Wardrobe Oxygen

Marc Jacobs and Shopbop Giveaway!

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:22:00 +0000

I am not one who is obsessed over designers. I believe style comes from the shape, structure and silhouette of a garment or accessory, not by the label that is on it. Therefore, I have major respect for designers that consistently create collections that are not only popular, but are beautiful and often quite wearable. One of these designers is Marc Jacobs. Ever since his early years making grunge wear haute couture, Marc Jacobs has been able to be cutting edge, unique, yet wearable in the real world.

Shopbop is a popular online boutique that offers many popular designers, including Marc Jacobs. They are offering one Wardrobe Oxygen reader the chance to win a $100 gift card to their shop!

How to Enter:
To enter this giveaway, please comment with what is on your must-buy list for this fall. Please be sure to include your email address in the comment if it is not easily found in your Blogger profile. If I can’t reach you, I will pick another winner. Winner will be chosen by random. Contest ends August 13, 2010 at 12:00pm ET.

After you have completed the above entry you are eligible for additional entries. Remember to leave a separate comment for each additional entry and be sure your email address in at least one of your entries.

- Follow Wardrobe Oxygen via Google Friend Connect - current followers also count (link in sidebar)!

- Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway:

Enter to win a $100 Shopbop Gift Card! #giveaway from @wardrobe_oxygen http://bit.ly/bwCv7Y ends 8/13

- Like Wardrobe Oxygen on Facebook - let me know by commenting on the Facebook page.

This means you have four chances to win $100!

Be sure to visit Shopbop for free shipping on Marc Jacobs, discounted Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Marc Jacobs tanks. Also check out the list of all Shopbop’s designers. Happy shopping, and good luck!

Simplifying the Boyfriend Jeans Look

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:11:00 +0000

I don’t subscribe to many magazines any more. I used to get over a dozen in the mail every month, but started letting my subscriptions lag when I stopped to think about all the paper and waste. So many magazines have great Websites, blogs, and such that I can get the information I desire online. I decided to keep my subscriptions to magazines that I found myself keeping for reference, or wanting to pass on to friends because I found the issues so beneficial or entertaining. Gone were the fashion porn mags – Vogue, Elle, W. Same with the magazines that encouraged me to spend money – I’m talking to you Lucky and Allure!

What survived were magazines that really give a good look into my life – Mothering Magazine for the crunchy spawn-creator side of me, Rolling Stone for the music-fan side of me, Bust for the music fan/crunchy/feminist yet pop culture-loving side of me, Bazaar for the fashionista side of me, and Real Simple for the practical life-side of me. Oh, and National Geographic, which is a Christmas gift that my mom gives us every year.

I adore Bazaar magazine because I find them to really blend haute couture and street wear quite well. I can look through their pages and not only know what is new on the runways, but get practical inspiration for my personal wardrobe. I appreciate that they break down trends by age, and they don’t stop at women in their ‘40s. My husband even enjoys Bazaar, and will often discuss with me the articles he reads and the trends for the upcoming season.

And I adore Real Simple. I used to get Real Simple many years ago but found it too old, too obvious, too bland. In my opinion, Real Simple was for soccer moms and people who scrapbook. Since then, I have gotten married, I remodeled my home and now really see it as a home and not just a place to sleep and store my shoe collection. I have a child, and with it I have less time and patience for overly-complicated clothes, recipes, cleaning methods or pretty much anything. Friends constantly tell me about great ideas or buys they got thanks to their latest issue of Real Simple so when I got the opportunity to subscribe for only $5 (thank you Amazon!) I decided to add it to my small collection.

I quickly became a fan. Real Simple is a great magazine – it writes about most any topic, but with the general theme of simplicity and ease. Real Simple does a great job of adding style to this simplicity – it doesn’t get suckered into trends, but sees the ability to have beauty with a simple and budget-friendly life. Gosh, sounds a lot like Wardrobe Oxygen!

Yep, that was until a friend Tweeted about how Real Simple was offering advice on how to cuff jeans.

A couple years ago, Katie Holmes was photographed running around town in a pair of weathered jeans, cuffed above the ankle bone. Next thing you know, every Gap and Abecrombie in every mall in America is carrying the Boyfriend Jean – a pair of jeans that are slightly relaxed in fit, slightly distressed, and already equipped with messy little cuffs at the hem, making the jeans cropped.

These jeans can look pretty cute, especially when paired with the other Boyfriend-inspired clothes – Boyfriend blazers, Boyfriend sweaters, Boyfriend cardigans. It’s slouchy and gives a feminine touch to a tomboy look. It’s a good look on the models that sport this look in the store windows and pages of the fashion porn magazines that I stopped receiving in my mailbox.

These jeans rarely look good on real women. And real women are the folks who read Real Simple. By offering tips on how to cuff your jeans, Real Simple promoting a trend that is not a good one for a good 80% of the female population. This is a trend that is hard to wear if you are curvy, pear shaped, have short legs, athletic legs. It’s a look that works with only a very small assortment of footwear, and tops. It’s a look that if done with the wrong jeans and if paired with the wrong top can make one look as though she is dressed for an ‘80s theme party and not trying to look stylish and current.

Many times I speak of the True Fashionista. The True Fashionista already knows how to cuff her jeans, she knows what to pair with Boyfriend jeans so she doesn’t look like a fashion victim. She knows her body, and knows whether she has the gams to carry off the look. And the True Fashionista doesn’t read Real Simple for fashion advice.

If you aren’t sure if you can carry off this look, you probably can’t. I am not trying to be mean – I personally don’t, can’t and won’t wear the Boyfriend jean because I am a petite woman with curves and I know that this style will do nothing but accentuate the negative and diminish the positive.

If you are wondering what jeans to wear in this crazy current sea of skinny/jegging/Boyfriend/carpenter/painter/paperbag/rigid denim, my suggestion is to keep it simple. Dark, straight (or slight bootcut to balance out hips), little embellishment. Keep the length to elongate the legs, keep the rise medium – no muffin top, no mom jeans. This type of jean is universally flattering and has been considered stylish and chic for years. If you want to latch onto a current trend, I find its best to do it with a novelty top or a pair of shoes – you get more bang for your buck while still flattering your figure and maintaining personal style.

Real Simple, I still love you! I just think you need to remember your motto (life made easier, every day) before posting such tragic fashion trends.

Ask Allie - Cardigans for All?

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:42:00 +0000

Hey Allie, 

I recently discovered your blog and fell in love.  There is something I need some help with - a cardigan/wrap that doesn't make me look bulky or shorter than I already am.  I'm 5'4" on a good day and around 130 lbs, but with short legs and a long torso.  I've found that the classic crew neck button down doesn't do me or my waistline any service (D cup with a high waist).  I've searched numerous stores in vain but haven't found a style that suits me.  I did find one - picture the currently popular drapey cover but shorter and a built in belt of the same fabric (only not good quality and didn't fit quite right).  Help!

You are not the only one to have this problem with cardigans. I don’t know why so many “must-have” lists encourage women to buy a cardigan. As I walk around our Nation’s Capital, I see almost every woman wearing a cardigan, and most women do NOT look good in them.

A Classic Cardigan – one with a crew/jewel neck, buttons down the front, long sleeves and a banded hem can be found at most any retailer for most any pricepoint. They are toted as being the must-have to take a sundress and make it appropriate for work or a house of worship, the perfect thing to make a tee or tank and jeans an outfit, a way to extend your summer wardrobe into the cooler months. The thing is the Classic Cardigan has a neckline that shortens one’s neck, a band that usually hits at the widest part of a figure, seaming at the armhole that will make even the leanest arm look meaty. Add to this a row of buttons down the front which draws attention to a large bust or tummy, you have all the ingredients for a style disaster.

What is one to do, if she is not a long and lean Classic Cardigan-friendly figure?

The Soft Jacket – I have a black collarless ponte-knit jacket I got at the Banana Republic outlet a couple of years ago. It has large black buttons, bracelet-length sleeves, hits right at my waist. The neckline is wider than that of the Classic Cardigan, the heavier fabric gives more shape, but the knit is still comfy and kind to my curves. I wear it open to create a vertical line down the body which slims. I have paired this with a white ribbed tank and jeans, a sleeveless sundress and peeptoes, and even with ponte-knit pants from a different retailer to make a soft-structured suit for work.

Ponte (also known as Ponte de Roma) is a heavyweight, densely-knitted stretchy fabric that washes well and can be dressed up and down. These days I see ponte knits at retailers ranging from Target to Nieman Marcus. The fabric is very friendly to women with curves as that it will show your shape without clinging or adding too much bulk. Other fabrics that work well are stretch wool, boucle, and even heavier-gauge sweater knits.

Photo courtesy of Erica B's DIY Style (and yes, she made this jacket!!)

The thing with a soft jacket is that it has more defined shoulders, a heavier weight fabric and all over more structure to the garment so that it is seen as a separate item, and not an added layer to your figure. One would think a heavier weight would add bulk to the bust, but in fact it will then lie away from your body, showing the curvature of your waist. The heavier fabric will create definition between your neck and collarbone and the garment, which will also create the necessary slimming definition.

The Boyfriend Cardigan – As a petite busty woman, I really expected to hate this look. A long, lean knit is only going to bunch up on my rear and make me look shorter, right? Wrong. The boyfriend cardigan can be quite flattering to a short and curvy frame.

Photo of Rachel Bilson courtesy of LikeMag

“Boyfriend” is a popular term the past couple of seasons – we have seen Boyfriend jackets, cardigans, sweaters and jeans. Essentially this means an item that looks as though you stole it from your boyfriend’s closet. Items that are a bit slouchier, a bit more relaxed, often times weathered. When it comes to cardigans, a Boyfriend style is one that is longer and usually has a v-neck (think varsity sweater). Unlike a varsity sweater, boyfriend cardigans are usually out of a softer knit like merino, cashmere, silk knit or Shetland wool.

Such a sweater can easily look dowdy if you attempt to wear it like a regular cardigan. This is not a good style to just throw on with a tee and jeans, or over your work blouse and trousers. However, it can be nicely paired with dresses and skirts that have straight or a-line silhouettes, and can look quite smart. With a simple shift dress or shell with pencil skirt, left open a Boyfriend cardigan maintains the long lean shape of the outfit; add a leather belt to the waist (with the cardigan still unbuttoned) and you add definition to a small waist or create a waistline on a more straight figure. Paired with slim jeans or trousers and boots, it creates a casual cool look perfect for the weekend.

Wrap it Up – You mentioned a belted cardigan, and I have to agree that this simple added feature can add much flattering style to a sweater. I am a big fan of wrap-style and self-belted cardigans. This past winter I got two cardigans from Nordstrom’s Caslon line that had a ruffle at the cuffs and along the collar and a wide self-belt. I could wrap the cardigan across the front and cinch with the self-belt and it would show my shape while offering warmth.

Image courtesy of workchic

Ballet-style wrap sweaters are a great option as well – they look great over a simple dress or with a shell and trousers, and flatter curves and a large bust. And you can always go SJP and use a brooch to make a standard cardigan into a wrap!

Change up the Classic – I own three Classic Cardigans, even though I am one who finds these sweaters terribly unflattering. How do these work for my petite yet curvy frame? I changed up at least one trademark of the silhouette.

With one, it is of a heavier-weight knit. This gives it more structure, similar to a soft jacket. With the other two, they are longer – not quite as long as a Boyfriend cardigan, but they don’t have the band at the bottom and hang at mid-hip instead of high hip where a band will hide my waist. Other alterations can make a great difference – switch long sleeves for short puffed ones, standard buttons for frog closures, add ruffles to the collar (Lands End has a great one with this feature).

Pair a crewneck sweater with a scoop neck top or dress in the same color for a nice twist to the twinset – keep the cardigan unbuttoned and this altered neckline will be surprisingly flattering. When possible, I buy a tank or scoop shell in the same color as a cardigan and from the same brand. I make sure to launder the same way and the same amount of times so they remain a matched pair.

Photo courtesy of First Lady of Style

Add a belt – Take a cue from Michelle Obama: you can add a skinny leather belt, a wider elasticized belt, even a wide strip of grosgrain fabric. If you leave the cardigan unbuttoned, you can maintain that vertical line down the body which will lengthen and slim.

What styles of cardigans have you found that are flattering to your specific figure?

Ask Allie - Cheap Closet Staples, Cocktail Attire When Over 50

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:56:00 +0000

Dear Allie:

I don't have an unlimited budget for clothes.  Where can I get some cheap closet staples?  I need to do a closet redo STAT!

Allie, I follow My Wardrobe Today but there is no way I can afford places like Ann Taylor and Nordstrom.  How do you afford those places, and do you know where I can get similar things for cheaper?

I am one who often believes you get what you pay for it. Buy a pair of cheap black pants from Wal Mart, expect them to turn greenish after one washing, shrink, bunch at the crotch and collect lint faster than a Swiffer.

However I have found some wardrobe staples at unexpected places. I mentioned here about my clearance rack black matte jersey wrap dress I found at Old Navy – this dress has given me years of great wear – it is made well, it is a classic style that looks great at work or a night out. I find matte jersey is a great fabric to buy at lower-end stores – it usually looks pretty expensive even if the item is a low price.

Target is a fantastic place for dresses. One can often find simple sheaths or cheery sundresses for half the price of similar items at other retailers. Target's Merona brand has really improved over the past year; the silhouettes are classic, the manufacturing can rival more expensive brands. I bought a maxi dress from Merona this summer that fits great, is made very well and gets tons of compliments. They always have wonderful dresses appropriate for work, a summer wedding or date night that will still be stylish in a few seasons.

I love scouring the sale racks at my favorite retailers. I have acquired several pieces of matching suiting from Ann Taylor from different sale racks over different seasons. A suit that would cost $400 full price I have been able to get for $100 because I troll the sale racks. If you know your shape won’t change, don’t be afraid to buy winter items in summer and vice versa. One can really acquire quality pieces for cheap when you shop off-season items that are on clearance.

I don’t believe any store is cut and dry in regards to cheap quality and high quality. You can spend a fortune on something from a chi chi boutique and have it fall apart, and like my $19.99 Old Navy dress, you can spend very little in a store known for bargains and have it be a wardrobe classic for years.

Don’t scrimp on quality with wardrobe staples, for staples are items that should be able to last longer than a single season. But don’t think you can only find quality at high-end retailers. For a list of my wardrobe staples, click here.

Allie, I am a 56-year old woman.  I have a few events coming up on my calendar where I need cocktail attire.  Where should I shop for cocktail dresses for a woman over 50?  Thanks.

I don’t believe that when you hit a certain age you can’t shop at certain stores. I don’t mean that a grandmother should be buying clothes at Forever 21 and a teen should be shopping at Chico’s, but don’t rule out a brand purely because of the number on your driver’s license.

I am assuming by adding your age, you are looking for something that doesn’t show too much skin, isn’t too trendy, but is still elegant, flattering, and stylish. If so, you are looking for what most women desire and you will actually have a lot of luck online.

Department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s are great for online shopping because they have such an extensive collection of dresses. They will categorize the dresses for you so you won’t accidentally buy a dress in cotton when you wanted something more appropriate for after 5. Department stores often have customer reviews which can also assist in the shopping experience.

For more niche of retailers, I have found success at Ann Taylor, Talbots, J. Crew (yes, you need to check them out – they are no longer frat row attire!), Chadwicks (hit or miss, the reviews come in handy), Shabby Apple, and Eileen Fisher. And don’t forget to check Overstock.com where popular department store brands can be found for great prices.

As for what to buy, a solid color is always elegant. Don't feel that you need to stick to muted pastels or boring black just because of your age. Jewel tones are flattering to almost every skin tone and can make a very simple silhouette look far more stylish, unique, and festive. Keep the embellishments to a minimum - crocheted and beaded overlay and jackets, chiffon layered pants, sequin flower brooches, etc. scream Mother of the Bride and kill any sense of style. An occasional crystal pin or button accent can be lovely, but keep the dress details to a minimum and add glitz with accessories like a bracelet or dangly earrings.

Consider your best body feature and look to highlight it. A portrait, "popped collar", v-neck or slightly off the shoulder style (or a wrap) will cover upper arms while elongating your neck and showing off a lovely collarbone; if you have great arms but don't love your decollete a cap-sleeve dress with higher neck that is accented by a great necklace can look just as elegant for cocktail affairs. Rouching and gathering is a woman's best friend and can do a fantastic job of adding glam to a gown while also whittling a tummy or arms. If you have great gams, don't hide them under a dowdy long hemline - age doesn't mean you can't wear a shorter dress that ends right at the top or bottom of the kneecaps.

When accessorizing, keep your pieces elegant yet modern. Ditch the shoulderbag for a clutch, switch out the leather pumps for something a bit more delicate, consider a stronger statement in your bracelet than in your earrings or necklace, and only have one piece of jewelry be the statement. These little changes will add class, style, and elegance to any cocktail dress!

Ask Allie - What to Wear to a Music Festival?

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Hi Allie, I know you recently went to the Bonnaroo Music Festival in the US.  I am going to the Oxegen Festival in the UK.  I was wondering what you suggest I wear to it?

Dear Allie,

Are you going to Bonnaroo again this year? I am going too! What do you suggest I pack?

Dear Allie:

My boyfriend got us tickets to Outside Lands (it’s a fest in CA). What sort of clothes should I wear to such an event? I haven’t been to a fest of this size before. Thank you so much!

Image courtesy of the NY Daily News

Ah, the music festival. A life-changing event for anyone, no matter how large of a music fan. Music festivals are all-day or multi-day events full of music, art, food, and sights you may never seen before. I have been to a few one-day festivals and have now attended the Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee for three years. Bonnaroo is four days, and I have done general admission, which is camping sans electricity or proper bathrooms (hello porta-potties!)and a lot of walking in extreme heat. As a slightly high-maintenance woman, I feared my first music festival, but found that with the right wardrobe and supplies, anyone can be comfortable AND stylish at such an event.

Surviving the Heat
Most music festivals are during the hottest months of the year. This is great for those in school – no need to skip classes to see your favorite artist. However it’s pretty tough to spend 12+ hours in high heat for multiple days. It is important to dress and pack correctly so that you protect your skin, your energy, and your health during a festival.

