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.

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)

Swim in Style: Bikini Shopping Update

I'm staying up too late for a girl who was in the office as early as I was, and will be in again crazy early tomorrow.

I have important work to do.

Bikini shopping.

If I didn't pick something tonight, I'd never get it in time to wear it Down Tha Shore.

So the nice J. Crew online shopping specialist helped me. She was very nice. She helped me figure out that no, most of the triangle tops won't fit my D cup (but really, they don't look D cup to me) boobies. Unless I size up from their charts. She had some lovely D cup top recommendations (yes, they have special D cup tops).

In the end, I went with one of my Woman's View options, one of H's Man's View, and a new one alltogether. It had more to do with what's available that will actually cover and not pull at my neck.

Because really, most women I know don't like wearing halters, no matter how flattering they may be. There's that whole neck pulling thing.

My choices, with the intent of keeping tops 2 of the 3.

They ship to New Jersey shortly.

Antique Paisley triangle top (size up for bigger boobies), Deck-strip underwire top (D-cup option, I'm in love with the festival green option), Poppy triangle top (size up for bigger boobies)

Swim in Style: Bikinis - A Man's View + A Woman's View

I managed to get some new bras yesterday at Sylene, but I didn't have enough time to try on bikinis. I want ONE to supplement my practical-yet-retro-cute one piece halter. I just want one.

So I emailed H today with the link to J. Crew swim:
__________

From: DC Celine
To: H
Subject: very important

go look here and tell me what you like.

going to get ONE bikini.

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/swim.jsp
__________

Note that H is Very Busy right now. But his response was immediate.
__________

From: H
To: DC Celine
Subject: very important

EMBLEM PAISLEY STRING TOP

POPPY TRIANGLE TOP

POLKA-DOT STRING TOP
__________
So here's the visual on his picks.

And here's the visual on my picks.

My email back to him corrected the selection criteria I should've given:
__________

From: DC Celine
To: H
Subject: very important

it *IS* very important.

i probably should've been more specific.

i don't think i can do string or triangles any more. but i'll order one.

also, pick bottom, color, and one underwire top (needs to go to a "d" cup)
__________

He hasn't responded yet.

Why J. Crew? Easy. It's easy. Mail-order can be shipped to our place Down Tha Shore, since Theresnowayinheck I'm getting to go try on suits between now and Friday. And believe it or not, the suit selection in Jersey...well...if I were going for a different look.... J. Crew's suits are reliable, come in separates sizing, and have D cup. Because, while I have lost loads of weight, and I swear 15lbs of it came off of my boobs, they're still a D cup.

Votes?

The Big Climb: What Made It Into My Closet (or in a shopping bag on the chest in my bedroom because I haven't managed to put them away yet)

As promised, here's what I did buy in my 3 hours, 4 stores whirlwind tour of Chevy Chase (read: Friendship Heights. Let's get real, people. The places I shopped are not the Shops.)

Loehmann's: I bit the bullet and annoyed the Fitting Room Lady with too many items. I actually had no interest in trying on anything. At all. But I did. And despite the MICHAEL Michael Kors dresses not fitting, and the German-designed (designer totally escaping me at the moment) blouses being wonderfully

structured - but not for my current body, I didn't lose hope. I only ended up with a dark mocha pencil skirt, but I did walk away with inspiration for The Climb.

J. Crew: As I tweeted day of, I was very disappointed that this shop (and I do still need to research whether it's a company-wide policy) doesn't carry anything above a 12. Seriously. That's why I went there. Because I know I can get well-tailored, good quality, classic clothes in sizes that fit. In my bag going out the door? A great black & cream sailor T with shoulder buttons (to satisfy my apparent obsession with All Things Nautical and 4 (cream, grey, black, white) cami/tanks I can wear underneath things like Big Comfy Sweatshirts.

Banana: Ah. Home. Here, my frustration was that the 12s and 14s were not. At all. I'm certainly willing to concede differences in cut, but really? You know when you start to try something on, get it only so far, then find yourself saying, out loud, "Uh, no"? Yeah, that's what happened with the trousers I tried on. I did, however, walk out with a cute navy ruffle-front T, a pale blue sort of ballet crewneck sweater, and a Wrap Dress That Fits (oddly with no online picture). I have an eternal struggle with any belted dress, the supposedly flattering on everyone but not really wrap dress included. So when I found this graceful cream and navy version in a weighty, elegant jersey, I was thrilled. I haven't worn it yet, but that's just because I can't bring my self to put tights on with it, and, well, sometimes a girl lets things go longer than she should in the winter.

