Recently in Observations Category

This morning as I was putting on my J. Crew toothpick jeans, I was thinking about one of my very first Flairvoyant posts, "Skinny Jeans: Approach with Caution", written on July 11, 2006... I actually said, "Personally, I think they look pretty dumb even on skinny people".... wow, how things change... how seeing something over, and over, and over changes your perception...

J. Crew Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean in twilight wash, $125 

I definitely still think large people should not wear this look. That may seem mean, but we all should wear things that are flattering... To me, that is common sense and a lot of what fashion is about... I mean, really, fashion is about looking good, right?

Anyway, these toothpick jeans are the most narrow ones I have now, and putting them on reminded me of 8th grade when tapered jeans (that's what they called them back then) were in style - - I actually sewed a pair of jeans super, super narrow because you couldn't buy them like that.  (I had my own sewing machine, pretty cool, right?)

PS - I did retract my dislike of skinny jean on Sept. 26, 2006 (see entry)... so I havn't been that slow.

I mentioned the other day that I've just had a birthday.  I'll admit that I've reached an age where I wish that would stop happening.  It's funny, suddenly finding after being "young" for one's whole life, that perhaps you're not anymore?  It's a strange disconnect because inside you feel the same.  Perhaps it is a bit more amplified for me with my life choices, being single and childless (quite by choice), there is nothing that makes me feel older. I suspect that the responsiblity of parenthood certainly changes one's perspectives.

So with fashion, I'm pretty much in the same place I've always been. (except I admitted to wearing flats to/from work, something I'd never have done in my 20s)  Skinny jeans, leggings, mini skirts, crazy tall boots, booties, torn jeans, boyfriend shorts, a dash of leopard... these are all fun fashion things that I participate in.  Is that wrong?  Am I going to wake up one day and see a Nicolette Sheridan in the mirror or Mariah Carey?  (I guess I'd rather be Nicolette since at least she has the body for the inappropriate clothes she tends to wear)

For example, goodness, this is SO a don't. A skinny little 20-something could get away with this without looking like a sl*t.  But this just does not work, at all. 

It's an interesting dilemma.  Something to think about... well really I'm not that old... yet. I've always tended to mix trendy items with classics so I think I'm okay...

Harper's Bazaar has the section in each issue where they show items for dressing your age - 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.  I find there is usuallys stuff in every section that I would wear. I think the key is how you mix it and remembering what is appropriate for your body. As unfair as it may seem to some, I think you can stretch more youthful looks into older age when you are thin... things still look the way they're supposed to (or not - case in point above).

"For months now, consumers have been hunkering down in an economic storm, buying only what they need to survive, like groceries, diapers, medicine -- and shoes.

Shoes?

The American public, it would seem, cannot carry on without new shoes. Boots, booties, sneakers, pumps -- for the last few months they have all been selling well as the broader economy struggles toward recovery."

Excerpt from A Not-So-Guilty Pleasure by Stephanie Rosenbloom, New York Times

NOW that the dust has settled on the spring fashion collections in New York, it is possible to sum up the news of the season in three simple looks: above-the-knee skirts, above-the-knee dresses and Spanx.

- excerpt from article, "Trend of the Season, in Brief" by Eric Wilson, New York Times

"True art cannot be encompassed in a handbag, no matter how oversize, or over-pimped said handbag may be."

Something to think about!  Excerpt from 'Vuitton Bags The Big Shots' by Amy Thomas, New York Times Magazine

 

 

"LET THE GAMES BEGIN ... Style as we sometimes forget, is really about fun, plain and simple. You can feel it in the air in Manhattan in September: the irrepressible red-lipstick laugh, the up-tempo sidewalk rhythm, as the world's most beautiful women walk out in their new clothes..." - Vogue, Point of View, September Issue (p. 463)

I was taking a look at Longchamps at Bloomingdale's over the weekend and I noticed that the Pliage bags don't have "Made in France" imprinted in the leather on the back anymore.  I thought that was funny, so I looked inside for the country of origin and I couldn't find it.  I asked, and the woman showed me there is actually a small sewn-in tag made of frosted clear plastic (so it is hard to see) that does indeed indicate the country of origin.  The large tote I was holding happened to be made in France.  All of the medium totes that I looked at were made in China!  (I looked at several)  I asked her what the deal was and she didn't really know, she said that the stock comes in both ways (France and China).  She even said that some customers will look through every bag and buy up the made in France ones!  Maybe at the Longchamps store in Soho they would have a better understanding of the production (ie. which items are made in China and which in France) or if they source all of Le Pliage in both places and you have a chance to find a French one if you keep looking...

