Report from Greece: Boots, Knickers, and ANTM

Let's start with this. The view from our hotel room in Chania, ancient port, best known as a Venetian port. It was absolutely lovely, quiet, and perfect for leaving the balcony door open while napping in the afternoon (one of my favorite travel passtimes).

The view from our room at the Best Western in Chania

(where they have the bestest breakfast in the whole world)

But this was the middle of our trip. Fashion, as I said before, in Chania was tourist-centric, though there were lots and lots of little artisan jewlers with sweet and sassy pieces. My only treat to myself: a huge mother-of-pearl (knuckle-to-knuckle) cocktail ring.

Athens had more to its style. Big slouchy boots and equestrian boots were everywhere. Made me want to rush out and buy a pair that I didn't pick up in the States. I tried, but alas, none fit right. Given the weather (I really had to laugh at how bundled up they were), the Greek women were in tights, boots, and skirts or dresses, or in knickers. That's right. Knickers. Maybe I missed the trend stateside, but it's one that works well in transition - from season to season and from day to night. Worked especially well for young, hip mommas.

Athenian family out for a stroll in the shadow of the Acropolis
(note the equestrian boots and knickers; love the bright jacket)

More boots and knickers in the shadow of the Acropolis
(my very own MIL and one of my now multitudes of Grecian cousins, who always seems to be infuriatingly perfectly attired, despite having two children and a full-time job)

I tried desperately not to look like the American tourist, but I'm not sure it worked. I can usually successfully pass for a Northern European (which is sometimes an advantage, sometimes not, depending on the country). But I felt like I had a big stamp "American" on my forhead. Worse, "American Tourist." And so I was. There's no mistaking that I was a tourist. Thank goodness I was - there are really so many gorgeous things to see, like the Acropolis (where the Parthenon is) and Sounio. Most of it is just stunning, and who the heck cares if you're a tourist; if you weren't, you wouldn't see it.

Playing model (I pay attention to Jay's instructions on ANTM) on the cliffs of Sounio, upon which rests an ancient temple to Poseidon. The site's most famous visitor? Lord Byron, who somehow made his mark (literally) all over Greece. Practically every ancient site we saw had a Byron story. Kinda the George Washington (Washington ate here, Washington slept here) of Greece, oddly enough.

The best part of all? Family. I now have about 1000 Greek cousins (picture the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding where Gus introduces his whole family to the new wasp-y in-laws: "Nick, Nikos, Nicki..."). Better yet? Some of them live on Crete. That would be a Greek island. I have cousins who live in the Greek islands. How exotic do I sound (to a tried-and-true wasp, that is)? Even better yet? Some of them have a garden in which lemons, oranges, and avocadoes (didn't know they grew on trees - they do - I'd just never thought about it) grow. And a basement in which they make their own wine and rachiu,* a sliwowitz/grappa/palinca/weinbrandt-like liquor that'll knock you on your rear faster than you can say "opa!"

Basement with winecasks, one of the cousins, and H. (Note the ubiquitous layered T, tank, and tummy sleeve over jeans.)

As my MIL advised me ahead of time, the shoes were to die for, with colors, styles, and materials galore (lots of great patterned fabrics for spring and summer), but alas, I found nothing that fit that wowed me (even when in Europe, I have a strict "if I don't love it, and it doesn't feel really good, I don't buy it" policy). So I stuck with my star flats and Grasshoppers

The Grasshoppers (topped with the Citizens) rest in front of the National Archeological Museum.

*Probably totally butchering the spelling. Since Greek is in Greek letters, and the translation I get of it is really Romanian, that's the best I can do.

Packing for Greece...if I ever get to it.

Let's just say that I'm thankful I've traveled a lot. Packing happens for me in about 30 seconds. 60 if it's winter and I'm trying to stuff things into a bag.