Gap: My two rouched Ts, black knit dress, and poppy dressy T with flowy scarf neck (bought without trying on at the counter) were the only things of interest in the store. Seriously. I find that The Gap ('cause that's it's real name, and I refuse to change it) goes through long periods of Nothing. This is apparently one of them. The store was filled with Bad 80s and Grey. I'm in love with Grey. Love. But this was too much. Entirely too much.

Cafe at Mazza: mango smoothie and spinach and feta croissant to inhale on the way home to take The Beans to the playground

Still to go?

Buy new shoes. I have a Girls' Weekend coming up next weekend here in Jersey. We're planning a trip to the outlets in AC. If I don't find anything there, I'm banking on ginger and simply soles at DSS. All but one of my Go To pairs I scored there at those boutiques.

Get healthy. Getting there. H and I are vegan for Lent. He's Orthodox, and it's the way they do it. So I'm supporting. I'm not strident about it (evidenced by the Break Day today, in which chili and ice cream were both ingested), but I can tell. Even after just a few days, I feel less well having had my Break Day. So back on the bandwagon tomorrow.

Buy a few pieces I love NOW. Started. And still working.

Keep going. Yup. Am still going.

Wishful Thinking: The Ones that Got Away

I promise more about my actual purchases (tune in to my tweets for their appearances in my wardrobe, though, if you can't wait), but first...the ones that got away.

Until I track them down online, that is.

First off, a bit of a rant. I tweeted Friday that I was seriously disappointed in the Friendship Heights J. Crew. Women, forget it. Nothing over a size 12. Even an XL is a rareity. Seriously. While I hate to admit to myself that I'm not taking care of myself and really need to do all the right things and get healthy, I used to know J. Crew as a standby to get classic, well made stuff in Real Sizes. Nope. At least not that store. Will do a little investigating and follow up with whether it's an in-store trend or just the skinny-jean-and-riding-boots-wearing Chevy Chase skinny minnies that are causing this phenomenon.

In the meantime, I'll shop at Banana and Gap for my staples, thankyouverymuch.

Rant over.

Now. For my wishlist items...

First up, a J. Crew cropped cream motorcycle jacket with zippers edged in bright orange. That's apparently not available online. Later today, I'll track the sucker down via Ye Olde Fashioned Phone. It was AWE.some. (Note: I'm addicted to orange, apparently.)

But I did find this majorette jacket that might replace it, if the Banana one below doesn't work out.

Then, there was the skirt that may or may not make me look like my mother. Let's face it, I am significantly older now than when Mommy had my BabySister (better known here online as PrettyinPink), but only recently has Mommy stepped it up (with much coaching from us) and out of TeacherStyle (yes, she owned an appliquéd denim jumper. With a schoolhouse.). Either way, this pencil skirt, which you can get in the store in a yellow-green they call lime, is marvelously structured and fits my current nautical additiction.

And while I love the vibrant orange on a mini (apparently I haven't been online and in stores in way too long, because apparently J. Crew doesn't believe in replicating their store inventory online any more), it was just too puffy on this girl to get away with right now. Maybe later.

My other addictions? Nautical anything (I think I tried on every striped sweater or top available). Some of those ended up in my closet. And military anything. None of which came home, but will. I'm determined. Either the one up top, or this one (which was juuuust too small - one size bigger should be perfect).

Not that I need any more jackets. But a Mama does have to have something to wear to the playground and to preschool drop off on these chilly days.

Divine Inspiration - Pink Patent Pumps

I had a dream.

Two nights ago, I dreamt of pink patent leather pumps.

They were perfect.

Babygirl pink, medium heel, round toe, a hint of a wooden edge on the sole.

Demure, but not boring.

Where they came from, I don't know, and how they got in my head, I have no idea. But needless to say, when a girl dreams (at least this one) of shoes, she works very hard to find them. It's along the same lines as the pair of red patent leather pumps I went back to "visit" three times before I finally bought them. My own personal rule? If you think about them constantly for 3 or more days, and you can afford them, they need to be bought.