Anyway, I think it's pretty much an outrage.  I don't want to buy a French bag that's made in China, certainly not for full price.  It almost seems like an "authorized couterfeit".

Here are the two bags I was looking at:

Longchamps Le Pliage Large Tote ($145) and Medium Tote ($125).

The large tote is 19.25W (top) 13W (base) x 13H x 7.5D with a 10" drop for the handles. 

 

The medium tote is 9.75W x 9.75H x 5.5D with an 8" drop for the handles.

Yesterday was the launch of Kate Moss' new collection for Topshop.  You can see it all here.

Some things are sold out already.  The $510 diamante mini dress for example is sold out (online at least). 

I don't know, personally I don't love it. The collection is heavy on short dresses, little jackets and knit tops.  The only jean option, the bleached skinny jean, is heinous. And the tiny "hotpants", just ridiculous - - as we know from paparazzi photos, nearly no one can wear those and look good. Only airbrushed models and 12 year olds should be wearing shorts that short.  The price points aren't cheap either... the most flagrant example is a $70 scarf made out of POLYESTER, please, as if anyone sane would even wear a scarf made of polyester, forget about paying $70 for it.

Anyway, I still haven't been to a Topshop since ours in NYC just opened Thurs.  So I don't know how the quality is.  I'd be curious to take a look at how well they are sewn, etc. Do the high-ish prices (for Topshop) come with decent quality or is one just paying extra for the Kate Moss name?

The New York Times today has a nice article desribing the scene at the store opening, read here.

I don't know about you, but I am so sick of patent leather.  I wish it would go away and stay away for another 10 years at least.  I just don't understand why they make very expensive bags and shoes out of a material that looks exactly the same as patent vinyl????  It's just silly.

Examples:

$1,350 Marc Jacobs Satchel

$894 Versace Peep Toe Heels

 

These are both very expensive items, but they just look cheap to me, like plastic.  I guess it's a matter of personal taste. But I guess a lot of people must like patent leather because it's been around for a few seasons now.

 

Giorgio Armani is this week's guest blogger for the New York Times' "The Moment" section since he's here for his store opening and it's Fashion Week. He's posted 2 entries so far on Monday and Tuesday.

It's cool to get a glimpse into the life of someone like this.  But he does come off as a bit of a snob. About dining at Scott Conants' Scarpetta, he says "I liked the décor and the food was pretty good, but you know the service was a bit slow. I ate spaghetti con pomodoro and basilico -- and, here, I must interject something for your benefit. Americans overcook their pasta. Always. And there's too much sauce. Too much of everything! Please, try to control yourselves."  Geez.  Actually overcooked pasta is TOTALLY one of my pet peeves too, but it's not true that every single place in the U.S. overcooks the pasta.

And about going out to a club he says "I noticed that the crowd was dressed in a rather basic way. In Europe, the people you see at clubs are extremely beautiful to look at and are wearing very elegant clothes." Maybe it was a bad fashion night at Cielo, but it does seem that he is rather eager to castigate us boorish Americans. That's not very cool.

 

Bloomingdale's has this cute Juciy Couture Clutch/Wristlet ($148) in a nice yellow.  It's a good way for us color-averse to add a dash of color to our look.

I love the big tassel and the chunky brass hardware. It's a good size: 8" wide by 4-3/4" high. 

The problem I have with clutches is that I usually forget to use them!  I have a fabulous brown suede Prada clutch from few years ago - when they did the quirky fish designs  (a smaller version of this tote below).  

 

I hardly ever use it!  I think with the recession it is time to REDISCOVER one's own closet!  There are tons of treasures in there that should be enjoyed!

Wow, talk about pressure, as Michelle Obama steps into the First Lady role; she's also expected to become a fashion icon.  Who knows if she was into fashion before, now she has to be - or else she'll get reamed by the press.  I think there is more of this expectation because she is young - - like really, who cared about what Laura Bush wore???  (kind of irrelevant)

Yesterday, I would say got off to a rocky start but ended very well.

The lemongrass Isabel Toledo jacket and dress ensemble missed the mark.  I think it could have worked if the exact same pieces were cut slightly differently.  The jacket is too long and it's slight bell shape looks dowdy.  It should have been cut staight and the dress's skirt nipped in a bit for a sleek pencil/sheath dress silhouette.

The Jason Wu dress however was brilliant.  The styling, cut and color were all just perfect.  She looked great!  How amazing for a 26 year old designer!!!

There's a nice snipet on NY Magazine about what the designers had to say. Also, here's an article in the NY Times about the First Lady's fashion choices.

Cheers, congratulations and good luck to both our new President and First Lady!

