We're going to round out our masculinity series over the next few days with a look at some great ads that have come out recently.  These definitely flout the metro-sexual trend, reinforcing the image of men being manly.

And some style vignette's from GQ.  How delicious was Clint back then? I ask you!
"Style like that trumps fashion."  I love that! 
Coco made a similar sentiment and it always rings true.

I also love the line, "Eastwood's just been Eastwood."  As women, we are a major style force in our men's lives, be they husbands, sons, fathers, brothers or boyfriends.  I sometimes hear women joking about (belittling!) their husband's style when they think their man should dress differently.  And yet if their man were to do the same to them - the punishment would be swift and severe.  Don't even try to deny it. 
Most men admit they don't follow fashion trends but DO want to look stylish in clothes that flatter them.  He wants to look good for YOU!  So sincere compliments when he looks great, paired with subtle and soft corrections when something isn't flattering or doesn't fit his personality, will quickly have your man looking his very best with his own style.  Everything he owns will be a great option, as if he has always dressed this well- just Eastwood being Eastwood.

As I mentioned in my last post, before we dive into our series on spring trends and OD on fabulous femininity, I wanted to balance the equation with some masculinity.  Taking a couple of posts to cover a very interesting wave that's been coming ashore. The real men who seem to be making a comeback.  And it's fabulous.  Real women need real men.

It all started when I saw this Dockers advertisement.

I hope this masculine wave that's resurging isn't a passing fancy.  Some critics blasted this ad as sexist - which is, I think, exactly the problem the ad addresses.  Nowhere in here did I feel slandered as a woman and there's nothing wrong with being a man.

Whether we know it (or admit it) or not, femininity is a huge part of a woman's style.  It is enhanced when it has the contrast of masculinity to play off.  Much like my clothing style, I really like the old-fashioned mixed with the new-fangled.  A man doesn't need to sit in his chair in the living room waiting for wifey-poo to bring him his dinner (we've all had a long day!) but it's great if he makes sure to always take out the trash, open her door, and fill her car with gas.  Or remember to walk into a dark theater first. Take her hand to help her exit  when wearing heels so she doesn't have to grab the dirty car. 
The little things make the man.  And we women benefit.

I love dancing.  Always have.  I DVR the Ballroom/Latin Dance championships when they're broadcast and always remind Mr. Darcy that someday we WILL take lessons together so he can whirl me around the dance floor.  And though I hate subjectively judged competitions (they're not "sports"), I like ice dancing in the Olympics for the dance factor. 
And where there is competitive dancing... there are costumes.
 
Elegant costumes.  Like these.

After all the fun with the Bra Series last week... I caught a cold.  Wretched little virus.  So while I'm battling it, I'm also enjoying the Olympics.  Since I have trouble being witty with a runny nose, I thought I'd at least highlight some of the Olympic fashion we've been seeing.  I couldn't find a good shot of the Japanese speed skating uniforms. They are very cool!  Make me think of the Body Worlds exhibit.

Did you know it was actually 72 degrees in the arena?  I think the Bermudan's were the only ones who got that memo.  You may have noticed lots of shed coats once the athletes were seated.

Azerbaijan had some great pants.  I love anything remotely paisley.

Czech Republic also had fun pants.  Very 80's influenced.  I had a painters cap with a similar print.  Remember those?

This is what Ralph Lauren designed for the USA Snowboarding team. The "jeans" are actually Gore Tex.  How cool is that?  Plaid is very popular right now and I love the combo. Snowboarding is at its roots a casual sport with a rebel edge and I think the jeans reflect that perfectly.

And then there are the Norwegian Curlers and their argyle pants.  Apparently the standard uniform for curling is black pants and solid shirts.  That the Norwegian's just turned that tradition on its ear is the understatement of the year.  Let's face it, curling isn't exactly the hippest sport at the Olympics.  But it just got a whole lot more fun to watch! I'm going to definitely have to check out these pants furiously sweeping their way down the ice.

Bosom Week has arrived! 
I've been looking forward to this series of posts for a while and am anxious to exchange information on a feminine issue we all face. 

Like many women before me, I embarked upon a quest to find the perfect bra. 
Not that there is only one perfect bra manufactured out there somewhere, but the perfect bra for me.  I am still on that quest and I want to share with you what I've discovered so far.  Like me, you will probably already know some of this, but hopefully you'll learn something new.

Today, we're going to examine the reasons WHY women need a good bra, and part of what that entails.

