A Chaco Story
If you’ve followed my wardrobe conversations for any period of time, you have no doubt heard me talk about my Chacos (pictured here). After a couple of years of online peer pressure, I have reached the conclusion that no dressy casual sandals can substitute for an everyday leisure shoe - and with my lifestyle, that’s what I need. And no summer athletic shoe is more elegant than Chaco.
Learning that Chaco was recently purchased by Wolverine ramped up the urgency for me. I needed to buy a new pair this year! (My old ones have served 7 full summers already and, while they aren’t worn out, shoes were much heavier looking 8 years ago than what is flattering on me.)
So, for an anniversary gift, my hero bought me these:
Chaco - ZX/2 Unaweep (Multi Brown) - Footwear
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Rate My New Summer Handbag
Believe it or not, I have been continuing to carry my old one (it has had the zipper repaired). Fashionable ladies keep telling me, and I keep believing them :), that it just looks better as it gets beat up looking (I believe the word they use is “distressed”).
But brown leather doesn’t always look good with summer outfits. And most of the other summery options I’ve used in the past are small. Too small. These days I switch between THREE pairs of glasses: distance, reading, and sunglasses.
My plan was to get something silver - to match my hair, of course. But then I got this great coupon from Macys, $10 off a $25 purchase, and found this black and white bag, which is perfect with my mother of the bride outfit, among other things. What makes it work for me:
- the bowling bag style - it fits my idiom
- so does shiny patent
- it’s mostly white, with black just as an accent
- most of all: although it is vinyl, the straps are sturdy nylon (the most annoying thing about vinyl purses is that the straps wear out after a year or less of use)
Also shown in the picture: 100% cotton, reversible, gray and off-black Adidas track jacket.
Total for both items: $37.62. Not bad!
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Simple and Professional Stocking Guidelines
Sometimes it truly is the little things that make or break an outfit. Or a person’s professional image. Beginning my deeper look into professional clothing, here are a couple of sock do’s and don’ts.
In the common misconception department: socks, like accessories, can be an accent color, match your shirt, or anything else in the outfit.
Truth: socks should disappear. Best practice is blending with the trouser or hem. (Nude hose is generally an appropriate alternative with a dress.)
Also in the common misconception department: because stockings are appropriate professional (office) attire (which statement I agree with) and mules are “in style” (which statement I heartily disagree with), if follows that wearing stockings with mules to work is acceptable.
Truth: wearing stockings with mules makes you look (and sound) like an idiot. Save the mules for Saturday!
It took all my self control not to title this post “Save the Mules!” lol
Anyway, I’m sure this is not a comprehensive list. What’s your pet stocking peeve?
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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Before I start putting together color groupings a la Brenda Kinsel’s Fashion Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style!
In addition to what’s pictured here, I have a bracelet or two and an emerald ring that I like. Currently not in use due to metal allergies, I also have a couple of pairs of earrings which are sentimental and I plan on having remade when I get to it.
First photo (my everyday left hand):
- I like my watch: cordovan leather band, face dark in the center with medium gray ring, bright gold metal.
- For years I only wore a wedding band, then I inherited the unique anniversary ring. I could not have selected a style I like better, this suits my personality in every way (maybe there’s a clue there).
- See how shiny my thumb nail is? That’s because the nail kits from Israel that they sell in the mall really work!
Second photo, things I like:
- The pearls my hero gave me for Christmas a few years ago.
- His grandma’s pearls. The two can be worn together.
- The medium/large, twisty, silver hoops. If these were better metal, I would wear them all day long, many days of the week.
- Instead, I wear these small, real gold twisted hoops. And I am quite comfortable about it.
- Any suggestions on how a woman can wear a tie pin? I think that’s what that next piece - which I
stoleborrowed from my hero - is. I’m keeping it. - Generally I wear the Mickey Mouse pin to evening (Disney) theatrical events.
- The long “pearls” twist together with the clear crystal necklace. I admit, I’m a little afraid to wear it for fear of looking dated, but I’ve always liked it.
- VW Cuff links were also “borrowed” from the hero.
- In the summer I wear the pink flip-flop, regardless of the possibility that it looks dated. It suits me AND was picked out by a daughter and purchased by the hero.
Okay now, since we’re on the topic of musicals and I want to alleviate the tension the topic of accessories causes me, here’s today’s fun question:
If you were auditioning for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, what part would you want and, being magically gifted the ability to sing it, what song (from another show) would you sing?
Of course, I would want to be the Fairy Godmother, but today I can’t imagine singing anything but I’m dreaming of a White Christmas …
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Accessories as Infrastructure: Round 1
Previously posted, in Accessories: Embellishments or Infrastructure:
Without even doing the project I know what I need: necklaces.
- silver to support my hair color (I already have pearls),
- pink to add color near my face when wearing a neutral outfit, and
- brown to enhance my eyes and complete the infrastructure effect of brown buttons and belt.
