Monday, January 28, 2013

Monday, Monday: SAG Dresses and Style Advice to Tame a Peacock

Happy Monday All!

T.S. Eliot famously wrote that "April is the cruellest month", while

Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers


But here's the thing: I am pretty sure T.S. Eliot never lived in Canada in the winter.  It has been -20 to -35 with the winchill for over a week straight and when I woke up to -15 this am, I thought about breaking out the flipflops. I am well and truly sick of my long black down coat, which husband has taken to calling my "cloak of darkness". 

So last night, I revelled in watching the arrivals of the stars to the Screen Actors Guild Awards, if only to see something that was not covered in down!

My favourites?

I was quite crazy about Amanda Seyfried's dress - so becoming and the colour was lovely!


I also really liked what Julianne Moore wore (which is pretty typical for me):



Jennifer Lawrence also wore navy to great effect:


But the poor thing ripped her dress on the way to receive the award (but was totally cool on stage!)

Actress Jennifer Lawrence's wardrobe malfunctions as she collected her award for Best Female Actor in Film

Claire Danes continue to impress me, last night she was wearing Givenchy, which artfully takes care of the 6 week postpartum body (not that she needs it - I think I am carrying her baby weight!)

claire_danes_SAG.jpg

But my favourite?  Marion Cotillard in what else?  Christian Dior!


The one thing about award season - it takes my mind off my Cloak of Darkness!

On another somewhat related topic, I am still on my self-imposed and disciplined shopping ban.  Since I am not working right now, I am not even really wearing my dress clothes, though I do try and dress somewhat nicely each day!  If you recall - I week or so ago I ordered the british kakhi minnies and metallic blue ballets with some paypal funds I had, but had no idea if they were going to arrive since the order was so odd.  Well they came late Friday afternoon and all is well.  I will take a picture of the shoes later today and share.

So I am shopping my closet and trying to wear things that I have not worn much this winter to see if I can justify their existence in my closet.  One of these items is my Basler peacock blazer.  In June of last year, I HAD to have it when I saw it on the rack at my local boutique.  But it is a lot of jacket, if you know what I mean, and I have only worn it once or twice.  But it was EXPENSIVE, so I am trying to find one outfit a week to pair it with to get my cost-per-wear down!

Saturday night, we went to a dinner party.  It was -25 so no dress or skirt for me, and it was basically a casual dinner anyway.  So out came the peacock jacket, which I paired with a simple Michael Kors navy pullover and jeans and loafers.


This is a unique jacket which I love on the one hand, but loathe on the other.  Because I seem to lack sartorial imagination, it easily creeps into Golden Girls territory if not treated carefully!  All outfit ideas are gratefully accepted.  Given the stupid price I paid for this, I need to wear it till  am 70!

Well that's it!  How were your weekends?  Any big plans for the week?  Stay safe out there!

48 comments:

  1. You look gorgeous, as always!!!!!

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    1. Aw - you are awfully sweet! I felt awful in that picture - like everyone else, am battling the cold!

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  2. It's a great jacket, but I think maybe the sleeves should be shortened to bracelet length - would look more youthful and elegant, and less overwhelming. I'd also wear it with jeans with a more vintage/lighter wash, as I'm not a fan of an all dark background with one piece that pops - I like a more blended look. But that's me, and I don't usually offer styling advice unless someone has asked?
    Didn't see the awards show, but from your pictures, I have to agree that MC is my favorite of the bunch as well - totally stunning.

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    1. Kathy I agree completely: bracelet length sleeves would be perfect on this jacket. And some denim in a lighter wash, so pretty, and maybe your blue flats? This could be your signature cocktail look WMM, it's a gorgeous jacket.

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    2. Okay - I really like the idea of bracelet length sleeves - will take them to the tailor later in the week. I will see what I have in closet for lighter wash jeans - that is easily fixed. Thanks for the great ideas ladies!

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    3. I'll third that!

