Carolina Herrera Resort 2009

Unlike the heavy tartans and furs from her Fall 2008 line, Carolina Herrera returned to her speciality: florals, embroidery, and showstoppers. Her Resort 2009 line was a fresh return to all things Carolina:

1. This simple but superbly crafted dove gray dress reminds me a little of Peter Som's style. I'd wear this to High Tea:

2. This masterful blue and red gown under a military-shaped ruffle jacket reminds me of an English tea cup. Absolutely delightful!

3. Classic Carolina, this floral top is an explosion of beauty.

4. Strapless is hot for Fall, and this navy wonder has me enraptured.

Why We Love "Sex And The City"

This past weekend, I went to go see "Sex and the City" like every other gal out there, and like most, I loved it. But other than the (somewhat predictable but thoroughly enjoyable) storyline and (shockingly mature but somewhat blurry) message of forgiveness, I found myself focused on the main attraction: the fashion.

The movie was a label whore's paradise: Chanel, Louis Vuitton (although I thought that Motard Firebird Bag was a hideous but thoughtful gift from Carrie to her personal assistant), Nancy Gonzales, Carolina Herrera, Vivienne Westwood...the list goes on and on. This is partly the New York City appeal: the glitz, the glamour, the glory of Fifth Avenue. And like a true sucker, I fell for it.

While this may sound like a shocking betrayal, I must admit that New York has become less glamorous as of late. I see more shlubs than sartorialists, and more and more the latter get raised eyebrows than the former. Sarah Jessica Parker herself has lamented the loss of "Old New York," and the movie captures the essence of all that it once was: when style was individual, not mass produced; when labels were optional, not mandatory; when clothes were a prop, not "it."

Today, style has become so watered down, even in the Big Apple. I grow tired of the all-black look, the Louis Vuitton Speedys on every wrist, the slinky jersey dresses on equally slinky girls at night. Part of the pleasure in watching the clothes in the movie was the mixture of recognition and mystery in a surprising ensemble. Perhaps this belief is as equally fantasized as the movie itself: after all, we all can't have Patricia Field dressing us with a limitless fashion fund to match. But I can't help hold onto the hope that the movie may inspire a newfound return to old New York City glamour.

Stella McCartney: The Look For Less

From Left: Stella McCartney Strapless Dress, Fall 2008; Milly Brocade Tunic Top, on sale for $168.70 at www.net-a-porter.com

I adored this brocade dress when I saw it come down the runway at Stella McCartney, and this Milly top bears an uncanny resemblance to it at a fraction of the price. Brocade remains strong in the fall shows, and it's an easy addition to one's wardrobe: wear it with black skinny jeans, a black pencil skirt, or under a suit. Add silver shoes, and you're ready to dazzle.

Calling For Comments

I encourage my readers to post a question or comment about anything on my blog or anything that you would like advice on.

Peter Som Resort 2009

Peter Som has become a staple in my closet: he knows how to make well-constructed, intriguing, and feminine clothes, and he chooses substantial fabrics to match those beautiful designs. His Resort line, however, was not always on the mark.

1. My favorite look of the collection, this gray/blue dress with beaded sash will most likely make its way into my closet next year.



2. I adore champagne, and one can always wear a classy jacket or cardigan on top to soften its formality.

3. Simple and peachy, but not worth the hefty price tag.

4. Will Grecian ever go away? I love the color, the long side sash, and the shimmery fabric, but I don't like the loose fit, which reminds me of a fancy garbage bag.

It's Official: Sale Season Has Finally Arrived!

Stats to date:

Saks: Sale started today
Bergdorf: Sale started today
Barneys: Sale started last week
Burberry: Sale in progress
Fendi: Sale in progress
Prada: Sale starts tomorrow
Bottega Veneta: Sale starts next week
Net-a-porter: Sale started last week

And the mayhem starts...I love Bergdorf's and all (they may be my favorite department store), but their sales are somewhat maddening. Shoes are flying everywhere, women are lunging, and salespeople are obnoxious. Thankfully, I've pretty much crossed off all of the must-have items for spring, and I'm down to the maybe-if-it-goes-on-sale-and-is-spectacular gladiator flats.

