http://www.sherriemathieson.com//sherries-blog Sherrie's thoughts on style en sherrie@sherriemathieson.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-14T17:53:52+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/the-focus-on-hillarys-style-has-gone-negative-again http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/the-focus-on-hillarys-style-has-gone-negative-again/#When:17:53:52Z ..and some of the criticism seems wrong and uninformed. For instance on Vibrant Nation, " Hillary Clinton, in an event generating even more negative feedback than her 1993 national health care debacle, has appeared in public with minimal makeup, glasses, and au natural hair. ".... First of all her curly hair was blown straight (so certainly not au natural)  and shine-y ( only perhaps would have been better with a hair band pulled back...most women look best with their hair pulled or combed back and away from their face), she did wear makeup and minimal makeup looks more youthful, and her glasses had good  frames (and glasses allow the wearer to wear less eye makeup because they "frame" the eyes ). So although I know that the public is used to more coifed looks on public figures, I think that if a more natural tangent is implemented-- why not? 2012-05-14T17:53:52+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/the-most-stylish-event-of-the-year-is http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/the-most-stylish-event-of-the-year-is/#When:15:07:07Z ....The Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art each year. Vogue covered it of course....“Hello, fashion!” belted Bruno Mars from the stage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Temple of Dendur. 
And greeting fashion he was. From Givenchy chiffon to McQueen tulle to 
Ralph Lauren feathers, fashion was most certainly in the house—or the 
temple as it were. The crooner was mid-performance at the annual Costume 
Institute Gala celebrating the new exhibition, “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations,” 
hosted by Carey Mulligan, Anna Wintour, and Miuccia Prada herself, as well as honorary cochair Jeff Bezos. For an exhibit titled “Impossible Conversations,” the Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court, where cocktails were served, was astonishingly filled with chatter. Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo, who later wowed guests with a post-dinner serenade, strode into the room, his wife on his arm, the 
cream taffeta train of her dress rustling against the matching marble. The opera star chatted with Prada’s two sons, Giulio and Lorenzo, as the annual parade of leggy 
ladies clad in the designs of their dates traipsed past—a caped Lana Del 
Rey with Joseph Altuzarra, Isabel Lucas with Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro 
Hernandez and Jack McCollough, Karlie Kloss with Jason Wu. Rooney Mara, in
 sheer Givenchy, clasped the arm of her date, Riccardo Tisci, while Emma
 Stone wiped some schmutz off of escort Alber Elbaz’s left shoulder. Mick Jagger sauntered in with fiancée L’Wren Scott resplendent on his arm. The Courtin-Clarins cousins breezed through in all their quartet glory. A supermodel powwow convened at the head of the sculpture court: Amber Valletta, Linda 
Evangelista, and Natalia Vodianova, accompanied by their respective partners, embraced 
and chatted. En route to dinner, Tim Tebow and Jimmy Fallon were interrupted 
by a fan eager to introduce himself to Tebow—Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Inside the Temple of Dendur, plates of baby lobster (in homage to Schiaparelli’s famous lobster-print dress) and American caviar awaited guests who took their seats on plush red banquettes in the shape of lips and dining chairs covered in classic Prada and Schiaparelli prints, 
while jaunty anemones decorated the tabletops in silver bud vases. After the Veal Milanese had been served and the trumpeters had called the 800-plus crowd to attention, Mayor Bloomberg took the podium and announced, “I’m here on behalf of all New Yorkers.” Not all New Yorkers, however, get sugar cookies in the shape of Prada shoes and her now-ubiquitous spring flame motif passed before them on silver platters. After Grigolo’s dramatic aria, which included a choreographed performance 
by dancers in gold lamé dresses and silver hair, Bruno Mars and his band took the stage. Performing his own songs and covers by Sting, Michael Jackson, and Rick James (at the start of the set Mars mentioned if he were able to have an impossible conversation with anyone he said it would be Michael Jackson, and then he threw in Sting and Jay-Z for good measure), Mars had everyone on their feet in no time, creating some delicious dance partners: Mario Testino sambaing with Cara Delevingne,
 Michael Kors shimmying with Jessica Alba, and Lena Dunham shaking with James Corden. Near the front of the room, Cameron Diaz and Kristen Wiig were the first to get grooving, with Beyoncé quick to follow. “Where’s Miuccia at? Where's Mrs. Prada?” Mars asked the crowd. “This next song I’m gonna do, this song is for you.” He launched into his hit “Just the Way You Are,” personalizing it for Prada: “Miuccia, you're amazing. Just the way you are.” She is indeed. The evening honoring her wasn’t too shabby either." The crowd was gorgeous, the men exemplary, and as always a few ladies betwixt fashion and "costume". I loved that Miuccia Prada wore slacks..it appealed to my own sensibility. Gisele was amongst the beauties, and I think Marina Rust's gray dress was amazing. 