If you’re going anywhere with white sands, blue lagoons, nautical-themed piano bars or taxidermy swordfish, this bag is a winner. You can carry it in St. Somewhere or the South Pacific. You could go matchy-matchy and pair it with wedge heel esparadrilles; go casual with sandals or beach-appropriate flip-flops. This purse looks big enough for a small camera, trial-size SPF, wallet and room key. And “room key” is one of my favorite words.
Today I’m washing silk before turning it into a cute-ass top (it’s pink, it’s dotty, it’s a cute-ass top). I found a great tutorial about washing silk — in this case Hermes scarves. It’s an easy process but you have to be diligent. Ironing the damp fabric will bring it back to its original texture and dry it completely.
The blouse I’m making will be hand-washable because the fabric has been treated before sewing and shouldn’t shrink at the seams. A lot of silk garments are washable; look for ones without embroidery or lots of seaming or structure. I agree with the article that using a drop of dish detergent is better than Woolite.
In the mid-1970s Dittos Jeans were the luxury denim of their time. They were tight, high-rise and made your behind look like you’d sprayed the pants on. Their slogan was “Dittos: The Line Forms In The Rear.” They were tighter than tight. And they’re coming back in colors such as grass green and sky blue. It’s been a long winter for dark-dark jeans. These should hit the spot.
This classic dress from JCrew is rocking my world. I may have to buy one. In an age of billowy and babydoll, this dress is trim. It’s made of wool, not jersey, and it has a waist. I love the pockets and neckline. It’s poorly accessorized here — everything is boring, especially her hair. With some bold additions and a dash of red lipstick, this dress would pop. So versatile, love it. Available in sizes to 16.
Sometimes style means taking your own path. I love the goddess-inspired drapey looks that are in vogue right now but it seems everything is made out of jersey. So I’m thinking… a tailored look for after-seven is bound to make an impression.
A tuxedo shirt for women! Adorable! The tie is meant to be worn open. This would be so cute with a pair of slim ankle-length pants and luxe flats, maybe some diamond stud earrings. And what about adding a menswear-inspired hat?! You can’t wear one of those with a dolman-sleeved empire-waisted number.
Perhaps this silk tuxedo-esque shirt from Ralph Lauren is more your style.
This button-front shirt has a great silhouette and this season’s happening bell sleeves. It’s low-cut so you get to show some skin and showcase a lovely necklace, but buttoned-up enough that you can wear it with pants and not feel dowdy.
What? You don’t have a white shirt? You should get one. They’re very au currant. The look is more Carolina Herrera than Annie Hall. Here are four very happening white shirts, all with a twist.
The best-fitting white shirt should have a button between the center of your boobs. This will keep it from gaping across the fullest part of your chest. Sometimes it’s best to send white shirts to the laundry. They will do a great press job and you can get light starch for crispness.
Check Guy Friday tomorrow for another white-shirt tip!
I’ve written about bras in the past (here and here). Recently a friend quoted me back to me: “Molly Bloom says there is a bra for every outfit, and this one isn’t it.” Bras have come up in conversation twice since then. People have questions about the bras. So for you dear readers, I pass on what I know about bras.
My favorite lingerie store in San Francisco is Alla Prima (they have two locations). They are masters at fitting bras. They’ll measure you and bring you different kinds of cup styles (and most women would benefit from a cup change). Alla Prima is a great place to start your new collection of correctly sized garments; you’ll pay a little more but it will be perfect, and you’ll wear it every day. Look for bargains in favorite brands online once you’ve set your size and style.
A few things about bras:
- The number on your bra is the circumference of your ribcage.
- The letter (or cup size) represents the number of inches fuller your breasts are than your ribcage. Measure the fullest part of your bust for this. If your ribcage measures 32 and your bust is 35, you’re a 32 C.
- Just because it fastens doesn’t mean it fits.
- The center part of your bra between the cups should be flat against your chest.
- Your boobs should not jiggle when you walk. Sorry, guys.
- Get measured every year.
- Bra sizes often change with weight loss or gain. Don’t just go up or down a band size; you may need a different cup size as well.
- Learn which straps, cup style, fabric, etc. are most comfortable and look for more bras with those features.
- Don’t wear a sports bra as an everyday bra. It mushes your boobs into a funny loaf shape and the fabric is usually too heavy to be inconspicuous under nice tops.
- You need to spend some money on your bras. Victoria’s secret is actually that her bras are poorly made and uncomfortable.
- Don’t put them in the dryer. The elasticity will go and the wires will poke through and then you’re just screwed. Hand-washed bras will last the longest.
Marimekko is a Finnish textile company famous for their bold prints. They have a sort-of retro, sort-of contemporary feel that’s timeless and enduring. They were made famous in the United States by Jacqueline Kennedy, who wore their prints during the 1960 presidential campaign.
These designs aren’t limited to runway shows and design stores. I made kitchen curtains from an orange Marimekko cactus design and my work table is skirted with a large version of the flower print shown above (on a dress from Oscar de la Renta). Rounding out my collection is a set of Lokki sheets in the bedroom. I once cut up a vintage Marimekko sheet to make a clown costume (and later learned the print was an imposter).
These prints are timeless but they are seasonal for dress. Summer is the perfect time for a giant-leaf sun dress or flower power shift. It’s time to get your bold on.
Precious few things are true classics. Many so-called classics are tweaked toward the trends of an era, with changes to color, size or shape. True classics are dignified and unchanging, like a single string of pearls. A single strand of pearls is timeless — they bring a quiet and respectable touch of glamour.
My pearls were bought by my grandfather in Japan during World War II and given to my grandmother at war’s end. My grandmother gave the pearls to me as a wedding gift. They’ve been with me through four-star dinners, at least four weddings and a funeral. They allow me to dress up without being too flashy.
I never thought of myself as a pearl girl. Jewelry isn’t really my thing. I’m fair-skinned and thought pearls would get lost on my decollatage. Sometimes I still think of myself as a rebellious youngin’. Like other true classics, pearls take a level of maturity or at least wardrobe restraint. Perhaps my wedding was a turning point, signaling that I was mature enough to carry off the pearls.
Like other classics, pearls are pricey. This is one investment you really will use more and more with time. If you’re not in line for your grandmother’s but yearn for a single strand, start saving, marry rich or start scouring pawn shops. You can have pearls restrung to the correct length or update the clasp. I’m not an advocate of fake anything and I’m certainly not telling you to buy faux pearls to pass off as real ones (but for costuming purposes, by all means, layer them on!). Patience is a virtue, my pearl.