Everyone has different packing styles. Take, for example, me and my mother-in-law. My style? I just told you. List in head for a week (or not), then pack on the fly. Invariably I end up with a few too many tops, but worse things could happen. MiL? She's been packed for a month. I kid you not. MiL's a very planned and "get it done now, so I can play later" kinda gal (dinner's often cooked by the time I get up in the morning). It's served her well. So she started packing in the spare room about a month ago. She'll be packed, then think twice, pull something out, replace it, see a weather report, change it again...

So when I left this morning, already mildly stressed about trying to get further with the aforementioned thesis-type project thingy and transition my projects to coworkers for the next two weeks, I really wasn't even considering packing. It'll happen. Someday. Our plane departs tomorrow dinnertime, so I figure I'll get it done at some point. No worries. Jae and Erwin tomorrow morning are much more important (I'll feel good, even if I have nothing to wear) than getting my crap in a bag.


[12 hours after I started this post...continued...]


But I did find 10 minutes before a meeting and again after my brain conked out on work & school to make a list of the things I think I should pack. I'll spare you all of the vitamins and face products, but here's the pre-packing clothing list.


2 Old Navy tanks (one in True Blue, one in a berry color that doesn't seem to be on the website)
orange sparkly Indian-inspired Chrome Hearts tank
INC sheer blue T
4 summery, flowy tunic-y blouses lent me by a marvelous GreekGoddess friend who just gave birth to her first daughter
an iie
blue Motherhood Maternity dress
linen Old Navy halter dress (for some reason not on the website - wish it were - it's so non "M")
a standby cami
tummy sleeves (one black, one nude)
underwear (of course)
socks (in case my feet get cold at night)
trouser socks (eew, I know, but just in case it gets cold over there - it's possible)
tights (see above comment, but without the "eew")
Old Navy rollover waist khakis (Babsie D, you were right, right, right - don't knock 'em til you try 'em - and I never want to wear anything else ever again - but also can't find these online)
Citizen standby jeans
an old standby printed Ann Taylor skirt - just in case
favorite brown merino v-neck sweater
favorite black cowl neck sweater (again, just in case it's cold)
a black cotton motorcycle jacket (Gap, 300 seasons ago, but it's still one of my favorites)
red cotton raincoat
teal silk pashmina-like shawl - perfect for the plane!


Shoes are a little extensive...but here goes
Mia stars flats - like slippers - with stars! (for some reason, 3 of the last 4 pairs of shoes I've bought have been Brasilian-born - something to look into there)
my orange flats
standby black heels (just in case)
gold strappy sandals
my favorite bought-in-Miama with BlueSuitGirl ankle wrap sandals
my new Grasshoppers
slippers (oddly enough, also with stars)


And, of course, accessories...but I haven' t decided on those yet.


MiL says that the shoe shopping in Greece is to-die-for - lots of little boutiques. I promise a full report - and I'll tell you if I actually packed any of what I listed, let alone whether or not I wore it.


See you on April 11th! I'll let you know how visiting the relatives in Athens and Chania, Crete, was!

Style Dilemma: Trouser Jeans Defined

In response to Style Dilemma: Birthday in Freezing Cold NYC, Amanda posted:

I was wondering if you can post on your "trouser jeans" description. I have the worst judgement when it comes to buying jeans.

Amanda:

Brilliant question. Main reason? I think trouser jeans are one of the most wonderful fashion inventions ever. I wear my Citizens for Humanity Faye #003 low waist full leg stretch constantly. They were the first pair of "premium" jeans I bought, and for a long time, were the only pair of jeans I had. They got me back into jeans, when I hadn't worn them in years. Literally. Haven't even given them up as the bump's growing. Still using the rubber band.

Alright. Now that I've rambled, to your question.

