You will be surprised to learn that I do not have a stylist...
Oh wait - you knew already?
What was the giveaway - awkward pairings, uncertainty about big on top,/skinny on bottom and vice-versa, unsure as to whether something was crossing the line from quirky to downright odd?
Not having a stylist can lead to epic fails, like when Barbra won her Oscar:
Oh wait - you knew already?
What was the giveaway - awkward pairings, uncertainty about big on top,/skinny on bottom and vice-versa, unsure as to whether something was crossing the line from quirky to downright odd?
Not having a stylist can lead to epic fails, like when Barbra won her Oscar:
Or it can lead to something gloriously excessive, something which personifies the wearer:
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| if I had a stomach like that I would show it EVERY day... |
or something like some of the rest of us might have put on in the 80s to walk down the red carpet with Kiefer Sutherland..
Everything now is so perfectly prescribed. I watched with interest the Tory Burch Spring/Summer 2014 fashion show online this a.m. (more on that below). There were starlets in the room, besieged by press and looking every bit the fashionista, including Emmy Rossum:
So tasteful. Matthew McConaughy's wife, Camila Alves, looked almost June Cleaver-ish in her tastefulness (no offense to June, Dani!)
Oh maybe no one picked out their clothes, maybe they know intuitively what works for their body type, their colouring, etc, etc (things that janet-come-latelys like myself are still learning), but still, give me something awkward and fashion forward - give me drama...give me something that says "WTF.."
WAIT! I found it! Thank you Olivia Palermo, you of the typically perfect Pinterest pics...
For God's Sake - someone give her an award. I think she dressed herself. It is god-awful, but I salute her!
*****
I did watch the Tory Burch fashion show and got to see Anna Wintour in all of her Anna-ish. She is quite divine. She is chatting up the crowd before the show started (the camera could not keep its eyes off her), all friendly and sweet and then the show starts and Voila! She becomes ANNA, donning the sunglasses, face impassive. You can't fake that kind of imperiousness - you just have it or you don't. So imagine the world's delight to see a picture of Anna actually smiling at Harper Beckham:
This was no surprise to me - Anna is a mother and I found her quite tender with her daughter Bee in The September Issue.
So, what did I like of the Tory Burch show?
It was very summery-meadow, and she describes it as French Riviera inspired. There were a couple of standout pieces for me:
One good thing - there were a lot of mirrored shoes (yay Gigi! My shoes may still be in style next year!)
Of course J Crew did their show today as well, which I have just been reading about online. While a lot of it isn't for me, I would be lying if I told you there weren't a few pieces I wouldn't love to see in my closet when I arrive at Lake Como next spring...
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| Love the skirt on the right... |
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| the skirt on the left is so lady-like - $600 or $700 - any bets? |
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| Tiffany Rose and I could rock those fancy pants... |
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| The middle blouse - I can bugger up my own trousers, thank you very much... |
Marissa Webb, she of the old J Crew of Yore, has gotten lot of love for her collection, which you can see here.
But Spring 2014 is for another day. Today is September 10th and I am quite content to think about fall styles for the foreseeable future.
So what about you - love or leave the personal stylist? Have they made the fashion world and red carpet better or have they homogenized it? Do tell!
any please - stay safe out there!
I think I like the TB collection more than the JC one. I don't own any TB clothing, but I have several pairs of her awesome shoes! They hurt after a few hours, but they sure look good. I did try on TB's Whitney dress last month after the SA suggested it. I did try it on and it looked so pretty. When it came time to take it off, I was stuck in that dress! I have NEVER in my entire life been stuck in any clothing. I was sweating like I worked out. The dress so so delicate with the lace overlay, etc that I didn't want to force it. I finally had to ask another SA to help me out of it. She was so nice about it. After she got me out of that $700 dress, she said, 'we're sisters!'. TB's SAs have always so nice to me even though I only buy their shoes. Anyway, that is my TB story for the day.
ReplyDeleteWendy - that happened to me the other day! I was horrified!!!!! YOu don't know how claustrophobic you are until you can't get out of a dress!!!!! I have one pair of TBs - they are lovely, but as you say, they lose their comfort factor, whereas my Cole Haans never do!
DeleteHa, you know the little hook at the top of zips? I never hook it and if I ask hubs to zip me up and he tries to hook I react like a caged animal!
