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A few weeks ago, Dani BP, our Mop Philosopher extraordinaire, wrote a beautiful post about having style sisters. Dani - I cannot for the life of me find it on your blog or I would have linked back to it!
My late mother did not much care for clothes. My older sister does not care for clothes either. Thus, my sense of style has been gleaned by watching others and reading the odd book and making my own way in the world. My information has likewise been cobbled together.
I have always wanted some sisters whom I could go to and ask some basic questions.
To that end, I have decided that from time to time, I will take a day and ask you all for some basic style information that you all seem to know, but which evades me or which I have always wondered about!
I am hoping there is no judgement and that you will pass along your information joyfully, in the aid of helping me and any other confused souls like me!
Okay! Today's questions:
1) Ballet flats in late fall/winter - are they okay to wear with tights? What about in the dead of winter with jeans - do you go barefoot in your boots and then slip these on at the dinner party????????
2) how do you make those damn bra strap things in tops stay put when they aren't on the hanger????
3) How do you hang your trousers and jeans? Or do you?
I look forward to your great advice!!!!!
And now, it is time for the blues... The Blues are a good thing and this week I am channelling the blues...
One of my guilty pleasures is Diana Ross' movies. Give me "Lady Sings The Blues" or "Mahogany" any day and I will lap it up like a lost soul in the desert who has just found the oasis!
This week is also Fredericton's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival (visit their website here.) It is amazingly fun with lots of great music - the whole town comes alive with music and street performers. In honour of the blues, thought I would dig out some blue outfits! If only I had a feather boa like Diana!
A recent weekend outfit of the day. Periwinkle blue Jackie twin set and navy minnies with lulu glitter ballets, all jcrew.
Same sweater, Joe Fresh Dress, Aldo pumps, J crew pearl necklace. Gosh - I may wear blue all week, a la my friend AJC!
and the little purse I drug with me:
Aldo - not real, but then you knew that - but cute!
And finally, the roses I got for my anniversary Friday:
Happy Humpday all!!!
That blue is stunning on you, I love the twinset and the dress And cardigan.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny about the ballet pumps, in winter even with tights, I find them a no no outdoors, my feet just seem too close to the ground in them!
That's what I think, too, which is why I am switching to loafers this year! But I have seen others wear them! I actually had fun with my questions! I am sure I will have more!
DeleteI gotta say, that $39 Joe Fresh Dress is the most comfortable dress I have ever owned. I am tempted to go back for the black version. so much more flattering than the Jules dress....
I am on the hunt for loafers, are there any you recommend?
DeleteI am looking, too, Cate! I have a leopard print pair from Aldo and I just ordered the Toni Tassle loafers on sale - I hope they come this week and I will do a review!! I have a fabulous pair of Cole Haan black patent penny loafers that I love as well...
DeleteI kind of love those Toni Tassle loafers, but I have not tried them on. I would love to see your review of them! Thanks for the recs!
DeleteCate - will post a review as soon as they arrive!!!
DeleteWMM thanks for the nice words Darling, I think I must have put that post in draft form when I tore through my blog with an eye towards some editing a couple of weeks ago. I'll re-post it this morning. It is so fun to have found all of you Style Sisters out here in the blog world!
ReplyDeleteSo the ballet flats in winter, well I've stopped wearing them completely as they hurt my feet so badly, and I'm with Tabs the feet are too close to the ground in them to be comfy in cold weather methinks. Can they be worn with tights? Well it depends, if the tights bunch up around the ankles that wouldn't be a good look.
I fold jeans and hang trousers.
I often snip out those bra strap things as I find them so irritating. But you know me, grumptastic about my clothes!
Hey did you see the new arrivals? What did you like?
Oh and I also love your blue outfits, stunning color on you, I love these fresh clear bright shades on you, the blue and also that raspberry pink.
Thanks Dani - I have thought of snipping, but then always stop myself!
DeleteI have one pair of ballets that are truly comfortable, the rest are meh.. That is why I am moving to loafers with a slight heel..
I fold jeans and hang trousers, too!
Thanks for the compliment! I love these shades and I am channelling AJC and wearing blue all week. I am having fun! Will post another picture later today with some JC new rollout picks, if I can find some... :-)
You look wonderful in blue!
