Molly Bloom knows style

It is probably the ugliest bra ever made, the Bra-lellujah!. But I had to try it. I’m a believer in Spanx undergarments to smooth things under clothes and wanted to see if maybe, just maybe, they had figured out how to keep the girls in place with some knit wonder. It came in my size so hey, maybe this would work for the well-endowed.

Groan. No. So wrong and hideous looking! I had body-image vertigo from all sides. And it came with instructions explaining how to step into the bra and jiggle things into place. A seam runs across the cups which would show through most tops. Even in black Bra-lellujah! looked like a bandage.

Thumbs-down review aside, you can’t go wrong with Spanx undies. Power panties: accept no imitations.

I’m seeing lots of metallic leather on the horizon. Target’s high/low accessories line by Botkier has a range of gold leather products, including this clutch. I think it makes a great evening bag. I have no idea about the quality, although cheap bags are usually cheaply made. This bag fits my ethos of spending less on special-occasion items and more on well-made staples.

Coach has a new line of bags called Zoe. My favorite is pictured above. If I were in the market for a new bag I’d buy this one. It’s a good size and has solid hardware. And the color! It would look good with warmer brown toes or an all-black ensemble. Gorgeous.

Metallic leathers are making their way into other accessories. This belt from Banana Republic would look great with wide-legged wool trousers or atop a blouse or cardigan. My honey gave me a gold leather wallet for my birthday (with pink polka-dot lining!) and I feel fancy and grown up carrying it.

StyleShake is a site that let’s you customize made to order clothes. I’ve written about Dress Monkey, a site where guys can plug in measurements, choose style features and order a suit. These type of “custom” garments are not the same as bespoke, because you’re not working directly with a tailor. Measurements cannot be as precise and nips and tucks can’t be made in a final fitting because there isn’t one. What you receive in the mail is what you get, a made-to-order garment.

Measuring yourself is unreliable so ask a friend to help. Re-measure a few times to make sure you got the right lengths. Something I find tricky about Style Shake is their how-to measure guide; there are no depth of measurements, meaning the waist measurement falls at the same place regardless of size. For example, if you have a long-torso and need extra length up top, there is no consideration made. They seem to be working off a size system and you match your measurements with the closest size. The garments are one-of-a-kind but not tailored to your figure.

I do think this type of service undermines true custom clothiers. Most people can’t afford true bespoke clothes. But in a time when people are bemoaning the state of the world, keep in mind that the cheapest clothes are probably not fairly produced. I hope this made-to-order trend takes off but that additions are made for the tailoring of the clothes.

When I was in Paris I saw lots of fringe suede moccasins. “Dear god, do not let this cross the Atlantic,” I thought. And here they are, mocking me. Brown, suede, fringed; booties or full-on cross-laced knee-length. People are wearing moccasins up and down Valencia Street. Gah.

Part of my aversion to suede moccasins is my distaste for unstructured shoes. But mostly it’s because they remind me of this guy who my best friend’s headbanger sister hung around in 1984. And I hated his shoes even then. However I will completely cop to owning these loafer mocs in white that summer.

This gadget sells itself, really. I love the military-inspired bandolier-esque one-shoulder style. If you’re not a beer drinker you could fill it with beer for your friends. Or Diet Coke or kombucha, whatever. With a little decoration this would make a fitting addition to any faux-military/spaceman costume. Only $15!

(via BrightSeeker)

bespoke - A custom-made garment; contemporary usage most often refers to a custom-made suit.