Reliable Style: The Go-To Piece in Your Closet

As I snapped my sometimes-daily-Instagram #wearing shot in the parking lot this morning, I noticed that, once again, my plaid scarf was in the picture. And my pink tweed cropped trousers. And my crocheted sweater.

Clearly, I have some go-to pieces. We all do. It's part of what makes our style our style. It's how we interpret either the classic or the trendy, and make it our own.

Or, as in my case, it's how I manage to dress myself daily, despite an odd, in-between-sizes-and-seasons wardrobe that I still haven't completely updated since I hit my goal weight in September 2012. We won't discuss the fact that the fashion blogger can't get to updating her own closet. We will, however, discuss the fact that, in this insanely busy time, when I'm really trying to focus on some critical #DayJob changes and spend some much-needed time with H and The Beans, having even 1 repeat-I-mean-Go-To item in my closet lets me stay presentable. It even lets me feel like I'm still dressing like me.

Clockwise, from top left: Gleeful snow catching at the end of 2012; colors and textures galore at the beginning of 2013; a casual Friday gym locker room shot (with the same sweater as today, mind you); today's Everything-in-this-Outfit-is-on-Repeat ensemble. Pieces from L.L. Bean, Target, Gap, J. Crew, lillybee, and random street markets. Drop me an email or a tweet if you're curious about any of them.

While I'm not entirely happy with my closet right now, I have a few pieces, like the $5 plaid cotton scarf I picked up at a street market Down Tha Shore, I turn to, even if I feel they're on repeat at the same pace as that really annoying pop song on the radio. Its weight works to keep me warm outside and not overheat me inside. Its colors make me happy, and oh, by the way, go with just about everything. Its length covers up a multitude of fashion sins, like the mildly ratty vneck t I'm wearing under my crocheted sweater today.

If you snapped a photo of yourself every day without consideration of what you've thrown on (i.e. you're not considering your outfit as if for one of those outfit posts spread across the interwebs), what would you see on repeat? Try it. You might surprise yourself.

Style Dilemma: Easy Fashion to Make it Through the Holidays

Whether you have Beans or not, the holidays are crazy. If you're in Government work, like I am (and so much of the DC-area world is), it's a particularly crazy time of year. We make lists, we check them twice.

Then we decide what on that list ain't gonna happen.

I know I'm not alone in setting lofty holiday goals, whether for decorating, card-writing, or baking and cooking. Heck, not even my house cleaning meets my own holiday goals (you know that to-do item about cleaning out all of the closets for the holidays so we can give to charity? yeah).

So in the madness, I find that especially at this time of year, I have a fashion and style uniform. Pieces and tricks I turn to, that I know will keep me looking presentable, and maybe even fashionable, no matter how little time I have or sleep I've gotten the night before. Here's what I realized this morning, as I put on my concealer, powder, and lipstick in the car visor mirror in the office park parking lot.

#1 Super-Simple Makeup and skin care: I am not a makeup or skin care addict. I barely manage to wash my face regularly. In fact, last night is the first night I re-employed my beloved Clairsonic after probably a month hiatus. But here's what I do: I can't manage to put on my face before I leave, so I carry Bobbi Brown's Touch-Up Stick and pressed powder to cover and even gently, then put on a brighter lip (these days, it's the lovely, sheer Revlon Just Bitten). As a fair skinned girl with blue eyes, the pale powder and bright lip make my eyes pop and me look less exhausted. At least that's what I tell myself.

#2 Easy Sweaters in multiple colors: Whether it's Target or Gap or even a beloved Henri Bendel cashmere you bought on sale on your 2006 honeymoon (seriously, but here's a Nordstrom one in a similar color), simple, soft sweaters are easy. You can pair them with patterned bottoms in the same hue, a neutral khaki (like I did today with my khaki pencil skirt) or black, or even with another bright for the practically-jumped-the-shark color blocking.

#3 Statement Necklaces: If you're moving so fast you can't do more than pair a simple sweater with plain skirt, like me, then all you need to take the ensemble out of boring Government-worker-land is a statement necklace. Whether it's a favorite one (ain't nothin' wrong with having a "signature piece" you wear repeatedly, no matter how bold - promise) or a set of go-tos, bold on black (or heck, any other color) works. And this easy guide to pairing necklace shapes with necklines from Already Pretty can get you through any shape dilemma. My favorite DC-based sources for stunning baubles that won't break the bank? Queen Bee Designs and Fornash.

