Thin Layer

The look and feel of an outfit can change dramatically
with layering and different shoe and hosiery choices!

In 2007, The Honorary Title released the tune Thin Layer. It's kinda catchy and worth a listen. These days with the Pacific Northwest weather being anything but predictable, a few thin layers are definitely required. The good news is that layering is both functional and aesthetically  pleasing- love when you can kill two birds with one stylish stone!

Let's set the scene: you wake up Monday morning, it's cloudy and cool, looks like it will probably rain. Based on history you know by the time you come home from work, running errands or your appointment there's a high probability that the sun will be shining and it will be an entirely different Seattle day.

A good fashionista is always prepared so arm yourself for the day. Whatever bottom you choose- jeans, skirt with tights, khaki's, dress pants etc. you can layer your top half. Choose a tank or cami for your first layer, a light wool cardigan for your second layer, a light jacket (denim jacket or blazer) next and finally a scarf. You can even add a coat or vest on top of that. When you get to your indoor destination the coat/vest can be taken off, perhaps the scarf, if you're too warm. But you are set for the day no matter what the weather brings. Admittedly, you aren't prepared for rain in this scenario but that's what umbrellas are for, right?

This formula works when attending an outside event or heading somewhere indoors. Play with the components to make it your own and layer with confidence. When you do you'll Love What You Wear!

Perfect Fit

Everyone (or so I think) loves a little Van Morrison and I do believe his tune Perfect Fit, released in 1995, does not disappoint. What is disappointing is when people wear clothes that don't fit properly. It's a sad, sad thing.

What is the perfect fit? It really depends on the garment style. Make sure you ascertain the item's intended silhouette and make sure it fits accordingly.

Here are a few fit tips for often purchased items:

Even a loose fitting trapeze
dress needs a proper fit
to ensure it looks perfect!

1. Jeans- when you pull up those babies in the dressing room, there should be some difficulty getting them on. Jeans have so much spandex in them these days they stretch out quickly. So a super snug (not uncomfortable) fit is required- especially with skinny jeans. Trouser and boyfriend jeans would be an exception.
2. Tops- this is a harder one because there are so many different styles and intentions for how they should be worn. Most tops should be body skimming with a hem that hits at the hip. Exceptions to this would be short boxy tops. These look great with a snug fitting, hip skimming cami/tshirt underneath. If there is a shoulder seam on the top, it should hit right at the top of the shoulder, otherwise it will look sloppy.
3. Dresses- one sure fire sign that a dress isn't fitting well is when the armpits of the dress are flapping in the proverbial wind. Regardless of the dress style, even if it's a loose trapeze dress, the top part of the dress needs to fit snugly. 
4. Bras- there is nothing more important than a bra! I don't care if you're small or large busted. If you're not wearing a bra right now, drop everything you're doing and pick up your boobs- as in go to Nordstrom and get fitted!! I'll just say it, the older you are the more you need the assistance of a bra- gravity is not a fictional concept. Most of you are wearing a cup size that is too small and a strap size that is too big, e.g., if you're wearing a 36C, it could be that you should be wearing a 34D. Get fitted!

When you have the perfect fit you'll Love What You Wear!

In Between

A cropped jacket
can bridge the
in between season!

As much as I don't love Linkin Park in general, I find I do love their mellow tunes a lot! One of their melancholy, slow moving songs is "In Between" off their 2007 "Minutes to Midnight" album. This reminds me of the in between weather a Seattle spring brings. I can't say I love this very much. It conjures up all kinds of confusion when it comes to what to wear. Here are some in between staples that will help you glide through this funny season with relative ease, it's as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Fitted, cropped jacket- this helps enormously on those days that it's too cool for going jacketless and too warm for your go-to winter wonder coat. The blue denim variety is always a hit until you are wearing blue denim on the bottom. For those blue jean days have a colored jacket on hand- khaki, red, yellow, etc.
2. Favorite Flat- I know, I know, not everyone is in love with the flat either because we want some height or we need more support for our (aging) feet. To those that want height I say find a nice closed toe wedge for those that need support I say look to some of the comfort brands for a flat that does provide more support.
3. Boyfriend Jean- nothing says spring like a boyfriend jean with a rolled cuff, cute flats and a long t-shirt with a cropped jacket...ahhhhh. Add your favorite accessories to make it your own!

