The Secret to Fashion: Accessorizing

Ok, everyone. The secret to great fashion has finally been let out. At least to me. Apparently everyone else in the world knew about the great fashion secret way before I did. Otherwise there wouldn’t be so many greatly fashionable people.

Following that circular line of reasoning…

The big secret that apparently everyone but me knows is ACCESSORIZING. Belts, for example. What belts can do for an outfit is absolutely incredible.  This outfit, worn by Arlenis Sosa in the Michael Kors Spring 2009 show, demonstrates perfectly what a hat and belt can do for an outfit:

Fashion throughout the ages: Our First Ladies

There are many who submit that Michelle Obama is (or rather, will be) the best dressed First Lady of the US. She’s made the cover of Vanity Fair a couple of times, and was listed in their international best dressed.

I tend to disagree. Yes, Michelle Obama dresses decently, but so does every other woman in the position of First Lady. It’s part of the job description.

Now Jackie Kennedy was a woman with style and class. Not only did she dress “nicely” as all other First Ladies must to present themselves to the public, but she was a trend-setter. She had an exquisite sense of style, wearing trousers at a time when most women wore only skirts and dresses, but wearing them in such a way that it was quite clear that the pants were meant for a woman. Everything that she did, the way she moved, was infused with her special brand of grace.

I’m just not entirely sure that Michelle Obama measures up to that. Sorry, Vanity Fair.

The Grecian Goddess

One look that I particularly admire is the “Grecian Goddess”. Those one-armed, beautifully draped, flowing gowns make any woman’s figure regal.

Now Marchesa, for example.

Now, aside from the fact that this gown is practically falling off of Anna Kuchkina’s chest, it is absolutely beautiful. Marchesa in general is unusual while at the same time elegant. It’s a difficult combination, but Marchesa carries it off beautifully.

There is one Marchesa that I saw once that I have yet to see again.  It was a deep burgundy, one-armed creation with a large rosette on the chest.  I believe that Natalie Portman wore it in red to some event.

If anyone knows what I am talking about, PLEASE let me know.

New favorite “fashion for less” website

You know those everyday givens that are always in the back of your mind to do, and stay there? Well, checking out BlueFly was one of those for me. And I finally did it! I was a BlueFly virgin, but no more. The prices are fantastic. And the site is really easy to navigate, minus one or two minor annoyances that are characteristic of pretty much all of online fashion.

But what I love most is the variety and selection. It’s got essentially the same huge selection as a department store, but with much cheaper prices. I don’t know anywhere else where I could get an inexpensive cashmere-merino blend belted sweater like this one:

Or wide-legged wool trousers for less than $200:

I think I’m in love.

Top fashion trends for less

Let’s face it. We all want to look like a star-or at least someone who has the time and money to spend hours on their look of the day, for whatever reason. (To me it seems as though that just says you don’t have a life. But whatever.) At any rate, looking your best does not mean going for the most pricey. For the vast majority of us, Barney’s and Neiman Marcus are out of the picture. We have to stick to Macy’s.

Such being the case, I would like to present everyone with some cheaper alternatives that look just as great.

Let’s take, for example, the Burberry trench coat. I am a HUGE fan of the classic trench coat. (I know, I know. Can you say Casablanca?) And Burberry definitely has the look down pat. Classy, chic, and for a trench coat, pretty streamlined.

The Burberry trench coat, however, goes for $1,255. It’s a bit pricey for the typical shopper, me included.

You can find an equally sleek look for your trench coat, however, at Nordstrom, for $158.

The picture may be moderately less impressive, but hey, don’t take my word for it. Try it on yourself and see the difference.

More like this later…

Style that counters the culture

As you have probably noticed from my previous blog posts, my personal preference for how I would like to dress and how I would like to present myself to the world is the chic, elegant, classic look. I’ll go so far as to say that I think that the vast majority of the world would immeasurably improve by “classing” up their attire, snobbish and obnoxious though that may sound.

That being said, there is another look that, regardless of my personal preference, I cannot help but respect. Counterculture.

Truth be told, you can consider the Amish counterculture, fashion-wise. Actually, you can consider the Amish counter-culture everything-wise. And I do. The Amish maintain a lifestyle that they believe is right, regardless of outside influences. I am not saying that I would live an Amish lifestyle or dress as an Amish woman. I will say that I find the way that the Amish dress to be very attractive. Because it suits them. (Although I know this is slightly counterproductive to the effect that they had intended to achieve.)

Counterculture fashion is just about that: dressing in a manner that suits you as an individual, having absolutely nothing to do with society.

How can you help admiring those few who are not only adamant about but comfortable with their individuality? They have no apologies. They exist.

Deal with it.