DeleteAW's DD is called Bee??? How did I not know that!! My bees are in their fall mode in which they kick the (mostly) useless drones ( males) out of the hive; drones cannot feed themselves, make honey, guard the hive, clean the honeycomb, make wax etc etc so out they go when the food supply dwindles.
ReplyDeleteThey can't even sting so I pick them up from the grass where they are dying and give them a little attention.
I think if your first thought is,"who's the stylist?", too much was done. I'm sure most of these women would look great doing their own clothes, makeup, hair.
Hey Lane - I have no idea what her real name is but her nickname is Bee.
DeleteOh the poor male bees - had no idea! My hummers are gone I think, though I will refill the feeder in case there are any northerners passing through! They left yesterday morning, so they should be hitting your spot soon, so be extra nice to them! The hummingbird journey is the most amazing thing ever to me!
as for stylists - I think we are all too much alike now, so I like the rogues!
So much goodness in this post today - I love it! Thoughts - In Vogue is the follow-up doco and is great and yes! Anna Wintour was so transformed with her daughter in The Sept Issue. (BTW Beckham, who would take a child to a fashion show?) That is honestly the only photos of Olivia Palermo when she has got it so so wrong! Yay she is human.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen In Vogue - off to find it today! I think the Beckhams take their kids everywhere - Miss Harper is the ultimate accessory to such a good looking man! I hate to say it as I have NOTHING upon which to base my opinion, But... think the Beckhams seem like very loving parents.
DeleteI was so happy when I saw Olivia! She is always perfection and has made me want a faux fur black vest and my daughter keeps doing interventions with me, telling me NO!
Wonderful post Wendy. I would love a personal stylist, not every day, but as a coach a couple of days for the four seasons for a year... To point me in the right direction... I play it safe lately, I don't buy fashion clothes. I buy classic pieces that I keep for many years (hopefully). I also tend to be more diligent when buying clothes. Often I would rather look at clothes and buy them if I like them, I was not really looking how well it suited me. I don't do that anymore. And I try to have a real critic eye... Which is not always easy when you like very much something :-)
ReplyDeleteHere, we are fully in Autumn now with heavy rain and around 12 C all day...
Take Care
Steph
Steph - I am convinced that is the key! Except for my disposable Joe Fresh comfy dresses for wearing around the house, I am only focusing on classic, simple pieces, that I will jazz up in other ways. I am now done except I really do need a new pair of Wellies (mine are dead after last spring!) and I would love a classic floral dress but have seen nothing that catches my eye!
DeleteGreat pic of Anna, I've never seen her caught with a smile. That's what I noticed, more crazy pants and shiny things, and we probably don't need to pay somebody hundreds of dollars to drop paint on a pair of big boyfriend pants to wear. Can't say I won't resist them all but hope I'll have the sense to say I already have that.
ReplyDeleteThere's your tulle skirt! And yes we could re: fancy pants.
I think Barbra knew exactly what she was doing with that outfit, seems it's a gesture known as the counterpoint to the sun.
Hi T.R.
DeleteI think the problem with JC is that you are only going to "really" need to touch on things once or twice a season and even then on sale, if you want your trendy "fix". The one exception I found this year, and I know I am a broken record, was the Kikis - they are divine and I can wear them all day long - so comfy and chic!
As for the tulle - that has COLLECTION written all over it! I think Tory's fancy pants would probably last us longer though, don't you!
Oh you are probably right about Barbra - she is not a stupid woman at all!
I miss the days pre-stylists on the red carpet. I remember Jody Fisher pulled out some great dresses during the 80's... as did most of the stars. Now it's all so stylishly perfect. I've actually never seen Olivia Palermo look so ridiculous. Although I'm now wondering if she knows something we don't, and we'll all be doing the same look in 6 months time...
ReplyDeleteAs for Tory - I'm a big fan. Her cut is flattering, and I like her things for everyday. Her more special occasion things are also good. Great fabrics, nice detailing. The only thing I'm not so fond of is that her logo is all over so much of it. I bought a tunic thing in navy and white, perfect with shorts or jeans, or over swimmers... and it was only when I went to wear it I realised that the entire embroidery around the neckline and running around the sleeve openings etc was her logo constantly on repeat. Too late to return it. I can't believe it didn't register with me! xx
I hear you on the logo! I thought she was sweet when she came out at the end of the fashion show - she seemed almost shy and awkward which quite endeared her to me.
