Fashion Lab: Apparent Body Size
The question posed was, “do you think that clothes that are just a little big make the wearer look smaller?”
Cast your vote: do I look smaller in the fitted gray turtleneck or the oversized gray turtleneck?
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Follow-up: Crimson Pleated Velvet Skirt
Thank you, Tessa, for blogging a picture of the skirt in question. Admittedly I was having a hard time picturing it. (Question and answer here.)
And thank you, Wendy, for offering more specific top options:
… black or white tuxedo style shirt, a black (ideally cashmere) twin set, or black on black beaded sweater. And I’d wear black pumps.
The good news for Tessa is that she has dark, almost black, hair. Makes life easy!
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My Most Difficult Reader Question Yet
Tessa asked, and I had to put her off and think about it:
What kind of top does one wear with a crimson velvet pleated skirt with pink lace at the bottom?
Honestly, my first thought was, “None!”, as in, “get rid of it”; but I have seen enough of Tessa to believe that she has good taste. The skirt must be worth wearing.
So the birthday card my sister had gotten me provided a little bit of inspiration. I’ll try to explain:
1) First of all, establish a rhythm with the colors. I assume the crimson and the pink relate to each other, choose a third color that relates to the crimson in the same way the crimson relates to the pink. It could even be black.
2) The texture of the top and its length you will have to choose according to YOU. Likewise the shape. However, the visual weight of the fabric of the top should be, in my opinion, either at least as heavy as the velvet or half-way between the velvet and the lace.
3) Now add heaps of delicate necklaces, or a scarf, incorporating both the color of the lace and the color of your hair.
4) Shoes: How does one go about matching crimson and pink? Not. Wear a black, fitted, knee-high boot, as long as there is some other black in the outfit; or choose a soft neutral that relates to the hair-color (a little darker is fine for shoes). Knowing that Tessa is fair-skinned, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest something like this: 
Does that help? We’d love to see a picture of the outfit you end up with.
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My Viktor & Rolf at H&M Post
What does Viktor & Rolf for H&M have to do with a SAHM at the bottom of the fashion food chain in the mountains of the Great Northwest? Not much. But when Catwalk Queen (beware: pop-ups) began showing up in my Sitemeter, I serendipitously got a peak into how the more fashionable live.
Queuing up for hours to buy things fascinates me. I’ve even been know to get up early on the day after Thanksgiving (does that shopping day have an official name?), go with my husband to get a latte, and drink it in the car, while watching the early morning shoppers go in and out of the store. So I thoroughly enjoyed Shiny TVs video, at Catwalk Queen, as well as Style Bubble’s longer one with interior shots.
Tell me: what position in the fashion food chain do all those people in line occupy? And more importantly, what are you willing to queue up for?
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Do You Make This Common Shoe Color Mistake?
The common shoe color mistake I am talking about is to wear only black dress shoes, if your coloring is soft or fair. In the early days of this blog, I suggested that the one shoe color you really need is the color of your hair. But there is an easy alternative.
What brings this up again? Other bloggers talking about the return of nude heels. Since high school I have considered “leg-color” the single most versatile neutral.
I’m afraid that some people, however, consider it an odd, shoeless, uncomfortable look. What about you?
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Can Responsibilities Be Delegated?
Of course, the world tells us the answer is yes.
In one form or another, this question has been knocking around in the back of my mind for awhile. Can the responsibility be delegated, or merely the functions?
I’m just not certain.
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New Riveting Question: Can Responsibilities Be Delegated?
Please consider stopping over at Riveting Questions to help me out with this one:
Can one’s responsibility be delegated, or merely the functions pusuant to it?
Obvious question for a mother of teens, don’t you think?
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Where to Shop: The “Old West”
It’s not my style, but I’m always impressed with the selection of clothing available at a certain category of, often overlooked, retailer: the combination hardware and western clothing store. With names like The General Store and Big R, I wouldn’t expect much in the way of style. I’d be wrong.
The other advantage to these types of stores is that they actually carry sizes, specifically 36 and longer inseams in men’s pants, unlike Eddie Bauer, which is where I formerly bought most of my husband’s clothes.
Have you discovered the “Old West” store in your neck of the woods?
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Fleece Vest = Outerwear
Anyway, my point, and I do have one, is this: IMHO, a fleece vest looks like outerwear. When wearing it, you project the appearance of wearing a coat. In fact, almost all polar fleece gives off the same vibe — “I’m outdoors”.
I allow there are exceptions, but in general I wouldn’t wear it except for leisure activities. And never as shown, with a short sleeve t-shirt.
And, another thing. These kind of cotton t-shirt type turtlenecks are UNDERWEAR, especially when done in cutesy little prints. Together with a fleece vest, they could be a cute look for a sporting event or game night (WITH JEANS).
Just my opinion, but I thought you’d want to know.
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Crazy Hip Blog Mamas Giveaway
IGIGI has teamed up with Crazy Hip Blog Mamas to offer the following contest:
During the month of November, 06, blog about a time when you felt like the fashion disaster at that fancy wedding, your best friend’s graduation ceremony or on that hot date, and leave a comment here with a link to your entry for a chance to win a styling session with an IGIGI in-house consultant and a $100 gift certificate to splurge on yourself!
Three lucky winners will win IGIGI gift certificates each for $100. The contest starts on November 1, 06 and ends on November 30th, 06. The winners will be announced on Crazy Hip Blog Mamas website and will be notified via email for their prizes.
