...in considering your hair style (and influence your whole image!). In "Growing Pains" Kennedy Fraser (Vogue, Dec 2009, p174) "recalls the chapters of her life through the cuts that defined her---and the long hair she dreamed of again." Interestingly in one of the last issues of Vogue I noted a group photo of new models. Almost (with just a few exceptions) had long flowing tresses. It truly seems a symbol of youth!
Never before has short cropped hair been more a symbol of an older woman. Understandably there are great reasons to have a shorter style. The thickness of your hair, face/neck proportion, health issues are all extremely valid. There are factors we can't control.
But I can't help but urge every woman over 50 to at least consider growing her locks to a longer--shoulder length or a few inches past her shoulders. Headbands (classic preppy is ageless and appropriate!)) or a ponytail are an easy everyday way to make it manageable, and stylish. Consider a loose chignon for the evening.
This is the first step in chipping away at a predictable "middle age" image. It's not the only way --and it's not the only adjustment you'll need to make---but it can be a major one.
My new article on “The Style Glossy” is out today!
Monday, November 16, 2009
...Please visit TheStyleGlossy.com. I'm now blogging for the next 3 month (at least)...and am excited to contribute. My new blog is so pertinent to our style "health"--it's a must-read!
..It's so integral to my art of the mix that I hope to discuss the subject often. Though winter often inspires neutrals --black being the most practical and ubiquitous--going away to resorts or being lucky enough to live in one (like I used to in AZ) inspires a more generous use of bright hues. I love blues for their versatility and believe that midnight blue is a valuable alternate to black as we age--it's way softer near the face. Of course in "Forever Cool" I sing it's praises (till in fact I'm "blue" in the face!) for men. The good news this season is that as a "trend" color--you'll see it quite a bit on the racks. The combo of navy with turquoise is one of my all time favorites. Turqouise is in the green/blue family of cool colors. Analagous colors make for a sophisticated mix. Here are some offerings in that palette...
...for all those that can attend my seminar, be advised of this last minute change in address! I look forward to seeing you there. The details and address, 6 E 87th St, NYC between Fifth and Madison, NYC is all under "Speaking Events" (http://www.sherriemathieson.com).
...and I regret thinking too long about their viability (I like to wisely consider long term use vs cost) in my wardrobe. Here's a great example of how women who covet a new/hot stylish item--often need to think quickly on their feet ( pun intended) whether to buy into a look that by it's nature is not for everyone--and may be "out" before it returns again years later. The pair I finally decided on were sold out before I could utter "I'd like to try on...". The reason was partially the economy. Stores are buying way-less stock than they have in better days. Therefore the fact that they are "sold out" may be attributable to that they originally had only 3 pairs in my size--rather than that the boot was immensely popular. What made me come around in the first place? I decided that this style-- in a flat version--will be classic enough to last in my wardrobe. Versions of the over-the-knee boot with high heels (I'm always reminded of "Barbarella") may be sexier but I won't vouch for their longevity.
..as I learned soon after "Forever Cool". The story of publishing my 2 books could easily be the stuff of it's own reality movie or memoir. It continues to unfold.
A friend just sent me a YouTube video of Elizabeth Gilbert (of "Eat, Pray, Love" fame) talking about the creative process--and it was interesting to me.
However my books dealt with ideas about style, some of which I knew to be original to me--and since my goal was to be unique as well as helpful to my readers--I laid much importance to that premise of originality. So I can add yet another fear to Elizabeth's fear of the missed creative opportunity (and indeed it was well founded) that only crystalized after my ambitious effort. And that is --that "intellectual property" of aesthetic ideas is no sooner written than it is read and absorbed by others who adopt it as their own.
So Elizabeth, and all like me who love to be creative (and unique)--I believe that much of what we "put out" to the world has to be a reward in itself. The hope that our creativity will be acknowledged--is understandable but cannot always be expected.
...she always manages to look youthful, extremely attractive, feminine and modern--all at once. She says, "I love the idea of elegance and intricacy, but whether it is in a piece of clothing or a fragrance, the intricacy must appear as simplicity,” --and I totally agree!
One of her secrets is the combination of the sporty-ish white shirt (with sleeves for coverage) combined with a long dressy evening skirt. This is a great idea for the holidays--if you want to keep somewhat covered, want to look modern and not predictable. Remember Sharon Stone with her GAP tee at the Academy awards combined with her gorgeous, voluminous black skirt? It goes with my "ying-and-yang" theory of the artistic mix. Adding the right dramatic jewelry adds to the unexpected effect . One of my favorite fashionistas of all time--Millicent Rogers (I mentioned her as one of my major influences in my "Forever Cool" introduction) sported that look in her day.
Ralph Lauren is showing the look for this holiday season with a long, slim pale silver charmeuse skirt.
Accessorize with great evening shoes, a slim dressy belt, and bag--and you're good to go!
