I’m always boasting about my ingenuity.  How I can reposition things in ways they were never meant to be. Here’s a perfect example. A few summers ago I made a fashion mistake.  Cut-off pants were very popular and i bought a pair.  I should have known better.  I’m just 5′ tall and cut-off pants make me look even shorter. They’re very pretty pink and yellow plaid cotton.  I wore them a few times and soon realized my mistake.  Mostly they sat in my closet eyeing me reproachfully.  My sense of thrift rebelled at throwing them away. Suddenly I had an idea.  Why not cut them off and make them into bermudas?  And that’s what I did  I cut off about 7-1/2″ to just knee-length and them hemmed them about 2″.  They now look perfect and no one
would ever guess they started out in life as cut-offs.  The next day I wore them to a business lunch with a crisp, white shirt over them (the pants’ waist is elastic) cinched at the waist with a macrame belt, a straw fedora and jewelry and received so many comments on how chic I looked.  I was so proud of myself  I just can’t figure out why it took me so long to think of this.
There are so many other things we can do to fix mistakes.  I’m a firm believer that practically everything is improved by shortening it.  At least in my case it works because I’m so short and I have excellent legs. I had a leather skirt that was too loose and too long and just drab.  I took it to an old-time tailor who really knew what he was about.  He looked at it, said, “shorten it, A LOT and you won’t need to take it in.”  Somehow, he was right and I now have a very sexy skirt. Another leather skirt was also too long and too loose.  Again, he shortened it a lot and the whole proportion changed from drab to A-line.  Now I love it. Always think whether something can be salvaged either by doing it yourself if the item is inexpensive and the
repair is easy or by taking it to a good tailor if the item is expensive or more difficult.
—————–
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique publicity
agency in Manhattan.  She may be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com.

I love the androgynous look.  Just men’s clothes on women, not the other way around.  I think men’s clothes on a very feminine woman enhances her femininity. There is a woman writer and humorist whose picture appears frequently in the society pages.  She’s pictured at galas and other affairs and she’s always wearing a tuxedo.  Recently I decided to buy myself a dinner jacket, too.  I suspected that I’d find what I was looking for in the boys’ department at Brooks Brothers and I was right. But as I wended my way downtown, I stopped off at other fine stores on Fifth and Madison to see what I could
find. I was shocked at what I didn’t find.  So many young salesmen have no idea what a dinner jacket is.  I guess their wardrobes are strictly limited to t-shirts and jeans.  No names to protect the guilty, but I stopped into one Fifth Avenue store and the young salesman had no idea what I was talking about.  I started to explain that it was black and he showed me black windbreakers and black denm jackets. Finally, my last stop was Brooks and they knew exactly what I was talking about.  They showed me a beautiful dinner jacket, size 12 and it fit perfectly.  Brooks, incidentally, still knows how to treat a customer. It’s a pleasure to shop there.  And the price was under $100 and was of excellent quality. Recently I decided to complete the outfit and buy the matching pants with the satin stripe down the sides. This time I went directly to Brooks and again, the size 12 fit perfectly except for the length.  Again, under $100 and they don’t charge for hemming. I’ve worn the dinner jacket with jeans and I look forward to wearing the jacket and pants to dressier events. I don’t think I’ll finish it with a bowtie, though.

In a beautiful world . . .
school uniforms will change color with the seasons.

Fall
: The beginning of the school year requires that children adapt to new classrooms, curriculum, teachers and friends. It’s also a time for students to align with new goals and form new relationships to define and nurture those goals. Color can set the mood for a student to create a practical, down-to-earth and efficient plan for the year.

Yellow, beige and brown are the colors of the season, and each one helps a child feel secure—ready to seize opportunities and encourage others to do the same. A focused, friendly consideration for others develops, and acceptance of diversity becomes the norm. A child becomes a loyal, supportive, reliable and trusted friend. At ease with others, a child develops poise and diplomacy. The ability to listen, and offer recognition, is coupled with the ability to express one’s own opinions—safe and secure upon firm ground—easily and naturally learning that it is okay to explore and challenge differing ideas and perceptions.

This sincere expression of what is in a child’s heart and mind will be enhanced with a touch of the color white. A child will learn to think before speaking, and to clearly articulate what is useful, fair and appropriate. Add a small amount of red to yellow, beige, or brown, and friendships will light up with imagination, affection, generosity, humor and playfulness.

