a girl can dream

Monday, August 17, 2009

September Issues...Sigh




Well it's my favorite time of year as far as the mags go. Last night I had a lovely four hour (approx) date with these beauties and more. I will say bazaar was disappointing with the creepy leighton meester ageing thing, but i still get excited when i get to go through these issues. They say magazines will go the way of the VCR and I don't think i'll miss anything more than the September Issues. Honestly there isn't much to see as far as business clothes go. But Joe Zee does a "which look is better (mine or his?)" type chart with Andy Samberg and the interns/assistants at Elle (U.S.) and the workwear looks are just OK. Nothing special and nothing new. Also, if one more fashion must-have list has the "White Shirt" on it, I'll throw up. Duh, white shirts are like underwear. It's not like we need to be reminded like children! Editors, please just use them with the "wear it like this" pictures - we do not need examples of a white collared shirt again and again. If there is some fabulous, insanely differently cut Givenchy white blouse for example, then fine. But generally we really don't need to be reminded.

PS Can't wait to see the eptember Issue (i.e. All about Anna).. however I'm pretty sure i'll have to go to LA to see it.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Dreaming of Goyard...






So, I have always had a thing for work accessories. When i was little i used to play "business." Yes, i would make my friends (only child) and my parents play "school", but business was way better. I would get my dad's old agendas, legal pads, promotional pens, desk calendars, caclulators, etc. and pretend to make serious phone calls and appointments (for what i don't know).. And remember briefcases? I was obsessed with them. My dad would give me old ones to play with and i would lug them around in my mom's high heels ( at 4). Maybe it's just me but they seem like something straight out of the 0-80s that got left in the 90s somewhere.. I still have always enjoyed the idea of them, maybe because i remember the great leather smell of my dad's giant cherry one with suede interior, and of wishing to be important enough to have one! Well obviously anyone can have their own version of one.. and their own gorgeous accessories to go with it. Note: i know many people still feel Goyard is old lady. I personally hold to the belief that it is old lady chic. And i insist on initials on any piece of Goyard you might acquire. PS I am dying for that diary.

To Vintage or Not to Vintage...

1989 Shelley Long aka Phllyis Nefler

1980s Minnie Mouse Suit (C'Madeleine's)

Just for fun I thought I'd post this great pic of Phyllis. I was inspired by the 80s suit above i found on Madeleine's site. Ah, to live the carefree life of Phyllis Nefler. Just looking at her makes me want to play dress up. Sigh.
Now, down to business:


1990s Chanel (chocolate)
(C'Madeleine's)

1980s Ungaro
(C'Madeleine's)
1990s Gaultier

1970s YSL wool suit

YSL 1970s Suit
So, the whole shouler pads thing had me thinking about vintage in general in the business formal workplace. Does it belong anywhere other than jewelry? I think yes, especially in this economy (when a new Theory suit runs me almost $700 (incl tax)), it does. But, there are a lot of caveats here:
1. No polyester. Ever. Never Ever.
2. Any piece has to be in excellent condition - not good - Excellent to be worn to work. Note: on the net they should say, Mint or Near Mint Condition. Still, always dry clean before wear - never know where its been.
3. Cashmere can be a real find, but please scrutinize for tiny holes, because they soon become very large holes.
4. Tailor tailor tailor. Find yourself a good tailor and buy away. Basically, anything can be tailored to fit your body type, but vintage suits/pants and often jackets often have to be altered to look appropriate and chic.
5. Buy new shoes. Vintage boots are amazing for real life but NO vintage shoes for WORK. You can get very cheap imitations of designer styles if price matters, but no matter what, used shoes are very difficult to make look new again if they weren't yours to begin with. Also, they have the business feet funk don't forget.
There are more but these are a start.. i've been checking out the designer vintage sites to see if i can spot some goodies and i've posted a few finds with links underneath. Happy hunting!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Shoulder Pads

(from dailymail.co.uk)



So, I was 0-10 in the 80s but i remember them well. I loved seeing my mother all dressed up for events in a powerful houndstooth suit with shoulder pads and pearls. Nothing was more glam to me then. I still love seeing them in 80s movies and shows like Dynasty and Dallas and wishing that kind of decadence might someday return. Ok, so apparently they have returned and now i'm not sure how I feel about it. Balmain on Beyonce is one thing (to die for), but for regular people? do they really belong back in the cubicle? Melanie Griffith was so cute in her pads and power hunt in Working Girl.. but 2009 really? I really do believe shoulder pads can do wonders for women's bodies. The broad / big shoulder illusion leads the eye to see a narrow waist (i.e. a swimmer's V-shape). Well, I held onto a couple of my mother's wool suits from the 80s and I LOVE them. One gray one in particular I'll post a pic of later has slim-cut pants with a super high waist and a side zip and a boxy cut jacket with SHOULDER PADS and all silk lining. I think it might finally be time to wear it with pride at the office...