#4 That Piece: What's the one item in your wardrobe, be it necklace, dress, skirt, or shoe, that makes  you stand taller, prouder, and more condfidently every time you wear it? What piece always garners compliments as you board the Metro or stop at your favorite coffee shop? Figure that out, then don't be afraid to use and re-use it. For me, it's (among other favorites) my favorite pair of black patent pumps. I strut when I wear them (they fit, they rock, and the go. with. everything.) Because even if you've worn it over and over, it makes you feel good, and you'll exude confidence, which goes ever so far in erasing the dark circles - or at least in distracting from them.

#5 Being Put Together: Simply stated, don't revert to sweats when you're exhausted. I learned a long time ago, from an Italian, ahem, friend, that if I put on an ensemble that is put together instead of schlumpy, I will rock it. It feels easier, but it isn't. Easy is the LBD that doesn't even require you to match your shoes to the dress. Easy is the pair of trousers that fits you impeccably - and a simple sweater that's pretty and comfortable. Easy is a sheer lipstick that took no time to put on and yet shows you bothered.

Those Italians know whereof they speak. In all things, really. Trust me.

Weekend Style: Thanksgiving Casual

I lurv Thanksgiving.

Let me qualify that. I lurv any holiday on which I get to plan and cook a massive meal.

Style, in these cases, takes a back seat for me, big time. Because I'm happily cooking and setting a pretty table, I rarely have time to shower before guests arrive, let alone plan a fancy-pants ensemble. My hair? Usually pulled back, and highly dependent on it's state of cleanliness. My makeup? It's a well-timed plan (that I was able to execute on time) that lets me put on mascara, instead of relying on my "concealer, powder, and (now staple) red lipstick."

Seriously, that red lipstick is a lifesaver. Lets me pretend I cared about my face.

Back to the ensemble. This year, I can easily rely on my casual uniform, as it's polished and cozy all at the same time. Skinnies + layered tops + moccasins = done.

L-R:

Crewneck sweater - in my case, it's a Gap version (in navy, rather than the grey pictured here), bought (at Stacy London's recommendation) small for the fitted, rather than slouchy look. I also love my black Target version.

Plaid button down in fun colors - here, I've got a blue and purple Target one, of which I have a red/navy and a navy/red version that's not visible on the website. But any lightweight plaid will do. Unless you're planning on a post-meal hike, stick to light fabrics, rather than rely on flannel. Or, skip the sweater and go flannel, perhaps belted.

Skinnies - I'm in love with my Gap Always Skinny Cords. They're softer than soft, comfy, and I have a tan version that's very Potomac Housewife with my navy sweater. Here, I've got a greyish pair that would be lovely in a monochromatic ensemble

Moccasins - sure, you could go predictable (and I do love the look) with riding boots, but as we're hosting (and I'm cooking), my Minnetonka Kitlies are it. They might as well be slippers.

And for those of you who might care, here's how I tackle Thanksgiving, along with a peek at our menu. I'm a plantastic girl.

To start, I am choosing a reasonable Thanksgiving menu. I love, love, love to cook, and especially to cook a big meal. Now, we aren't having many people, just 2 family friends, for a total of 5 adults and 2 kids, but still, I love to plan and execute to that plan. My first task today, before I do anything else, really, will be to literally plan out, 15m x 15m, my next 18 hours. Then I can check it all off as I go. Granted, it won't always go as planned, and I'll have to adjust along the way, but I do love my plans. They're usually color coded.

1) Confirm a menu. I do consult H, particularly as a "check" that I'm not planning too much. We've settled on:

• Turkey + gravy (using Sassy Radish's Alton-adjusted method)
• Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing (using Baking Illustrated's cornbread recipe to make my own)
• Butternut Squash and Yukon Gold Potatoes
• Brussel Sprouts and Carrots (an epicurious find, and so. darned. good.)
• Romanian Sauerkraut (MIL's "recipe," and an if-you-have-turkey-you-have-to-have item in our house)
• Cornichons (also necessary with turkey in our Romanian-ish household)
• Pumpkin Pie (from Baking Illustrated, complete with homemade crust. If you're gonna go, go big. Also, I will send pie home with people. And go work out!)
• Maybe some chocolate chip cookies, for The Beans, as they don't do pie yet.
• Wine
• H will put out some salamis & such (Romanian, again) before hand.

2) Assess the cupboards against recipe ingredients, then make my shopping list. I'm forever buying things I already have.

