The Black and White Wardrobe

There is a certain breed of people out there who wear only black and white with a few shades of gray in between and they seem perfectly happy. Don't they miss color? What about a red shoe?

A co-worker of mine is one of these people. Her reasons? It's easy and she always matches even when she's running late. She also manages to pull off classic, chic looks every day. I have a large collection of black shirts, but they're mostly t-shirt style and not really very interesting at all. So what makes her wardrobe work so much better than mine? She has a great selection of simple but well structured dresses and tops that she layers over pants and dark denim and is never without one cool accessory. (It also doesn't hurt that she has the most naturally beautiful, black, modelesque head of hair...)

So the question I ask-Is this fashion cheating or fashion brilliance? I'm not sure, but I came across some goodies as I was researching this topic that could make me give up my "colorful" lifestyle...you know what I mean...(and of course I didn't take these photos...)



Phi Spring 2009...This floaty tunic/dress would be perfect for Texas weather!



Dear Heart, meet Dillian from Christian Louboutin. I admit, this was love at first sight. Sigh...



This Herve Leger Ombre Dress is amazing! And of course I would need to be much taller and much richer for this dress, but a girl can dream!

Well, I'm not convinced that a wardrobe this basic would satisfy me. Maybe I could get away with it for a week but I know I'd be craving my green flats, and my yellow clutch, and my new turquoise wedges, and...

J.

Strut

J4 and I went to one of my favorite local boutiques, Strut. This place is filled with daring up to date styles with incredible prices, and carry clothing shoes purses and accessories.

One of my favorite pieces went for about$18...



Though I didn't see the red bracelet, (these pictures came off their website www.shopstrut.com,) I did see it in cream and yellow and I couldn't decide between the two.

I liked the fact that most of the racks were color coordinated and they expanded upstairs into space that had once been occupied by a men's store so there were even more goodies to look at.



This one was on their black and white rack, but unfortunately not in my size.



J4 fell in love with the blue pair of these shoes which are more of a silk fabric than the photo shows. (In her own words, "I have an unnatural fondness for anything purple or blue.")

I myself found a dress with a very sexy low back that I can't wait to wear when the weather gets warmer, but you'll have to wait until I post it. (See? Already planning on the perfect setting!)

Unfortunately the website is not so good and maybe the store needs a tad bit of editing (or plan on spending some time) but I guarantee almost anyone can find something to their liking within a reasonable price range.

They have three locations here in Austin but the only one I've been to is on South Lamar. Maybe I can find my size at one of the other stores...

J.

New Dress Vs. Bad Date

What girl doesn't get excited about a new dress. The minute we have it in our possession we're planning on the perfect place and setting to wear it. Oh how wonderful it's going to make us feel! And that's exactly how a new dress should make a girl feel. But is the occasion worth the dress? Here's a story that I heard today that made me ask that exact question...

Upon receiving her new dress that had been shipped to her office "Tammy" wondered aloud to her co-workers "Maybe I should wear this on my date tonight," to which they responded "Don't waste a new dress on that jerk. He's not worth it. Just throw on a basic black dress." (Apparently no one in her office is a fan of the young man and if many people are telling her this, there's probably some truth to it...) Anyway, if a date, even with a jerk, isn't worth a new dress, then when is the time appropriate?

Just wondering...
J.

I Wish I Had In My Closet - Donna Karan Toreador Skirt

(Photo from bergdorfgoodman.com)

I love this skirt! This is closet art at it's best! The topic reminds me of Picasso, the shape is reminiscent of the 50's. This would be in my everyday rotation if I could afford it. I may have to hunt down some vintage fabric and break out the sewing machine.

J.

Glam Rock Chic

In the 80's the hottest ladies in rock were Joan Jett and Chrissy Hynde. Back then it was all or nothing with hair dyed so black it was blue and thick eyeliner that never seemed to wash all the way off.

Well, the look is back - minus the hair dye - and fortunately it doesn't have to be a lifestyle and it can actually be fun to pull off every now and then. It can be simple by just adding an accessory to toughen up a soft style...



Personally, I like a little hardware with my accessories. Chains and studs will definitely work.

Skinny jeans also take us back to the hair band days...try pairing them with a vest and tank like these...



And of course, don't forget that vintage T-shirt with a black blazer and boots.

However you choose to mix it up, I personally recommend staying away from tight lycra pants- gross! -and fringe, especially if it's hanging from a leather sleeve. (That never really did do it for me, a little too distracting.) And I'm still ok with the thick eyeliner, but on the top lids only.

Remember, this is more of a going out night look and not (I repeat) a lifestyle.

J.

Springtime Trends

I've been searching and hunting through magazines and catalogs debating about what springtime trends I can afford and mix and match with my existing wardrobe. The choices are many and due to the economy, all the latest editorials are about mixing high/low, so hopefully I can get maximum mileage out of what I already own. My choices so far?

1) Call me crazy but I love Gucci's safari look complete with the thick purple eyeshadow
2) The LWD (Little White Dress)
3) Snake skin purses and accessories
4) Piled on bangles
5) Shades of neutral beige
6) And I think I'm going to try a gold metallic dress for a wedding...it's much more subtle than it sounds.

I have already added to my shoe collection (which is all J4's fault,) so I told myself that I can't buy any more shoes until August...unless that perfect pair of caramel colored sandals show up.






And of course to qualify the 2 pair I bought today I had to tell myself that my favorite black strappies are almost done for...

Ahh Closet...We just need to spend a little time together.

J.

Suit Shopping with Rhett (And Frank)

Since I rarely get the chance to shop for men's clothing- suits in particular - I just have to gush a little about the outstanding experience at Men's Wearhouse tonight. I was there this evening, with my boyfriend Rhett, in search of a suit for him.
For starters, lucky for him, they were having a buy one suit get one free sale. Every girl loves the sound of that no matter what store she happens to be in. Second, we were promptly greeted by Frank, our excellent salesman, and after Rhett explained what he was looking for and his time constraints, Frank took one measurement, went straight to the rack and pulled out a beautiful charcoal suit, exactly what was needed. It was almost a perfect fit.
As for the second suit, (aka The Free One...) he pulled out an olive/grey suit and I know my nose wrinkled at it. But when Rhett pulled on the coat I could see why he had picked it. It complemented him to a "T." So weird! I thought I would hate it but I liked it even more than the first suit.
While Rhett tried on the pants to have them hemmed, Frank wasted no time in pulling several shirts and ties, of which, after a little mixing and matching, 2 shirts and 3 ties were chosen. Considering the fact that I've heard Rhett call ties "glorified napkins" I'm rather proud of him. (Personally, I liked the lavender, but I'm not the one wearing it.) On top of all this, they had the pants for the charcoal suit hemmed and ready to go within 30 minutes.

So I admit that I thought we would have to dig through a bunch of racks, it would take forever and we would be disagreeing. However, with the service we received, we were out of there within an hour and a half, both of us satisfied and not one argument between us. Way to go Frank!!

J.