2012-05-09T15:07:07+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/should-style-as-you-age-become-theatrical-costume http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/should-style-as-you-age-become-theatrical-costume/#When:17:52:02Z Style is a language. If you want attention you might speak louder, or speak to shock. To get attention today (and yesterday), get noticed and reap affirmation of your existence in a crowded world where cell phones are most people's focal point--does it matter if it's positive or negative? Not really. Anything goes, because feeling invisible is a tough reality.The fact that as women get older the less likely they are to be noticed for their looks (certainly less by men, but also less by other women) is true. Too often the exceptions that get double takes and compliments fall into three groups--the ones who dress very sexually--the ones who wear something like a bright color or "cute" ("Oh love that color on you! Oh isn't that darling!?)--and the ladies who indulge in non apologetic eccentricity--wearing all sorts of clothing (especially odd hats, lots of jewelry,  glasses, scarves and tons of layers, textures and volume in clothing ) to a theatrical effect. But style is a language that I believe should be spoken well. I have my strong reservations about these style modes. One inappropriate, the next obvious, and the last (posing as creative) too theatrical ( only sometimes done really well, as I think of the truly talented Tzipora Salamon who is on her bike below). But I assume they (and I'm sure to be contested, and protested for not "celebrating" the freedom involved) are rewarded with the visual attention they crave. I often tell my clients that I love to see the --all too rare-- real artistry, authentic style and mixing, great color play, understatement (if you can bear to know people rarely appreciate it). They are all are part of a language that may soon become extinct before our very eyes. 2012-05-03T17:52:02+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/swedish-jewelry-designer-efva-attling-really-rocks-it http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/swedish-jewelry-designer-efva-attling-really-rocks-it/#When:16:04:31Z ...in my opinion (read it on faboverfifty.com). I love it when a woman does not depend on plastic surgery but rather understands that skilled dressing as you age is 98% of one's youthful, modern look. Efva kept a neutral palette but took many chances with this high fashion ensemble. I love the way the sporty jacket and shoe "cuts the edge" off any cuteness factor. Her look is sensational, and she carries it off perfectly. 2012-04-17T16:04:31+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/mothers-are-also-dressing-in-an-oversexualized-fashion...-so-how-can-you-pr http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/mothers-are-also-dressing-in-an-oversexualized-fashion...-so-how-can-you-pr/#When:17:35:01Z ..to their daughters? A good point brought up in Style Goes Strong's, by Gerit Quealy . For Prom, Schools Say 'No' to the Dress, Dress Codes Deem Some Styles Too Sexy; Wielding a 3-Inch Ruler by Elizabeth Holmes for the WSJ also discussed this sensitive topic. The issue is that young women are aspiring to look like their TV influences (The Kardashians, The Real Housewives of ..., and red carpet events). They are emotionally driven by hormones and making style choices that used to define Working Girl attire. The overtly sexual styles are out there not just for Prom Night but truly for the everyday and in stores everywhere. "It's a vicious cycle when "it's a sexually driven culture so invested in how females look", says Susan Barash, author of You're Grounded Forever but First Let's Go Shopping: The Challenges Mothers Face with Their Daughters and Ten Timely Solutions. Susan Shapiro Barash, who has two teen daughters of her own, cited some sobering studies she's conducted: Over 70% of mother's don't feel they've sent enough limits with their daughters. And over 70% of mothers don't feel they are teaching their daughter's the right values." Oh dear. Better sit them all down and give them a good viewing or two of Miss Representation to start with! But really, what can you do about the prom dress?! "You have to pick your battles," Barash says. Set an example through your own style. She also suggests explaining that you want her to be safe in the dress she's wearing. "Hopefully you can reach a compromise, where the dress is sexy enough for her and 'safe' enough for you." I happened hear from SGS friend Barbara Hannah Grufferman, author of The Best of Everything Over 50 on another topic — she mentioned she'd just returned from a  prom dress shopping excursion with her eldest daughter. So I asked her about the over sexed aspect of prom dresses: Oh for sure!!! But [her daughter] isn't that 'type', thank goodness. She has quite the va-va voom figure, but is a bit uncomfortable with it, so she tends toward more classic clothes that are well fitting and tailored, but not tight and overly sexy. The dress she chose is truly lovely, from BCBG. Long, and a lovely pinkish/rosy color, like a peony, I think. She and her friends are not about looking sexy, but are into looking pretty and modern. Generally speaking, she and her friends are 'modern feminists' in that they are proud of their beauty and blossoming sexuality but see no reason to look overly sexualized." "So maybe that's the tack to take —stress modern feminism and being in control of your own beauty and sexuality. Rather than letting society dictate how you should look." I have another thought-- why not take to heart the ideas I present in "Steal This Style: Moms and Daughters Swap Wardrobe Secrets" where I present the appropriately hip and young (for your daughter) or youthful and ageless (for mothers in mid forties and up) looks that are classic yet totally modern? 2012-04-14T17:35:01+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/fab-over-fifty-wanted-my-expert-opinion-on-this-70s-look http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/fab-over-fifty-wanted-my-expert-opinion-on-this-70s-look/#When:15:06:34Z Read my take on the look that made Cher (and Sonny) a fashion hit so many years ago. She looks young enough to wear it and not a second time around for her. But it also may not be comfortable --assuming those are very high heels, warm/heavy vest, vulnerable light colored clothing clothing, and a hint of pulling at the high waist.