Holiday party- two dreadful words for most warm climate beauties. You want to join in on the holiday cheer but what will you wear? The glittery-foiled invitation says cocktail or festive attire. You have the goods: the silky splurge you purchased in November, but how do you keep warm? Outside ol’ man winter has arrived, a wet and icy freeze is in store and now any attempt to look smart is out of the question. Desperation will now force you to consider your options; you can arrive like an icicle sporting a hoodie and a frozen smile or you can take stock of your wardrobe portfolio and make some investments that will serve you in the future. Now is the time to invest in a product with a high yield return: a great new coat! Whatever the weather, a cool white trench, a high collared military look with snappy gold buttons or maybe a bias cut cinched at the waist with ¾ length gloves look sporty and chic. This wise investment can salvage your image.
For holiday formals a lack of imagination often causes women to freeze rather than flaunt. Of course you can’t wear your fur-lined parka over your gown but you can wear a cashmere pashmina, faux chinchilla jacket, or a draped pashmina sweater to cover up. Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather- only inappropriate clothing! Enjoy it and stay warm!
Dear Readers,
Lurking around every corner, hovering over the coffee pot, a stomach punching cloud of suffocating fragrance, or the cheap sound of gum popping, along with a nail-filing, curly haired mistress/secretary may be an image taken from a 1940’s movie, but unless you’re planning to sit on the boss’ lap- this is 2008. The “junk in the trunk” mentality evokes an even more frightening modern day version of that picture, becoming an insidious epidemic of biblical proportions. Toes, tongues, butts, so much cleavage, it’s enough to cause secretions of green goo to ooze out of the woodwork, yes Slimer is back!
Let’s focus; beauty editing begins in the closet. Drop the labels, eliminate the cornball array of Gucci, Pucci trailer-trash stilettos. On the flip side, looking polished doesn’t mean covering up in black every day. The definitions of “A Suit” can also imply unapproachable. Here is a list of ten necessities for swank office chic.
1. White long sleeved, pleated front shirt with collar and cuffs.
2. Cream-colored blousy tops or tunics are comfortable, feminine, and chic.
3. Two pairs of black patent leather shoes. Preferably a flat with a peek a boo toe and a T-strap with a shorter heel.
4. Black skinny pant, cropped above the ankle.
5. Crisp haircut, sleek and not too short.
6. Bold new watch, two or three strands of pearls, and a scarf.
7. Alternatives to black: navy, pink, and silver.
8. Navy skirt.
9. Think dresses.
10. Think dresses again.
Love,
Moni
Dear Readers,
I love living out of a suitcase, which is why I haven’t unpacked. Not because I might leave at a moments notice but because I just returned from San Francisco with a whole lot of new “back to school” goodies and like all new school supplies the perfection might wear off as soon as I unpack them. Let’s see… plaid skirts, multi-colored cardigans, metallic sneakers, oversized rhinestone coronets with layers of chains, leggings, freshly cropped hair, dark polish, self tanner, purple eye shadow, and in honor of Labor Day a white ruffled blouse. Just looking in my suitcase I imagine a glimpse of a mannequin wearing pearls the size of beach balls like I saw on my trip.
September is a significant month in fashion. It is the kick off time for fashionistas in NYC. Fashion is a culture, an affirmation of our presence, our uniqueness, and sometimes it takes going away to a new city to re-invent yourself. Just add a hat and voila, you’re a new you!
I urge you to take advantage of September. For starters make a list. Pick up a few items such as self-tanner, purple or forest green colored eye shadow, dark polish, chop your hair, and comb through some conditioner. And now that you’re looking good, shop for a schoolgirl look because it will sharpen and update any wardrobe. The work you put in now will pay off big time.
Finally, learn to relax and enjoy the process. A stroll through the shoe department is utterly intoxicating, there’s nothing like the waft of fine leather.
Love,
Moni
P.S. Watch for the opening of CB Couture Boutique on September 7th, and did I mention that’s also my birthday?