I highly recommend wearing 100% cotton (not jersey) dresses. Pure cotton will float away from your body with the slightest breeze and will dry quickly when wet from sweat or a Super Soaker. In the summer, it’s not hard to find adorable cotton sundresses at most any retailer. For this year’s Bonnaroo I scored several sundresses for under $20 each at Ross, and also saw plenty of dresses that would be perfect at Old Navy and Target. Don’t take your designer duds – no matter what you do, clothes can get dirty. Not only is there the potential for mud (even if it’s dry, there can and will be mud), there will be messy carnival food, large crowds of people bumping into you and possibly spilling their food/drink, and folks trying to get into the spirit with water guns, glitter, glo-sticks and other various things that can be tossed into a crowd. If you do find a great score at a discount place, be sure to secure the straps. A friend and I both had a strap break on a sundress while at the festival this year (and be at the ready with a mini sewing kit and some safety pins just in case of any wardrobe emergency).

No matter your size, many women experience that which we lovingly call, “chub rub”. Many women have curvy thighs, and when walking long distances and sweating, you can get a rash on the inside of your legs. I have found the best thing to combat this is a pair of bike shorts under my sundress. In 2007, I bought two pairs of moisture-wicking black bike shorts from Kmart for $9.99 each and have used them ever since. They do a great job of preventing chafing, and also offer modesty so I can easily sit cross-legged on the ground during a show. I know many women who prefer using BodyGlide (or use it along with the shorts). BodyGlide can be applied like a stick deodorant and will help prevent chafing, even if you sweat.

When there is heat, there usually is sun. A music festival is not the place to work on your tan. You won’t realize how much sun you have gotten until you end up with a nasty burn that evening. I have found that even when I wear SPF 30 sunscreen, I will come home from a festival with plenty of color. This year I used SPF 30 on my body and 55 on my face, and carried both with me all day for easy reapplication. Aerosol sunscreen is a great choice for such an event because you can reach your back, you don’t have to run it in with grubby hands, and that type of container is less likely to leak in your bag. I also take a stick or tube of higher SPF sunscreen with me to the shows to apply to the face and any sun-sensitive places (shoulders, back of neck, tops of feet) on a regular basis. It’s also wise to get a lipbalm with SPF – your lips will get dry from the heat, and they are quite susceptible to sunburn.

Image courtesy of the Nashville Beauty Blog - the Blogger at Bonnaroo 2009

With so many cute hats in fashion right now, it’s silly to not wear one to a music festival. A basic straw cowboy hat is always stylish at such an event, and will do a good job of keeping your neck and nose protected. Fedoras and porkpie hats are trendy now – they aren’t really good at protecting you from the sun, but will offer protection to your scalp. The best choice is a floppy hat with a large brim – I have a crushable straw one that I have had for over a decade. I can roll it up and stick it in my bag when I am indoors or it gets dark, and easily pull it out for when it’s sunny. I have found great sun hats at Title 9, Athleta, Lands End and Macy’s. I also recommend checking out Etsy – you can find some really unique and cute sunhats there – check out these adorable numbers from Bonniesknitting!

Another great item to pack for sun protection is a bandana (or two!). A bandanna can be tied around your neck to protect it from the sun, it can be tied over your head like a kerchief to protect the scalp and tip-top of your forehead, and it can be dunked in cold water and used to cool you off in a jiffy. I tie a bandanna to the zipper of my bag to have at the ready – it’s also great to mop sweat off your brow. If you don’t like the look of bandannas, any cotton scarf will do. This year I took a candy-colored cotton voile scarf from Lands End’s Canvas line and it worked just as well (and laundered just as well) as a classic bandanna.

You MUST stay hydrated! Don’t expect a water bottle or two from a vendor to suffice. It’s easy to get dehydrated and not even notice. Next thing you are feeling dizzy or worse. Even though they are not chic, I carry a backpack that has a hydration pack inside it. I have one from Kelty that I bought several years ago – it is very small and fits right between my shoulder blades, but has room to hold 50 ounces of water along with my essentials. If you can’t imagine carrying a Camelbak-type bag, I recommend having a large aluminum or Nalgene-type bottle that you can hook to your bag and can be filled quite often from water stations. If you have to carry your bottle in your hand the entire time, it very well may be discarded for being a nuisance. I don’t want to be all TMI, but if you haven’t had to hit a porta-potty in a bit, it’s a good chance that you aren’t drinking enough. And know for every alcoholic beverage you consume, that much more water you need to consume to stay properly hydrated.

Be smart – find shade between shows, be it under a tree, from the shadow of a tent, or even if you decide to head back to your tent or hotel for a quick break. You really need to pace yourself – prioritize the performances you wish to see, so if you’re feeling a bit woozy, tired, or overheated you can take a break. Beer gardens, movie tents and vendor tents are great places to duck in and get some shade. In 2007 I almost passed out from the heat, and this year a person I knew died from the heat at a music festival. I would hate this to happen to any of you, so please stay cool, stay hydrated, and pace yourself.

Surviving the Lack of Plumbing
Porta-Potties
Be you attending a one-day fest or a multi-day camping adventure, you will likely be dealing with porta-potties. No one enjoys them, but they are a fact of life. Here’s a few things that can make your bathroom experience quick and less painful:

- Don’t expect each porta-potty to have toilet paper. Bring your own. I see many people who enter porta-potties with a whole roll of T.P. I personally don’t like that option because then there is something you need to hold while in there. I will fill a sandwich baggie with pre-torn piles of toilet paper. Then before I enter a porta-potty I will tuck the little pile of TP into my bra strap or pocket. Nothing to have to hold, and I am prepared in case the porta-potty isn’t well equipped.
- Not only will portable toilets be sans toilet paper, they will also be disgusting. I carry a second sandwich baggie with Clorox wipes. I take one in with me (tucked in the other bra strap or pocket) and wipe down the seat before attempting to do anything in there. I am a petite woman, and there is no way I can properly hover over a porta-potty and not make a mess. It is far easier to clean the seat than try to not touch it. Also, it is a “pay it forward” sort of act for the woman in line after you who may not have thought to bring sanitizing wipes!
- If you can, head to the porta-potties with a friend. Then she can hold both of your bags while you are in there, and then you can reciprocate the favor. If you don’t have this option, it’s great to have a cross-body bag or backpack that you can put on the front of your person and keep from touching any surfaces.
- Bring hand sanitizer! I prefer sanitizing wipes to the liquid in this case, so I can use it to scrub off stuff instead of rubbing it in. I wait until I am out and out of way of the line before attempting to use this. Some porta-potties come with sanitizer, but you can’t rely on that.
- If you will be at a multi-day event, I recommend a third sandwich baggie with personal cleansing wipes in it. In case your carnival food doesn’t sit well with you, or just if you want to do a wipe down to feel refreshed and less sweaty. Be sure to mark the bags so you know which baggie is Clorox and which is Cottonelle!
- If you are going to be at a festival at night, it’s a good idea to clip a headlamp or LED light to your bag so you can see what you are doing. Some porta-potties are perfectly set up near outdoor lighting, but many times, especially in camp sites, they will be located in a dark corner of the grounds. My husband picked up a cheap LED head lamp for me (small light on an elastic band) from some Big Box retailer – I never stick it on my head, but I have slung it around my neck when walking in dark locations, have held it in my hand to light my path, and have switched it to the red light and attached to my backpack so my friends can find and follow me in a crowd.

Porta-potties are another reason why dresses are a great option for attire. To have to wiggle off sweaty jeans or shorts in a rush can be awkward, difficult, and can give you more opportunity to accidently bump into a surface in there. Also jeans and pants can drag on the floor. Every woman I know agrees that dresses and skirts are FAR more porta-potty friendly, especially in the heat!

Bathing
If you are staying in general camping, running water may not exist, or if in the case of the Bonnaroo Music Festival, it may be ice-cold well water running from spigots in a metal trailer. It’s pretty much a given that you won’t be spic n’ span at a fest, but you can still be comfortable and relatively stink-free.

If you have running water (troughs, spigots, etc.):
- My sister thought of the brilliant idea of bringing a child’s play bucket – the type one uses at the beach. In it, put your soap, shampoo, washcloth, etc. Then you can place it on the floor or hang it off a hook or fence and have all your necessities at arm’s reach and not getting gross. Sometimes the floors at these water stations can have several inches of water, so your regular shower caddy with open sides won’t always be a good bet.
- You can’t get fully naked (unless you are very daring), so I have found it best to wear a bikini or a bra-tank or bikini top with a skirt or pareo when you go bathing. Be sure to wear shoes with good grip because it can get slick and muddy at the water stations.
- Though I am a stickler for high-quality shampoo and conditioner for my highlighted hair, at a fest I go with a travel-sized bottle of 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner. It’s easier.
- For cleaning the body, I take a bar of Ivory soap. I can then use it to clean my whole body and even clean clothes if need be. My husband prefers a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap because he will even use it as his shampoo. Either way you look at it, a multi-tasking product makes the most sense. I find a washcloth to be easier than a shower poof or just my hands – easier to scrub grubby feet and to get sticky sunscreen off shoulders.
- I also pack one of those small, lightweight microfiber hair towels. It’s usually too hot to bother with drying my body, and these towels dry fast, will sop up moisture from your hair without having to rub, and can make a really great turban or tuck into your bag or bucket when finished.
- If you know the water station will have spigots with threads on them (like a spigot off your house), it’s a great idea to take an old hose, cut a couple feet off the female end and take it to have a DIY shower. One can often find old hoses for offer on Freecycle. Home improvement stores also carry short hoses specifically for washing machines that have finished ends – this is a nice alternative and also means you can attach a nozzle to control water flow.

If you have shower stations (shower trailers, pay showers):
- Don’t expect the luxury of even the cheapest motel – these showers are small and cheap. At Bonnaroo they have pay showers sponsored by Garnier Fructis. For $7 you get a teeny plastic stall (think RV bathroom – we’re talking a space not wider than your shoulders) and a very thin shower curtain that has been torn and trashed by previous users. The floor of your shower stall is littered with leftover packets of sample shampoos and balls of hair. These stalls will be lined up along the wall of the trailer, there rarely are mirrors or a changing area.
- Wear shoes in the shower. Not only can you scrub them clean, but you keep your tootsies safe from fungus and other grodiness.
- The bucket again can come in handy, it can be placed on the floor, a shelf, even over the shower head if you are tall enough.
- Bring a bigger towel, and hang it over the shower curtain for some modesty.
- Wear something that is super easy to get off and back on when you are damp. Again this is where a cotton sundress comes in handy.

Other ways of staying clean:
- Outdoor stores sell personal cleansing cloths that are thicker and larger in size than ones you can find at Target. However either type is wonderful to wipe down with after a sweaty, sticky day.
- Outdoor stores also have what’s called solar showers. Pretty much these are bags you can fill with water and hang from a tree, a hook, or even buy a tent created just for a solar shower. Just be sure that it’s not set up in a way that the runoff will spill into a neighbor’s campsite.

Surviving a Day Away from your Home/Hotel/Campsite
The way to have a successful day at a festival is to be fully prepared. Yes you want to look stylish, but there’s no point in looking cute if you have blisters, sunburn, and no camera to take a picture of your fine self.

As previously mentioned, my day bag of choice is a very small backpack with a hydration bladder in it. What I fill it with:
- My three baggies for the porta potties
- Two hair elastics
- A few safety pins of varying size
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunglasses with case and little cloth to clean them
- Camera, in a plastic bag (protect from condensation from the hydration bladder, and also if it rains, someone spills a beer on my bag, etc.)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Face sunscreen with high SPF
- Body sunscreen (aerosol) with high sunscreen (or if a friend has a bigger bag and I know I will be with them the whole time, they can carry it)
- Cell phone with the numbers of every darn person I know at the festival PLUS the number for the nearby tow truck or taxi company (usually comes with your tickets)
- Booklet/map provided with the festival
- Cash in small bills (never more than $40 unless I know I will be buying a souvenir)
- Sharpie (you never know when you may bump into a celebrity and want their autograph!)
- Business cards (I have ones from VistaPrint which are cheap, have my name, my cell, my email, my Website. Great to trade with new friends you make, and can always make notes on the back with your Sharpie)
- A snack (Clif bars, granola bars, cheese and crackers packet, baggie of granola – something that will give you long-running energy and will hold up to the heat. Lines may be long at vendors, you may run out of money, you never know and it’s nice to have a snack just in case)
- Bandanna or cotton scarf, tied to the exterior

I highly recommend you get a bag you don’t mind wearing for long periods of time and you can wear while dancing. Cross-body bags can be great if they are small, but can but a pain if they keep banging into your thigh while rocking out at your favorite show. A regular purse will not be comfortable on your shoulder for long periods of time. Look for a sleek and smaller cross-body bag or a backpack. Fill it with everything before you go to see how it feels on your body and try walking around and dancing. You don’t want to put your bag on the ground for fear of mud and thieves.

What I leave back at camp, locked safely in my car:
- iPod
- Wallet
- Rest of money
- Chargers for cell and camera
- Anything else of value

Festivals are a great place to meet very friendly, like-minded people, but they also attract jerks and thieves. Protect yourself by not carrying everything in your bag, having a bag you don’t mind carrying at all times, and putting all your valuables into your car out of sight. If you drove a car there, keep a key to your car safety pinned into your bag or clothes, and leave the rest of the keyring in the car. Also hide a second car key at camp or give it to a friend in case your bag is stolen.

Treat Your Tootsies Well
Finally, one of the most important things for a good long day at a festival is proper footwear. This is not the time to try out your cute new gladiator sandals or to wear your $1 Old Navy flip flops. You want a pair of shoes that will treat your tootsies well for hours upon hours on end of standing on hard ground and asphalt, cushion you over walking on rocky terrain, can handle a sloshed beer or a mudpuddle, and have traction.

When I say traction, I don’t just mean on the bottom of the shoe. This is why flip flops are not the best option. Have you ever tried to run in a pair of soaking wet flip flops? It’s a recipe for disaster and a sprained ankle. I have been to festivals where it has rained; even a 20-minute sunshower can create ridiculous mud which will literally suck flip flops right off your feet.

A great choice are athletic sandals like Tevas, Merrells, or Chacos. These will stay on no matter the conditions and won’t leave you with a blisterful pair of feet. Many people like lightweight canvas shoes like Chuck Taylors or TOMS; I have a special place in my heart for Sanuks – a company with a good heart that makes super comfy “Vans”-like shoes with a sole as cushy as your favorite flops.

Photo courtesy of The Girl's Girl

I have worn my brown leather DUO boots (the Bern) to many a concert and festival – they are shearling lined (keeps me cool) and I have added a waterproofing spray to the exterior. They have a low heel, good traction, an additional cushioning insert and let me tromp through most anything feeling secure. I despise despise DESPISE Crocs, but I have to say they are the perfect festival shoe – they cushion your feet, let them breathe so they don’t get sweaty and stinky, will stay on in even the muckiest of mud, and can easily be rinsed off at the end of the day. They also give a bit of protection to the foot if a beer bottle is dropped on you or you have to enter an especially soggy porta-potty or water station.

Whatever your footwear, be sure they are broken in prior to heading to the festival. Nothing will cramp your good time more than painful, chafed, blisted, cramped toes.

So, What Should I Pack?
If you are staying onsite or at a hotel nearby, I recommend two outfits for each day. If it’s hot or rainy, you will want to change into dry clothes. And when I mean a separate change of clothes, I include underwear in this. Pack two pairs of underwear for each day (if your clothes are sweaty, so will be your undergarments), and bring a bra that you can switch into while the other is hanging up to dry.

Picture courtesy of BallerinaGrape

On top of this, I recommend some clothes to keep you warm when the sun goes down. I don’t recommend jeans (see above re: porta potties, also jeans suck to put on when you are achy or sunburned). If you are wearing a dress, pairing it with a pair of full-length leggings or some floaty linen pants is a great idea. I often just change into a maxi dress or a completely different outfit with a long skirt. Also if you bring a hoodie, it’s usually enough and then you can tie it around your waist or on your bag when you warm up from dancing.

Pack more than one pair of shoes. Even if you have broken in your shoes, they can very well give you some pain after wearing them for 12+ hours at a time. It’s healthy to switch your shoes each day anyhow. I also like to pack a simple pair of basic flip flops for when at camp or for the drive there and back.

Bring two pairs of sunglasses – you never know if you may lose a pair and it would suck to go without.

Pack a survival kit. Safety pins, a small sewing kit, extra hair elastics and Bobby pins or clamp barrettes, Shout wipes or a Tide to Go pen, Immodium AD and Pepto Bismol, pain reliever of your choice, something with electrolytes (Propel, Gatorade, I really like u hydration tablets, which aren’t full of all the fake stuff and sugar of many other electrolyte tabs and they taste really great), if you are within a week or so of your period pack some feminine hygiene products just in case, an extra pair of contacts or glasses, first-aid basics (band-aids, something to clean a wound), extra car key, insurance and AAA card, a hidden $50 that you won’t spend at the festival in case you need a jump, tow, taxi, etc.

Pack some clothes that are fun. When the sun goes down, the party gets crazy at music festivals. Bring your face glitter, your neon pink lip gloss, your angel wings or tutu. You may not feel brave enough to don them, but festivals have a way of bringing out the party girl in most any woman!

But I’m not a Dirty Hippie/Hipster/I’m a Music Newbie!

Photo courtesy of Music Festival Junkies

If you Google photos of people who have attended music festivals, you may think that all of them are young and cool, or else decked out in tie-dye and hemp. Neither is true, festivals are great because they attract every type of person. I have returned to Bonnaroo so many times because it is a festival that offers pretty much every genre of music.

No need to buy a whole new wardrobe of peasant skirts and rope sandals, or fedoras and Ray Bans. I buy sundresses for music festivals because they are comfortable, and they can also be worn again on summer weekend days. When doing your summer shopping, instead of buying clothes just for this event, see if you can find things that will do double-duty. Instead of buying a dry clean only frock, look for one that can be washed in the machine. Instead of polyester, look for cotton. In place of safe black, consider a cheery print.

Keep in mind that a festival is a laid-back environment. No need for a ton of accessories, coordinated pieces, perfectly polished ensembles. Simple is better, you will get sweaty, you will get dusty and you will want to dance. I leave at home my wedding set and the only jewelry I bring is a turquoise necklace my husband brought back from his yoga teacher training in Mexico, and a pair of silver hoops.