"Modern" etiquette seems to allow for holding a red wine glass by its bowl.  Sorry, but no.  Please don't do this unless you want to look like a heathen.

This has always been one of my pet peeves.  I don't know why - - okay forget that, I do know why!  How gross is a wine glass covered with someone's greasy fingerprints?  Or for that matter sloppy lip gloss (for god's sake, BLOT before you drink).  But not only for etiquette, but for practical reasons - - the temperature of both red and white wines (more so white) are kept better when you don't handle the bowl.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed a nice day off yesterday.  I was back to work today, seemingly one of the few who was - - the city seemed very quiet!

 

I was thinking about 2008 and what new discoveries I made, and old things I really appreciated having and used a lot over the year. So here's my little recap:

New:

True Religion Jeans

Banana's New Tank Top

Juicy Couture "Serena" Platform Short Boots

Chanel Double C Earrings

Thin Hangers

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria - Mandarine-Basilic

Old Standards I love:

Mont Blanc Pen

Coverse Sneakers

Vuitton Cabas Piano

Pearls

Louboutin Classic Pumps

I am sure 2009 will be full of new discoveries, hopefully modestly priced recession-friendly ones (ha! one can dream). Cheers.

Since we're at the end of the year now, I think it's time to award the "Cheesiest Dresser of the Year Award".  I am going to have to say, without bias, Heidi Montag.  (I say without bias because I don't watch her show; and I've heard that if you do, one would have even more reason to dislike her.)

Here are some classic examples:

Yikes, I hope she had this dress taped on because her ridiculous fake boobs are about to fall out. And check out the hooker shoes, um, yuck!

This I don't even need to comment on, it speaks for itself.

Here we've got some really dumb looking and too short high waisted shorts with a weird scarf-shirt thing. Chanel sandals and an Hermes bag cannot even come close to redeeming this.

This dress looks like polyester that cost $10, it's what a hooker wears when she's trying to dress up and look proper.  And the shoes... uggghhhh!

Again horrible shoes, and why is she carrying that bag?  Totally doesn't match. The dress could have worked if she could ever mange to keep things simple.

Hot?  No, just nasty and cheap looking.  And sorry, those thighs are just not thin enough to wear shorts that short.

It's clearly a very sad case.  I wish her better luck in 2009. 

As mentioned in my last post, I finally went to the Mobile Art exhibit this past weekend. 

 

I had tickets for Saturday at 11:30 am.  They managed the whole thing beautifully, people with tickets just had to wait in a line for their time slot and were let in at the exact time, on the dot.  Since we arrived just a couple minutes before there was basically no wait at all.  (the unlucky people who didn't have tickets had to wait in a HUGE line) You are ushered into the container and they made you check everything: coats, cameras, handbags, everything!  And then you're given your headset for the audio tour.  The whole visit is paced with the narrator (at times, a bit too slow for my pace). I'm afraid to say that overall, I liked the architecture better than the art is housed.  The first room had a beautiful floral mosaic floor. One installation was a series of cardboard boxes with film projection of naked people running around inside them.  Another was a large shipping container (as in ocean freight container) with this poor giant black gummi bear like guy tied up inside with furniture, and then there is a screen where you see a film reel of a dominatrix woman beating on the bear.  At the end they had a big tree where you were instructed to write down a wish and tie it to a branch. There was also a giant black 2.55 bag laying on it's side with fur lining.  The experience was tranquil, I liked the narrator, I just thought she was a bit too slow at times. At the end when you get your coat and bags back they give you a photography magazine with some beautiful black and white shots done by Karl Lagerfeld and others. It also has a section about the exhibit and architect and the different places the container has been. You were not allowed to take any pictures inside so I only have pictures of the outside.  

I ran across this little feature on model Coco Rocha in a "pulse" slideshow in the Style section of the New York Times.  She explains her outfit, a vintage jacket from Paris, Rag & Bone pants... and Aldo boots!

 

She explains, "I believe if you see something you like and it's cheap, by all means get it. Just don't do it head to toe. Carry an expensive bag." I love that! Many of us have to do that because we can't afford to wear head-to-toe luxury designer, it's nice to hear it from someone who probably doesn't have to...  Of course this is not a new idea by any means. Fashionable people have been pairing Gap and even Old Navy with ready-to-wear for ages. Anyway, I just thought it was a nice little snipet and in this economy, practical. I'm going to go check out Aldo!  Maybe then I won't have to buy the L.A.M.B. $520 boots I'm dying for.

