23.2.11

Fashion Etiquette For Birthdays & Beyond


Happy birthday to She's Come Unheeled! Today, to celebrate two years' of fabulous fashion adventures, I have undertaken perhaps one of the most ambitious tasks ever. I wasn't sure if it could be done, but thanks to your help, the convictions of a few well-known designers, and a few of my own opinions, I now present to you: one very, very long list of 100 fashion DOs and 100 fashion DON'Ts. Because it's my birthday--and I'll make lists if I want to!

100 Fashion DON'Ts...

1.) Show your underwear. Lines or straps or whales tails...yucky.
2.) Long French nails. Sorry, you look like a stripper.
3.) Long nails. Period.
4.) Roots. Get real--and get your hair did!
5.) Sandals and socks. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
6.) Wear something you don't love because it is in. You should dress to feel your best, regardless of what the magazines say.
7.) Exactly match the color of every article of clothing that you're wearing.
8.) Wear a very casual jacket over a very dressy dress.
9.) Wear white after Labor Day. Etiquette is not dead!
10.) Wear your Uggs with your bikini. If it's warm enough to swim, it's not cold enough for Uggs. You look stupid.
11.) Starve yourself
12.) Be a label whore. Everyone who's anyone started out as no one.
13.) Wear rings on every finger.
14.) Be afraid of color.
15.) Over-do your foundation
16.) Too-short skirts
17.) Show too much skin. Leave a little something to the imagination!
18.) Exposed bra
19.) Tights as pants.
20.) Buy something with hopes it will look good later. Some things really do look better on a hanger, or on someone else.
21.) Dress too much of your age; trendiness does not stand the test of time.
22.) White stockings with black shoes
23.) Chipped nails. Keep it fresh or take it off!
24.) Sunglasses indoors or at night.
25.) Wear something you feel insecure in; if you're going to be pulling down your skirt, or continuously adjusting a strapless dress, it's best if you just wear something else.
26.) Too much bling during the day. Not even Serena van der Woodsen, a fictional character, can pull it off. Save your sequins for the club.
27.) Buy something if you cannot wear it with at least three items currently in your closet.
28.) Buy something you can’t figure out how to put on in the dressing room in less than 1 minute. Fashion shouldn't be that complicated.
29.) Buy single-use items (wedding dresses are an exception).
30.) Excessive animal print. It's not Halloween.
31.) Not dressing your age.
32.) Acid wash jeans
33.) Fanny packs
34.) Pants with elastic waists (with the exception of leggings--but be mindful of no. 19)
35.) White men's dress shirts with no undershirt
36.) Gold chains on men
37.) Feathered bangs
38.) Sweatpants that gather at the bottom
39.) Wear shoes that are exactly the same color as your pants. Yawn.
40.) Buy something on sale you wouldn't buy at full price.
41.) Over-do your perfume.
42.) Take style tips from the cast of Jersey Shore
43.) Wear it if you can't breathe in it--and dance in it!
44.) Don't get a high-maintenance haircut. Who has time?
45.) Wear shoes that you can't walk properly in--no matter how fabulous they are.
46.) Disguise your figure with loose, oversized clothing. According to Tim Gunn, The more volume your clothing has, the more volume you appear to have.
47.) Orange-y pantyhose. The point is to match your skin tone, people!
48.) Nude hosiery with open-toed shoes.
