Do They Dress Differently There?

SocialStylists — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:41:37 +0000

Back from a week in Paris where I spent a good deal of time just people watching and looking at what the Parisians were wearing. I enjoy street fashion more than runway fashion because it varies from region to region. The people in a particular area put their own spin on what designers are producing. I think it’s an expression of the mood of people.

Here’s what stood out for me this past week in Paris as different from what I see daily in the US:

Catherine Malandrino at Shopbop

1. Coats with belts that didn’t look like the belt came with the coat. In some cases, it couldn’t possibly. I even saw a few down-feather coats (ala North Face) belted. Sometimes it looked great, sometimes not so much. Some women chose to match their belt to the rest of the outfit, making the coat look like it was paired with the outfit.
2. Speaking of matching the accessories, there was a serious matchy-matchy thing going on in Paris. The hats matched the coats, or the shoes matched the bag, etc. It looked like they were headed to a time past when your grandmother’s rules applied.
3. As far as boots went, there was a noticeable absence of over-the-knee boots. Most of the boots were the riding style – low heel, tall boots. Functional and ready for the serious walking done in the city.
4. So on to functionality. Everything seemed to be more practical these days. Gone were stilettos and large handheld designer bags. Returning were flat shoes or low heels, shoulder bags or messenger bags and – gasp – the backpack (note: I do not like the back pack look on anyone that is not a full-time student).

Black Patent Furla Bag with Tan Accents

5. The colors were interesting, nothing bright but not too much black either. Most accessories were brown – sandal or saddle. The browns were blended with grays and blacks. There didn’t seem to be any concern of mixing the neutrals with the primaries.
6. The biggest surprise was the amount of leather I saw being worn in the daytime. Leather pants and leather leggings. And on everyday people. I even saw a few men in leather pants and these were businessmen not hipsters.

So which of these trends will take hold in the US?
Will we start to accessorize outerwear with our own accessories or stick to the belt that came with the coat? Will we return to matching our hats, shoes, and gloves? Will we become more comfortable blending browns with blacks? Will Americans grab on to the leather trend? I have seen a few women in the US look fabulous in leather, but it still usually reserved for the very fashionable.
We are already onboard with riding boots and we are warming up to the messenger bag. As for the others, some trends translate and some don’t – they are like expressions that way. It’s up to us to determine.
But that’s what makes us unique, non?

Accessories Wardrobe Part I – Belts

SocialStylists — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:01:39 +0000

A few weeks ago I wrote about how in my view, the US lagged behind the Europeans when it came to street fashion. Several great comments came back, but one of the best comments suggested that it was because the Europeans accessorize but in the US we tend not to bother with accessories.
we’re not so great at accessorizing–something that’s essential to street fashion (Linda Dyett, freelance writer and editor).

That got me thinking – what about our accessory wardrobes? Have we neglected them too long? How do we build one without wasting money?
The perception we have too often is that accessories are not a good use for our money, better to save for that great pair of jeans. Unfortunately if you don’t accessorize, those great jeans look like just another pair. So let’s build a smart accessories wardrobe.

Start with belts. We need a minimum of three. Your money should go to one wide, one skinny, and one studded.

A wide belt sets off a shirt dress (both should be staples in every gal’s closet).

Wide Belt

It also goes with tunics and leggings, long oxfords that you grab from a boyfriend, or even a baggy tee that is terribly comfy but looks sloppy without some definition.

Banana Republic Wide Belt $60

One nice thing about a buying a wide belt is that they are always in style so you can always find one, and you can usually find one on sale.

Cheta Print Skinny Belt

The skinny belt is the next one to add. Skinny belts should either be textured or patent.

Gap Skinny Belt $35

If you opt for plain leather on a skinny belt, you might as well skip it because it can get lost in the outfit. Skinny belts are best for waist defining with jackets and sweaters. The more material you have, the smaller the belt should be or you risk adding bulk (something I am not fond of myself).

Calvin Klein Studded Belt - Zappos $51

The last absolutely necessary belt is the studded belt for jeans. Pick a studded belt that has black, brown, and some metallic accents. If you find a belt with these three colors, it will go with everything.

Belts don’t have to be expensive, they are usually one of the first items each season that gets marked down so check the sales section. Make sure you have these three types then start adding ones that stand out to you. Also check vintage stores – maybe you’ll find an Hermes or Chanel belt that you will have for years.

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Social Stylists » Belts

Do They Dress Differently There?

Accessories Wardrobe Part I – Belts