What's in Store

“One man’s magic is another man’s engineering.”
Robert A. Heinlein, 1907 - 1988

It’s the simple card trick that mystifies you every time. The car that disappears right before your eyes on stage. And the rabbit pulled out of the empty hat. Welcome to the world of sleight of hand. As any magician worth her wand will tell you, if you direct attention to where you want it, no one will notice what else is going on. Fashion works the same the way. Decide which feature you want to be the focus and the rest will disappear. Go ahead- practice a little magic while selecting your swimsuit this season.

Top Shelf

 If you’ve got great cleavage and shoulders, flaunt them. A halter top offers coverage and stability while showing off your assets. Make sure the suit doesn’t creep up when you lift your arms- you don’t want to spend the day repositioning yourself.

Waisted

Look for a suit with waist detailing, like embroidery, a belt, ruching, etc. to accentuate a well defined waist. If you choose a tankini style, the top should skim your body. Too tight tankinis cause stomach bulges in even the slimmest of figures.

Leg Up

Whether you’re strutting your stuff, or taking it in stride, a leg opening that runs about an inch below your hip bone will be the most flattering (and comfortable) for your legs and hips. Use your body as the guide, not the suit description.

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“I’ll be wearing a space suit, and a cowboy hat would not be a wise fashion accessory.”

Brian Walker

Rattan, wicker or straw…Call it whatever you want, but be certain to carry it this spring. For those of us who summer in the same place we winter, it’s a great way to bring a bit of vacation into our daily routines. And those of you with seasonal homes should buy several since you have the closet space to store them.

Clutch

Wishing you were some place tropical and stylish? Add a dash of Palm Beach to your wardrobe with a straw clutch. Look for one with a removeable wrist strap so you can keep your hands free if you need to.

Tote

Whether you’re spending a day at the beach or daydreaming about it at the office, a straw tote is perfect for carrying sunblock or files.

Organize

We all know that beauty is only skin deep and it’s what’s on the inside that counts. So keep the contents of your purse corralled and spill-proof with darling make up bags.

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Lucite is showing up everywhere this season, but there is a bit of confusion about what it actually is. So here’s the skinny: it’s plastic. DuPont invented Lucite in 1931 and started manufacturing everything from airplane windshields to jewelry with it. The plastic is still used for a million things, including accessories. The pieces out right now seem both modern and vintage, and are easy to work into your wardrobe.

Necklace

Load up Lucite necklaces and wear them with everything from jeans and t-shirts to day dresses at summer weddings. Mix shapes and sizes to capture the eclectic vibe of spring fashion.

Heels

It may not always feels like you’re walking on air, but in Lucite heels it will at least look like you are. Combine the Lucite trend with the wedge heel trend to appear twice as stylish with half the purchases.

Purse

My problem with most plastic purses is that everyone can see what’s in your bag. If you choose a printed one, your contents are concealed, but you still get the look of the season.

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“Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple.”
Charles Mingus, 1922 - 1979

In 1920s joie de vivre met the pursuit of happiness and created a fabulous decade of clothes and music. The saucy independence of flappers was a perfect fit with the new genre of American music: jazz. With the New Orleans Jazz Fest kicking of this weekend, there’s no better time to work some jazz age inspired spring pieces into your wardrobe.

Rhythm

Elegant leisurewear, a.k.a. sportswear, started with the active lifestyle of the 20s. Look for a tennis costume inspired blouse in lightweight cotton or silk to add a dash of Gatsby glamour to your style.

Jump

Ferragamo realized in 1925 that by inserting a slim steel shank into the arch, he could design fancier shoes. Pay homage to the birth of the modern pump and put a little Charleston in your step with a pair of T-Strap heels.

Fusion

Simple silhouettes in fluid, drapey fabrics defined the Jazz era. You can’t drink bathtub gin (the beverage of flappers) in a stiff dress, so give the hanger a shake. The dress should be able to slink into a speakeasy. Add a belt at your hips to complete the modern flapper look.

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“What is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”
Yves Saint Laurent

When I was little, I had black patent leather tap shoes that I loved and wore everywhere. Then I had a couple birthdays and learned that what is charming on a child is not so charming on an adult. Luckily, patent leather is all grown up this season. So take a shine to some patently stylish accessories.

Shoe Shine

With everything from scarlet to bottle green to aubergine available this season, there’s no reason to stick with black heels. Keep your patent leather shoes shiny and conditioned by rubbing a little Vaseline into them periodically.

In the Bag

Remember in Funny Face when Kay Thompson’s character pronounces spring fashion is “dull, dreary and depressing,” right before she sings Think Pink? I feel that way about a lot of business bags. But not this time! What could be more fun than a glossy, shiny, sensible patent leather bag for work?