3) Shop. Did this yesterday after taking The Bean to the doctor.

4) Make the Plan. To do this, I work in two directions. First, I list out (on paper, mind you, none of this e-stuff) all of the dishes I'm making. Then I list out all of the non-food-related tasks (like setting the table and ironing the tablecloth). Then, working backward from "eat time," I start with the Big Main Dish, in this case the turkey, and time out the dishes to work with oven temps and resting times, etc.

For example, the bird's supposed to take 2-2.5 hours + 30m resting time. We want to eat at 3. So the bird has to go in around noon, to be safe. Back that up 3+ hours for it to come to room temp before it goes in, and it's out of the fridge NLT 8am.

5) Check off dishes and tasks as I add them to the plan.

6) Check off items as I proceed through the schedule. This may very well be my favorite part. My plans tend to stay on the fridge long after they're executed.

7) New for this year, the #healthyme Thanksgiving plan: load up my plate with the brussel sprouts and a little bit of turkey, with tastes of everything else. I will load up on fruits, veggies, and H20 as I cook. And coffee.

Here's wishing you and yours the holiday you want and need. May the travel, food, and family gods be kind and generous to you all.

Contrasting Style: What's Your Style Personality

H’s 20th high school reunion

#DayJob deadlines

bluemercury founder and CEO Marla Malcom Beck + loads of inspiring women (thank you, Ruth’s Chris Women in Business series and Marie Claire!)

Stacy London + Truth About Style + a group of women who put themselves out there - on blogs and in life

#DayJob deadlines

other than one anomaly, the first weekend since my trip to San Diego that both H and I were home and we didn’t travel as a family (um, that would be 2 months)

laundry

last minute night out to see Public Image Ltd (PiL), including two rock legends

It has been an insane block of time. Insane.

I have a lot to think about, and lots to mull. I have lots I want to discuss with the interwebs. Much of it comes, duh, from hearing Stacy London speak about her journey - and witnessing her openness breed the same in the brave women who waited patiently in line to ask her a question. (Turns out, though, that the same group of women did not wait so patiently to get their books signed. There was some MeanGirls goin’ on up in there. Really? Ladies?)

A couple of women asked, predictably, I suppose, especially for Washington, D.C., about their work wardrobes and its appropriateness. Stacy’s answer to one young woman, who works in a very conservative office that really requires suits, struck me this week as I looked at my own style. (That happens when you take pictures of yourself, even Instagrams of your feet. Talk about self-awareness and crap. Pooh. Also, props to the #OOTD posters. I give you all sorts of credit for putting yourselves out there like that.) This young woman yearned to break free of the suit. Stacy’s answer took me a bit by surprise. She recommended sticking with the suit, making sure it fit well and was a flattering cut. If possible, she said (acknowledging that it isn’t always possible in some environments), that you can use accessories to show a flash of your own personal style, but...

Don’t worry about it. Just make sure you’re presentable, professional, and appropriate to your environment.

Then - and this is the important part - you can have an entirely different style on the weekends.

Radical. And hand-to-forehead-leave-an-imprint simple.

For a long time now, I’ve tooted the horn of “it’s of course possible to express yourself, even in conservative environments.” Use color, I’ve said. Use texture and textiles. Use accessories.

I’m also lucky that even in my #DayJobs along the way, all of which could be considered conservative environments (non-profit government relations with not infrequent visits to Capitol Hill, government contracting with defense agencies, and the stereotypically conservative world of accounting), I pretty much don’t care. I push the envelope. I can, I will, and I am absolutely OK - personally - with getting the occasional “nice pants” to my lava orange khakis that really means “Wow, that’s really bright, did you really mean to wear those in the office.”

Left's #RuralPreptastic look for the office: Gap Eversoft circle sweater (I bought it super small, per Stacy's other excellent bit of advice, to have a more fitted, vice the slouchy look shown on Gap's site), grosgain belt bought in an especially preppy shop in Annapolis years ago, Gap Perfect Khakis, lillybee Kate (get them! they're on sale!); Right's #rockerchic look for the PiL concert: Religion Clothing Union Jack Skinny Jeans (on sale at ASOS!), lillybee Meghan (sale, people, sale!), and a Druish scarf H brought me from Israel in deference to the "chill" that night (not shown: black Target Mossimo Long & Lean tank)

But what Stacy said rings true. There is nothing like a piece of clothing that fits well. If it fits your body, it flatters you. It lets you shine, and doesn’t let the outfit wear you and distract from your purpose in the office: to do your job.