49.) Denim on denim
50.) Overaccessorizing. Take one thing off before you leave the house.
51.) The golfing look, worn off the course
52.) Worn-out flip flops.
53.) The school girl look, if you're not a school girl.
54.) Shoulder pads
55.) Stay with one hairstyle for too long. Give yourself the decade test.
56.) Take your hairstyle to the extreme: too long, too short, too light, too dark...
57.) Be afraid to experiment with fun, playful colors when you get your mani/pedi
58.) Over-tweezed eyebrows
59.) Cat-eye make-up, circa Amy Winehouse
60.) Charge something you really can't afford to your credit card and tell yourself, "I'll pay it off later."
61.) Split-toed shoes. Camel toe, eeew.
62.) Smoking. Not only is it gross, but in all seriousness, lung cancer destroys families.
63.) At-home dye jobs
64.) Visible Peds
65.) Unopened vents. Don't forget to snip that pesky string on jackets, blazers, and skirts! Embarrassing--and you run the risk of ripping your garment when you take a large step or reach for something on the top pantry shelf.
66.) A gaping blouse. A button popping off onto the conference table? So not professional.
67.) Low ankle boots with cropped pants.
68.) Having a fashion muse like Lindsay Lohan or J-Woww.
69.) Baring your midriff. You are not a teen pop sensation. Sorry.
70.) Think that just because a high-end designer made it, it's a "DO."
71.) Hammer pants
72.) Wear all black to yoga. Lulu invented purple pants for a reason!*
73.) Heart-shaped sunglasses. Unless you're under the age of 10.
74.) Penciled-in brows
75.) Heavily lined lips. Unless you're a showgirl, your lip liner should blend with your lip color.
76.) Overmoisturize. While some might tell you that you can't have too much of a good thing, that rule of thumb doesn't apply when it comes to a clear complexion. Heavy creams can create a barrier on the surface of your face and keep your skin from absorbing moisture.
77.) Ed Hardy.
78.) Invest too much in trendy pieces. That's what H&M is for.
79.) Wear medicated lip balms. True, the tingle can be intoxicating, but these formulas won’t protect your pout; they’ll only make it drier. Look for lip balms or glosses with ingredients like shea butter and beeswax instead, both of which coat your lips with a layer that helps protect and nourish.
80.) Be a copycat. Instead, take inspiration from others and then make it your own.
81.) Keep your wellies on all day at work. Change into your heels or good flats.
82.) Overly distressed jeans are, well, distressing.
83.) Over-doing the smokey eye
84.) A smokey eye during the day
85.) Baggy jeans
86.) Designer knock-offs
87.) Hairy pits. Sorry, but someone had to say it.
88.) Sleep in your make-up. Let your skin breathe.
89.) Matchy matchy tracksuits. Unless you're Jane Lynch.
90.) Bib necklaces. Statement jewelry is one thing, but if the word "bib" appears anywhere in the name, take a pass.
91.) Visors
92.) Tapered pants
93.) Sleeveless high-necked blouses. If it's warm enough to go sleeveless, what do you need the high neck for?
94.) Scrunchies
95.) Pantyhose with sling-backs or mules.
96.) Too much fringe. When it comes to fringe--whether it be on a dress, a handbag, whatever--less is always more.
97.) Mullets--on guys or girls.
98.) Jumpsuits
99.) Forget to slice and dice the bottoms of your heels. A slippery surface plus sky-high heels spells inevitable disaster--not to mention embarrassment.
100.) Be insecure. Love yourself.


