My new BoomerGirl.com post is up!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Readers,
Check out my new post on Preppy style at BoomerGirl.
It’s a style that’s soooo under-appreciated!
Sherrie's Blog
I had a 41 year old reader who complained…
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
At times I see that women in their 40s think that they are in their 50s or that the style advice I give a 55 year old pertains to them TODAY. Its been my experience,( as I age, and my clients age) that your decades up to 50 are usually physically unremarkable. You are still young, and can look fairly young up to 50 (or even up to 58!). When books address 40 and over, I believe they are not giving a fair perspective on the true and visible signs of aging. “Forever Cool” was specifically addressed to those 50 and over for a reason. It’s a “demarkation” point if you will. Having said that, we all age differently,by genetic probability, lifestyle, self-care, and the styles we choose.We also are unique in personality, and how we express ourselves.
So here was my answer to this 41 year old who skimmed the book and thought she saw clothes from “Golden Girls”. YIPES!!!
“Forty one ,if you’ve taken care of yourself and life has been good,is tantamount to 31 nowadays. Problems often start at 50 and weight gain, foot and back problems, thinning hair and skin only worsen as we age. Men and women over 50 often have unique hurdles to overcome.
Forever Cool shows people 50 to 76 years old. The women range from sz 6 to sz 18.
Their clothes are “classically"oriented (yes a pancho is classic)...and the Eileen Fisher gauzy style is great for women who have uneven bodies ,but also want to create a minimalist/zen arty look. It’s hardly Golden Girls, a show that may have been funny but had styles I would NEVER espouse.Every woman in the book had a different personality,and her clothes (ie: Regina was conservative,Joanne was eccentric, etc). No woman was super-sexualized because I don’t believe in that path after 50. Steffi,in the book, was very hip and was sexy without being overtly so. I hope you can revisit the pages, read the book thoroughly and I guarantee that even at 41 (many of my clients are your age or so) you will garner much aesthetic wisdom.
My next book will include younger women.I hope you will remain interested and open.”
I’m on the same wavelength as Oprah
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Helping women be more self accepting (men too at times) and simultaneously the best (stylishly) they can be is a mission I’m totally dedicated to.
My latest Oprah magazine featured several women who were subject to disapproving parents and consequently battled lifelong issues about their appearance.I deal with this in my practice(style consulting) almost as a therapist would.
Being sensitive to underlying issues helps me get my client to where he or she really wants , and truly deserves to be.
A natural look is essential to great style as you age..
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Yup! you probably think I’ve just created an oxymoron with that statement…
But Bobbi Brown’s philosophy as well as Lauren Hutton’s (a woman who knows style) are in total agreement. Lauren just appeared on the last segment of the Today Show to plug her makeup line which she feels is perfect for those smart women who know that the goal is to look natural. Skillful makeup application is something you need to master, and the perfect products for you takes experimentation. Sometimes a lipstick from your local drugstore chain is as good as any pricey brand. I LOVE a tawny lipstick deceptively called “Winerose” (Revlon) . It’s inexpensive and goes with everything.
Is summer a “less expensive” style season?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Well, if so, we all welcome that premise.
Recently I’ve read about wines and paperback books that are recommended for summer enjoyment...with the added bonus of being less costly. After just visiting AZ again, it really hit me how warm/hot weather citizens can often get away with an easier wardrobe allowance. Certainly a stylish variety of shorts, polos and t-shirts are lightweight,easy to maintain, clean, and pack as well (airlines are now charging for that 2nd suitcase!). Living in a city (ie NYC) you may need to still dress with more propriety,and sophistication (especially for business )… but the summer season still allows for lightweight fabrics and easy layering potential. So, unless you’re addicted to white linen (the cleaners will LOVE you!)...summer makes the livin’ more easy.
As always my bent toward simplicity seems just right. Whether it’s your lifestyle, the economy, or both that drives you...summer allows for some much needed saving.
News about this website
Monday, May 19, 2008
After almost 5 years of being so busy that I could hardly catch up… I have some good news about my website.
We’re working to redesign , reconfigure and update this site to be the modern and informative site it can be.
With patience(yours and mine!) we are working toward many new avenues of communication with all of you for the future.
If there’s anything you’d like to suggest...you are welcome to!
