Summer Fashion on the Downtown Streets of New York City

Wonder what’s in fashion on the stylish streets of NYC? As temperatures reach a scorching 90* tank tops with short shorts or flippy skirts, and dresses, some long, mostly short in all shapes and colors prevail. And colors it is! Of course there are a number of black ensembles, but I was surprised how much head to toe white is worn, (I know it’s totally on trend this summer, but in the dirty streets of NYC? You’re blush nail polish is gray in a few days.) Primary brights in bold hues of red, yellow, green and blue are popular as are stripes. Some subtle patterns and tonal hues in beige and tobacco brown look cool and comfortable.

Style definitely matters depending what neighborhood you are in. In the Meat Packing District, where I constantly ask, can everybody be a trustafarian (a.k.a. trust fund heir, ) the guys and gals at Pastis looks like they just rolled out of bed and threw on the nearest shorts and t-shirts. Later in the afternoon, unique artsy pairings of skirts or dresses with chunky sandals step out. Occasionally you spot a well dressed mother and daughter on an afternoon shopping outing. (I was a freshman in High School last time my mother took me shopping.)

On the north side of SoHo, starting at West Broadway women in their summer bright shifts are put together well with designer handbags, stylish flats or wedge heel sandals. On the weekends you can easily spot the Jersey girls as they are overdone with hair, makeup and jewelry. True downtown girls look put together without trying too hard. Make up is minimal and hair is tousled up.

As you venture south past Mercer towards Broadway, the crowds thicken and the variety and casualness of outfits changes. Some unattractive, but you can easily spot a hip, put together scruffy look, especially at 8:30 am when people are scurrying to work. Ballet flats are as ubiquitous as strappy flat sandals with breezy dresses.

Cross LaFayette and you can eat in Balaboosta, one of NoLita’s finest restaurants in shorts, tank tops & flip flops, and that’s women as well as men. I’ve worn more makeup to yoga than I did this afternoon running errands. I looked cute in a royal blue wife-beater, black flippy skirt and multi-colored Havaianas. No jewelry, just lip gloss, hiding behind my sunglasses. No one really pays attention to anyone else. Even at night on the weekends, anything goes downtown. I guess you’re only dressing to impress your friends, your spouse, or most important, yourself! All this being said, it will be a totally different picture next week, uptown at the McQueen exhibit at The Met.

Summer Fashion on the Downtown Streets of New York City

Wonder what’s in fashion on the stylish streets of NYC? As temperatures reach a scorching 90* tank tops with short shorts or flippy skirts, and dresses, some long, mostly short in all shapes and colors prevail. And colors it is! Of course there are a number of black ensembles, but I was surprised how much head to toe white is worn, (I know it’s totally on trend this summer, but in the dirty streets of NYC? You’re blush nail polish is gray in a few days.) Primary brights in bold hues of red, yellow, green and blue are popular as are stripes. Some subtle patterns and tonal hues in beige and tobacco brown look cool and comfortable.

Style definitely matters depending what neighborhood you are in. In the Meat Packing District, where I constantly ask, can everybody be a trustafarian (a.k.a. trust fund heir, ) the guys and gals at Pastis looks like they just rolled out of bed and threw on the nearest shorts and t-shirts. Later in the afternoon, unique artsy pairings of skirts or dresses with chunky sandals step out. Occasionally you spot a well dressed mother and daughter on an afternoon shopping outing. (I was a freshman in High School last time my mother took me shopping.)

On the north side of SoHo, starting at West Broadway women in their summer bright shifts are put together well with designer handbags, stylish flats or wedge heel sandals. On the weekends you can easily spot the Jersey girls as they are overdone with hair, makeup and jewelry. True downtown girls look put together without trying too hard. Make up is minimal and hair is tousled up.

As you venture south past Mercer towards Broadway, the crowds thicken and the variety and casualness of outfits changes. Some unattractive, but you can easily spot a hip, put together scruffy look, especially at 8:30 am when people are scurrying to work. Ballet flats are as ubiquitous as strappy flat sandals with breezy dresses.

