Classic style

Wearing sundresses at work all last week opened my eyes to a few things.

First, the key to a good sundress generally is its washability; those dry cleaning chemicals never really get that summer smell out. Second, the key to a good sundress for getting to and from work is its loose-fitting breathability; with soaring temperatures and 100% humidity, you start to sweat as soon as you're outdoors and you don't want your clothes sticking to you. Lastly, the key to a good sundress to wear in a corporate setting is its classic lines; none of the flowery, low-cut, bright frilly dresses that you wore as a kid - you want something more elegant.

One such dress that I own is a 1950s black (yes black, I needn't go through that again) with very small polka dots. Skinny straps, straight line across the top, full skirt, fits like it was made for me. I've owned it forever - it's one of my oldest pieces of clothing that I still have and wear (my Jonathan Logan brown knit "monk" dress that was given to me by a coworker at my first job comes in a close second).

I bought the sundress years ago in Tucson, Arizona at a thrift store. Each time I wear it I remember buying it with my sister. (My sister actually waited outside - she's always refused to shop at a thrift store and didn't even want to be seen in one.) Each time I wear the dress I think of that day. In all the years that I've owned it, the only thing I've had to do to care for it is hem it a couple of times - it goes in the washer and the dryer and doesn't even wrinkle!

It was a classic before it got to me, and it's a classic in my lifetime. It also cheers me to think that on occasion in the past, I felt good enough about myself to buy a piece of clothing that not only fit me but looked great on me - and still does! Wait until I tell my therapist!

Who knew what you could do with a hair iron?

And a little bit o' makeup, of course.

So with a new cheery hairstyle, I can face the likelihood of cutbacks at work at least looking good. Yes, the economy and the dollar and the mortgage crisis and the price of oil not to mention the latest war the US can't get out of have finally caused my company to make some staffing cuts. All to be expected. It's a great company, nonetheless.

In fact, at my company, I was able to donate my old suits (remember those that never fit me and never looked good on me?) to a group that collects them and distributes them to women's shelters where women take training to enter/re-enter the work force. So somewhere, this summer, some woman is looking better than I ever did in my old Laura Ashley blue linen suit (bought in Britain and lined, no less) working at her job and possibly hoping that I will not lose mine.

My friend S has forwarded me some information so that you too can donate old suits (and blouses, shoes, handbags and jewelry) to women in need who are being trained to get office jobs. And if you're not in NYC, look for a local group that serves the same purpose and send your old suits there!

Bottomless Closet NYC, 545 Eighth Ave. b/t 37th and 38th Sts., 12th Fl.; Drop-off times: M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or call (212-563-2499) for special arrangements.

(I told you that S was good!)

Recycled coutre

Interesting link sent to me about clothes made with recycled materials, including shopping bags knitted together and aluminum tabs from cans sewn into a handbag. (S, take note! You could make some of these pieces!) Most interesting to me, however, was the dress and headpiece made of old brackets, wires, crowns and braces from an orthodontist practice. (I'm not sure whether "old" also means "used" and I really don't want to know.)

http://captivate-indulge.blogspot.com/2008/07/eco-fashion-clothes-made-of-recycled.html

If only I had talent, like S, I could end the ordeal of my braces at the same time as the ordeal of hiatus and wear something new, albeit metal and plastic and formerly attached to my teeth.

And wouldn't that look good tomorrow with my new hair style!

Fashion is as Fashion does

Writer's block coupled with 242 days of not shopping! What's a girl to do? Especially one who also has had braces on her teeth for 188 days and hasn't had her hair styled in over a year.

Well, she goes to get her hair styled of course! Especially after realizing that each of these points of deprivation include the extra day for the 2008 leap year. (Who knew? There was no set plan here!) So rather than wait for the hiatus to end and the braces to come off to begin the glam session, I've decided to try out a cool new hairdresser in a couple of days and get some style added to the 6" of hair that's grown over the past year. Fashion is about style and this includes hair style and I am giving myself a well deserved break.

Blogsters, I made no promises about the hair.

Beg Borrow or Swap

My friend S (the good one, remember?) finished her year of not shopping a few months ago. She hasn't returned to any heavy duty shopping and remarked to me that she missed hiatus. It seems like it's harder for her now to shop for something simple and easy that fits and is affordable. She recently discovered this while getting ready for traveling and wanting a simple black or brown sleeveless dress that doesn't wrinkle when folded and is comfortable to wear dressed down or up, but not being able to find anything that was just right.

Hiatus is almost like having to wear a school uniform (not at the GG school uniform requires the same socks, shoes and headwear) - when you're required to wear it without deviation, you don't have to fret about anything else except a clean pair of underwear. And even that is optional.

Anyway, S provided a link to a clothes-swapping site - http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/talkin-swap.
It's a cool idea and will become more and more trendy as the world economy tanks. Friends like S in NYC have organized these swap meets for years and even if you just show up to drink, you have a good time. Leftovers go to charity.

The dress that S is looking for does exist! I have one in my wardrobe! (Remember that I wrote about the little black dress I wear all summer -June 11 - Must Haves.) Sounds like its time to go back to the days of clothes borrowing.

Gossip Girl Goo

Once again a television show is said to dictate the dress code for the American female - "Gossip Girls" seems to be for teens what SATC was for 30-somethings.

I've not watched GG, but my research tells me that it's like Gwyneth Paltrow's school years set in the present. And let's not forget that the mother of Apple and Moses was Brad Pitt's first celebrity fiancé. (I'm not sure that fits in here, but I had to see that in print.) My research also tells me that it's driving those NYC-upper-east-side-private-girl-school-wannabes to shop for the styles that GG creates or brings back.

I've no problem with the hoopla about GG and the fashion, but I take issue with the series actually taking credit for "creating" style or "bringing back" items. Please! Everyone knows that old becomes new again and it's all an issue of timing. So GG smartly links with the teen lines of hot designers (ie, Marc by Marc Jacobs) and suddenly, it's new again thanks to GG!

For the record, GG did not bring back knee socks or argyle in any form. I remember tearing up Topshop in London 4 years ago looking (fruitlessly) for knee socks. No joke, not a pair to be had. Of course, now they're all over the place. (I found mine the following month at Century 21 in NYC and occasionally still wear them even though GG has made them hideously trendy. I even scored a sexy thigh high pair as well.) And I've a 6-year old cashmere sleeveless argyle jumper complete with buttons up the neck - now also unwearable because argyle has been made too common by GG. But GG did not bring argyle back!

Does this mean I'm a trendsetter? Ahead of my time? A fashionista with her own sense of style?

I'd like to think so, but it's more like Prince's response to Justin Timberlake's release of the album, "Sexy's Back" - it never left.

Reds Whites and Blues

Happy (belated) Canada Day and Fourth of July and an early happy Bastille Day!

How do we celebrate these days of independence and nationalism besides the trips to the cottages, beach houses and country? Well of course we take boats on the lake, BBQ, watch fireworks, and shop! As one advertisement stated: "shopping is patriotic!"

These days especially.

The US government's tax rebate incentive given this year was given to stimulate the economy, meaning that people are being encouraged to spend that money. And the money is being given out during these patriotic days! (Unfortunately for the US government, the money likely will be spent on filling up car gasoline tanks and not cute summer outfits, but in this economy, spend is spend.)

With me still not spending on clothes - I even made it through the start of the July sales in London despite some stores' attempts (Selfridges, Burberry - you know who you are!) to start the sale in June - I feel lucky to abstain from the green aspect of this red, white and blue holiday period.

Enjoy your patriotic days however you deem best!