100 Fashion DOs...

1.) Invest in a really good pair of black high-heeled Mary Janes. Fortunately, they are not an urban shoe myth.
2.) Brightly colored rainboots. They will make rainy days--and your wardrobe--so much more interesting.
3.) Learn how to walk properly in heels.
4.) Own several LBDs.
5.) Pearls
6.) Wear your husband's t-shirts to bed.
7.) Wear suits without stockings.
8.) Wear navy with black (or brown).
9.) Wear jeans that fit (ie not too tight, not too baggy).
10.) Mix patterns
11.) Find a work-out you love (or don't hate).
12.) A classic trench.
13.) Dress for the weather.
14.) Splurge on a handbag you love
15.) Dress for your body type. Bikinis aren't the only cute bathing suits out there.
16.) Wear sunblock
17.) Red lipstick
18.) Dress up with a cocktail ring.
19.) Own a go-to pair of flats. You never know when you might have to run from the paparazzi--or to catch a bus.
20.) Dress your age. Every year on this earth is a gift.
21.) Patterned tights
22.) V-necks always make you look better, even if you're feeling kind of frumpy.
23.) Color, wherever it feels right.
24.) Spread good clothing karma! Clean out your closet and donate clothes you've outgrown, physically or emotionally, to an appropriate charity or clothing drive.
25.) Elegance and grace, both in what you wear and how you behave.
26.) Pedicures all year round
27.) When it comes to sunglasses, bigger really is better.
28.) Have a fashion failsafe that makes you feel good about your body and yourself for those off days.
29.) Before getting dressed in the morning, visualize your overall look.
30.) Shop a range of price points. There's no better match than a thrift store tee with a pair of designer jeans.
31.) Be brave! The trend has to start somewhere.
32.) Invest in timeless classics.
33.) Buy clothing that fits your lifestyle. If you spend your 9-5 in the office, splurge on a well made suit or an amazing pair of heels instead of blowing your paycheck on another pair of designer jeans.
34.) Animal print--in moderation--can add a fun pop! of pattern to any outfit.
35.) Retro party dresses
36.) Showcase one or two bright colors or one loud piece of jewelry instead of wearing the whole shiny rainbow.
37.) Carefully weigh your options...and then choose what will make you strut into a room like you own it.
38.) Ignore size. Bottom line: clothes that fit properly look better so don't get fixated on the numbers.
39.) Try it on. It's all about the mirror, not the hanger. Hello, that's what the dressing rooms are there for!
40.) Opt for pearls and a ponytail if you simply don't have time for a shower.
41.) Keep emergency bobby pins, mascara, and lip gloss in your purse.
44.) Dress your best. In the words of Coco Chanel, I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little--if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.
45.) Ask yourself, "What would Jackie do?"
46.) Buy quality, not quantity.
47.) Wear head-to-toe black if you don't have a lot of time to get ready. It is universally chic.
48.) Always wear a good bra. It will make any top fit better.
49.) Make your belt mean something to your outfit. It's not there just to hold your pants up.
50.) Smile
51.) Always check your backside in the mirror before you head out. Everything that you care about showing or not showing from the front deserves the same amount of attention from the back.
52.) Define your waistline.
53.) Think about proportion.
54.) Fishnets, in neutrals and a fine weave. They are sexy without looking sleazy.
55.) Bright, gauzy scarves
56.) Balance your accessories. For example, if you have a scarf tied to one side, wear your bracelets on the opposite arm.
57.) White denim
58.) Opt for brightly colored or patterned flats. If they match nothing, it means they match everything.
59.) Invest in a high-quality flat iron.
60.) The perfect hem hits the top of the knee or an inch above—no higher.
61.) T-shirts: a soft, fitted cotton tee always works.
62.) Nude heels
63.) Understated cat-eye make-up
64.) Save your hard-earned cash to buy a really special splurge item
65.) Having a fashion muse like Jackie Onassis or Marilyn Monroe.
66.) Locate a really good tailor. Your hems--and your wardrobe in general--will thank you.
67.) Buying a shoe you love in every color.
68.) Keep it classy. You never want to try to ‘get away’ with anything, says Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute.
69.) Trust in the opinions of a few good friends. If your friends are telling you that those pants aren't "so flattering," they're just trying to be nice.
70.) Dress for the part.
71.) Unruly curls. Embrace what your mama gave you!
72.) Get your H2O! Drinking 64 ounces of water daily is essential for a healthy complexion because it flushes out toxins and keeps your insides running efficiently.
73.) Moisturize in the PM. There’s evidence that skin-cell regeneration is slightly faster at night than during the day, so take advantage of your skin’s receptiveness and don’t skimp on overnight hydration.
74.) Kate Spade
75.) Treat yourself to a facial once per season.
76.) Opt for SPF.
77.) Layer
78.) Maxi dresses
79.) Plaid
80.) Take inspiration from vintage trends.
81.) Opt for a subtle smokey eye to add instant glamour to any evening outfit.
82.) Military inspired fashion
83.) Steal your husband's watch
84.) Pea coats
85.) Shirtdresses
86.) Opt for leggings if you're questioning the appropriateness of your hemline
87.) Faux fur
88.) Get your beauty sleep. No girl wants/needs to hear "You look tired" from well-meaning--albeit entirely clueless--coworkers first thing in the morning.
89.) Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.
90.) Side-swept bangs
91.) Glasses. Geek is chic!
92.) Have a signature scent.
93.) Rose-gold jewelry. It looks amazing on bold necklaces and oversize watches, and it's also flattering to every skin tone.
94.) Wear camo. In moderation.
95.) Nautical-inspired fashion
96.) Own multiple pairs of boots. The possibilities are endless--riding boots, ankle boots, heeled, flat--and each style lends itself to a different look.
97.) Diamonds. Haven't you heard?--They're a girl's best friend.
98.) Leather bomber jackets
99.) Second-day hair
100.) Be confident. There is absolutely no substitute for knowing you look amazing.