ReplyDeleteI always wear socks with my flats, that's why I don't like any flats that shoe toe cleavage (just doesn't look right unless you wear those barefoot). For late fall and winter I prefer a wedge and wear those with knee highs or something similar. I am not sure that I understand the bra straps question. I fold my jeans and hang my pants on those hangars with clips:)
Thanks A! With all these compliments I am thinking of even painting my face blue and joining the blue man group!!!
DeleteThanks for the advice!
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ReplyDeleteLove the blue outfits! I understand your questions because I don't have sisters either and I never have anyone to bounce fashion thoughts off of.
ReplyDeleteI only hang my dressier pants, the rest I fold in half and they lay flat. This is for lack of closet real estate; I would hang them all if I could. When I hang pants, I use a skirt hanger and clamp them at the waistband.
Ballet flats, for me, aren't the most useful shoes around. In winter, I choose not to wear them. I don't think they would look right with tights or socks. I could see bringing them along to change into at your destination when you've worn winter boots, but I would wear them without socks or tights. But I am not very stylish and I am sure others can give you better advice :)
cate - you are SO stylish! I always go with my gut, but my gut is often wrong...
DeleteWhat buggers me up is all of those style magazines that shoot people in warmer climates! Very shortly, there will be a foot of snow and I will wearing my UGG mittens again!
See when it's warm, I want sandals or flip-flops, and when it's cold, I want boots. There are very few in-between days that I want to wear ballet flats, for some reason. I can't figure it out. So I'm going to try some loafers in my quest for answers :)
DeleteI am all about boots now myself... I found the best pair of short suede boots. That will be another style question wednesday! I will need some help! I think I am too conservative and I always need some help to amp it up a bit!
DeleteWell, since you asked:
ReplyDeleteI don't wear flat shoes. I need the support of a real shoe, and my face looks better when my feet don't hurt, and I find that even a slight lift makes my posture and the "rear view" generally better. Even my sneakers have a wedge heel. I don't limit myself to old lady shoes, although I love lace-up shoes with pants. There are plenty of sexy scrappy sandals that have one strap that crosses the arch area so the shoe feels good...
Bra strap thingies - mine behave, so you're on your own.
Pants: I hang all of my pants. I prefer to hang them by the cuff, with clips, so that the heaviest part - the waist assembly - is at the bottom, and gravity can work on the little wrinkles and preserve a crease where necessary. I use the clip hangers, sometimes the ones that take 5 at a time. However, some fabrics do better if the pants are folded in the middle and hung on a regular hanger. I'm not doctrinaire about this.
Where I'm crazy - I never never hang anything knit!
WFF - thanks! what is your best heel height???
DeleteI have not tried to hang by the cuffs, but if it saves ironing, I am there!
The knits can be a challenge. I just bought a sweater that has a silk panel in back - I know it sounds, odd, but wait till you see it... - to hang or fold? right now it is hanging on a padded hanger...
Oops that was STRAPPY.
DeleteHeel heights - range of 1.5 to 3 inches, depends on the build of the rest of the shoe.
Hi WMM - those blues look lovely on you! I especially love the periwinkle - I have a pashmina in that colour.
ReplyDeleteQuestions: 1. Ballet flats - I don't have any, they look so uncomfortable, so sorry, no help at all. 2. Bra strap thingies - I also don't really know what your talking about, so also no help. 3. Trousers and jeans - aha, here I have an answer! I hang them on special trouser hangers, from the cuff end like wellfedfred.
By the way, my husband's brother and family used to live in Fredericton and I always liked it very much. I think it's got a lot of great features - uni, something historical, nice neighbourhoods, a river running through it ... I wouldn't have minded at all if we had gotten a posting at the army base there.
Well patricia, I wish you had been posted here as then I would have a style sister close by! Dani also used to live in NB - what fun we would have!
DeleteI have REALLY flat feet, so ballet are not a problem typically, though not as comfortable as a 2" heel for me.
Off to buy more hangers...
CLOSET CONUNDRUMS: WMM, ROTFL re. Blue Lady Group and your perfect ensemble. TMI but you can't join them as they are known for treating their back-of-house poorly, low pay issues etc. This has come up in both union cities like Toronto, on cruise ships and regularly in Vegas where they keep having to move theatres.
