Olympic Style 02/16/2010
 
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.
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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.
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Azerbaijan had some great pants.  I love anything remotely paisley.
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Czech Republic also had fun pants.  Very 80's influenced.  I had a painters cap with a similar print.  Remember those?
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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.
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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.
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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.
  • ALL women need support and shaping, no matter how large or small your breasts.  Even the tiniest of breasts can flop, giving up on its job of enhancing your feminine figure.  Don't make the mistake of thinking boobless can equal braless.  The picture below illustrates what happens when a bra doesn't do a proper job of supporting and shaping.
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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.
  • A good bra saves money.  Make no mistake, well-made bras aren't cheap, but they can save you a small fortune over time.  Several years ago a friend of mine was lamenting how much she had spent on clothes that year and still wasn't happy with her wardrobe.  It was easy to see that one of her main problems sagged, I mean, sat squarely on her chest.  She was full-bodied up top and was clearly wearing bad baggy bras.  When she asked for advice, I told her that getting a few great bras is where I would start.  She balked at the idea, stating that "expensive bras don't do anything special." I told her I didn't mean "expensive" I meant "well-made and well-fitting."  She finally agreed to get fitted and at least try some on.  And as expected, she was amazed by her transformation.  Miraculously, most of the new clothes she had complained about now looked great, as did a mountain of clothes she had stopped wearing.
  • A good bra is one that shapes, supports... and perseveres!  The elastic in bras simply doesn't last forever, but those that give up the ghost too quickly are a waste of money. If you have a bra that refuses to do it's job after a month or two of wearings, steer well clear of that line in the future!  That being said, you shouldn't wear the same bra two days in a row.  Elastic needs time to rest and retract.  Your bras will last longer and wear better if you rest them between wearings.
  • Bra sizes are a joke.  Did you know that while band size is fairly standard, CUP size varies by manufacturer AND by band size?  That's right.  An A, is not always an A.  The volume of breast that a cup holds will vary depending on who makes the bra and what band size it is attached to.  This stunned me!  I had no idea.  I know many women who think like I did until recently, that their cup size is pretty consistent but their band size can vary.  In actuality, the reverse is true!  Just like you should disregard clothing sizes and buy what fits and flatters - the same holds true for bras.  It's best you learn to laugh at the sizes and search for what truly fits. (We'll discuss the fine art of bra fit in the next post.)
  • Fitting "experts" can be anything but!  When I started this quest I'd read on many blogs the horrible experiences other women had had with "expert bra fitters" and I must say, I ran into some who took the term "pushy saleswoman" to new heights.  One was so unabashedly condescending I had to remind her I was not the scarecrow in search of a brain but a woman in search of a bra.  And the bras she put me in fit terribly.  The bra quest is not for the faint of heart!  You have to be prepared to strap a pair on!  Boobs, I mean.  And not be afraid to question the fitter.  Armed with the right information you will be able to find bras that fit you properly - you're just going to have to break a few saleswoman's hearts in the process.  Collateral damage is often unavoidable. 
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?

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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!
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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.
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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. 
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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.  
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Help your fellow readers - what methods do you employ in your closet?  Is it well organized or a major mess?
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On November 4 The Sartorialist posted this photo of two women in Milan.
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The Sartorialist - Via Verri Milano
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!
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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...

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His and Hers airplanes.
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And customized Cupcake Cars!
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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!
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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?
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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.    
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From practically the dawn of the cartoon and film world, our future selves have always worn a version of simple spandex unitards, or long flowing robes. Apparently, at some future point we universally declare "We're over it!" where fashion is concerned and opt for simple in the extreme.  It also seems we have no weight problems at that point as well.  Maybe perfect figures are worth the price of a fashion void. 

But when does our future get here?  Or will it always be Trends vs Trek?
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The artists of two centuries ago drawing 100 years in the future certainly didn't depict what was actually worn in the late 18- and 1900's.  And we obviously aren't wearing what the artists predicted for the new millennium.
We keep having cycles of trends instead of Trek-like simplicity.  The future of clothing may never arrive.  Looking back at my school days I wish I'd had a uniform.  It would have made dressing so much simpler.  And I know, folks who had uniforms often tell me they wished they'd had "normal" clothes.  The grass is always greener...  The uniforms we may or may not wear in the "future" will certainly make dressing easy.  But where's the fun in that?  How do I express my love of retro nipped waistlines and full-skirts in an adult onesie?
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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.
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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!  Comment below with your answer to "Why do we have trends?"
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The lovely and inspiring Imogen Lamport from Inside Out Style (find her here and on the Image Inspiration page.  You will learn so much from her!) awarded this to the fashion blogs she follows, of which yours truly is honored to be one!  I am to reveal "5 Fashion Facts We Didn't Know Before."  So here goes!