So there you have it--all the DOs and DON'Ts a fashionista could ever ask for! Thanks to all of you who contributed your style savvy--and a special thank you for reading and supporting She's Come Unheeled over the past two years. Cheers to another two years of fashion adventures!


XOXO
Lolly


*My beloved Johanna shared this "don't" with me, and I confess that I have worn black to yoga many times... Apparently even fashionistas make style blunders from time to time. Looks like it's time to add some color to my workout!


Images, in order of appearance: (1) Marilyn Monroe with cake, photo thanks to The Fashion Partizan (thefashionpartizan.blogspot.com); (2) fashion photo, thanks to Kristin Rogers Photography (kristinrogersphotography.typepad.com); (3) Juicy Couture ad campaign (http://www.juicycouture.com/).

It's My Birthday!--and I'll make lists if I want to...


I'm very excited to report that She's Come Unheeled is turning 2 years old on Friday! I want to thank all of you fabulously fashionable readers for supporting me over these last couple of years and for sharing what seems to be infinite style savvy wisdom. To celebrate this milestone, I have decided upon the rather ambitious task of making a very, very long list of 100 fashion DOs and 100 fashion DON'Ts. So once again I need your help...

What do you consider fashion DOs and DON'Ts? Whether your rules pertain to clothing, shoes, hair, or beauty, I need you!--and so does my list... Please send me an email or post a comment below, and then stay tuned for Friday's birthday post!

Thanks again for your help--and for spreading the word about She's Come Unheeled, the fabulous adventures of a self-proclaimed fashionista!

Image thanks to Daily Candy (www.dailycandy.com).

Bottoms Up!


Does your morning eye make-up routine involve at least one (if not three) Q-Tips, whose purpose is to remove stray mascara from all places aside from your lashes? Okay, maybe that's just me; I could never manage to color inside the lines, nor can I seem to apply mascara to just my lashes. Particularly troublesome are those pesky bottom lashes that are itty-bitty, yet crucial to the overall effect. But no longer!

Clinique's new Bottom Lash Mascara is precisely what it claims to be. Its brush was designed to grasp even the tiniest of bottom lashes since, let's be honest, all lashes are not created equal (I suppose that's what falsies are for!). Add a smear-proof formula to the equation, and viola!--even the teensy-weensiest bottom lashes can have their day in the sun. Bottoms up!




Image: Bottom Lash Mascara $10 by Clinique, available online (www.clinique.com).

21.2.11

Paper Crown

Fashion week reports from all the online publications that I subscribe to have been pouring into my inbox lately, and so I've been trying to keep on top of the news--and, of course, the trends. However--perhaps due to an MTV/reality TV addiction slightly unbecoming at my age--one particular announcement caught my eye: the debut of Paper Crown.

For those of you Laguna-Beach-turned-Hills watchers, Paper Crown is the contemporary line from Lauren Conrad (aka the designer formerly known as LC). But if you've been craving another reality series with Lauren Conrad as star of stage and screen, you will be disappointed to learn that MTV recently dropped her new series, which was set to follow the young designer in the making of Paper Crown. Apparently it was too "high brow" for MTV viewers--but that's a topic for another day... However, it seems that all is never lost when you're MTV's darling (must be nice), and her collection will hit stores this fall.