Basically, what trouser jeans do for you is dress up the jean into something not jean-like (but you still get the comfort and "not dressy" part of denim). They tend to be more flattering to more women than other styles. Picture your favorite pair of work pants - how they fit, look professional, and cool all at the same time - and you've got trouser jeans. Easy way to spot them? Look for the pressed crease on the front of the leg.

zafu.com has a great little article on trouser jeans (try their jeans finder, too!). You no longer have to spend tons of money to get a pair (though they're certainly a great investment - I bought mine for $150 at least 3 years ago, and they still wear great). Land's End, Gap, and even Target (Isaac, of course) have versions. And if I could ever find a picture of them, I'd love to show you the Pair I Never Got this past season - Shagg Downtown's high-waisted trouser jean. It's what Kate Hepburn would wear if she had worn jeans.

Hope that helps, Amanda. Go forth and try - lots and lots of pairs. It's the only way to find them. That, and take along a friend - critical for the very, very important "rear view" decisions. And if you're willing to spend a little more money, go see the local experts at our own Denim Bar. Or, if you're willing to wait a little while, put the folks at the just-about-to-open-in-our-area National Jeans Company. (The Bethesda store opens March 19th - more to come on that later. And no, their website name has no connection to the local beverage - honk if you get my meaning - I know because I asked.) Not just jeans, but if they've got jeans in their name, they know what they're doing.

And don't forget to report back! We've all been where you are.

What I Actually Wore in L.A.

So when I got there, I got lazy. And comfortable. Thank goodness for the California vibe...made me not need to worry so much about clothing...sounds like an oxymoron, I know, L.A. and not worrying about appearance, but honestly, when you're looking out at the ocean from your balcony after your massage gift from H, who the heck cares?

Tops (yes, I packed too many, but they all fit with room to spare, so why not? You never know how you'll feel, right?)
H&M babydoll sweater*
Favorite brown merino v-neck (Banana) all-weather sweater*
Favorite black holey cowl neck sweater (also Banana?), just in case it's chilly
Banana indigo babydoll T**
I.N.C. nearly sheer, ribbed printed indigo T (yes, I'm apparently in love with indigo)
Brown merino shell (Banana)
Brown F.C.U.K. kinda racer-back tank (yes, brown's a theme, too)Romanian iie (my fallback, ahem, signature, look)
Indian-inspired beaded orange tank (I'd tell you the designer, but it's packed, and all I can remember is that it was a Nieman Marcus purchase and the logo reminds me of Guns-N-Roses)
H's old school warm-up jacket

Bottoms
Ancient Citizens trouser jeans*
Boring but functional (and well-fitting) khakis (Banana)*
Boring but functional (and not-as-well-fitting) pseudo khakis (Banana?) - original plan are still at the cleaners (sorry, H, I forgot, too!)
Too big (but fit the mildly growing bump) Kate-inspired pinstriped trousers**

Sole dress H&M wrap dress (we'll see if I feel up to wearing it, but it packs too well to not come with me)

Shoes
New orange Nine West flats
Ancient and holey Target mocs
Ancient (what will I do if they ever die?!) bronze/gold sandals (for evening with jeans - perfect) ***

*On the original list
**Gotta-go-to-work-don't-want-to-bother-to-change-before-the-plane-wear
***which, since I haven't worn in 3000 years, gave me a BIG ol blister on the bottom of my foot.

Packing for L.A.

After I finish up a few things for work, pretend to work on my thesis (which now has a very pressing deadline), feel sorry for myself because I'm so tired, I have to pack.

I hate packing.

I especially hate packing when I don't like a fair amount of the clothes in my closet or when I don't fit into a lot of them.

I especially hate packing for a vacation trip when I don't feel like I have a lot of casual options.

The good thing? L.A. is unabashedly casual. And rubber bands are my friends.

Things that will definitely go in the 'case:

H&M babydoll sweater
Ancient Citizens trouser jeans
Boring but functional (and well-fitting) khakis (Banana)
Favorite brown merino v-neck (Banana) all-weather sweater
New orange Nine West flats

See? Boring. Not happy. I'll just have to dig and see what I can find to add in the 'case.