Updating Aunt Agatha's Old Fur Coat...

Updating Aunt Agatha's Old Fur Coat... by divadebbi

Today marks the day that a splendid film about the legendary Diana Vreeland is being released.  The film was created and directed by Vreeland's granddaughter in-law .

In honor of the doyenne of fashion, Women's Voices for Change  is asking their fashion contributors to answer the question Vreeland posed to her Harper's Bazaar readers during her tenure as Editor-In-Chief. 

The series was called, "Why Don't You???"....

I am kicking off the series by asking, “Why Don’t You remodel the fabulous furs your chic Aunt Agatha left to you? 

Black Tie...with Sleeves!

This is my second article in a series of two that I wrote for the website Women's Voices for Change about dressing beautifully for a wedding. The first covered daytime venues.  This time we focused on Black Tie. With both, the challenge was to create fashionable looks on Polyvore with sleeves. I like the range of these options.


It was particularly thrilling to see this spectacular Lela Rose gown arrive at Richards this week. Sometimes, my dreams do come true.


xox,
DD

It’s official: Official wedding attire is no longer set in stone. This spring, Vera Wang, the trendsetting bridal designer, sent her models down the runway in shades of dahlia, scarlet, crimson, and vermillion. As brides make the leap to new traditions—and, make no mistake, they will—the “rules” of proper guest attire will again be blurred.

A few years ago, no one would have dreamed of wearing black to a wedding. Now, complete wedding parties, Moms included, wear black.  This makes shopping in or out of your closet a bit easier for a guest . . . particularly for those who are “sleeve challenged.

The Lela Rose gown on the left beautifully marries fashion and elegance. The exquisite silk and wool skirt with ruffled train is topped by a tulle bodice with a face-flattering bateau neckline, hand embroidery, and, yes, a sleeve. It’s an important gown, one that would make a fabulous choice for the mother of the bride at a black-tie wedding. (This dress is also available at Richards, contact me  at DivaDebbi@gmail.com for a personal viewing.)

Every closet should include a pair of perfectly cut black evening pants. If they are a lightweight wool, jersey or silk, they will be wearable 365 days a year.  The Talbot Runhof black lace coat, paired with the Etro pant, is an elegant and versatile wardrobe addition. The coat would also be lovely on top of a classic black dress or one with a pop of color.

Legs became the new “booty” the minute Angelina Jolie flashed us a thigh-full of Versace at this year’s Academy Awards.  Elie Saab, master of impeccable eveningwear, is always ahead of the curve. This seemingly simple jersey gown has it all; lot’s of leg, a long sleeve, and the color of today—vermillion. This is the type of dress that would look elegant anywhere in the world, and it would pack beautifully too. Now would be the perfect time to wear it to a black-tie wedding: Next year, vermillion may be off limits.

Ensembles that multi-task are a dream.  When both pieces pair as well with each other as with items you already own, that is true investment dressing.  The black cotton and silk top, from Alessandra Rich, looks fabulous with the ivory lace skirt, but would look equally good with the black Etro pant or slim-cut white jeans. Conversely, the lace skirt would look chic paired with a black turtleneck and boots at a holiday party.

Tricks Up My Sleeve: What to Wear to a Daytime Summer Wedding

As a style contributor to the website Women's Voices For Change, I was asked to write a piece on a fashion conumdrum that women currently face; where oh where are they hiding the dresses with sleeves??? Here is my take:

As we thought about occasions to address for Fashion Friday in June, the concept of weddings arose, of course. When you’re invited as a guest, what is appropriate yet fashionable attire? In a lecture last week, Iris Apfel mentioned how difficult it is to find dresses with sleeves when you’re shopping for such events. So we have made it our mission to find some suggestions. Our frequent contributor Debbi O’Shea explains her selections for the fun Polyvore set she created for daytime nuptials.—Ed.

June remains one of the most popular months for brides and grooms to tie the knot. If you will be a lucky guest attending a daytime wedding, figuring out what to wear always requires some thought. And if you are at the point where a sleeveless dress will be highlighting a lesser asset, you may require strategic planning. Designers, it seems, will always have a special affinity for bare arms.
Finding a dress that is not overly embellished for day, with a sleeve, can be particularly daunting.

In Iris Apfel’s talk, the 90-year-old style icon and maverick commented that if she had more time, she would open a store called, “Sleeves!” The audience roared with appreciation; probably no one would be surprised if it was a great success.

When a trip to your favorite store becomes an exercise in frustration, looking online may be your easiest solution. While Polyvore is often thought of as the creative equivalent of X-Box for a fashionista like me who enjoys styling fantasy sets of clothing, it is also a terrific source; all the clothing items actually have live links for purchase.

Suits are always an option, but dresses just seem more festive, particularly if there will be dancing. The beauty of these is that they are timeless, and, with dressier accessories, could easily be notched up for evening occasions. A bit of work to find, but well worth it. Who said only the bride and groom deserve congratulations?



These dresses are meant to be a guide, but if you find yourself particularly enchanted, they can be found: the versatile cream silk crepe Valentino (on sale), the colorful yet classic Pucci, and the on-trend, affordable lace Diane von Furstenberg.

Debbi O'Shea has spent her career in fashion and is currently the "By Appointment" consultant and Brand Ambassador for Giorgio Armani Black Label at Richards in Greenwich, CT.  O'Shea also writes the Beauty and Fashion Blog DivaDebbi.

