Molly Bloom knows style

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

A raglan sleeve extends to the neckline of a garment; most sleeves are set into the shoulder seam. Classic baseball T-shirts are a raglan style but this sleeve design can give great shape to dresses and blouses as well.

I bought these shoes the other day. They were described as athleisure. I previously labeled this sort of sneaker/shoe as a hybrid. A quick internet search tells me that athleisure may be catching on in the industry. I’m not sure if I like it. It sort of smells like advertorial.

smock - A dress or top that has a shoulder yoke with gathering for a full sweep. Shown above from Top Shop.

bias cut - A garment cut on the cross or diagonal grain of a fabric. Fitted bias garments hug the shape of the body, but fuller skirts can be made on the bias for a full, sweeping effect.

grommet - An eyelet that is reinforced with metal or plastic that can be used as a durable closure or simple decoration (as pictured above).

hook-and-eye closure - A fastening device consisting of a metal hook that catches over a bar or into a loop, often used in conjunction with zippers.

paillette - A small shiny disk, larger than a sequin, sewn together with others on fabric to create a fishscale effect. Pictured above is a sweater tunic from DKNY.

fishtail hem - An assymetrical hem that is longest at the back of the skirt. This style is usually fitted around the hips and flares out from the knee to the hemline. Earlier today Diane von Furstenberg showed a draped black dress with a full, almost a-line skirt and fishtail hem as part of her Spring 2007 line at Fashion Week. Perfect.

mule - Backless, closed-toe slippers or shoes. More casual forms are called slides. This style has been in fashion for a while now and its longevity is due to upscale boutique denim (which is easily dressed up with a pointed-toe mule). But as bootcut and slightly flared pants head into the sunset, will they ride out on a mule? Wear ‘em if you got ‘em but now may not be the time to invest.

Fun fact: I own a pair of mules identical to the ones pictured above. I wore them to a fancy party and my uncle commented that I could “squash a bug in a corner.” They’re practical and stylish.