If you are the type of woman who can’t leave your home without at least five pieces of makeup, you may want to adjust your routine for this event. Makeup doesn’t hold up too well in 100-degree heat, and you won’t have regular access to a mirror for touch-ups. That doesn’t mean you need a bare face. At Bonnaroo I wear waterproof mascara, bronzing powder dusted on my cheeks, and Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm. I carry Urban Decay’s De-Slick to combat shine. If you have a bad zit, it’s fine to try to touch it up with some concealer and pressed powder, but a fully “done” face will only leave you with a mess and a smear.

And if you are not familiar with most of the artists, well all the better! Some of my favorite bands in 2010 are ones I never heard of three years ago. They became faves because I saw them perform at a music festival. Festivals are great places to learn about new music, and find your personal music style without being biased by corporate radio, TV, or friends. At a festival, every artist will have an audience of raving fans, so there isn’t any bias, you can’t choose wrong. Go ahead and see a performance or two by yourself – you will make instant friends with the other excited people in the audience!

What to leave at home:
Heels, tight miniskirts, tight jeans, hairspray, flat iron, anything that is dry clean only or delicate or can’t handle getting wet, expensive jewelry, designer anything, your favorite purse, anything that won’t be comfortable enough to dance in or sit in on the ground.

Also leave at home any snark, eye-rolling or criticism. Seriously, you will see EVERY type of person at a festival. Many people travel from fest to fest because they are huge fans of music, but also because festivals are a place where they can feel accepted. That woman in the chain mail bikini and Indian headdress may actually be upper management at a stuffy corporation during the week, the “dirty hippie” may be her college’s fashionista come fall semester. Relish in the fact that you are able to go somewhere where you can be totally relaxed, not stressed over hemlines or heel heights. Be comfortable, feel attractive in your own way, and wear the best accessory out there – a big happy smile.

And be sure to come back and share your experiences at your next fest!

Ask Allie - How to Accessorize a Sheath Dress

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:25:00 +0000

I have received so many emails recently asking for fashion advice. I figured I would share the questions and responses with you readers - what helps one may help many!

Dear Allie:

I have found my figure looks great in simple sheath dresses and I recently realized I have a good 8-10 of these in my wardrobe.  What do I need to accessorize them so I don't look like "The Sheath Lady"? I don't really own a lot of accessories right now.  Thanks!

I think a sheath dress is one of the easiest things for a woman to accessorize. The classic, no-frills silhouette can be completely transformed based upon what accessories you choose to add to it. I too love sheath dresses and find them flattering on many figures. Ones in crepe, suiting fabric, silk, cotton and linen blends and in solid colors can be extremely versatile.

Classic – A strand of pearls (18-20”) and glossy leather pumps. This can take a solid colored sheath and make it appropriate for work, for a wedding, for a date night, house of worship (depending on how conservative – pack a cardigan or pashmina), a luncheon… most anything. If all else fails, this is a perfect go-to outfit when you don’t know your event or audience.

Elegant – A long strand of pearls or a gold chain with occasional crystals, delicate strappy heels, a clutch and you are ready for an evening event.

Summery – A wooden bangle bracelet and some sandals with wood or cork heels in a skin tone. Simple, stylish, current.

Preppy – Top the sheath with a cardigan tied at the shoulders, or a square scarf tied at the throat. Add a canvas tote in a candy-colored hue.

Weekend – A necklace of plastic or wood beads in a complimenting color, and a pair of leather thong sandals. Add a floppy straw hat and you are ready for the farmer’s market or winery.

Double – duty – Try a fitted white button-down shirt or a sleek black turtleneck under your heavyweight solid-colored jumper. Just today I saw a woman on the street in a dark gray sheath of suiting fabric; underneath she had a white shirt with puffed sleeves and a stand collar. She paired it with black patent heeled Mary Janes and some fantastic dark framed glasses and looked professional yet stylish.

Cover it Up – A "boyfriend" or longer cardigan and a skinny belt can transform a simple solid-colored sheath dress into something completely different (and much more comfortable in an over-air conditioned office).

Blingy – Choose one to three broaches and place over the heart in a cluster, like a corsage. Have all the pins of a similar family – all crystals, all cameos, all enamel. Let it be the focus and choose simple pumps, flats or slingbacks for the feet.

Change the Silhouette – Add a skinny belt and your sheath can end up looking like a completely different dress. Depending on the shape, you may also be able to do the same with a wide elastic belt either at the waist or right under the bust.

Dancing Queen – Planning on painting the town red tonight? Pair your sheath dress with some animal print or metallic heels and either a chunky bangle bracelet or a pair of dangly earrings. An envelope clutch will finish the look.

Switch up the Shoes - Always wear your sheath dresses with black pumps? Consider a chunky heeled sandal for summer. When it cools, try pairing your dress with a pair of tall (or even ankle!) boots. Always wear heels? Why not try a pair of flats with a girly feel? A quick change of footwear can often times make all the difference.

Shopping Karma

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:55:00 +0000

Everyone is getting on the Amazon bandwagon and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. Everywhere I look, another online retailer is offering customers to rate and/or review previous purchases. The trouble with shopping online is that you can’t touch, feel, or try on your item before purchase. Even with easy (and sometimes free – hello Zappos!) shipping and return policies at many retailers, returns are still a hassle and take time.

Enter the beauty of customer reviews. Reading them, you can see that a fellow pear-shaped woman found the trousers flattering, but a fellow tall woman found they ran short. And look, that dress you are considering to wear to your friend’s wedding? Well some other woman bought it and admitted it was perfect for such an affair, and wore it to one recently garnering many compliments and feeling perfectly dressed.

One big reason Amazon is so successful is because not only do they have customer reviews, but they have so many. When I was searching for a convertible carseat for my daughter, I was able to weed through literally hundreds of reviews for each brand and style – reviews organized by rating, by date submitted. Reviews were rated by fellow shoppers for their helpfulness, and many reviews had comments on them providing additional insight. I had narrowed down my choice to two brands, and these reviews on Amazon helped me make the final decision – a decision I have been happy with for months.

Do you practice shopping karma? When you make an online purchase, do you return to that retailer to offer feedback? Often we read the reviews, make purchased based upon the reviews, and then never go back to offer our own feedback. Give that which you wish to have in return – lots of constructive feedback on your purchases.

Speaking of constructive feedback, think about your review before you hit the ‘submit’ button. When saying the dress was tight in the bust, did you also mention your shape, your size, and what size you purchased? If you think the pants run long, please be sure to mention your height and if you believe yourself to be long- or short-waisted. Did you end up having to pin the neckline or wear it with a camisole? Was the hemline too short for work but perfect for drinks with friends? Did the color state it was emerald green but you found it to be more of a muted leaf color? Let other people know. Your detailed, constructive feedback may encourage other shoppers to do the same. And their detailed review may be the very one that helps you pick that perfect something that has been missing from your wardrobe!

Remember Who You Are

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:48:00 +0000

I am a huge fan of shopping online. Many women hate it because you can’t try before you buy, but I love it because it helps me keep on track.

Lately I have been shopping in stores to find proper clothes for my upcoming vacation. It will be hot so I am trying to find lightweight sundresses. I will be attending a music festival, so I have been looking for hippie-esque florals, embroidery, gauzy fabrics. This isn’t my norm. To add to this, my figure is still in flux after having a baby last year. The breasts are a different shape and size, the arms are smaller and firmer from hoisting a toddler, but the tummy has yet to return to its original size. Shopping outside my favorite online brands and retailers, trying on in fluorescent-lit cramped fitting room and searching for a style outside my personal norm is making me feel a bit like a fish out of water.

And it is making me get very close to a couple retail mistakes.

Today at lunch, I stopped by Filene’s Basement. I grabbed a handful of sundresses, a few pairs of Bermuda and city shorts, and a couple breezy summer tops in fun prints. I got into the cramped, smelly, dirty fitting room and tried on their first top. Hideous – too tight in one place, gaping in another. I looked at myself in the reflection, and hated what I saw. This morning (and even in the office rest room before heading out) I saw a pretty woman with beachy waves in her hair, soft pretty makeup, a feminine figure. In my own white trousers, but paired with this wardrobe monstrosity, I felt old. And fat. And saggy. My shoulders slumped.

I tried on a navy jersey tunic with embroidery at the wrists and neckline. The colors were a bit subdued, but it didn’t make my body look terrible. The embroidery was dark red and ivory; I don’t own any ivory pants to make it a nice work outfit. Guess I could pair with jeans. I don’t need any tops to wear with jeans but it’s kinda cute and only $19.99. I put it on a separate hook, planning to purchase it.

Next, I tried on a purple jersey dress – it had a surplice neckline, elastic at the empire waistline. It sort of looked like a night gown, and actually resembled the silhouette of my navy dress that I wore in this post. However the shoulders rouched and had ties which added interest. The purple color was not my favorite, but it was flattering. I could pair it with a wide belt over the elastic waistband… it’s only $29.99. I could wear it on the drive down to the music festival and be comfortable in the car. I could wear it to work with the belt and some heels. I could jazz it up… it was put on the hook with the navy tunic.

Then I tried on a dress from Calvin Klein. It was black with a round neck. Sleeveless, fit and flare with a self belt and origami-like folds at the hem which added interest and a bit of stiffness to enhance the fit and flare silhouette. The fabric was a slightly textured cotton, the dress fully lined. It was one size too small – I could zip it up but it was way too tight. But this dress… it was me. THIS is my style – clean, simple, modern, classic with a touch of interest. I am not a faded navy bohemian tunic with jeans. I am not a grape-colored nightgown that I struggle to make sassy.

I should have known – I have other pieces from Calvin Klein in my wardrobe that are just as flattering to my figure as well as my personality.

I returned every item to the fitting room attendant. I went back and searched for the Calvin Klein dress in the next size, but it wasn’t there. But that too-small dress reminded me of who I am.

Don’t get lost in the sales, and remember that crappy lighting and poorly fitting clothes do not mean you are any less beautiful. There is nothing wrong with having some brands or retailers that you shop at exclusively. It’s better to have a small collection of pieces that love you, respect you, and tell your story correctly, than a large collection of pieces that require work to fit you – be it your body, your lifestyle, or your soul.

There are clothes out there that can work for you. Don’t settle. If things are almost right, consider a tailor or seamstress to get them to perfect. Buy that item and then try it on at home in proper lighting with proper undergarments and footwear. Variety is not the spice of life when it comes to a hard-working and reliable wardrobe. Style comes from knowing yourself and your body, not from having a rainbow in your closet. If you don’t know who you are, take a friend or relative shopping with you. Search online for celebs or fashion bloggers who have similar figures to you. You can also refer to this post for some help in finding your personal style.

Don’t sacrifice yourself for a sale; don’t choose quantity over quality, and never forget who you are inside.

Don't Take it Literally

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:07:00 +0000

I think the best fashion trend over the past decade or so has been the freedom to not match. I am not saying mixing plaids with paisleys and polka-dots, but by adding an unexpected item to an outfit to make it less matchy-matchy and surprisingly more cohesive.

Adding green snakeskin peeptoes with a brown a purple print dress, cinching a floaty floral chiffon dress with a rustic worn leather best, softening a conservative pinstriped pantsuit with a frilly silk camisole, pairing a girly dress with rugged chunky boots, pairing a sequined skirt with a denim jacket a ribbed tank. These are examples of taking an unexpected item, adding it to an outfit to make a unique and more stylish look.

The other day I was on the Metro and a woman entered the car. She had gorgeous silver-white hair cut into a crisp bob, and beautiful makeup that made her face glow and not look painted. She was wearing a well-tailored navy pantsuit with subtle pin-striping. The suit fit her perfectly, and looked as though it cost a pretty penny. With it she had on navy leather pumps with buckle detail, and a white silk knit surplice-neckline shell that had a navy chain pattern. Her purse was a navy shoulder bag with a buckle out of the same brushed silver metal seen on her shoes. A brushed silver watched peeked out from the cuff of her jacket.

This woman was obviously successful and financially comfortable. However her desire to match so perfectly cheapened her obviously expensive ensemble. The perfect matching of navy (which in itself is a true feat – matching navys deserves a Nobel prize) made her outfit look more flight attendant than Fortune 500. If she had not taken navy so literally and added a bit of unexpected color or texture to her ensemble, she would have looked more expensive, more confident, more youthful, and still as professional.

Adding one unexpected piece will add style, adding more can create a costume. In the words of Tim Gunn, “choose thoughtfully.” Try a contrast of textures for an easy way to be less literal with fashion – soft with structured, a chiffon blouse with tweed trousers, a leather biker jacket over a frothy frock, switching out your dress’ self belt with one made of leather or suede. Mixing of patterns takes a bit more care - a plum pinstriped pencil skirt with a teal paisley-printed cardigan can be fantastic, a purple rugby striped skirt with Kelly green paisley top can be a very bad acid trip.

To try out this trend, start small. Have your unexpected element be an accessory. A belt can make a huge impact without being too extreme or obvious. Add personality to your LBD with a clutch in an expected texture and hue. Instead of your go-to cardigan, top your dresses with denim or leather. Switch our your suit shells with a camisole in a feminine fabric or an unusual pop of color. And if this all seems too wacky and overwhelming, one can always choose the failsafe accessory – shoes. Animal prints are an unexpected neutral – a cheetah print can often replace tan or camel; pick it in suede or nubuck or with a wood heel to add even more interest. Some colors like red, green and purple are also unexpected neutrals. These colors on your feet can add a real pop of color and interest to a basic suit, dress, or even the standard Nite Out uniform of jeans and a black top.

As for the lady in navy, she could have switched the obvious choice of a navy and white shell for one in a complimentary color such a teal or berry. The shoes could have been a subtle change with camel or tan, or she could have added personality while still looking professional with a dark red hue. Handbags are a great place where one can show personality. Colors like mustard, aubergine, teal, olive, hunter, indigo, and merlot are colors that compliment many basic corporate colors, but don’t stand out or look too casual. These sorts of shades are great choices for handbags, shoes, belts and coats where you can add color and not lose your professional edge.

When you don’t take fashion so literally, you add your personality to your wardrobe. The unexpected addition to your ensemble will take your chain store items and give them a boutique look. It is the best way to take your wardrobe staples and alter them and make them stylish and on-trend.

For Your Reference

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:16:00 +0000

I apologize for not posting regularly. Having a full time job, a toddler, and a wonderful family and set of friends leaves little time for regular writing. And I don’t want to fill Wardrobe Oxygen with fluff.

Wardrobe Oxygen is a blog where I hope all women, regardless of size, age, budget, or lifestyle can find tips and assistance in creating and achieving personal style. When I write posts, I hope that they provide timeless advice – posts from 2005 should still be useful in 2010. Because of this I have made a couple changes to Wardrobe Oxygen.

First, I am going through and deleting any posts about sales and coupons if they are expired. Archives should be clean and easy to peruse for all who visit this site.

Second, I am slowly updating my tags so that it will be easier to find posts on topics that are relevant to you and your needs. You will see that post topics are now posted in the sidebar; I will be updating and organizing this over the next week or so. If you have any suggestions on topics you feel should be added to the list, do leave a comment. The goal is to make this site user-friendly for all.

Third, I will be updating the blog’s layout in the near future so it will assist in navigating through the archives.

And I want to thank you again for being a reader of Wardrobe Oxygen. Do know that though I am not posting as regularly as I was, I am not planning on abandoning this blog. I will continue to post, but will only post articles that I feel could be helpful, and are well thought out. I appreciate all of your comments and emails and thank you for all of your support!

Getting More For Your Money - Ebates

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:49:00 +0000

Wednesday, I made $7.00 just for buying the regular stuff I need. Toothpaste, baby-friendly (and eco-friendly) bug spray, toilet paper, teething oil, a couple extra sippy cups, mascara, shower gel. Last week I made $3.00 for ordering me and my daughter some clothes from Old Navy and $4.00 for purchasing a dress and shoes from Nordstrom. Last year I made over $700 for just shopping for the regular purchases I make. I don’t need a taskbar, I don’t need to collect points, I don’t have to scour the Internet for codes, I don’t need to buy from shops I don’t know or regularly frequent.

What I do is use Ebates before shopping online. Ebates is a site where you can get cash back from online purchases. Anywhere from 1% to 20% cash back. You visit the Ebates site, search for your favorite online retailer, and visit their site through their link at Ebates. An extra 30 seconds in your day. Then four times a year, you will receive a check in the mail from Ebates. No contracts, no giving all your personal information, no strings attached.

Ebay, Nordstrom, Target, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Kohl’s, Drugstore.com, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, JC Penney, The Children’s Place, Diapers.com, Lands End, Home Depot, Buy.com, Overstock, SmartBargains. I could keep going. The list is amazing and encompasses most of the best online retailers. Not only that, Ebates will keep track of promotions and coupon codes taking place for these retailers so you can get your cash back AND save as much as possible on your order.

And why am I telling you about this? Well, I am because I love this site and love to share fabulous bargains online. But I am also telling you because Ebates offers a referral bonus. If you sign up for Ebates and love it as much as I do, you can tell your friends and make a bonus off each of them when they sign up and use the site.

There’s no risk. If you sign up for Ebates and don’t love it… then stop using the site. No worries. And whether you make $6.00 or $600 of the site, you will still get your check for your cash back (or a deposit in your PayPal account – your preference).

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Save The World and Your Wardrobe - National Hanging Out Day

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:50:00 +0000

National Hanging Out Day - not a day to chill with friends (though that is nice), but a day for all Americans to choose to hang their laundry to dry instead of using an electric clothes dryer. The goal is to show how effective one tactic, such as using a clothesline, can be in cutting back our contribution to global warming.

Dryers use 10 to 15% of domestic energy in the United States. There are 88 million dryers in America, and if everyone converted to lines it could reduce residential output of CO2 by 3.3%. That's pretty huge.

I love hanging my clothing to dry - not only do they smell as fresh as a spring day, but they don't shrink and they don't fade. Clothing constantly placed under heat and the tumbling of a dryer are faster to thin, wear, get holes and fall apart. Many dry clean only garments can easily be washed by hand or on the gentle cycle of your washer and dried on a rack or hanger.