We could certainly wax poetic about how It Doesn’t Matter what you wear, that people should be able to look past all of that, but the truth is - and this is why, in part, there’s a proliferation of style blogs, ambush makeover TV shows, and how-to fashion books - It Does Matter.

So know what you’re OK with. It’s sometimes difficult to find that place, and it takes time. If you’re just starting - or restarting, as a number of women I meet are - your career, stick to basics to start. Listen to that inner voice, but explore online. Use pinterest to its every advantage and flag what speaks to you. Try it. Ask friends. Ask bloggers (most of us are more than willing to lend an opinion).

Then, wear it all with confidence because, as Stacy says, you must know yourself first. Then you’ll be able to find your style. And if there’s a bit of a split personality in that style - and you go from #ruralpreptastic (or, as H told me “40 year old Potomac lady) to #rockerchic like I did this week, know that contrast is perfectly fine. You don’t have to dress a single way all the time, and rock a single style. I relish the contrast. How ‘bout you?
__________

As I said, I have more posts in my head, not the least of which is probably more than one springboarding from my visit with Stacy. (We’ll just pretend that it was a one-on-one visit, like it felt, I’m sure, to everyone in the room.) It was a lovely and inspirational evening. Here are a few of my compadres’ posts on our night: Wardrobe Oxygen's (in which Stacy likes my "vegan" dress - we're BFF, you know), and The Chelsea Chronicles (in which Stacy tells you to buy a Celine purse for your birthday)

Weekend Style: All in the Family

It was killing me to not post or tweet or share anything about it ahead of time, but we surprised my stepdad this weekend for his 70th birthday. I was paranoid that, while he's not on any kind of any social media, he'd pick up my mommy's phone or accidentally see her facebook account and get an inkling.

As it turns out, he even walked into the party with his sister, who had to give it up when he asked "Are you here for someone?" with a sheepish "For you, I suppose," and didn't get it.

We got him.

For those of you who didn't follow along on Instagram to see my 10,000 pictures of cider donuts, the weekend was family and a wonderful unofficial beginning of fall. Which just happens to be my favorite time of year. So, thanks to my baby sis, who's become quite the shutterbug with her fancy camera, here are a few of my favorites.

The birthday boy - prince, as my MIL calls him - with his new toy. We'll get him into the 21st century yet.

Uncle Toby, at 89 years young, and his girls: My babysis (in Gap), me (in Target), Uncle Toby (i.e. the Coolest 89 Year Old You'll Ever Meet), my cousin Lee (not Claudia, thankyouverymuch, in Gap), and my Mommy

Cousins: Lee, Babysis, Babybrother, me, Cousin Bub

One of the most elegant ladies I know, our childhood neighbor, and the woman who was my Harvest Queen Pageant sponsor, with My Mommy

We also got to see Grandpop.

And majorly enjoyed time with cousins.

The Bean is 100% smitten with Zoe

The men who put up with us.

Babysis captioned this "This is about as good as we get." Also, my heart.

(Babysis: J. Crew shorts; me; Target shirt, Gap skinnies)

Weekend Style: Woods, Woodland Wedding, and, Well, Beer

I didn't go horseback riding, but we did drive through mountains remote enough to have no data signal (seriously, how is one to Google Map one's way to something other than the fast food restaurants on the highway signs without Google Maps?), wander through actual woods, added Nemacolin Resort to our List of Places to Return, celebrated with dear friends who really are family, and drank Good German Beer.

My style, you ask? It was simple. The short list of how I got through the weekend without batting a proverbial eyelash:

The drive to Western PA: a Target black jersey summer dress and flip flops
Friday night's Wedding BBQ Party: Gap 1969 mid-rise dark skinnies, a vintage Romanian peasant top as a nod to our families' hertiage, and gladiator sandals
Saturday on the Resort: A bikini under my Motley Crue T and gym shorts
Saturday night's Wedding: My beloved and easy The Limited Outback Red maxi dress (similar to this shorter, sleevless version), slicked back hair (um, literally no time to wash and dry it), dangly beaded earrings, gladiator sandals, and a vintage clutch that still had my Mom-Mom's handkerchief in it. Which came in handy when there was nary a dry eye in the wooded place when the groom's father, and our wedding godfather, read his blessing.
The drive home: those mid-rise skinnies (they might as well be sweatpants, they're so comfy), and the Motley Crue t under a light vneck sweater (it was chilly!), and flip flops.

