Going to the Chapel and What Will You Wear?

Don't think you can't look just as beautiful as the bride or as handsome as the groom when you're attending a summer wedding.  You can!  Beside that, you're style can be so much more flirtatious than the white dress and black tux.  Your ability to play with cocktail wear also shows your ability to be the sensationally fun wedding guest (think Wedding Crashers gone super chic).  So when you're going to the chapel and you're not getting married, really consider what you will wear.

Here are some of my favorite wedding looks.

Eyelet Green Dress from the Limited

This dress, a beautiful necklace and some fun shoes will be great for dancing.

Elena Leather Strappy Sandal - DKNY

I thought I was over the strappy sandal until I saw these–perfect wedding wear.

John Varvatos Seersucker Suit in a super chic color

This is truly a beautiful suit for summer. Bravo, John!

Pleated Silk Chiffon Dress - 3.1 Phllip Lim

You can add a belt at the waist for a more dramatic silhouette. 

Mini Loubi Satin Clutch - Christian Louboutin

Notice the perfect detail at the clasp: mini Loubi heels!

Italian Wool Ludlow Two-button Suit from J.Crew

This look is perfect for a night wedding and afterparty!

Black & White Pieced Dress from the Limited

Try some peep-toe booties to complete this look.

Spending Wisely: The Summer Essentials

Among the many wonderful gifts I received for my birthday, I was definitely delighted with some gift cards to my favorite clothing stores.  I'm often a bargain shopper, finding a way to maximize my purchases either by price or utility, so this experience was sure to be the same.  I went for utility with this shopping spurt and gathered items on my list of summer essentials.  I didn't forget about the gentlemen either; you'll find a few must-haves in this post, as well.

WOMEN: I started with the perfect sateen shorts from White House | Black  Market, not too casual or dressy, but having the definite potential for day chic.  These shorts were paired with the perfect accessory: a black and white print sash.  A skinny belt would have been an equally exceptional choice to loop the shorts, but I'm more of a sash kind of girl. 

MEN: One of my guy friends found an excellent pair of seersucker shorts at J.Crew; they may be the only seersucker shorts I've ever really liked.  Pair these with a leather tipped web belt from Polo Ralph Lauren, and your wardrobe for the unbearable hot months is almost complete.

WOMEN: The next item I bought for myself was a not-so-nautical long cardigan in a fun summer fuchsia from Banana Republic.   Though the nautical trend is very tempting, it doesn't fit my personality, but if you'd like to give your long cardigan a more boat style, choose a neutral color, add a Breton striped tee, and you're done.

MEN: Though it may not scream runway style, I'm in love with Guayabera shirts for men.  I've seen some in blue linen without too much embroidery which are my favorite, but others with more embellishment can still be classy.  As this shirt has definitely replaced the Hawaiian print, it should be on the summer essential list for casual wear.

WOMEN: The last two items I purchased were a versatile cotton knit dress and sandals.  I desperately wanted a maxi dress, but I'm too petite for such an ambitious look.  Taller women are much more apt to pull off the maxi.  I chose a drop-waisted navy number with an embellished neckline.  I can dress it down for day (with my sandals) or dress it up with some fun heels for night.  Whichever style you choose, add a dress in a cool material to your summer wardrobe.

MEN: Lastly, for men I would recommend a comfortable slip-on with no-show socks.  Find a color and fit that you can wear on any given day, but please don't buy Crocs!  I suggest a shoe like the Bowles Slip-On from Johnston & Murphy, comfortable and stylish.

Shopping this summer doesn't have to be expensive.  Choose wisely and purchase items you can wear with many outfits.  For instance, a skinny belt can be worn with shorts or over the long cardigan.  Be creative and show your style with versatile pieces for summer.





In the pictures above:
Picture 1: Printed sash from White House Black Market
Picture 3: Long fuchsia elbow sleeve knit cardigan from Banana Republic
Picture 4: Ankle strap sandal from Gap

Who is the Ford of fashion?

Living in America, such a plentiful land of pride and freedom, one would think that we would be pretty much self-sufficient, but the truth is, we're not at all.  I buy tomatoes from Mexico, shrimp from Vietnam, toys from China, and clothes from India, Indonesia, etc.  My Ralph Lauren frames are even made in Italy.  So, where's all the American made goods?  I understand that not everything can be harvested or made here, but of the things I buy on a regular basis, many could be found in our own heartland, around various coastlines, and definitely in the deep South, the land of my roots.  Even more importantly, we could employ so many Americans by increasing our production of goods, leaving less to fuel the recession of our present time (I understand this isn't the only factor).  Since I write about fashion, I'm primarily concerned with clothes, shoes, and accessories made in the great US of A!

When it comes to fashion, many American designers top the charts: Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Cynthia Rowley, Halston, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Vera Wang ... you know the names.  But how many of them are actually made in America?  The answer is very few.  In fact, I struggled to find any pieces in my own wardrobe that were made on our soil.  As a concerned consumer, I'm paying more attention to my clothing purchases, more specifically where they are made and in what conditions; fair trade is always on my mind, and in my opinion, buying American eases my concerns about the exploitation of workers in clothing factories.  We have revolutionized factory production with the best working conditions and wages around; just take a look at Ford Motor Company.  The question is: Who is the Ford of fashion?
 
If you wear strictly designer clothes,  you'll be excited to know of a few lines that are made here: The Row, line by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen; Propr, men's line by David Arquette & Ben Harper; Vera Wang; and more. (see links below)

Those who don't buy designer can find American made clothes at American Apparel; Todd Shelton for menswear; Anvil, organic sportswear for men and women; Etsy for handmade clothes & American made vintage; and more. (see links below)

The feasibility of purchasing all of one's clothing items from US manufacturers is not great, but we can attempt to add an item here and there (or more).  It's like our fashionable patriotic gesture in doing our part when it comes to American made clothes because only a small number of us are actually concerned with this very important issue.  We are the few, the proud, the shoppers, who care about our style and where it's made.

