One Retro Item Only

Pres:

I recently unearthed a 25 year old Aigner shoulder bag-traditional cordovan with a very simple design- sort of an equestrian vibe. It is in great condition. The leather is beautifully distressed. The leather is heavier than you see currently and almost a saddle bag shape.

I loved it in the mid-eighties! With the current retro feeling- should I use this bag this winter?

Thanks, Deb300



Yes, I think it can work. However, there is one absolute caution: Your outfit must be totally modern and recognizably up-to-date for this season. Not a hint of retro in your hairstyle, lipstick, jacket, leg covering, shoe profile, necklaces, watch band. Colors in style only: muted tones. A recognizably new shirt (ruffles) and the latest belt, too.
No other tricky items: nothing that refers to other cultures, distant or ancient, neither embroidery nor fabrics.

If you can create an entirely modern ensemble, you may carry the retro bag. If you don't want to do that, don't resurrect it. BTW, the bag will have a short wearing period. Retro items never work for too long.
Good Luck!

Elements of New Style

Adding a few new pieces for Fall, as the Pres Method advises? How can you be sure that they are current? Here's a list of ideas. They are purposely written, not links, so that you can also "label" the items that you buy, and not be distracted by an element in the clothing that isn't current, like a favorite bright color or print. Check your new items, and name the elements, as below.
Remember that we are looking for wardrobe, not comfort items. Branch out! Take a chance. This is now! Don't create a problem with a new item that's actually a recently purchased "old" item without the new elements.

Ruffles: The ruffles are small. If you fear enlarging your bosom with ruffles, look for vertical ruffles that are narrow. These can create the vertical lines that break up wide expanses.

New Colors: I hate to say "Muted Colors" because that scares the "Bright Color Crowd." Keep the bright colors to make-up. That should keep you happy! The best neutral right now is Gray.

Color Blocks: Keep similar colors together in the outfit. The shirt/sweater can be in the same color family. Don't pick up small blocks of bright colors by matching the red shoes to cherries in the print. Keep the muted color blocks together for more impact.

Layering: Especially with Cardis. The cardis should be fitted. The should have some interesting elements, like deep vee necks, belts, ribbing, or a boyfriend cut (long and narrow.)

Accessories: You should have a great belt by now. At the very least, a plain patent belt. Also, mixed multiple chain necklaces are a great addition to a ruffled top, break up the chest, and add a playful touch. Don't assume that your best length is unchanged from before. The eye is retrained by style changes.

OK, here's a Link

Can you identify the elements in the ensembles? Count them up. Then go shopping. These looks can be copied at all price points and adapted for all ages and sizes.

MOB Southern Wedding

I'm interested in your thoughts about what I should wear, as mother of the bride, for an 11 am church wedding in April (followed by brunch reception at a hotel) in the South east. I'm a petite, youthful brunette (53) and do not want to wear sleeveless (though my arms are good-just don't want to expose that much skin in early spring). Thank you for any suggestions--including shoes and
accessories.


You're ruling out the hot dress of the moment, the sleeveless sheath dress.
However, there are many good options. My favorite is a classic, the silk suit.

Pink

Blue


Here's a beautiful dress, if the sleeves have enough coverage for you Purple

Stick with a classic look, avoid prints; and even if the bride/bridal party are wearing ballgowns, don't wear a long formal at 11 AM. A knee length dress or suit in a "cocktail" style is more appropriate. For accessories, wear neutrals. Any pop colors are disruptive to the cohesion of the group presentation in this case.

Congratulations on your Happy Event!

Red Shoes/Black Dress?

Help!! I have lovely strappy red sandals, but I have no idea what I can wear them with on an evening out... I own a lot of black, but red and black is harlot-ish, isn't it?!
Shaheen


The Red/Black combo is difficult to carry off, but not impossible. The key to making it work is recognizing that the Red Shoes are a tricky item, and you get just one tricky item per outfit. So, the dress must not expose cleavage, too much leg or too much booty.

Texture plays a very important part in this. A Black satin dress will fail with Red patent strappies, but dark Red suede pumps can work. It takes a nice jersey dress, in a fitted, but not tight, sheath style, to support shiny Red shoes.

If you are looking for other colors that support Red well, try Gray, Tan, or Brown. Red also works with many neutral animal prints, especially Cheetah.

Guest Post: Using The Pres Method

From Siepres:

Have you thought of trying The Pres Method on your existing wardrobe? Earlier this year, I had a massive list for all the different things I needed to make my wardrobe
"complete," but when I tried the Pres Method on what I already had, I saw just how many great outfits I had, and it was easier for me to narrow in on areas that needed improvement (like shoes). I was also able to find what was "missing" from my closet in order for me to achieve the look I wanted. I get a little weary when I hear "pick up a couple of these and one or two of that." I have a strong tendency to do this myself (and was this close to doing it again this Fall), and the Pres Method brought me back to my senses, lol!

Pres, I basically tried the method exactly as you described it. I started with Spring/Summer (since I believe it was late Feb at the time), and I pulled out my newly purchased suit. I made a perfect outfit around it, and then took the skirt and made a perfect outfit using that. Then I took another piece and made a perfect outfit, and so
on. I did all of this from the clothes in my closet. As I was making outfits, I paid careful attention to making sure the outfit was perfect, not okay, but perfect. If an outfit was nearly perfect and just needed a small tweak (a new belt, for example), I would put whatever the "tweak" piece was down on my list. I also looked for inspiration at NM and JCrew, as you advise, and added a piece here or there.

About two weeks ago when we started to see some early Fall stuff, I tried the method again. I think the reason the method helps me is because I can zero in on pieces that will either make a perfect outfit that is dissimilar from what I already have (like a cobalt blue dress)or pieces that will bring nearly perfect outfits into existence (like
a new belt). This season I need to make a few replacements, too (like jeans). The method works great for building your wardrobe from scratch, but it is also perfect for making sure you don't overbuy and wind up with pieces that don't see a lot of wear.

Also, I prefer to "buy and wear." I don't want to wait around for a month or two in order to wear something, and I find the Pres Method helps me with this as well.

Outfits Together

Hi. I still don't understand how to put outfits together in the morning. I don't like to wear the same one with the same parts. Can you help?


If you have progressed past the stage of wearing an outfit in the same (perfect) way every time, and you want to mix it up, start with an anchor piece. It could be a top, bottom, or shoes. It's best to start with a piece that has a distinctive (tricky) color or texture, and pick support pieces (neutrals) instead of beginning with a neutral, and then loading that with accents. You may overload, or you may wind up with an ensemble that's too plain in the end. So, look for a print (floral top); or a distinctive texture (gray sharkskin) and start there. The first item will also define the underwear (Flesh tone? Or Black?) and that's a good step. Once you have that tricky item chosen, the support pieces are narrowed down. Floral top requires solid or supporting print: White pencil. Sharkskin requires an office vibe: Crisp shirt. Even though the unmatched mixtures look like they are composed of independent items, they aren't. The items have an underlying dependence on each other; that connection may be season, texture, or design vibe. It's complex, but that's what makes it so nice.