Don't have a yard for a clothes line (or the weather for line drying)? Clothes don't have to be hung on a line outside to dry. Right now I have half my closet hanging off my shower curtain rod in my bathroom. Big box retailers and shops like The Container Store and IKEA offer collapsable drying racks that can fit in a corner or your bathtub and can accomodate a whole load of clothing. Retractable clotheslines and folding wall racks can hide out of sight until laundry day. I even use the towel bars in the hallway bathroom to dry dish towels and lingerie.

I encourage you to celebrate National Hanging Out Day - save energy, save money, and save your wardrobe!

Proper Representation

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:03:00 +0000

Never go out of the house in anything you don’t want to be seen in if by chance you bump into your ex.

I always say this, I always preach this. Today I didn’t follow it.

Today I took off work to get some really thrilling things accomplished (taxes, take the car in to be repaired, get spring clothes out of the attic). After dropping off my car, my husband and I (and Emerson) stop by the neighborhood barber shop so Mr. Allie can get a trim.

I only thought we were going to drop off the car and head home, so I threw on a navy jersey sleeveless dress, some flip flops and put my hair (that was in much need of a shower) into a ponytail. Silver hoops and cuff bracelet are standard; I did take a moment to put on some tinted moisturizer and mascara but it was hardly visible.

We walk in, my husband sits down next to this man in a green shirt and says, “Hello friend.” The man looks up… and well it’s not my ex but it is a very old friend. A friend I considered my best (or one of my best) friend for the majority of my childhood and adolescence. He was on of the first boys I ever kissed. He taught me how to drive stick. We went to college together. I was a bridesmaid in his wedding. When my father passed away, he was the rock I needed to get through the situation.

We lost touch about a decade ago. I never really knew why. And now I see him and I am in a pilled, faded dress that could pass for a shortie nightgown or beach coverup and a greasy ponytail.

While my husband got his hair cut, we went outside with my daughter to catch up. We discussed how we lost touch and what is new in the past decade plus. I joked to him about my mantra about never leaving the house looking the way I did; he mentioned one time he ran to the gas station in an old tee shirt, khakis and black Crocs and bumped into an ex he hadn’t seen in over a decade so he could laugh with me. But I still wish I had taken the time this morning to pull myself together. It will take additional meetings to properly let this person know the person I have become in the past 12 years – a person I think is pretty fantastic.

Your wardrobe is your armor – a tool to help you feel confident, feel beautiful, feel strong. Caring about your appearance isn’t superficial or selfish; caring about your appearance is just as important as caring about your health or your education. Your appearance is the first thing that people see – it is your first voice to the world. The way you dress should properly represent the amazing person you are. Today I did myself a disservice by dressing in a manner that did not properly represent.

So yes, do dress in a manner that will not embarrass you if you bump into an old flame… but dress in a manner that properly represents your fabulous self. This doesn’t mean designer labels or trendy styles, it means shopping with care and thought. Slowly building a wardrobe of items that you love and love you in return. Buy as you would for your home, your child, your job. Buy things slowly, searching for the best price, value, quality. Think about what is already at home, and how this item will work with that collection. And always have those last minute outfits at the ready for when you do need to get gas, drop off the car, buy a quart of milk. For you never know who you may bump into.

The Wardrobe Stapes When You Are Expecting

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:09:00 +0000

The list below is not only from my experience from being pregnant, but complied after speaking to several other women who had been pregnant. This list will give any woman who is expecting a simple, stylish wardrobe that should have her ready for most any situation that comes her way.

1. Not-so Little Black Dress
For pregnant women, I highly recommend the wrap style of dress. It is terribly flattering for the figure, it is usually of a really comfy non-itchy fabric like matte jersey, silk knit or a poly blend and it is versatile. A three-quarter sleeve length will work in almost every season – if you are in a warmer climate a flutter-sleeve or short puffed sleeve will keep you cool while flattering your softer shape. Add tall boots and a camisole for work, wear it with pumps for a wedding, pair with leggings and flats for the weekend.

The dress doesn’t have to be black, but black is more likely to look dressy if a wedding or evening event ends up on your social calendar. If you know in the upcoming months you won’t have such an affair, another dark solid color (chocolate, indigo, blackberry, charcoal) can be quite versatile. Use accessories like necklaces, scarves and camisoles to add color and interest to the dress. It’s better to keep basics like these solid so they are less memorable – easier to wear more often without looking as though you have a tiny wardrobe.

2. Black Knit Pants
Why do maternity fashion designers try to dress pregnant women in stiff chino? It’s not comfortable, it creases, it shrinks, it collects lint. If a maternity clothing line isn’t trying to get a pregnant woman to wear chino, it’s trying to get her to wear cheap polyester. Well if you search enough, you can find some pretty fantastic knit trousers out there that are worthy of the workplace but feel as great as your yoga pants.

Ponte de Roma fabric (also known as ponte) is a pregnant woman’s best friend. This fabric is a heavyweight, tightly-woven knit that has a refined finish. It stretches like regular cotton knit, but due to its weight and finish, it looks totally appropriate for the workplace and can dress up for dinner or a party. I found ponte maternity pants at Target and Old Navy but have seen them at many other retailers since my pregnant days. The ones I had were fashioned with a wide waistband similar to yoga pants – this kept the trousers comfortable through all trimesters, and the waist was nearly invisible under fitted tops. If you find a pair, buy in bulk. Have a pair for now, and then two pairs that are slightly longer (if possible) for your last trimester. My Target ones were too long and I kept putting off hemming them and was glad because come the end of the last trimester they were the only pants that were truly long enough for me. And by the end of that third trimester (and the first few weeks postpartum) I practically lived in those ponte pants (I even wore them home from the hospital after delivering Emerson).

3. Casual Cardigan
If you’re pregnant in fall and winter, this can be a sweater coat or swingy chunky cardigan. If you are due in the summer, you may want a lighter weight piece. A solid color, and a color you adore is a great choice. I had one in hot pink that not only coordinated with a few of my print pieces in my closet, but also made me look and feel happy and refreshed.

Pregnant women are hot one moment, and chilly another. Often times coats seem to be way too bulky and heavy for an expectant woman. Cardigans are a great way to have that extra layer to keep you comfortable, but can easily be tucked in a bag if you get hot.

Cardigans are also a great way to change the look of your maternity wardrobe basics. It can be paired with a tank or knit top for the weekend, with your black trousers for work. Put over a dress for a completely different silhouette. I also often tied my cardigan around my shoulders for a preppy look that also balanced out my bottom-heavy frame.

A basic cotton or wool knit is a great choice – I had a fine-gauge cotton one from Ann Taylor LOFT that had a jewel neckline and simple buttons. It laundered well, was simple enough that it could be versatile, and didn’t scream maternity. Similar ones can be found at most any maternity fashion retailer – steer clear of too many decorations and embellishments – a simple cardigan will get you more miles of wear and will be more likely to look stylish if you keep it for a future pregnancy (or if you hand it down to a pregnant friend or relative).

4. Dressy Cardigan or Soft-structured Jacket
This is a cover-up that is a bit more refined. It may be a cardigan with pave or pearl buttons, or even a jacket out of ponte or boiled wool. Something that isn’t structured, isn’t lined, but can make a pair of pants and a knit top look a bit more professional or sophisticated. Paired with jeans and a tank, it still can look great for the mall or brunch with your gal pals.

I had a collarless jacket out of ponte that was not maternity. I bought it before pregnant from the Banana Republic Outlet, but it worked up until the end of the last trimester. It made basic knit tops and my ponte pants suddenly look appropriate for a work meeting. I also would toss this jacket over my maternity dresses to look a bit more professional, or to ward off chill on cooler fall days. I was a pregnant person who got hot easily, and I can remember using this jacket as my fall coat – I would loop a pashmina or scarf around my neck to cover my front and the ponte jacket would keep my arms and back warm enough for my comfort level.

5. First Half Jeans
Your belly won’t be the only thing that is different in the latter part of your pregnancy. I found that jeans I ADORED in the first several weeks of having a bump I despised in the third trimester. You may like a demi belly band, and now you love a secret fit; before you may have liked the maternity panel and now you like the jeans that don’t have any stretch and just sit under the stomach. And really… you won’t know until you get closer to that time. So buy yourself a pair or two of well-fitting jeans now, and have a fund ready for the ones you will need in a couple of months.

For these jeans, a dark color and even rinse will be the most elegant, most versatile, most slimming. I liked a straight or slightly bootcut fit because it balanced out my shape. Flares look even more exaggerated with a baby bump and skinny jeans can easily make you look like a lollypop. Jeans with a hint of lycra will be less likely to stretch out, and will fit longer.

Don’t be in a rush to hem them to the perfect length – as you get larger, you will find that you require a longer inseam. Err on the side of a bit too long – it will get you more miles. Also, the further into your pregnancy you go, the lower the heel of your shoe will most likely be.

6. Second Half Jeans
See above.

7. Low-heeled Black Pumps
Pregnancy does not give you a license to wear hideous footwear. I wore low heels all the way until the day I entered the hospital. In fact, a low wide heel can be more supportive and comfortable than a true flat. Leather is dressier than suede or other fabrics (and easier to polish up and look new).

A black pair of pumps (can be peeptoes, mary janes or slingbacks) will be so useful. You can pair with trousers or dresses for work, have an easy way to dress up your not-so LBD for a festive occasion, and if it’s well made, it will be your favorite footwear as time goes on.

This is something I did NOT have when pregnant and desperately wish that I had. I instead found a pair of brown suede mary janes from Sofft that fit the bill. They had a vintage feel to them – wide rounded toe, thicker stable heel, a little leather and suede flower on the strap. They stretched when my feet grew, they had a lovely padded insole, and the heel was high enough to look feminine but low enough that I could walk to the Metro or wear them all workday without being miserable. If only they were black and leather, I would have found they went with my entire wardrobe, instead of just a few random pieces.

8. Tall Flat Boots
Another item I wish I had. I had mid-height boots, and I wore the heck out of them.

With dresses, you feel more covered. With leggings, you look less naked. When it’s cold out and all your tights are too short, you can cut the feet off your tights, tuck them into your boots and no one is the wiser. Boots will balance out the short hemlines of dresses as your belly grows. Leather boots can protect you from the elements without being too hot, and can offer support when you swell.

And finally, some days it’s hard to look sassy when you are pregnant. Somehow a pair of tall boots can make an entire outfit look more posh. Tall flat boots are fantastic post-partum as well for this same reason.

Riding boots are a classic – dark brown or black. Keep a simple, classic look and you will get years of wear out of them – from pregnancy and beyond.

9. Black Leggings (or Heavy Opaque Tights)
You will get to a point where you have no desire to put on anything that binds, itches, constricts, has stiffness, or doesn’t feel like pajamas. On top of that, as you get closer to the end of your pregnancy, you will find that many of your dresses look more like tunics. A pair of black leggings or tights (I had some maternity tights from Spanx that I adored, and found a cheap pair of leggings from Liz Lange for Target) will get a ton of wear, even if you are currently a leggings-hater.

Pair with your dresses and black flats or tall boots. Wear with a longer top and a drapey cardigan and boots for a casual weekend.

10. Two Really Supportive Bras
Your breasts will change. They will get bigger, and heavier. Your old bras will not cut it any more. You will look better and feel better with good bras.

Find one with a bit of padding and it will protect overly sensitive nipples as well as become invisible under knits.

11. Bella Band
Some people find these a waste, but I found it had so many uses for me.

Before I fit into maternity wear, I could use it over unbuttoned pants to keep them up and look smooth under tops. Once into maternity clothing, I found many pants slid down and the Bella Band did a great job at holding them up. Last few weeks of pregnancy, the Bella Band covered the part of the tummy (and maternity panel) that now too-short shirts did not. Postpartum, the Bella Band again helped hold up too-big maternity pants and cover open zippers on non-maternity trousers. When nursing, the Bella Band could be worn under non-nursing tops to cover the midsection.

Black is a good choice – it will be less visible with your black trousers, and also work well with jeans. White can be too casual looking and since it is made with Lycra, can look yellowed or old over time. Some come with lace or trim; you will get more mileage and style with a simple one free of adornments.

There are different brands of these bands – no need to go with the Bella brand. However, one made of plain stretch jersey may not hold up as well or support as much as ones like the Bella Band which have a high percentage of Lycra and are of a tightly-knit fabric. My Bella Band still looks brand new, after so many washes and wears (and being worn since by two other friends who were expecting).

12. At Least Three Knit Tops
I really don’t know why so many maternity designers make tops out of cotton and poplin. Like trousers, a pregnant woman wants fabrics that don’t crease, chafe, or require ironing. The further you are in your pregnancy, the less you will want to wear itchy, stiff, constricting garments.

These knit tops are not standard maternity tee shirts. These are made out of a refined jersey, a soft synthetic that drapes, even a silk jersey. They are solid in color, and have interesting details like blouson or flutter sleeves, a surplice or ruffled neckline. They are tops that feel as comfy as a tee shirt, but can be paired with your black knit trousers and a necklace and look smashing for work or play.

Choose rich, delicious colors that make you feel fantastic. Neutrals may seem the way to go, but after morning sickness, swollen feet, round ligament pain and insomnia you could probably use a bit of color to your day. Candy pink, bright aqua, leaf green, teal blue, royal purple, garnet red – these are colors that will look polished and refreshed.

Keep in mind that you will get warmer than usual as the pregnancy continues – long and tight sleeves may not be the most comfortable come third trimester. Also, many women’s arms grow along with their bellies. Consider something that floats (yet still skims your curves – too much volume is not flattering for anyone) for longer wear and comfort.

13. Two Long Ribbed Tanks
Black and another neutral appropriate to your color palette (chocolate, heather gray, white, bright red). These can be paired with the cardigan or jacket, put under a knit dress for modesty, worn to extend the wear of pre-maternity attire, and worn under all those maternity tops that will be far too short come the end of your third trimester. Look for a high quality knit – heavy weight, lots of stretch, color saturation.

Don’t expect a maternity tank to necessarily be long – look for ones that advertise themselves as longer so you can be sure that it really will cover that one inch of belly that always ends up showing in those last couple of weeks.

14. Two Jersey Knit Dresses
Sometimes pants can be a pain. Dresses are simple one-item dressing, and they can make you look put together even if you feel that your world is falling apart. Knit dresses are comfortable, cool, washable. They don’t wrinkle, they fit over your belly, and if cut well, really flatter your frame.

Solid colors are again the way to go – have one in a neutral, and one in a delicious hue. When choosing colors, consider the rest of your palette and pick one that will compliment your cardigan, your jacket, your tanks. Keep things in a simple color palette, and you will spend less time staring at your closet and sighing.

A wrap style is always a great choice for a pregnant frame; also flattering are dresses cut on the bias, and dresses with surplice necklines. Look for a defined empire waist for shape (no one looks good in a muumuu).

Pair with a long-sleeved tee and tall boots for colder days, and sandals or flats and a long beaded necklace for warmer months. Your accessories can transform this dress so that you can wear it every week and not look like a broken record.

15. A Pair of Slip-on Shoes/Flats
The further you are in your pregnancy, the larger your feet will probably get. You also may be unsteady on your feet. On top of that, it will become harder and harder to touch your feet (let alone see them). Having a pair of shoes you can slip into will be your saving grace.

A simple ballet flat can be chic, but usually doesn’t have the support necessary to baby swollen tootsies. Look for a simple flat that has a proper sole and arch support. Peeptoes are sassy in warmer months, a classic round-toe flat (plain or with bow or other simple adornment) is always chic, a Mary Jane can provide a sweet touch to a simple wardrobe. Be sure the shoe has a non-slip sole. I had some simple slip-on gladiator-style flats that I wore while pregnant, but they had a leather sole and I slipped a couple times, once falling on a sidewalk. You’re not only eating for two but living for two – be smart and choose a rubber or other sort of sole that grips the pavement.

Some tips for pregnancy style:
- Don’t shop exclusively in maternity boutiques. I personally only got two items from a classic maternity shop, and they were on the clearance rack at their outlet. Your favorite non-maternity brand may have a pregnancy line, many department stores have a more extensive line of maternity clothes online, and the majority of these retailers offer free returns as that they do not sell the pieces in their shops.
Check eBay. I found a cocktail dress, sundress, and wool peacoat all on eBay and paid less than $15 for each one.

- Ask friends… and friends of friends. Your best friend isn’t your size? Well her coworker who just had a baby may be. She may be willing to loan you some pieces or at least sell you some for a great price.

- You don’t have to wear only maternity clothing. One of my favorite dresses when pregnant was a dress from the Merona for Target line. It was charcoal gray, ponte knit, with a defined empire waist, scoop neck and short puffed sleeves. It was a bit long, so on pregnant moi it came to the knees. I wore this dress every week, and even to my shower. I had another dress that was non-maternity and I wore until the last few weeks (another style with empire waist). I even had a pair of ponte knit trousers from Old Navy that weren’t maternity but I wore through all three trimesters (once my belly popped, I wore them below the bump and at the end wore with my Bella Band). If you stick to the concepts above (solid colors, knits, wrap styles, empire waists) yet check the non-maternity sections, you may end up finding a couple winners.

- You aren’t being frivolous or selfish to purchase a maternity wardrobe. It seems as though it is a blip in time, but these months are an important time. You will have a changing body, changing emotions, changing lifestyle. It will be easier if you have the right armor to deal with it all. When you feel attractive, you exude that confidence. You stand taller, you have more energy, you have more grace. If you purchase quality and simple pieces, they can be stored and worn again for your next pregnancy (or the pregnancy of a friend or sister). My maternity wardrobe consists of some pieces from other women I knew who were my size and weren’t planning to have more children, and my collection has been loaned to two friends who got pregnant. Also, if you don’t plan on having any other children, maternity clothes are quickly gobbled up on eBay and Craigslist for a good price.

I also have a few other posts that deal with maternity style:
- Pregnancy Must-haves
- Ask Allie - Pregnancy and Beyond
- Before and After Maternity Clothing
- Wardrobe Staples for the Mom-to-Be
- My guest post at Already Pretty about Pregnancy Chic

And finally, to really be inspired by pregnant women with style, please check out these blogs:
- Boutique Girl at Things a Boutique Owner Sees
- Academichic's posts from when one author was expecting
- You can see what I wore while pregnant during 2008 (gave borth January 8, 2009)

If you know of other women who have photographed their maternity wardrobe on a blog, please share those links! I know I found such photos very inspiring when I was expecting!