ReplyDeleteI also hang trousers/ pants by cuff like WFF. You can also use a skirt hanger rack, just slide the two clips together and add some clips or clothes pins if you need to for wide cuffs. Jeans, cords and minnies get folded in half on a pant hanger with 5 swing out arms that I got from Winners. This saves a good bit of space and I can see all the colours I have.
If you mean the long fabric hanger loops I snip those out. I expect I am in the minority, but I actually sew bra stap holders (the short ones with the snap/popper) into many of my shells that don't come with them. I have sloping shoulders, my old office was boiling at times but fairly formal, so only way I could comfortably take off my jacket and not worry about slide. You can do this easily with thick embroidery floss for the "string" and small stitches. Just sew the fabric side of the snap to the shoulder seam allowance so you don't hurt any fine fabrics. As for ballet slippers, I grew up in the Caribbean and despise heavy shoes at times, so I wear them barefoot indoors year-round with trousers only (don't thinks socks or tights would look right.) I am also sixes-and-sevens with N.A. custom of shoes off in houses, so I wear socks with my boots to other's door and then fold the socks into my shoe bag or the pouch from a pair of those Gap foldable leather flats and tuck that in top of my boots.
BTW I was born in Fredericton (Nashwaaksis) and although I don't get back often (rest of fam. in NS) it's always great to see the changes.
Damn! Well that leaves me to only run away and join the circus!
DeleteGreat advice! Ah the sewing in of bra strap holders is a great idea! A couple of the J Crew camis have those built in, but they are sadly a rarity!
That is a good question too - shoes off in the house. In my house, the answer is no, except winter and rainy mucky days...
Wow - could this be 6 degrees of New Brunswick??? we will soon find out that Tabs dated a rock star from here (well not sure if there is a rock star from here....)
WMM, I wear ballet flats year round and I can't think of any reason they couldn't be worn with tights! Obviously I don't wear them when there is snow on the ground, but every other time I do. Yes, I have been known to wear uggs or whatever and then change into my ballet flats when I get to work or wherever.
ReplyDeleteAlways snip those stupid loops, unless it is a heavy top that needs them to hold itself up or risk stressing the seams!
I hang dress pants that'd get wrinkled if folded, and fold jeans, cords, and chinos. I do what WFF does - hang them by the cuffs. Works quite nicely!
You look fabulous in blue! And I looove your aldo pumps. Such a pretty color :)
Thanks so much JD! Okay - I am a convert of the cuff hang!
DeleteIn the winter I wear boots into work and then change into whatever shoes I'm wearing in the office. If I'm going out somewhere (where I can't change my shoes upon arrival) then I usually just wear boots or shoes with tights if there is no snow/slush on the ground. I think ballet flats can be worn with tights as long as the tights don't bunch around the ankles.
ReplyDeleteI always, always cut those little fabric loops out of clothing and I have never once regretted it.
Thanks Caitlin! I have, for some reason, never thought of snipping those suckers! I am obviously too timid!
DeleteI don't wear ballet flats, so I can't help you there.
ReplyDeleteI cut out those loops, if that is what you are talking about. They are annoying.
Years ago I got a set of Boomerang hangers from IKEA. When I looked last year to get some more, they were out, but this year I found them again and replenished my stock. So now all my skirts and pants hang from the clips of those hangers, waist part up, of course.
I miss Ikea - we used to live near one, many years ago and it is expensive to ship here so we never bother. It was always things like Boomerang hangers that I loved about IKEA!
DeleteWATCH MY 6: WMM, the only NB musician I can remotely imagine Tabs even giving a passing glance is Roch Voisine. While he is in QC/ Paris now, he grew up in Edmunston. (Not a particular fan, only know this because I used to help book Canadian musicians for hotel & tourism events and we were challenged to equitably rep. talented Maritimes.)
ReplyDeleteAnd I think consensus is to give long loops snip.
And following up from Tabs and WFF on today's Bourbon & Pearls, happy to pick up the Jo Malone for you and send. Holts is a puddle jump for me.