Here's just a teensy (I swear - there are loads more pictures! Didn't you see them on Instagram?) peek into our adventures.

L-R, from top left:

The youngest little old man, playing shuffleboard at the wedding venue Friday night

"It's like we're hiking," The Bean declared as they walked down a tiny path to a "dinosaur dig" on the resort

Private jet taking off right before our eyes on the resort property (apparently there are Very Rich People who go there)

Coolest insect plates I've ever seen and almost bought in one of the resort gift shops

Antoni Clave's original designs for a ballet production, Susanna and the Barber (circa 1930), just part of the remarkable Hardy family art collection on display at the resort

One of two partial (the actual icons beneath the metal covering is gone) icons (huge, btw) on display at the resort

"Caption" to a set of Audobon Societ plates in the resort library, bought from the Ambercrobie & Fitch Co, known for "outfitting weathy outdoorsmen" - who knew?

"Dress made for and worn by Marilyn Monroe" on display at the resort

Thistledown, which, among other things The Beans hadn't seen before (and I grew up just knowing), made me realize we need to get The Beans out into nature more

Narnia - the wedding venue, a retreat down the road from the resort, had lampposts that took us straight through the wardrobe

Antique linens decorating the ceremony site

Family

Our godfather (and the groom's father) and I

Yoga Bean playing while the grownups ate dinner

Zonked, and happily snuggled together

A doppelbock at our new favorite German restaurant, Schmankerl Stube in Hagerstown, MD

Fitted Style: It's Called a Measuring Tape

Warning: I'm going to get on my style soapbox.

I heard something amazing today. A friend told me a how today’s college age women shop.

Apparently, they read fashion blogs (the Outfit-of-the-Day-type, I’m guessing), see an outfit they like, then click on the links and buy the exact same outfit.

My response: “Wow.”

Her response: “The money.”

My next response: “How the heck do they know it’s going to fit?”

Caveat No. 1: This comes from a woman (yours truly) who spent at least 30 minutes and multiple phone calls fretting over the fit of her corporate polo shirt (but then, really, who wouldn’t), measuring and remeasuring, comparing it to the manufacturer’s measurements (which were admittedly odd) to make sure she got it right.

Caveat No. 2: This comes from a woman who has, for her last online shopping expeditions (see here and here) gleefully poured over size charts to figure out which size she now is. Part of it is because she doesn’t know (#healthyme works, and all), and part of it is because, well, she wants it to fit correctly.

Caveat No. 3: This comes from a woman who knows her measurements like the back of her hand. OK, so I don’t know the back of my hand very well. But I do know my measurements, because, on Weight Watchers, I take them every week. It’s part of how I know #healthyme is working.

All of this, though, just adds to my point. Which is (yes, yes, I’m getting to the point):

It’s called a measuring tape. Use it.

Most of us probably don’t own one, I suppose. Or at least don’t own one that doesn’t belong in a tool box (you know, the kind that snaps back so hard you’re afraid it’ll take out an eye?). But, quite frankly, that kind will work, too.

The Style Shows make a huge point of telling us how we should get things tailored. And they’re right. But, I have to say, there’s a lot to be said for buying things that fit to start. Hemlines aside (says the 5’9” woman who rarely, if ever, has to get anything hemmed. You can hate me now.) As the same wise, stylish friend said, she sees “so many women on the metro who ALMOST make it in an outfit. And it’s usually because of fit. ” It’s as if, she said, “they saw someone else in it and bought it but didn’t factor in their hips, bust, etc.”

Buying things that fit, you say? Pshaw. Urban legend, you say, especially in these Internet Times.

Guess what? I just bought a pair of pants and 2 skirts that fit nearly perfectly. You know how? I’m going to let you in on a little secret: there are these glorious things called size charts. I looked them up. And I measured myself. Then I compared, the best that I could, my measurements to the site’s measurements. Yes, I was between sizes. And yes, I had to make an educated guess. But I still came out with clothing that fits me.

So here are my tips for measuring - and buying - clothes that fit. And while I absolutely intend these for online purchases, they’d make great pre-big-shopping-trip homework for someone who likes to research stores ahead of time.

1. Buy a measuring tape. Go simple. Go crazy. There's plain, and there's fancy. Personally, I hang onto a sentimental one my grandmother had in her sewing box (also, get yourself a sewing box and learn how to wield a needle and thread for the simplest repairs; everyone - I mean everyone - should know how to sew a button back on a shirt. but that's another post.). I think it's from Wanamaker's. But either way, it works.