April Showers Bring...

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:03:00 +0000

It is difficult to be protected from the elements and still look chic. Difficult… but totally doable. Using the same steps as one would to create a functioning, classic wardrobe, one can collect all the necessities to be dry, warm, and protected without sacrificing style. It is possible to weather the weather with style.

Working in a metropolis, I experience pot holes, puddles, swiftly-moving rivers in wide gutters, slippery sidewalks and treks to public transportation through all sorts of precipitation. I see all sorts of ways that women protect themselves and their wardrobe from rain (and dirty splashes from the street) – some great, some not-so-great.

Rain Boots

I remember several years ago, I received a Garnet Hill catalog in the mail and ooohed and aahed over the adorable rain boots for children that were made to look like frogs and ladybugs. “Oh wow, I wish they had those in adult sizes!” I remember gushing to a friend. She agreed that they were utterly adorable.

I may have said that, but really… I didn’t MEAN it. And now, on every street corner I see adult women heading to work or the market in Wellies decorated with Hello Kitty, candy-colored polka dots and yes… even in boots made to look like ladybugs. These boots are easily found at any big box retailer for a very low price – they do a great job at protecting the feet from rain and slush and have a grippy bottom that helps one from slipping on slick and wet surfaces. That being said… they are NOT stylish. Nothing will kill your look more than a pair of gaudy, chunky childish rain boots.

So what does one do? Well I am not anti-Wellies all together, but I feel that they should be treated like any other staple in a woman’s wardrobe – well made, well cut, and of a simple solid color. Follow in the footsteps of Kate Moss with a pair of classic black or olive Wellies. The classic boot is from the company Hunter, however you can find great rain boots in simple colors and silhouettes even at your local Target. Do know, no matter what the salesperson tells you, a pair of quirky boots will not tell the world that you are a fun or quirky personality – a pair of loud boots only make you look loud.

And for those of you who grab rubber footwear as soon as the meteorologist says there is a 10% chance of drizzles… there is no reason. Consider purchasing a waterproofing product to protect your boots and then you don’t even have to think about sacrificing style for rain. Rain boots are only necessary when there is a lot of precipitation and chance for large puddles and splashing (or walking on grass/dirt). For other occasions… just look where you’re walking and you and most of your footwear should fare just fine.

(First photo - Kate Moss. Second photo - Woman on the street in Washington, DC)

Umbrellas

Love bright cheery colors and prints on a dark and dreary day? Why not bring those prints to the top part of your body? Nothing is more pleasing to the eye on a gray day than a cheery umbrella in a spring hue. A fabulous umbrella will help you stand out in a crowd and is a far better way to express your personality. You can go for your favorite color in a solid hue, show your feminine side with a floral, or your modern edge with a bold pattern.

I highly recommend investing in a well-made mini umbrella that will cover you and your bag, open with one hand, but fit easily into your purse or laptop satchel. Real Simple magazine has reviewed umbrellas (reviews here and here) and can give you some ideas on well-made collapsible umbrellas. Then you will always be prepared without having to lug around lots of rain equipment!

Rain Coats

Rain coats and trenches are also a great way to bring color and personal style to your look.

A solid trench or mac in a flattering hue can brighten any rainy day. Colors like Robin’s egg blue, blood orange, berry, and brick red are unexpected neutrals that will add personal style to your ensemble. As a person who finds herself wearing a lot of black and gray, I love being able to balance it out with a pop of a color like orange or purple in my inclement-weather accessories.

Want to go classic with tan or black? Show some spunk with a brightly-colored coat lining. Lots of coats these days come with fantastic polka-dotted, animal print or paisley linings. This is also a fun way to incorporate the color you may have chosen for your umbrella or scarf.

Many retailers are showing prints and stripes in rainwear; these can be fun but they are fads that won’t look fresh by time next spring rolls around. Do yourself a favor and stick with classic details and solid colors – a well crafted trench, even in an unusual color will get you years of mileage (and miles of style).

A single-breasted style is the most universally flattering. Trenches are the most classic look, but a well-cut single-breasted coat sans flaps and belts will often be a better choice for women with curves.

Your inclement-weather wardrobe should follow the same guidelines as your personal wardrobe – build from basics that are well made. From there, add quality accessories in colors that make you smile and show your personal style.

To Skinny Jean or Not to Skinny Jean

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:06:00 +0000

A reader asked:

Skinny jeans seem to be EVERYWHERE! Should I get myself a pair for my wardrobe? Will I look dated if I stay with my bootleg denim?

I don’t believe in adhering to all trends. Trends are usually flashes in the pan – a suede fringe purse, a cabbage rose-printed sheath, a day-glo vinyl clutch – items that seem fun but end up collecting dust in your closet before the season has even completed.

Jeans are a wardrobe staple that constantly changes. Each season there is a new trend – embellishment, distressing, high waist, low waist, boyfriend cut, stovepipe cut, sailor cut. Nine times out of ten, that trend will be passé by the time the next issue of Vogue hits the newsstands. However the skinny jean has been sticking around for quite a while.

So should one go skinny?

In my wardrobe staples I mention jeans – the original list mentions a slight bootcut for the most universally flattering style. Well I must admit that my boocut jeans are getting less wear these days and I am preferring my straight leg jeans. Nothing tapered, nothing tight, but a straight leg that works better with the shoe silhouettes that are currently in style. Does this mean I am heading in the skinny jean direction?

For some, the skinny jean is a great addition to a wardrobe, keeping in mind that it IS a trend. I highly doubt that the skinny jean will prevail and five years from now not a single soul will be wearing a different cut of denim. However a skinny jean right now can be quite versatile and flattering on many women (and not just the tall lean ones modeling the skinny jeans in all your magazines).

Skinny Jean with Heels
This is a very hot look right now, as seen by On the Street looks of celebs and any contestant on American Idol. Pair skinny jeans (slightly long so they can gather a bit at the ankle) with a pump, strappy heeled shoe or even a sleek high-heeled bootie. On top, a popular choice is a floaty camisole with a boyfriend blazer or a slouchy knit top or sweater.

This is a look that can look very fresh, can elongate a woman’s leg and be very slimming. However it MUST be done properly or else it will look trampy or have the wearer look like a lollypop. A dark, even color and denim with some Lycra will give the best crisp look. Keep the shoes dark to have a continuous long line. Don’t have the top too short or it can look very top-heavy (and have your crotch be the focus of the whole look). The shoe needs to be on-trend as well. You can’t replace a platform pump with a black leather pump you wore to your job interview five years ago, or a funky open-toed bootie with a granny boot with low heel.

If you are curvy, this look can work for you, but make sure that the top you wear isn’t too bulky. This can easily go the way of the 1980s where women wore oversized sweater tunics, leggings and hi-top sneakers and looked half-naked and not attractive. A top of a jersey or silk knit or a well-cut blazer with lightweight tank can look great on a woman with curves. You just need to be very aware of proportion and fit to have it look flattering and stylish.

Skinny Jean with Flats
This is a look I associate with college students and recent grads. A skinny jean, a little flat in a fun color, a weathered tee advertising a band, and maybe a boyfriend cardigan. It’s a really cute look... on the young and the slim.

If you are not straight and slim, this look is not going to be flattering. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's true. I see so many women of varying ages and sizes wearing this look and it rarely ever looks flattering or even trendy.

The flat shoe and the slim leg combination will shorten any figure, will make anyone look top-heavy, and again will give that horrible 1980s leggings/sweater tunic combo look if not done properly.

If you are straight and slim but not fresh out of undergrad, this look can work with a not-so-skinny jean (see below).

Skinny Jean with Tall Boots
This is the best way for most women to be able to carry off the skinny jean. In this look, the skinny jean works like leggings, but in a less naked/more stylish manner.

I see women wearing skinny jeans with almost any type of boot – from Uggs to sleek glossy black pointy heels to lace-up goth inspired boots to cowboy boots. The most flattering style is to lean towards a riding boot – something with a thicker heel, not too tight, not too sleek, a bit casual. A slouchy boot can also look pretty smart. The shorter the boot, the longer and leaner your legs need to be – a calf or ankle-height boot will cut off the line of the figure, making your body look shorter and wider. A boot that is near the knee will give the leanest and longest look. It doesn’t matter the color, though a light or bright colored boot will also cut the line and make you look shorter.

This look can work on most any figure, again depending on what you put on top. Too much weight and you can look top heavy, too lightweight of a top and you can look bottom heavy. Great options are a drapey cardigan with tank, a boatneck sweater (the wider neckline balances out the boots below), a trim blazer with camisole, a slouchy knit top with great drape.

Pretty much any other look with skinny jeans should be reserved to True Fashionistas and ‘tweens. Skinny jeans can easily look tartish or tacky. Keep them dark, keep them crisp, and keep the rest of your look balanced.

The Less-than Skinny Jean
For those (like me) who are still wary of the skinny jean, that doesn’t mean that you are stuck with bootcuts for all eternity. The new crop of straight jeans that are really flattering and give a similar concept to the skinny jean without being so… skinny. You can still get that lean, modern look without the worry of looking like a lollypop.

Pretty much any style mentioned above can be sported with a straight-leg jean. If the jean has a good amount of Lycra, it should even be able to be tucked into tall boots without looking like a swashbuckler by lunchtime (tip – tuck your pant legs into trouser or knee socks before putting on tall boots – this will keep the jeans from bunching at the knee as much).

Want to rock flats with jeans? A straight-leg jean is your best choice. A bootcut will make your feet look weirdly small and have your figure unbalanced; a skinny jean can make you look top heavy. A straight jean will give you a balanced look and still let you be comfy and cute in your flats.

As with the jeans in my original staples list, keep your jeans dark, crisp, well cut. Spend the money to have them altered to the right length, and baby them when laundering to keep the fabric and wash rich. Forego embellishments and fancy washes – these will go out of style much faster than whichever denim silhouette you choose.

Product Review - Second Base

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:03:00 +0000

I am not a fan of putting a camisole under everything. I find the look to be juvenile and that the added layer usually ruins the silhouette of most tops. I think that usually, if a top is too low cut to be worn without a camisole, you shouldn’t purchase it. Finally, very few women with curves feel comfortable (or have their clothes hang correctly) with extra layers.

But then, there are times when a camisole is a necessity and enhances a look. A wrap dress can be perfect for evening with its low v-neckline, but adding a hint of camisole can make this piece far more versatile and now appropriate for work or a house of worship. Some pieces are created just for a camisole, such as a recently purchased cashmere cowl-neck that is now in my wardrobe. Alone, one could even see the tips of a demi bra; with a camisole in the same color I have that needed modesty but the sweater’s silhouette is not affected. Camisoles are also great to have on hand to pair with sheer tops – I find that being a busty woman, fabric can look a bit sheer in the chest area and a camisole under the piece in the same color as my blouse or skin gives me the opacity I desire.

That being said, I have been dealing with my camisole needs with two pieces – a black synthetic cami from H&M that has adjustable straps (so I can adjust to accommodate different garments) and a stretchy black cami from Limited that I bought almost a decade ago and cut off at the bottom of the bust – this is used purely as a little bit of modesty at a neckline. Unfortunately this homemade demi-cami will roll up and show under fabrics and I often find myself pinning it to my sweater to keep it in place. The longer cami from H&M is okay, but I hate the extra length – it bunches and I get hot in the warmer months.

I recently was offered to review a demi-camisole from Second Base. I saw the Second Base demi-cami and thought, wow someone has been reading my mind! This accomplishes all that I desire in a camisole.

The demi-camis from Second Base are made of a lightweight modal/spandex fabric that looks great with all sorts of other fabrics – slinky synthetics, matte jersey, tee shirts and knits and even sweaters. Unlike my homemade demi-cami, the ones by Second Base have a band at the bottom that doesn’t cling, but it holds the cami in place all day. Some styles (like the black “Sarah” one I have) has adjustable straps so I can make it a higher or lower neckline depending on my top garment. Other styles like the “Meredith” is made to not only provide modesty at the neckline, but also cover your bra straps at the shoulder and the bra under the arms (great for floaty summer tops and dresses). The Second Base camis wash and dry beautifully, and they are also made in the USA.

Second Base demi-camis are designed with a large-busted woman in mind; I chose a size Large and it fits great on my size 14/38DD frame. It didn’t shrink with washing, and it feels like nothing on. It doesn’t cling to other knits and it doesn’t get linty like some cheap spandex blends. I really can’t find anything wrong with my Second Base demi-cami, and it has made me into a bit of a camisole convert. I have already worn it twice this week – once with the previously mentioned cowl neck sweater, but another time under a black scoop-necked tee shirt just to give a bit more opacity at the bustline.

But They’re Soooo COMFY!

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:56:00 +0000

Uggs seem to be popping into conversation left and right these days. A couple weeks ago, my sister had a movie night at her pad and people were discussing Uggs and how there isn’t anything else out there that is nearly as comfortable or warm on a cold winter’s day. That yes, they may be ugly but it’s okay since they are popular and so comfy.

Today I have been bombarded by invitations to join some group on Facebook where I may possibly get a free pair of Uggs mailed to my home.

My current Facebook status is that I, “[think] Uggs should only be worn as slippers and [do] not want a free pair shipped to [me] so please stop sending the group invites. Sorry folks, Uggs are NOT stylish, they are NOT cool. Yes, they are comfy but they are not proper footwear for out of the home. XOXO.”

I cannot believe how many responses I have received on this status.

I hate to tell you ladies this, but Ugg boots are not proper footwear. Yes, they are all cozy and comfy and keep your tootsies toasty warm. But they are tacky, they are ugly and their original purpose is all they should be worn for – to be slippers.

I blame Paris Hilton, who started the look over a decade ago with her tattered denim minis and baby tees. But even so, Paris wouldn’t be caught dead these days in a pair of Uggs and neither should you. Uggs are tacky, they are ugly, they are passé. No woman with style would dare step foot out of her house in a pair of Uggs (inside your house is a completely different matter).

So what DO you wear when it’s cold out and you want to be comfortable?

If You Love Uggs Because they are Boots:
After that Ugg boot conversation on Movie Night, my friend asked me to help her find a worthy alternative to Uggs.

I mentioned that I find my Bern boots from DUO to be a great choice for me – they fit my wide calves, they are super comfy even after an entire day on my feet, they have a Sherpa lining which keeps me warm in the winter and sweat-free in the summer. I waterproofed them with some product from REI and now they are great in rain and snow. I can throw them on with any socks, under jeans, with sundresses and be cozy, comfy but not look as though I just rolled out of bed. Something like my Berns are a great alternative.

My friend is blessed with lovely legs that can fit into standard width boots, so she had more options than I. My friend is an attorney by day, but loves to hit a concert, bar or party on the weekends. Her style is very J. Crew – classic, feminine, with preppy and whimsical touches. We started her anti-Uggs search by heading to the mall, where she could try on a variety of boot heights and silhouettes to find one that fit her body and her sense of style (and saw far too many paird of Ugg boots on women, children and everything in between). After trying on many classics like the Frye Harness boot, we realized that a taller boot was more flattering to her slim petite frame, a more feminine silhouette (less cowboy, more city dweller) fit her figure as well as her wardrobe, and though she is one to usually rock the black ankle boots, she found a dark brown to be a great neutral for her casual clothes.

After figuring out the color and the silhouette, she then went online to find the best price. She ended up choosing the “Veronica” boot by Frye. They work under jeans, over skinny jeans, with dresses and skirts. The low heel makes the boots wearable for long periods of time. They are a very classic silhouette that will be stylish even a decade from now. They are casual enough to pull on with jeans and a sweater to head to the market, or even wear to work at the law firm. Frye is a brand known for quality, so she knows that her boots are a good investment and not a passing fad that will end up in the garbage or donation bin come next season.

I belive Uggs are popular because they ARE boots – they can be worn with jeans or with skirts. They are extra warm because of the height and stand out in a crowd because of their size. A riding boot, engineer boot or some other style of tall boot with low heel and solid sole is a worthy alternative that will have much more style. Leather can easily be weatherproofed, and leather softens with age and care, making them more comfortable and molded to your body with every wearing.

If You Love Uggs because they are Like Slippers:

I hate to say it, but tough noogies. Shoes aren’t as comfy as slippers, and proper pants aren’t as comfortable as pajamas (and nope, those plaid flannel pants are NOT streetwear, no matter what you pair them with).

That being said, not all shoes pinch the toes and chafe the heels. There are many brands out there that provide style along with comfort. Some great brands are Naturalizer, Sofft, Born, and Dansko.

There are many styles that are easy to slip on as well. I have a pair of ankle boots from David Tate that have an elasticized gusset on the side so I can pull them on in a jiffy and can slip off using one foot to slip off the other foot’s shoe. I used to have a great pair of ballet-inspired flats from Naturalizer that had a really cushy supportive footbed, a squishy rubber sole, were made of butter-soft leather and felt just like a pair of slippers. However, these flats could be worn to work and for play without looking as though I was a lost Eskimo.

If You Love Uggs because they are Cute:
They aren’t cute.

Okay, they can be slightly cute on a little toddler who needs puffy warm shoes to protect her toes in cold weather, but they aren’t cute on adults. Seriously, they aren’t. Sorry.

If You Love Uggs because All Your Friends Love Uggs:
Be a trendsetter in your clique! Show your friends how utterly stylish yet comfy your new Mary Janes/riding boots/ankle booties/ballet flats can be. Lead by example with your elegance and chic feet. And know that style doesn’t come from imitation, but personal realization.

My Personal Best Buys from the Past Five Years

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:55:00 +0000

We often purchase a new sweater, shoes or dress that seems fantastic but a year or two later is either in the donation bag or the dusty back of the closet. Even though I try to be careful and thoughtful with my purchases, this happens to me as well.

Last week I was on the DC Metro heading to work and I looked down at my outfit to realize most of the pieces I was wearing were things I had not purchased recently. I decided then to make a list of the top ten best purchases I have made over the past five years. These are not necessarily the best purchases for others, but have been great buys for me – a 30-something petite, curvy professional who lives in the Mid-Atlantic portion of the United States. I encourage you to share your best buys as well, and the reasons WHY they are best buys. You never know, your best buy may be exactly what another reader is needing for her wardrobe!

