The Classic Woman

Great Gatsby Inspiration — Part III

Sharon — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:37:25 +0000

Fashionistas everywhere are all a-buzz about the costumes and hair accessories in The Great Gatsby. Although there is plenty of glitz and glamour in the movie, I suspect there is more to our fascination with the Roaring 20s than just the clothes. Without a doubt, there is no other time in recent history that is so closely associated with pure optimism and the sheer joy of living. With a booming economy and the horrors of World War I replaced by “living for the moment”, the younger generation in the 20s played with their new gadgets and focused on enjoying the good life. Today, we hang on to the hope that the economy is indeed rebounding and that the horrors of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will soon be behind us. We hope for such things, but deep down inside there is a cautious optimism. Perhaps The Great Gatsby is a visual reminder of that hope — that good times will once again abound and that the glitz and the glamour of days gone by will return.

Although life in the movies is just that — life in the movies, not real everyday life — by taking a fashion cue here and there from the big screen we can, in fact, enjoy the moment and bring a bit of that crazy optimism and unbridled joy into our lives. After all, adding a dash of fun to life always helps the “hoping”.

THE HEADPIECES

Okay, the beautiful headband is definitely the pièce de résistance when it comes to the jewelry worn in The Great Gatsby. Fortunately, the piece is available to purchase from Tiffany. Unfortunately, it comes with a price tag of $200,000.

However, do not despair if the Tiffany headband is beyond what you want to spend for this latest Gatsby trend. There is a rather fetching alternative:

Sparkling Swarovski & Rhinestone Headband

If a headband is a bit too much, what about a pretty barrette or two? Definitely more my price range and still a great deal of fun to wear

KARINA 2 Piece Sparkle Barrettes

Finally, a silk scarf is a wonderful way to add some Gatsby-style to your summer look while keeping your hair perfectly in place.

(To wear a scarf like Daisy Buchanan, simply fold the scarf diagonally, wrap around your head and secure at the nape of your neck in a knot. Bobby pin in place to secure.)

Club Monaco Gabrielle Head Scarf

Great Gatsby Inspiration — Part II

Sharon — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:55:52 +0000

Art deco jewelry, cloche hats, hair pins … it’s not hard to find Gatsby-inspired accessories if you are willing to spend a couple hundred dollars or more. The real challenge for me is finding accessories reminiscent of the twenties at an affordable price. Unless the piece is one that I could comfortably wear for the rest of my life, I do not want to spend a great deal of money on it. (Any of The Great Gatsby pieces from Tiffany would certainly fall into the “I could wear forever” category.) However, what I really want are accessories that give my current wardrobe that fun “Gatsby” feel, without the huge investment. Yes, I want it all, the Gatsby inspiration and money left in my checking account.

THE JEWELRY

Crystal and Pearl Necklace

Metal Beaded Row Necklace

Statement Platelet Bracelet

Vintage Look Multi-Row Necklace

Emerald Iced Bangle

Onyx Spike Chandelier

Flower Stone Earrings

Faceted Spike Drop Earring

Gold and Pink Art Deco Earrings

Gold and Pink Art Deco Ring

Gold and Turquoise Art Deco Ring

Inessa’s Art Deco Style Ring

Art Deco Earrings

Art Deco Ring

Great Gatsby Inspiration — Part I

Sharon — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:18:13 +0000

Every so often a movie comes around that propels fashion in a new or perhaps more accurately, as in the case of The Great Gatsby, an old direction. Although the fashions in the movie are not historically accurate, they do evoke all the romance and decadence associated with the roaring ’20s. Period pieces by nature are fun to wear, it’s like going back in time without sacrificing being totally modern. Daisy Buchanan opens the door to a style from long ago that will be anything but forgotten.

GATSBY BY DAY

Drop Waist Dress in Trellis Stripe

MUSE Pleated Neck V Back Dress

MUSE Vee Tie Back Drop Waist Sheath

TOPSHOP Pleated Midi Dress

Green Peter Pan Collar Dress

EDITH BLOSSOM Collar Dress

GATSBY BY NIGHT

PISARRO NIGHTS Embellished V-Neck Dress

PISARRO NIGHTS Illusion Yoke Beaded Cocktail Dress

TADASHI Cap-Sleeve Sequin Gown

KM Collections Necklace Gown

JS COLLECTIONS Long Art Deco Beaded Gown

ADRIANNA PAPELL Beaded One Shoulder Gown

The Wedding Guest: What to Wear?

Sharon — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:38:12 +0000

Springtime ushers in the wedding season and with it the need for a special outfit or two to wear to the big events. The guidelines for the perfect ensemble are that it be modest, yet not dowdy; that it makes a statement, but does not overshadow the bride; and that it keeps with the style of the wedding, yet maintains a certain sense of timelessness. In addition, a woman never wears white to a wedding as it would compete with the bride, nor does she wear black during the day. Regardless of where the wedding is held, its formality is foretold by the invitation itself. In a world where there are formal beach weddings and informal church weddings, the best rule to follow, when in doubt, is a dress or suit for day weddings and a black dress for evening weddings.

