Kindergarten Heat

I have always been at a loss as to what would be the best type of clothing to wear in my profession as a Kindergarten teacher. I also live in a very hot climate, so there are many days when being on the playground gets my clothes sweaty and my shoes dusty!!! Any ideas? A new school year is quickly approaching,so I need advice ASAP !
Thanks, K. Teacher

I'd advise washable khaki twill skirts or pants, cotton short sleeve wrap tops or button downs, and cute flats, low wedges, or sandals. Patent is easy to wipe clean, too. And here are some really cleanable shoes.

Luckily, SOS has its own group of experienced guest bloggers, so I checked with Halfpint, a practiced elementary teacher, just to be sure:

Hi Pres,
You've hit the nail on the head with cotton twill pants. Also, if the dress code allows, cotton twill crops can be easy to wear in the classroom and keep you cool(er) while outside. If crops are crisply pressed and hit at the right spot on the leg, it's a good teacher look. A Kindergarten teacher will be sitting on the floor at some point every day, so skirts are sometimes hard to wear. A cotton button front shirt or wrap top is good, and fitted cotton scoop neck tees will work, as well. Don't wear anything on top that requires an additional layer, like a cami. However, a fitted tee with a short sleeve cardi, or a regular cardi with sleeves pushed up, is fine for inside.

For playground time, slip off the cardi and leave it in the room. A nice necklace will still keep the outfit looking professional. If a badge is required, I'd suggest a nicer lanyard. (In fact, I'm looking for a new one.) When you're living in a tropical climate, being hot and sweaty is a fact of life. Today, for the first day of Pre-Planning (casual) I wore cotton twill pants in taupe, a white scoop neck tee with a yellow short sleeve cardi over. Peanut wedge sandals and a distinctive necklace completed my look. If I were going outside, I would take off the cardi and change out of the wedges.

Unfortunately, playground and cute shoes were the bane of my existence in Kindergarten. I finally decided to keep a pair of worn slip ons in my desk. They were flat, stable to walk on gravel or mulch or whatever is outside, and could be kept fairly clean with a quick wipe. I'd wear my better shoes inside the building and wear the "rain shoes" for playground. The kids knew that when Mrs. Halfpint pulled out the playground shoes it was time to go out! Some of the girls even wanted to bring other shoes to change into, because they thought it was like a fashion show.

ATL sent out a coupon today just for educators to receive 20% off the entire purchase. Hopefully, our teacher friend got one, too. ATL and other retailers do this on a fairly regular basis.
Glad to help,
Halfpint

The antidote to looking older is not to look younger, but current.

Here's a post from our guest blogger, Ili, who discusses the topic of Older Women and the Charity Bin option.

Dear Pres:
Great topic! Especially as this is so prevalent today. Everybody wants a bargain. Not everybody knows what they're giving up for the sake of bragging: It cost me only 2 dollars"!

Paying for "hand-me-downs?" I think that is where the line is drawn about the issue of wearing clothes (a necessity) versus striving to look your best (a choice.) I advise: *Shop Pre-Season or Post-Season Sales* for true savings that don't compromise your look. You can see wear, as well as a style's age, on second hand clothes. It may not be obvious to you, but others aren't looking at you with the fondness you share for your newest find.

There's also the issue of "Close, but no cigar" in the look itself. You won't really look STUNNING. Why are you buying anything that is not *gorgeous* on you? I can tell you that I didn't feel fabulous and "myself" until I started wearing new and shiny things (Ha! A little kidding there, but you all know what I mean). Truth is that I never felt *fantastic! confident!* wearing other people's clothes. No matter how much they took care of them, things show wear, or even worse, have passed their "sell-by date".

Remember the famous line by the little boy in "The Sixth Sense"? "I see dead people. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead.". By the same token, I see women who swear about the fabulousness of this type of dressing and encourage others to do the same. It's awkward, observing someone with that "older person look." Comments like "nice colors" and "good color combo", are no substitute for "WOW, YOU ARE/look BEAUTIFUL TODAY!" Gaining fashion knowledge, and buying the clothes that take you there, requires an open mind to new thoughts and ideas.

