Give Me an H

Amongst the wardrobe treasures of many women there is a high likelihood that you will encounter the presence of more than one pencil skirt. Christian Dior, who created the pencil skirt in the 1940s, would hopefully be proud of the endurance of this classically fashionable garment. It is impressive that a skirt, with such a simplistic design, could so radically alter the way women dressed. Much of the clothing worn by women, before the popular advent of the pencil skirt, was lacking in shape. Remember the 1920s flapper dresses? It is, therefore, with sincere gratitude that I give accolades to the many women whom led the movement towards clothing that celebrated a woman’s form. Perhaps, without their insistence that more appealing clothing be created for women, we would still be wearing corsets. I shudder upon thinking of it. The pencil skirt’s structure makes it universally flattering to many figure types and an easy companion piece to many other garments. This, I believe, is the most apparent reason as to the popular origination of work wear that flattered the feminine form. Soon after the arrival of pencil skirts on the fashion scene women paired them with jackets or tunics, hence the origin of suits for women. As you can imagine, the most daring women began to pair the skirts with sweaters and tops. Thank you again, trendsetters of the mid-20th century! I dare not imagine the types of garments women of today would be wearing if not for those fashion wondrous fashion adventurers.
The pencil skirt, nicknamed the H-line skirt in the 1940s, is perceived as the type of utilitarian garment that can be relied upon to always ensure a woman presents her best self to the world no matter her emotional state on a given day. It is consistently on a list of the top five or top ten garments that every woman should own; but seldom referenced by editors of national fashion publication as a garment they just have to buy with that $1,000 or $500 budget they have. You know which publications of which I am speaking. Does an actress make it on an Annual Best Dressed List because of the fabulous pencil skirts she wore on the press circuit? Or because the pencil skirt she was photographed in while sitting in the front row during Fashion Week was sic? I think you get the point. Are pencil skirts so lacking in glamour that they are beyond boring? Don’t believe it! There are more fabulous ways to rock a pencil skirt than there are movies in the Friday the Thirteenth franchise.

Below is a list of several ways you can wear a pencil skirt:

 Pair a pencil skirt with a pair of wedge sneakers or oxfords for a casual weekend look.
 Pair a pencil skirt with a button-down shirt for the office.
 Add a blazer for a more conservative office outfit
 Pair a leather jacket with a pencil skirt for a casual after-work event.
 Top the skirt with a favorite T-shirt for weekend wear.
 Pair the skirt with a pair of boots: Hint: Pencil skirts pair best with booties or ankle boots because of its streamlined shape.
 A cardigan or sweater and a skinny belt paired with a pencil skirt will create a polished look.

Can you think of more pairings? Please share your comments.

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Best Mod Duo

Black and white are strong shades that everyone has an opinion about. Consider the number of occasions that you have been asked which of the two shades you prefer. There is no need, if you like both shades equally, to choose between the two this fall. The two shades are paired together on single garments or in ensembles as if one can not exist without the other. The epic mixture of both shades consistently results in a graphic visual that reins supremely above and beyond any other color combinations. The two shades, as a consequence, are regularly viewed as the epitome of class and glamour. A multitude of black and white patterns and prints reign this fall in designer wear. Black and white prints and patterns are historically enduring because of the impressive impact of the two shades. The pairing computations for the two shades are endless as demonstrated by the following prints and patterns: houndstooth, ethnic, floral, striped and graphic-mod

The black and white graphic, mod print made a grand cultural entrance in Great Britain in the 1ate 1950s and was widely embraced by the young population for the next decade. This print subsequently exploded rather quickly into the global fashion scene. Each time this graphic print returned it was modernized based on the current culture. In the 1960s, Read more at ...

The Green Scene

Green finally has its time in the spotlight. Designers are once again in love with this earthy, bold and, at times, quirky color. The Spring runway shows were awash in green apparel and accessories. Many refrain from purchasing green apparel because they are uncertain about how they can incorporate such a polarizing color into their wardrobe. There is no need to be timid when determining how you can shine in green. Green has a strong presence when paired with neutral colors such as beige and gray yet sparkles when matched with shades of blue and swatches of pink.

Many dismiss green as a color that does not play well with other colors but this is truly a fable not deserving of such a beautiful shade. Designers have periodically been drawn to the boldness of emerald green and kelly green because of the vibrancy of both shades; however, the masses have rarely embraced this color outside of St. Patrick's Day. I so look forward to seeing more of this color in the apparel worn by fashion divas.

If I still have not persuaded you, try incorporating green in a subtle manner into your wardrobe. Mint green will be super popular this Spring. It is less vivid than emerald or kelly green but is the perfect shade for light spring and summar apparel when paired with equal sorbet colors such as pale peach and pink.

Recommendations: Next time you purchase a neutral-colored suit add a pair green pumps or platforms. Have a pastel pink suit? Add a bold green bag. A white blouse, blue trousers and green accessories equal an outfit that is very chic.The compliments will flow effortlessly all day!


A few of my favorites:




Steve Madden Adin Slingback Platforms
$99.95, www.shoes.com





J Crew Tweed Skirt
$128, www.jcrew.com



Madewell, Village Green Skinny Cords,
On Sale for $44.99!, www.madewell.com

 

The Wax Factor: Jeans

The recent proliferation of waxed jeans has made it chic to be seen wearing shiny pants. Wax-coated jeans rose in popularity during 2007 but five years later they are even more trendy than they were before. During St. Louis Fashion Week, in October, I was thrilled to see that both mass merchandise boutiques such as, The Limited and Express, and high-end denim boutiques such as Lucky Brand have embraced this trend. Wearing bronze, silver or gold-coated denim is definitely not for the faint of heart but I, for one, love the wow factor.

Wax-coated denim pairs well with a variety of tops: basic t-shirts, blazers and sweaters. The key is to tone down the rest of the pieces you wear. Waxed denim has such a "look at me" presence that it is almost an insult to overdo the rest of your outfit. Doing so can make your outfit appear as "over the top." Below are tips on what works best with waxed jeans along with recommendations on what not to pair with them:

Do's:

• A white or black burn-out t-shirt paired with waxed jeans is a casual-classic ensemble.
• The combination of a tuxedo blazer and either a simple camisole or a white oxford shirt paired with waxed jeans equal a chic evening outfit.
• An over-sized cowl-neck sweater and a pair of skinny waxed jeans is an elegant pairing for a girls' night out.
• You can't go wrong with red. Red is glorious with wax-coated gold, silver, bronze or black denim.
• Invest in a pair of black-waxed jeans. A well made pair of black-waxed jeans can look similar to leather.

Don'ts:

• Pair waxed jeans with metallic tops in the same or similar tones. A gold-top with gold-coated jeans is a fashion foul-out. The same is true for silver, bronze and so on. 
• Wear over-embellished tops and blazers with waxed jeans i.e. Just say no to the pairing of a brocade print blazer with waxed denim.

My rule: Don't let the outfit over-stage you.


Below are wax-coated jeans I loved at first sight:


Lucky Brand's Rose Gold Coated Jeans


www.LuckyBrand.com; $129; Hurry to take 25% off!



The Limited's Black Glazed Jeans

www.TheLimited.com; On Sale for $47.94

Express' Stella Silver Coated Jeans



www.express.com; On sale for $49.90



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