Cross LaFayette and you can eat in Balaboosta, one of NoLita’s finest restaurants in shorts, tank tops & flip flops, and that’s women as well as men. I’ve worn more makeup to yoga than I did this afternoon running errands. I looked cute in a royal blue wife-beater, black flippy skirt and multi-colored Havaianas. No jewelry, just lip gloss, hiding behind my sunglasses. No one really pays attention to anyone else. Even at night on the weekends, anything goes downtown. I guess you’re only dressing to impress your friends, your spouse, or most important, yourself! All this being said, it will be a totally different picture next week, uptown at the McQueen exhibit at The Met.

Spring Fashion Trends - what looks good now

Spring is in the air - (sorry Chgo pals who just experienced snow accumulation this week.) Deciphering fashion trends is always a challenge so it’s time to review what’s hot , and I’ll share the trends I’m embracing this season.

First and foremost, I hate to remind you but I will, that it is up to us as individuals to identify trends that suit your body, look, comfort and lifestyle. For Spring 2011, I am replacing black with white or taupey/tan tops and 70’s flare jean or the wide leg trouser jean for a more sophisticated look; topped with a stripe tee is crisp and “smart,” and the look can dabble into the color-blocking craze. I love the look of color blocking, mixing bold bright separates, but for me I opt to use accessories, a bright purple messenger bag or red sandals as a means to express the trend. Honeysuckle (a.k.a. a light version of orange) is ubiquitous as is chartreuse formerly know as a yellow-ish pea green. Teal is also popular and seems to look good on a variety of skin-tones. If you aren’t up for mixing two or three of the brights together, they all pop and look great with white. Viola, you can embrace the color blocking trend in a moderate way. Also, all three colors are really fun in your pedicure (all at once if that’s your thing!) I’m sporting Orly Calypso Blue.

Long and lean silhouettes in the form of casual long dresses or skirts, most likely with flat sandals punctuate day or night. And on the contrary, ladylike full skirts or dresses with full skirts and tapered bodices are most appropriate when you want to step it up a bit with a kitten heel or strappy sandal high heel. It’s an easy time to show off bold pattern or florals, especially in halter dresses and tops as long as you can wear them; I can’t so cie la vie. (But I do have a new flowy sheer blouson top in bright hues of purple, teal and mint green on white, just for fun.) Dolman sleeves are on trend, but you have to have the right shape to pull it off well.

As for any trend, when in doubt, don’t do it. Spring is the perfect time to lighten your load, try something new, or alter your standard look just ever so slightly. Remember, being comfortable in your own skin, (shoes, jeans, etc.) is the most flattering element of style.

Perfecting the No Make-up Make-up Look

For some reason I have found myself in several conversations about perfecting the “No Make-Up” make-up look. Maybe it’s because in mid-February, our skin is long past the aid of any sun-kissed healthy glow.

I start with a a vitamin C topical followed by 20 -30 SPF moisturizer. Everybody knows to use SPF everyday, rain or shine, right? I always wear foundation (with SPF) on my nose covering up lifelong rosacea, as well as under eye concealer. On the eyelid I swipe Trish McEvoy liquid cream eye base from lashes to brow, or a whoosh of eye shadow powder very close to my skin color. I smudge a soft powder, like gray or plum as a liner, careful not to be too obvious and extend too far out from the outer corner of the eye. Depending on where I’m going, I might dab a soft cream blush on the apple of the cheeks; subtle lip gloss and go. My main goal is to avoid mascara, for some friends and many beauty editors, mascara the one and only weapon required. Oh and eyebrows - again, depending on where I am going, I extend my right eyebrow a tiny bit with Anastasia brow powder - it’s a trick I learned from the bartenders at the W Hotel pool bar in Ft Lauderdale: they all had minimal makeup for warm humid days, yet they all had perfect eyebrows making their eyes stand out.

In print it seems like a lot of work, but in reality it’s a fast, simple application that keeps you from looking like death warmed over, and scaring not only your gym or yoga mates, the neighbor you might bump into, but most important, not scaring yourself in the mirror.

Holiday Fashion - Wondering what to wear?

Holiday fashion - What a difference a year makes - well not really for this holiday party season, yawn. The December fashion mags are full of uninspiring looks that ring a bell similar to last year - sequins.

