San Francisco Symphony: Orchestrate Your Outfit

As much as we all say "you couldn't pay me enough to ever go back to high school"- and as much as I completely agree- there is one thing I do miss about it: the dances. When I was a teenager, the thought of billowy dresses with big hair and makeup inflated my spirits and shot me sky high when I slipped on the heels. My every-other-day high school life was spent in flip flops and tank tops. I was an athlete growing up in southern California so reasons to get dressed up were few and far between. But the dances...they were there to give your inner girly girl an night out. Now that I find myself well out of high school and even college, I've discovered "prom" type occasions are even more scarce. Apparently adults no longer want a reason to gallivant throughout the night in a fancy dress and sharp suit...unless of course it comes with a striking orchestration courtesy of the San Francisco Symphony (SFS).

The beautiful exterior of the Davies Symphony Hall, home to the SFS

Like any reasonable stylist out there, I love an excuse to play dress up. The San Francisco Symphony celebrates it's 100th season this year with an opening night fast approaching. You know what that means right? Time to ask your mom to take you shopping because you're going to the gala with the hottest boy at work and you need a new dress and shoes. And bag. Probably hair and makeup too. But it will totally be worth it because not only is your date going to look so cute in a suit, the night has the promise of magic!
But I digress...

The Opening Night Gala (held this season on September 7th) is the only night guests wear formal attire. Every other show you can wear business or cocktail clothing; however, for the opening show of a centennial season I think that throwing on a little extra shellack is called for. This then begs the question of: what am I going to wear? Lucky for you, Bloomingdale's has some pieces that are sure to be music to your...ears?

You can go bold...

Aidan Maddox, $440 (Go for an up-do to soften the impact of this dress)

You can go clean and classic...

BCBGMaxAzria, on sale for $104! (it has a beautiful cut-out back)

And if you're pregnant...

Halston Heritage, $495. (For this look, add a long earring to accentuate the neck)

For the hot date you're sure to be taking...

Theory, ~$700. There is nothing like a man in a suit...too bad this fine gent isn't free

Tickets to the symphony are more than affordable (they start at $15!) but if attire and ticket cost are still a concern, you're in luck. There will be a FREE concert the night after the Opening Gala in honor of the symphony's triple digit birthday. Festivities begin at 1130am but the concert starts at noon. September 8th is a Thursday but on the chance of a clear, SF summer day with free music, you might just find yourself skipping there.

Image(s) courtesy of bloomingdales.com

Mad Men Style Sweeps the Nation: Are you a Betty or a Joan? A Pete or a Don?

With the 4th season of AMC's hit TV show Mad Men airing soon, they're doing a recap of all of the previous episodes to catch people up.  It's one of those shows my husband and I were never interested in until everyone starting raving about it, then we never started because we were behind.  Even if the show turned out to be crap (which it isn't), I would have loved it anyway due to the set and costume designs.

Now I've officially jumped on the Mad Men bandwagon.  (1) In my house- mid century modern is the one design style my husband and I can agree upon- and (2) in my closet because my curves love 1940-1950's era styles.  And I know I'm not the only one....

Banana Republic is showing their love by releasing a limited edition Mad Men collection in time for the fall season.  August 11th at 6:00PM (in select stores) you can shop the collection and drink a free "Mad-tini".  Receive a gift with purchase if you use your Banana Republic card.

Guys, they didn't forget about you...  "Are you MAD enough?"


Want something a little more literal?  Check out this Etsy shop for curvaceous creations that look like they came straight out of the show.

Image(s) courtesy of Google search. Quote from Banana Republic marketing.

"Honey Don't"- Men, What Not to Wear This Summer

In the article "Honey Don't: Menswear Faux-pas", Women's Wear Daily (WWD) asked some of their favorite fashionable ladies what their take on bad men's summer fashion looked like.  Some of the answers varied from obvious...

"...I don’t like that Speedos thing. I see it in France and Brazil all the time. In Brazil, it’s different, I think, because there that doesn’t count, it’s fine. But here…no." - Doutzen Kroes

 

...to equally obvious but pretty darn funny...

"A rhinestone T-shirt. You don’t look like a man. You look like an idiot." - Sophia Bush

I read this and had to add my two cents on the topic.  Living in the San Francisco Bay Area where tech is king, I've seen plenty of this "uniform"...

"Pleated khakis and short sleeved button-down shirts for work. Don't forget multiple cell phones attached to belt."- Jennifer @ Beyond Black

So I ask you, if you had the chance to ask your man "Honey, don't..." in regards to his wardrobe, what would you tell him not to wear this summer?

