Dear readers I have not forgotten you. It’s just that blogging from the beach isn’t as fun as I thought it would be. I’ll be back next week offering style suggestions for the new year. Until then, my friends, here’s a reminder to accessorize your beachware (thanks for the earrings, mom) and rock that crisp white shirt.
Also I wanted to show off my tan.
Usually I don’t write about shopping but this being the third week of December, I’m up for it. There’s not a lot of style news, my issues of Women’s Wear Daily have been pretty sparse and everyone on the internets is on vacation. For those of you desperately searching for something to fill your time as you warm your chair at the office, here is a list of stylish stocking stuffers for the dolls on your list.
Stockings for her stocking. They are in the same vein as lingerie but much easier to give as a gift.
The Cadillac of hairbrushes will last her (or him) a lifetime. Nice brushes really do make a difference. Most beauty supply stores will carry them.
The Cadillac of eyelash curlers. This is an accept-no-imitations item. I got one in my stocking last year and love it. Sold at Shu Uemura (most major cities) and Sephora.
Travel jewelry case from Tiffany in the classic blue. You may want to slip
something inside.
Flowers spilling out of the top of a stocking would be a real winner, too. A nice red and white bouquet of tulips, perhaps? I love caviar and conveniently that fits in stockings. Who doesn’t love a sassy little caviar spoon? Take care to add any perishables last-minute. Anything in miniature form is good — teeny notebooks, facial blotting papers, lip balm, high-end hand cream.
It’s kind of generic, but I always appreciate gift certificates to a store, restaurant or spa. Maybe Anthropologie. Or Alla Prima Lingerie. Or San Francisco margarita stalwart Puerto Allegre. If you’re giving a gift certificate, make sure she can buy something with that amount. Be sure to put the gift certificate in a fancy card or box.
Note to San Franciscans: Everything listed here has a store in town. Happy shopping.
Never underestimate the power of a red velvet ribbon. Experiment with different widths of ribbon and shades of red, tie the knot in the front or back, mix it up. It’s easy to make a choker, a headband, a bracelet, a belt. My favorite: a classic hot-rolled high ponytail with a short bow. Festive!
This trick also works with black velvet, satin ribbons, whatever. Tie yourself up.
At a party last weekend there was a woman wearing a lovely silk high-collared dress. It was gorgeous, a perfect winter white. Unfortunately it was marred at the neckline by makeup streaks. I can understand why she put on her makeup before putting on the dress. White clothes are an invitation to spillage. Even loose powder can sprinkle down stains. But her face rubbed against the garment and the makeup stayed with it.
Tip: Attach a Kleenex to your hairline using a few bobby pins, then slip into your clothes. Ta-da! No flesh-tone streaks. And always apply lipstick once your clothes are on to make sure the shade works with what you’re wearing.
Resort wear is the umbrella drink of the fashion world. It should be fun, colorful and a tad sweet. You wouldn’t order a Blue Hawaiian in a Manhattan wine bar. Nor should you wear grays, dark colors or muted prints in Tahiti.
Men’s resort wear is best when cut in classic styles from whimsical, preppy and occasionally loud fabric. The classic lines are important as they keep you from looking like a Day-Glo clad Daytona Beach tourist. The color is important because it keeps you from looking stodgy.
I love the wacky, bright preppy summer clothes of the 1970s. Think vintage Lilly Pulitzer. Or new Lilly Pulitzer. I also like to see a man in seersucker or madras patchworck pants.
I’m not a big fan of shorts. But since most men don’t have the option of wearing a skirt or dress, I’ll give a pass. Beach vacations are exactly where you should be wearing shorts. Pack at least one nice pair. You’ll have room for them in your suitcase once you throw away those jeans shorts, because there is never a time when jean shorts are right. I am an absolute believer that it is possible to wear the right shorts with a shirt and tie, soft loafers sans socks. Really. Meow.
Try on shorts of different lengths. That lingering trend from the 1990s of wearing really long shorts makes most men look as if they have extremely long torsos and short midget legs. This goes for swim trunks as well, the too-long swim suit being the least sexy thing I personally can think of seeing on a toned body. Boo.
