Tag: women’s style

While twenty-somethings may be choosing to enlarge their bust lines, women in the middle decades of their lives tend to covet the all-encompassing mommy makeover.

Eventually you will have had your final child and pregnancy will be a condition you won’t be experiencing again without the appearance of an angel, a star, and three wise men. At that point, if you are like most moms, looking in the mirror can incite the same feeling of nausea that the dissection lab in high school biology did.

Years of nursing has relocated your breasts to an area where you vaguely remember your waist being.  Your once tightly toned tummy may spill over your jeans while your thighs are dented with hail damage, orange peel skin, cellulite, or whatever you want to call it.

You are in desperate need of a mommy makeover, at least according to the media. This is a procedure, in which a plastic surgeon deftly returns your breasts to their proper upright position, tucks your trembley tummy into itself to reveal your abdominal muscles again and recreates smooth, lithe thighs in one fell swoop. It’s almost like having a fairy godmother.

There is discomfort of course – after all, you have had surgery. During your recovery time, you will probably feel a bit like a Mack truck ran over you – not as bad as six hours of back labor but worse than those sharp new baby teeth testing out your nipple while nursing. You’ll have some bruising and swelling for a time but it will clear up in a week or so.

So would you get one?

On the one hand, women are constantly bombarded with the need to look perfect, to maintain the same figure they had at 21, and to be able to easily compete with the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. It isn’t realistic.

In a day when the average woman wears a size 12 to 14, that perfect size 4 body with those firm D-cup breasts attached is just not realistic for most of us. At least, it isn’t realistic without thousands of dollars worth of “work.”

On the other hand, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to look the best that they can. While we may say that we have no desire to look like a Victoria’s Secret model, the truth is that few of us would turn that down if the aforementioned fairy godmother offered the proper magic dust.

As much as women want to evolve past being judged for their looks, there is a small corner in many of our hearts that seeks to achieve the very thing we disdain – the power that comes with beauty and has been wielded by beautiful women for centuries – women from Cleopatra to Beyoncé. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, exercise just doesn’t give you the results you want.

The question remains. Would you get a mommy makeover? Is it something that you feel would enrich your life? Or, do you feel that it is just another way for society to force women into a china doll mold based on what Hollywood says is beautiful?

photo credit: Deven Laney

Earlier I wrote a post about Play by Sarah Reilly – a yoga-inspired clothing line. Well, she was so sweet to send me the Obi One dress in Jet to see if I would like it and I LOVE IT! It’s probably the most comfortable thing I own. Really.

It’s got a cowl neck that is a bit playful and a bit classy. The racerback is divine! My arms feel absolutely free and yet sexy, too. I did have to go out and buy a racer back bra today (not fun, buying a bra after having 2 kids who do a number on one’s body!) but now I feel great. Boobs are up and in the right place (locked and loaded, as they say).

I’m not wearing the wrap belt that goes with it because, well, I can’t quite figure out how to wrap it so that it looks right. I know that’s a stupid thing to admit, but each time I do it, I feel silly. Maybe I’ll get the hang of it. I do have a great wide belt that will look just wonderful with it, but without a belt it’s pretty great, too.

Sarah claims that you can wear this anywhere and I was dubious at first, but she’s right on the money. Little black dress with heels. Playground frock with leggings. You could (and I will) wear this dress until it falls apart.

And, who knows how long that will be since it’s made of bamboo jersey. Talk about comfortable! Don’t quite know what bamboo jersey is, but it looks and feels luscious against my skin and I have a feeling that it’s pretty durable. And eco-friendly! We’ll see.

So, a million thanks to Sarah! Girl, you’re one terrific designer.

You can buy the Obi One dress at Sarah Reilly’s website for $198, although it’s sold out at the moment.

“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.” Coco Chanel certainly did have a way with words, no? And fashion, of course.

This spring, I’m making a resolution – no a commitment since I never stick to resolutions – to “fix” myself up a bit before leaving the house. This includes going to the grocery, dropping off or picking up my daughter from day care or working out…after all, these things all occur in public don’t they?

I have a very bad habit of believing that no one really sees me when I do these things so, therefore, I can look like crap (read: messy hair, no makeup, saggy sweatpants, etc) and no one will notice.

Sadly, not only do I notice when I pass a mirror, but these days it seems like going to the grocery, dropping off or picking up my daughter from daycare and working out are the only things I do lately. Well, not working out, but you know what I mean. And looking like crap day in and day out makes me a very cranky lady.

So, as spring approaches, I will primp. To help me in this I vow to enlist the help of a professional…a professional stylist that is. I’m on the hunt for one now.

photo credit: katmere

Going after a younger market, Eileen Fisher, the venerable anti-fashion feminist, has hired new designers to give her look a lift. Here’s why this strategy isn’t going to work.

First, Eileen Fisher is, well, Eileen Fisher. It’s a brand for older women who like comfort but want to do it in a stylish way. My mother-in-law used to really enjoy wearing Eileen Fisher and knew that whenever she donned those outfits she looked effortlessly great. Good solid clothes that weren’t showy of flashy or trendy. Perfect for a woman of a certain age.

And what makes a woman of any age look good? Knowing herself and knowing her style. Only now my mother-in-law is perplexed at what she finds in the Eileen Fisher stores. She thinks, maybe, it’s too young for her now. Not good to alienate your loyal customer base.

Second, what young woman (over the age of 21) do you know that strives to be seen as “older”? There is a billion dollar beauty business that capitalizes on women’s needs to look younger. So why would a young woman shop at Eileen Fisher? It’s known as an older woman’s brand. Changing that perception will be extremely hard.

