: Cleaning Day
Saturday: Baking Day
Sunday: Day of Rest
With few exceptions, it was the “to do” list of housewives everywhere for more than a hundred years. It was so common, in fact, that there were day-of-the-week dish towels available to remind women of which chore they were supposed to do when.
When you think back to the appliance technology available at the time, it’s easy to see why tasks took all day.
Here’s a wash day “recipe” that an Alabama grandmother gave to a new bride, found in a scrapbook (spelling errors and all):
Warshing Clothes
Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.
Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don’t boil just wrench* and starch.
Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.
Hang old rags on fence.
Spread tea towels on grass.
Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
Turn tubs upside down.
Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.
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Paste this over your washer and dryer. Next time you think how awful it is to have to do laundry, re-read and be glad you don’t have to do the old-fashioned way…
*Wrench – Southern word for “rinse”
Popularity: 7% [?]
Fashion Winners and Losers
I’ve just been reading the dire retailing reports from the fashion trade as they look back on 2008. What had started as a promising year with luxury launches, impressive profits, and ubiquitous celebrity lines has fizzled into store closures, bankruptcies, and layoffs. How fickle is fashion!
But it’s not all bad news. As people tighten their spending and stop splurging, winners and losers have quickly emerged. Here’s who’s hurting and who’s not:
Losers
High end designer apparel
Fine jewelry
Designer cosmetics
Luxury perfume
Discount designer
Winners
Luxury accessories
Children’s designer clothing
Premium denim
Contemporary
Young Designer
It’s interesting. People who used to buy all high end are “making do” with status bags and shoes. Those who usually shop discount designer (Mervyn’s, Marshalls) have pretty much stopped buying. So high end and low end are hurting these days.
Who isn’t? Mid-level brands and products. Yes, things are tight all over and will be for months to come, but all those Macy’s types who starting “slumming it” at the Gap and other moderate range stores have kept them from collapse. What’s more, several new designers are making their mark by giving their clients that one-of-a-kind designer look at newcomer, budget-friendly prices. It will be interesting to see who’s still standing once the economy turns around…
Happy New Year!
Popularity: 5% [?]
Your Best Bets for Fall 2008
With stores full of merchandise, magazines full of pictures, and fashion experts touting the latest “must haves” on TV, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and confused with all the new choices each season.
Don’t.
To sort through the chaos and figure out what will work for YOU, just keep a few ground rules in mind:
1. Always shop with a list. Go through your closet to determine what you have and what you need and fill the wardrobe holes FIRST. It will help you stay in budget AND buy only what you need.
2. Stick with styles that flatter your figure; beware of silhouettes that are trendy but not flattering.
3. Limit your color palette to your most flattering tones so you can mix and match your separates and accessories for maximum wear.
4. Don’t be afraid to mix high-end with low-end. A cheap, trendy shoe will make and old classic look fresh; an expensive, classic bag will upgrade a trendy dress.
5. Spend money on classic pieces that you will wear for many seasons; go cheap on trends that will only last one year.
The good news is that many of the looks that have been popular over the last few seasons continue into fall, so you won’t need a lot to look current and fresh. Just replenish your worn staples, choose your trends wisely, and you will look “au currant” when then temperatures dip.
Here are my picks for the most eye-catching, figure-flattering looks of the season:
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Lady-Like Ruffles and Lace Are you a “girlie” girl? This trend from last spring continues into fall with an array of laces, ruffles, and other romantic embellishments. If you have the figure for it, opt for silhouettes that show off curves and emphasize the waist. But do keep it occasion-appropriate: curves on a date? Check. Ribbons and lace in the boardroom? No so much. |
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Rustic Inspired For those of you who don’t “do” ruffles, try the tweeds, plaids, and leather of the English country look. You’ll find plenty to choose from this year, from basic tees and jeans to sophisticated suits that will turn heads wherever you go. |
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Concrete Jungle The animal print look has been popular for several years and continues into fall. Warm, buttery leopard prints add heat to the cold winter months, so try a splash of it on a coat, bag, or blouse for a pur-r-rfect, of-the-moment look. |
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Modern Simplicity Prefer to keep things simple? You can’t go wrong with the minimalist look. Try classic silhouettes in high contrast colors for a polished, sophisticated style. It worked for Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy and it can probably work for you, too. |
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Metallic Glam Need to shine (literally)? Go metallic! This season designers have moved beyond silver and gold to offer lots of colors with a metallic sheen. They’re perfect for the upcoming holidays – or any time you want some extra “umph”. |
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The Great Coverup Hemlines have gone down this season – way, WAY down, to midi (calf) and maxi (ankle) lengths. Paired with colors in similar hues, they can create an eye-catching silhouette. But this one ISN’T for everyone. If you’re petite or very thin, this much fabric will only make you look smaller and thinner, so beware. |
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Warm and Cozy When it’s cold outside, you can stay warm inside with all the beautiful sweaters you’ll find this year. The cozy cardigan has undergone a feminine update, and the cowl neck returns en force this season. Just be careful of which sweater fabrics you choose. Bulky, textured fabrics will add bulk to your frame. |
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Red-Hot Mama A pop of red is just the thing to add some brightness to a drab winter day. Try some red shoes, a red handbag, a red scarf or a red coat to brighten things up and be right on trend. |
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Cute Shoes There are so many cute shoes out there this years that those with a “thing” for shoes may need to buy another shoe rack! Ballerina flats, ankle boots, high vamps – you name it – you’re sure to find something you can’t live without. Just be mindful of which styles make your feet look their best and avoid those that negatively impact your image (make your feet look big, make you look short, etc.). |
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Leg Wear After shivering through several winters with bare legs, trend setters have decided that leg wear does indeed serve a purpose. But rather than just returning to basic hosiery, they’re taking the long route via colored and textured tights. BE CAREFUL with this trend. Done right, you can use tights to create a monochromatic look or to draw attention to your gorgeous gams. Done wrong, you can visually “chop up” the body with chunks of color and make your legs look really thick or short. Choose wisely. Or, choose hosiery instead. |
So those are my top picks of the season. If your budget’s really tight this year, I’d recommend stocking up on the basics you wear again and again (turtlenecks, jeans, dark pants, a good coat) and buying only one or two trendy pieces. If you have a little more leeway, replenish your staples and also grab a great handbag and leather coat. Whatever your budget, DON’T spend a lot on trends – you just can’t get your money’s worth before they go out of style.
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Need more help in conquering your closet so you can finally build a wardrobe that works? Download a copy of WARDROBE MAGIC to see how easy looking pulled together can be. |
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Popularity: 13% [?]
Top Indicators of Your Social Class
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:
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Occupation
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Education
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Income
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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.
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Want to increase your own class quotient by nailing the dress code for every occasion? Download a copy of OCCASION MAGIC, to see how easy dressing appropriately can be. |
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How to Choose the Right Handbag
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. |
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.
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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. |
Which shape is right for you? |
Strap Length
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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. |
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. |
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Popularity: 7% [?]
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