The other day I pulled out a merino wool handbag that I don’t carry very often, but I love it for spring, especially Easter. It was made in Ireland by Boyne Valley Weavers and actually, I have two – one in vibrant purple and one in natural. I think this color is a standout.
Something else unique about this bag, the satin bow tie. How charming is that? I remember my mother telling me that I had to tie the ribbon as that’s what made the bag unique. I agree, and so I always do tie the ribbon into a nice big bow.
Bows are huge this season. Designers were showing bows all over the runways and now we see them on shoes, barrettes, gloves, embroidered onto fabric, anywhere a bow can go. So, I’ll do my subtle nod to the trend with my wool handbag from Ireland.
I remember walking in and just being hit with the sense – Oh my god, they’ve bottled this. They have absolutely crystalized everything that I hate about high school and put it in a store.
Once I walked into the A&F located in the Westfield Mall in downtown San Francisco. It was loud and it was dark and I walked right back out.
I just watched this fascinating documentary and there’s quite a story to A&F – the rise under CEO Mike Jeffries – financial success – illegal business practices – mottos such as “we go after the cool kids.” Apparently, corporate managers really did not want what they considered unattractive people to work in their stores or even to buy their clothes.
Did you know that A&F was originally a sporting goods store? It opened in 1892 and sold everything outdoorsy – golf clubs, tennis rackets, camping gear, hunting rifles, sports clothing, and so on. When business declined in the 1980s, Limited Brands bought A&F and revamped it, selling an American collegiate look to teenagers. It was a huge hit, until it wasn’t.
As I said, this is quite a story! White Hot is currently streaming on Netflix.
Have you noticed the crossbody “guitar strap” trend? It’s been around for quite a few years and those in the know say it’s here to stay.
Picture a wide strap woven in bright colors. I spotted such a strap on a square leopard print tote bag and thought – hey, that’s different. After that I saw it again and again and then discovered these bags and straps were coming from a local shop called Parker Thatch.
I started following Parker Thatch on IG and watched as they added more and different straps to their stock including woven, beaded, racer stripe and colors like fuchsia, orange, blue, green. Recently they’ve added chunky link chains. “Fun guitar straps became a way for women to express their style,” explains Irene Chen, co-owner of Parker Thatch.
My usual approach to trends that have captured my attention is to take time and see how they develop. I like to consider how a trend might fit into my style, and then (maybe) I hop on it. Finally, after doing a bit of on-line research, I decided I had to have one of those Parker Thatch straps (because they’re the best quality!) to pop some of my crossbody bags with color and interest.
Always a practical shopper, I wanted one strap to work with several bags. Since Parker Thatch is local to me, I was able to go in and try a few straps and I settled on one of their newer stripe options, which is narrower and the colors (khaki, red, navy, and natural) quieter. That’s funny because I was convinced I was going for something bright, but bright wasn’t working.
I am beyond happy with my purchase. The strap looks great on both my vintage 90s Coach bags (pictured above) as well as other bags in my collection. It’s really nice to elevate an old favorite with something modern and new. I like the brushed metal hardware and I can adjust the strap to as long or as short as I like.
This is a trend that’s no longer a trend and one that is ODFL approved.
My dresses usually have pockets. I’mtaking into consideration the realities women face today.
Meryll Rogge, Belgian fashion designer.
Ms. Rogge started her own fashion house in 2020, after working for fashion icons Marc Jacobs and Dries Van Noten.
Pockets in women’s clothing is such an issue. Ask any woman and she will confirm that YES! we want pockets. Particularly these days when certain things need to be accessible as we navigate our mask covered pandemic world. But designers say – pockets add bulk and can ruin a silhouette.
Well, there is an answer and I call it the Pocket Bag. Last year, I noticed that there were things I needed to consistently get to quickly and so I started carrying, in addition to a regular handbag or tote, a little pocket of sorts. Over my head or around my waist, this pocket holds keys, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and a pen. (Everyone should use their own pen!) I made a couple of these bags, but I also have one from Great Bags (pictured). Pocket Bags are handy as well if you’re carrying a backpack and/or you’re traveling and need to access your passport, etc. Plus, I think you can have fun with the look.