Belt Line

There are a number of practical reasons to wear belts- accentuate a waist, fake a waist, keep your pants up, etc. They’re also in fashion this season, which is practically a reason to buy a new one. Wear it over dresses and fine knit sweaters, a la Tippi Hedron. Or, pair it with fluid trousers and boots for a modern Katharine Hepburn.

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“Yellow colored objects appear to be gold.”
Aristotle, 384 - 322 B.C.

Here’s a fun exercise: Gold is going for $673.40 a troy ounce, which works out to $9,818.17 per pound. Multiply that by your weight and you’ll know exactly how much you’re worth in this spring trend.

Steppin’ Out

Who needs roads paved in gold when you have gold heels? Create your own good luck and wear them with everything from jeans to suits.

Coin Purse

Flaunt your wealth (even if it’s mostly knowledge) with a gold purse. Anything you put in it (breath mints, bobby pins, etc.) will feel a luxury commodity.

Rain Maker

Every storm cloud will have a golden lining with a metallic rain coat. I’ll understand if you do a rain dance or two.

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“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to great places. You’re off and away!”
Dr. Seuss, 1904 - 1991

Call it cabin fever. Call it wanderlust. Call it whatever you’d like, but hold our calls because we’ll be out of town for the weekend. Just the weekend. Two, maybe three nights, max. You don’t need your giant reinventing-yourself-for-six-weeks- in-Europe bag. You just need a bag that will fit a couple of outfits and maybe a second pair of shoes. If you keep it stocked with travel basics like toiletries and dainties, you’ll be ready to escape at a moment’s notice.

First Class

There is always a decadent, old Hollywood vibe to leather luggage. But, since customs agents are familiar with classic movies plots involving stolen jewels and laundered money concealed in leather bags, it’s not the best for traveling incognito overseas. It is perfect for a weekend getaway where neither it, nor the goods inside, will be out of your sight.

Fly Girl

I’ve always wanted to show up at the airport, buy a ticket for the next departing flight and figure things out once I arrive at my destination. I can use a handbag inspired weekender as my purse, but still have room for whatever purchases my spontaneous adventure may require.

On the Road

Thinking about a few snowy days in an Alpine cabin? Or you could skip the icy roads, head to wine country and turn the air conditioning down low enough to use your in-room fireplace. Either way you can keep your clothes warm all weekend in a quilted travel tote.

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“Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world.”
Bette Midler, b. 1945

It seems like everyday someone else announces they’re running for president. (I’m not, just so you know.) With elections in the air, it’s hardly a coincidence that platforms are a hot issue for spring. Now that the political is personal style, it’s time to start developing your platform. So pick your battles and stand your ground in the shoe of the season.

Grassroots
If you’re new to the game you might want to start small. A low platform sandal is the perfect entry shoe. It’s shorter than a soapbox (and Barbara Boxer’s stepstool), but still indicates you’re up on current affairs.

Running Mate
A new trend in the shoe biz is for luxury brands to partner with sneaker brands to make comfy shoes. (Why the luxury brands can’t figure out comfy shoes on their own I don’t know- apparently it takes a committee to raise a shoe.) A great choice for a long day of campaigning, fielding questions and dodging paperwork.

Victory Party
Even if your office isn’t oval, getting to it requires diplomacy, strategy and perseverance. Successfully navigating traffic or public transportation, under-construction city streets and internal hierarchy is quite an accomplishment. So shake hands, kiss babies and stand tall in the latte line in a pair of sky high platform heels.

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“And you must tend to the garden of your closet.”
Me, paraphrasing Voltaire, 1694 - 1778

Nature is a fan of super-sizing things. Dinner plate sized dahlias, peonies the size of small dogs, frisbee sized clematis. And of course, the largest flower of all, the Rafflesia arnoldii (Corpse Flower) has a 3 foot diameter and weighs almost 15 pounds! While none of these may be in your garden, they can be in your wardrobe. Oversized floral prints are in full bloom this season. If a bud garden is more your style, use silk or rhinestone flower brooches to spruce up your lapels, skirts or handbags. 

Coat

Brighten up your outfit with a cheerful coat. You can wear it over jeans, chinos or work pants for instant panache. A mid-thigh length works with skirts as well.  

Shirt 

Put a little spring in your suit with a floral print top. Keep it conservative with pearls or add artisan jewelry for more texture. Wear it with jeans or solid colored skirts on the weekend.

Skirt

Don’t be afraid to introduce more color. A coral or turquoise top looks fresh and cool with a brown and white skirt. Red or yellow paired with a black and white print is crisp and modern.

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