“Killing Me Softly”…
Sunday, May 18, 2008
This Sunday I attended a showing of a wonderful short video that features Jean Kilbourne as she surveys the contemporary advertising landscape to critically examine how, why and to what effect corporations and their advertisers use images of girls and women to sell their products. Deconstructing advertisements with the same kind of careful attention that went into constructing them. Kilbourne pushes the discussion of media and advertising beyond the realm of pure market values on the one hand, with pure aesthetic values on the other. She showcased so called “cutting-edge” edge advertising techniques that continue to thrive on old ideas including the objectification of women’s bodies, the cult of thinness, the infantilization of women,the sexualization of children and teenagers and the stereotyping of women of color.Lots of young women attended along with older. A lively discussion ensued. This is such an important topic...think Abercrombie and Fitch meets the Dove campaign...Which would you rather see take hold?
I never took the sun for granted!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Here it is May 16th, and I’m shivering by my fireplace...’cause, you guessed it...it’s raining again and the temps are low in the CT countryside.
People used to say, “Is it hot enough for you?” (when I lived in AZ) as a regular greeting.
No, it never really was.
And I loved those sunny days!
Exciting News at the 92nd St Y (and me!)
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The 92nd St Y-the thinking man and woman’s cultural event Mecca and a longtime NYC institution has expanded to a beautiful facility downtown.
I’ve been invited to speak to their new audience late Oct ,when they officially launch their new site and it’s exciting agenda.
I’m excited by the prospect of speaking about “Forever Cool” and it’s philosophy to what I anticipate will be an audience that embraces change and wishes to remain modern in all ways--including personal style.
Stay tuned for the seminar/event date in their summer and fall catalogs...and on my news page- of course.
Paul Smith is a master of color..
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
He was always (since the70’s) a favorite designer of mine. Paul Smith is “Forever Cool”.
Admittedly I feel his best work is for men (and I LOVE to dress men)…
Selfishly I wish his women’s line was as consistently inspiring. In the 80’s when oversized tops were in style for women,I indulged my love of his prints and colors, by buying his clothes for myself.
Town and Country’s June edition includes an interview with him.It’s no surprise that David Hockney’s personal style has inspired Paul Smith. Hockney is all about great color. He talks of other painter’s personal style that have influenced his work as well . Again, an example for my readers ...inspiration is all around us… and is essential to the development of sophisticated taste and individual expression.
Another word about inspiration..
Thursday, May 1, 2008
As you know i can go on and on about “inspiration” and “curiosity”.
I think they are key to an educated eye.
In Forever Cool I mention publishers like Rizzoli as great purveyors of all things beautiful and intriguing ...
Add to this publishers list AMMO Books. New on the bookstands,
Lulu de Kwiatkowski, a talented designer has just completed “OGLE”..
Here’s an excerpt from “Daily Candy"…
OGLE
Lulu
Truly talented (and gorgeous) textile designer Lulu de Kwiatkowski shows off her other artistic abilities via multimedia collages in this stunning coffee table book.
Sample sales I recommend!
Monday, April 28, 2008
April 28, 2008
Sample Sale Report (excerpted from Daily Candy)
NYC Sample Sales that are firms I recommend....
What: Sigerson Morrison
Why: Darling boots, sandals, and shoes for $75-$150 (reg. $200-$850).
When: May 7-9. Wed., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., b/t Sixth & Seventh Aves. (212-897-0795).
What: Hanro
Why: Sleepwear, loungewear, underpinnings, and robes for ladies and gents up to 75 percent off.
When: Apr. 29 & 30. Tues., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wed., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: 40 E. 34th St., at Madison Ave., ste. 207. Cash and checks only.
What: Inhabit
Why: Luxe cashmere pieces for men and women are marked down as much as 80 percent.
When: Apr. 30 & May 1. Wed. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: 1441 Broadway, b/t 40th & 41st Sts., 24th flr. (212-575-3800).
What: Showroom Seven
Why: They’ve rented out the old Tunnel club space (whoa, ’90s) to sell stock from Charlotte Ronson, Orla Kiely, Erickson Beamon, Soundgirl, A&G Cashmere, and more.
When: May 5-16. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 269 Eleventh Ave., b/t 27th & 28th Sts. (212-643-4820).
What: DwellStudio (HOME)
Why: Duvets, king and queen sheet sets, shams, hooded towels, and crib sets at 60-80 percent off.
When: Thru May 4. Daily, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 76 Greene St., b/t Spring & Broome Sts. (212-219-9343).
What: Chilewich(GREAT EASY BAGS)
Why: “Plynyl†floor and table mats, shag door mats, cosmetic cases, tote bags, linen napkins, and runners in modern materials and stylings at below wholesale.
When: May 6-8. Tues. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wed., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 261 W. 36th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 2nd flr.