Updating Your "LWD" This Season

After the success last week of Debbi O’Shea’s Polyvore posting on how to update your little black dress for spring, we decided to ask her to do the same for white. White is a staple in everyone’s spring/summer wardrobe, and with all the season’s socializing, we love learning ways to reaccessorize our basics!—Ed.

What an honor!  Women's Voices for Change is such a savvy website. I read it often for its informative content on women's health and lifestyle issues from the boardroom to the bedroom. I recommend it whole heartily.

I adore white dresses in the summer, but a “LWD” will inevitably have a shorter shelf life than a “LBD.” For that reason, I looked to find one that was both on trend and feminine, and that could be worn for a season or two without breaking the bank. I lucked out and found a white lace BCBGMaxAzria sheath dress for $248. It is the linchpin of all three looks.

Pretty Woman: Bridgehampton Polo

 

We know not everyone goes to polo matches; consider this as inspiration for any upscale daytime summer affair. love letting the dress speak for itself here. All it needs for finishing is perfect coral pops, like the Pucci banded hat for shade, the Rebecca Minkoff Diamond straw tote, and J.Crew Marci patent wedges for half-time divot stomping. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

Rooftop Cocktail Party

Wouldn’t it be lovely to be in New York on a beautiful night, sipping cocktails with friends on a garden terrace in the sky? Even warm days cool down, so pairing the same LWD with this black Antonio Marras three-quarter-sleeve black cardigan would be smart and look relaxed and stylish. The cobalt and black Pucci Python clutch is a seasonless beauty that would be equally fetching with a black dinner suit in the winter. The splurge is the Manolo Blahnik Vitribium black and white linen scalloped pumps . . . sometimes a girl just has to do it.





Casual Mondays at the Office

As the mercury rises during the warmer months, dress codes may relax a little or a lot, depending on the nature of the business. Either way, the goal should be to appear cool and crisp (aka “never let them see you sweat”). Pairing a navy Ralph Lauren blazer with the LWD looks chic but appropriate. Adding the scarf, cheap and cheerful linen Nine West bag, and lemon patent Alice and Olivia belt keeps the look fresh, not staid.

Colorful accessories are the easiest way to update your wardrobe this season, and they are available at price points that will suit any budget. Your LBDs and LWDs await. Have fun!

Updating your L.B.D. This Season

 The powers that be at the website Womens Voices for Change, Dr. Patricia Allen and Style Editor Stacey Bewkes have been enjoying my Polyvore creations.  As such, they nicely asked me to create some vignettes for their Fashion Friday's column.  Here is a reprint:

About a month ago, we discovered that Fashion Friday friend Debbi O’Shea had started creating fabulous fashion vignettes on her site DivaDebbi. We thought it would be fun to invite her to create some for us, showing us ways to update for this spring season the little black dress we all have hanging in our closets. We will let Debbi explain her discovery. —Ed.

I recently stumbled upon Polyvore, a website that allows users to create and share their fashion whims with like-minded fashionistas. Not surprisingly, I’m addicted to creating outfits; it reminds me of my favorite pastime Colorforms from years past.

For the three occasions outlined, below, I chose a classic Moschino Cheap & Chic cotton crepe “Pencil” dress ($495 at Stylebop.com). This dress’s elegant style, weight, and price point was a perfect foil for different style options

Black-Tie Wedding: Unless the bride specifically requests a certain style, I would be much happier adding this spectacular lace Valentino coat to my wardrobe than another gown to hang idly in my closet. I loved the jolt the ruby satin shoes add. Makeup, too, should be thought of as an accessory. A red lip would be a must, “paired” with the earrings.

The Nude Shoe: All Eyes Up

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wearing 
nude shoes with a Catherine Walker ensemble

I  love Day Light's Saving Time, but only when we are, "springing ahead".  Longer days of sunlight plus the proliferation of color available in ready-to-wear and accessories is a a guaranteed mood brightener. Particularly this Spring, it seems.

When Stacey Bewkes, the awarding winning writer of my favorite Lifestyle Blog Quintessence asked me if I would like to be a Style Contributor  for the website Women's Voices for Change, a fabulous resource for women over 40,  I was honored.  When Stacey asked me if there was a particular topic I'd like to cover for my second article, I suggested covering why the "nude shoe" has become such a prevalent option.

Wearing nude shoes is a neat  little trick I picked up from the late great style icon Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.   I have been advising my clients to wear them as the perfect foil for color, ever since seeing them  worn with the pistachio Carolina Herrera ensemble she wore to Caroline's wedding.  Count on Jackie to figure out a way around, God Forbid, "dyed to match".

Here's a link to the article: http://womensvoicesforchange.org/the-nude-shoe-all-eyes-up.htm  The addition of fashion is new to Women's Voices for Change. 

Led by Patricia Yarberry Allen M.D., "Women’s Voices for Change started its not-for-profit website in 2006. Since then, the WVFC community of writers, commenters, and supporters has grown steadily, drawn by a distinctive mix of news, opinion, and reflection from an over-40 women’s perspective, coupled with the authoritative medical information that is the site’s leading component".

It is a font of important health information for women over 40, as well as personal finance, relationships, career, the arts and more.  I highly recommend a visit...even if you haven't crossed that arc.

There is much we can all continue to learn from one another...at any age.

xox,

DD