DeleteStylists are necessary if you don't have the time or if you don't have honest people to tell you what looks good and I don't mean one's wife/husband either - they are very biased and do not always tell the truth bc they just want to get out the door. Its hard for friends to tell you what really doesnt suit you especially when they love the item so much you dont want to break their heart. ( It's not like spinach in your teeth scenario...)
ReplyDeleteCSW - that is an excellent point! My problem has always been that I love anything flashy! This fall I have let that go completely. Sticking to my colour story when shopping is ensuring it all goes together. But a good store clerk, one who tells the truth is worth their weight in gold. I do have a nice one at my local shop and I tried I dress on yesterday (a lovely shift in a pinot noir colour) and she was brutal "that completely washes you out". You don't get that at the mall shops in my experience, nor do you get that from many clerks, so it is so critical!
DeleteI'd like to see more movie stars etc dress without stylists, what would they do on their own? It is an expression of self after all, so very much glossing-the-image to be dressed by a professional.
ReplyDeleteTory Burch, well I became a fan this summer. I have a few of her summer dresses and they were so perfect this summer... I just love them. I bought some on sale and found a couple on ebay, and I did buy a couple of her tunics on ebay as well. Her clothes are very well made, and at the sales or on ebay the prices are JCrew range, so very reasonable especially if they end up being worn like crazy.
I wasn't too excited with the spring 2014 offerings, I really liked the blue palette of this last summer and though she did lots of nice crazy pants that's not something I wear... so maybe my wallet will be safe come spring!
I didn't see anything I liked over at JCrew, though I did notice lots of orange? And besides that a subdued colour palette. I should go look again!
Great post Wenders!
thanks Dani! The colours in both sets were not really my colours, so I am likely pretty safe as well!!!
DeleteI love my TB skirt that I nabbed off ebay as well - such great quality!
I blame stylists for making actresses look alike. I prefer a more organic look, a little effort but not too much. Perfect does not interest me too much. I know most actresses don't have the time or the taste but you just really need to look clean, I think. Don't worry too much about fashion fails, there are more important things to think about.
ReplyDeleteI agree - plus the ones who really go for it - really do their own thing - are often so cool to look at!!! I am so uncomfortable with perfection - love me a little shock value!
DeleteI do believe, right or wrong, Barbra's outfit is iconic. Right there with Cher. I have thought many times of having a pro come in, go through my closet, take me shopping...I know I'll get pushed out of my comfort zone and will regret it. Quite content in my zone. Unfortunately, the media has become quite vicious with these ladies. With a stylist their ego isn't hit as hard with scathing comments. Like Caroline Herrera (sp?) said, "If they look great in my clothes, wonderful. If they look bad, it's my fault."
ReplyDeleteI hear you - though I think a new set of eyes might help me and certainly everyone's advice here over the last year really did hone it all for me. I kind of like Barbra's too, though I don't ever see her as a style icon like cher. Oh Caroline - I love her!
DeleteI love Cher!!
ReplyDeleteRe stylists, I think they're good if you have a very important occasion, but I think people tend to be over-styled the days and I far prefer to see 'real' style - not a cut out version.
I like to think I wouldn't use a stylist, but I'm sure I wouldn't say no if it were for a big do....
ANNA-ISH Love that. I think Blue Booby has got a big part of it right, that the media is really pervasive and often cruel about "fails" these days. So lots of the stars probably don't want to take the risk, or do because they need the tabloid coverage to fuel their careers. There is also a lot more "product placement", co-branding etc. these days than there was a decade ago. Now all the stars where that designer to the show, it seems not so much as a compliment or a nod, but as a proscribed "provided by" uniform iykwim.
ReplyDeleteI find it all rather dull, and dictated by our disposable, retail lives.
Wonderful and wacky Wednesday post WMM, I've missed you all.
P.S. TB rocks except for the increased logo and bling factor as Heidi says, and among the good stuff have had a couple of epic fail unravels in orders and stores. Of course, her preppy meets global travel esthetic really appeals to me.
I think u are so right - it is in good part the result of the fact that with the internet we all see what us out there and the rush to give us all the same stuff as the stars is breathtaking. I think of all the leather thus fall - it is everywhere!
