Resourcefulness... creativity at it's best

After anxiously waiting in anticipation and excitement for the Duchess of Cambridge's wardrobe selections for her North American tour, I was quite impressed with Princess Kate's choices.  Not to say that I was blown away (although there were a few that were fabulous) but very happy that she has remained true to her style.  As seen in the Kate Middleton Look Book (courtesy of The Cut), KM's style has always been elegant, classic, understated and fairly safe but very flattering.  She is the perfect style icon for all of us commoners who go to work, take care of kids, attend various events from time to time and are on some sort of a clothing budget (in other words, a perfect style icon for "real life").

As I always tell my clients, you must first invest in the basics... the foundation of your wardrobe.  Once you have the groundwork established, you can start to add the fun exciting fashion pieces.  If you just go for the fluff without any any structure behind it, what will you have to work with?  And, if you wonder why you are always buying, buying, buying and have nothing to wear, take a look at your basics (or probably lack there of).

Okay, so my point is that KM can teach us all a thing or two about how important basics truly are to any girl's closet (with the exception of celebrities, socialites, etc).  First, her "go to" navy Smythe blazer.  Worn several different times while traveling and in Canada.  Wear it with dresses (business appropriate, fun & floaty or maxis), jeans, skirts or shorts.  Layer it with different tops depending on the event... stripes, lace, sequins or your basic shirt.  I found it very irritating that she was criticized for re-wearing it on her trip.  Is that not the point of packing smart (although she did have 40 outfits), and down to earth?  Did you know that blazer sold out within several days of it's first appearance on KM?

Then we have the J. Brand skinny jeans that KM wore consistently throughout Canada.  Is that not what you are supposed to do with jeans?  You have your favorite skinny pair, your wide leg pair, the pair for heels and, of course, a pair for flats.  Once again she was criticized for wearing them too much.  Seriously, she wore them when it was appropriate to wear pants.  She is 29.  Skinny jeans are a perfect choice.  More importantly, that is her style.

I must also mention her L.K. Bennett nude pumps.  Although it would have fun to have a new shoe for every outfit, she once again used her "go to" shoes.  And, she always looked polished and put together. KM has done more for nude pumps than any other celebrity out there.  If you don't own a pair yet, it is time to invest.  Nude pumps are a must have for any girl.  When in doubt of which shoe to wear, always go with the nude (plus they make your legs look great!).

These are just a few examples of KM's timeless style.  There is much to be learned from how she mix & matches her wardrobe.  The resourcefulness that she uses is great to see.  It is what we all have to do on a day-to-day basis.  And, that is where the true creativity lies.  Anyone can go out and buy new pieces and look great, but to put together your existing wardrobe in new ways... that is where true cleverness and imagination come into play.  All the makings of a style icon.

                                      - Allison

*Photos courtesy of nymag.com.

For the Love of Dance

Once again I am writing from Mimi's Closet... today it is all about my obsession with all things ballet.  Well, my obsession is really more about the clothes (it always is) and the way the dancers dress during rehearsals.  I absolutely love the the way the dancers layer effortlessly and just look so cool.  Whether it is leg warmers, tutu's, chiffon skirts, ballet sweaters, etc... they always make me want to go to the nearest dance store to stock up on layers.  

Eventually, I start to think about how I can translate this obsession into something that I could wear out in public and not look like I just left the dance studio.  And, after watching one of my all time fave dance movies last night (the award winning Center Stage), I must dress like a dancer today!  So, being on my "vacay" in Ohio, I only have so much to work with...

- lightweight/airy dress... check

- sheer layers... check

- tights... check

- knee socks (closest thing to leg warmers)... check

- boots... check

- faux fur (left my vest at home, so it is a scarf today)... check

Here we go... (by the way, I am not posting any more pics of myself until I can take better pictures... I need a tripod and a good model pout!)

The best part of ballet inspired looks is that they never go out of style.  Every season, especially in the Spring, you can always find designers who have once again used this art as an inspiration.  This season, several of the designers who have created beautiful looks out of layered lightweight and sheer fabrics are Alberta Ferretti, J. Mendel,  Chloe and Christian Cota...  

I absolutely love these looks!  So feminine and romantic... sigh...

                       - Allison

* Photos are stills from Center Stage and Black Swan.  The other ballet photos are courtesy of Kyle Froman photography, dreamstime.com, enonava.de and style.com.

NY's Most Stylish

This is a cool piece to check out at Stylecaster.  New York's 50 Most Stylish...  maybe I will make the list some day...    Oh, I forgot!  I live in Jersey.