And about shoes. Another thing to remember when you go shopping at thrifts: Nothing kills an outfit like blah/ sensible shoes, fussy delicate accessories, or dated jewelry. Who wants to look like Mrs. Doubtfire? Or a midlife woman from 1947? or even 1997? I've seen the photos.

Decide for yourself if you want mediocrity or excellence in dressing. For those who defend and enjoy style, excellence is its allure, and I remind you of the words of Trinny and Susannah, the originators of the term "What Not To Wear", whose catch phrase changed pop culture with its impact: "Your best friends won't tell you, but we are not your best friends, and we WILL".

;) Love to all, Ili

Wide Belt for Eyelet

Nice to know about you and your website!

I think sometimes some fashion guidelines do not apply to Asia, due to the smaller body and the complexion. For my question about wide belt, I am not sure it is appropriate to me as I have a short body, heavy bottom...I did buy a cream eyelet dress to wear with my cream wide belt (with grey stocking and grey heel shoes), something like this

Eyelet

What do you think?

Trudy in VN


Hello! It's great to hear from someone in VN!

I think that the basic ideas are pretty much the same, no matter where we are. The key to the look is proportion; and every individual has a special set of colors that work (or fail.)

I love your dress, the gray/cream combo, and the idea of the wide belt. Check the proportions to be sure that the belt helps to create a defined torso and bosom by using separate blocks of color, or texture (the leather/eyelet) for each of them. You may need a darker belt, but it's really handy to have a way to produce this flattering effect, and it's in style right now, so try it and see!

Pres in NY

Old Gal, Old Clothes

I have been trying to cut back on my clothing budget. As a woman over 30, do you think I could wear Thrift shop finds? I would look for Thrifts in the best neighborhoods.


Be careful. If you are out of your teens, the oldies look worst on you. The resale look is for young girls (anything goes when youth is on your side) and dotty old ladies, many who make a crusade of holding on to the past, and never looking towards the future. That's not a good look. See if you can find the new silhouette before it becomes old, and acquire it then. Why resist a new shapes (like pencil skirts, or swing jackets) until they show up in resale? You can enjoy your clothes for longer if you pay attention to the current styles.
You'll get more wear from your outfits if they are new, and they enter your wardrobe in that condition, than if you keep recycling someone's discards. Be extra careful with prints. They have obvious date stamps on them for all to see. And try for a little dignity at any age. Some silly prints, like pink camo, are hardly classics for elegant women to sport. If they were, they wouldn't have wound up in the bin.

Petite Untucked

I have another question relating to work wardrobes. I think I have absorbed too much of my mother's own classic style for my own good. (You know, the things like matching belts and purses and shoes, wear slips with all skirts/dresses, no white after labor day....) My dilemma is whether or not it is appropriate to tuck shirts in. When wearing casual clothing, I never tuck things in because I feel it makes me look stumpy. I'm very petite, and am slim, but somehow tucking shirts in makes me look truncated. The problem with many dress shirts is that they are too long on me to leave untucked or they have shirt-tails, which I feel is a bit too casual to have hanging down in an office setting. I'd love to wear classic dress shirts, but I've yet to find any that look good untucked. Should I just give up on the idea of dress shirts and stick to knit pieces? Thanks!


The problem is proportion, not Mom. You probably feel "stumpy" in the tucked casual shirts because the position of your natural waist doesn't create proportions that are pleasing to you. If you would like to wear dress shirts untucked, they must end exactly at the sweet spot on your hip. And, a long shirt tail isn't going to look polished. So, look for some shirts that are made to be worn untucked. They have straight hems. Then, have them shortened to create the correct proportion. If you wear them with a jacket, be sure that you try the jacket on, too. If you feel insecure about this, try a wrap shirt. The wraps are made to be worn untucked, and look very dressy, too.
Here's a dressy shirt that has good presence; I like the texture in the front and the straight hem (the Ruffles may be a bit much.)
What's really nice is the set-in waist that's very obvious.

So, for work, look for a shirt that has a straight hem, a defined set-in waist, and maybe some dressy texture, and have it shortened to do the job. Shirts that are created to be worn untucked, especially the wrap top, are a good place to start. Petite Untucked

Useable Images

Every season it is the same thing. I buy magazines touting a "preview" of fall clothes- but I cannot make heads or tails of the images.

