On oh so many levels, applause is due
Ralph Lauren. Congratulations for celebrating fifty years at the top
of the fashion world as he continues to bring the past into his
collections, while connecting standards of style to new ideas. His
family values and philanthropic efforts while forging international
efforts towards peace has earned him an Honorary Knight Commander of
The Most excellent Order of the British Empire. This KBE will be
presented to him in the spring in London.
This season Ralph Lauren and other
designers have taken vintage quilts
off sofas beds and re-purposed
them into treasured cozy garments.
Quilts, infused into many
Fall lines, remind me of the quilt that I crafted into a skirt for
our opera opening 30+ years ago. I also made (with an idea in
mind...not a pattern on the drawing board) this cover up and
strapless top. “Let go and let God”...is so overused...but
indeed that is exactly what I did that day.
Grabbing ideas from
fashion magazines is a game of wit and wisdom as we mix the old with
a new item to make a real fashion statement. Friends say: “you've
REALLY got an eye”. We all have a curious vein and a funny bone. We
just need to study, look around, ask questions and always color
outside of the box.
I have shelves full of
argyle patterned cashmere sweaters. I've never entertained the thought
of enhancing them with jewels, beads and flowers. Now I have a plan
that will go into action soon. Each fresh thought is another puzzle
piece of my Fall/Winter wardrobe.
I spotted this
“rhinestone cowboy” jacket in a magazine and immediately
thought: “I bought a similar one at the flea a few months ago". It
just moved up to the “spotlight” part of my closet. Oh I
purchased it for $75.00...already trimmed!
Pleated skirts are “IN”.
Although this trend takes me back to school uniform days, I still
love them and up to the “spotlight” part of my closet they have
moved.
Leggings are such
practical parts of “burr burr cold weather” wardrobes.
There are a
bazillion patterns on the internet for less than you'd spend on a
happy hour cocktail.
The day after this invitation arrived, I found these leggings online.
After seeing
“charms to the nines” necklaces all over the place, I ordered sun, moon and star charms and experienced a full out “matchie
matchie” night!
Having a creative unique
style is sort of a “connecting the dots” way of designing a look.
Last year, I pulled this mid-calf skirt up chest high, put a belt
around it and added a white shirt.
This year, layering is
happening in both the casual and sports worlds. Who would have ever
considered wearing a turtleneck under a spaghetti strapped sequin
dress. Perhaps we are all preparing for a “global cooling”
season. I get and can appreciate most of the layering looks. I put
the brakes "full on" in regard to the strapless bra over a sweater. As
the kids say: "not my jam".
A few years ago, Marc
Jacobs began showing up at parties wearing pajamas. That year, I
played “follow the leader” and started wearing PJs out of the
bedroom and out on the town too! Now they are back in the stores...in
“the after five” departments!
Chrissy Teigen is a girl
after my own heart. She is a model, mother, cookbook author, married
to singer and songwriter John Legend. Best part: she has no filters
and her husband loves her for it. She is hilarious, brilliant, and
isn't afraid to express her feelings. We can all take a page from
from Chrissy's magical playbook.
I'm still trying to wrap
my head around these two fashion statements. I don't quite know what the
designers are trying to say. I can try a sequin top with wide wale
corduroy pants or a sequined skirt with a ski sweater...what have I
got to loose... if I don't leave the house!!!
From Prada to Kors: from
Neimans to Saks... every house and store has “doesn't make any
sense at all" combinations of miss-matched tops, skirts, animal print with plaids and florals. It's
fun building a look that doesn't match at all and then being bold
enough to give it a twirl out into this world ...a world that isn't
making much sense either. “Fashion Follows The World”.
Fantastic for Fall.
Whimsical for Winter. Keep an eye out for these architectural lines
in the coat arena. They are on all of the catwalks and perhaps might just be
in your closet soon. High style coats are always quality “investment
dressing”.
The day after I saw this
checkerboard dress in a magazine...I found it's double at the flea
market.
Although Renaissance Fair
dresses are one of THEEE looks this season... I think I can resist
buying one. Yup, I'll pass.
Let me jog your memory.
Do you remember VERA scarfs? Back in the 70s, this was one of the few
outfits VERA ever designed. I am nuts for it! The unbelievable chic
skirt and cuff match and then the horizontal zip front top is a magnificent finish. More than
50 years ago, VERA nailed it and I found it at the flea last month!
I stepped up to the plate when I made this cocktail olives necklace.
Inspiration is everywhere. Just be daring to give your ideas a try.
What have you got to loose?
This sequined top had
seen better days until I decided it needed a face lift. It was going
to be tossed or made anew. The “S” in the front stands for
Solmssen and the “1943” is the “with pride” year I was born.
From black tie events to jeans-n-t-shirt parties... I have a blast
wearing it! I'm a Hansel and Gretel kind of “fashionista” leaving
sequins all over town!
Just as I was about to
purchase this velveteen dress, Andy Warhol came to mind. I Googled
his flower paintings and sure enough...someone was influenced by his
work or perhaps copycatted his famous flower painting! Inspired by
stripes with prints, I tucked this little sweater under the dress and
got crazy creative with this necklace.
As much as I love this
girl...her attitude, her beauty and her simple yet exquisite
demeanor... I feel the opposite vibe with these $1,500.00 tennis
shoes. “To each his own” Following fads, trends and fashion is
all well and good. We just need to pay attention and make sure we are
not following a pied piper right out of town. Animals are all
hibernating. Might be a good time settle in, to curl up with a good
book...or better... write one! I just wrote one. It's so exciting and Amazon published if for pennies: "Transfer Your Confidence”:
Unlock Inner Strengths That Conquer Insecurities. Best part...all
profits are going to a grateful charity.