The key to building a stunning wardrobe is knowing when to stop. Otherwise, you'll end up filling your closet with dross that will eventually be given away (as I've learned the hard way). Be choosy, and know when to walk away. How?

1. Make a list of what you've wanted for months now. Longing that has longevity is a sign that you really want it.

2. Make a list of what you need. I needed a new pair of white pants, and I bought them: on sale.

3. Don't endlessly peruse racks and floors. Go to the floors/stores that sell that item. Purchase. Leave.

4. Compare prices and deals. It may be wiser to buy something at a store where you get points that later turn into a gift card (Saks and Banana come to mind). Or perhaps one site may offer limited complimentary shipping.

5. Try on everything you may purchase (especially for shoes). Sizes vary, and you may be surprised by the size you actually need. (Example: Burberry Prorsum's runway line is ridiculously small. I had to go up two sizes.) Items may not fit as imagined, and sometimes all it takes is a good mirror to make the final decision.

6. However, if you are purchasing an item online, be abreast of the company's return policy. Don't buy anything online that you cannot return (especially if you haven't tried the item on in person).

Happy Sale Shopping!

To Short or Not Too Short?

Tracy Reese Cuffed Shorts, $190 at www.eluxury.com

For years, I have avoided shorts like the Bubonic Plague: partly it had to do with my conservative side, partly it had to do with my not liking my legs (in retrospect, I realize I was crazy), and partly it had to do with the casual quality of the garment (believe it or not, I did not wear jeans in college). Unlike most who are under-dressed, I have often found myself over-dressed. However, recently, I've decided to indulge in a more casual summer attire, and shorts seem like a must-have on hot, sweaty days (today was an apt reminder of how humid it gets in the city).

Despite the apparent ease of wearing shorts, I believe it has its problems: length, fabric, price, and accompanying tops and shoes. The younger one is, the shorter one can go; however, one has to have the legs to pull it off (scarred legs, stumpy legs, hairy legs, varicose-veined legs: all of these are unsightly). As a friend has pointed out, I have an "old lady" in me, which means I'll wear Bermudas. These classic black ones from Banana Republic (on sale for $55.30, down from $79) suit me:

Gladiators, wedges, or low-heeled pumps work with this look, but peep-toes, stilettoes, or ballerina flats may appear either too sexy or dowdy (ballerina flats work with short shorts or leggy girls). I'd avoid a tee-shirt and replace it with a pretty, simple cotton blouse (perhaps one from Anthropologie).

As for fabric, I'd choose cotton (breathable) or denim (durable), and avoid linen (too easily wrinkled), satin or silk (too precious), and terry (too beachy). While I don't flinch when it comes to expensive pretty dresses and skirts, I do prefer saving some pennies when it comes to shorts. We all need some cheap, durable choices for hot barbecue, picnic, beach, or amusement park days.

Vivienne Tam Fall 2008

Aside from a few gimmicky Disney-themed (Mickey Mouse) looks, Vivienne Tam's Fall 2008 collection was a stunner from beginning to end. Ornate brocade, rich textural patterns, vivid jewel tones, complex lace: the collection touched upon some of my favorite fall trends. Some of the highlights:

1. The armor-like vest reminds me of the ornate outfits on the Tudors:


2. The rich patterns are fit for an Indian princess:

3. The floral ruffles on this dress elegantly add interest to a gorgeous eggplant shade:

4. I can't get enough of purple, and the tactile texture is intriguing:

5. The sheen on this champagne wonder elevates the simple shape of the dress:

6. The only Mickey-Mouse inspired look that I like:

Would You Put Bird Poop On Your Face?

