Investing in Classics During a Recession

Now it is getting interesting...The bubble has burst and no matter where you look there are reminders of the economic turmoil facing our nation; including a heavy emphasis on fashion. The stories are everywhere - the elite shopping in private so as not to appear uncouth. Or designers such as Vera Wang, Carmen Marc Valvo and Betsey Johnson cancelling their fashion show or severely cutting back. The period of excess is over. It is no longer trendy to show off your ridiculously expensive purchases, and bragging rights over addresses, vacations and clothing are so passe.

While in some ways this makes it more difficult to be a style muse in other ways it is a huge sigh of relief. It is a welcome realization in my life to understand that I do not need to have so much (clothes or anything else) especially when others have so little. And before anyone thinks I've gone completely George Bailey - my stripes haven't changed all that much. I still believe in fashion and in representing yourself and your spirit through personal style.

But, as a culture, we will embrace a new way of living, at least this is my hope. It is the old adage of quality over quantity. Personally, my goal is to think French in 2009 -- meaning invest in a few necessary items now that are durable, classic and even luxurious and wear them with the quiet grace that is befitting of this period: a winter of stoic sensibility.

So while it may seem counter intuitive, now is in fact a time to buy. As a recent article by David Coleman in the NYT pointed out, luxury [read: quality] has never been so affordable. Now for people like me, that does not mean just because Manolo Blahnik's are marked down to $175 that you need to buy them - What it does mean is that you think about your needs and purchase wisely, sometimes for as much as 50% off - Saks in particular is having some great deals at the moment.

Look inside your closet - what is worn out? what is lacking? and make a list and buy only from that list. For example, The Muse is looking for a winter dress coat that will last an innumerable number of seasons and possibly a some black cashmere to add to the chest. But will not, repeat will not, succumb, no matter how inexpensive, to buying any sequins.

I'm brewing my version of fashion must-haves and will update soon!

Holiday Party Dressing Part I: The Company Christmas Party

'Tis the season...for sequins and lace and fur, faux if you prefer! My favorite time of year, throw some metallic my way and I'll be dancing in the street. However, Muse does understand certain occasions require a fair amount of clothing restraint a la the company holiday party -- but don't fret, there is a holiday outfit for everyone and every occasion. A few to start off with...

The company holiday party:



Remain understated, do not see this as an opportunity to display parts of your personality or anatomy that you wouldn't normally want your boss to see. This issue is only exacerbated by drinking too much and really making a fool of yourself. That said, there is no reason to be a stick in the fondue. Play up the festive with fabrics, a pop of color and/or statement accessories.



A few suggestions:

• Velvet pants, cashmere sweater and dramatic earrings


• Winter white pants and white or black top - layered gold necklace


• Black pants, tuxedo-esque top


• Knee length sequin skirt with black turtleneck


• The all classic sheath dress


• Lace Skirt and sweater

Places to look - Mix and Match at: The Express (I know, so college, but their holiday stuff is cute), Ann Taylor (again, I know, avoid anything to matronly), J. Crew, Club Monaco, and even Newport News (I love this dress in the photo).

And Please Remember -- no pantyhose - never, don't do it, if we stop buying them, eventually they will stop making them and the resistant will have no choice but to get on board.

First Lady Style

The frenzy has died down a bit today, and now I can turn my attention to the "dress" that Michelle Obama wore election night. Shockingly, the Muse didn't see this as the most important issue of the evening. In fact, I don't think it enters top 10 or more. There is so much to discuss, so much change, but this is indeed a blog on style, so I will not focus on the politics of the evening but rather what the next first lady will demonstrate in terms of style. And even though the Muse is an ardent feminist, I can still get down with wanting a first lady (or first female President) to have the style and grace of Jackie O.

As the Obamas prepare to journey to the White House the comparisons to Camelot are plenty and rightly so. Michelle Obama is young, vibrant and beautiful and I think that we'll see four years of grace and style (I hope).

That said, she didn't get it right on election night. Yes, kudos to her for choosing Narciso Rodriguez an amazing American designer, but that dress was just wrong. I believe in taking fashion risks, it is what makes fashion fun and style personal. But it is also the thing that makes us laugh looking back at old photos -- that perm, those leggings, booties! Any of our photos last a lifetime, but for the next First Lady they will have a different kind of permanence -- historical. Considering, there are museum exhibits of Jackie's Presidential style, Mrs. Obama has quite the shoes to fill to be considering in the same company.

For this reason, I believe the dress was a mistake. Aside from the unflattering fit, and unfortunate cardigan. The dress itself was bold, too bold for election night. For a night that will go down in history books. When in doubt go classic. Always. There is a reason that certain items like the Little Black Dress have surpassed the trends, they fit, they flatter and they let the woman shine through (cheesy but true). While I'm not saying she needed to wear an LBD or something so simple, all the lines, the cardigan, the colors - it was too much for such a momentous occasion.