Through a minute of analysis, I can report the main difference between this year’s sequins and last year’s sequins is color. Last year, in addition to a lot of black, merry brights in cobalt blue, emerald green and bright red popped at holiday parties. This year the hues are more tarnished gold or silver black metallics. I did see a skirt by Vince shown with a taupe cashmere sweater that I was tempted to buy, but alas, we have no holiday parties this year. (It sold out fast, then I saw other versions at J Crew, etc. and was quickly over it.) There was a stunning burnished gold sequin dress at Elli Tahari in SoHo, similar to the Nanette Lapore dress I lusted over in Vegas, and then saw a friend wearing - all that was last year. Last weekend a holiday party-gal wore a black sequin cropped jacket, and I’m sorry it looked tacky. At Scoop NYC in the Meat Packing District a small boutique was devoted to sequins and I left shuddering.

So what would I wear given the opportunity this holiday season? A flirty LBD is always smart and sophisticated and doesn’t have to be safe. I’d glam it up with sparkly jewelry be it diamonds, rubies, emeralds or sapphires, real or faux. Another option: a figure flattering dress in jewel tone hues plum, burgundy, evergreen, or the upscale au courant navy, all with metallic bag and shoes. The Christian Louboutin boutique, also in the MPD, had a scrumptious array of sparkling, glittering sky high pumps. A few styles with hard core spikes that surely would be a conversation piece, if you have the nerve. (Btw, I was a bit concerned that Jeffrey’s MPD had severely reduced their women’s shoe department in both selection as well as space, replaced with more clothing and to accommodate a Chanel boutique in the front.)

All this is not to say that sequins aren’t “in.” As was last year, they are ubiquitous at all prices, shapes and sizes. I just think there’s a different way to shine this holiday season. Cheers!

Fall Fashion direct from the streets of Italy

Nothing could cause a fashionista more hyper-ventilating than window shopping and people watching the streets of Verona, Florence and Rome, Italy last week. The chunky Italian knits were luscious in hues of warm, taupey-grey, black and hints of plum. Layers and draping of scarves and sweaters filled the windows. In Verona, it was cool enough for many women to sport a chunky wrap over a suit jacket with trousers.

Everyone was "dressed," going somewhere. Most surprising were the ladies in leather. Not the images of rock star leather on clubbing Millennials, but sophisticated, tasteful, supple, rich mostly black leather jackets, trousers, and A-line skirts often on ladies even older than me.

Then of course there were the boots. Boots, boots, boots. Knee high, many over-the- knee (on women of all ages!) mid-calf, and some ankle. All FLAT heels for the walking class - in each city, Verona, Florence & Rome, the streets are varied cobblestone so flat heels are a must. A lot of brown hues worn with denim or black, some gray, and of course black boots. In an ignorant a-ha moment, of course the Italian shoe manufacturers have beautiful high quality goods in all price ranges. The difference from the US - we have inexpensive leather options that look and feel inexpensive and high end (shipped in from Italy.) Yes, we looked in every store window, and no I didn't buy any -but there was one pair I woulda, coulda, shoulda.

Last but not least, the accessory of the moment: all things leopard whether it is a bag, a scarf, a shoe, a vest, a coat. Not as tacky as you might think. Fun.

Choose Your Style

As the new season rolls into stores, I found myself in a quandary - so many styles, so many looks, too much to choose from. The most important element of style is staying true to yourself, not following every trend because ”they” say so. Think long and hard about what you do in day to day life - invest in pieces that you will wear often. When you open your closet, what color palette is most prominent? Black, neutrals, earth-tones, or a rainbow of colors? Given a choice, which would you rather wear? A pair of jeans and a t-shirt with funky accessories; a sleek top & modern cut pant; a unique jacket with trousers; a flirty dress?

Look at the fashion magazines. If Vogue and Bazaar seem daunting to interpret, start with InStyle Magazine. They break trends down by what to wear for what occasion, and different body types. More Magazine also features realistic style for curvy figures. Tear out looks you like, and looks you do not like. Sort images by similarities. Is there is one outfit, or a key piece you want to go get? Can you imagine where you will wear it, and how you will feel wearing it? Look at the pile of styles you don’t like, no matter what the trend reports say, or how inexpensive it gets markdown to - don’t buy it.

To avoid shopping mistakes, and worse, wearing mistakes, it’s important to identify your style personality, or two, and stick to it. To learn more, check out one of my favorite books, I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style by Amanda Brooks. If you can’t sort it out, ask a fashionable friend or seek professional help.