Winter: 
Black may seem a somber color for a school uniform, however there are excellent reasons to put it to use. Water, in many traditions, represents the source and depth of our knowledge. At its deepest, the ocean is black. Therefore, black represents the depth of our intellect—our wisdom and insight. The color carries weight, represents justice and encourages a serious look at the world and one’s studies.

With an added touch of red, courtesy and decorum appear naturally, for red represents reason and the ability to see clearly into the heart of another. The combination encourages children to interact with consideration and empathy. Red warms the winter months, and adds a sense of reason and clarity to what can be a dark, dreary, and emotional time.

Perhaps most importantly, black cannot be sullied. It remains forever itself despite a stain, spot or blemish. Wisdom, once attained, cannot be damaged or taken away. Our children are prepared for life, whatever comes.

Spring: 
Green, the vibrant color of spring, offers hope and engenders kindness, tranquility and compassion. Like a tree, green also provides roots and stability. The color links our children to the wisdom and power of the family. Like the voice of the father, green fosters courage, strength and benevolence. Cultivating these qualities, a child becomes flexible, receptive and open to change. Yet, able to articulate and remain true to one’s own ideas, a child is steadfast (yet supple), able to remain upright in times of trouble or controversy. Difficult times ask for an added touch of yellow. The color cultivates trust, and instead of division and conflict, students are encouraged to gather, to listen carefully to one another, and to cooperate.

As the school year draws to a close, the power and action of green encourage a child to participate in unique summer challenges with the curiosity and confidence of a true adventurer. At the same time, green grounds a child in the reality of duty and service to family and community. A child returns to school committed to seeing beyond the confines of the classroom.

As a touch of red is added, this intellectual reach will broaden. A child will soar, efforts will be rewarded, and school will become the perfect opportunity for an exciting, dramatic and extraordinary fusion of thoughts and ideas.

In a beautiful world, we will never underestimate the power of color. Let the experiment begin!

Katherine Metz
The Art of Placement
707.282.9069
www.katherinemetz.com

If you’re looking for romance, try this. I think you’ll like it, and have some fun. Let yourself go a little crazy. Ask your friends for suggestions, and watch the magic happen.

Make a change to your hairstyle, and wear it this new way for three days. Think, everyday, about all the things that you would like to find in a new partner; humor, intelligence, a good job, strong family ties etc., etc. Be as detailed as you can.

Then, on the fourth day, change your hairstyle again, and wear it this way for three more days. Keep going over the list of what you want. Review it every day, even 9 times a day if possible.

On the seventh day, change your hairstyle once again. Wear it this way for three days, and continue to visualize what you want.

On the thirteenth day, change your hairstyle again, and wear it this way for three days once again. That’s it. The method is complete, and you’ve found that a feather extension might be just the thing to make your day.

You have eliminated the obstacles that stand between you and the partner of your dreams. As you change your hairstyle, you are letting go of fixed ideas, changing your habits, and having some fun – any one of which might have been a stumbling block to attracting the right partner.

Good luck. Let us know what happens. We all love a great romance story.

Katherine
YinYangEyes

Visit Katherine’s website www.katherinemetz.com.

Anyone who follows fashion knows that it is anything but predictable!  If you are traveling to the Middle East this summer (or just want to be inspired by another culture), make sure to read our Istanbul guide to the hottest trends of the summer. Instead of the arrival of futuristic fashion, 2011 saw the revival of the old with a touch of the new. Shops are now bursting with a mix of 50s, 70s, and 80s fashion: you’ll find long sweeping skirts; wide-legged, flared pants; platform shoes; one-piece swimsuits; leggings; and the infamous shoulder pads that have somehow once again found their way back into our wardrobes.

But it’s not just the old that hit the shelves this season. In addition to the rebirth of the past eras came a new wave of bohemian multiculturalism spurting with hyper prints, colorful patterns, and mystical Eastern aesthetics.

No need to get overwhelmed with all the different styles and trends blending with each other. Here are the top looks of the season, with tips on how to make them work. Now, sit back, put on your fashionista glasses, and read on.

Bohemian Grove
Hippie culture is back, minus the soft drugs and the sexual revolution, with high-waisted pants, skirts, and shorts. In line with the hippie ideal of freedom, bohemian-style clothes are ideal for women who love to combine comfort and style. Bangles and flowery headbands anyone?