 

Fabulous Florals

I think several of you are aware of my love for all things 90's. (and if you're not, then I'm not talking about it enough) Sure the 80's were great, the time of my childhood, and seem to be everlasting with several styles still sticking around today. But, the 90s are where it's at, and I can prove it!

Who What Wear recently published a post on looks they love. The subject? Florals! And not just any florals, LARGE PRINT florals! I know you know that's a 90s thing. Needless to say, I had to share it with you here.

I'm mildly obsessed with Ashlee Simpson's jumpsuit...

If you want to stand out from the crowd with this trend, keep things contemporary by finding floral designs in modern silhouettes:

Lauren by Ralph Lauren dress, $134

A flirty top would be super cute with jeans or under a blazer for work:

Free People top, $47

Floral skirts are always sweet and keep you looking feminine and fresh:

Leifsdottir, $123

And if you've got a baby blossom, let them bloom in this sweet little dress!

SO CUTE! Ralph Lauren, $39.50

Since San Francisco summer days tend to show up around September, you've got some time to get your floral on. Don't forget you can add some edge to this uber sweet style by throwing on a motorcycle jacket or some combat boots...You'll be a gal after my own 90s-loving heart.

Image(s) courtesy of whowhatwear.com & Bloomingdales.com

Stylist Picks: Wooden Accessories

Bright printed skirts, sun hats and maxi dresses... I'm loving so much of the boho chic clothing that's so popular again this summer (especially in San Francisco during all of the musical festivals). 

Not ready to dive straight into a look that, if not done right, could have you confused with the real hippies in Haight Ashbury?  A quick and affordable way to add that bohemian vibe to your wardrobe is through accessories- wooden to be exact.  Here are some of my favorite picks:

Stella & Dot "Casablanca" bib necklace $89

Lauren by Ralph Lauren "Java" wooden bangles $58

Yves Saint Laurent "Arty" wooden ring $275

Kenneth Jay Lane "Wave" bangle $45

Forever21 "Tribal Glam" bracelet set $6

How did we go from this.......

Like myself, you may have decided to give the ol' string bikini suit a heave-ho into the forgotten depths that is the back of your closet in lieu of something a little more conservative.  If you've read my previous blog posts on all of the cute one-piece and plus-sized swimsuits available this season, that might have helped you make the switch (it did me).  I was more than happy to get rid of the floss meant to cover my "bits" because I knew I never really felt comfortable in something so tiny anyway.

But do you know what it took, and how long, for society to let you walk out onto the beach dressed so scantily clad? Like the fact that the first bikini didn't show up on the scene until 1946?  I didn't until I found this great blog post from Divine Caroline showcasing "Swimsuits Through the Ages."  Enjoy...

... to this?

All images from Divine Caroline

Litter SF: Body Jewelry

Among the many truths I live by as a stylist, one is that a T-shirt and jeans will look 10X better if you jazz it up with a little jewelry. Nothing like a little sparkle and shine to help elevate your look as well as your mood. And when those happy baubles come from a San Francisco-based designer, it's like the cherry on top. One line I love has focused their glitz into pieces that are industrial and worn like armor. Nothing is typical and their brilliance lies in pieces like harness necklaces, gauntlet/sleeve bracelets, and garter chains. I always say you can be anyone you want to when you get dressed in the morning so why not be a fashion warrior, literally?!

Litter SF is a San Francisco-based company where the designer sisters create a particular kind of jewelry. They grabbed my attention when I saw their work in a past issue of 7X7 magazine. For me, the earth moving moment came when I saw the pièce de résistance, the harness necklace. I'd never seen anything like it and being a jewelry jockey (aka, magpie) it blew my mind. I had never even thought of having chains and metal hang around my neck and torso!
...I was hooked.

Love at first sight. Multi Chain Harness, $150

I feel like the harness necklace is the gateway drug. Once you see it, use it, you'll want more. And Litter does not disappoint. There are so many more pieces you'll be craving in those "what do I wear" moments.

Chica Gold Shoulder Piece, $160

There's a piece of jewelry for every limb and every section of your body, even your shoes!

Possibly my second favorite. Loop Chain Garter, $120.

Is your inner Amazon woman coming out yet? You can't tell me you don't want to me a cool, urban ninja rocking these down the street. (It could just me I suppose...)

Once you're torso, leg and shoulder are attired, you can finish out your outfit with a sleeve...

Light Silver Forearm Sleeve, $98

...And a ring for the fingers. 

Stone Thumb Holster, $225

Of course claws and ear cuffs are available if you're feeling especially fierce.

Feather Ear Cuff, $85

Sterling Silver Cougar Claws, $48

Happy hunting ladies!

Image(s) courtesy of LitterSF