Shizuka New York, Geisha Facial, $180 for a 50 minute treatment
7 West 51st Street, 6th Floor, (212) 644-7400

My facialist has been all over the news lately because of her new "Geisha Facial," its magic ingredient being none other than bird poop (or nightingale droppings, to use more elegant wording). I was, of course, horrified by this news, as I had been a faithful follower of their Micro Facial, and as my husband in particular has a phobia of bird poop (which, unfortunately, always looms as a potential threat as pigeons have infested New York City ledges). The nightingale droppings, or uguisu no fun, is supposed to "brighten, heal, and retexturize the skin," but I can't help but wonder if it's called "no fun" for a reason. While strange ingredients are hardly new in the beauty and spa industry, I wonder how many women would actually go this far. As for me...I'll stick to the Micro Facial.

Valentino Resort 2009

It appears that Alessandra Facchinetti does not disappoint. Her stunning Valentino Resort 2009 collection is every bit as luscious as her Fall 2008 line, with each ruffle and seam in perfect pitch with the mood of the collection: sleek sophisticate with a touch of feminine. My top picks:

1. Although I shied away from red for years, this power suit is what every woman needs to assert herself. The Victorian influence is done in an elegant, rather than rocker, manner.



2. A frosty pink that turns warmer as you continue staring.


3. The ruffles on this pale yellow suit delicately move with you.

4. Fit for Cinderella, this magical incarnation of periwinkle completely enchants me.

Let Me Introduce You To...

the new love of my life: this aesthetically astounding moss green Lela Rose dress. I managed to snag the only one at the sample sale last week (it was a size 8, way too large for me), and these two women were eyeing me like a hungry hawk, asking me intensely if I was going to buy it. Well, fortunately, I have a superior tailor who could take it in. I just picked it up from him, and ah! perfection. I could not ask for a more exquisite dress (the picture simply does not do it justice). The white straps are actually cloth-covered rectangular beads, and the dots across the breast are actually large fabric circles encased in metal. The fabric is a sumptuous, substantial satin...heavenly to touch.

I got around to thinking...what makes for a lasting love--that piece that you go to time and time again, that makes you gasp every time you see it, that inspires in you that same resurrection of faith in all that is beautiful in this world? Then I thought about those items in my closet that have managed to retain my affection despite the vicious passing of the seasons: my light green cut-out Zac Posen skirt, a pair of mohair-covered black Prada pumps with silver studded heels, a tweed black and white Chanel purse my husband gave me during his proposal (it was a series of surprises, this being the first), a Luca Luca white dress with silver and gold beading across the top, a red and black brocade jacket my mother used to wear. All of these items have a) the marks of superior craftsmanship; b) exceptional beauty; c) emotional value. Whether that emotional value comes from the memory associated with the purchase or if it comes from the feeling produced when wearing it, this last quality is critical. Ultimately, that item must merge with something inside of you, or else it remains a beautiful item in your closet. While we all cannot be fortunate to have a closet full of intense loves, we do need to beware of a closet full of uninspired garments that do little for us internally. Surface can only be surface if you choose that--but when surface becomes a reflection of what is internal, then life can really be lived.

Calvin Klein Resort 2009

Calvin Klein's minimalist aesthetic is usually too minimal and mannish for my taste, but Francisco Costa's Resort 2009 collection was surprisingly fresh, feminine, and detailed. His line also showcased some of my favorite colors: ecru, bone, nude, and camel, all colors that inspire images of sandy beaches and crisp, cosmopolitan, Zen-like spas. Here's what I would do while wearing these clothes:

1. I'd wear this on a slightly cooler night at an open-air market in Morocco:



2. Perfect for a refined dinner in Milan:

3. A power suit for the creative femme fatale, this crisp look would be perfect for a working lunch with overseas clients at the newest hot restaurant in Paris:

4. Slightly architectural in design, this dress would be appropriate for an art gallery opening in New York:

Dear Thumbelina: Wedding in Connecticut

Dear Thumbelina,

What would you wear to a 6 pm June wedding at a very nice country club in Connecticut? It's hard to know what to wear in NY/CT when you're from a different part of the country.