If you’re not a full-time hippie, you can still embrace the comeback of this extraordinary culture—say on a Sunday barbeque or a weekend-long music festival. Try combining maxi dresses with long necklaces and John Lennon style round sunglasses. Add some movement to your outfits with feathers and fringes on accessories, bags, and shoes.

Color Me Mine
As the Judas tress blossom in Istanbul, the dark elegance of winter fashion gets exchanged for the flourishing colors of summer. But more than any other year, this year’s slogan is “Triumph of the Colors!” And the good news is that you can wear ginger yellow, hot pink, and green tones with complacency.  Even if you’re leaning on the conservative side when it comes to fashion, you can embrace the color revelry by adding colorful accessories to your outfits and turn even business clothes into fresh and fun outfits. If you’re brave enough, try contrasting colors, maybe even a red dress with blue heels!

Ballerina Swing
The impact of Black Swan is noticeable on the streets of Istanbul with fluttering skirts and dresses. Powder colored dresses and rose-colored tops have now become essentials in every shopaholic’s wardrobe.

If not for your daily wear, add a bit of ballerina effect to your evening gowns. A silky black, chic pink, or sparkly cream evening gown will definitely work wonders with high-heels. Don’t forget to add a detail of chiffon and feathers!

Look good while enjoying all the style variations and trends that Istanbul fashion has to offer!

As a comfortably middle class Baby Boomer with a passion for fashion, I do have to exercise some frugality. Fortunately, this comes naturally to me since I was raised by parents who were children of the Depression and passed on their values to me. This blog will be a continuing commentary on my efforts to justify fashion and frugality.

I’m very ingenious, wearing things in a way that they were really not intended. For instance, i have a rather expensive sarong-type black wool skirt by Donna Karan. I’ve had it for years but it was a mistake. I never should have bought it. Every time I wore it, the big knot in the front made me look fat even though I’m actually very slim. But, as I say, it was expensive,so the thought of throwing it out bothered me. Finally, I put it in a pile to give to charity. But before I gave it away, I suddenly had an “aha” moment. Why not wear it as a shawl? I now have a beautiful luxurious black wool shawl, and no one would ever suspect it’s really a skirt. It has no zipper, buttons, or closure and is very wide.

Remember when half-slips or petticoats were part of every woman’s wardrobe? Well, I unearthed a beautiful black taffeta one with embroidery on the hem. It was buried in the back of a drawer and I forgot I had it. Into the pile marked for charity it went. And then another “aha” moment. Why not wear it as a skirt? Why not, indeed. I wear it in the summer with a tee shirt over it, belted loosely at the waist. It garners me so many compliments.

I have a very expensive Valentino black wool suit with velvet trim. Was it a mistake? No, not really, but I hardly ever wear it because it just doesn’t look young and kicky. Throw it out? How can I throw away a Valentino suit? So in desperation I separated the suit and started thinking of it as a skirt and jacket The skirt I can get a lot of use out of because it’s a plain above-the-knee pencil skirt. Just what they’re wearing now. The jacket I wear with jeans or a pair of Bermuda shorts. Sheer black hose and a white shirt complete the outfit and I get a number of compliments. When I wore it as a suit no one ever complimented me, I think because I looked so prim and proper.

Miriam Silverberg is freelance writer and president of Miriam Silverberg Associates, a boutique Manhattan publicity firm.

Here it is! My favorite day of the week once again: Fashion Friday! Do you find yourself thinking “I have nothing to wear!” while you stare at a closet full of clothes? Today, I’d like to share a few tips that I’m sure the recessionista in you would appreciate.

• Organize your Closet. We often have things that we don’t use anymore or we even forgot about.
• Make a List. Just like when you go grocery shopping, make a list of the things that you need to complement what you already have in your closet.
• Shop Around. Use the internet to compare prices and brands.
• Recycle. Sometimes with a small alteration you can turn an old piece of clothing into something totally new.
• Hold a Fashion Swap Party. It’s super fun and a fabulous way to refresh your wardrobe. Just gather your girlfriends —and their excess stuff, and start trading.

It’s time to be creative and make the most out of your wardrobe. Do you have any other tips to share with us? Go ahead and share in the comments!

After another week of communicating at a level of children under 4 years old, I (in desperation) asked my husband for a topic to spark some thought into my head. Surprisingly he said “Write about what kind of purse is going to come in.”

As I outlined this post I asked him where his stroke of genius had come from. He told me about a coworker that came back in after work and said “I noticed my purse seemed too light when I got to the car, then I realized I forgot my laptop.” Then she proceeded to easily drop her laptop into her magic “Mary Poppins” bag.