So, rather than setting a new series recording on your DVR, how about making some room in your closet? Though the Paper Crown price point has yet to be disclosed, there's certainly no lack of wearable fashion where this line is concerned. According to Fashionista, my go-to source for Fashion Week reports and hot-off-the-press trend forecasting, Paper Crown features on-trend basics like leather shorts, silk blouses in blush tones, slouchy blazers, tight cocktail dresses, tiered ruffled maxi dresses (a Conrad staple) and short, flouncy, belted dresses. Indeed, the versatility of the Paper Crown designs are perfect for the gal on the go, transitioning effortlessly from day to night with a youthful bohemian ease.

How refreshing to see the reality star spread her wings beyond scripted fights with frenemies like Kristen and Heidi. Indeed, the lovely Lauren Conrad has grown into a fashion force to be reckoned with, and I have to say that I'm genuinely looking forward to the debut of Paper Crown for the masses. Looks like we need to mark our calendars for fall!














Psst... Click here to see Leah Chernikoff's full article on Fashionista, "Lauren Conrad’s New Line, Paper Crown: The Complete Look Book."


Images: all from the Paper Crown lookbook, thanks to Fashionista (www.fashionista.com).

18.2.11

Lash Venom

Despite the title of today's post, I will not be talking about the cast of Twilight--not Edward's delicately applied yet utterly masculine lip gloss, nor Bella's perfect skin... In fact, there will be no talk of vampires today. Just mascara. After all, what else does a girl really need in life (or immortality)?

Lash Venom is the latest for lashes from DuWop, the infamous creators of the fabulous lip-plumping Lip Venom. Another "plumping sensation," Lash Venom's Italian-made mascara formula is said to exact volume, length, and definition, as well as instant fullness in a glossy, jet-black finish. Thanks to a combination of spheroidal powders and flexible fibers that wrap each lash completely, Lash Venom promises extreme magnification and length. Their formula also contains Vitamin E that works against smudging and flaking, not to mention lash strengthening ingredients to make your luscious lashes softer and more hydrated. While I'm intrigued, I admit that I have yet to actually try Lash Venom. However, if it's anything like its lip gloss counterpart, then it's sure to be a cosmetic success. And who knows? With a name like Lash Venom, you might just attract a Cullen of your own...



Images, in order of appearance: (1) Lash Venom $24 by DuWop, available online from Spa Look (www.spalook.com); (2) DuWop press coverage, thanks to DuWop (www.shopduwop.com).

17.2.11

I Want Candy!


Right around this time each year, the dismal grey piles of ice-encrusted snow dominating the barren winter landscape starts to get me down. Though we've made it to February and the end is in sight, these days it takes more than sheer optimism to put on a happy face. While we can't control the weather (shame), fortunately for all you fashionistas out there wardrobe is one thing we can control. So let's sweeten your day with thoughts of warm, happy spring fashions, shall we?

And on that note...I want candy! Literally--in the case of the Candy Shop Jeanette Dress. For me, this dress was love at first sight. You could chalk it up to nostalgia; this dress conjures images of Candy Land--particularly Queen Frostine and Princess Lolly (though the latter is not my namesake, she is certainly my soul sister)--and what little girl didn't grow up loving them? Whatever the case, this silk shirt dress from Kate Spade is too sweet not to love, featuring sunny candy colored stripes, a button front, short sleeves with gathered cuffs, and a skinny pink patent belt. I can see it now: this dress, a cheerful spring day--you can almost hear the birds singing, am I right?!

Though it's clearly vibrant where color scheme is concerned, I feel like this dress is actually quite versatile. It's certainly more of a day dress, but wherever your day may take you, you can take this dress with you: the office, lunch with the girls, afternoon tea, a proper English garden party... But there is one caveat; when it comes to styling, it's best not to go too girly, or else you run the risk of looking overly little girl-y. You can avoid this fashion faux pas by opting for grown-up cosmetics, perhaps a luscious red lip or a smokey eye (though I wouldn't suggest both at the same time). Alternatively, adult footwear produces the same result, and a pair of sky-high heels in a nude patent leather would take the Candy Shop Jeanette to the next level.