Additional Links:

• 7 for All Mankind
• Couture Candy (search for USA made)
• J Brand Denim
• Pink Mascara (search for USA made)
• J.Crew (very limited selection; I found 3 pieces)
• Banana Republic (some Denim made in USA)
• Like.com (search for USA made)
• Tobi.com (search for USA)
• ShopLAStyle.com (search for USA made)

Because I can't possibly know all American made clothes and it would take me eons to research it, please post comments with links to those that you know.  Thanks in advance for sharing!

In the pictures above:
Picture 1: Purple floral print dress (purchased & made in Hawaii); The Limited rose collared cardigan
Picture 2: USA made Arden B. blouses; J.Crew jeans
Picture 3: Vintage USA made cotton poplin dress; Vintage necklace from the set of Sex & the City HBO Series; Ann Taylor sandals

 

It's Not Only Fair, It Makes Sense

The word "organic" has become much more common in the past 10 years.  It's not just a term we hear in science class anymore; it's become a dealbreaker for many in their shopping habits.  One of my best friends is not a pure organic shopper, but she does carry around a list of items in her purse that must be bought organic, the "dirty dozen" she calls them.  Following this very justified trend in food shopping comes one for fashion that just makes sense: fair trade clothing, which, I might add, is often organic.

Because fair trade is a newer trend in fashion, shopping for style is a little more difficult, but it's not impossible.  Several clothing companies have been founded with a premise to provide the latest trends produced from fair trade cotton and in factories with fair wages, but this isn't the only goal of the fair trade agreement.  Most of these companies give a percentage of their profits back to the communities where their factories are located to promote education and social well-being among their workers and their families.  In a world whose people are becoming more socially aware of their effect on others and their lives, this idea makes perfect sense.  One of my favorite and probably the most notable fair trade clothing company is People Tree in the United Kingdom.  Their pieces are sensible and stylish, and they offer a line by Emma Watson (Hermione from the Harry Potter Series), who is also a model and style icon.  If you're set on buying fair trade, but don't want to compromise on style at all, People Tree is the place to shop.

With the elimination of sweatshops and minimal wages for workers, the higher cost of production in fair trade clothing can also mean higher prices, as seen in some People Tree designs.  However, one American company has also found ways to avoid raising prices. Fair Indigo, instituted by a former Army paratrooper from Knoxville, Tenn. removes the middle men in production and distribution to keep prices low for consumers.  Along with their incredibly reasonable prices and fair wages for clothiers, this company built its first store entirely with eco-friendly products: bamboo floors and shelves, wood pulp lined walls, and bamboo clothes hangers.  Their clothes don't scream style and are less likely than those of People Tree to give you a runway look, but they're sensible and ethical.

Though it may take some time before we'll find fair trade fashion at our local department stores and designer shops, we can at least try to add some of these items to our wardrobe.  I'm hoping that just as my friend carries her organic list, we can all do something of this sort regarding fair trade shopping, making sure to add a graphic tee or pima cotton dress made by well-compensated hands in a safe and healthy environment.

If you're really interested in this movement, I've provided some links below for more information about fair trade organizations and foundations.

• Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International
• Indigenous Designs: Fair Trade Clothing
• "Fair Trade Fashion" Article from TIME Magazine
• The Fairtrade Foundation

A Man Should Not Be Ashamed

I've been thinking about what would attract men to my blog, and haven't come up with much.  I've wondered if some men find shame with being interested in fashion.  Men can easily utter the full name, hometown, last season's stats, and more of their favorite football player, but when it comes to their clothes, it's a different story.  Asking a man who he is wearing bears a distinct difference from asking him who will be a first round draft pick, but it shouldn't be this way!  What's the harm in a man knowing a bit about who makes his clothes and probably those of the athlete he follows so closely? For men, style can be intimidating, especially when an overwhelming number of men in fashion are dominated by femininity. But dressing chíc has the potential to be very masculine, and looking good can be a lure for the ladies.

I recently went suit shopping with my husband.  We browsed the racks reading labels and admiring the best designers.  We ended up with two Joseph Abboud European style suits, one more trendy and the other more traditional, but my husband realizing how good he looked in well-made clothes became an instant fan of the designer.  I'm hoping he never goes back.  After he took the leap, I even convinced him to look at some non-traditional colors to pair with the suits, a light lavender being my favorite. With this subtle hint of style, the look became effortlessly chíc, like Bruce Wayne in Armani.  Yes, the designer's hand adorned Batman in his leisure; in fact he designed much of his wardrobe for The Dark Knight.  (See the links below for a view of his impeccable taste.)

Being fashionable and finding clothes that fit and flatter the figure has always been a confidence booster for women, but men can feel just as good about themselves (like Batman or Tom Brady) when they like what they're wearing.  Many women find this trait in a man very appealing, so men should not be ashamed of having an interest in fashion.  Sexy men attract sexy women, so know your clothes and read my blog.  I'm sure you'll be surprised at what you can learn about yourself and what you like.

Take a look at the following links for some ideas about men's fashion and the latest trends.

• Bruce Wayne in Armani
• P. Diddy in Tom Ford
• Tom Brady in Tom Ford
• David Beckham in Dior Homme
• Michael Kors
• Ralph Lauren
• Calvin Klein
• Joseph Abboud
• Dior Homme (Christian Dior's menswear line)