That was more than I needed; he had just given me everything for my post today. Thank you Seth!

The Evolution of the Purse Through 2010-2011 year.

Let’s start with a little recap of where we have been:

• Gathered “Mary Poppins” carpet bags with a leather twist

Where purses are going:

1. Gathers will turn to box pleats
2. Fold over tops
3. Shrink until reaches the size of a clutch.
4. Excess fabric will disappear and smooth sleek structures will emerge.
5. Details and emphasis will be added though: Fabric pattern, color, texture, and line.

Race Day Leather Clutch Purse in Caramel by gogovivi

Silk Lined Red and Cream Cameo Frame Kisslock Clutch by Briana Edelman Designs

Here is Why these changes will happen:

1. Spring is here with Summer right behind it. We want to lose weight, the easiest place to lose it is in our purse. Plus we don’t need to balance out all of the winter layers and Uggs
2. “Simplify, de-clutter, and don’t look excessive.” These are the themes for this year and next. The general population is tired of people who look “fake,” as if their stuff has to be brought everywhere in order to prove themselves. Minimize and you look simply secure.
3. Symbolically- “Our pocket books are shrinking” The economy is down and we don’t have excess and waste, in or on our purses. There may not be a lot of money in there, but we are secure with that. We will find that there is so much we can do with a good fabric, print or pattern, design and ingenious detailing.

As a side note for beach bags, of course you can’t fit a towel in a clutch.

Blue Lotus Collection Lined in Apricot Silk by Fiazco

So just look for simple lines and splashes in the summer favorite colors (check out the post on Spring/Summer colors).

So I have had a few questions from Cara over at The DI Denizen about how to make your body proportionate if you are petite and would like to wear modest shorts. Since this fits right into body proportions we might as well address her questions. Cara’s first question was about where the hemline should be if you are petite. Her second question was about how or if you can wear ballet shoes with short muscular calves.

Here’s some helpful tips to obtain a more balanced proportion for petite/short hips and legs (along with answering Cara’s questions):

• Don’t cut the hemline too short – that will emphasize any shortness in the thigh – best to leave it covered. (We naturally look wider where we are short in proportion, and unfortunately our short areas are where our bodies usually like to store the fat) So no daisy dukes for those short and round in the lower regions. Even though some people in fashion think the only way to lengthen the leg is by wearing a shorter hemline, this is not the solution for all women, especially those who are older (more mature), or those of us who put weight on in the thigh region, which is very common for short legged women.

Women’s Pincord Bermuda Shorts by Land’s End – $36.50

• Bring your hemlines just above the knee, before your leg starts getting wider.  This keeps the illusion of thin legs rather than legs that are getting wider up into unknown (clothed) regions, never knowing where the wideness ends.

• Think outside the box: look at the clothed section as another whole section of the body that needs to be proportioned with the golden mean. (From the top of the shirt down to the bottom of the of the shorts.) If the hem of your shirt hits right in the middle of that section, you will look like a box. So if you are petite this is going to make you look like a short box. Leave your shirt un-tucked if you are wearing longer shorts! This will create a break in the clothing that follows the golden section. The hem of the blouse should come above the crease of your leg. This is especially important to balance out longer shorts.

• Use fitting and lines that flatter your figure: Fitted or loose, but not tight shorts. Tight pants on short legs emphasize that you are wider than is proportionate for your height. Horizontal wrinkles let us know where something is too tight. Wrinkles tend to point to the problem area. Plus the horizontal wrinkles cut the length of the garment and emphasize horizontal lines all over your body, creating the image of short. So avoid jeans that have been faded on the wrinkles at the crease of your leg.

Check Bermuda Short by Banana Republic – $49.50

• Avoid any repeating of horizontal lines. Repetition is a way of emphasizing a point in clothing (just the same as when mothers repeat the same thing over and over.) So don’t wear, wide, scooped, necklines. Do wear higher and more narrow (image below) necklines or crew-neck tees.

Tuxedo Top by DownEast Basics – $12.99-19.99

• Vertical lines! On your blouse or in the style-lines of the shorts, they are only a bonus for the petite!