1. Lands End Commuter Coat – Two years ago I changed jobs from one where I drove to a building in the DC suburbs, to one where I took the Metro and walked a few blocks in the city to my workplace. This change affected my wardrobe, especially my outerwear collection. No longer could I get away with a pashmina and umbrella for the majority of the year – I needed garments to properly protect me from the elements.

My first purchase was a proper winter coat – after many online reviews and great previous experience with Lands End, I purchased their Commuter Coat. I needed a coat that would keep me warm without bulk, work with pants or a dress, keep my bum warm on a cold bench and also work if snow turned to sleet.

This coat did it all and more. The Commuter Coat is a simple silhouette that doesn’t look dated even though it is being worn for its third season. It’s super warm, but thin enough to be stuffed into a tote bag when the Metro car is 95 degrees. The coat is reversible (though I find the non-quilted side to look a bit dowdy) which means there are always secure interior pockets. Speaking of pockets, they zip close and are deep so I never fear losing my SmartTrip card or cell phone. Being a petite curvy woman, a quilted coat can easily make me look as though I am wearing a sleeping bag; this coat is far more flattering than any other quilted coat I have ever dared to try on. The high neck protects me against cold winds, and the style is tailored enough that I can wear it with a business suit and not look like a confused Sherpa, and it always looks great with a colorful scarf, jeans and boots.

I am a woman who finds a wool coat to be more stylish and versatile than a quilted nylon coat, but sometimes a woman needs more function that wool can offer. This coat gets the job done without sacrificing all style.

(Style I own currently not available on Lands End site but it has been available on their site for at least the last three winters - so check back this fall!)

2. My Bern boots from DUO Boots – Part of me didn’t want to put these on the list because I have recently been frustrated with DUO, but I love these boots so much.

DUO makes amazing, high quality boots and shoes for all widths of calf and foot. If you live in or visit the UK, I recommend you check them out in person. However if you live outside the UK, the shipping is so much and the return policy so difficult, it may not be worth it to try this company. I currently have a pair of boots from them that I need to put on eBay because the boots were backordered so long that by time they arrived, I was on pregnancy bedrest (and they were shipped to my office, not my house). By time I was able to get ahold of them, it was past the return period and I found they didn’t fit over my ankles. I have asked them twice for advice on what boots could fit my large ankles like the Bern and both times I have gotten emails that either misunderstand what I am asking (they tell me wide foot styles) or else offer suggestions that do not fit in any manner like the Bern (hence me having a pair of boots in my office that need to be put on eBay).

That being said, my Bern boots from DUO are awesome. They fit my large “I was a child toewalker” ankles as well as calves and have a style similar to the Frye Harness boots. They are a pretty classic style that can be worn with jeans or with dresses. They are fleece-lined so they keep me cozy in winter and don’t make me sweat in the summer. But best of all – these are boots I can wear all day. Seriously, all day. They are just as comfortable as a pair of slippers – maybe more so because there is arch support. When I have a day where my heels kill me, I will come home and instead of going barefoot I will put on my DUO boots. When I went to the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee, I took my DUO boots. I used some waterproofing solution on them and wore them with my sundresses in the 100-degree weather, on the hot dusty days, and the rainy mucky days. These boots survived this four-day event (as did my feet) and they still look work-appropriate.

If I won the lottery, I would order another pair of Bern boots from DUO in black. I wish they had the same exact style with a slightly higher heel – if they did I would want them in every color.

3. Black Matte Jersey Wrap Dress from Old Navy – I am a huge fan of matte jersey, and of wrap dresses. I have owned at least a dozen in the past decade, but this one from Old Navy has by far been my best purchase. Unfortunately I can’t link to this item because even when I bought it two years ago, it was on the clearance rack in the store for $19.99 and I had never seen it online.

Why this wrap dress and not the one I have from Maggy London, Ann Taylor or Talbots? Because it has everything I could possible need for fit, style and versatility. It has a ¾ sleeve which means I can wear it in winter or spring without looking out of season. There are no details or adornments that make it memorable, and means I can dress it up with pearls and peeptoes for a day wedding or a beaded necklace and boots for work. The length hits right at the top part of my knee so it hides my knee bulge but doesn’t look matronly. It is a faux wrap so it won’t fly open with a strong breeze, yet the wrap belt lets me cinch the waist to create a nice silhouette. I can throw it in the washer on the gentle cycle, hang it up and have it ready to wear the next day. Finally, it fit me when I was a 10, fit me when I was in my second trimester of pregnancy, fit me postpartum when I was a lumpy size 16/18, and fits me now.

I always say to purchase quality and not quantity, and that quality can be found anywhere and at any pricepoint. Well this Old Navy dress proves it!

4. Pashminas from Nordstrom – I own five solid-colored pashminas and a few printed shawls that are the same size. They have been purchased at little boutiques, discount Big Box retailers, eBay shops, and have been given to me by online retailers so I can talk about them on my blog. I love them all and wear them all the time, but my pashminas from Nordstrom are the ones that get the most play and the most love.

Why? Because they are perfect. They aren’t too thick, and aren’t too thin. The fringe never unravels or gets tangled. The colors are rich and true and stay rich and true with multiple washings. They are so soft and cozy, you wish you had sheets and pajamas from the material. They are the perfect size to be a shawl with a dress, a scarf with a winter coat, a napping blanket on an airplane, even to be knotted at the breast and worn as a makeshift nightgown on business trips. They can be balled up and thrown in your carryon bag or purse and they come out looking fresh and fabulous.

Nope, they aren’t cheap (usually $99 unless you find one during their Half-yearly Sales), but they are completely and fully worth the money. I bought an aqua one almost 10 years ago and it still looks perfect except for a hole in it from having it get caught in my office chair. I bought an avocado-green one during a sale a couple of years ago and it’s a gorgeous color and still my favorite scarf in my collection.

5. Camel Banana Republic Sandhurst XL Shoulder Bag/Hobo – I bought this… three years ago I believe. This was my first Banana Republic leather bag, and my first “expensive” purse. Before this bag, I always got purses from places like Express or TJ Maxx or Target. Once I got a bag from the clearance bin at Nordstrom for $70 and thought I was going crazy with the dinero.

Well one time in Banana Republic I saw this bag and fell in love. The leather was soft, yet looked like a football. It had the perfect pockets – one for my Blackberry, one for my cell, one for my SmartTrip card, and one to hold things like pens and lipglosses and things that get lost in a main compartment. It also had a keyhook that was easy to reach and use even while the bag was over my shoulder. The strap was the perfect length – it fit nicely under my arm, even while wearing a winter coat. It was around $300 – too rich for my blood. But I returned again and again to Banana Republic to look at it, touch it, try it on. I checked out the green, the black, the dark brown but kept going back to the light brown/camel color. I never wear camel, but I wanted this bag.

So I stalked it on eBay. And I got it for $200 in new condition, even with the storage bag. It arrived and I could smell the leather through the USPS flat-rate box. It was a classic style, yet looked expensive. I loved that it wasn’t exactly brown and wasn’t black so it worked with pretty much any shoe in my wardrobe. The hardware was blackened brass so it didn’t clash with silver or gold jewelry. When I tossed it on a couch or over a chair back, I always got compliments. It didn’t have obvious logos and I was often asked if it was some designer bag or if I got it in another country on some fabulous trip.

The next year, I saw another Banana Republic bag I loved. Again I stalked it on eBay and I got it for even better of a steal. It arrived pristine in the storage bag… and there wasn’t the same love. It wasn’t as perfect. The leather wasn’t as supple and the color wore away on the strap. The pockets weren’t as perfectly sized and my cell would fall out and get lost in the abyss of the main compartment. The strap was just a hair shorter – enough that I looked awkward wearing it on my shoulder with my winter coat. The love was lost when I had it on my lap one time on the Metro and used it to prop up the newspaper – when I got to my station I folded the paper and saw that the ink transferred all over this bag. I went online to find ways to clean the leather. I tried a very gentle soap on a spot and the entire color and finish as well as the newsprint wore away. I took it to a leather specialist who said the dye and finish wasn’t study enough to handle a proper cleaning and he could possibly end up ruining it. I put this bag back in its storage bag and placed it in my closet. I returned to the Sandhurst and returned to weekly compliments and people asking where they too could get such a cute bag.

I kept using the Sandhurst until this past fall, when a bottle of expressed breast milk busted open and leaked all through the bag, the lining, through the leather and onto my lap. For those who have nursed and pumped, you know that breast milk goes sour very quickly. By time I had gotten home, the entire bag reeked of sour milk and no professional cleaning could completely get out the crunchy stain on the leather or the horrible smell. However I can’t let go – the bag is in my closet in its storage bag, right next to my other Banana Republic purse.

I currently have another purse that has all the right pockets and is a versatile color and nice leather… but it’s no Sandhurst.

6. Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses – As with purses, I have always been a discount sunglasses woman. Black plastic frames have been en vogue for so many years – who cares if they are Dior or from the drugstore? Anyway, I am one to step on sunglasses, lose sunglasses or forget them in a boiling hot car – it never made sense for me to drop bucks on a pair of shades.

Two years ago, I won a contest through a magazine where I got a weekend trip to Miami and a $500 gift card to Bal Harbour Shops. I decided that with this money, I should purchase something I would never ever otherwise buy. My goal was to get an It Bag, but I never saw one that weekend that I actually liked. So on the last day, I went into Celine and bought a $250 pair of sunglasses. They were very cool – I thought I looked like a rock star. I used the rest of my gift card on a bottle of perfume, a couple sale items from Banana Republic and the rest went toward a necklace my sister wanted from Tiffany. Of course as we were leaving the mall I saw a Marc Jacobs bag that I loved that was on sale but it was too late.

The sunglasses fell apart at lunch later that day. I was so upset. I went back to Celine and after FOREVER, fighting with the salesperson to get a replacement, etc. I left with a new pair. That pair fell apart a couple weeks later. When I contacted Celine stating that I was in a different state, my $250 sunglasses fell apart I received a response that pretty much said, “sucks to be you!”

I decided to go back to my discount sunglasses. Aviators were back in style and I was so glad as that IU have a big face that needs a larger style, and metal frames are less likely to get warped when being left on my dashboard in August. I bought a pair from Target – they were cute but didn’t shield me enough from the sun. I got a pair from Ann Taylor Loft and they always sat funny on my ears. I found a pair at Marshall’s and always felt that they looked as cheap as they cost.

I was 39 weeks pregnant and felt like crap. I was on bedrest and could only stand for 30 minutes at a time. I felt like a beached whale. My hair was in need of a cut and color, I hadn’t seen my toes in weeks, my maternity clothes had been worn and reworn so often I wanted to burn them. My sister drove me to my midwife appointment and on the way home we passed a mall. My sister had a pair of shoes to return to Nordstrom and asked if she could do so. I said I wanted to come in – I would use my 30 minutes of standing that day for some much-needed retail therapy. In those 30 minutes I bought two pairs of silver earrings and a pair of silver aviators from Ray Ban. When 39 weeks pregnant, the only things I knew would fit me then and six months later were accessories. I then got myself a delicious fattening decaf coffee drink and met my sister to head back to the car.

It was a cloudy, dreary day. I didn’t care, I put on my new sunglasses and felt cute for the first time in months. I felt cute and sassy. A year later, these sunglasses still make me feel cute and sassy. Unlike the pricey Celine shades, these sunglasses are super durable. They are a classic style that I think I can wear for years, but still look current and on trend. They are silver, which is my favorite color of metal. They look cute with a bathing suit, a sundress, weekend duds or a nicer outfit. They fit my face perfectly – more perfectly than any other sunglasses I have ever purchased. And though they weren’t cheap, they are a value as that I have no need to purchase any other sunglasses as long as I have these. Again, proof of quality versus quantity and proof that money doesn’t equal quality.

7. Chantelle “Senso” Bra – As I write this, I am wearing this bra. I think this is the fourth one I have purchased in the past five years.

I have large breasts, and it has always been hard for me to find a bra that is invisible under sheer knits, lifts and separates, doesn’t make my shoulders ache at the end of the day, doesn’t show with a scoop or low neck, and hides “high beams.” Well this bra does all of this for me.

The Senso is tight when you first get it – the band isn’t very stretchy. I have pulled a muscle trying to latch a new Senso bra. However this is one reason why it gives such amazing shape and doesn’t dig into my shoulders. This bra molds to your shape – after a week or so it’s easy to get on, yet it is still as supportive. For my fair complexion, I find the Nude color of the Senso to be almost the same exact color as my skin – not a weird yellow-tan color like many other “nude” bras. The cups are slightly molded and padded – not so much that it makes my bust look bigger, but enough to give me a nice shape and smooth professional look.

Now that I have been nursing my daughter for almost a year, my breasts are not the same shape, size or firmness that they used to be. The Senso hides this fact, by still giving me a perky bustline.

After six months, even with gentle care I find the Senso starts to fall apart – the wires pop out, the elastic starts stretching out. I still find these bras worth it and just purchase a replacement bra. I fear this bra being discontinued because I love it so much and it loves me in return.

8. Shoes by Sofft – I have never been one to sacrifice style for comfort. Four-inch pointy toed pumps? Bring it on! However when carrying a baby in the third trimester, I found high heels not only painful but dangerous. I didn’t want to waddle around town in Crocs and tennies, so I needed some alternative that would be kind to my feet while still having at least a bit of style.

Enter Sofft shoes. I started off with their “Veronica” Mary Jane in brown suede. It had a vintage-inspired silhouette and a cute little leather flower at the strap. I bought them a whole size larger than I wore pre-pregnancy and went from a medium to wide width and was in footwear heaven. These shoes were wearable all day, even when I was at the end of my last trimester and was swollen with high blood pressure. I constantly got compliments on how cute and sassy they were – quite a feat when puffy and pregnant.

Postpartum I realized I didn’t fit into my old shoes and I no longer had the muscles or endurance for stilettos. However I just couldn’t resort to dowdy flats and clunky loafers. Sofft came to the rescue again with “Carlina,” a dark red patent leather T-strap sandal that again had a cute vintage-inspired look. These shoes were so comfortable yet so incredibly cute. The red patent leather was an unexpected neutral that worked with most of my spring and summer wardrobe. I loved them so much I bought them in black and wore those with pants as well as dresses and skirts. I have even rocked the red pair this winter with opaque black tights. I then bought the Sofft “Vanna” – a T-strap similar to the “Carlina,” but with a slightly higher stacked heel and in brown croco-embossed leather. These looked fantastic with dresses, with my ivory work trousers and with jeans. My summer shoe wardrobe was complete.

My foot muscles are coming back and I have slowly been infusing higher and skinnier heels back into the wardrobe. However I still have a, ahem… “Sofft” spot in my heart for Sofft shoes and am always looking to see what styles they have (and what styles are on sale).

9. Burberry London Eau de Parfum – I love fragrance. I must have two dozen bottles of perfumes and sprays on my dressing table. However I have spent the past two decades looking for The One. A fragrance that is me – not too girly, not too musky, not too fresh. A fragrance that I don’t even notice, and a fragrance that I don’t smell on every single other woman in the elevator. Many perfumes would give me headaches or cause me to sneeze so I needed one that didn’t irritate. Unlike some women who love a different fragrance for every season and reason, I wanted a signature scent that I could spritz every morning and make part of my routine.

My husband and I both played hooky from work a few years ago and went Christmas shopping at a nearby mall. We stopped in Sephora so I could get him a new cologne. He suggested I try a couple fragrances (at this point in my life I had given up on wearing perfume). I talked to the salesperson and we discussed my sense of style, my personality, what fragrances in the past I have loved (Chanel No.5 but my mom wears it) and what I hated (Calvin Klein’s Escape makes me have a migraine). We tried a couple scents that were… okay and then she spritzed Burberry London on the inside of my elbow. I inhaled… and I felt comfortable, elegant, myself. My husband smelled it and smiled. “This smells like you when you are having a good hair day.” I knew what he was trying to say, and it was exactly the type of scent I wanted for myself. He bought me a bottle and I have been wearing it almost every day ever since.

Unlike Chanel Chance or Narscico Rodriguez for Her or Chanel No. 19 or Dune or Opium or any other fragrance I have tried and eventually hated on myself, I haven’t lost the love for Burberry London. And now that I have a child, I love that I have a signature fragrance that she can smell and think of me (as I do with my mom and Chanel No. 5). I love that I do a spritz on my wrists and one on one throat and then go to kiss my husband and daughter goodbye and my husband sniffs and says, “you smell pretty.” I love that I finally have a fragrance where a friend can borrow my scarf and breathe in and say, “this smells like you” and has a face letting me know that it’s a good thing.

An Alison fragrance… what I have always wanted!

10. Dresses by Muse and Maggy London – When you are petite, over a size 12 and busty, it’s hard to find cute dresses. Most dresses that fit in the bust are too large in the shoulders. If they are petite in shape, they are too tight in the body. If they fit in the body, they are too long in the arms and hem. And everything seems to make me look like a porn star and require a camisole and some strategically-placed safety pins. Styles and brands I covet do not come large enough fit me.

Thank God for Maggy London and my new love – Muse. These brands made great variations of designer styles, with a broader range of sizes (and a more wallet-friendly price point). After finding these brands, I have become a Dress Person. Nine times out of ten, if I purchase a 14 petite in Maggy London or a 16 Petite or Large in Muse, I will have what seems to be a custom fit. Yes the safety pin is still needed to make many of these dresses work-appropriate, but these dresses fit, flatter, are on trend, wear well, wash well and aren’t overly trendy. Dresses I purchased five years ago still look new and stylish, and I love having a wardrobe of cute dresses I can easily toss on when I don’t have the time or the creativity to build a look.

So tell me readers, what have been the best buys that you have made over the past few years?

The Staples for Every Woman’s Wardrobe – Updated for the Next Decade

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:51:00 +0000

I originally wrote my staples for a woman’s wardrobe almost a decade ago, and finally put it on a blog almost five years ago. I have been a size 4 and a size 16 and no matter my job or lifestyle, these staples were always essentials in my wardrobe. Knowing many women over the years - be they clients of mine when I was a stylist, friends or family – these simple items worked on virtually all of them, regardless of their age, their figure or their lifestyle.