Sincerely,

Southern Belle

~~~~~

Dear Southern Belle,

Connecticut, although close to NYC, is much more conservative, and it tends to have a kind of "old money" feel to it. I would choose classic shapes and colors, tasteful embellishment, and clean accessories. Here are some recommendations:

1. Vera Wang Lavender Jewelled Neck Dress, on sale for $357 (down from $595) at net-a-porter.com: Classy and formal, this dress will serve you well for years to come. I adore the jewelled neckline and the metallic color is hot.

2. Banana Republic Silk Asymmetrical Dress, $175 at bananarepublic.com and stores nationwide: This dress hits on two trends: Grecian and bold color. Choose chandelier earrings and you're set to go.

3. Tracy Reese Scalloped Dress, $310 at eluxury.com: If you prefer classic shapes and black, you can't go wrong with Tracy Reese's sweet interpretation of the LBD.

4. Rebecca Taylor Beaded Chiffon Dress, on sale for $266 (down from $355): I rarely feature too many black dresses, but this one is so sweet, so pretty, and so wearable.

5. Nanette Lepore Party-Girl Dress, $430 at shopbop.com: An ethnic-inspired choice that works equally well for day.

For accessories, choose a simple box clutch, low kitten-heels or peep-toe pumps, and classic jewelry (pearls, diamonds, chandeliers, bangles). Avoid anything too fussy, experimental, or elaborate. Think sophisticated, subtle, and simple. Have fun!

Sincerely,

Thumbelina

Zac Posen: Sale Dazzler

Zac Posen, Strapless Pouf Dress, on sale for $950 (down from $1,900) at net-a-porter.com

Ah, those treacherous sales. By the time I've decided to cut back on my spending, the sale season begins, and one can hardly stand it. This particular stunner from Zac Posen would be perfect to a wedding (primarily an ex's wedding). The electric blue color, the tantalizing shape, the flirty tulle...all of it is perfection. If you own anything by Zac Posen, you know that his clothes are impeccably made and fit to impress. It's too bad I have a plethora of evening dresses in my closet, or else I'd have to rationalize yet another purchase.

Chanel Resort 2009: Hits and Misses

From the Great Wall of China to an enormous jacket, Karl Lagerfeld knows how to put on a runway show. His Chanel Resort 2009 collection was over a glamorous pool in South Beach, but like the uneven tides, this particular show was full of hits and misses, both severe in their extremes.

HITS: When they're good, they're good.

1. My favorite look of the entire collection, this white evening charmer reflected the Art Deco roots of South Beach with all of the dazzle and none of the gaudiness.



2. The applique rosettes looked fresh, not trite, on this 3D piece.


3. A glamorous white suit, but it seemed oddly out of place in the collection (it was a little too Upper East Side and not South Beach).

MISSES: And boy, are they bad.

1. A cowgirl meets a '70s dancer: this combination is giving me a Saturday night fever.

2. Probably the worst look of the collection. Caged flapper meets a shredded swan. Ouch.

3. I love me some florals, but this one looks like a portal to floral hell.

4. Strange cloud-like bubbles in one's middle? Pass.

5. A really bad dye job with a plastic top to match. I wouldn't even dress a Barbie in this.

Oscar de la Renta: Resort 2009

Resort 2009 collections are slowly arriving, and this one by Oscar de la Renta, the king of elegant chic, does not disappoint. These two dresses are light, airy, and perfect for a luncheon with the gals. The white and red strapless reminds me of a Japanese cherry blossom garden, and the ochre pleated wonder reminds me of the deep yellow soil in a Nevada desert. The rich jewel tones, the textured tweed, the feminine silhouettes--these are de la Renta's strengths, and he does so masterfully, yet again.

3.1 Philip Lim: The Built-In Necklace Dress

3.1 Philip Lim Bi-Color Crepe Dress, $995 at net-a-porter.com

The built-in bra tee has been usurped by the built-in necklace dress, which is far chicer and offers ease in terms of accessories. While I am not a maxi-dress fan (I am short and I don't think short women can pull off this look successfully), I do appreciate the glamorous simplicity of this dress, which, if I were to purchase it, I would mercilessly chop off a third of it. Unlike some, who would wear this as a cocktail look, I'd wear it to a casual dinner or to an (off) off-Broadway play.

Fashion Fantasies

Oscar de la Renta, Tulle and Organza Cocktail Dress, $5, 990 at saks.com