So if the winter world outside has you feeling down, turn your thoughts to the sweetness of spring--and make a little room in your closet while you're at it. After all, you'll need a spare hanger if you plan to make this dress your own! At least I will, seeing that I practically always want candy.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Candy Shop Jeanette Dress $395 by Kate Spade, available online (www.katespade.com/); (2) Kate Spade ad campaign.

11.2.11

A Kiss From These Lips


Hey sweetness, why so pouty? Indeed, the icy winter does a number on a girl's lips: dry, chapped, cracked= so not cute...or kissable. But before you get all dramatic and cancel your Valentine's Day plans, it's Sara Happ to the rescue (again)! From her 2010 Holiday Collection comes the scrumptious and utterly festive Red Velvet Lip Scrub. Not only is it the ticket to a few Xs and Os, but it's also a sinless sweet treat...

Like her other lip scrub flavors, Sara Happ's Red Velvet Lip Scrub is the ultimate in lip exfoliant. She invented the original product back in 2005 after feeling frustrated with such a gaping hole in the beauty market. As she states on her website, I kept reading: exfoliate lips with a wet washcloth or baby toothbrush. I thought there had to be a better way. So I went to my kitchen and made it myself. And what better place than the kitchen for yummy flavors like Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Crème Brulée, Almond Crème--and now Red Velvet? Like me, red velvet is Sara's favorite cupcake flavor, and she used it as her inspiration, infusing her latest and greatest scrub with deep, buttery chocolate notes and a sweet hint of vanilla cream cheese frosting.

Plus, the directions are simple! (1) Massage a generous amount onto lips using a firm, circular motion. (2) Wipe away with a tissue. (3) Wonder how you ever lived without it. And then a kiss from these lips? Sweet as a cupcake.


Image: Red Velvet Lip Scrubb by Sara Happ $24; check out Sara's website for information on where to purchase this decadent lip treat: www.sarahapp.com!

7.2.11

Earn Those Xs and Os: 5 Gifts to Get Into Her Heart

News flash: Valentine's Day is just one week away! Okay okay, so maybe it is just a Hallmark holiday, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't seize the opportunity to earn those Xs and Os. Fortunately for you, today's gift guide is your essential road map into her heart--and at five reasonable price points to boot!

For under $25, you may not be able to give her the sun, but at least you can keep the rain away with this Clear Bubble Umbrella from Urban Outfitters. I fell in love with this umbrella style when I was in London last year but couldn't for the life of me find a vendor actually selling them! Fortunately for me (and you), they've made it to the good ol' US of A--this time sporting a cheerfully festive red handle and trim that will remind her of your love even on the rainiest of days. And if you really want to stand under her umbrella? Well then, I dare you to channel Rihanna and serenade her... Price tag: $18

For under $50, give her two hearts instead of one with a pair of festively adorable Glitter Heart MP3 Speakers by Juicy Couture. What girl doesn't love an instant dance party?--and especially one in such cute packaging. These glitter adorned, heart-shaped speakers with Juicy's logo banners fit conveniently into the headphone jack of any MP3 player or computer. And not for nothing, if you're not especially partial to her musical taste (my adorable husband thinks that listening to my iPod is akin to slow torture), this concession is sure to steal her heart. Price tag: $48

For under $75, you can win her over by supporting a good cause, thanks to these customizable Converse Red All Star I "Heart" sneaker. Wearing your heart on your sleeve is so last year. This Valentine's day, let her wear your heart on her shoe, and take pride in the fact that 15% of the net retail sales of these Converse (PRODUCT) RED™ shoes will be paid to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Starting with a blank canvas in the form of Chuck Taylor All Stars, choose her favorite colors for the shoe's outside body, rubber sidewall, racing stripe, laces, tongue, and stitching. For the finishing touch, melt her heart by filling in the blank: I "heart" ___________. Price tag: $65

