Peaceful marches for equal rights and
the common good are getting much needed
encouragement and support
everywhere... even in the world of fashion.
Bringing positive
awareness for worthwhile causes is a good thing.
During these bright sunny days, “forget
your troubles...come on GET HAPPY!” Maybe: go fly a kite!
Fun comfortable footwear is given this
Spring and Summer. Pedicures are a necessity. Enhancing summer
sandals is as simple as defrosting a peach pie. Try your creative
luck by gluing huge retro earrings, fabric trim, bits of faux fur
trim and ribbon on to new or old sandals.
Going from toe to head, these two girls
are far to the left of serious; they are FUN and FANTASTIC!
A tried and true tradition. Karl always
includes his muse, Coco Chanel's pearls and gardenias.
Who isn't obsessed with this precious
girly girl pink dress! It's just a little bit beyond perfection.
Ostrich feathers are flying all over
the catwalks. Starting with Cindy Crawford's daughter Kaia Gerber in
this show stopping Valentino gown with an outrageous ode to her
mother's big hair days.
On the web, I looked for and found
ostrich feather trim. Without hesitation, I ordered a few colorful
yards for the hem of basic skirt, the top edge of a cashmere sweater
and an entire purse. “Can't never did anything until try came
along”. Maybe order a yard or two and get thee to gluing!
To my mind's eye, this is a lovely yet
relaxed jewelry combo. Hey, we can dream can't we? Kids do!
It's time to break out your jeans
jacket. Tall, short, skinny or even pregnant, denim will forever be
everyone's GO TO jacket. Why not trim yours in ostrich feathers! If
you attach the trim with double sided sticky tape...come Fall...you
can change up the trim with jewel or faux fur trim!
A big time YES and a big time NO!. I'm
so over the ripped and patched jeans.”Follow the leader” down an
unattractive path is not welcomed in the world of fashion. Maybe this
designer is trying to erase this downwardly mobile fad that won't go
away. In the YES department. I'm obsessed ,
with this starched stiff scarf
creatively tied into a blouse.
Another tradition that won't ever go
away: horizontal striped “T” shirt paired with a
tattered-n-terrific suede jacket. Yes-sir-ree this look, finished off
with a bandanna handkerchief, is here to stay.
Clearly, it's a year of nothing hasta
match. Indeed the days of “matchie-matchie” are dead and gone.
From a winter hat to a fur collar, the looks don't make sense...but hey they are: “Fashion with
Flair”!
Maybe some designers have temporarily
run out of ideas. Maybe they go back to collections of previous
statements and haphazardly toss them on to models today. Perhaps,
they find inspiration from old movies. Try as I might, I can't wrap
my head around these looks. It's still fun to cherry pick an element
or two here and there and freshen up my own personal hot weather wardrobe.
These ensembles make me want to go back
to a simple “A” line or pencil skirt and a twin sweater set. We
can pull color and patterns out of this year's playbook: make it
work and have fun doing it!
It's copycat time again. Fresh water pearls, precious stones & gold trim. They were so easy to make.
Even I can't tell which ones are $$$ and which ones are mine!Chic and
affordable: that's my style.
There are a few ways to get ready for
summer swim suit time. For starters, a bit of exercise, diet and
self-tanner. Here's what works for me every summer: I simply slip a
swim suit on to a hanger and place it in the kitchen between the
refrigerator and the liquor cabinet! Every year... this plan works less and
less. It's like hiding a box of candy from myself!
You might be surprised about how
talented your local alterations person can be. Most seamstresses can
make one or both of these hip yet traditional English tweed cotton
summer tops. When the cold weather kicks in... they will be “just
the thing” under a suit or sweater. Inquire around your town
...you'll find an expert to create one of these forever sensational
tops.
Another copycat adventure. Being inspired by a simple shopping bag or another clutch bag. Above are two of my
100+clutch bags that I made out of placements. You'll see more below
and on my KATHLEEN SOLMSSEN You-Tube channel. They are easy to make
for yourself or as a gift!
“I'm glad to see your back” I say
when my eyes land on a back as timeless and elegant this one. On the
front side, in my opinion this look should stay on the catwalk. IThird image: if your arms aren't totally buffed, you'll be thrilled to find these
“sleeves” online. The back and arms attach in the front. They
camouflage kimono arms and can even be worn with a strapless or
spaghetti strapped tops.
Circling back to my major “fed-dish”
shoes: the ribbons-buttons could be copied and with the help of a
cobbler. Your local shoe guy could also change heels to
these stack-o-balls. The socks are a new cool rendition of the
“Jane Fonda” workout leg warmers. All: “hot fun in the
Summertime”.
When I take dinners out of the
freezer and place them in the microwave, I wear a dinner ring! Isn't
that what they are for: defrosting and microwaving!?!?After buying a
few (without jewels) rings (upper right side of this image)
from the hobby shop, I glued single earrings, buttons & broken
pins on to the disks. I get more compliments on these “fauxbulous”
rings than any of my real McCoys!
Ginormous bows on shoes...what a
concept! I tried this idea on a tired pair of
sequin encrusted high
heels. The bow made my feet look nearly tiny!
I had a ton of
Summertime fun gluing wigglie eyes on these hot pink retro $1.00 flea
find shoes.
Next: cover sandal straps with
faux fur or glue stones on flat heels. Let's can take
creative chances.
If you still wear clip earrings, you
might give this storage idea a try. Simply “push pin” cake drying
racks on a wall behind your door and clip'em on. No more: hide and go
seek for your earrings.
I've made more than 100 clutch bags out
of place-mats. As you can see, anything
and everything inspires me.
As I mentioned above, you can see my “how to make them” on
my
KATHLEEN SOLMSSEN clutch bag you tube.
Flowers are sprinkled on nearly every
designer's collection this season.
Why not In Joy wearing flowers
all summer long.... the look is pure delight.
Many designers have incorporated
scarves into their silhouettes. Although the flip flops and tennies
are making a statement, bulky shoes paired with delicate dresses
aren't my summer accessory trajectory. My scarf addiction is at the
ready, hanging on narrow curtain rods behind a door. I've already
tried tying a few on to a belt over leggings and skirts... it's a “go
for it”summertime pleasure and is getting me nearly dancing and
twirling down our street!
If I didn't study seasonal magazines, I
wouldn't have so many fresh and fascinating ideas.
Like these
bird-in-a-cage earrings that I easily translated into my own design.
The department stores and boutiques
are full of rainbows of designs. Why not catch a few!