  1. Like Imogen, I also wore tons of hand-me-downs but thankfully not from any brothers.  I was the firstborn for my parents and first grandchild on my Dad's side as well.  His youngest sister is only 4 years older than me, so I had TONS of clothes from her.  I remember some gems - a pair of 70's clunky sandals with wheels that popped out of the bottom. So fun.  My parents had 3 girls in 3 years so my Mom also did a lot of sewing.  You ain't seen nothin' till you've seen three little girls in matching quilted bell jumper dresses!  Contrary to what image that description might bring to mind, we were super cute!
  2. At 13 I cut off and sold almost 3 feet of hair.  I'd had it long my whole life and would have a conniption if my Mom trimmed more than a tiny inch.  For as long as I could remember it had been down to my derriere or longer.  She'd braid or put curlers in it the night before church or the first day of school and I'd have MILES of thick curls.  Random people would come up to us in public and ask to touch my hair.  That part bugged me.  And then we moved to Arizona.  You want heavy?  Try all that hair soaked down in pool water.  My neck couldn't take it.  And in the summer my hair acted like a furnace!  They didn't have Locks-of-Love back then but we found a salon that would buy the hair for wigs for cancer patients.  We chopped it up to my chin and my head felt so weird! My Mom cried.  I was ecstatic.  The salon was thrilled to have all that virgin hair.
  3. I spent nearly 2 years in Germany (served as a missionary for my church and went back for a study abroad program in college) and never figured out their obsession with magenta hair dye.  They do, however, have the COOLEST taste in glasses.  Look for the funkiest, most fabulous pair of eyeglasses - usually on a man - and you've found yourself a German tourist.  I love my Germans!  They're the best.  They also have the best winter hats.  I learned how to do scarves and hats in Germany.  And traveling Europe as much as I have really pounded home the lesson that a great wardrobe doesn't have to be a huge wardrobe. 
  4. I once used masking tape (the only thing I could find in the house I was staying at) to control a couple unflattering body bulges and look better in a bridesmaid dress.  Yeah, didn't work as intended.  And just FYI - something happens when sweat mixes with masking tape adhesive.  At first it causes the tape to unstick, as you would expect, but after a while, it reacts to bond the tape to your skin so thoroughly that you will lose said skin in your attempts to get the tape off. 
  5. My Dad picked out some of my best clothes.  What, you say?  A man, let alone your father, involved and interested in your style?  Yep.  As an eye surgeon, he sees tons of women - both stylish and non - in his office.  While I was growing up all that good and bad style he was observing translated into really good outfits for me.  And sales ladies would love it when he came to shop.  Not that he'd spend a ton of money.  He was frugal.  But he'd get them excited about joining his quest to find something great for his daughter. 
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No matter how many messages I leave, Giorgio (Armani, that is) still hasn't come 'round to measure me for a custom wardrobe.  Nor has Ralph (Lauren), or Nannette (Lepore), or Tommy (Hilfiger), Karl (Lagerfeld, Chanel), Carolina (Herrera) or any other of the many designers I like.  You either?  Didn't think so. 

Until they do, we're going to have to employ that tried and true method of having our clothes tailored.  Altered to fit our own unique bodies.  And it's always a shock to me when women tell me they've NEVER had anything tailored.  Have you ever bought a suit with your husband or pair of dress pants?  Notice how it wasn’t even a question that the pants and jacket would be tailored to fit him?  And how the hem of the pants probably wasn’t even finished?!  I wish women's clothing worked the same way.  Women have more curves so how is it we don’t naturally tailor things to fit those curves?!  