For an even $100, you can cook your way into her heart with a set of four Mini-Cocottes by Le Creuset. Show her what you're made of in the kitchen by serving her favorite meal. And since presentation is everything, you're sure to win points with this scaled-down version of Le Creuset's famous cast iron casseroles in a festive red enamel. As an added bonus, this set comes with a special Le Creuset cookbook, featuring 25 unique recipes specifically developed for this cookware. Price tag: $100

For under $150, you can personalize her preppie with this Personalized Foldable Tote from Longchamp. If your love is an Eternal Prepster, she's guaranteed to fall head-over-heels for her very own customized Longchamp. You can opt for a festive deep red tote--or choose from one of Longchamp's other signature colors: black, chocolate, graphite, or navy. Then select one of three monogram styles, along with your desired monogram color (black, green, red, brown, gold, navy, purple, or orange). After all, if your girl is one of a kind, shouldn't her bag be the same? Price tag: $145

So no matter your budget, let your lady love know how you feel with one of these five fabulously festive Valentine's treats! And if you play your cards right, you might earn an X and an O at the end of the night. Happy shopping, lovers!




Images, in order of appearance: (1) Clear Bubble Umbrella in red $18, from Urban Outfitters (http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/); (2) Glitter Heart MP3 Speakers by Juicy Couture $48, available from Neiman Marcus (http://www.neimanmarcus.com/); (3) (Converse) RED All Star I "Heart" $65, available online from Converse (http://www.converse.com/); (4) Mini-Cocottes by Le Creuset, set of 4 in red $100, available at Bloomingdales (www.bloomingdales.com); (5) Personalized Foldable Tote in deep red by Longchamp $145, available at Saks Fifth Avenue (http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/).

1.2.11

What My Handbag Says About ME & What Yours Says About YOU...


Joan Rivers once said, "No woman I know could ever be a terrorist. Put a bomb in a Gucci bag? Oh, no way!" Not to suggest that Joan Rivers is the keeper of any sage wisdom or anything, but indeed many of us hold our handbag(s) amongst our dearest possessions and would neverrrr, everrrr voluntarily put them in harm's way. In fact, after reading Meredith Stebbins' article on what our handbags say about us, I have realized that a handbag is much more than an accessory or style accoutrement. Rather, the handbag we carry speaks to our personality, our individual style, the type of person we are, and even the type of person we'd like to be.

In Stebbins' article, a panel of high profile fashionistas--including celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff--discuss how our bags affect the way others perceive us. In their view, our handbags can put us into one of ten different categories, each with a corresponding price point: (1) the Eternal Prepster; (2) the Upwardly Mobile Do-Gooder; (3) the Lady Who Luxes; (4) the Multitasker; (5) the Brooklyner; (6) the Power Mom; (7) the Pantsuit Executive; (8) the Party Girl; (9) the Early Adopter; and (10) the Hoarder.



When I broached this subject with my sister, she jokingly responded, "Does your handbag say 'I wish I were Chanel?'" So in the interest of full disclosure, I must confess that (sadly) I am not yet carrying my long-dreamed-about Chanel tote (It's the "Grand Shopper"--just in case my fairy godmother and/or knight-in-shining-armor is listening). However, I do adore my soft, black pebbled leather Marc Jacobs bag with all my heart, especially because it was a gift from my adorable husby. According to the professionals, said Marc bag also puts me solidly in the "Multitasker" category: a young gal who wears many hats in addition to her 9-to-5 job favors an expandable bag with many pockets. However, the Louis Vuitton bag I'm currently coveting is so large that it might push me towards full on hoarding, which in the words of Rachel Zoe would mean that I'm rolling with my entire life. Not for nothing, Mary Poppins fit a floor lamp in her bag, and did that make her a hoarder? Nay, I say; it meant that she was prepared. There's a difference. And I still want the Louis.


