Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for May, 2011

Stylish Book About Stylish Moms: My Mom, Style Icon by Piper Weiss

Posted in Fashion, Vintage, tagged , , , , on May 27, 2011| 1 Comment »

My Mom Style Icon by Piper Weiss. Image courtesy of Chronicle Books.

Writer Piper Weiss never knew her mom was so cool, until one day while digging around in her mother’s closet she discovered a 1960s crochet belt. (A retro look Piper had been searching for in vintage shops.) Amazed that her mother, Marilyn, ever owned something so hip, she dug some more and began asking questions. She heard stories about parties in the West Village, world travel, and gentlemen admirers. Piper realized her mother led an exciting life before becoming a mom, and she did so with great style. 

 
Inspired, Piper found photos to go along with the stories and started a blog, which eventually included not just her mother but photos and stories of other moms.   
 
Now we have a book, My Mom, Style Icon (Chronicle Books, 2011), based on Piper’s blog of the same name. The book presents 200 photos of everyday moms from around the world, Texas to Moscow, living their lives and dressing with flair.
 
Submitted to Piper by proud sons and daughters, each photo includes a paragraph telling where and when the photo was taken and who this woman was – student, traveler, model, performer, wife, and of course, Mom. The photos date as far back as 1925 and up to the 1980s. The book is nicely formatted and divided into sections. It’s a visual treat, but there is no shortage of content. Piper includes an introduction, tales of her mother, and a little fashion history.
 
It is both fun and touching to look at all the pictures and read about engaging women, including a jazz singer in San Francisco and a fashion publicist in New York. One mom was a model and the sixth wife of Norman Mailer. Another was a fashion illustrator for a Philadelphia department store. There are car enthusiasts, rebels, and trendsetters. Moms in gingham, leather, maxis, minis, hats, gloves, wedding dresses, date dresses, and bikinis. Women under the radar, but just as inspiring.  
 
As a proud daughter of a stylish mom, what I like most about this book is that it honors women who haven’t stepped one foot on a red carpet. In contrast to celebrities and celebrity-wannabes, there’s something really appealing about the ordinary mom, who in fact is pretty darn extraordinary.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Read Full Post »

William and Catherine (Kate) Meet the Obamas

Posted in Events, Fashion, tagged , , on May 24, 2011| Leave a Comment »

President and Mrs. Obama meet William and Catherine the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo: AP

Didn’t I just report that William and Catherine were on a two-year hiatus from royal duties? Thanks for making a liar out of me, you two. Anyway, today the handsome British couple met our handsome American couple, President and Mrs. Obama. Buckingham Palace is the latest stop for the Obamas on their European tour.

The last time Mrs. Obama visited the Royals in London she was dressed too casually in a skirt and cardie, but for her latest visit she looks lovely sporting a floral silk dress by American designer, Barbara Tfank. I’m not a fan of the bright pink bolero – either the color or the shape. The sheen of the fabric and bolero style feels more evening than afternoon.  The pink is very little girl, particularly paired with the full skirt of the dress. A dusty rose fitted jacket would have been more sophisticated. Interesting to note that Mrs. Obama isn’t carrying a handbag.

Going through all the photos, I notice Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, and Catherine all clutching handbags, but not our First Lady. Without a bag, her outfit looks incomplete. But I have to admit that I’m a  lady who likes her handbags.

Catherine looks (very) slim in a tan sheath from the British shop, Reiss. The dress has a lot of origami type folds and overlaps, which to pull off requires a tall and super slender figure. Catherine is carrying a small black clutch evening bag and she’s wearing simple black pumps.  Her choice of simplicity is a complete contrast to Mrs. Obama.

The gentlemen are dashing in their suits. William is sporting a white pocket square, always a smart fashion touch. President Obama is in navy blue with a burgundy tie and the American flag pin on his lapel. Nice, Mr. President.  

The ladies match the room. Photo: AP

Extra points to the ladies for coordinating their fashion colors with that of the room.

 

Read Full Post »

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge: Life After the Wedding

Posted in Fashion, tagged , , , , , on May 23, 2011| 1 Comment »

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing Issa the day after her wedding. Does anyone else feel this dress is too short for her?

Are we feeling the royal void? No Kate news for weeks now. Sorry readers, we will have to get used to it.

Diana, Princess of Wales spoiled us with regular feeds of fashion and drama and perhaps we all thought that with a new princess, the good old days were back. Apparently not.

For one thing, Queen Elizabeth has granted the newlyweds a two-year reprieve from royal duties, allowing William to focus on his military job and Kate to settle into married life. For us that means fewer photo ops and Kate-fashion-plates to scrutinize.

Also, Kate will not be courting the press. It is considered bad form to outshine the future king and Kate is not Diana. According to British historian Andrew Roberts in Maclean’s magazine, Diana was a “meteor” and “blazing a trail the royals shouldn’t have blazed.” By contrast, Kate with her middle class roots is more grounded and “in it for the long haul.” She’s not going to do anything to annoy her new in-laws.