So using what might just be a new favorite tool (I'm sure I'm the last on this bandwagon), like.com, I'm scouring the web for these pearly babies. I'm convinced they exist. If not, I might just pick up the phone and call my new favorite shoe designer (if you haven't checked out her in-house, personally designed, named after her own Bean line, lillybee, do it NOW), Kassie of simplysoles, and suggest them. I don't even need credit for the idea. I just want the shoes.

So here's the run down, and how they aren't really what I saw in my dreams.

Demonia - around $40, and cute. Color's close, and the stitching and bow are a nice touch, but, well, demure they're not.

Bettye Muller. Not $40. Softer color, lower heel, but the price, the peep toe, and the heel aren't quite right. (Though I thought maybe Bettye Muller would be the place to find my dream shoe, with the modern retro feel.)

Bandolino. Online, about $30. By far the most reasonable. And definitely the most demure, with the Mary Jane detail. But, well, they're red. And the MJ is juuuuust too demure.

Juicy Couture. Also not $40. But the toe is right, and they're simple. Fun color, too, but clearly not the right pair.

Another Demonia pair, reasonably priced, and more demure than the first pair. Like the spectator detail, but the color and the MJ strap aren't right. Nor is the height. Stripper going to church?

J Crew. The closest, by far, in the sense of my dream shoe. The bow is just a-DOR-able, but still very wearable. They were on like.com in a darker pink than I dreamt, but apparently everyone else in the world thinks they're wearable, too. Completely sold out in every color.

So Kassie? I'll be calling soon!

Style Dilemma: Ensemble Under Construction

Searching, searching, searching for what to wear to The Bean's Shindig. In spare moments (riiiight), I've been checking sites for the stores I'll likely hit tomorrow night in my One Night Must Find an Outfit Trip.

Thank you to the IR for the suggestions, too. I think the dressy shorts option will just turn out too casual looking in reality - though a good idea.

Oddly enough, what I want really isn't out there - I was hoping for a fun, summery print in a non-flouncy skirt. Neither Banana nor J. Crew had what I assumed they would (though J. Crew came closer); both were waaaay too businesslike for a 1-year-old's birthday party.

The most likely candidate, it seems? What is now becoming my standby (and I cringe as I type): Ann. Ann Taylor - and AT Loft. The three choices at left are all options - though the orange circles probably is too dressy - front runner is the madras.

The top? Well now, that's another story. I'm a huge fan of blousy peasant, which is all over the place. But I don't want to look blousy and peasanty in the pictures. I. Want. Fitted. And did you know that's apparently just not out there? We'll see.

Style Dilemma: A Guy's BizCasual

Hey Celine,

I'm involved in more and more investor type meetings where I feel out of place with my fashion sense. I'm pretty good at the old school suit and tie look or business casual (khakis, shirt, and tie)...but I need a little help updating my wardrobe to more of the sport coat and open collared shirt look...something sophisticated yet relaxed. Got any time to help a friend?

PS - my next meeting is Friday. Any short term advice I can use to update the wardrobe quickly and for not a lot of $$$?

Thanks,

M

Dear M:

Ooops! So I goofed and missed your meeting - hope this is still helpful. (But then again, something tells me you're not worried about fashion except for the blue & red kind at the moment.*)

Now...to your question. A couple of points:

1) The easiest way to do the "sport coat and open collared look" is to put your suits into service. It can be a little tricky to not look like you're missing your tie, but wearing a colored shirt (think pastels - sorry!) goes a long way to fight that battle. Wear your favorite (and well-tailored) suit with, say a pale blue shirt, and you'll make a good, cool impression. Think about what the suit at right would look like if you left off the paisley tie (which I think I'd do anyway, but I'm not a BR stylist, so...)

2) Again, putting your suits into service, update the shirt look with a collared sweater or two. Find yourself a merino wool (really, truly a 3.5 season fabric), polo-style sweater in a genteel shade, like charcoal or navy, and put it on under the suit.

3) Hit the stores and find three key pieces: a pair of snazzy (subtle plaid, pinstripes in unexpected colors) fitted, flat front (at the most one pleat) slacks, a neutral button down with a lovely hand (the fabric will add a certain something), and a jacket. The jacket's admittedly the toughest. Be sure to stay away from the overdone blue blazer, and do. not. buy. another pair of khakis.

Good stores to try that won't break the bank:

Zara (though their fits can be decidedly European) - for all three pieces

H&M (with the same caveat) - for the slacks. Shirt and jacket won't be in nice enough fabric here to make a good impression.