1. Basic - Dritz ($2.29, people). 2. Just up from basic - Dritz Lifetime ($2.49). 3. For the girl who has to have one in every color, even at $6.54, totally affordable, from Amico. 4. Fancypants (retractable, choice of colors, and European) - Hoechstmass ($6.99. See? Even fancypants ones are more than worth the price.)

2. Once you’re on the website for the clothing you want to purchase, follow that site’s instructions for measuring. It's usually on a product page, and look for "size charts." Most are similar, so it’s a pretty fair bet that you’re going to be on target with the basics, but if you’re spending money online and don’t want to have to waste time and engergy returning things (even with all of the free returns available nowadays), take the 5 seconds and double-check.

3. As tempting as it is to pull that tape tight and get a smaller measurement, don’t. I know. It’s tempting. But measure each (usually bust, waist, and hips) comfortably, but not loosely. This is one of those places where it’s good to follow the site’s instructions.

4. Write your measurements down. In a place you won’t lose them.

5. Understand that your measurements won’t match a site’s perfectly. You may be, for example, a 8-10 in your waist size, but a 10-12 in your hips. It’s ok to take a gamble and “go small” on some things (maybe an a-line skirt, in this case, which would be more forgiving in the larger hip size), but generally, you’re going to want to go with the larger size. That is, if you MUST have the item.

6. Exercise judgement. If your measurements are drastically different, and it’s a piece of clothing where fit is critcal - such as a pencil skirt or trousers - it might be good to skip it. These drastic differences are what give us those annoying gaps at our waist in jeans, for example. There are whole lines of jeans built around those gaps. We could just measure instead. And use those measurements to - gasp - not buy something that won’t fit.

7. Lastly, once you measure, buy, then find a style or brand that fits, it’s ok - even good - to buy more from that brand and style. Multiple colors of something that fits you well are useful. don’t you always kick yourself for not buying them? That being said, don’t assume fits are the same on each style. A pair of Banana Republic Martin trousers fit much differently than their Sloan, for example. Pay attention to the fit descriptions.

Want proof that it works? Well, after all of that fretting over the corporate polo shirt, and panic that had ensued from others because they hadn’t measured (and assumed the sizes were “standard,” which they very much weren’t), my polos fit perfectly. In fact, I got more compliments on my BoothBabe ensembles than I could’ve hoped for - and many, literally, on how well my polo shirt fit.

Not kidding.

Day 1: The much-debated (see comments in my original post, here) lava Gap Perfect Khakis (bought online using size charts and shipped to hotel - they are perfect, btw) + LOFT 4-strand smoky crystal necklace (now probably 4 seasons old, and hidden behind my phone) + blush patent leather Lillybee Kate pumps (on sale now, ladies! they're fabulous!) = compliments from even the most conservative of conference attendees

Day 2: Gap patterned, slim-fit, cropped pants + goldenrod bamboo statement necklace + bronze Kelsi Dagger gladiator sandals (several seasons old, similar here) = more compliments

Day 3: As close as I could bring myself to plain ol' khakis, a Banana Republic pencil skirt with military detail (out of stock, but here's another with some non-plain-khaki detail) + LOFT crystal necklace + Lillybee pumps (note to conference packers - these pumps are perfect to pack!) = hands-down "I love the way you wore the company polo shirts" winning.

You were warned.

Lastly, a huge thank you to the lovely folks at my home during the conference, the Hotel Solamar in San Diego. The mirror in my room made boring Outfit Shots less boring. Also, your staff's recommendations rock.

Style Inspiration: On My Mind and on My Boards

Little crazy here, folks, so a quick look (in case you aren't following me on Pinterest already) into what's on my mind and on my boards lately - and why.

Glittery, soft sparkle from Queen of Dresses DVF; How I'm Going to Style My KISS and Motley Crue T-shirts for the Office (thank you, Refinery 29. or not. see this old post about H thwarting my Rocker Chic(k) efforts ); the Gap pants that made it into my closet this weekend and are already lined up for constant rotation (more colors, please!); Catherine Malandrino, a longtime fashion and style idol (despite the fact that I now wear flats), whose dresses I now fit in; a Chloé coat this Winter Girl is craving; a peek into an upcoming post on black maxi skirts for a musician friend (and the rest of us).

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.