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  3. Good Morning! I too watched the SAGs and loved Claire Danes dress. I did not like Julianne Moore's though. I thought it was very ill fitting on top and made her look like she had grandma boobs. I missed all the preshow so only saw the dresses when they were on stage. I did hear JLaw's dress did not rip...something about construction. What about Alec Baldwin's hair? My daughter and I spent most of the time trying to figure out if it was a wig! Peacock jacket.. can you roll up the sleeves? Show just a wee bit more skin up top. But then a dark turtleneck, straight/skinny cords/pants and dark boots/booties (heel is prefered) with hair up and minimal jewelry would look sexy too. Play in that closet!

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    1. we did wonder about Alec's hair... I will try a few of your ideas BB - but it definitely seems that shorter sleeves are the way to go and thank goodness, that is an easy fix!

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    2. Alec looks amazing since he met the missus, she's taken 20 years off him.

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    3. I agree - he looks so happy! thin and happy!

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  4. That jacket is very cool, and you did a good job of dressing it into tamer territory.

    When I tell people about Canadian winter temps, their pure shock makes me second-guess myself! The first few years that I lived elsewhere, I would sometimes look up the weather just to verify that I hadn't exaggerated anything in my memory. Nope. It's bloody cold.

    People also don't believe that we get "real" summers in Canada, which I find particularly amusing.

    Stay warm!

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    1. Thanks Abby! You are right - people don't understand that at -20 you are not really dressing for fashion anymore but more survival! and then it hits +33 in the summer!

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  5. I like Jennifer Lawrence's shorter (ripped?) dress better, she's too young to wear those long formal gowns. The dresses above are nice but kind of boring (sorry!). Sure they look elegant, but I miss when people would wear outlandish things to the awards shows. Maybe they still do, I am not sure since I don't watch. But it seems to me that the stars used to have a better sense of humor at these things and have more fun with their outfits.

    I like your peacock outfit, but if you are really bothered by the jacket, why not try to sell it? if it makes you unhappy, it's time for it to go, cut your losses. But if it makes you happy and you just need more styling ideas, other posters have given you some great ideas.

    My weekend was a total, complete bore! Keep in mind I was sick, and that these are not normally my weekend activities. I went on a Gossip Girl binge on Netflix (still making my way through Season 4). I started a Pinterest account, which I'll probably never look at again. I went through every single page of the Jcrewing website lol!! That was actually fun to see what the older stuff looked like, and I stand by my opinion that they used to be quite boring style-wise. I did not go through all the old catalogs they have scanned, though, I didn't have the attention span for that. I did some laundry and dishes, so there was a small bit of productivity. Hope yours was good!

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    1. I should add that if Jennifer Lawrence's dress really was designed to rip in half, that is having fun with clothes lol!

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    2. Hi Cate! You made me laugh out loud!! I will have to read abou the intentionally ripping dress - cool!

      I miss the outlandish stars too! Too many people now have stylists - we need some rogue stars!!!

      Hope you are on mend - I have never seen Gossip Girl! I am off to catch last night's episode of Downton Abbey!

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    3. I'm glad you laughed, because I felt like I was being too cranky after I posted.

      Gossip Girl usually has fun fashion, might be worth taking a look just for that. The first season has some questionable looks such as white tights, however they are still in high school at that point so no one will mistake anyone for a nurse impersonator (because nurses don't wear white tights any more, do they?). The characters are mostly well-off New Yorkers from the Upper East Side who apparently have a limitless budget for clothing and shoes. Plus it's a good soap opera/drama that doesn't take itself too seriously. See? I'm hooked!

      Speaking of fun with fashion (but not rogue!), I change my mind and say keep that peacock jacket, it is very You and you will find more ways to wear it. And you seem to on the leading edge of the trend: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jewelry/necklaces/PRDOVR~22141/22141.jsp

      I saved Downton Abbey for tonight, can't wait!

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    4. Cate _ I have just discovered Lipstick Jungle, I am loving the three women, their clothes and jewels.