DeleteIt is so nice when u can dip in and avoid the rest of it all.
wear not where - more coffee...
ReplyDeleteI'd have to be paid to watch a fashion show, I used to hate going to them for work, they bored me rigid, of course as a little girl I used to strut in them - ask my mum, don't know what she was thinking. Those first pics are quite horrendous but yet they are expressing themselves, so that makes me think, no stylist, I used to work in interior design and several times I was paid to add "life" to people's newly designed homes in terms of photographs, tchotchkes etc - terribly sad, sad folk obsessed by image.
ReplyDeleteI really hate a designed home more than a designed wardrobe. For me - clothes are fun and important, but my home is ME.
DeleteYou were a fashion model! I knew it!!! I don't protest about age and disabuse me of my fantasy!
As far as Babs is concerned, she can do no wrong in my eyes :-) I think stylists are great for people who don't have time or creative spirit to put outfits together, but I also feel that they make people look either too "perfect" or too costumey. With that said, I love my JCrew VPS, though I rarely use her for styling advice. I think you should bottle up your styling advice formula (heck, even the last 5 posts) and sell it!
ReplyDeleteOh I think that would be very cheap advice indeed - more like the blind leading the better informed! I love Barbra, too!! Such a genius!!!
DeleteAward show fashion has gotten so boring. Hardly anyone takes a risk any more. No one is willing to look a bit foolish on the red carpet, they are all so serious now. Not a fan of this trend. At least Olivia looks fun and happy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched any of the fashion shows. I'll just be surprised in 6 months :-)
Well I only caught Tory, so I will be surprised with you!!!!
DeleteNo stylist here. :) Probably will never have one.
ReplyDeleteOh maybe you could be one! I know Jennifer is good - wonder what she thinks of them being everywhere now?
DeleteAs a stylist,(gulp) I think there are too many, untrained ones running rough shod over women's personal taste and intuition about their style.
ReplyDeleteThe Hollywood stylists get these fabulous clothes donated for their clients, and the clients just need to mention the designer three times, on camera or interview to cover the "borrow". It IS safer to be able to blame your stylist, if you look horrendous, but it also robs them of their individuality.
That said, a good stylist can help a woman hone her look by helping her recognize what looks good and more importantly, feel goods to her. They can help you recognize what your clothes are saying to the world about you.
A skilled stylist knows how to help you nail down how you really want to look and tweek the garment choices so you feel and look your best. Individuality is key...woman are all unique and the goal is not to stamp out our originality.
Hi Jennifer! I just knew you would have a good perspective! I think a stylist might have gotten my style honed Lockett split for me! What I would love is help accessorizing - I am often wretched at that! Thanks for the wonderful perspective?
DeleteIf someone else wanted to pay for it, I would be all about having a stylist come in and have a go at my closet. I like to think I have a pretty decent sense of style, but I would be thrilled to have someone with good taste and a good eye come in and make a bunch of specific suggestions. Mostly because I am so curious about what they might suggest! In re: Tory, I've never tried any of her items, mostly because of the concerns about price and prevalence of logo noted above, but a few of the items of hers that you have linked to in the past have definitely piqued my interest.
ReplyDeleteMonty - maybe we could talk Jennifer into flying out and helping us out! Wouldn't that be a treat? I bet she would suggest I learn to dress my shape better - I am hopeless at that - hopeless - definitely a work in progress!
DeleteI only have one pair of TB shoes and one TB skirt scored off Ebay for a very reasonable price, but wouldn't mind a few more - but I am with you on some of her logo pieces. Funny - I was downtown and came across a lovely pair of Michael Kors biker boots, but then I turned to look at the other side and the logo was HUGE!!! I don't need people to look at my logo like that! Yikes!
The Oscars (and all other red carpet events) have gotten very bland now that most celebrities have stylists. I rather like Björk's swan dress, I don't know why everyone hated it!!
ReplyDeleteOh I kind of liked that dress, too!
DeleteI'm surprised more nominees haven't gone almost completely sheer in order to up their chance of winning. Halle Berry's dress was partially sheer up top the year she won. A theme, I tell you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the condensed report. Yes, I'm happy to see metallics again for SP14!
Gigi - you may be doing a Dan Brown and cracked the code! I think I will start wearing sheer, too!
Deletelol good one!!!
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