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Hello, fashionistas! I'm back. It's been a long winter, yeah, you betcha. But now spring comes, and I'm out of the three pairs of pants and four sweaters that comprise my Seasonal Sulking Disorder wardrobe. (A separate post, really.)
Right now it's time to talk about shoes. Specifically, spring shoes, for ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ltlbird, who recently asked me:
I haven't figured out what color shoes to wear with my pale, heather gray slacks. If wearing a dark top, black seems to work, but the other day I had on a very pale blue and green sweater. When paired with the light gray pants, the black shoes (and socks) seemed really dark and heavy, and like they were drawing attention to my feet. Brown didn't seem like it would be much better, though. I don't own a pair of white/off-white shoes, but would that be a better option? Help! :)
I guess you could, theoretically, go white. But I wouldn't... I expect white shoes would draw as much attention as the black ones, just on the other end of the spectrum. Instead of looking heavy and dark, they would look shiny and white.
There are basically four ways you can go, and I have a few modest examples from House of Crack Zappos for your consideration.
( Here be many shoes )
If anyone else has any ideas for ltlbird, or has tried any of these options, speak up. That is, if you've managed to pull your head away from Zappos yet.
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Comments: Read 14 or Add Your Own.
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Friday, September 22nd, 2006
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Audrey's Third Rule: Keep It Simple.
Now, we have this rule in creative writing, as well. It's known as the KISS rule: keep it simple, stupid. I just feel like, in fashion, we get enough abuse.
Audrey kept it simple, as we discussed previously, by sticking to basic, classic silhouettes that suited her. She also pretty much defined the rule about accessories: if you're wearing big, clunky jewelry, wear it with a relatively simple dress.
I know, it's hard to see something with that many diamonds as simple. How about trying this one. The lines on all of these dresses, however, make a simple, elegant silhouette. The principle with the "Sabrina" gown is that the fantastic gown is enough -- don't gild the lily.
Now obviously, Audrey's Hollywood style is way more red-carpet-y than most womens' wardrobes, and as a couple of you have pointed out, we don't all look like Audrey Hepburn. But the aesthetic rules of "keep it simple" are the same: ye are the lilies of the field. Don't gild the lilies.
Let me give a couple more examples from more recent red-carpet designs to show why this works.
Nicole Kidman at the 2006 Oscars, in a simple silhouette and simple color;
Charlize Theron at the 2006 Oscars, in a bright couture and hair experiment;
Nicole wins, no? And in case you think I'm only talking about The White and The Thin, here's Queen Latifah keeping it simple to show off her utterly gorgeous face and flawless skin.
Yeah, yeah, you say. Keep the lines and colors simple, don't overdo the focal points, wear simple jewelry with a complex dress and a simple dress with complex jewelry. Great. You got me. Next time I walk the red carpet, I know what to do.
Well, I don't know about you, but the only way I'm likely to get close to a red carpet anytime soon is if someone asks me to vacuum it. So how does this principle translate into real life?
It means, keep a focal point, highlighting something -- ONE THING -- about your body that you like. I think I have a nice face-to-cleavage area, but don't really want anybody noticing my belly and butt. So I put colors, jewelry, and layers up by my face, and wear interesting necklines.
You may decide you like the curve of your waist -- great chunky belts are in all the stores right now. Or your long legs -- get a fantastic pair of boots. Most women are happiest with their faces, which is why we have earrings, necklaces, and a bajillion-dollar-a-year makeup and salon industry. But if you *don't* like your face, create a different focal point. Go nude on the makeup, wear neutrals on top, and wear a gorgeous colorful skirt if you have a nice butt. Or a bunch of pretty bangles if you have good arms. Decorate the prettiest parts of you. Accessorize your confidence.
If you're fortunate enough to have many pretty parts, pick a star for each outfit. If you're not happy with *anything* on your body, go back to the first post and think about yourself, really hard. Love yourself. Try harder.
Meanwhile, play up your face. Focus on something there -- eyes or hair or smile -- and highlight it. We're naturally wired to respond to faces and to look for love in them -- let it show through.
"Keep it simple" doesn't mean you shouldn't wear fantastic ethnic styles or prints, or complex accessories. I do tend towards minimalism and solids, myself, but that's just a comfort zone. Don't be afraid to experiment -- I'm falling in love with sari prints lately, for example, and adore my dangly earrings. But if you wear something stunning or patternlicious, keep the jewelry and makeup and accessories simple. One starring role per show.
***
Meanwhile, I have a few questions for discussion -- this first from the_shoshanna:
The other day a friend gave me a skirt and a dress that no longer fit her. The skirt is like nothing I've ever worn before: heavy black wool, pleated, falling to the knee. It looks good on me (my stepdaughter applauded when I wore it yesterday), even though when I tried it on I did momentarily flash on Darla in the Catholic-schoolgirl outfit [from Buffy the Vampire Slayer].
