Eye-4-Style

On a recent visit to Bloomingdales on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, New York City, the collections for Fall are impressive.

Ralph Lauren Blue Label. Classic with a twist. Love the collection.

Tory Burch. Let’s see, which one? I’ll take all three!

Ah, Ralph Lauren Black Label! Lovely camel and gray. Elegant.

Burberry. The patterned trench coat with black outfit works beautifully.

One of my favorite designers, Michael Kors.

I’m a curious person and like to know what people think; what their habits are. It is interesting to me that some people are very rigid in their habits. They may never set foot in Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus. They won’t buy from catalogs because of returns. They only shop at Target or Macy’s because they think they can’t afford or won’t find anything in a boutique or higher-end store. I say, don’t limit your choices. There are possibilities everywhere!

I’m a big catalog or on-line shopper. I like seeing clothing on models as it’s easier to visualize the outfit on my body. The larger retailers have made returning items very easy. You usually have a return label and an amount is deducted from your return amount. When I calculate time and gas, the amount to return the item is less than what I’d spend on the streets. Just be sure to try on the items right away; keep the original packaging; package the item the original way best as possible; return as quickly as possible. I’ve ordered a lot and returned a lot. I’ve also kept a lot. It is worth it to me when the stores I’m ordering from are further away or “on-line” has so much more to offer.

I enjoy going to the boutiques on Oak Street in Chicago. I purchased items from Juicy Couture and Kate Spade when I was there last November. They are fun to visit but there is a limited amount of space available to display their wares. If your time is limited, I’d go to Nordstrom or Saks, Bloomingdales, Macy’s. They will have your favorite designers and all under one roof. When I visit Chicago, I plan my time carefully. Some boutiques with some department stores. Also, Ralph Lauren on Michigan Avenue is a must. You will see it all in their flagship store. While some labels are out of reach for the average consumer, it is an adventure to see the fabrics and designs they are offering. Believe me, you will see that filter down to your price level in a different fabric, but it makes you aware of what is out there and a better-informed consumer. Also, RL (the adjacent restaurant) has the best cosmos I’ve had anywhere!

I remember many years ago when we were in San Francisco. My daughter and I visited the “high-end” stores to relish in the beautiful fabrics and displays. She is able to fit into larger children’s’, women’s petites and juniors. We had several departments to visit and there are always sales. We ended up buying some gorgeous clothing at wonderful prices. We paid the same prices we would have at Target or Bon-Ton stores or Macy’s. You just have to have an open mind and “hunter/gatherer” intuitiveness to search out what you’re looking for.  Don’t be afraid: Go there!  If you need help, contact me and I can help you reorganize your closet or shop for your spring/summer wardrobe.

Karen Kane is a line I’ll always check out at Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Boston Store: wherever they sell her clothing. Here is a fun display at Macy’s at Coastland Center in Naples, Florida.  Karen Kane is fashionable, fun to wear -  items ending up in your shopping bag.  Check it out – try it on.  Nice – fun – easy.

INC is one of my favorite lines.  It is reasonably priced and “fashionable.”  The clothes fit girls with curves and are flattering.  I check out INC’s display at Bloomingdales and Macy’s. Price range is usually $59 to $99.

Here are examples of great outfits.  In the “brown” display, I especially like the blouse with white tie and sweater.  It is classic and lovely.  The outfits I’m  unsure about are the ones with the shiny puffer jackets.  Both black and brown displays showcase this look.  The looks here are okay because the shiny puffer is paired with a traditional bottom – tweed skirt.  If you just have to have the shiny puffer, I don’t think I’d stray much from how it is shown here.  Save puffy for the tweed pants or skirt.  I can see the black puffer with a pair of Ralph wool charcoal-grey with thin white stripe pants I have.  Throw on a white cashmere turtleneck underneath.  Personally, I find the shiny puffer very limiting, and it would not be at the top of my “to buy” list.

  Refer to my blog about the Aqua dress I recommended for the wedding reception and here is a cute cardigan you can wear with that dress.  Again, if you have a good “staple” item, you can dress it up, down, or between.   Nordstrom refers to it as The Versatile Cardi.  I say good suggestion. A great addition to the wardrobe for $68.00.

I was asked to search for a dress for an evening wedding. My client was invited to her boss’ wedding and stated “cocktail attire.”  One thing to remember for wedding apparel is don’t upstage the bride!  Guests should be dressed respectfully according to season and time of day.  To me, “cocktail attire” for a wedding is different than for a cocktail party.  To address the situation further, my client is young, gorgeous with olive skin, green eyes, D cup, and it’s her boss.  How do you dress, I ask?  Very carefully!

  Anyway, I knew she was on a tight budget and with all under consideration, I wanted to look for something that could be dressed up.  Kensie at Macy’s had a dress I liked; higher neckline but sheer panel to keep sexy; black with sapphire and olive. BCBG offered many cool choices as usual, but pricing was a little higher than what I knew she wanted to spend.  At Bloomingdales, I went to the Contemporary section and was delighted with the AQUA line.  Wonderful sweaters, dresses, tops, etc.  This dress caught my eye.  The picture does not do it justice, but the material has a sheen to it, making it dressier.  I figured this would work with great high-heels, a smoldering eye, hair done up with a clip, bling earrings and bracelet with bag. A bling belt and ring instead of the bracelet could work too.  Also, “the girls” are “contained” and the outfit would present a sophisticated rather than “office bimbo” look.

Another consideration was the price and practicality of the dress.  This dress could be worn with a cardigan or jacket and I am showing it with boots or you could wear flats.  Simple or no jewelry would make it appropriate for office or a casual dinner.  This is a great office to out-on-the-town dress with a change of footwear and jewelry. Also good for travel being dual-purpose. The price, $108.00, but I bought at 15% off SALE. That’s right, I ended up buying one for myself! 

The color caught my eye as I breezed through the aisles at Chicago’s Michigan Avenue Bloomingdales.  I couldn’t pass up the color.  Wow! Women talk about how they buy too much black; they want to change but gravitate to black.  Here was my alternative.  Plus, this would be great with a black sweater underneath, or even black-belted!  The salesgirl said the coats came in a few days ago and she expected them to fly off the racks when the 15% off sale went into effect (with using your Bloomie’s card, through Sunday, October 18th).  She pre-sold the coat to me and I had it shipped as it would ring up on the sale date.

Why are we always looking at new coats?  Let’s face it gals, in the cold weather the coat is your outfit! This coat will be great with black (here we go again) and I’m wearing it with red leather woven gloves for the extra punch.  If I belt it, it will be black gloves.  I can see it with a black sweater and skirt, black boots and gloves, belted, heavy pearl necklace, red lipstick. Let me add, the coat is the perfect weight; warm enough to ward off a chill but light enough to be perfect for errands, shopping or over a suit.

I’m glad I found my new coat for the season!  Thank you Michael Kors!