Anway, I really like the photographs in this piece...

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Day to Night

What happens when you are sort of on vacation (a visit with my mom equals a mini-vacation... she lets me take naps and gets up with the girls!!!) and don't know what to do with yourself... this happens...

I definitely need to improve my photography skills, but my iphone always comes in handy in times of desperation!

So, the story behind these beautiful pics of mine is my day to night ensemble.  Riding boots by day, booties for a dinner date with good friends.  All that I need to add are some baubles and my Burberry No 17 (the most fabulous red lipstick).  Now this outfit isn't some stroke of genius, it is just that it is so easy to dress up or down.

I am completely obsessed with all of the painterly prints right now, and this Leifsdottir dress in particular makes me so happy!  Every time I put it on, I feel so pretty.  So, I have worn it about a million different ways to make me feel good in this cold and dreary weather.  Let's see I have worn it with my grey booties, my cowboy boots, my fur vest, my fur infinity scarf (courtesy of my BIL)... and now all black.

Anywho, I thought that I would demonstrate what I am always preaching about... making the most of what you have and layering.  I would have taken more beautiful pics of how I have worn my dress, but I am in Ohio and I packed lightly (sort of).  Therefore, you will just have to wait for another day!

                       - Allison

The Booties - an Update

I managed to put it together.  I found a last minute outfit that was pretty good considering the fact that I didn't buy anything new, and I needed it to be practical as well as cute.  My whole point was to look cool, but understated.  I was there to see the show, take some pictures and take in the atmosphere... not to be the one that everyone was staring at!

If there is one thing about Fashion Week that I have learned, is that it is not about wearing the most outrageous ensemble possible... unless your point is to get noticed (good or bad).  Sometimes, when you try too hard to be fashionable, something just doesn't quite mesh.  Maybe, you just look overdressed or like you tried to wear every trend imaginable because you want to look different... but more on that in a different post!  Either way, the key to looking chic is to stay simple.  Pick a trend, go with it, try to do something a bit different with it and that is it - stop there!

Okay, enough of my rant.  What did I wear?  I wore a pair of black leather/ponte knit leggings, a black sequin tank and a wool henley on top (I had to add something casual).  In my mind I was trying to look like some cool photographer who throws on clothes effortlessly while always managing to look casually chic!  I didn't think that I did to bad of a job, although I could use a lesson on my camera...

Here are a couple of pictures of me... and, yes, I desperately need my hair highlighted!

                                                                     - Allison

The Key to Looking Good for the Super Bowl

Okay, I have had enough with the style segments about "how to dress for the super bowl".  To take a step back, we all fall into one of these categories... not attached, dating, married, married with kids, or just simply a fan of football.  The importance of these categories, really nothing.  Although, it may mean that you are going to a bar vs. a house party or possibly staying home, but when it comes to your super bowl style, it doesn't mean much.  So, no matter what category you are in, the same rules apply... the key to dressing for the super bowl is to look good without looking like you tried.

Do I sound confusing yet?  My point is don't look like you tried too hard... for example, this morning I watched a segment on E! where they talked about wearing a tee, jeans and green peep-toes (if you are a Packers fan). Well, if you live anywhere besides LA or Miami (and a handful of other locales), you are going to look sort of silly showing up to a football party wearing heels, seriously!  I mean, it is a Sunday night, the ground is covered with snow &  ice and this party is based on a sport... not really a time for heels (unless you are going to a nice bar or live in a nice climate - then I might reconsider).  For the rest of us dealing with this awful weather, this is the time to let your creativity go... a perfect outfit would be something casual, with a dressy or unusual twist that is 100% you!  How does this happen?  It starts by playing with what you have... have fun with mixing & matching dressy with casual and most definitely think outside of the box.

Obviously this depends on your individual style, but what about taking that sequin tank and putting it under a loose-fit tee.  Or, dress up your casual duds (no sneakers, please) with some fabulous costume jewelry.  Maybe you add some fun layers to an otherwise basic ensemble (another use for your striped long-sleeve tee). or what about your favorite flowing "hippie-like" top and a leather jacket?  The options are endless, but it all depends on your own wardrobe - don't buy anything new.  Because this is a fairly casual event (for the most of us), I challenge you to find a completely new outfit with what you already own.  I know you can do it, and you will feel much more comfortable in your own clothes vs. what you thought you "should" wear.

Be creative, have fun and Go Steelers!

                      - Allison