Kate is quite happy to follow her husband, literally. While on royal duties she will honor protocol and keep two steps behind her prince. Kate will not have a career, give any interviews or pose for pictures, other than official royal pics. We will rarely hear her voice and we will get to know the Duchess mostly through her fashion choices and what charities she supports.

Kate’s family will also feel the void. There won’t be any Windsor/Middleton shindigs and the Middleton family will celebrate holidays without their eldest daughter. Kate is a member of the royal family now and predictions are that she intends to tow the royal line.

(Note: The royals do have some celebrations coming up this summer. The Queen’s 85th birthday in June and Prince Philip’s 90th birthday is also in June. William and Kate are traveling to Canada in July with a stop in California on the way home. We just might get a peek at the newlyweds. Over Dressed for Life will be keeping an eye on Kate’s fashion.)

Read Full Post »

Favorite Handbags – The Coach Classic Designed by Bonnie Cashin

Posted in Events, Fashion, Vintage, tagged , , , on May 19, 2011| 1 Comment »

My favorite Classic Coach - The Bleeker Bag in tan. Circa 1996.

Speaking of handbags, I read that Coach is reviving five of their old school styles from the 1970s. Limited edition Coach bags designed by Bonnie Cashin will be available exclusively on Net-a-Porter.com starting June 15th.

Coach is a very different brand these days, but it was once known for understated elegance. It started in New York in 1941 as a line of leather accessories for men. In the early 1960s, Coach hired American designer Bonnie Cashin. She created a timeless look in women’s handbags: no logos, no excessive hardware, only the signature turnlock and leather ID tag. Cashin’s designs were the principal Coach look up until the late 1990s.

Coach Classics available on Net-a-Porter.com. Photo courtesy of Net-a-Porter.com.

I favor Coach Classics for the unique style – part preppy, part arty. Like a cashmere cardie or a gold signet ring, a Coach Classic speaks volumes, but quietly.

There are four old school Coach handbags in my collection. I have a friend who has been sporting her Duffel Coach for over 20 years and it’s still going strong – even better, she says. My mom has a Classic Coach and my sis-in-law, too.  

Are you a Coach Classic gal? What’s your favorite style? Do tell.

Read Full Post »

Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave at the Legion of Honor

Posted in Arts, Events, Fashion, tagged , , , on May 17, 2011| 3 Comments »

Queen Elizabeth I court dress. Paper rendering by Isabelle de Borchgrave. Photo: Andrew Fox

Good news for slow pokes who haven’t yet made it to Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco – the popular exhibit has been extended through June 12th.  A cross between art and fashion history, Pulp Fashion features over 60 historical costumes made entirely of paper by Belgian artist, Isabelle de Borchgrave.

de Borchgrave is a trained painter with a fondness for textiles. In 1994 she began using paper to recreate costumes from early European paintings. The Legion of Honor is the first U.S. museum to host a retrospective of de Borchgrave’s work.

The exhibit was curated by Jill D’Alessandro and is divided into six rooms each housing different themes of de Borchgrave’s work covering 400 years of fashion including: 

  • Renaissance costumes
  • 18th century costumes
  • historical figures
  • examples of 20th century designers Worth, Poiret, Dior, Chanel

And one room is devoted to the Spanish designer and artist Mariano Fortuny.

In addition, de Borchgrave has created especially for this exhibit four costumes inspired by paintings from the Legion of Honor permanent collection.

Detail of Queen Elizabeth I Court dress. Paper rendering by Isabelle de Borchgrave. Photo: Andrew Fox

de Borchgrave uses plain pattern paper that she stencils and/or paints with acrylic ink and shapes into clothing. (For lace she uses lens cleaning paper.) She says she uses paper for its simplicity and purity.

Her craftmanship is impressive to say the least and in photographs de Borchgrave’s paper costumes appear real, however, in person they look like what they are – artistic renderings of clothing.  This is worth noting as the paper medium highlights certain qualities of the costumes that fabric might not. For example, the images on Queen Elizabeth I court dress are more striking than its voluminous shape and the detail of a cord belt or a line of slender buttons on a Fortuny tunic catches the eye more so than the famous pleats. Given that we are looking at paper rather than fabric, we are looking more closely and differently, therefore perhaps finding new things.

Well spaced and placed in imaginative settings, the exhibit offers the opportunity to view the pieces up close. Most are visible at all angles, but for the few that aren’t, mirrors would have been a helpful addition. There are panels with information and a video showing de Borchgrave at work, however, the museum has run out of brochures, which would have been handy to refer to while touring the exhibit. (There is a catalog and other books on de Borchgrave available in the museum gift shop.)

Pulp Fashion is worth a visit to experience historical costumes come to life in an unexpected medium. Bring a group of friends along for a post visit discussion.

Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle Borchgrave runs now through June 12th at the Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave., SF.

Click here for more scoop.

Read Full Post »

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted in Events, Fashion, Mom's Closet, tagged , , on May 5, 2011| 1 Comment »

My stylish mom.

Time to get back into Mom’s Closet. Click on the Mom’s Closet tab above and read the latest installment – Mom Made the Top Ten on Huffington Post.

Read Full Post »

The Royal Wedding Men

Posted in Events, Fashion, tagged , on May 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Princes William and Harry in their wedding duds.

What about the guys? Ah, how should I say this – not my cup of tea? More like, hideous! Sorry, William and Harry, but your wedding look was way over the top. Too much red, too much gold and those stripes on the trousers … painful.

Both princes are in the military, so protocol probably called upon them to sport their dress uniforms – Prince William in Colonel of the Irish Guards and Prince Harry in Captain of the Household Cavalry. Each uniform includes symbolic medals and buttons and so on.

I usually like uniforms – US Navy Full Dress Whites, oh yes! I think it was all that red on William and all the gold bling on Harry that is off-putting.    

Dress attire is tough for men. When French restaurants put waiters in tuxedos it made the special event ensemble common. Cheap rentals have also tainted the tux. Morning coats are OK, although I’m not a fan of tails. I guess for me there’s nothing like a fine tailored three-piece suit in navy blue or gray (don’t like black for day time) with a patterned tie. Simplicity is my cup of tea. But I suppose what I prefer would not be up to snuff for such a formal occasion.

Are you attending a wedding this summer? Click here to read my article in the SF Chronicle on appropriate men’s attire for weddings.

Read Full Post »

Catherine’s Wedding Dress as Reviewed by Jydonne Bynum-Breiterman

Posted in Events, Fashion, tagged , , on May 2, 2011| 4 Comments »

Catherine's wedding dress by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

The Wills and Kate wedding is now a part of  royal history, but we’re all still buzzing over Catherine’s dress. Fashion follower Jydonne Bynum-Breiterman was up bright and early on the big day to watch the festivities and she was not (too) disappointed.

The gown was very simple and very finely cut, particularly the bodice.  It melded to Catherine’s form perfectly. The sweetheart neckline bodice and v-neck lace covering with sleeves were a perfect balance in exposing Catherine’s beautiful doe-like frame while maintaining taste and appropriateness. I have no doubt, while in the design process, Catherine and Sarah Burton had Grace Kelly in mind when piecing their inspiration board.

Jydonne called it with her prediction that the dress would be designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. “I think Catherine chose Alexander McQueen for Burton’s undeniable talent and the signficant contribution McQueen made to the industry,” explains Jydonne.

Although Jydonne feels the overall effect of the dress was successful, she admits she was slightly disappointed. “It was pretty but I feel it was safe and simple,” she says. “In dressing a princess, I was expecting a bit more standout detailing and beading.”

Jydonne points out that aside from the arms,  the lace was hard to see at a distance. She thinks given all the work that went into it, it should have been highlighted. To do so, the color of the lace could have been a bit darker than that of the gown.

Jydonne also has issues with the waistline, which she feels didn’t flatter Catherine’s sleek figure. “If they had pulled Catherine’s waistline down to her hips and molded the bodice,” explains Jydonne, “it would have been a totally different ballgame and still would have remained within the constraints of ‘decency’ for Westminster.”

But Jydonne gives a positive nod to the volume of the dress and length of the train, both important factors considering the size of Westminster Abbey. The dress in a venue like that has to be big enough to be seen, but not so big it overwhelms the bride.

There was a lack of color in Catherine’s ensemble and even the Maid of Honor was in white (while the groom and his best man were all ablaze in red and gold). A few colorful flowers in Catherine’s bouquet and little rose color to her cheeks would have been a welcome addition to the white palette.  

Catherine in her reception dress also designed by Sarah Burton.

As for the reception dress – boring!  “I believe it was more of an ensemble for a much older woman,” says Jydonne. A long, full gown in ivory with virtually no detailing except some sparkle at the waist, which was the best part. She topped it with a white Angora sweater that, as Jydonne says, is something one might wear to the library.  “I would have turned up the volume,” says Jydonne. 

(For my two cents on the reception dress: It has little to no style and it is not at all up to McQueen standards. It looks like a quick afterthought. Plus, for more glamour Catherine should have sported an updo and showcased those beautiful earrings she wore earlier in the day. However, having said that, at least Catherine didn’t go tarty, which unfortunately is a common choice for evening wear these days.)

I agree with Jydonne on every point. Overall, I thought Catherine looked lovely and the lace bodice was my favorite part of her dress.   

I want to thank Jydonne for her expertise and thoughtful review. Read more from Jydonne on her website: http://vintageleisure.com/

Readers, what do you think? Do you agree with us? Disagree? Have your say and leave a comment.

Read Full Post »