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    5. I was not happy when they cancelled Lipstick Jungle!

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    6. I am not familiar with either show - so will have to look them up!

      I cannot imagine I am on the leading edge of anything! I am definitely going to take them in to get them bracelet length - I think that will help. I also have some lighter jeans so will try them with that as well! Such great ideas today!

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    7. Cate - when you are done - send me a note - I just finished!

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  6. I watched the SAG Awards as well but this time around there wasn't a dress that really vowed me, I think they were pretty boring. Amanda, Naomi and Anne were the best ones IMO. Claire Danes stood out for creativity but I didn't like her make up, it didn't bode well with the "new mom" image (and also didn't valorize the dress). I agree with the previous comment that Julianne Moore dress was ill-fitting (my husband commented on the saggy boobs aswell).

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    1. I forgot to mention that I agree that the sleeves of the jacket seem a bit long. I think you will find it easier to style if you shorten them!

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    2. thanks Ema! And you are right - there were more saggy boobs than i have ever seen! Michelle DOckery????

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  7. BIRDS OF A FEATHER WMM, I do like the jacket (everyone needs a few singular/ signature pieces). Getting the sleeves shortened would definitely help, either just a smidge, or bracelet length as Kathy suggests, which would be very Kate Spade. And it's an easy nip-tuck.
    I know you were dressing for cold, but for future wears:
    - Consider a top with a bit of a scoopneck, even a simple tee/ shell could do.
    - Try pulling out one of the greens from the jacket, that could be smashing with your red hair.
    - Add a coloured belt (blues, greens, gold) to your "basics underneath" ensemble.
    - Can't tell the colour enough, but a navy/ grey pencil skirt might also work for a dressier occasion, couple of Goody Spin hairpins and some emerald or aquamarine colour earrings.
    - Do you have any shoes for a shot of colour on the bottom - to balance the top?
    I too am sick of current weather, feel like Bibendum the Michelin man, and not wearing anything nice, since back of pants, boots etc. continually covered in slush kick-up. Warms up here tomorrow. Your way?

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    1. Oh you are so right Anne - it is so cold I have lost all interest in dressing!!! I will try some of your ideas next time for sure!!

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    2. Also - I did have shoes, but they would have required bare feet and I couldn't do it! Maybe I should have just worn my PJs! ;-)

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  8. It's hideous here we had a big snow fall overnight and freezing rain this morning. And we have the flu.
    So thanks for cheering me up with your post. Julianne Moore's dress had a terrible fit, but I thought the one she wore at the GG's was ill-fitting and unflattering across the derriere. Who is fitting her in these dresses.
    Loved the Dior dress on Marion Cotillard. And apparently she had the flu too, you'd never know it she looked amazing.

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    1. I think everyone has the flu! one of the worst seasons on record!!! It is still bloody cold - I put on the new minnies today and ran in and out of stores!

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  9. Hi WWM, I love your blog. I'd like to see the peacock jacket offset with a crisp tailored white blouse, top 2 buttons undone with a simple necklace....I think that would make the colours in the jacket "pop" more. Did you ever find the perfect white blouse?

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    1. Hi Anon - i have not yet found "the perfect" blouse, but I do have some for sure and will give it a go! The more ideas I have the more I can wear this expensive blazer and have no guilt! thanks!

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  10. Dearest Canadians, how on earth do you all survive in winter? I will never whinge about our weather ever again. I still have no heating so it's sweats,my dressing gown and fingerless gloves - the post man thinks I have really lost it now!

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    1. OH MY GOD! YOU ARE DICKENS COME TO LIFE!!

      You have made my day! Yesterday I was feeling wretched and cold and wore my $25 Joe Fresh navy sweatsuit. I prayed no one would show up! I just hope by the time we get to NYC it will be warmer!!! Today it is sunny, but Dani tells me they have freezing rain up there which typically means we will have freezing rain 1.5 to 2 days later!