CHURCH WEDDINGS

One of the first things to remember about a wedding in a church or a synagogue is the holiness of the venue and the necessity to treat it as such. Some denominations prohibit the wearing of pants or sleeveless dresses by women, while others require women to have head coverings. Respecting the decision of the bride and groom to chose a religious ceremony in which to exchange their vows dictates your clothing choices. If the wedding is in a church belonging to a denomination with which you are not familiar, inquire about any clothing restrictions. Even if the church does not have a “dress code”, the best rule of thumb is to dress modestly — nothing too low in the front or in the back and not too short.

MORNING/AFTERNOON WEDDINGS

A dress or a suit is perfect for either an informal or formal daytime wedding. If the wedding is formal, simply add a hat and a pair of gloves to the ensemble to create a more formal look. (Opera gloves are only worn with sleeveless or strapless dresses.)

The Cool People Watercolor Dress

THREE DOTS Lace Tunic Dress

DONNA RICCO Collared Fit & Flare Dress

TAHARI by ARTHUR S. LEVINE

A RELIGIOUS WEDDING — AFTER SIX

Weddings held after six are formal affairs and require cocktail dresses. Wraps are totally acceptable for sleeveless dresses and gowns as the guidelines for modesty still prevail. If the wedding states that it is black-tie, long dresses or dressy cocktail dresses are the styles of choice. Beading is acceptable. Occasionally, a very formal wedding will be billed as a white-tie event; in that case the dress code is a long gown complete with diamonds and furs; think red-carpet worthy.

Formal Wedding

MAX AND CLEO Clarissa Woven Cocktail Dress

Black-Tie Wedding

SUZI CHIN for MAGGIE BOUTIQUE Fit & Flare Dress

ADARIANNA PAPELL Embellished Tiered Chiffon Dress

PATRA Beaded Mesh Dress

White-Tie Wedding

ADRIANNA PAPELL Beaded Illusion Bodice Mesh Gown

ADRIANNA PAPELL Embellished Draped Mesh Gown

J.R. NITES Draped Chiffon Dress

OUTDOOR WEDDINGS

Outdoor weddings require sunglasses to shield eyes from the sun, a shawl or long scarf in the event of a cool breeze or the coolness of the night after the sun sets, and either a hat or a parasol to protect the face from the sun.

A BEACH WEDDING

A beach wedding may sound like an informal affair,but it is not a shorts and halter top event. Soft colors, tropical prints, or a tie dye look works well for beach weddings. Footwear should be flat, although plastic flip-flops are never acceptable; pretty leather sandals work nicely. Maxi dresses are perfect for this venue as they are comfortable and can be accessorized to fit the tone of the wedding. Cotton dresses tend to be more informal while satin dresses are more formal.

ELLEN TRACY Sleeveless Seashells Fit and Flare Dress

CHRISTIN MICHAELS Jessa Maxi Dress

rsvp Lara Floral Dress

A GARDEN WEDDING

Garden weddings are generally dressy affairs; floral designs and pastels work well with the surroundings and theme of the venue. Shoes should be flat or low heeled for easier walking on the grass or on garden pathways. Dress length follows the guidelines based on the formality of the wedding.

MAGGIE LONDON Fit & Flare Dress

ADRIANNA PAPELL Floral Shift Dress

NIC & ZOE ‘Seven Seas’ Dress

Pink Out! — the Kentucky Oaks

Sharon — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:00:35 +0000

When you think of the Kentucky Derby, there are usually three things that come to mind: horses, hats, and mint juleps. Soon, a fourth will be added to the list: pink. For the fifth year Churchill Downs will sponsor “Pink Out! at the track for tomorrow’s (May 3, 2013) Kentucky Oaks. The Oaks is always run the day before the Kentucky Derby and, to promote Susan G. Komen Beast Cancer Awareness, the official color for the day is pink. All Oaks attendees are encouraged to either wear pink or incorporate it into their attire for the day to show their support for the battle against breast cancer. Additionally, the Churchill Downs’ facility will be adorned in pink on Oaks Day, including pink-colored bunting, flower beds, flags and jockeys’ and pony riders’ apparel.

Photo by Sam English

If there is one take-away from the Oaks’ “Pink Out!” it is this: Raising money to increase breast cancer awareness is not restricted to one day or one month out of the year. Any day can be a “Pink Out!” If you are interested in having your own ”Pink Out!” day, go to Susan G. Komen’s Passionately Pink for the Cure®, and learn how you can raise awareness and money to help fight breast cancer.

Rules for Dressing for the Kentucky Oaks/Derby

Rule Number One: Wear a fabulous, attention-getting hat.
Rule Number Two: Choose a dress that complements the hat both in style and color.
Rule Number Three: Avoid a monochromatic color scheme (shoes, dress, hat — all the same color)
Rule Number Four: Wear comfortable shoes. Heels are preferable, but flats are totally acceptable.

These spring dresses are perfect for any outdoor event, whether it be the Kentucky Oaks, the Kentucky Derby or a garden wedding.

CHRISTIN MICHAELS Kimberly

NIPON BOUTIQUE Oval Jacquard Jacket Dress

PRESTON & YORK Henrietta Floral Dress

NIPON BOUTIQUE 2-Piece Jacket/Dress Suit

SUZI CHIN for Maggy Boutique

ASOS Midi Bandeau Skater Dress

IVY & BLU Faux Wrap Hi-Lo Dress

NICOLE MILLER L/S Hippie Dream Lycra Dress

ELIZA J Sleeveless Bateau Neck Dress with Seam Detailing