Andre Leon Talley, the editor at large for Vogue said in an insightful NY Times piece that Michelle “is not sitting around going through fashion look books and having confabs. She is just going through her closet and picking out what’s right for her.” While I'm not one to argue with Mr. Talley -- stylist or no stylist -- someone of this stature, of this public nature, needs a second and third opinion. And we cannot just believe she didn't plan, the entire Obama family is in perfectly matched shades of red and black.

Maybe she should have a shopping date with Carla Bruni who seems to be playing the card just right these days. Regardless of her choice Tuesday, I look forward to see her choices moving forward and am excited for the Inaugural Ball gown. And I think the message for the rest of us is that for the big moments simplicity let's the moment shine through.

Design Hive

I was recently introduced to this new Boston/Cambridge design project called Design Hive - where local designers go to show their new designs.

It runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 20. at the Maria L. Baldwin School, 28 Sacramento St., Cambridge. For details visit www.designhivemarket.com.

And check out the article from Boston.com for more information on the brainchild of it all!

Creating a buzz for new styles

When Val Fox was in New York last year, she loved frequenting the designers markets that adorn city blocks from SoHo to Brooklyn. She especially relished finding one-of-a-kind pieces from aspiring fashion designers.

"It was just much more interesting than going into H&M and picking out something that everyone else is already wearing," said Fox, 39, an e-commerce marketing consultant from Cambridge. "I know Bostonians would love to have markets like these and we really don't have any, at least not any that are exclusively about fashion and design."

So Fox took matters into her own hands. She dialed up local design schools, including the Massachusetts College of Art & Design and the Rhode Island School of Design, and she invited them to help her create a designers market that would transcend the typical shopping experience.

The result is Design Hive, a showcase for aspiring and established designers from all over New England. Held at the Baldwin School in Cambridge every Saturday through Dec. 20, the bazaar will feature DJs and more than 40 vendors selling one-of-kind wares, including modern and vintage clothing, handbags and accessories, jewelry, housewares, and pottery.

"It's not a craft market by any means. About 80 percent of the merchandise is clothing and jewelry that is fashion-forward and edgy," Fox said. "At the same time, it's very grassroots, democratic and accessible."

Her blueprint for the Design Hive was based on The Market, a wildly successful designers' market in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan. Every Saturday since September 2002, The Market has transformed a local gym into a colorful bazaar where talented, yet-to-be discovered designers showcase their latest styles.

"The Market is held in a gym, the Design Hive is in a school cafeteria, so it'll have a similar feel to it," Fox said. "We'll feature about 100 different designers spread over the eight Saturdays that are either unknown or little known. It's really a platform for people who are just getting started in the world of design."

Fox sees it as a great opportunity to catch a rising star early in their career - sort of like seeing U2 at the Paradise before they started selling out arenas. "You could discover the next Luella Bartley or Anya Hindmarch," Fox said. "And you could be among the first to check out their styles before they get picked up and go big box on us."

By KATE M. JACKSON

Ten Pounds Lighter

I know, I know, the instant cure, you've heard it before. Unfortunately besides diet and exercise there is little one can do....but!!! Dressing for your shape and size is always the first step in appearing thinner and with the shape you want. You've all heard the adage wear the size you are, not the size you want to be - i know that can be difficult especially when you finally can squeeze into your high school jeans etc. Why do I bring this up? A colleague reminded that I need to get her the name of my secret weapon, and I can't believe I haven't written about it yet.

You may have heard it mentioned on Oprah and an array of women's magazines about the perfect bra -- thinking that you have to go to NYC like every other fashion necessity...but alas no more, head over to Copley Plaza (if you're in Boston) and make an appointment (857) 277-7887 or look it up when you are in Atlanta, Chicago, NYC, Miami and Houston. The name of the store is Intimacy and they are the "Bra Fit Specialists" which is very important especially as 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra!

Wearing the right size bra can seriously change the shape of your entire torso, for the better. And we're not talking about Victoria Secret fittings, or even Nordstrom -- it is not for the faint of heart. These women will completely bring you out of your comfort zone prodding and peering at women's vulnerable assets...but in the end they will find a bra that no only makes you look better but relieves the pressure and will keep your assets perkier longer.

I will warn you, that the price tag is a bit heftier than the average bra you'll find, but the results are truly worth it. You'll look and feel better in everything you wear.