Eileen Fisher’s style dilemma, was summed up by Nora and Delia Ephron…
Friday, October 30, 2009
..in the new Off Broadway show, "Love, Loss, and What I Wore," where a character muses, "When you start wearing Eileen Fisher, you might as well say, ‘I give up.' ". Ruth La Ferla's article in the NY Times says however, that Eileen Fisher enjoys a passionately loyal following. I am certainly aware of it--and in both "Forever Cool" and "Steal This Style" I picked out pieces from the easy-to-fit line, to photograph on women sz 6 and sz 16. These clothes are simple, comfortable, and a "zen-like" air that I think really suits certain personalities. It's a G-d-send for women who's figures don't fit easily into more tailored garments.But like it's high-end, pricey and also softly constructed cousin, Zoran ( which features simple mix-match pieces mostly top grade cashmere, silk, linen etc) it rarely changes in style.
"Many customers have been loyalists since college, embracing her kimono shapes and floppy trousers as, one devotee said, "a safe way to be bohemian in a grown-up world."
"Those women fueled the company's growth, but for the fashion-conscious, Eileen Fisher clothes had as much style and shape as a burqa. To them, the line was designed for graying bobos who dabbled in ceramics and had lifetime subscriptions to The New Yorker.
To counter that perception, Ms. Fisher is making an about-face. She is embracing fashion, not shunning it, in the hope of attracting a younger, cooler customer who has no fear of leggings, a defined waistline or wedge heels."
"About a year ago I was feeling sad," said Ms. Fisher, 58, as she paced her light-filled showroom on lower Fifth Avenue. "I thought we're so much cooler than we appear. We have made the clothes look hipper, but nobody knew that."
I'm rooting for Eileen--although she herself (there was a photo of her) could use some tweaks in looking more youthful. Sometimes it only takes the way you wear a scarf or a belt (the glasses and hairstyle you choose)--or the decision not to wear sooooo much black (are you listening Nora?).
..and Ginia Bellafonte, in the NY Times article "Why Can't the English Teach Their Retailers How to be Chic" says British reality TV "is a broad territory about which few generalizations should be made, but sometimes it seems an awful lot as if Henry Higgins ought to receive producing credit."
"Mary Queen of Shops" follows the lead of the original "What Not to Wear" and "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" which imply "the masses require the genius of the giants..." ( and may I personally add the compulsory English accent?) "..to survive." The article further says that the new program "reinforces hierchies, justifying arrogance and the imperious condescention of the gifted toward the average. Here the Tell It Like It Is retail consultant named Mary Portas, with a razor thin mouth that never seems to shut and a severely angular haircut that says, "I look fabulous, and you look like a big, bulbous turnip."
Mary claims "What I don't know about shops isn't worth knowing."
What I personally found interesting is that she becomes embroiled in some philosophy that I've pondered myself. "Her fashion politics confound. On the one hand, she champions the democratization of design, the High Street stores that bring the look (if not the quality) of high-end clothing to regular working people"
I've called it trickle-down-style as demonstrated by J Crew, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic." On the other hand she thinks that Primark, one large chain, "is ruining England" with its homogenizing effects." I've felt that way about H&M--and I would add their sleaze effect.
So it seems Mary will try to become a retailing Pygmalion--media style! (and apparently "autocracy" is what audiences respond to or it wouldn't be the success model being duplicated ad infinitum)
All this will not necessarily solve our retail problems--after all --these shows are just about entertainment.
Charlotte Moss, the well known and talented decorator, was this year’s Elle Decor…
Friday, October 23, 2009
....winner of the Vision Award.Since I believe personal style (the way you choose to dress) and the way you decorate run "neck to neck"--I can know what to expect in a clients closet the minute I walk into their home.
I was in total agreement with the answers Charlotte gave Elle Decor gave to these questions:
ED:How has your aesthetique evolved?
CM: The more you learn, the more you travel, the more you're exposed to, the more clients you work with, the more informed your aesthetic becomes.
ED: What advice do you have for someone starting out in the business?
CM: Do your homework. Inform yourself on a daily basis. Study magazines. Go to museums. Attend lectures. Ignorance isn't bliss.
"Ignorance isn't bliss!" --words worth repeating about many things , huh?
I totally agree with Charlotte, as it applies to my readers and clients. I've vociferously said so in my seminars and in my books. It's all about studying what's all around you--and most importantly educating your eye so that your taste level rises and you let your boundaries expand.
My trips to Austin, TX and Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ were wonderful, and--
Thursday, October 22, 2009
..the seminars were very well attended, considering no media was involved. I truly thank the organizers, Allison Allen of Womenbloom, who is a real supporter of my philosophy, as are the Ralph Lauren group in Phoenix (who accomplished an extremely stylish and gorgeous event for me!).
Also, for the first time (with me involved) a small group of women gathered at the home of a generous and gracious hostess in Austin to share in a style group session. The 7 women shared the expence of what would be a "consultation" --making it very affordable for each participant. We discussed each individual's questions, participants brought items they wanted my advice about, and other general philosophy and ideas about style as we age and for the longhaul. It proved, I believe, beneficial and fun for all involved. So much so that I will offer it for other groups --as a great and economical alternative or introductory point for working with me in the future.
So as much as at times I feel my mission overwhelmes me--at least I know there are pockets of women --who truly do care about being the best they can be. I just had the pleasure of meeting quite a few!