But it does something that I used to just sigh about when my pants did it, but now that low-rise pants have entered my life I know there's an alternative, and I more than sigh, I bitch.
It rides high on my waist. When I'm standing, it's okay; a bit high, but mostly that just makes my legs look long, so yeah, not complaining. But when I sit down, the top of the waistband comes to within an inch of my bra, for god's sake! I do not want my skirt banding my ribs!
I confess, I have no expertise here -- I'm stumped. Any ideas? Has anyone else ever had this problem? It sounds very uncomfortable. Can we help her out?
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Comments: Read 10 or Add Your Own.
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Sunday, September 17th, 2006
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We'll resume regular posting later this week -- I'm on deadline for another project and haven't been able to be as attentive to this blog as I would like. But definitely something within the week.
Thanks for staying tuned in!
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Comments: Add Your Own.
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Tuesday, September 5th, 2006
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It's a very dreary wet day here in the Nation's Capital. So -- pretty pictures!
I know I'm not through all the Rules yet, but I wanted to make sure we were more or less talking about the same things as we go on.
This photoset shows most of the terms we've been throwing around, especially with regard to tops and dresses. (We'll do pants and skirts later.)
Also, I expect we'll get to talking about color: what colors fit each fashion season, what colors we can wear confidently, etc. There's a link to some good color swatches here. Generally I've found that most women gravitate toward the 'right" colors for them without much guidance, but go ahead and check it out. While the website design is annoying, the swatches are pretty. :)
Finally, body shape. This Just My Size site has the four that they run into with plus size women, and some suggestions for dressing. There's also the so-called "rectangle" or "bean" shape, where a woman is not curvy at all, but equally thin all the way up and down. (ETA: jacquez points out that there's a much better guide at Igigi.com, but right now their site is down.)
I'll keep updating the picture dictionary as we go on -- speak up if something's amiss, or you always wanted to know what a bubble skirt looks like.
More to come soon!
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Comments: Read 29 or Add Your Own.
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Tuesday, August 29th, 2006
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I keep seeing so many outfits I want to deconstruct with all of you -- but we have to be orderly, don't we, and get through the rules first?
All right. But please, for the love of -- everything: gentlemen, pleated pants do you no good. ( Pleated pants make the Baby Jesus cry. )
***
Anyway -- on to Audrey's Rule No. 2.
(2) You're the best expert on your own body.
Even if you're lucky enough to have a world-class designer pick you as his muse (like Audrey and Givenchy), you still have to be the final authority of what goes on your body. Audrey approved Givenchy's designs and worked with him closely. She knew what colors and styles looked good on her and she stuck to them. Very few Givenchy styles for Audrey Hepburn varied away from black, white, or barely saturated pastels. Everything was tailored to within an inch of its life. And Givenchy created the boat-neck "Sabrina" neckline because Audrey didn't like her collarbones.
When styles changed -- and they always will, because a designer's job is to sell you new clothes -- Audrey stuck to her basics. She sought out pieces that shared essential qualities -- the higher neck, the tailored cut, the empire and full waists that gave her a slight illusion of curviness. She only deviated when she was making a real splash -- and it was clear that she was deviating, usually with a bold color that she didn't normally wear.
Now if you're an actress/activist with your own designer, you're usually colluding in creating a new look for every season, because the last thing you want to do (unless it's the 1970s and you're Audrey Hepburn) is to look like last week's news. This is *why* famous people put up with papparazzi, because they can't afford to become boring. But you knew that.
The line Audrey tread -- sticking to her fashion rules while never being boring -- is a fine one. She was a genius at it, and even she didn't always succeed. (This dress from the 1980s, for example, would have gotten her Fugged quicker than you can say "Devo," had Go Fug Yourself existed at the time.)
But here at audreys_secret, we attempt the ideal! So.
"Sticking to your fashion guns" does not mean that you can stick to your timeless, classic mom jeans and your nubbly ol' college sweatshirt. (Not outside the house, anyway. We'll talk about "home clothes" later.) It doesn't mean that you can wear the same outfit three times a week and hope that no one notices. And it certainly doesn't let the women of my hometown off the hook for their tunics, leggings, and big weasel hair.
What it does mean: you can consider carefully what's out there before having to put it on your body. You can build a basic wardrobe of pieces that are good for you, and let the trends of the season swing in the breeze.... or snap them up when they suit you.
And it means you're in control, even when the gurus and I tell you what length of hemline you should be wearing. You don't have to listen. Sometimes Fashion is Just Wrong. (Since I started mucking about in fashion, I've worn a lot of wrong.... but now I can tell you *why* it's wrong, which is a step in the right direction.)