Each model is leaping or contorted. I can't make out the lines of the garments. Each model is so over-accessorized that I can't focus on anything. Everyone appears to be wearing enough layers to endure a seige.

So far, I am picking up on purple, plaid and florals for fall. Do you have any advice on where to find images that make sense to a wannabe stylish woman living in a flyover state?

Thanks for all you do,
Deb

The major fashion mags seem to be showcases for photo art (and hooray for them!) but they don't do the job we need for fashion education. If you want to see upcoming styles in views that you can use, look at the highest end fashion store sites and their catalogues. That's where the looks that you see on the runways are translated to clothes that women can actually wear. Runway clothes are often adapted, with linings, and normal skirt lengths, before they are shipped for sale.

My favorite is Neiman Marcus, but there are others, like Bergdorf's, Barney's, Bloomingdales, Nordstroms and SFA. They currently have Fall previews of real clothes. Review their designer collections. This is a good way to educate your eye before you search for clothes in your own price range. (All looks can be copied at several price points.) If a designer's style attracts you, find that designer's work on their individual sites on the net, and see more. I usually check out all the runway shows online, as well. They are all available at Style.com.

For magazines, Lucky Magazine has the highest percentage of wearable ensembles; you can check them out online, too.

You are on the right track! An educated eye will be your greatest asset.

The Wide Belt

So, I really love the wide belt look, but I'm not sure how I would
make it work with my frame. My waist length is average, but my waist
is positioned rather high. With a large chest, I thought the wide
belt was out, but I've seen Jennifer Hudson pull it off before and
look nice. One site advised a thin belt for hourglasses, but I find
that it just looks weird, maybe because it's out of proportion with
the rest of me. I feel like I could carry off the wide belt, but I'm
looking for tips on how to make it work with an outfit.
Thanks, Siepres


Like any other look, the Wide Belt takes trying on. I looked over Jennifer Hudson's pictures

Jennifer

and I was able to analyze some of the components of her successful look. She usually shows off a great deal of cleavage, and she uses the belt to create a slimmer torso effect. The belt (and I looked at dozens of photos) is usually black, or a darker color than the fabric above and below. Her bosom, torso and hips are in line with each other (not much differential there) and the belt separates the three elements visually. Notice, in the Dream Girls pic, how much more solid her look is, with the substantial bra fabric melting into the torso into the waist.

In many pictures that failed (I'll spare you) the bosom started out narrow at the neck (with a high neckline) and then separated into two halves which protruded on either side. Even the wide belt couldn't rescue that look. She looks better with a wider line above the bosom, and the angle of protrusion maintained forward, not sideways.

So, you may be able to incorporate some of the elements of this look. It requires a high bosom (which everyone should have, using the proper bra.) Note that the furthest point of the bosom is pulled up to midway on the upper arm, never down at the elbow. Some exposure of the bosom may be key; covering with a wide expanse of unbroken cloth, particularly in a solid, or a wild print, and particularly if the cloth is narrowest at the top (as in a a neckline that ties at the back of the neck) will be unflattering. If you don't want cleavage, you may be able to create this "break up" with another thin layer of shirt or sweater, like a vee neck cardi (in a darker, or contrasting color, with the belt over that. The belt must be darker than the other fabrics, and the lower half of the body should be in proportion to the upper.

The look is very sexy. Good luck!

Cruise Wardrobe II

Hi,
I'm a youthful 62, 5'1" 120 lb. and will be taking a Caribbean cruise in Dec. 2008 on Crystal Cruise, which has a dress code no just for formal even'gs but also after 6 pm.
I love fashion but admit to being unimaginative when it comes to creating nice outfits - always opting for the tried and true (mean'g boring). Would prefer minimizing baring arms, which don't look great. I can afford and would like to take some nice outfits that will serve me once I'm off the ship. What would you suggest? (pls. provide details as to mixing/matching, etc.)
Thanks,
Didi


I asked for some advice from Guest Blogger, Cheryle, and here's her reply:

I found that the cruise was not as formal as I had expected and although it may have been that the cruise line was trying to attract more families, I believe it is more the case that the will to enforce a dress code has been eroded in favor of pleasing the majority of travellers.