P.S. check out www.shoulerpads.net for some Dynasty love

Business Feet loves Shopbop

sergio rossi Pedro Garcia

Dsquared2

(all from shopbop.com)

I'll post my fall real life heel cravings later, but here's what I'm looking at for some cute fall pump options (note: I can't wear open-toes, slingbacks, or really loud patterns (i.e. leopard)). So, Shopbop has come a long way since it first started. It now has all the best lines and has an endless supply it seems. Every season it seems to get bigger and better. They recently redesigned the site so its even more shopper-friendly.. Anyway I can see all of these complimenting my looks for fall - and the designers have proven quality. Looks in my head for each one: Dsquared2 pump goes with black suit (mono-color shirt - pink, purple, etc.), Pedro Garcia Saddle with navy suit(again mono shirt - maybe even just white), and Sergio Rossi pump (get it in GREY not black!!), with black, navy, or charcoal Suit and a variety of shirts - love it.

My Theory on Theory




(bloomingdales.com)
So, Theory and I get along pretty well as far as suiting goes. And the nice thing is the whole mix and match deal. You get one Jacket (I have generally preferred the Gabe B) and literally can get a skirt and three different styles of pants to match. They do a pretty good job of keeping an 80s idea modern by switching up the cuts every season but always keeping classics around (like the Gabe B jacket and Max C pants). I am loving a narrow pant leg for work (as well as real life), and a boyfriend jacket (although i'm still debating whether the Theory version makes the business cut - it's still a little forward)...
I have to mention I take issue with their shoes though. They are pretty expensive (I think cheapest business formal shoe is around $250 and it only goes up from there), and are seriously uncomfortable for me. I have a really high arch though so I'm weird about shoe quality. I also think so far the design has been somewhat dated (cool it with the mary janes), but we'll see what they have in store this fall and maybe i'll give them a chance again. Anyway, here are some shots of their new fall cuts i'm pretty into..
Note: I think it's important to mix up the work-drobe with seasonal colors (i.e. royals) so you feel like you're keeping current not just in real life. I swear it helps you work better. And I insist on purchasing new white dress shirts yearly, if not half-yearly (trust me, a year of dry-cleaning shows). P.S. Saks.com et al put the worst "full-looks" together for Theory / don't do it at all. I suggest checking out the Theory site itself and signing up for the mailing list - They have a cute look-book with cute suggestions.



Tuesday, August 4, 2009

High Fashion vs Work Life & Real Life






(Prada AW 2009, style.com)


Ok, so in my dreams I could wear the collections we all lust over to work (i.e. Givenchy, Balenciaga, Dries, Lanvin, Prada), unforunately my dress code restrictions as well as my budget do not allow for that. I am lucky enough to squeeze in a few pieces here and there, but generally I am pretty LB when it comes to work attire. Here are a few droolworth pics from prada - love Freja - and my next post will show some options I am looking into that are "look for less" (hate that term). Also, as much as possible i suggest crossing over "work life" pieces into what I like to call "real life". Sometimes its definitely hard to mesh the two wardrobes (i.e. I'm dying to spend my whole fall in leather leggings, Wang biker boots, more leather jackets and drapey t-shirts), but sometimes its works.

Current Favorite Flats

(Christian Dior, bought at Bloomingdales - $450)

So, in my non-work life i love wearing 5-inch heels. I need 5-inch heels. As far as business heels go: I am vehemently opposed to kitten heels for all women of all heights and shapes, and 1.5-3 inch heels are OK. Here is the thing about buying nice 3 inch heels for work, eventually due to business feet, you will throw them away. This also happens with nice flats. However, it's still crucial to have at least a couple of pairs of great work shoes (for meetings, or special days or events) that make you feel smarter and more business-y than you are. These are my current faves as far as the "nice" flats go. Yes, they're a little steep, but these have a great semi-rounded toe and the patent is always chic.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Docs Dilemma

(from hollyscoop.com)

I need to say something about Docs, I know I can't wear them to work so this is kind of an aside...but I don't know what to do about them. A serious dilemma. I think certain things should remain in the 90s. Or at least that something I actually wore in the 90s, I, personally, should never wear again. But i'm seeing so many cute looks with Docs that I don't know what to do. Sienna Miller in Nylon (2007 and August 2009) is an inspiration. But, I am way too black oriented to wear Pink ones. I'm thinking maybe I'll have to go with the designer Doc-inspired boots? TBD.

Post 1, Day 1

So I am breaking down and starting blog. I generally have serious issues with blogging because I think "who cares?" But i used to own a boutique - and now i work in finance and wear "business" clothes every day, but that doesn't mean I have to be boring. So, this is for me and anyone like me.


(I hope you like this great one of Brigitte, we'll get to me later. )