Falling into Winter

                                                       

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.