For the non-formal evenings, I found that simple dresses made of natural fibers such as cotton and silk worked very well for me. They could be more casual when worn with a pair of metallic flats or dressed up with a pair of heels such as the red patents I favor. I took a number of cardigans with varying sleeve lengths and a few pashminas as well as the evenings could be quite cool or breezy. An example would be an white eyelet cotton scoopneck sleeveless Maggy London dress that had a soft lawn attached sash belt. I found that there was often little time to get ready for the evening on days that we were on excursions and a dress just makes it easy.

I do like the idea of separates and would keep the skirts clean and simple so they could be worn more than once. The details that make a piece memorable also make it difficult to repeat in a second outfit. For example, I would pair a navy silk skirt with a fine white cotton wrap blouse and a chunky necklace - I prefer silver but turquoise or amber would work well too. The same skirt could then be paired with layered t-s or tanks for a more casual look.

Cheryle has some great advice here (and you can find another of her posts at Cruise Wardrobe I)

Evening separates are the most versatile type of evening wear.
I'd start out with an evening skirt (long) or evening pants.

Then, I'd add a Taffeta Top in any great color. The top will work just once on the cruise, but when paired with a wool pencil or slacks at home, will give you some more mileage.

Another great look is a short silk skirt, and Glittery Top. Both of these pieces will work with many other items.

On a Budget

I need to have my clothes last as long as possible, because I'm an actress on a limited budget. I often go to auditions. Do you have any tips for me? Thanks!

There are many ways to help you stretch your fashion dollar and look good at the same time.

1) Stick with solids: Prints show their age faster than any other fabrics. If you can't resist a beautiful print, keep it to something small like a neck square that you can roll up and tie around your neck above the collar of a shirt. Sometimes, you can latch onto a print from a high fashion site, and the print will come into style and stay there (for a short while.) You can balance this with the cost of the item. Don't buy prints in the secondary market, because they are already on the way down.

2) Stick with classic colors: Which neutral is best for you? Blacks, browns or navys? Buy a few knit tops in these colors. A scoop neck sweater in a flat knit, in black, for example, will last longer than one in magenta, or green.

3) Stick with classic shapes: A properly cut navy or black blazer in a wool knit will go a longer way than a ruffled pink swing jacket.

4) Stick with menswear inspired looks. Menswear doesn't change as quickly as women's clothes. A khaki pencil, gray pinstripe trousers with cuffs, or a white shirt, will be around for longer than an embroidered full skirt. This works for outerwear, too. A trench is a great raincoat, and beats a fitted princess coat for longevity.

5) Stick with classic shoes: Don't go for trendy novelty shoes in unusual fabrics. Leather and suede are best.

So that you don't die of boredom, here's where you can use a small amount of splurge money: nail polish (hot colors); bold artistic jewelry in natural materials like wood, and unnatural ones like lucite; cute scarves in the latest colors (use and lose); stretch gloves in animal prints or other patterns (to go with your solid neutral coat) and patterned tights.

Don't go overboard shopping in any one season. Limit your purchases to what you can wear regularly, integrate the new things with your mainstay items, and dump the stuff at the back of your closet.

Break a l*g!

Happy Independence Day

Because Freedom is something to celebrate!

Mixing Florals

How do I mix Florals? I see that they are big for Fall.


Florals aren't usually associated with Fall, but this year is different. Look for patterns with a dark background, like black or navy. Here's a floral on Black.

Dream Floral

To mix two florals, try for one bright bold one, and one in a smaller, paler pattern. Also, remember that the small leopard print has journeyed all the way from racy to a neutral. Leopard mixes well with bolder patterns, like stripes and florals. If the leopard is bold, add a floral in a faded color, instead. While it's still summer, mix B&W floral pants with a B&W bold striped shirt. Add red patent flats and a neutral (peanut color) bag.

Remember that the new florals are substantial in impact; avoid finely embroidered, thin line motifs in floral patterns, unless they are high Contrast.