So, dearest fashionista friends, what do your handbags say about YOU??? Several of you emailed me with a little glimpse into your handbags--and yourselves. It's official: you all have impeccable taste, and your tastes are fabulously different. Such is the beauty of style! Allow me to share my most favorite of your absolutely inspiring responses...
  • My favorite purse is my vintage red Louis Vuitton purse... I love the purse because only the cognoscenti recognize that it is a top quality Louis Vuitton--you can only tell when you are up close looking at the zipper and small buckle and inside. It shows I really am a secret snob. My second favorite purse is a fantastic mango/pink soft leather Trussardi purse my husband bought for me in Italy. It is the perfect purse for me--long strap over the body, big and empty so I can rummage about in it (showing just how secretly disorganized I am). I didn't carry the purse for a long time for fear it would get dirty, but then I decided that it was silly to not use something I loved so much so I carry it about, and now it is filthy, banged up, and so ratty looking that no one realizes just what a treasure it is. So what do my purses say about me? I'm a secret snob and a secretly disorganized mess. It shouldn't be a surprise. I think my hair says the same thing.


  • In communications, we call this phenomenon Impression Management. The theory goes that we do, wear, say, and act are all conscious decisions we are making toward managing how other people see and evaluate us. When I am teaching, I like to carry my large blue Coach bag. It has no labels or tags, but if you know Coach, then you can spot it. I like it because it is attractive, good quality, and tells my students that "I care about look but can also carry a laptop and all of your midterms exam with no trouble!" In my personal life, I tend to change my regular bag every season. Right now I am carrying a black Cole Haan bag. I LOVE it, and I love the look it gives off.


  • Ever the minimalist, I have only two rules about handbags: NO HARDWARE and, certainly, NO LOGOS. I am blinded by even the smallest shiny buckle and have always gravitated to the beautiful shapes that don't turn into last season's forlorn "it" bag. Over the years I have found success with this philosophy at Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu, Anya Hindmarch, Henry Cuir...

  • True story: One morning, my friend and I went to check out a random little vintage shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. We got there just as the store was about to open, and the girl unlocking the door let us in even though she had just arrived. As we walked in, I spotted a vintage Vuitton Speedy sitting on a shelf. Obviously, I picked it up and asked how much it cost, expecting it to cost at least a few hundred. The girl said "forty-five," and the only thing i could think to say was"dollars?" Needless to say, I bought it. Although I don't carry it all the time, the speedy is really the perfect bag, and I like having a vintage one. I like the idea that it is imperfect, and that it has a story of its own. Also, it has this really cool strap, which is apparently a discontinued detail, which makes it feel special. Most days, I carry a Longchamp since it can withstand my abuse, and I can chuck everything under the sun into it--but increasingly, the Speedy is my go-to. And what it says about me? I like things that are old, different, customized, or in some way distinctive. I like classics, but I want them to have their own spin, unique details that define them as mine. I like difference.


  • I carry a JPK Paris gold hobo bag, and it says that I like comfort (hobo) with a bit of glam (the gold fabric and buckles). I opted for this style to replace always having my Longchamp--which would, according to Rachel Zoe, make me the Eternal Prepster. Rather, I'm only sometimes a prepster--and always comfy chic.



While it's true that some of the bags we love often come with a premium price tag, I would argue that the expression of self is a worthy investment. In fact, as Coco Chanel once said: Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. My dearest fashionista friends, I would have to insist that we've got fashion in the bag.


Special thanks to Deb for sharing this article with me! And on that note, click here to re-read Meredith Stebbins' full article, Your Handbag, Your Self.

Fun handbag facts thanks to The Purse Forum (forum.purseblog.com).

Images, in order of appearance: (1) sketch from Daily Candy (http://www.dailycandy.com/); (2) Nicole Richie rocking the Chanel handbag I so desperately love, photo thanks to Personal Shoppers; (3) The Hoarder and (4) The Eternal Prepster, both thanks to Your Handbag, Your Self by Meredith Stebbins, as posted on Bloomberg Business Week (www.businessweek.com).