DeleteYes, I think Tabs would have had a torrid affair with Roch - all that celtic blood and all!
DeleteI may well get you to pass it on to me GetFresh - Once I have paid of Paris (the bills all came in this week - ACCKKK - could I have eaten THAT much!!!!) I will get in touch!
WMM, I think if you call Holt's they will send almost anything to you for free.
Deletethanks Rose! I never even thought of calling Holts until you all mentioned it!
DeleteI snip the loops and hang my trousers but fold jeans and cords. No ballet flats outside in the winter but yes in the office. I almost always change my shoes anyhow because I walk to the train, cannot do it in heels, I am always last minute and often run.
ReplyDeleteBlue is my favorite color and I love you blue outfits!
I am the same way - flats or boots for driving and walking and heel in office.
ReplyDeleteI am going to snip away!
I love your outfit and your beautiful roses!!!!! And, I definitely think that you can wear tights with flats.
ReplyDeletethank you Rynetta! I am still drooling over your lovely purse!
DeleteI agree with the other ladies and blue is your colour. Well as far as the bra slips go I snip them right away. One more thing I don't have worry about. I'm in the minority I live in ballet shoes all year. Tights in matching colour flats. In the winter no socks and living out west jumping over puddles all the time. I'm usually soaked . As far as pants all folded over hangers.
ReplyDeleteHusband getting brownie points for Paris and flowers.
Thanks Marsha! I am so bad about snipping tags or anything out of clothing, so this will be a big deal! Thanks for your thoughts re: tights - I like the tights matching shoes! YOu are not along - Rynetta is there with you!
DeleteHusband will appreciate the points. He often loses them elsewhere!
Another upside down hanger of pants. I gave up hanging jeans and now hang them by the belt loop on a stainless steel hook on the wall of the closet. I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteShoes: I do wear flats with socks under pants; not the really flat ballet type though as they hurt my feet. I am a sock nerd and like to wear patterned socks. My boots are about 1-1.5 inch heeled on average; I have not done the boots -no- stockings look that the younger girls rock, but might try this fall as am overhauling life.
Hey, if you get down to Portland, I'll take you for lunch after JC B&M.
Thanks Lane! I will let you know if I get there! Does the new store have a good selection?
DeleteWe actually sat behind two young chiropracters from Portland at the Coldplay concert - they were sweet and she was originally from Fredericton!
It is a rather small store. Not sure if they will carry cashmere, for instance. Only been there once but will keep an eye out. I rarely "go" shopping.
DeleteWell me too, now! I see the Maine Mall once a year and it is always a thrill because I love the Williams SOnoma - though would love to know about local stores that are unique!
DeleteJust like AJC I snip the straps, hang my trousers and fold my jeans. and, blue is one of my favorite clothing colors. I also wear ballet flats all year round. I will wear them with tights, and I probably have not worn them with socks. Periwinkle is lovely on you. Enjoy your roses!
ReplyDeleteThanks Knityarns! I feel you have confirmed my thoughts on ballets!!!
DeleteWe have a mild winter, no snow. I wear ballet flats with no socks. Ever. If it's super cold or wet, I am usually in boots. Snip those strips. They're only for retail to keep the garment on the hanger, imo. They always have a way of peeking out of your clothing during the day if you let them live. Snip! I'm with everyone else. Hang trousers. Fold khakis, cords, jeans. I usually hang my trousers with the front facing, not folded at the crease as I figure I am making a 2nd crease on each leg. I will try the upside down hanging trick.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your anniversary !:)
thanks Gigi - imagine living some place where you can wear ballets without hosiery all year long... sigh....
DeleteLove your questions WMM!
ReplyDeleteBallets -- I wear them all year long pretty much, even in dead of winter. I wear boots and then change into the flats to wear I'm going. (For Target or random errands I would never bother, but if I'd going to a friend's home, etc. I'd make the change-out. If that makes sense.) I don't ever wear them with socks, and I don't think I've done tights either. With tights it tends to make me feel too little-girl, KWIM? I usually go with boots or heels with a skirt and tights.
I snip out the hanging straps.
I hang all dress pants with the clips at the waistband b/c it's easy and I'm lazy. I fold cords, khakis and jeans.
Blue is definitely your color! :)