That's not a happy breast on that left side.  Down and out is not a good description on any terms. 
 - Proper support helps preserve breast fullness and firmness while preventing back pain and poor posture. 
 - Proper shaping helps more than just the look of the breast.  As you can see on the "before" side, the breast has sagged low on the ribcage - encroaching on the smallest part of the woman's body.  Any woman will look better if she can keep the area from the bottom of her breasts to her waist as long and lean as possible.  This is a crucial style tip!  The only difference in the two halves of the above picture is an ill-fitting bra vs a well-fitting bra.  She looks 20 lbs thinner and significantly taller in the "after" half. 
In the next post in this series we'll go in-depth into how a bra should fit to properly shape and support your bosom buddies.

I love the video clips from Cold Comfort Farm I presented at the beginning of this post.  The fact that it was just as crucial in Elfine's makeover to get her "a bit of uplift" as it was to get her educated.  Once you learn what to look for in a great bra, it'll be easy to weed out the sagging from the supportive.  You won't waste money on bras that just sit in your drawer and you'll look much leaner, shapelier, and more youthful under your clothes. 

Please share your experiences and advice!  How did you find your great bras?  Or are you still struggling against the sag?

Throughout this series I'll be posting links to other useful or humorous bra-related sites.  Here are today's:
1.  An absolutely hysterical and informative look at breaking out of the Bra Matrix! 
2.  A rant against the fitters!

Is part of your wardrobe hidden from view?  Are some of your beauties banished to the backs of overstuffed drawers?  Do you know where your t-shirts are?  Do you? 
Do you know how many you REALLY have?

I was recently reorganizing a closet and as I was shifting and shuffling I kept hearing, "I just need something to go under/with that."  When I moved to the bottom two drawers of a large dresser, I found a treasure trove of perfect under/with items. In shock I cried,
"The t-shirts must be liberated!"
The drawers were well organized and quite full.  I'd found a stash of coverage T's, tanks, and camisole basics in a wide range of solid colors to complement and create dozens of outfits.  I pulled them all out and hung each in it's proper place among it's similarly-colored siblings.

I have become a firm believer that you should see as much of your wardrobe as possible and so I propose that you hang up as much of your clothing as you safely can.  (We'll talk about the safety issue in a minute.) I've seen many a closet where the owner said, "This is 'all' I have (except the five drawers of jeans, pants, leggings, tees and camisoles) and I just can't do much with it."  Many years ago, mine was one of them.

To Hang or Not To Hang
That is the question, here are two really good answers-

1. You'll save money.  If you can't see it, you'll probably end up buying another one you don't need.  Or another 4 or 5 after you put the new one in the same drawer as the first one.
2. You'll create better outfits.  If you can't see it, you probably won't use it.  Seeing all your options allows for more creativity and inspiration than trying to remember what you have.

How and What to Hang
Nearly all clothes can be safely hung.  We're talking the safety of your clothes here, not you. 

• Sweaters should never be hung.  Even on padded hangers, gravity pulls at the weave on the neckline and shoulders and eventually, they lose their shape permanently.
• Hang all your dresses and shirts- be they button down, blouse, or T.  I hate wire hangers (no movie reference intended) and hang nearly everything on plastic hangers.  Wire hangers create sharp points in clothing and have no "hanging aides" like notches, or hooks.  If the item is of a slinky material or has a wide neckline that tends to slide off, either use the hanging loops (if they're there), slip the short sleeve up into the notch on the hanger arm, or use non-slip hangers that are covered in a grippy, velvety material.
• Use pant hangers for all pants and skirts.  If you have the space, you can follow a tip I once received from a store manager - hang dress pants full-length from their ankles and folded along the crease.  The weight of the top of the pants will gently pull out any wrinkles as the pants hang in the closet.   
• Jeans are your choice.  I don't hang the few pairs of jeans and shorts I have because I have open shelving in my closet and can easily see them.  The only other items I don't hang are underwear, bras, pajamas, and hosiery. 
• Blazers and sport- and suit coats require special hangers.  They are curved to preserve the line of the jacket and look like this.
  

If you're anything like me, you get the urge to purge around this time of year.  Fresh start, new resolutions, a jump on spring cleaning, putting away all the Christmas stuff so might as well reorganize while I'm here... that sort of thing.  An excellent place to channel that energy is into your closet, if it isn't already lovely.  Here's a little more inspiration. 

I'd never want to clean the house that goes with this size of closet, but I love the openness.  The view-ability.  And if you'd like to make this a more stylish year getting your clothes out in the open and organized will be a big step toward achieving that goal.
You'll be happier when you see it and more excited to get dressed.  

