The long and the short of it- or- it might not be better next year...

Tory Burch Resort 2014

Too much time has elapsed since my last post, partially  because of some wonderful but time consuming work deadlines, but also because I really haven't been shopping much lately. Odd, because I LOVE spring/ summer clothing.  Nothing is really calling out to me. By and large things seem so teeny, so short, so bright, so synthetic and so pricey at most of my favorite retailers this season.   Even Brooks Brothers has succumbed to the call of the short, short dress.

Sleeveless Sailing Dress

I am sure that I am older than the demographic they are courting, but surely even the really young need to sit down sometimes.

From the Daddy Likey blog"Here's a classic "For the love of God, hold down that hem!" moment:

I peeked in the mall  the other day and started smiling because the dresses and high hems reminded me of a funny(but probably NSFW) feature about too short skirts on a blog that I used to read. Daddy Likey  was voted as one of the most influential design blogs  a few years ago.  I don't think Winona is still blogging, but this link still works.  I wonder if Winona knew she was forecasting a trend!

Alberta Ferretti Resort 2014

 A quick glance at the Resort 2014 collections shows that the short skirt trend is still going to be strong for next year, although there were some quite long skirts for contrast.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/2014RST-MILLY/#13Milly Resort 2014

I asked a trusted SA at one of my local J Crew stores about a particularly scandalously high hem on an otherwise great dress.  Her response- "I liked it too, but I am not supposed to wear it to work because it is too short."  Yes- that says it all.

JCrew Swoop Dress in Thistle Print

Tory Burch Sale

Tory Burch just announced a wonderful Spring Sale.  I think she has pretty, ladylike pieces. These are a few of my favorite picks.

Clayton Top

 I love the timeless elegance of the Clayton Top.

Kayla Dress

The Kayla Dress looks like such a simple way to dress for work- and it is a luscious silk jersey!

Carson Tee

Jasmine sweater

Espadrille Stripe Belt

And wouldn't this  jacket be lovely for a night on the town?

Lola Metallic Jacket

What about you- did anything at Tory Burch catch your eye? I'd love to hear...

Kate Spade Saturday

Scoopback dress

Kate Spade launched its lower price point line "Saturday" today.  The prices and design sensibility  seem similar to the other "younger sibling" lines- J Crew/ Madewell,  Banana Republic/ Gap,  Williams-Sonoma/ West Elm etc. The new line is a clothing/ accessory/ decor line- with a hint of Anthropologie.  The initial stores opened in Tokyo in March, and the online store for US customers is open now.

Reversible Cape

Perfect Day Shirt in Swiss Dot

Sneaks by PF Flyers in Abstract

Top Handle Small Satchel

I'm less sure about these.

Wide Legged Crop Pants in Stripe

Crisscross Tube Dress in Stripe

In the immortal words of Dorothy Parker- "Wear a short enough dress and the party will come to you."
I was a little surprised that I actually like some of the pieces, and the fabrics seemed nice, although by and large nothing really turned my head. I'm still not sure why Kate Spade ,which seems to be suffering through an identity crisis, ever since Kate Spade sold the company, needs a secondary line.  Some of these items almost seem more sophisticated than the pieces in the regular collection. What do you think-  does anything capture your fancy?

Tory Burch Private Sale

 Tory Burch has amazing prices online until Monday the 25th... You might need to sign up for their e-mails to access this sale.

I love the motif!

Oh, I could see myself wearing...

I love two tone riding boots.

My favorite color.  I would wear this to collect an Academy Award!

If only I could walk in these...

Pretty for vacation

Great summer bag

Or maybe this one...

Love this!

I need to get back to work.  I could look all day.  Anything catch your eye?

March Flowers favorites at J Crew

I love spring blossoms and bulbs, they are my favorites.  Quince, hyacinth, crocuses, cherry blossoms... These are a few of my favorite flowers from the March Catalog.

 I love peonies, and the color is so lovely!

I think this is so pretty, and the green is very fresh!

I am not sure about the cap, but I am curious about the jacket.

The glass petals are so fetching for spring.

Not a floral, but intriguing nonetheless.

Just perfect if you are not a pastel fan!
Anything that you are interested in? With more snow in the forecast it is nice to think ahead to days when I can actually wear something in this catalog.

Calling all Southern Belles

Up until the last couple of years, I was a lifelong non tv viewer.  I realized that my late night  work deadlines went much quicker if I had something fun to watch on my computer. I have a few tv favorites now, but I am also highly entertained by some programs in which the plot takes a backseat to the outfits such as  Sex and the City and  Lipstick Jungle.

Lipstick Jungle

Sex and the City

Intelligent east coast career women with wardrobes I could only aspire to- perfect fantasy,  yet I could relate to their choices.
Last spring I happened to have seen a few episodes of GCB.  There, I said it. Indescribable except to say that it was chock full of the most amazing outfits and pairings I had ever seen outside of a runway.  Those mythical and farcical Texas belles were toned, taut, coiffed and garbed to the nth degree.  The couture and coiffures were stratospheric-Chanel and Valentino worn every where from church to a hunting expedition. Schadenfreude, but I couldn't stop watching.