--a concern that is less daunting in younger years. But I liked it --on her! 2012-03-29T15:06:34+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/karl-lagerfeld-non-conformist-extravagant-and-can-afford-to-be http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/karl-lagerfeld-non-conformist-extravagant-and-can-afford-to-be/#When:18:52:09Z shares his 24 hr schedule in the latest issue of Bazaar (p93). A fun read for sure! One interesting quote amongst many, is-- "Dinner depends on the day. I don't go out that much because I'm always late, and I'm so busy and so pleased with what I'm doing that I'm not really ready for a social evening. That's over--the people I was going out with are dead--or don't exist anymore." (hmm, I would have thought it not an either/or situation...) At any rate--this unique individual and amazing designer (muti talented from his well known clothing to costumes, photogaphy, book illustration, and much more)--is one of my creative favorites. Chanel (with which he is long associated since 1983) is experiencing a second golden era, in my opinion. Some of the best clothing-- but especially bags, accessories and shoes are Chanel. The price tags are certainly high but certain pieces rate "investment" with the likes of Hermes. 2012-03-21T18:52:09+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/fairwell-to-youth-but-not-beauty http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/fairwell-to-youth-but-not-beauty/#When:20:49:55Z ..a recent NY Times article, by Maria Russo got me thinking of the dinner conversation we had with a married friends couple the previous evening. It began with the man announcing his plan to get rid of the bags beneath his eyes. His wife followed with her intent to get a facelift. By the way--our friends are truly lucky that they enjoy good health (complete anesthesia is no small matter!) and enough discretionary income to entertain these options. I was a bit taken aback though when the man offered what I should "take care of" as well. Did he think I never notice? It's a daily battle for most of us as we age to accept the way we physically change--especially since so many around us do succumb  to invasive procedures.We hear the compliments the surgically enhanced receive.."She looks so great for her age.." and wonder if the playing field will ever be fair? So, I try to conjure up my support vision of Lauren Hutton (my favorite!!) , Diane Keaton, Jane Goodall, Brigitte Bardot, Iris Apfel...and possibly Ellen De Generous (though sometimes I suspect something a bit different about her visage that may be more about Photoshop rather than surgery). It also helps to take a trip to Paris and other European cities where artificiality is not the end game. My Aunt Ruth was the first beauty I noticed had no concerns about her wrinkles. She lived as she pleased till almost 101 years old. Isn't that really beautiful? 2012-03-05T20:49:55+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/getting-it-right-stylewise-at-the-2012-oscars http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/getting-it-right-stylewise-at-the-2012-oscars/#When:23:05:04Z  Some women try too hard (Gwyneth, Sandra) and allow a certain severity to overtake their hair and make-up that is stiff and affected. Some like Penelope Cruz manage to look "Old Hollywood" and still look soft and real. Some are still beautiful despite their dress --Meryl Streep (a beauty inside and outside to my eyes). Her make up, haircolor and upstyle was perfection. Elaine Plummer and Christopher Plummer proved that age does not necessarily mean looking less than wonderful.Octavia Spencer got it together beautifully-- even with some extra  pounds.One of my favorites was Viola Davis all in green, wearing a Vera Wang dress that showed off a toned body-- and her rust tinted short cropped hair looking great that way. I loved the sweet/high style of Michelle Williams's Louis Vuitton red dress that truly suited her (and her hairstyle) uniquely. It should be easier for men--but it rarely is.Some men forget that a bow tie should be tied--not clipped--and the bow should not be askew or sliding down for camera close-ups. Another pointer--get the slacks hem length to fit and not puddle at the shoe (I'm sparing my readers the photos of the guilty--there were too many). If you choose to wear a double-breasted suit, it should not pull at the button, or ride up your body.Colin Firth should teach this course. 2012-02-27T23:05:04+00:00 http://www.sherriemathieson.com/sherries-blog/could-marrying-an-older-man-make-a-woman-become-older-in-her-style http://www.sherriemathieson.com/site/could-marrying-an-older-man-make-a-woman-become-older-in-her-style/#When:19:00:17Z Yes, more often than not. I've also observed women who married younger men seem to be more aware of remaining youthful in their style --to be in sync with their partners. And that doesn'y necessarily mean invasive procedures (though I see it often). Keeping youthful in your look means never look too "perfect" with every hair in place ( coined helmet-head yers ago).  It is instantly aging and closes even a possible 20 year gap between an older husband and younger wife.The Callista effect -- pale, studied, and controlled--is well described in a Feb 10th NY Times article. Ann Romney who fortunately has no phsychological age-gap issues to fill, is a great example of doing it right- stylishly, appropriately and youthfully. Her unaffected good looks are geared to project healthy vanity (and the importance of health),  without too much artifice. Kudos to her! Many "political wives" (not an easy role) could take a page from her...as could women in general. 2012-02-21T19:00:17+00:00