Anyway. Notice that the two "guns" Audrey stuck to were cut and color. These are the two fixed poles around which you can build a singular style -- one that can be maintained easily and updated with just a few changes.
Audrey's cuts were a high neckline, fitted waist, and either short pants or a full skirt -- both of which create the illusion of a derriere that she didn't really have. This drew the attention up toward her lovely face -- she was so thin that anything in the faux boob department would have looked ridiculous -- but still gave her a very femme (rather than boyish) silhouette.
Her colors were black, white, cream, barely-saturated pastels, and occasionally a bright shiny crayon color for effect. She favored big, elaborate necklaces and accessories that brought the attention to her face (Breakfast at Tiffany's, anyone), and low heels that didn't elongate her already elongated figure.
In other words, she played to her strengths and didn't let anyone put her in clothes that would have looked better on Katherine (swoon) Hepburn. She dressed the body she had, and she didn't let anybody try to shove her into, say, cap sleeves. Or, oh, skorts.
(Oh, wait. That's me, not her. I think Audrey may have worn a cap sleeve in her life. But I'd be damned if anyone finds photo evidence of her in a skort.)
The point is -- find out what looks good. Build your basics from there. There's always a fashion home plate, a reset button you can return to. Figure out what that is and you will always look good, even if you have to be BFF with a clothing designer to get what you want (but hopefully, just a department store will do).
Anyway. Next time, I'll go through some of the basics of color, cut, and body shape, for anybody who needs the review. And then we'll make it to rule #3.
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Comments: Read 39 or Add Your Own.
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Thursday, August 24th, 2006
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So what is Audrey's Secret, anyway?
Audrey, as in actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn, was a style icon throughout her lifetime; her signature look still has them panting in the aisles, 50 years later.
Looking at her fashion success, I can derive three rules that serve as the guiding principles for my own forays into the world of fashion:
(1) Dress the body you have.
(2) You're the best expert on your own body.
(3) Keep it simple.
With that in mind, then, a little elaboration on the rules before we start looking at examples of people who get it right and people who have to go back to the drawing board.
(1) Dress the body you have.
When Audrey Hepburn started out in the world of entertainment, she was considered too tall to be a ballet dancer and too thin to be a fashion model. Audrey was just one of those women who couldn't gain weight for trying, and in the era of Marilyn Monroe, TPTB thought she looked too waiflike and insubstantial: gamine, they said, and that word means "like a street urchin shy of a couple hot meals."
(Which, in her defense, she was. The only problem with Audrey's role as a style icon is that women are still trying to look like a woman who spent her developing years in WWII Belgium, trying not to die of malnutrition.)
Since Hepburn's body is now the ideal, we may play the World's Smallest Violin and not feel a lot of genuine sympathy. But Hepburn took gamine and made it something desirable when Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe were the curvy darlings of fashion. How'd she pull it off?
For one thing, she knew that fashions change faster than you can say "charge-that-to-my-Visa," and that if thin wasn't in, there wasn't much she could do about that: she had to dress the body she had.
Dressing the body you have means not wasting money on "ten-pound" skirts, or attaching yourself to an attractive number somewhere in your past or future (like 140 lbs., or size 8, or whatever). Love the body you have now, and learn to dress it well.
Love the body you have. It's a tall order. Women, and increasingly men, have been taught to focus on their flaws, and to lack compassion for themselves. The best fashion advice we get from the mighty Clinton Kelly and Stacy London of What Not to Wear is that we can hide the parts of our bodies that we hate.
Well, that'll work, up to a point. It's a great fashion technique, and we'll do a lot of that here. But I'd like to try and go a step further. Try thinking of your body's flaws as you would of a good friend's idiosyncracies. Like: "Edwina's always late for everything, but she's the life of the party." Or, "Eustace speaks his mind, but he's got a really good heart."
Pretty easy, right? Let's try it with our friend Audrey's looks, now. "She's awfully skinny, but she has the prettiest eyes." Still easy.
So try it on yourself. "I've got weird ____ (elbows, tits, calves, whatever), but I've got a great ____ (butt, smile, pair of biceps, whatever)." It's a little harder, but give it a shot.
Now. Pretend you really, truly love Edwina or Eustace or Audrey -- so much that you don't even notice their idiosyncracies anymore:
"Edwina's the life of the party."
"Eustace has a really good heart."
"Audrey has the prettiest eyes."
And from there, logically:
"God, I've got a great ass."
That's how you learn to love the body you have, right now.
Try practicing. I'll wait.
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Comments: Read 23 or Add Your Own.
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cheerful.
creative.
busy.
okay.
artistic.
excited.