There is nothing quite like the fantasy that fabulous fashion inspires. After all, "fabulous," Carrie Bradshaw's favorite word, does come from the word "fable," which denotes myths, legends, and imaginary tales. In Project Runway, the judges often ask their designers to create a "story" that accompanies or elucidates the context of the created item. Designers themselves begin with a concept or type of woman and fantasize about the activities she engages in while wearing their clothing. Fashion is, quite simply, fantasy.

~

As a lover of literature, I see the stories in each stunning design. When I consider a garment, I imagine the story behind it: the expert artisans laboring over each stitch, the history of the fabric or silhouette, and the personal fantasy that the garment inspires in me. Life is often all too mundane or cliched, and while some fantasies are more trite than others, fashion can result in an excited new perspective of what life should be when one steps out of the commonplace.

~

One remembers with childhood fondness that Cinderella's ballroom fantasy is not complete

without the elaborate animal-stitched gown and the glass (or fur, depending on your source) slippers, that Little Red Riding Hood's epic journey into the lovely, dark, and deep woods is not complete without her iconic red-hooded coat, or that Joseph's tale of enslavement and eventual kingship would not have begun without that stunning coat of many colors, which inspired only envy and fury in his brothers. Oscar de la Renta's gown, seen above, is just one piece that comes with its own fantasy of a horse-ridden carriage, snow-dusted winter streets, and breakfast at Tiffany's.

The Problem With Fashion Magazines, Or More Specifically, The Swimsuit Issue

Despite my love of blogs (one does get instant fashion instantly), I adore magazines: the texture, the ads, the glossy pages, the spreads...There is nothing quite like the experience of reading through a magazine, which I do with great care. With excitement, I espied my June issue of Elle magazine in the mail. Eagerly waiting until after dinner, I sat on my bed, pulled up the covers, and carefully leafed through the magazine as I normally do, from cover to cover. Then, with disappointment, I noted that it was "the swimsuit issue."

June is an awkward time for fashion magazines. Most of the spring items have been exhausted (how many times must I see those Dolce and Gabbana booties?), and an over-zealous Fall spread leaves little for the many cold winter months that follow. Pre-fall items are slowly trickling in, but they don't receive the same kind of coverage as the traditional Spring and Fall runway shows. Hence, the dreaded swimsuit issue.

While I am not completely bashing the need for a swimsuit spread (after all, we do need swimsuits in the hot summer months), I am lamenting the constant bombardment of swimsuit after swimsuit. Instead of a gorgeous fashion spread, we get beach wear in all incarnations: the beachy accessories (sunglasses, the tacky nylon, canvas, or plastic beach bag, the logo towel), the swimsuit for all body types, the Glamazon cover-ups (the tunic, the sheer maxi-dress, the floppy hats). Enough! And while I do enjoy reading about politics and literature, I don't find fashion editorials about them particularly enlightening or superior to the Times or a scholarly literary journal. When I read a fashion magazine, I want fashion, pure and simple.

Seasonless Dressing; Or, Fall Is Spring Again

From Left: Marchesa Fall 2008; Luisa Beccaria Fall 2008

While some generic fall looks appeared on the Fall Runway shows--plaid, fur, deep jewel tones--other looks reinforced what New Yorkers have come to know all too well: the blurring of the seasons has altered the fashion rules. Ever since the comforting revision that we can indeed wear white after Labor Day, fashionistas and designers alike have begun to realize that women can wear florals and pastels during the cold winter months and wear heavy plaids and fur during the supposedly warm spring and summer months. As the weather man is loathe to admit, it has become almost impossible to predict what Mother Nature will throw our way. (I was again rudely made aware of the unrelenting cold today walking home after dinner in the Big Apple, despite the momentary warmth at noon.) This further complicates our small closet space situation, as I refuse to put anything in storage (one never knows what one will need). While some may find this fashion situation confusing--after all, there will always be women who prefer the comfort of "rules"--, we can also see this as liberating--or as a confirmation of Al Gore's dire environmental prediction.