      THis is as cold as it has been for a long time, but I think the weather is so buggered up! On the 14th (I remember because it was my birthday!) it was +12 or something - it is NEVER +12 in January. No wonder people are getting sick!

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    2. You know, I never really thought we Canadians were all that tough, since it's not like we relish the cold. But now that I have lived in several warmer places, and have witnessed the temps that people complain about, I think we really are quite tough!

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    3. Abby - 0h you really are.

      WMM- I'm in hysterics, I'm going to add candle balancing on a saucer to my look for hubs homecoming tonight!

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    4. Let me kmow what he thinks! If your furnace goes again you will be really and truly dickensian!

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  11. I was going to ask you whether the degrees were Celsius or Fahrenheit, but really it doesn't matter. I have absolutely no frame of reference for weather that extreme. I don't think you could get me to venture outside the house in such cold, even with the promise of a nice dinner!

    Oh, and love the peacock jacket! I'd probably pair it with an jewel-tone green or purple skirt, but I think that the jeans give it the right dose of cool.

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    1. Celcius for sure!

      we are not too bad at the weather - we just have so many damn coats for so many damn temperatures!

      I think purple could look quite nice with it. I tried it with the pagoda blue and it was way too much!

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  12. Hi WMM, I didn't see much of the SAG red carpet, so I'm looking forward to watching Fashion Police tonight.
    Agree about the sleeves on your peacock jacket - but it is a lovely piece, I'm sure you'll end up with lots of different ways to wear it.
    My son is off school today because of the freezing rain - he's happy to have an extra day to study for his exams!
    My first year in Canada we lived in Halifax, so the summer wasn't much different from Scotland, where I grew up. However, the next year we were near Toronto, and I couldn't believe how hot and humid it was!





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    1. I think Toronto is the hottest spot in Canada in the summer! It gets hot here but we are only an hour to the ocean so it is easy to cool down quickly!

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  13. Oh my, a ripped dress in front of all those people and on live television too. Good for her to soldier on. Someone at work mentioned it today and that she was also sick with the flu and forced herself to attend. I'll bet she was happy to get home and go to bed!

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    1. I know! So many people are ill! I have never heard of so many people I know who are ill! Hope all take care of themselves!

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  14. You look great in that jacket! I think you'll come up with a lot of looks, and you've had such good suggestions.

    It's fine to HAVE saggy boobs, we just don't want to see them. Too bad her stylist failed her. MC looked wonderful, with the flu yet.

    Downton was a downer last PM; could not believe the mis-diagnosis. The minute I heard her symptoms I knew what was coming.

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  15. Oh Lane, I cried and cried all through that scene! I was devastated!!!!

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  16. It is a gorgeous jacket. I am also a fan of bracelet sleeves, although long ones can be quite elegant. I would like a camisole shell under the jacket, because I think they are more youthful, and I think light colored boots would look fabulous too. You are so fortunate to have such thin legs, leggings and boots would be a great look, too. I love Marion Cotillards ensemble. I think it is one of her finest looks. Julianne Moore needs a more fitted dress. She is so pretty, but never seems to wear clothing that fits her correctly.

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    1. Thanks for the nice compliment! Agree of cami - I really was sadly dressing for warmth!

      Re: Julianne - I want to go on record as saying as just because you don't have huge breasts means you should go so low, especially as we age...But is that just me???

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    2. I don't think a 20 year old should wear such an ill fitted bodice. I don't know if it is an age question, although maybe you are right. BTW when I scrolled back up to the peacock jacket I was struck by how perfect those colors are for someone with your coloring. It is a keeper!

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    3. Thanks! I agree on ill-fitting bodices in general - since I could never do it, I do salute those ladies whose breasts are not hitting their knees!

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  17. First of all congratulations for getting dressed .If it was that cold on the West Coast I don't think I'd bother. The jacket looks great on you and it 's suit you.
    Marion Cotillard 's dress was stunning but nothing else appealed to me. Some of them needed a trip to Dani's tailor.
    When do you go to N.Y.?

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