Because I'm Worth It...And So Are You

The concept of spa days, massages, facials etc. is one of endless curiosity to me -- even the mention of the words creates a wafting overflow of indulgence, frivolity and privilege. And it is true, these things are above the things we need certainly, but when I think of the latest tech gadget or even bracelet or item of clothing that we buy on a whim it doesn't seem more or less of an indulgence. In fact, you are indulging in an item with the highest ROI -- yourself! Even in this tough economic climate where people are cutting back on some of the more frivolous items, many of the beauty services are still holding on, perhaps even because of the tough times, as a way to alleviate the lacking confidence in America and in themselves etc. The Boston Globe wrote a great piece on what people will give up to keep their beauty indulgences and it had me thinking what I'd given up or gone without.

I often swap out services and wait too long to get my hair touched up, but when I succumb to the earthly pleasure of a luxurious facial or massage I wonder that same thing almost without fail -- Why Am I Not Doing This More Often? Why Am I Not Investing In Myself? There are a multitude of answers and while mostly it does come down to $$$ it also is a lot of work, time and energy, no matter how good the end result. But it IS worth it in the long run. And sometimes it just takes time to remember that.

And I'm a firm believer that everyone should have this experience. While you can make do with the DIY type grooming of manicures and pedicures, the simple indulgence of reminding yourself you're worth it, is worth the associated price tag. For this reason I'm always thrilled when Spa week comes around, for $50 you can check out amazing services at the best Spas in town for a fraction of the cost and rejuvenate. I headed to Bella Sante on Newbury Street for the Golden Veil Facial -- complete with Frankincense and Myrrh. Aside from feeling a bit like the three wise men by the time I headed out...I also felt absolutely wonderful! And again reprimanded myself for not indulging just a bit more often (and feeling a tad bad about not reminding friends of the Muse to check out Spa Week for themselves) Then as I was leaving I was given another gift by the wise men -- Bella Sante has extended Spa Week for the Month of October -- Oh Joy!!! So go and rejoice in your wonderful, beautiful life and forget about the crummy economy for say, an hour....

Sigerson if you Please

Hooray!!! Target's new line by Sigerson Morrison does not disappoint. The collection is filled with the qualities we've come to know and love by the designer, like simple embellishments that give a rocker edge to a delicate flat. Now you can have SM for a fraction of the price. I hear it is already selling out everywhere, so grab'em up before its too late!!!

How to Have Style

Isaac Mizrahi although kooky is pretty genius or maybe because he is kooky is genius...He brought style to the masses with his simple collection for Target and now has published the book "How to Have Style." While I have not read it yet, I did read an excerpt and am already sold! He stresses that you should always dress as if you have a crush -- I love it!! because it is so true -- when i think back to high school or college and the countless crushes I had, I'm reminded of the way I dressed when I knew there was a possibility of their presence. [sigh] Now I work with 80 chicks and sadly have no crush in my daily routine, but the trick is to his statement is the as if -- Give yourself the subtle mind trick needed to put that extra effort into your choices in the morning and who knows, you may just end up having a little crush on yourself!

Bloody Fantastic

Edgy, trendy, and channeling Kate Moss are not the words I typically use when thinking about fashion, and especially not when thinking of splurges, but that is one more thing that makes the introduction of Top Shop so bloody fantastic!

Although it has been around since the 60's, the United States has only recently been introduced to the brand with the opening of the New York flagship store last year. But now all can enjoy the edgy trends with the launch of the Website.

With funky, up-to-the-minute lines such as the eponymous collection by Kate Moss, and at affordable prices, everyone can now enjoy some of the UK rocker edge.

I'm lusting after a wool blazer that hasn't come out yet, but here are a few other pieces that make a statement without developing multiple personalities...

Channel the 60's with this tartan taffeta blouse pair with "smart" cigarette pants and ballet flats.

I love this pencil skirt with the perfect ruffle accent capitalizing on a hot trend, the zipper in the back makes this one vixen-worthy.

And the belt, oh the belt...Because you can, and should...

This and much more, go on, get down with your bad self.

Emmy's Fashion

I have to admit that for the first time in probably my adult life, not only did I not watch the Emmy's I didn't even know they were on! I was however, eating up the fashion reviews this morning on the news and online...The Today Show said that Ms. Lauren Conrad's dress (that she designed) lacked the same Charisma she did, ouch! I love it the claws are out...

Another interesting point the commentator made was that fear of misstepping caused many of the starlets to go on the safe side with simple and strapless old glamour. There were few glaring faux pas that I noticed from the coverage today, but maybe I missed something.

My favorites were Olivia Wilde, she looked regal and beautiful, Christina Applegate daring and bold with an "I am woman hear me roar" attitude, and Kyra Sedgewick for her vixen, Jessica Rabbit ensemble...

You almost have to remind yourself that they have an entire team helping them look that good!!