I also tried on some Tory Burch shoes at Bloomingdale's yesterday.  These big clunky lug sole pumps, $295.  I find the gold around the heel to be a bit garish but they looked so comfortable I tried them on anyway.  They are very comfortable, but they just didn't do it for me.

I also tried on a shoe very similar to this one below, but it had a sling back and peep toe, otherwise it was the same style. I didn't like the sling back. So this version, the "James" pump, $310 is better. I love the classic heel and round toe.  Again, I'm not crazy about the gold on the heel, but I could live with it.

There's also a new version of the Reva ballet flat, $235 that I really like.  A croco embossed leather with her signature logo medallion in leather instead of the normal gold or silver. Since it's such a large medallion I think it's a bit more tasteful not in a bright metal.

Like the LAMB shoes I saw, these were made in Brazil. I find that disappoiting. I very much prefer to wear shoes made in Italy, ONLY! I know the dollar is weak and that makes production there very expensive, but they just pass it on to us at retail anyway... I just think these are perhaps overpriced for being made in Brazil. At least with shoes made in Italy, you know you're paying a lot for the fancy brand, but you ALSO know that you are getting an incredibly well crafted shoe, nearly like art. That's why I don't mind paying so much for Gucci shoes. Even J. Crew makes many of their shoes there, so I cant' believe that Italy has become so expensive that the likes of Tory Burch and LAMB have been priced out. I think they're just pocketing the extra profit from having lower COGS. Anyway, sorry for that little rant, it's obvioulsy one of my pet peeves...

I am sorry to say that I have to retract my "favorite things" status of the Old Navy tank top.  They were such a great value, for a long time; but I find that the cotton quality has gone down severely. I guess this isn't too surprising considering that they cost only $6 (on sale) each. I have tons of them, and I guess they'll have to be worn to the gym only. 

The good news is that I've found a replacement that's only slightly more expensive.  The Gap "favorite ribbed tank" is $14.50 or $10.00 on sale.  It's got a finer rib and the cotton feels softer. Overall, it's thinner so better for layering and a bit longer which is good for wearing with low waisted pants. I think they run a bit big though, so size down.    

Another good option is the J Crew "solid washed favorite tank" for $16.50. I think it's a little thinner than the Gap one so the white would be somewhat see-through. Maybe it's a bit too long, but since it's thin material it scrunches up without being too bulky.

For the non-budget constrained, James Perse!  He now does his long tank top in a cotton/modal blend $45 at Bloomingdale's, Saks, etc. etc. I love modal, it's softer than cotton and more drapey.
I think the Gap option is the best value and the one I'm going to stock up on. I buy a bunch of these every season, so cheap is good. I can't stand white tanks that don't look pefectly white anymore, so I end up getting rid of a lot of them. And no, I don't like to use bleach because it's too harmful to the cotton fibers.

The April issue of Vogue, the "Shape Issue", features an article about Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte.  Apparently Vogue asked them last Fall to go on a 4 month program of personal training and healthy meal delivery, to be featured in this issue.  I found the article that accompanied their (the sisters') journal about the experience so smug and distasteful. It's truly cringe-worthy.  Here are a few quotes from Sally Singer's article. "Our hope was that these two talented sisters could learn to spend a little time on themselves and not devote every hour of every day to making magical, ineffably gorgeous dresses."  [nothing like a good old veiled insult] "We wanted these two young women to learn good habits now, so that they would have the peace of mind and the energy to prosper..."   [WTF, how insulting!]  "They were (and are) perfectly happy with themselves, regardless of what the scale or the jeans label says.  Both are completely without vanity where their own looks are concerned. (How rare to find women with such values. If only we could clone their parents!)"  [yeah, right we almost believe that you appreciate their values]

Uggh.  When did we all forget that vanity is a vice not a virtue?  I'm not saying that I'm against vanity or advocate lack of personal care I just think it's gross that Vogue would publish this when they clearly do not appreciate these two women at all, to Vogue they may be great designers but they just don't fit in unless they conform to the fashion world ideal better.

Has anyone else noticed that the number of amazing handbags in the marketplace has grown exponentially over the last several years?  It's impossible to keep up with.  Maybe it's even ridiculous.  It makes me think of Thomas Couture's "Romains de la Decadence" (it's hanging that the Musee d' Orsay in case you don't know what this is), except we now have EXCESS more so than vice (although us and the Romans are/were very good at both).  The excesses available to us are so compelling though...  back to the bags... you know, it used to be great if you had a Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.  But now there are like a gazillion "it bags". Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Mulberry, Luella Bartley, Botkier, Kooba, Balenciaga, Burberry... it goes on and on.  Even stale old brands like Bally are getting into the game with updated styles that of course, cost about $1000. Here's Jessica Alba with her Bally "Jana" bag and the Bally "Soledad" bag $799, that is on sale right now at zappos.com for the bargain price of $599.21.