On & Off Hours Blouse by Anthropologie – $68.00

• Keep it simple. Try not to have many side pockets and detailing.
• Wear a looser or more flowing top, with fitted pants.  This will help create the illusion that your leg continues and is thin to an imagined point.
• Skirts are another great alternative for the short legged, if you want to wear ballet shoes.  A slight A-line or narrow skirt is a good choice.  Don’t add too much fullness around your hip and thigh region though.
• Heels are always helpful, but not a necessity if you follow the suggestions below.
• Use color to your advantage:  Neutral and subtle tones in the shorts and a flashy color up top.  This will create the visual effect of lengthening the legs, and drawing the attention up top.
• Neutral/skin-tone shoes- Are a must if you have short, muscular, calves and you want to wear ballet shoes. Visually neutral tones lengthen and carry on the vertical line that we want to emphasize, rather than breaking it with color in a horizontal line.  Contrasting colors draw the attention to the short calves.  (So as cute as yellow ballet slippers may be, they are not a good choice with shorts and a short leg combo)

Eco-chic Ballerina Flats by The Generation – $55.00

• Use monochromatic color schemes.  This will help de-emphasize breaks in clothing lines that create horizontal lines.  If you don’t want to wear all one color all the time, break the color by using a long open cardigan, this will give you variety while still continuing the vertical lines.  You can also add colorful jewelry and accessories to break up the monotony.

Exposed Seam Cardigan & Heritage Roll-up Short by Banana Republic- Though these shorts are a little too short, the concept of the outfit is good.

Cara, and the rest of our short legged readers, I hope this helps you plan your Summer wardrobe!

If you have fashion questions for me, feel free to leave a comment on this post, blog your questions like Cara did) or send them to her directly by email at antelita {at} hotmail {dot} com.  Stay tuned as we continue to discuss proportion balancing, as well as fashion trends for spring and summer 2010.

I have been searching for an explanation of proportion and the golden mean, that is easier than using fractions. Since most of us don’t carry tape measures into dressing rooms, and doing fractions along with it is far too complex. So I found a simple explanation of ideal head to toe proportions.

1. Head- top of head top tip of chin (one head length will be our standard of measure)
2. Chin to bust point
3. Bust Point to Waist (navel or thinnest part of your torso)
4. Waist to Leg Break (the crease when you sit)
5. Leg break to Middle of Thigh
6. Middle Thigh to Middle of your Knee
7. Middle Knee to Middle Calf
8. Middle Calf to Bottom of foot

This image is not exact, but gives a basic break down of what we are looking for.  I hope this helps clarify and simplify the last few posts!

Having said this let’s move in to some elements of design to help give optical illusions to compensate in areas where we need a little proportion adjustment. We have discussed how to move our waists up or down with lines and detailing, now lets talk another main point of interest: The Bust. I won’t tell you what is too big or too small, I think we all know what category we fall in. If you are unsure you are probably just right!

For the Bust that is too Low or Small:

• The push up bra – one obvious solution
• Brighter colored or patterned tops with neutral to dark solid pants/skirts

Feathery Tank by Anthropologie – $68.00

• Multiple strands of Jewelry (not too big or it will emphasize what is not there)

Bohemian Blue and Red Necklace by Botanical Bird – (sold out)

• Don’t show too much skin. (for sleeveless wear a wide strap instead of strapless or spaghetti straps)

Wide Strap Dress by Treehouse 28 – (sold out)

• Detailing, ruffles, texture, and/or color around the neckline (help fill in the empty visual space)

Skinny Taffy Teal Scarflette Scarf by Flutter – $30.00

For High/Full Bust:

• Lower cut v- necks
• Bulky necklaces that hit between your collar bone and bust point

Handcrafted Artistic Stone Kambala Jasper, Obsidian and Sterling Silver Necklace (Item No. 707) by Minden Marie Jewelry – $49.00

• Button up shirts (don’t button too high!)
• Darker colored blouse with a patterned skirt

Snuggle Up Top/Wrap Around Shirt by Shihar – $85.00

Picnic Favor Outfit by Anthropologie

• Skin toned or light pink blouse with jacket or vest that comes to a low V

Tattoo Inspired Kiku Flower Womens V Neck T Shirt by Namu – $35.00

• Make sure your blouse is long enough to compensate for the fullness. (don’t tuck in your shirt)

For additional reading on Body Proportions, check out this article by Inside Out Style: Body Proportions Explained

p.s. For more fashion forecasting and help navigating the world of flattering natural beautiful you, be sure to subscribe to CreatedByChicks.com and become our Google Friend (sidebar)!