Filene's Basement, Loehmann's, TJ Maxx, etc. - a little more work, but you can score some deals

C-Mart. Need I say more?

You can also try the sale racks at J. Crew or Banana (though you'll have to watch the prep factor at both places - less so at Banana - see the looks above for hints)

And, if you have time and patience, check out the local Goodwill or Salvation Army outposts, especially for the jacket and slacks. You could find a pair of vintage pants with a great pattern for practically nothing. I had one coworker, always impeccably dressed, who found nearly his whole wardrobe at secondhand stores.

Lastly - think about ditching the khaki-polos look for business casual, and step it up a bit - all you need to do is leave off the suit jacket for any of the looks above, and you've got a stylin' look that's a little unexpected for the DC workplace.

*M just happens to be a died-in-the-wool-born-and-raised-in-Lindenhurst Giants fan. He's a little preoccupied right now.

Shop in Style: Give a Little, Get a Little

and jump on the fashion bandwagon at the same time.

Ports 1961 has been getting tons of blog and "regular" press - and for good reason. There's a certain retrp aesthetic - one that everyone from Ann to J. Crew is copying (and J. Crew is doing a right good job of it, mind you - see Ms. Spinach's take on their spring collection) - but that's distinctly modern.

To get a glimpse of drool-worthy dresses, like the portrait-collared dress shown here, hit Sangaree's Spring Fashion Fete...

What: Fashion Show, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres - always a lovely combination - and portions of proceeds going to Suited for Change (a favorite charity of mine). Ports 1961 & Alvin Valley spring 2008 collections.

Where: Sangaree - 3288 M Street NW

When: Thursday, 7 February, 6-9pm, show starts at 7.

Please be kind to the hosts and RSVP at 202.333.4690 or info@sangareeboutique.com.

World's Greatest Concentration of Chinos

The Bean and I are taking a weekend jaunt to the Annapolis area (Grandpop and Granny live out this way). So we took an afternoon trip into downtown Annapolis.

I have never, ever, ever seen a greater concentration of chinos, madras, and preppy animal pants than at the Annapolis sailbot show (I'm sure it has some big official name, but I wasn't paying attention).

I suppose it's the appropriate thing to wear when on a sailboat. Especially a really, big, gorgeously outfitted one with fine wood trim and navy accents (a girl can dream, can't she?).

But seriously. Do we all have to wear the exact. same. thing?

I suppose it wears well with the wind- and sunburned faces, too.

But really.

Pick something else. Aren't sailors supposed to wear white? Nary a white linen or cotton trouser was to be seen. Just khaki, chinos, preppy animals, and madras. And more polo shirts than you can shake a stick at.

And this with all of the little hidden boutiques in Annapolis. C'mon ladies. If you're not actually sailing the boat, wear something else!

*Super preppy pants photos courtesy J. Crew.

Resolved? Combatting You Get What You Pay For

When Raven posted about her icky J. Crew experience, she followed Infintessimal Readership and DC Celine advice and contacted the company. Here's what she writes about their response:

Well, I pretty much got what I expected -- what is mostly a form letter.

I will excerpt:

PANTS
Our returns inspectors are normally extremely thorough when checking our returned items for quality, defects and other items that may call the item's quality into question. Pockets are supposed to be checked and emptied as well. Any returned items that are returned to our stock are supposed to be good as new. This was obviously not the case with your chinos.
You are also welcome to return the chinos along with the hair accessory you found. Be sure to note that the item was left in the pocket by our returns team, and this is why you are returning it, if you choose to do so.

SWEATER
If you believe your sweater is defective, you are welcome to send it to the J.Crew Returns Center for evaluation. Please be sure to note the nature of the defect that you have discovered on inside of the package.
If the sweater is deemed defective, we will issue a refund or exchange the item according to your request.


We sincerely apologize for the problems you've brought to light, and will use this information to improve and refine our procedures. We hopethat you will continue to enjoy the same level of quality and service that you have experienced over your years of patronage. We expect nothing less from ourselves.


*************************************************************
I don't know what I expected, exactly, but it somehow was more than this. I chose to go the email route because the closest accessible JCrew is in Columbia and I don't have time to go down there. (Other one is at the Balto Harbor and I refuse to pay $10 to park for an hour).