Ahh, their new designs you might say.

Well, I’ve perused the Eileen Fisher website to see if anything appeals to me. I dress on the simple side, tend toward neutrals – I might in fact be their new target market. Unfortunately adding a few jackets, some bling and a splash of color doesn’t make up for the fact that Eileen Fisher’s clothes “hide” a woman’s figure.

I might not have the best figure out there (Lord, who does and actually thinks they do?!?) but I know that wearing clothes that fit my figure flatter my body. I don’t see much in the way of “fit” when I look at the new Eileen Fisher Spring look.

So, not for me. Now, I realize that I’m not every woman and there might be some of you out there that think Eileen Fisher just found the sweet spot of fashion. If so, I’d love to hear from you.

In my humble opinion, Eileen Fisher is playing fast and loose with her market. If she, herself, doesn’t wear the clothes that her line is designing (she’s notoriously against trendy clothes, high heels, or even make-up) why would anyone else?

Have you noticed that everywhere you look there is denim? Well, you’re not alone. The “new” look this spring is denim. Denim on denim, even. Wow, the more I write denim, the weirder it looks…does that ever happen to you?

Anyway. I follow Eva Longoria Parker’s advice and never wear denim with denim. As she rightly says, “denim is a stand alone fabric.”

Gap, Dolce & Gabbana and Ralph Lauren all disagree. They have their own variations of the denim suit. For the most part, when these fashion powerhouses combine denim, they mix the wash, texture or elasticity of the denim to create visual interest. Think denim leggings or pairing a light wash jacket with dark wash jeans.

So, if you’re feeling adventurous and fashion forward, go ahead and bathe yourself in denim from head to toe. Me – well, I think I’ll go the more more casual look and stick with one denim piece and maybe mix it with denim dyed silk.

photo credit: jimpg2_2010

Is it so hard to design a nursing shirt that is not a snooze-fest? OK, so I know the criss cross shirt is popular, but can’t a bright young designer come up with anything useful, fun, different, modern – anything???

I saw these nursing tee shirts at Milkstars that, on the surface, seem promising. She looks happy. She looks hip. The designer’s story is compelling and relate-able…I’m in the same boat, dreading getting dressed every day.

But, when you stop and think for half a second, it’s a regular tee shirt with a hidden panel that hides your tummy when you lift your shirt. Whoo hoo. I mean, even the models (when they aren’t pulling their shirts up) look boring. Maybe she’s got more designs coming but what is for sale now is blah.

The pisser is, I almost bought one. There I was, one click away from purchasing a $60 tee shirt. $60 for a tee shirt. What the…ahem, I mean, no thanks. I don’t want to throw away good money to look boring, do you?

Please, will some inventive designer try to do something with nursing shirts? I’m getting kind of tired of always wearing a nursing tank or exposing my muffin-top. Help!

I hesitate to tell you about this new website a friend sent to me, only because once you use it you’ll lose countless hours shopping and creating outfits for yourself. So, please, read on with caution…my new fashion crack is called Polyvore and it’s all about style.

I’m in need of a makeover. Being a stay-at-home mom who occasionally goes out to adult functions, I have lost all sense of style. Oh, I have clothes. They just don’t fit or they are sooooo out of style. Being pregnant twice does that to a woman…all the clothes in her closet are either 1) too small 2) too big or 3) woefully out of date.

So, I’ve been wanting to shop. Only, I don’t know what to buy or what looks good. Enter Polyvore.

Once you register, you can create any look you want – either from all the of the choices of clothes that are there or from clothes you find on the web and save to your account (they make that easy – just install a button on your bookmark toolbar).

Then, you can mix and match tops, bottoms, accessories, even fingernail polish in a “set” and see if you like it. If you do, you can – and here is the brilliance – BUY IT! It’s a great way to “try on” different looks without any commitment. You can even ask your friends if it looks OK, though I haven’t perfected that part yet.

It’s what I’ve been looking for to make online shopping easier. Till now I’ve been looking at clothes online but not really buying, or buying them only to return them because they don’t look right together. NOT ANY MORE! I could see me wearing this out and about, even to the playground.

I’m hooked. Here’s the first set I’ve made – I’m sure I’ll get better at this as time goes by but OMG is it fun! Don’t say I didn’t warm you.

Want great style without thinking too hard about it? I know I do. Whenever I get to shop (and that’s RARE!) I feel totally overwhelmed with trying to find something that looks good on my body, is relatively hip, doesn’t make me look matronly, and is also reasonably priced. All without the hassle of hunting forever at 1000 different shops or even one big department store.

Well, I know this is all a marketing ploy by JCrew, but have you seen Jenna’s picks? Who is Jenna and why do I care what clothes and accessories she picks? I have no idea. But, it doesn’t matter to me…I just like what I see.

Instead of browsing through the entire collection of JCrew clothes and accessories, the mysterious Jenna has compiled a handful of things she “picks.” And her picks are usually really cool, both separate and together. Now, I wouldn’t buy everything she chooses, but it’s a place to start.

Since I’m as big as a house right now (2 months away from my due date), I’m not buying any real clothes…but accessories, that’s a different story.

Couldn’t you just see this necklace with a white t-shirt, jeans and sweater? Plus, I’m just lusting after this bomber jacket that won’t fit and time soon!

For what it’s worth, if you want a place to start check it out…her picks are always a mix of staples and fun pieces!