I get dressed every day. I always have. I know there are many people who wear workout clothes. I do not wear these things. People have looked terrible for a very long time. I’ve said it for decades, and everyone gets furious at me. Men in shorts, I think that’s bad. I wear jeans every day in the house. I’m a surprisingly formal person. I eat at the table. I set the table every time I eat. I do this even if I’m eating an apple. I have tons of friends, especially people who live alone, who often eat in their bedrooms. I would never do that. Ever.
Fran Lebowitz, American author, public speaker.
I love Fran Lebowitz! She makes me laugh. I saw her for the first time many years ago speaking on television. In her bone dry delivery she ripped Californians to shreds for our extreme no smoking policies. I’m a Californian, I hate smoking, and I support our policies/laws, but Ms. Lebowitz had me in stitches laughing. Her pacing, delivery, quality of voice, and unapologetic manner are a magical combination for humor. What’s more, she’s not even working it; seemingly that’s just the way she is.
She has a signature look that I also appreciate. Pretty much for the last 50 years she has donned jeans, an Oxford shirt, a blazer, custom made wingtip cowboy boots, and in the winter a big overcoat. She buys quality, often bespoke, classic pieces and sticks with what works for her.
As for her quote today, I completely agree with everything she says:
Men in shorts is not a good thing. (Men in sandals is worse.)
People dress poorly.
I also set the table every day for every meal.
Click here to read an interview Elle magazine did with Ms. Lebowitz in 2015. (Once again she had me in stitches.)
That’s me and my grandmother, she looking lovely in her caftan.
I recently attended a Webinar discussion on the future of fashion during the pandemic with a panel of women who work in the business; one panelist mentioned that she thought entertaining at home was going to be a trend. She predicted that by next year designers will have a dedicated line of at home wear.
I think she’s on to something and I’m reminded of my stylish grandmother. When she was elderly and could no longer go out, at home every day she donned colorful caftans and leather mules. (She also still dyed her short pixie-cut hair and had regular manicures – up until she died at age 84.)
Caftans by Stella McCartney, Fall 2020 as seen in Harper’s Bazaar.
My wardrobe includes items that are what I call, At Home Attire. In pre-pandemic days, I would change out of street clothes when I got home and slip into “something more comfortable,” which might be a pair of silky pajamas or a long cotton dress. Now that I’m spending more time at home, I’m inspired by my grandmother and I try to make an effort to look presentable every day.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll share some of my newly created outfits. Stay tuned.
One of the assignments in the fashion history class I recently completed was to find historical fashion references in current fashion. In magazines I looked for examples covering ancient clothing to the 20th century and matched with historical images from books, plus I had to write a comment.
The late 20th Century: Mini-Dress
The simple silhouette, high waist and short hem of Michael Kors design revisits (yet again) the mini-skirt fad of the 1960s. (Additionally Kors use of brocade fabric and jeweled embellishment feels a bit 18th century Baroque.)
Of course I love the matching hat! Plus you can’t see very well, but the mules are made of the same dress fabric. Go matchy, matchy!
This is the final installment of Finding Historical Fashion Today. I hope ODFL readers enjoyed the series. If the stats are any indication, you did.
There will be more historical fashion posts in the future. Stay tuned.
One of the assignments in the fashion history class I recently completed was to find historical fashion references in current fashion. In magazines I looked for examples covering ancient clothing to the 20th century and matched with historical images from books, plus I had to write a comment.
Over the next weeks I’m sharing what I found.
This week’s historical influence is the Doric Chiton.
I’m inspired by the simplicity of the Ancient Greek Doric Chiton. I wear long dresses and skirts in summer at home and I find they are cool and comfortable, but not sloppy in certain fabrics. A cotton weave is best.
Clothing in ancient cultures were draped and folded, tied or attached by a T-shape pin called a “peplos pin.”
It’s hard to read my comment above but the modern dress is by Prada, spring 2020. The basic silhouette and ties at the shoulders speak Doric Chiton to me.
Tune in next week for another post on Finding Historical Fashion Today.
One of the assignments in the fashion history class I recently completed was to find historical fashion references in current fashion. In magazines I looked for examples covering ancient clothing to the 20th century and matched with historical images from books, plus I had to write a comment.
I hopped right on it and started looking when the class began in January and it took me pretty much the whole semester. It wasn’t something you could get done in one sitting (I think that some of the other students might have tried). It was old-school cut and paste and I really had fun with it.
I’m going to share my findings with ODFL readers over the next weeks. First up is the Schenti:
OverDressed for Life 