GCB

Again, I am a latecomer.  I just started watching  Hart of Dixie.

Hart Of Dixie

There are numerous sites devoted to researching the magical ensembles, especially those worn by Lemon and Annabeth.

The clothes!

One of my favorite blogs- Go Fug Yourself - written by a very cosmopolitan  duo that also writes fashion columns for NYMag devotes an entire weekly photo gallery and commentary to this wardrobe phenomenon.
(With spoilers, so tread carefully if you care about the plot!).

Lemon and Annabeth

This is the best pairing of an Anthropologie sweater and J Crew skirt I have seen- nothing like the pairings I make from the same store!  Worn On TV is a fashion finder for all of your favorite shows.

Annabeth in Anthropologie and J Crew

I can  easily identify with the clean lined, predominantly black wardrobe of transplanted northeasterner Zoe Hart (played by Rachel Bilson, a Karl Lagerfeld favorite IRL).
But I need to know- is there really a world out there like GCB and Hart of Dixie, where ladies wear the most amazing pressed and accessorized creations on even the most mundane of days.  I need to visit, and clearly pack carefully first. Who knows.  I might end up staying.

Tory Burch NYFW Rtw Fall 2013

Tory Burch  had some eye catching pieces and a traditional, but not stuffy silhouette at her RTW Fall 2013 show at New York Fashion Week.

Tory Burch

I love the background at her show, and the deco references.

These pictures are from Style.com. I love the feminine longer skirts, and I adore the intricate knit and crochet pieces.

Feminine without frippery is one of my favorite aesthetics, and as Dani has shown time and again, nothing is as classy as a dress and coat pairing done well.

Although I don't see myself wearing this lovely, soft, muted print head to toe, I would love it in an accessory or skirt.
Some of the pieces , as runway pieces usually do went  a little overboard in style and cut.

When they trickle into retail shops they have been modified and made wore wearable, which is why my favorite iteration of that print is the one Tory Burch herself wore at the end of her show-

although I do covet the coat too!
What did you think of the Tory show? Anything catch your eye?

If you are old enough to have worn it the first time, or 80's redux

When I was little I told my mother that I was thinking about dressing up like a "50's" girl for Halloween.  She looked at me in astonishment and asked what a girl in the 50's could have possibly worn that made it costume worthy.  I enthusiastically detailed my plan to wear a poodle skirt, sweater, saddle shoes, etc.  My mother raised one eyebrow and said that she didn't recall anyone in the 50's wearing the outfit as I described it.

50's Costume

I get the same feeling when I keep seeing things described as '80s inspired.  My sartorial recollection of the '80's includes all of the pillars of  the Preppy Handbook.

A bag for every season!

Laura Ashley Corduroy

 I sported Tretorn sneakers, Calvin Klein jeans, Pappagallo belts and bags.  Carroll Reed,  LL Bean,  and Talbots sweaters , as well as oversized Champion sweatshirts all went over oxford shirts or matching turtlenecks. I remember  "Dynasty" inspired power suits, and little girls who dressed like Madonna.  I even remember "Flashdance" slouchy fashions, Vicky Tiel cocktail dresses and "Thriller leatherwear.

But, I am not sure if I remember the inspiration for this:

 I just viewed the Kate Spade New York RTW Fall 2103 show on style.com.  I did a double take because at first I was taken back, and then I thought I was not giving the collection a fair chance.

 I felt slightly vindicated when I turned to the review by Style.com's Lauren Sherman
"It was all about the eighties at Kate Spade New York's Fall 2013 presentation. Blondie blasted in the background, hot pink ruled, and old-school taxicabs served as props. It looked like a set for Sex and the City reboot The Carrie Diaries, which takes place in 1984.

If that all sounds a bit tacky, well, it was. Irreverent would be a nicer way to put it. But in its 20th year, Kate Spade New York could give two hoots what its critics think. Because its customer is more than satisfied".  

  Some of the pieces were pretty and wearable, although they seemed reductive to me.  I thought look 2 was lovely and something about it reminded me of the colors of the Isabel Toledo Coat worn by Michelle Obama for the Presidential Inauguration in 2009.

When I first saw the iconic Kate Spade Sam bag, I knew I had to have it.  It was handbag design stripped to a perfect essential.  Class and purpose.  Kate Spade designed bags that were  for the successful post prep sophisticate. Some of her designs were quite feminine, but I never thought they were twee.




I admire some of the quirky accessories and still find some treasures  today,

Catherine Street Pippa as seen on the wonderful One can't get over the habit of being a little girl all at once blog

but in my mind  the brand is it is not the same as it was before it was acquired by the Liz Claiborne group. A new boutique opened in my mall, but I rarely look in. I had high hopes, but the colors and effects remind me of Good and Plenty and Skittles candy with a little Hello Kitty thrown in and the patent shininess is almost too much. 
 What do you think about this collection? Are you a satisfied Kate Spade customer?