Often when getting dressed, I know I need a third color near my face. Without a necklace (or scarf, but I don’t like them) my options are limited.
Spending a grand total of $25.41, here’s what I’ve found so far (mostly at Fred Meyer):
- silver and rose (pink) beads
- non-gold-tone earrings to coordinate with my pearls
- big brown tortoise-shell looking earrings
- wood pendant necklace
Both necklaces are convertible length.
This is a good start. When I get around to it, I’ll pile everything I have on the bed, sort it out, and take pictures of color groupings. But I’m still working through the wardrobe therapy part. When I think about wearing accessories, rather than getting excited like I do about, say, argyle or paisley, I get sort of a sick feeling. Like the feeling of losing one’s individuality. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
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Who Wears Shoes to Bed?
Julia asks:
On a similar topic, what is up with wearing outdoor shoes in bed? Our son just started going to preschool and they have children going to bed with their outdoor shoes on! This is in the middle of November in Colorado. The childcare is very highly recommended, not to mention costing us a bundle. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with this? Is it normal for kids to wear shoes in bed? Should we complain and ask that our son is allowed to take shoes off? I am so unprepared for the whole issue, I did not even believe my son when he first told me they keep shoes on.
Has anyone else experienced this?
My thought is, yes, you should request that your son be allowed to sleep without shoes. After all, you are the parent.
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Inching Toward An Infrastructure of Accessories
Speaking of shoes, since that’s been the gist of the conversation around here the past couple of days, Karen made me a skechers polyvore. The brown ones in middle, just above the silver, are serious contenders.
And Imogen sent me this picture of (part of) her necklace collection, showing us also how she stores them. Great idea!
Tomorrow is MOPS and the beginning of our church’s fall women’s conference. The great thing about both is: no uniform! I’m planning to wear my brown suede boots, that much I know.
Fall is a busy time. What events are you looking forward to (dressing for)?
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Do You Wear Shoes at Home?
Increasingly, I am feeling alone in this. But I don’t know that I care. When I am puttering around the house, I wear shoes. In fact, if I’m not wearing proper outdoor shoes, I feel as if I’m not dressed - simply lounging.
Jennifer was wondering.
How about the rest of you? Are you like Jennifer, wearing house shoes in the house and keeping a pair of outdoor shoes near the door for running into the yard or to get mail?
Tell me I’m not the only one who needs shoes to feel dressed!
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Find Me Some Sassy Flats
Help! Karen says I need a sassier flat shoe. I have spent literally hours looking, both in town and online. If you lovely readers can find something suitable, I am willing to spend birthday $$ on it. And, frugal as I am, I don’t mind spending real money on shoes.
My criteria:
- I have to be able to walk three miles at a quick clip in them. (My ballet flats and Converse are only good for about two.)
- No black, no white. Preferably cordovan or burgundy brown, chocolate brown, pewter or other dark grey, possibly navy. In other words, a non-black dark of the same value as my darkest jeans.
- Tailored styling. Nothing romantic: no mary janes, no round toes.
- No elf shoes (no pointed or turned-up toes).
- I need to be able to wear socks with them. Wool or bamboo socks.
- Generally speaking, a shoe needs to be a lace-up to stay on my foot.
There you have it. And, who knows? Maybe there’s something out there that doesn’t quite meet every point, but would nevertheless be perfect. But, I’m beginning to suspect I’m just going straight to flat boots this year. Which would have been fine yesterday, but since I never left the house my feet were very happy in my old black “bowling style” flats.
So leave me a link in comments. I can’t wait to see what you find!
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Accessories: Embellishments or Infrastructure?
“Accessories are also the infrastructure of a well-designed outfit. If you don’t have it, your outfit will crumble.”
Brenda Kinsel, from the book Brenda Kinsel’s Fashion Makeover
In the course of focusing on my own comeback, I have finally come to the place in my wardrobe life where I recognize my need for a basic assortment of accessories. Serendipitously, I am also reading this book. Allow me to go out on a limb here and suggest that if you, like me, are an accessory retard, this book could change that. The author does a fabulous job keeping accessories in their proper role, suggesting pieces which support your personal coloring and relate to the scale of your facial features.
She also suggests, after going through what you have and deciding what to keep, but before shopping, that you play with your accessories, grouping them by color (including metals). Take photos.
Without even doing the project I know what I need: necklaces.
- silver to support my hair color (I already have pearls),
- pink to add color near my face when wearing a neutral outfit, and
- brown to enhance my eyes and complete the infrastructure effect of brown buttons and belt.
Often when getting dressed, I know I need a third color near my face. Without a necklace (or scarf, but I don’t like them) my options are limited
Knowing that I don’t like to spend money AND I my stamina for accessory shopping is limited, where would you recommend I look for accessories and costume jewelry? Have you found any good deals lately?