I was saying in my last post that I think Coach shoes are a good value.  I thought I might explain that a little more.  In my experience in talking to people about the Coach brand, most people have no idea what Coach really is.  Indeed, Coach's history is "American goods". Coach was founded in Manhattan in 1941 and began as a family-run leather goods workshop.  But they are far from this today, according to their annual report (10-k) they are "a leading American marketer of fine accessories and gifts for men and women, they "utilize a flexible, cost-effective global sourcing model, in which independent manufacturers supply our products, allowing us to bring our broad range of products to market rapidly and efficiently".  In other words, Coach does not make Coach products anymore.  It is a fact that many Coach items are made in China. To me, this is not a true "luxury" brand, but at the same time their prices are a lot lower too, so I think it's okay. Anyone really interested should read their annual report available online in their Investor Relations section.

I have to admit that I've scoffed at Coach in the past because I've known for a long time that a lot of their bags come from China.  But I have to say that I think they do a good job with design, marketing and making sure their products are of certain quality.  Having good fashion available at different price points is vital.  Especially now, with the US dollar so weak against the Euro, one cannot buy a European bag (Gucci, Prada, LV) for much less than $1000, most are a lot more.  The only thing that really bothers me about Coach is that it seems like they're trying to hide the facts, you cannot find anything about production or country of origin on their retail website...  Anyway, having said all of this, I have bought Coach in the past and I will continue to based on their quality to price ratio and strong design.   

The NY Times reported today that New York City shut down 32 vendors of counterfeit luxury goods yesterday as part of a Bloomberg initiative to curtail this sleazy business.  They seized over a million dollars worth of fake Prada bags, Rolex watches, Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, etc. Yay!  I am really sick of seeing every loser on the street with a [fake] Louis Vuitton bag.  Sorry if that seems snobby, but I don't buy fake things...  I save my money and buy the real thing.  How could one ever feel good about carrying a fake bag?  I just don't understand.  Luxury items can be had by anyone these days... it just takes some of us longer to be able to buy them, and maybe we buy less.  But that's what makes these things special.

Okay, who would have guessed that J Crew has sold out for the season their "tangy orange" Bermuda shorts with embroidered yellow crab critters? I know this because I was on their website today to order them and they were not there, only the kelly green critter shorts are left. They are currently searching every store in the country to find my orange critter shorts for me.
Why did I dally? I knew I loved them the first time I saw them in one of the seemingly weekly catalogs they send. The reason was the very fact that they were "tangy orange". I thought this color was just too crazy to actually wear. But clearly I changed my mind because I was trying to order them today.

My feelings on orange have been changing for quite a while. My first dealings with the color include life jackets, carrots and the absolutely dreadful orange vanity in the downstairs bathroom of the house I grew up in. (yes, the house was built in the 70s!) I am quite sure that my dislike of orange continued all the way through college. It is sometime thereafter that the color started to change for me. I bought my first Hermes scarf in 2000 and I still have the beautiful bright orange box.  Hermes loves orange! How can they be wrong?

Of course I probably owe a lot to Christo and Jeanne Claude and their brilliant Gates exhibit in New York last year.

That totally did it for me, the orange juxtaposed against the bleak colors of the New York winter was brilliant and beautiful. These days orange is extremely common in both fashion and home fashion. Today I was surprised to see that a normally traditional home décor company (Peacock Alley) is offering bright orange "kumquat" linen accessories! Their show bed features a bright orange pillow against traditional blues and white.... again - brilliant!

Love live orange!

Hello and welcome. Flairvoyant is mostly a fashion blog, but also will include posts on cosmetics, fragrance, home items, travel, dining and art. Nearly everything influences fashion and vice versa so it makes sense to me. A little about me, I'm a 30-something who grew up in Vermont and has spent pretty much my whole adult life living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I absolutely love New York, it's a truly wonderful place to live. From museums, architecture, shopping, dining, outdoor activies to work opportunities - it really has everything. In my own way, I've loved fashion since I was a little girl, but it was certainly a lot more difficult in Vermont. The town I grew up in didn't even have a Gap store, if you can imagine that! (and interntet, for all practical purposes, didn't exist back then) I went to Paris to study my junior year, spring semester in college and that really opened my eves and was my first experience of having accessibility to really wonderful things. I bought my first 2 Vuitton bags then. (I'm sure it took me years to pay for them, but they were worth it!) Then after college I moved straight to New York, which of course is fashion heaven.