Any Way You Want It

Asymmetrical and belted?
You better own it!

Just the mere mention of Journey's "Any Way You Want it" will have you singing the song in your head ALL day (sorry!). This little jewel of a tune was released all the way back in 1980- seems like just yesterday to some of us!

I love the concept of "any way you want it" when it comes to personal style. I was out with some lovely, fashion forward ladies last night and we started talking about "what's in" this season. As I always say I love following what's in but it's a slippery slope. Fit and "owning" what you're wearing are the most important things. This idea of "owning" came up when we discussed belts. Oh, the belt. It's so cute and so scary to belt your tunic, dress or sweater. Most of us fear it but when it's done well it is fabulous. As we discussed it one of the women said, "wearing a belt is like wearing a hat, you've got to own it". Well, isn't that the truth?

When you wear it any way you want it AND you own it You'll Love What You Wear!

Old Brown Shoe

A new look for the Old Brown Shoe!

The Beatles released "Old Brown Shoe" in 1967. It was a B-side tune. I know many of us have some old brown shoes in our closets that  should be relegated to the ""B-side". Luckily this season is full of super duper menswear inspired brown shoes that will have you dumping your old brown shoes in the nearest donation bin.

Korn, the hard core (I saw them live once and was very scared) band did a cover of the Beatles "Old Brown Shoe" decades after it's original release. May I suggest you too take a look at a new "Brown Shoe Release" in your own closet. Miz Mooz has some great versions of the "brown shoe". You don't have to form a scary band to cover a great classic. Throw some menswear inspired shoes in the mix this Fall and you'll Love What You Wear!

Time To Clean Up

Oh, you don't know this wildly popular song? Well the artist and release date are unknown but it goes a little something like this (and can be heard in preschools across the land):

Don't let your closet look like this! Time To Clean Up!

It's time to clean up, everybody do your share, clean up, clean up, soon the mess will not be there...


Well, cleaning up isn't just for preschooler's anymore people. It's time to clean up those closets and make room for Fall. It's such a fun time of year, meeting up with your jeans, leggings, sweaters and boots again. To make sure you can actually SEE your coolest fall pieces you've got to get rid of the things you didn't wear last Fall. You KNOW which pieces I'm talking about. Don't kid yourself, you're not going to wear them this year either. There's a reason they sit there all alone, untouched year after year. They don't fit right, you don't feel comfortable in them, they're just plain unattractive. Out with the dregs so you can concentrate on the winners.

'Tis the season to wake up and clean up and you'll Love What You Wear!

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic

It was 1981 and the Police had a huge hit with "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic". We all remember the song and we all know women with that magical style. How do they do it? How do they know just what to wear on any occasion, even if it's just when you run into them at a grocery store or the post office? Who doesn't want that magic?

This polka dot dress is magic with pumps and
would be great with tights and boots too.
A Magical, "in" style that crosses seasons!

Every season, especially in the Fall, the fashionistas and designers come up with what's "in". This year the leather motorcycle jacket still lives, "midi" (calf-length) skirts and dresses are the rage, chunky sweaters worn with gauzy skirts are on most runways and lace, polka dots and mustard hues make frequent appearances on the fashion scene. All that being said I'm pretty sure the woman with that magical style takes all of this information with a grain of salt. Miss Magic is always on trend but knows when to say when! Fit is the ultimate magic! And while some may look fabulous in that midi style, I'm pretty sure the five foot crowd may have to take a pass on it! And I'm almost positive the plus-sized woman isn't going gaga for large polka dot prints.

Trust yourself and comfort level while keeping an eye on trends and you may just become the Miss Magic in the checkout line. Know thyself (and thy limits!) and you'll Love What You Wear!

Roll With It

The rolled up sleeve on this

dress creates a more hip, modern look

compared with the unrolled sleeve

It was 1995 and one of my favorite albums ever was released. The album was "(What's the Story) Morning Glory" by Oasis. If CD's weren't so durable my copy would surely have worn out! One of the great songs on the album was "Roll With It". As I was dressing this morning for the musical we call life, I couldn't help but hum "Roll With It" while rolling up my sleeves...

So, what about rolling up sleeves? I've been finding that a little sleeve rolling on jackets, woven shirts and dresses can create a better look. Often times a more modern appearance comes to fruition by "rolling with it". I have a chambray dress that I couldn't quite make work and voila after adding a cool belt and rolling up the sleeves- delightful!

Before you get rid of a jacket, top or dress you're on the fence about, roll with it and see where it takes you. It's worth a try and chances are it will help you Love What you Wear!

Made to be Broken

We've got to go back to the heyday for this one- well at least my heday! In 1986 Soul Asylum released "Made to be Broken". I suppose a lot of my peers (not me of course) were living by the adage that rules were made to be broken back in '86! When it comes to fashion are rules made to be broken or followed? I'm thinking there's not even a rule for the rules!

What's that rule about not wearing horizontal
stripes? These stripes are definitely working for her!

As several lovely ladies and myself spent the evening sipping and styling at a Style Cents party last evening the idea of fashion rules came up a lot. "What's the rule for this?", "What's the rule for that?". While there are some pretty hard and fast rules in fashion- no denim on denim, only wear linen in the summer, etc.- a large part of fashion is knowing what works for you. While a tall, slim friend of yours looks great in a turtle neck, you as a short, big busted woman do not. At the end of the day the rule is wear things that look good on you and stay away from things that don't. So that's easy, right? Well, not for everyone. Some people have a more aesthetically honed eye than others. If you don't feel comfortable making fashion choices, enlist the help of friends (or Style Cents!). The magic is knowing if you have "the eye" or not. But whatever you choose to wear make sure it fits well and reflects who you are- those are the most important rules!

Find that sweet spot of knowing when to follow the rules and when to break them. Then find a good fashion mentor and you'll Love What You Wear!

Afternoon Delight

Ha! I've got your attention now. Perhaps you recall the 1976 hit "Afternoon Delight" and your mom suggesting (or demanding!) that the radio be turned off. While the Starland Vocal Band wasn't singing about anything close to thrift shopping that is the afternoon delight I am suggesting you partake in this summer. Play hooky some weekday or weekend afternoon while you should be working at the office or home. Grab a couple of adventurous shopping buddies and hit the streets!

My favorite thrift store- Frenzi in Burien. 

You never know what you'll find on your thrifting adventure. I know many thrifting converts who were initially apprehensive but now delighted with the process. It can be an acquired taste but sometimes a necessity in this economy.

Here's the plan. Find a general area where you can hit two or three stores. If the first doesn't provide you with the delights you're looking for you'll need plan b and c so your afternoon isn't a bust. Whether you head to Burien, Ballard or Bellevue, do your homework and plot your course. Remember, don't buy it just because it's inexpensive. Seattle home closet space is usually a fraction of what we long for so be choosey about how to fill that precious real estate. At the same time don't let the dingy environment cloud your vision of the treasure you may be holding in your hand. And once you find your favorite haunt(s) check back often.

When your afternoon is full of fashion, fun and frugality you'll Love What You Wear (and be delighted)!