Fashion experts will toss around catchphrases like “wardrobe classic,” “fashion essential” or “investment piece” all the time, but it rarely holds true. A white shirt may seem classic, but if you are one of the lucky few women who looks good in white and a button-down, you will find that either the cut of the collar will look dated or the cotton will yellow before a decade is through. Pencil skirts have been in style for decades but the actual silhouette of the skirt does change from season to season.

It also is hard to find a garment that not only stays stylish from year to year, but also flatters your ever changing figure. Just as you need to be refit for bras every year because your bustline changes, as does the rest of your body. You may have remained a perfect Size 6 since your senior year of high school, but with age, life events and activity, different parts of you will spread, will sag or will become more firm.

We may feel that we purchase classics, but five years later these simple pieces just may not seem as useful or flattering as they once did. I always suggest that people reassess their wardrobe each season – replace that which has not held up, donate that which is no longer flattering and fill any “holes” in your closet (need another pair of black pants, want to get a cardigan to update a dress, etc.).

Well it is time to reassess my original list of wardrobe essentials. As we head towards a new decade, what is still relevant and what needs to be updated for the times?

Here’s a recap of the list from 2005:
1. Black Tailored Pantsuit in Seasonless Fabric
2. Black Seasonless Trousers
3. Jeans
4. Dressy Jeans
5. Black Heeled Boots
6. Black Leather Pumps
7. Not so Little Black Dress
8. Silver Hoop Earrings
9. Black or Grey Merino V-neck Sweater
10. Trendy Skirt
11. Trendy Jacket/Blazer
12. Slim V-neck Sweater in Signature Color
13. Signature Accessory
14. Sparkly Evening Shell or Top
15. The Perfect Tee – or Two
16. Well-fitting Wool Winter Coat
17. Great Fitting Bras
18. Panty Line-free Underwear
19. Pashmina or Wrap
20. Clutch Purse
21. Daily Purse
22. Sexy Shoes that Can Be Worn for at Least Five Hours
23. Sunglasses

So, what is still a classic? What could be revamped for the new decade? What is totally passé?

1. Black Tailored Pantsuit in Seasonless Fabric. When I wrote this list, I found a black pantsuit essential, and had one in my closet at all times since my junior year of college. I may have worked retail, creative, corporate but always found a use for a black suit. I would pair it with a sparkly top for a cocktail party, was so relieved to know it was ready in my closet for an unexpected interview or client meeting. If I was visiting a house of worship or a daytime event, I knew the black suit would usually work with a silk blouse or fine knit shell. I would use the suit as separates.

I currently do not have a black suit in my wardrobe. I have been at my current job for two years and have only had ONE occasion where a suit could be useful, and I was able to wear a dress and closed-toed shoes and looked completely appropriate. When I speak to many women my age, they say that they do not own a suit. Many find suits to be stuffy, to be uncomfortable, to evoke images of lawyers and politicians.

The thing is… now that I do not own a suit, I find so many times when it would be useful and a perfect choice. That work situation – yes I looked appropriate in a black wrap dress and pumps, but a suit would have made me look more like a manager and less like a subordinate. The room was cold and it was a hot summer day – a suit would have been great – throw the suit over my arm as I walked to the conference, slip on the jacket when I feel the chill of the A/C. As for other situations, a black suit would have been great for my friends’ daytime wedding. They married outside in a garden and had the reception at an elegant restaurant. If I wore a sleeveless or short-sleeved blouse, I would have been comfortable at the outdoor portion, but nicely covered for the indoor reception. I had my daughter with me and placed her in a baby carrier. Wearing a baby with a dress isn’t the best look – the carrier hikes up the skirt, yanks open the neckline and armholes and a dress is never the best attire when crawling after an active baby. A suit would have given me just as much polish with more coverage and moveability. I will be speaking in front of an audience in November, and it’s not work related. I really could wear anything I desire, but a suit gives one the air of authority and competence and provides a bit of personal armor for a time when I will most likely be nervous. And the Le Smoking is not going out of fashion any time soon – a black suit with a silk camisole is always chic and always a great choice for that holiday gala, evening wedding or fancy date.

A black suit does not have to be dowdy, and I really discourage you from purchasing one that has too conservative, masculine or boxy of a shape. Single breasted, notch collar, a seasonless fabric with nice drape, a silhouette that skims your curves, a pant leg that can work with loafers or kitten heels. This will ensure such a suit can move from day to evening yet still look polished, classic, elegant.

2. Black Seasonless Trousers. I don’t think this needs to be explained. Many people are anti-black in a wardrobe and I respect that; however when you are new to building a wardrobe, black is a great neutral that can dress up, dress down, work with most any color, match shoes with ease and hide a multitude of sins (figure flaws or that dribble of salad dressing at lunch).

I must admit I haven’t shopped in an Express in years, but I do know such pants can be found in most every shop in your local mall. I recently acquired a great pair from New York and Company for a song, and have a pair I bought at Ann Taylor a few seasons ago that are still in heavy rotation in my wardrobe.

As for silhouette – no need to stick with bootcut, though this is still a cut that is flattering to those with curves and those who are petite. Straight cuts are also a great choice – you are looking for a flat front, a waistband that becomes invisible under knits, a leg opening that works with boots or with heels. The skinny trouser is currently all the rage and it is quite cute with the right top and figure, but it is not a wardrobe staple. You need a simple pair of black pants that will work for work, for play, for romance, for business and everything in between. A flat, straight or slightly bootcut trouser will be your best bet.

3 and 4. Jeans, Jeans, Jeans. When this was written, jeans were a top priority in any fashionable woman’s wardrobe and they would pay out the nose for them. No one blinked an eye when gossip rags would state that an It Girl paid upwards of $500 for a pair of dungarees. Brands like True Religion, Seven, Paper Denim and Cloth and Hogan were brands as familiar as Marc Jacobs and Chloe. It was important to have a certain look to your jeans, no matter your budget.

Luckily the tides have changed and it is no longer expected to own jeans that cost as much as a month’s rent. Those It Girls are now often seen in classic Levi’s or distressed pairs from a vintage store. This doesn’t mean everyone should run out and purchase a pair of stovepipes or boyfriend jeans, but it means that there are more options out there than tacky, over-embellished knockoffs of chi chi brands.

The style is the same – keep them dark, keep them crisp, keep them free of adornment. The jeans-buying process can be more stressful and exhausting than the purchase of anything in your wardrobe. But if you keep at it and find denim nirvana, it is totally worth it. Great jeans can make you look taller, slimmer, firmer and more stylish.

5 and 6. Black Leather Shoes. Oh gosh, the emails I receive about shoes! How dare I encourage women to purchase heels, how dare I mention an animal-based product, why only black and why not brown?

First to all of you - I am not telling people how to dress. This site, and these posts are advice for those who desire it. I believe women should dress in a manner that makes them feel good and in clothes that garner them the respect and admiration that they deserve. If you feel that your current wardrobe achieves that, kudos to you. You may stop reading. For the rest…

Heels change a woman’s posture - it pulls back her shoulders, lifts her bottom, tightens her calves. It changes her walk and makes her look taller and leaner. Society sees heels as the female equivalent of a suit and tie – a wardrobe addition that may not necessarily be comfortable but adds a level of formality to attire. And a low heel is actually more comfortable and healthy for the foot than a flat.

Black is chosen because this wardrobe list is based off of black. Black can go from day to night and from season to season more easily than any other color of footwear. Black isn’t as hard to match with other blacks as say brown or tan. And leather is chosen because leather can be polished, repaired, dressed up or down. Leather lasts longer because it can breathe and can be maintained. If you are vegan or don’t believe in leather, there are great alternatives in faux leather and microfiber. However these alternatives are less likely to last in your wardrobe (they crack, stain, stretch out and stink) and they often aren’t as versatile.

The cut is the same – very classic, not overly pointy, tall, round, chunky, etc. Keep it simple and it will stay stylish for far longer.

7. The Black Dress. I have written about this piece many times. I believe it still holds true. I understand some religions frown on wearing black for weddings and other occasions – before you wear black to a religious event, do ask the host or someone familiar with the family’s culture what is appropriate. However many events (including most church weddings) will find a black dress to be completely appropriate and not at all somber. Tone is made with how you wear black, not the color itself.

8. Silver Hoop Earrings. Again, many criticize this choice, but it is a simple way for the accessories-shy person to branch out and jazz up an outfit. If you have feelings that another earring choice is more stylish/cool/flattering/appropriate, you probably don’t need this list.

9. Black or Gray Merino V-neck Sweater. Okay, it doesn’t HAVE to be a v-neck. There are some lovely round necks out there. The thing is, some round necks are too wide, too deep, too high. Square necks are not flattering on many figures, and crewnecks are not doing favors to any woman with a short neck, thick neck, large chest, broad shoulders or soft arms. V-necks are always available, v-necks don’t really go out of style, v-necks layer nicely with button-downs, shells or camisoles, and v-necks flatter the female figure.

10. Trendy Skirt, 11. Trendy Jacket, 12. Sweater in Signature Color, and 13. Signature Accessory. Ah, another piece I no longer have in my wardrobe. Well, let me be truthful – there are about six lovely skirts in my closet but none of them fit my postpartum body. I have yet to purchase a new skirt because I can’t find a silhouette that will change with this ever-changing body, fit my personal sense of style and flatter. And yet, I have survived the past nine months of existence.

Same holds true for the trendy jacket. I am still nursing, and because of it I still have nursing-sized breasts. Jackets that fit my bust do not usually fit my waist and shoulders. I could tailor, but since my body is constantly changing that which fits like a glove one month will be utterly wrong the next. So I have held off.

Some suggestions I made aren’t necessarily stylish any more – I have since donated that denim blazer and even though you may love animal prints, a leopard-spotted pencil skirt may be downright tacky on some people.

So does that mean one does not NEED a trendy skirt or jacket? In this case, I say yes... but only under the condition that you have an alternative. Woman cannot live on wardrobe basics alone. If you swim in a sea of black pants and solid v-neck tops in neutral tones, you are losing your identity. Items like trendy skirts, statement necklaces and funky blazers bring YOU into your wardrobe. If you are using this list to build from scratch, then I say these items are a must-have. For help with finding your personal style check out these posts:
How to Look Rich
How Does One Get the Polished Look?
Age is But a Number

14. Evening Top. Those who say they don’t need a top like this are often those who are dressed inappropriately for an event. I see you women – you in the oxford and chinos at a wedding, in a cotton sundress at your company’s holiday party at the hotel ballroom, in a dowdy suit at your nephew’s Bar Mitzvah. You are the women who frantically run to the mall three hours before your blind date and grab the first printed sequin-embellished polyester knit top you find on the racks.

So, you may only wear this top once a year at most. You don’t date, you don’t go to nightclubs or bars with your girl friends, you don’t have a social calendar full of cocktail parties and gala events. That’s okay and totally normal. But occasionally… I bet this top would be a better choice than what you pull from your closet.

That dark red silk top I mention in the original post? Yep, I am still wearing it. Last May I was the officiant at a dear friend’s wedding. For the ceremony I wore my black pantsuit and under I wore this cranberry silk top. After the recessional, I removed the jacket and added some darker lipgloss and was ready to hit the dance floor with the other guests. Earlier that year, I was invited to the theater with a group of friends. I wasn’t sure how formal everyone else was going to dress – in DC people will wear full-length gowns or jeans to the theater. I decided to wear this red silk blouse with wide legged black drapey trousers, black jet bead necklace and some strappy silk heels. This outfit was perfect for dinner before, was comfortable when seated in the theater, and worked when we decided to grab some cocktails at a bar after the show. I have worn the top to holiday parties at hotels and studio apartments, on dates with my husband at chain restaurants and romantic little bistros. You will be surprised how many times a sparkly top can fit into your current life.

15. The Perfect Tee. I think this is a given for all women, regardless of lifestyle. Donate all those faded, stretched-out, oversized, undersized tees and grab a couple that really look good and make you feel good.

One thing that has changed a bit – styles have become more refined over the past couple of years. In 2005 a stylish woman could easily wear a fitted tee or tank with a summer skirt and sandals and look polished. These days, you need a bit more effort. These tees are not replacements for merino sweaters in that they are as professional or formal. They are still great wardrobe staples to wear on weekends, under jackets, with casual skirts and jeans and trousers, they just have taken a backseat to more refined fabrics in regard to current style.

16. Well-fitting Wool Winter Coat. So you live in Florida, or Thailand, or Guam. You really don’t need a wool coat. If so, please disregard. However if you live somewhere that requires a coat, it’s a wise choice to invest in a well-fitting wool one. Add Thinsulate lining, a pashmina at your throat, gloves and a hat and you can brave even the coldest climates when dashing from car to destination.

For those in the Northwest and colder parts of the globe – keep your puffers. I don’t want anyone to catch hypothermia. This coat is a coat for the days when a puffer isn’t required, and when you do need to look more polished (evening affair, job interview, etc.).

17. Great Fitting Bras and 18. Panty Line-free Underwear. I would think this is a given but as I walk the streets of this great country, I see that it is not. Please ladies, do yourself a favor and get a professional to fit you for bras, and check out your back view in a full-length mirror. Who care what you spend on the rest of your wardrobe if you ruin the line and look with your undergarments.

19. Pashmina. If you don’t have one, go get one. They always have them at a great price at discount marts like Filene’s Basement and TJ Maxx. You will find so many uses for it. Right now I have one at work for chilly days, and I wear my other ones all the time when there’s a slight breeze, in place of winter scarves and as a shawl with my dresses.

20. Clutch Purse. Your regular daily handbag is NOT appropriate with a cocktail dress, even if it is of black leather. Just as with the sparkly top, if you purchase quality and a classic style, you won’t need more than one and it will be okay if you only use it once a year.

Just this past weekend I went out for my friend’s bachelorette party. We went to dinner and then bar hopping. I wore a black top, black pants, black heels and then to add to the look, a printed clutch. The clutch transformed these wardrobe basics. I had worn this same ensemble to work and to a more casual group gathering. What brought this to Festive Evening status were the accessories, and the clutch was the cherry on top.

21. Daily Purse. Your purse and your hair are the two accessories you wear pretty much every day. Spend money wisely – keep these items well cared for, maintained, current and ensure they are flattering to you and your lifestyle. I know a purse is a given – it’s not so much having a purse but what purse you have.

22. Sexy Shoes. I don’t think this wardrobe staple has become passé or will any time soon.

And yes, I am still rocking those Pucci-printed heels I mentioned in the original post. In fact I loaned them to a friend and she also received tons of compliments on them.

23. Sunglasses. Also a classic. Trends come and go, so if you want to be the height of fashion with your sunglasses, I don’t recommend spending an arm and a leg. Classic styles like aviators and large black plastic frames can be found at any pricepoint.

As you see, this list hasn’t really dated all that much. The examples may look at bit 2005 come 2012, but the concepts will most likely hold true. Get your inspiration from catalogs and shop windows; subscribe to one fashion magazine so you are still hip to the current trends in accessories, colors and silhouettes. And always, be true to yourself. One who copies is never stylish. This list is a platform, a place to start on your journey to personal style. As you become more confident with yourself and your wardrobe choices, you may see that a few of these staples are pushed to the back of your closet. That’s okay, not every woman or her life is the same. But I hope this list can get you on track and help you gain confidence and along the way, you find your personal style.

From GetRichSlowly.org: How To Stop Buying Clothes You Never Wear

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:07:00 +0000

This week, Get Rich Slowly featured an article by staff writer April Dykman entitled, "How to Stop Buying Clothes You Never Wear." This article takes ideas from fashion designers, writers and bloggers and creates a how-to for all people, regardless of age, lifestyle and gender. I think this article is a great resource for any person who is looking to clean up her wardrobe or wishes to start shopping smart. I also think this article is great because Dykman linked to Wardrobe Oxygen! :) I am honored to be part of a great article which is on a wonderful Web site!

Go check out Get Rich Slowly, and April Dykman's article!

How to be a Stylish Mom

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Before I became a parent, I wrote about ways to make it easier to be stylish and be a mom. I usually got attacked by current moms saying I was unrealistic and didn’t know how it was.

Well now I do. My daughter is eight months old, I work full time out of the home, I have a lengthy work commute, assist my husband with his photography business, manage three blogs, spend free time with friends and family. It isn’t easy, but it can all be done while looking stylish and not breaking the bank. Here are some tricks I have learned over the past few months that have helped me look pulled together without tearing out my hair or blowing my budget:

1. Get a Wash and Wear Hairstyle… or at least a style that you can manage half-asleep and in the dark. This doesn’t mean you need to chop off all your hair or live in a ponytail, it just means you need to reassess your mane. For me, this meant I needed to stop trying to straighten my hair or get the tousled waves all the celebs wear and I covet. I have naturally wavy/curly hair that likes to part in the middle. I researched online during lunch hours to find products well-reviewed for hair like mine that work when the tresses are air-dried. With my next cut, I let my stylist know I was going the more natural route and she trimmed accordingly. I now have a style that I can wash, condition, add a bit of product, scrunch and go. If I wish to have it be more polished, I whip out a curling iron and a second product.

For you, it may be a style that can be achieved with five minutes of a wet-to-dry flat iron, or one that uses some molding mud, your fingers and a hot blast of the dryer. Whatever it is, stop trying to reinvent the wheel every morning, trying to make your hair something it isn’t. Work with what nature gave you and you can spend less time with the styling tools, less time in a messy ponytail and more time with your child.

2. Buy the polish. All the magazines say in this time of recession, do your own pedicure. What mom has the time to whip out the orange stick, the cuticle cream, the top coat… and who can do it without little fingers wanting to help or investigate? A pedicure at the local nail spa is a cheap and quick way to decompress and have some Me Time. However, moms don’t usually have the time or the funds for Me Time as often as they did pre-family. I have found I can extend a pedicure far longer than I used to with a couple supplies. A daily swipe of clear topcoat will keep chips at bay. Owning the polish color will help when you do get a chip, and will also hide growth. Wearing slippers or socks around the house instead of bare feet will prevent your carpets or hardwood floors from absorbing the natural oils in your feet, and putting a bit of Vaseline on your feet at night will keep your feet looking soft (and if you have your slippers near your bed you can slip into them without slipping across the floor as you bolt up to the sound of a crying child).