Why to Tailor and When!
  • The bottom line?  Off-the-rack clothing that we buy every year is made for averages.  And while there are special options for petite, tall and plus sized women they can hardly be expected to fit every one of us like custom made.  You and I may wear the same size but how we fill those clothes and end up looking in them is completely different. 
  • A few alterations can make a $30 dress look like a $300 dress. A lot of the frustration of style and shopping is the never ending search for the pieces that make us look great.  Many times those pieces are NEVER going to be found without a little help.  They're probably hanging in your closet right now, just needing a little tweaking here and there to reveal their true perfection.
  • Tailoring is truly being budget conscious.  The clothes you own will fit you better – thus you’ll feel and look better in them – ergo you’ll spend less money shopping because you’ll already have items in your closet that are wonderful.  AND you’ll take better care of them (wouldn’t want to ruin those perfect pants that make you look so great!) – ergo you’ll need to replace them less often.  Get the picture?
  • Don't waste money tailoring everything.  You should still shop in appropriate sections (plus, petite, regular, etc.) and look for things that generally fit well.  Then just rely on a tailor to tweak it into perfection as needed.
  • Some things aren’t worth the money to tailor.  Poorly made clothes in cheap fabrics will likely not be worth the expense.  Put the money instead toward a better overall item.
  • Tailoring can still add up so spread out the cost.  Start with items you aren’t totally in love with until you find a tailor you trust.  Then alter the ones you wear (or WANT to wear) the most and every few months have something else tailored until your wardrobe truly fits and flatters you.
  • Clothes can be taken in up to 2 sizes.  If you've recently lost weight, enjoy buying those new "skinny jeans" but also take your best existing pieces to a tailor.  You'll get more years out of your clothes and have more options in your wardrobe.
I had started this post a while ago but ended up working on others instead.  I knew I had to finish it when my copy of InStyle's fall Makeover issue arrived and there was a great article about tailoring.  Here were some of their tips:
Dresses  & Blouses -
  • Cinch the waist.  If it twirls loosely at the waist when it's on, it will look better taken in.
  • Bring in the bust.  Always wear the right bra to your fitting so that you get the proper alteration.  That means, if you always plan to wear your padded "add-a-cup" bra with the dress or shirt, wear it when you go to the tailor!
  • Shorten the hem.  Many hems that fall below the knee (mid-calf frumpers!) will look better AT or just below the knee.
  • Rein in the arms.  Add structure to a loose, floppy sleeve by giving it a bubble hem.  Simply tighten the elastic until it looks right.  I did this last year with a Banana Republic dress I bought for a wedding and upcoming parties.  The sleeves had elasticized cuffs but hung loosely around my arm.  I quickly unpicked the little seam, shortened the elastic, and closed up the seam.  They looked so much better!
  • Trim the waist.  Even a flouncy blouse needs shape.  Bring in the sides slightly for a slimmer, more flattering fit.  I would also add - raise the hem as necessary.  Most tops shouldn't hit below the top of the thigh.  It adds visual pounds and shortens your legs.  
Pants -
  • Tighten the seat!  Even loose-fitting trousers should have shape.  Take in the seat of the pants so the fabric doesn't bunch together.
  • Narrow the inseams (on baggy pants).  With slimmer inseams the pants will fall gracefully from the hips without heavy breaks in the fabric.
  • Raise the hem. (where necessary) Bring the shoes you intend to wear most with your pants to the fitting.  Have each pant leg pinned separately since your limbs aren't always the same length.
Blazer - For years I have employed these same tips for tailoring a blazer.  Suit jackets and blazers look INFINITELY better after a little tailoring.  And I've only ever found one jacket that fit so well it didn't need it.  All the rest did and it was totally worth it.
  • Slim the sleeves.  For a more streamlined, feminine look, taper boxy sleeves so there is added separation between your arms and waist.
  • Nip it at the waist.  Give your blazer instant shape by having the sides brought in.
  • Watch your wrists.  Too-long sleeves are an immediate giveaway of an ill-fitting jacket.  They should hit at your wrist.
Choosing A Tailor
Don't live in Thailand?  Me either.  It's a veritable hive of fine tailoring.  Superb skill at fractions of US prices.  Would be nice to just jet over there as needed.  But excellent craftsmen are to be found on our home turf.  I've never once had a Nordstrom tailor return anything but perfection.  And they've even altered clothing I didn't purchase at Nordstrom.
Asking around is your best option.  You'll probably get advice on who to visit as well as who to stay away from.  If that doesn't yield any results, check out online resources, such as the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, Craigslist, etc.

So whipstich! that wardrobe into shape!  And smile in your closet a little more often.
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"Everything you put on your body tells the world how you expect to be treated."
- Clinton Kelly, What Not To Wear

Every so often I dream that Stacy London and Clinton Kelly show up at my door to recruit me for What Not To Wear.  "The burden of battling bad style is just too great.", they say, "You must help us!"  It's a lovely dream that's always fun.  I like to pop onto their website regularly to check for new tips and Style Quizzes.  My scores on the most recent two?  Smart Shopper Quiz = 100% Wow! You are truly a smart shopper! Your friends should always heed your fashion advice.  (See! I told you!) Style Myths Quiz - 100% Shut up! You're so fashion forward!

On a What Not To Wear episode this week, Clinton once again inspired me with the great quote above.  It's just like I said in my very first blog post, whether we want to or not, everyone makes a fashion statement.  Clinton is absolutely right - what we wear sends a message to the world about how to treat us.  During my years as a road warrior in the sales and marketing world, I saw the amazing power a dressier outfit can wield.  Not only did I get upgraded more often, I also moved through security lines faster, was approached in conversation by other well-dressed travelers, and received more courteous service from flight attendants and hotel staff.  I was able to pack less because I was already wearing some of the pieces of my suit.  If we were traveling as a team, I was always ready for dinner, in case we wanted to skip stopping at the hotel.

I'm no longer flying the friendly skies every week (Thank Heaven! Though I do miss the frequent flier perks!) and many of you are in a similar situation, no longer out in the working world, or at last not going to an office everyday.  But it doesn't mean there's nothing to dress for.  Every day is a new opportunity to tell the world how we expect to be treated.  And if you haven't liked the message you've been sending - change your tune TODAY!  I've been working with a good friend of mine who would like to dress more stylishly.  She's beautiful and thin and mentioned yesterday that she worries people will say, "Who does she think she is?" when she suddenly starts wearing better outfits.  I told her there will be two basic camps.  The "Wow! She looks so great!  I wish I could look that great!" camp and the sneering "Whatever!" jealous camp.  Never pay attention to the jealous camp!  Who cares what they think anyway.

Just as many of us start a new diet one random morning, you can also start new style.  Instead of sweats and a ratty t-shirt to the grocery store, try your nice trouser jeans and a blouse.  Takes the same amount of time to put on!  Or slip on a skirt with a sleek T and fun sandals.  I promise, you'll feel so much better than you did the day before.  And someday, somehow, good style always pays off.

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