The best part is "you're welcome to return the chinos along with the hair accessory." Right. Like I actually KEPT it, much less want to touch it again to mail back to you.

So, there you go. No more JCrew for me. Oh well. They're overpriced anyway.

Raven, you did your consumer's duty, and let the company know about a problem. Their response, while not effuse, certainly is appropriate. What I heard them say: "Return the icky things." Not unreasonable.

Big companies: Hear us now. We don't like icky things in our pockets. And we expect you to do something about it. We know you can.

Style Dilemma: Combatting "You Get What You Pay For"

In a twist on our regular style dilemmas, Raven posted in response to You Get What You Pay For:

Can I just rant re: getting what you pay for? I ordered pants from JCrew online. They arrived in a hermetically sealed plastic bag, all creased and fresh-looking, tags still attached. Imagine my surprise when I reached into the pocket yesterday and came up with someone's hair elastic. With blonde hair matted in it. I also bought a sweater, which had five major pulls in it after wearing it to dinner one night. To dinner! I wasn't out playing rugby in it, for godssake. So, when dropping $200 at JCrew, I DO expect to get what I pay for -- unused pants and a sweater that lasts more than one evening. Pathetic.

When I asked if she'd taken either item back, she continued...

I'm not sure what to do. I feel like I should at least complain but wanted to wait until I simmered down a bit. Unfortunately I found the hair thingie at work, which means I had to sit around in the pants all day. Should I mail the hair elastic back to JCrew? I feel as if that might just be overkill. But sure would make me feel better. :)

Raven, until a couple of years ago, I was the Queen of Not Raising a Fuss. Then I got smart. Encouraged by CBear, a lifetime friend who is the Queen of Effective Letters to Ineffective Merchants, I slowly gained the ability to 1) ask about things in a store, 2) return something if it didn't work (gasp! I know!), and 3) raise bloody heck (firmly, civilly, but assertively, of course) if something I'd paid good money (or not such good money) for didn't live up to my expectations or showed that it was, in fact, of inexplicably poor quality. Like your $200 worth of clothes from what is a respectable national retailer.

So here's what I would do (it's not overkill in the least):

1) Go to the store, and take your sweater with you. J. Crew is one of those lovely places that (if I remember correctly) handles online-bought items in their stores, and vice versa. Explain the sweater situation. See what the response is. It may be nothing, a "I can't do anything about it"-type response, and you may have to end there, but if not, maybe they'll at least trade in the sweater or give you store credit. Especially when you explain that you've been a long-time purchaser - primarily because of their quality - you depend on them.

2) Regarding the hairy find in your pants pocket, get on the phone immediately and call customer service for the online people. Explain the situation nicely, but very firmly. My guess is, those pants were probably sold to someone else first, who wore them once, then returned. Maybe you could suggest that they check the pockets of returns more carefully.

In either case, don't be afraid to talk to the next person up the line if you think the person you first get isn't hearing you. I honestly have no idea if they'll do anything at all, but if you approach both situations with a "hey, I'm a loyal customer and I just want to let you know that my confidence in your product has dropped because of these two incidents," mentality - and be prepared to back it up (read: don't go there any more if you really don't trust their product quality any more) - then who knows what will happen.

At the very least, you've done your duty to the next gal buying pants. No more hairy elastics in pockets. Eeeeeeew!

And of course, you have to let us know how it turns out.

Guest Post: Miss Scarlet Takes on Frigid Fashion in NYC

Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many guest posts from the Infintessimal Readership (Baby B, I'm still waiting for your report of the Christmastime wedding black dress extravaganza!). Attended an event? Discovered Secret Store you aren't sure you want to share because it's just so good you're torn about whether you want to let others in on the secret? Been abroad in other fashionable places? Email me at dcceline.blogspot@gmail.com with your submissions. While I can't promise I'll post all of them ('cause I'm sure they're going to come gushing in), I'll certainly do my best.

The Scene: Scarlet, aka Miss Scarlet, spent her Birthday Weekend in NYC. She wrote in before her trip asking about what to pack. I tried to help, but in return made her promise to tell us what she saw up there.

