"Thou Shalt Not Endure Mom Butt"- Our SF Indie Fashion Interview

When popular online resource SF Indie Fashion contacted us to help put together a denim buying guide, I thought YES! Now there's a tool I know most women would definitely benefit from. How many of us have looked at those neatly stacked squares of jeans and found them threatening? Digging for your size alone is an act of futility as no matter how hard you try those darn things tumble off and wind up in a mess on the floor. Plus, who knows if you even get the right style or fit and have to go back in for round two.

Needless to say I was thrilled (I'm even doing a little jig right now) to put some of our experiences onto paper as our heads are practically bursting with clandestine clothing knowledge from years spent as personal shoppers and wardrobe stylists.  It felt great to get that information out there, in a readily available and formidable fashion resource like SFIF*.

There's nothing like working with other people in the fashion industry who equally share your enthusiasm for sartorial problem solving.  They came armed with a list of queries ranging from how to pick the right pair of skinnies- now considered a staple in your closet- to butt pocket adornments and affordable denim options. Hopefully this guide with help everyone assuage any future denim debacles. Even in a city as seemingly laissez-faire as San Francisco, thou shalt not endure "mom butt", muffin top, or butt cracks.

To read the full article and check out SF Indie Fashion, click here.

*If you're not already, get acquainted with SF Indie Fashion. I've been following their tweets now for sometime and if you ever want up-to-the-minute San Francisco Indie Fashion information, start following their sartorial shout-outs immediately. They offer an insight into the independent fashion scene of SF, an area we in the industry value as it's what sets us apart from LA and NY.

What Not to Wear- Oh Martha!

I am addicted to all things Martha Stewart.  I watch her shows, read her books, make her crafts (see "glitter pumpkins"), cook her food, etc.  She may be the queen of all DIY and home how-to's, all of which I aspire to be, but she definitely isn't the fashion maven I would expect her to be.

She has a stylist on the show that keeps her style updated, and even has a great appreciation for Manolo Blahnik.  But it seems her crafty self has gone a little too far...

Case in point, this craft-of-the-day skirt (see right)-
WOW!  All I can say is wow.

Image(s) courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Spanx for Men: Yes or No?

My female clients know of my love/hate relationship with Spanx.  I don't always like having that extra layer (especially on hot summer days),  but I hate lumps and bumps more than a little extra sweating.  For many women like myself, shapewear is a necessary evil.  And now men can have the same experience [inset evil laugh here].  Introducing Spanx for men!

While I'm not sure anything other a diet or being stuffed into a sausage casing is going to make you look 10 pounds thinner, I do believe that shapewear can smooth out your lumps and bumps.  And this shouldn't be a luxury just for women (Lord knows the other options for guys aren't so great).  I know I couldn't wear half of my closet if I didn't wear Spanx.  So in the name of fashion, I am going to force my husband to test out these little beauties for you guys. 

Stay tuned for pics from my very unconvinced husband....

Image(s) courtesy of barenecessities.com

The Real Meaning of "Fashion Over Function"- NOTE TO READER: Do not try this at home!

My husband received his bonus this week, and we went out to a very nice dinner to celebrate.  I wore a slinky dark gray knit sweater dress with a statement necklace and silver cage booties.  Trust me, the outfit looked great.  But by the time we got up from our table (after the most amazing 4 course meal plus wine pairings) my feet were throbbing.  By the time I got home, this was the condition of my feet (see picture above).

Thank God the evening involved minimal standing up!  As a general rule, my personal style has to be fashionable and comfortable.  But there is the rare occasion where fashion over function takes over- In the name of good fashion, all sensibility goes out the window and I channel my inner Vogue model and wear items regardless of whether or not it is comfortable.  Attempt this same fate at your own risk.

The Ten Worst Fall Fashions - from DivineCaroline

Here is an interesting article I found in one of the many blogs that I follow. It addresses some of this season's top trends (acid washed jeans cutouts, shoulder pads, stirrup pants), and why they might be big NO NO's.

The Ten Worst Fall Fashions - Page 4 - DivineCaroline

While I don't agree with their assessment of all of these trends, it makes some good points. Especially the fact that most of these trends are not appropriate for the work place... Enjoy!

Image courtesy of Divine Caroline

Bad Style Choices- An Epidemic

Chanel chain strap bag, check. Black boyfriend jacket, check. Patent ballet flats, check. Skinny jeans, check. A walking talking example of how to wear the trends?

A major STYLE NO NO in the flesh... I couldn't take a picture of it... Scott thought it was rude, but it was so perfect of an example I would have given into inappropriate social behavior just to share it with you...

Believe it or not, there is a difference between style and fashion. Just because a trend is in fashion, doesn't mean it's stylish. Do you hear me loud and clear?

I love a good trend as much as the next fashionista. But let's be realistic, not every body type can sport the current trends, whatever that might be at the time. One of those is skinny jeans. Being a curvy girl myself, I don't like to think of fashion being something unattainable. But that's where curvy girls fall short. Just because the skinny runway models and celebs wear a particular look and it looks good, doesn't mean everyone can or should dress that way.

I surfed the web for some great examples of bad skinny jeans to make up for not having a pic of the girl from Saturday. I kept running into curvy/real women blogs swearing "you too can wear skinny jeans."  Please understand, I don't disagree with them.  But the way they are styled (as pictured above), just makes their hips/thighs look larger.  Had they worn shirts that fell below their crotch line, their hips would have appeared to be smaller.  By having a visual line cut across the widest parts of their bodies, they actually look heavier.  Skinny jeans are tricky, even on a skinny woman.  There are other cuts of denim far easier to style flawlessly.

Pictures like above (top left) beg the question, "Why would you purposefully wear something that wasn't very flattering, when you know there are many other better option out there?" I have to assume it's because either the stylist for that pic was trying to showcase just the jeans (in which case would you want your hips looking like that?), or their client's desire to look like a celebrity overtook their sense of reason.

Forgive me for sounding harsh, but these bad style choices, in favor of following the trends, are an epidemic.

My solution for women who's hip/thigh ratio is large enough to warrant being considered "curvy", is to try straight leg denim instead. The wider-than-skinny leg of a straight leg jean will help keep you looking long and lean instead of having been stuffed into a sausage casing. America is doing it right (see far right photo).

For less than $60, you can try this skinny jean-alternative from the Gap.


Straight Leg denim picture courtesy of Gap.com

Fashion Police

The hat, the belt, the tee, well...

These looks should be pretty self-explanatory.

Poor poor Clay Aiken.  Leave the

 hair straightener at home!

And speaking of hair... even Al got it wrong.  There is such a thing as too flat and to high when it comes to your "do" guys.

Your jacket should never look like it came from an pop-art

 exhibit.

Did he get dressed in the dark?  Only waiters should be wearing cropped jackets in burgundy- and even then...

Images courtesy of Splendora.com