Don’t rely too heavily on T-shirts. Boring. Instead pack a few light-colored dress shirts to pair with shorts. This is an easy look for even the most fashion illiterate. Roll the sleeves up to the elbows or wear them unbuttoned with swim trunks.
A lot of men wear golf shirts for dressier resort occasions. I don’t like golf shirts but I recognize their place in the canon of men’s fashion, so I won’t say any more. Except to say that horizontal stripes, especially on a knit fabric, will make you look chubby.
Be sure to grab a tropical tie. And some nice sunglasses. And a summery, lightweight belt.
Ooooh, one last thing: I suggest a banana daiquiri.
I wrote a column about women’s holiday wear. You should read it.
denier - The lower the denier number the sheerer the garment. Stockings knitted with a higher denier tend to be less sheer but more durable.
Part 1 in a series of a few columns on vacation wear. Look for a men’s holiday resort column on Guy Friday.
I’m lucky enough to be going on holiday for the holidays. I’ve got a new bathing costume but have been considering what I’ll wear when I’m not in the water. Beach vacations don’t have to mean just T-shirts and shorts.
Resort wear does follow overarching style trends but is more subdued, granting some wearing longevity. You probably already have a good start in a resort wardrobe in your closet.
All those cute short sleeve and sleeveless blouses that were so big earlier this year? They’re back in season. Pair dressy blouses with cropped pants or easy skirts and sandals. Formal shorts are another good pairing and can make an instant 1940s look with wedge sandals and red lipstick.
This season’s long-sleeved tunic tops make perfect coverups, especially when the afternoon sun beats down and you need to shield your skin or shuffle over to that thatched-hut beach bar.
Call me Victorian but I hate to see wet people in wet swimsuits anywhere but the beach or pool. It just isn’t appropriate for the lobby or the elevator. I don’t know why. Perhaps it has to do with being in mixed company, the Drys and the Wets. I just don’t want to see it.
I’ve stopped taking more than one or two T-shirts on vacation. I never wear them or the 10 tank tops I used to tote along “just in case.” Dead weight is dead weight and I’d rather pack lighter and cuter.
Michael Kors does resort well. No wonder he’s so tan (wink). The tunic pictured above is from his current line as are these super hot bamboo-stem shades.
So your mom asked what she could get you for Christmas and you said you don’t know. Gentlemen, this is the perfect time to score those items you need but aren’t willing to throw down on. Your mama loves it when you dress up. Just look at how handsome you are!
Why not add a black blazer to the list? This two-button velvet number is perfect for the holidays (think mistletoe and New Years kisses, Mr. Fancy). Velvet isn’t for the office but you wear jeans there anyway. If cocktails are served and there’s a chill in the air, this jacket is the way to go. Pair it with black-black dress pants, the kind you have to take to the dry cleaner. H-O-T.
You need a nice tie. A really nice tie. That cornflower blue tie you’ve been wearing is boring us all. We won’t even mention the novelty tie, the one with the cartoon characters. Time to kick it up a notch, guys. These ties from Paul Smith are punchy but not cutesy.
A nice crisp white shirt is sexy. It will work with that black blazer or maybe your new tie. It’s the kind of thing that separates the men from the boys, even with jeans and black oxford kicks. Ted Baker makes killer shirts that get extra points for use of cufflinks and his ties are great as well.
Cufflinks! You should get some. Your date will notice. That hottie across the room will notice. Get some nice sterling silver ones or maybe something with a nice inlay. If you wore cufflinks every day you’d get laid more often. Trust me, I know these things.
If your mom is rich and you don’t lose things, this cashmere peacoat is so very handsome. These Gucci loafers are outstanding. Rawr.
The anecdote about “and all I got for Christmas was socks!” wouldn’t suck so bad if they were cashmere socks. And these cashmere-lined leather gloves aren’t so bad either.
If you’re still slinging on a backpack when you fly home, it’s time for an upgrade. The Spinner series from Samsonite is well-built and features multidirectional wheels that make it easy to maneuver down airplane aisles.
Your mother wants to make you happy. Send her links or photos so she’ll know exactly what you want. What you consider a cashmere sweater may not be what she has in mind. And be sure to send her your measurements. If you’re not comfortable having mom pick out your date clothes, ask for a gift certificate. But you gotta actually use it for cool stuff, promise?