As for the hands… I find it’s best to keep them bare and buffed. I love Sally Hansen Hand Repair Hand Nail & Cuticle Cream – I keep a tube in my purse and apply it to my hands (and the excess to my elbows) while I am waiting for the train, stuck in traffic, after washing my hands. It absorbs quickly so I am not too greasy to wield a steering wheel, has a mild orange scent and does a great job at keeping my hands looking soft. That plus a buffing cube can keep your hands looking lovely without trying to maintain a full manicure.

3. Create a uniform. So what if you wear jewelneck cardigans, lace-trimmed camisoles and flat-front trousers almost every day? If the outfit flatters and is appropriate for your lifestyle, then do it. The most stylish women have uniforms. No one criticizes Carolina Herrera for her collection of crisp white shirts – in fact women dream of being as chic as she.

Stop trying for variety, and look for quality. Buy fabrics that you love and love you in return. Choose colors that make your skin look amazing and make you smile when you see them time and again. Find silhouettes that flatter and buy in bulk.

My mom uniform consists of dresses. I find them easy, flattering and fun. A wrap style makes it easy to nurse or pump. I can slip on a dress in the dark and know I will look polished for most any occasion. Fabrics like matte jersey and ponte glide over my curves and are easy to launder.

For some women, their uniform is a pencil skirt and cashmere turtleneck. For others, it’s a button-down shirt and dark jeans. Accept your body and your lifestyle. Stop and think about the pieces you already own that you constantly go to in your closet and drawers. Ask a trusted friend what looks best on your body and stock up on that style.

Stick to a certain color palette so that it is easier to mix and match. This way, you won’t need as many pairs of shoes, as many belts, as many bags, as many accessories. I am one to pair black or white with jewel tones, but many women love a warm palette of browns, creams and greens or a collection of grays and navys with rich colors of merlot, amethyst and teal. Find the palette that pleases and compliments you and feel free to purchase multiples when you find the perfect color as well as silhouette.

4. Keep that uniform for the rest of your look. What’s the point of a wardrobe of pencil skirts and cashmere turtlenecks if you don’t have go-to uniform shoes? Last year I loved in peeptoe pumps – I had them in leather, snakeskin, leopard print, patent and silk. I knew this style of shoe and the height of the heel worked with most of my dresses, skirts and trousers. Now that I have a baby to carry around, I am desire a shoe that is a bit more stable and wearable for long hours. I found a great T-strap from Sofft that came in a dark red patent and looked like a vintage shoe. I could wear it for hours and not feel any pain, and it looked great with trousers and dresses. Instead of looking for other silhouettes to add to my closet, I bought this same shoe in black and found a very similar silhouette from the same brand in a brown croco-embossed leather and had a shoe wardrobe to get me through all of summer and most of the fall.

Make a uniform with your accessories – it’s okay to wear the same earrings or necklace every day – stop thinking of it as boring and consider it your signature piece! Purchase a bag that looks great every day with your wardrobe (tip: a color will be more versatile than black or brown), and make sure that it has enough room for a few kid essentials.

5. Simplify your makeup bag. It’s totally okay to wear the same exact shadow, liner, mascara, blush and lipstick every single day. Buy a second powder and lipstick and keep it in your purse for touchups. I actually have a small mascara that was part of a Gift With Purchase and a second compact of my favorite concealer in my purse in case I don’t have time to complete a full face in the morning.

6. Get rid of Dry Clean Only. I don’t know about you, but I have a bag of clothes that need to go to the dry cleaners that is in the trunk of my car and it has been in there since June. At the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is head to the cleaners. I don’t want to waste the time, and I don’t want to spend the money.

Many fabrics state that they are dry clean only, but can be washed on the gentle cycle and hung up to dry. Matte jersey, poly crepe, merino wool, and most synthetics can survive a gentle tumble in the washing machine. Once or twice a month I wash these pieces and hang them in the hallway bathroom from the curtain rod. They get put back in the closet before the next time guests come to visit (yes, I often get dressed in that bathroom, picking right from the curtain rod).

Stick with fabrics that can take a bit of a beating through the day – I like items with stretch because they don’t crease, usually launder easily, and allow me to crawl on the floor with my daughter and not be all stretched out and weird-looking after little hands grab at my neckline or I sit at my desk for ten hours straight.

7. Be prepared. Keep a bag in your bag with essentials – a couple safety pins, a Tide-to-Go pen or Shout wipes, your makeup uniform, mints, an elastic to hold back hair when needed (like when holding your little one), feminine products, a band aid, pain reliever, etc. This bag then can move from purse to diaper bag and back with ease. Nothing ruins a look more than a boo-boo, so be ready for that dropped hem, spilled salad dressing or blister.

8. Accept your new life. I may still have an active social calendar, but I am not hitting night clubs or cocktail parties like I used to. I don’t have the need for a dozen LBDs or a single garment with sequins. That being said, I have also realized that since I work outside the home and spend most evenings in my living room with my family, I have little need for more than one pair of jeans. Don’t purchase that which you don’t need and don’t hold onto that which is from a previous life. CraigsList, eBay, donate or gift away the items which you know you don’t need any more and make room for more pieces that are sensible yet stylish.

Even if you are a stay at home mom or a telecommuter, you shouldn’t be sporting flannel pajama pants and nursing tanks 24/7. It is possible to be comfortable and look great. Refined knits, matte jersey, ponte, merino wool… these are all fabrics that wash well, wear well and look polished.

9. Don’t write off fashion. You can carry off current trends while being true to your life. You may not have a need for over-the-knee boots, but you can totally rock knee-high boots with jeans or leggings and a slouchy sweater. The skinny jean may look fantastic with high-heeled booties or pumps, but they can also work with flats. Short dresses can work at the office or the café with opaque tights and boots or sturdy platform pumps.

And classic fashion is always chic – crisp white shirts like Carolina Herrera, solid-colored v-neck and turtleneck sweaters with flat-front trousers or pencil skirts, dark jeans with refined knits, sheath and wrap dresses in basic black or flattering hues, classically cut leather pumps, tall boots and traditional ballet flats.

10. Quality, not quantity! You can own one pair of jeans if they are made well and fit you like a dream. The same black v-neck sweater can be worn more than once a week if it is made of good quality and has an elegant drape. A higher-quality garment can handle being washed and worn time and time again.

Purchase bras that lift and separate, panties that are invisible under your clothes, shoes that look more expensive than their price tag. Spend money on your hair and skin so you can save time (and the cost of multiple beauty products that never work). The smaller your collection, the easier it is to dress every morning.

The Self-deprecating Comment

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:50:00 +0000

There is nothing more unattractive than a woman who says she is unattractive.

A woman usually claims she (or that which she is wearing or that which she said or made) is unappealing because, A. she is begging for attention and compliments (“oh no it’s true, you ARE utterly fabulous!”), but is usually because, B. she doesn’t trust and love herself enough. Either way, it’s not charming, it’s not stylish, and it’s not attractive.

Accepting a compliment will not make you look like a snob or self-absorbed. When someone says they like your blouse, thinks you look thin or feels that a certain color is flattering with your skintone just say thank you.

And smile.

And really mean it.

Be thankful that a person in your world took time from their day to notice you and let you know that they are pleased with what they noticed. Be gracious. No need to go on about how the blouse should have been donated years ago, that you are in desperate need of a root touchup, that you are so bloated from binging on French fries the night before or that your dress clings to your hips. When you shoot down a compliment with a self-deprecating comment it is as though you are refusing a gift. It is okay to accept that gift, the person wasn’t forced to give it to you, offer your thanks and carry it with you for the day. You deserve it.

Many women think that compliments aren’t truthful. Yes, mean-spirited backhanded compliments make for great comedy in chick flicks, but they aren’t doled out that often in real life. People just don’t have the time and the wit to think them up and give them at the opportune time. So maybe Linda your coworker is telling you that your hair down is flattering because she thinks that your usual ponytail is too severe for your soft features. It’s still a compliment, and she didn’t have to take the time to say anything in the first place.

When you tuck a self-deprecating comment into casual conversation, it only causes your audience to scrutinize you. You mention how you have crooked teeth, and now your audience will concentrate on nothing but your teeth. You joke about how you are “pleasantly plump,” and now your audience has forgotten what you are saying and is focusing on your midsection.

Women often think it’s better to laugh at themselves before another will laugh at them. Again ladies, we do not live in an episode of Gossip Girl. The world is not out to snark about you behind your back. When you make self-deprecating comments, you are screaming to the world that you are self-conscious, lack confidence and love for yourself. Not attractive characteristics.

Be confident, don’t be a snob.

Be strong, but don’t be a bitch.

Be demure, but be definite.

Caring about what you look like makes you seem as though you are hiding behind clothes, but not caring what you look like makes you seem as though you lack self confidence.

Wow, it’s tough being a woman, isn’t it?

Stop trying to BE smart or funny or witty or cerebral or stylish or classic or fun or artsy or creative or quirky. Just be. When you stop trying to be SOMETHING and just listen to yourself, observe your world and roll with the waves, you find that there is less need for the armor of self-deprecating comments.

With the next compliment you receive, respond with a heartfelt thank you and a smile. And nothing else. Don’t explain, don’t apologize, don’t add detail. Just look the person in the eye and thank them for the gift. See how that person reacts and how you feel. Wear that gift of a compliment like a scarf all day. Let it show in your posture, your demeanor.

The next time you trip over your words (or over your feet), don’t tell the world that you are a klutz, an idiot, a mess. Just pull yourself together and more forward. In your mind you may be replaying the situation over and over, but don’t cause the rest of the world to hit instant replay and dwell on your mistake.

And if you want a compliment or a suggestion, stop fishing for one with a self-deprecating comment. Find a good friend and ask that person what they think. How do you really look in that dress? Why do I have a hard time looking good in photographs? Do you think I look better in green or red? Only then will you know if the response is honest, or stated to make you feel better. Trust the feedback from those who care about you, and use it to develop and gain confidence and poise.

And remember, you ARE a fantastic human being! You have wonderful exterior and interior traits that make you unique and charming and loveable. Surround yourself with people and things that make you feel and look good and you will need less self-deprecating comments.

What Next, Roll-neck Sweaters from Forenza?

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Yesterday I visited my local mall in search of a necklace to perfectly complete a dress I am wearing this weekend. I must say, I don't visit malls very often. I find them frustrating - the selection of sizes are limited, the salespeople are often uneducated on their product (or uninterested in you shopping their store), and there is too much chance to purchase that which you don't need.

However jewelry (like lingerie) is best purchased in person, so I made the trek. While there, I decided to visit all the women's clothing retailers to get a feel for what is in season, what is selling, what is collecting dust, what chain shops are copying what high-end designers...

...and then I saw it.

The Limited is carrying Outback Red!

For those of you who were born in the '80s (or later) you may not understand the significance of this brand being at The Limited. However for moi who was born smack dab in the middle of the '70s, The Limited (and their brands such as Forenza and Outback Red) was a necessity in my closet (and the closet of all my friends). The Limited was a must-visit every time my friends and I went to the mall, and one of my prized possessions was my navy blue henley from Outback Red. I remember pulling it out to wear every time I was going to a casual event where I felt a bit awkward or shy (boy-girl party or first day of summer camp).

Along with other brands at The Limited, I remember Forenza sweaters being the hotness - at least a dozen of us from my grade wore the Forenza roll-neck sweaters in a variety of hues for our school photos (mine was white and I always wish I had a periwinkle blue one like my friend Krista). We also had letterman-style long cardigans with bright stripes or sleeves from Forenza and I know somewhere I have a "personality photo" from high school where my friends and I are all wearing deep v-neck tunic sweaters from The Limited in a variety of jewel tones.

Seeing the Outback Red sign in The Limited, I must say I exclaimed outloud, "Outback Red?" Jessica, a manager of the store (and actually a previous employee of mine back when I worked retail) said yes, they have brought back that brand as well as a few other brands. The goal of The Limited (and other chain brands such as Ann Taylor) is to create a boutique feel within the store by providing different brands that evoke different styles and feelings. Based upon the marketing in the store and the Flash "journal" on the Limited Web site, Outback Red is still the same concept, but updated for the new millennium - casual cool, an outdoorsy feel but with a romantic side.

So I joked to Jessica, "what next, Forenza roll-neck sweaters?"

"Yes," she said. "Forenza will be returning to The Limited this fall." I am armed and ready with my bottle of Aqua Net!

Ask Allie – All About Bras

wardrobeoxygen@gmail.com (Allie) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:14:00 +0000

As a large busted woman, I understand the difficulty in finding bras that lift, fit, flatter and properly support. I know many of you readers have the same issues and many have contacted me recently regarding bras. Here are some of the questions I have received and my answers; please offer your own suggestions in the Comments – we women should share the great brands and stores that we have experienced!

I need a good sports bra! I have a large chest and can't find a bra that will adequately support high impact activity (running, aerobics, doing jumping' jacks or jump rope). I have one sports bra now, but it still gives “the girls” too much bounce. Other bras I have are sized medium and they only work because I compress my boobs like an Ace bandage and it is quite uncomfortable. I want to run again but can't do it with my current bra situation. I'd love to hear your suggestions to save me from wasting my money on several bras that won't work!

I have always had success finding great bras at Title Nine. This company is completely geared towards female athletes and they have one of the most extensive selections of sports bras. They separate their bras by barbells – those with three or more barbells offer the most support and compression and are geared toward high-impact activities and large breasts. The product descriptions are wonderful – not canned text from the company but true opinions on how the bras work, what shapes and activities they are best for, and what they do for your figure. On top of that, Title Nine has an amazing return policy so you don’t end spending your money on that which doesn’t work.

X-chrom is a company that specializes in sports bras, plus size bras, surgical bras, and activewear and do a great job in offering details, reviews and organization by construction, activity, and even for surgical procedure. The company also does online custom bra fittings. The owner works hard to offer a ton of selection, information and support for female athletes. I love this quote I got from the X-chrom site: “This is a very personal garment. We aren't all 34Bs. We don't all love underwires. Some of us insist on no-bounce control; some of us do not care.“ Isn’t that true! Right now X-chrom is offering free shipping on all purchases so be sure to check them out!

I am a plus-sized (16-18) girl who is 27 weeks pregnant. Can you tell me about nursing bras and tanks? Which have worked best for you?

I was utterly stunned by the lack of supportive nursing bras and tanks for plus size and large-busted women. It doesn’t make much sense since postpartum women have larger breasts than usual and they are quite sensitive. On top of that, the entire body is still larger (nope, that body does not bounce back right after the baby is born!). Nothing makes a body look better than a properly supported bustline and when you are feeling less than beautiful in the postpartum days, having a physical lift can really provide a mental lift too!

Most nursing tanks are similar in structure to classic bra tanks and camisoles – a basic knit shelf bra, just now with a couple clasps and cut-outs. For women who are C cups and larger, these usually do not provide enough support, shape or coverage. Also most companies do not offer nursing tanks in plus sizes. I did find great success with Bravado nursing tanks. They offer extended sizes and the torso is long enough and comfortable enough for curves as well as postpartum bellies. I chose to order a cup size larger that what I actually wear to ensure I had plenty of coverage. This tank is not as supportive as a classic bra, but it does a pretty great job for hanging around the house, sleeping and wearing under cardigans and button-down shirts. I found a great selection of sizes and colors as Nest Mom, Diapers.com always has coupons in the free baby magazines and they do fast free shipping, and you can often find great prices and color selection (and Free Super Saver Shipping) at Amazon.

For nursing bras, Anita, Anita, Anita! Anita is a brand of nursing bras that I have found beat all the rest in regard to support, comfort, durability and appeal. Most nursing bras look like a combo between your cheapo padded training bra from middle school and a sports bra. Hideous and cheap. Anita bras… well they look like regular bras. They also do a wonderful job of making large breasts look beautiful while still making it easy to unhook with one hand and discreetly nurse. I found mine at Nordstrom, and found this the easy route because I knew I could send The Husband to the mall with any that didn’t fit correctly. However if you know your size, you can find them cheaper at places like Fresh Pair and Mom’s Milk Boutique.

I never found a sleep bra that worked for my figure; I chose to get a classic Bravado cotton nursing bra and use that. Nest Mom will tie dye Bravado bras for you – this effect made me look even more like a field hockey player, but it was far more fun to look at than pale pink or dingy white. I also would wear a Bravado nursing tank to sleep. After a few months, your child and you will have gotten the hang of nursing and you will be able to quickly feed your little one even when wearing a traditional tank or camisole.

If you plan on nursing, be prepared with some nursing pads. I started with disposables, but switched to washable to save money and reduce waste. I tried many popular brands (Lansinoh, Medela), but found the best absorbency, comfort and the ones that disappeared under my clothing the best were by an Etsy shop called ArtsyFartsyFooFoo. I ordered two pairs in nude, one pair in black so they totally became invisible under my bras. These could hold hours worth of leaks and only got softer and more absorbent with each washing.

However I highly recommend to NOT stock up until after you have given birth. Web sites will tell you to order a cup or two larger, but you really can’t predict the shape and needs of your breasts until a week or so postpartum. I spent my first week in one Bravado classic nursing tank and a bunch of old knit dresses from the summer that had surplice necklines.

I have large breasts – where can one find sexy bras that support and don’t cost an arm and a leg?

I am one who feels that bras are worth the money. Your bustline completely affects how your clothing lies, how your figure is shaped, how old/young you look. If you properly care for your lingerie, they will give you months and months of happiness.

That being said, time and again I return to Frederick’s of Hollywood. They have a decent selection of Full Figure bras and most are under $30. Their Smooth Sensation bra is one I have worn for over a decade (and I just purchased one in my current size to wear with a bridesmaid dress for an upcoming wedding). Shaped to work well with low-cut tops, in a bevy of pretty colors and plenty of lift and support (I remove the extra cookies to have the support without extra padding). These bras usually only last a couple months before falling apart, but every time I wear them I feel like a pin up queen!

We are similar sizes; what is your favorite tee shirt bra?
The Chantelle "Senso" Underwire bra. It is molded (usually what I HATE), It is very stiff in the band when you first wear it (not too comfy), but within two wearings, it is the BEST bra and gives me fantastic shape. On top of that, the straps are adjustable so you can have them cross in the back or just be connected closer together if you are wearing racer back or cutout styles. No crazy stitching, no lace, no bows, no flowers, completely invisible under the thinnest white tee shirt. I am wearing one today, and I have been replacing my one tattered nude colored one every six months (about the life on these if you wear them several times a week and launder by hand).