I was awestruck.  Just look at them!  Click on the photo to make it larger and look at them some more.  These women are fabulous incarnate.  The antithesis of matronly.  The embodiment of sophisticated style and confidence.  They're clearly beyond their 40's.  I'd guess the one on the left is in her 60's and the one on the right in her 50's.  Considering how timeless they look, and judging only by their wonderful faces, they could be respectively in their 70's and 60's for all I know!

I want to look like this when I'm their age!  I absolutely adore this photo.  It's such an inspiration and it makes me smile. 
I can perfectly picture the withering look these two would give if you tried to convince them to wear a holiday sweater.  Or Mom Jeans. Or those high waisted pleated polyester pants that you never see in stores until you're over 70. 

Part of looking like this obviously means I'll have to visit Italy many more times.  Soaking up style works better on-location.  That's why I have my sister who speaks fluent Italian.  Britt- pack your bags!  We're going shopping!

I think into every life a little fantasy must fall!  Some fell into mine today as I had a second to peruse the 2009 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.
(Click the book at left to see the catalog.)




I look forward to it every year because you just NEVER know what they're going to come up with for the fantasy gifts.  This year, among things like wine tastings, exclusive dinner parties and bug art you can also get...

But fantasy must always be tempered with reality - so if you're not going to grab the $25,000 customizable Cupcake Car then hop over to Gomatta Girls and take a look at this jacket from Tulle for only $39.00 (was $105).  I love the portrait collar and waist tie.  Comes in black, royal blue and cream.

If you don't have your Invite to Gomatta Girls yet just click here and grab it!

Or there's this super cute wool number also from Tulle for $39.  In black, cream, or crimson.  Such savvy style for so little dough.  I love it!

But I had you at "customizable", didn't I?  You're probably going to get a Red Velvet Cupcake Car with matching Cream Cheese Frosting and Sprinkles hat, aren't you?  Or would that just be my first choice?

A friend asked me the other day how I manage to "always dress up" when I leave the house and the events of about an hour ago perfectly illustrate my answer of, "To maintain my sanity!" 
Let me first say that I do not "dress up" every time I leave the house.  Dressing up for me entails fancy clothes, sparkly things, and sky high heels.  But since much of society of late has adopted a sadly low form of casual dressing that I am on a crusade to eradicate, I'm sure I look a little more dressy compared to the average Jane around me.  But I have 3 little girls.  A two year old and 7 month old twins.  I wear my most expendable clothing at home and here is why.
Two year old is napping... babies are getting done playing and ready for their afternoon nap.  I lift baby nearest me, smooch her and instantly zero in on that damp, oozy feeling that every mother dreads.  We've blown out a diaper.  I was asleep at the wheel.  Blind to the signs.  Should have caught it at least 10 minutes earlier.  And so a few seconds later I'm kneeling in front of my ottoman/makeshift changing station (when #1 is napping) cleaning as much as I can before plopping baby into sink for a sponge down.  But this is a 7 month old baby who will not go quietly into the sink.  She must kick first.  Kick her feet into things I'm trying to clean up.  Then kick her feet onto... me. 
While cleaning this twin, the other twin decides she wants to join the fun and so I get to repeat the previous 5 minutes of fun but thankfully without the kicking mess.
This is my day.  All day, every day.  And despite the poopy-tone of this post, I love it.  I was cracking up at the insane mess of it all because I know it'll be gone in the blink of an eye.  I have decades left to channel my inner Donna Reed.  I don't have decades of these little wonders.  But my inner Style Maven cries out for attention too and so, when I do get out of the house, be it a Costco run, grocery stop or trip to the park, I try to look better than my daily expendable uniform. It keeps me sane, keeps me cute, keeps me Woman as well as Mother.
And in case you're curious... these are my little style assassins.    

You must admit, if we were to walk the street like this (and this was from a fairly recent collection) the first public assumption would be that we were headed to a sci-fi convention.

I don't mind cycling trends.  Ones I like always come around again. (Harem pants are not one of them!  Oy!  How did those ever resurface?)  And the near infinite variety of clothing lets us express our individuality as well as our common ground.  And you guessed it, in the upcoming posts we will be discussing the fall trends.  Which ones work, which ones to ignore or even run from.  If, like me, the fall weather hasn't hit your area yet it's only a matter of weeks.  And every new season is a reason to assess your style and tweak where necessary, even if you don't buy a single new item.