Scarlet writes:

Packing for my birthday weekend in New York City was more stressful than it should have been. After reading all of the March issues of the fashion magazines and checking in on The Sartorialist, I had it in my mind that I wanted to take some hott fashion up north to truly represent DC’s style. With the help of DC Celine, I packed the following after realizing that taking out a small loan for new clothes just wasn’t going to happen:

- Jeans- Comfortable and the best staple there ever was. Mine were either trouser cut or straight-legged and well-fitted.
- Black, Jcrew, down coat. Warm and stylish, which is key when it’s February and 20 degrees out.
- Black, lightweight, V-neck sweater for Saturday night with a lacy camisole for underneath.
Diesel shoes. Walking in the city when there is snow and slush everywhere is not the time to break out anything new.
- Large sunglasses- To stay as incognito as possible from the paparazzi.

Now, what style did I see in NYC? Well, to be honest, mostly I saw a lot of coats because, like I said, it was very cold. Unlike Philadelphia (I was there just a few weeks ago) where 90% of the population was cloaked in full-length down coats, New Yorkers did have a more fashionable take on staying warm. My favorite styles I saw were of the military pea coat type with interesting detail on the front* as well as the puffy ones like I was wearing.

Shoes were something else that stood out as we traipsed around the city. And not in the Manolo way, but, unfortunately in the Ugg way-*sigh*. I know it was wet and cold, but it seemed like 70% of the women we saw were wearing some form of furry boot. Over jeans, under jeans, with skirts, with (*gulp*) sweatpants…they were everywhere! Tsk tsk, NYC.

I don’t have much to report on about night-time styles as the only thing I can recall from the bar we went to is that it was full of men and they mostly just wore jeans and button up shirts. Next time we go up there, I want to visit more of the shopping areas to really soak in some NYC fashion. Maybe we’ll see Gwyneth Paltrow-I love her style!

Thanks, DC Celine!

XO,
SVR

*Very hard to explain, but they weren’t the typical Navy pea coats. They were more fitted, with belts and hooks on the front. OK, the coat I’m describing sounds crazy, but I can’t find a picture!

Style Dilemmas: The Post to the Rescue?

Yesterday, two of the Post's style denizens, Suzanne D'Amato and Janet Bennett Kelly (Deputy Editor, Sunday Source, Fashion and Beauty Editor, washingtonpost.com, respectively), spent an hour online Talking Fashion and helping solve style dilemmas for the style weary. They kicked off with a rant you read here quite a bit,

"Don't know about you, but this is exactly the time of year when I feel as if I haven't a thing to wear! If you're facing the same problem and sick and tired of all your [in this case] winter clothes, let Suzanne and me know what strategies you have to deal with it."

Now I realize that I could be committing style-writing sins here, and could find myself blacklisted in the DC fashion scene (ok, so I'm being a little dramatic - but who knows - I haven't met either of the women - I have no idea what they're like. And a little bit of blacklisting never hurt anybody's publicity...).

I wasn't impressed.

Apart from a few bright moments (recommending a trapeze or shift dresses for a woman wanting to update her wardrobe, and the "But wait -- you're in London! Why are you writing to us when you could be at Topshop?!" response - my favorite), the ladies' recommendations seemed as staid as D.C. fashion is rumored to be.

Of course, because it's an online chat, and folks send questions in, maybe this was all they could do. That caveat aside, this could have been a fun, witty chat with some interesting suggestions.

For example, a courthouse bride asked for recommendations on style and colors. Janet recommended (kudos on this point) "going short," then sent the bride-to-be to Reem Acra because "they also do less formal." Wouldn't that have been the perfect place to recommend a retro wedding suit or shift dress, per their earlier answer? Reem Acra? Especially when the bride mentioned that she wants to wear a "simple, off-the-rack dress," and is having a small lunch afterwards.

Sure, I could be jumping to conclusions, but I'm guessing that maybe the couple is looking to not blow the bank on the wedding, but still make it special. A $50 Isaac Mizrahi party dress from Target would do the trick much better, in my opinion. Or, if she's willing to pay a little more, J. Crew's Vanessa dress paired (ok, so I took the website recommendation, but for once it's right) with their Piazza cotton jacket. So Audrey, and so lovely in navy - perfectly unexpected for an April bride. Toss a pair of brightly colored pumps on, and you're going to wow your hubby-to-be and the whole courthouse. Just don't wear the pearls (unless they're heirloom from grandma - that's what wedding style is about, for heaven's sake) - too expected.

I do have to thank them, though, for telling the grad student to ditch the Uggs. Phew.