When you find a way to get on top of the in between season you'll Love What You Wear!

Baby, I Love Your Way

Oh, man, can you remember how hot you thought Peter Frampton was? Oh, maybe that was just me? He released "Baby, I Love Your Way" in 1975 and Big Mountain re-released it, reggae style, in 1994. We all know people that just have a way you've gotta love.

I take this break from our regularly scheduled fashion programming for an ode to my husband:
For eight months my hardworking, fortitude filled super-employable partner swam upstream to find a job. A guy you would never believe could be unemployed. Well connected, well spoken, well educated and well mannered. Well, luck wasn't on his side for the first time in his life. So what did he do? He called everyone he knew, people he didn't know, and was eternally patient- not even his strong suit. He worked hard, took advantage of time with his family and kept a phenomenally, sometimes irritatingly so, positive attitude.

There are just some people who have a way. A way of always keeping on, and with a smile. Voicing frustration but not letting it get to their core. Today the man with "the way" was offered a job that he is very excited about and all I can think is "baby, I love your way". I sure wish my way was more like his way. I could use some of that way!

I put some pretty good interview outfits together for my husband over these eight months- never underestimate the power of clothing and a kick ass "way". Oh, husband of mine, I love your way, and when you follow my detailed clothing instructions I Love What You Wear :)

Yellow

A perfect sunny addition
to any wardrobe!

The song "Yellow" was released by ColdPlay in 2000 and many radio stations have been playing it on repeat ever since (or maybe it just seems like it?). I've been noticing some great shades of yellow in this spring's fashion lineup that actually are worth repeat wearings!

Anyone who has been bold enough to paint a wall yellow knows all too well how the slightest difference in tone and shade make the yellow a hit or miss. Finding the perfect yellow top, jacket or shoe can be difficult but when you do it's like donning sunshine! The other great feature of yellow is it pairs well with lots of colors. Most any of the saturated color jeans and pants out these days would be a nice compliment to a yellow top or shoe.

Make it a spring mission to find a fun yellow piece for your wardrobe and you'll Love What You Wear!

The Mirror Song

Get the big style picture!

Thomas Dolby sang the very Thomas Dolby'esque "The Mirror Song" for the Toys soundtrack in 1992. While Mr. Dolby is apparently a fan of the mirror, I've observed many people "tone deaf" without a full length mirror!

Recently a friend of mine purchased a full length mirror. She hung it right outside her walk-in closet (yes, her walk-in closet, I'm jealous too). She reports having the mirror available while dressing each day has ramped up her creativity. Why, you ask? She confesses she was wearing the same clothing combinations day after day because she knew they worked. She was nervous to try other mixes because she couldn't see the full outfit. Seeing the entire picture, she is now confident attempting new clothing fusions.

It's also important to note (and it's a note I have sung many times) shoes can make or break an outfit. If you don't have the advantage of looking in a full length mirror you may be missing a crucial piece of information. Perhaps you're sporting a fabulous ensemble from your head to your ankles but what you have on your feet makes the garment medley self destruct.

Invest in a $7 full length mirror at Target, lay down $100 at Ikea or go big at Pottery Barn. Whatever your choice, when you make use of a full length mirror your clothing creativity will soar and you'll Love What You Wear.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm

Face it. You can't even read the title "Things That Make You Go Hmmm" without singing it. This tune has been in our heads, off and on, since C+C Music Factory released it in 1991.

Things that make
you go awwww

Well, let me tell you about the things that make me go hmmm at this moment in 2012. Oh, I'll tell you!

1. This god-forsaken Pacific Northwest weather makes me go hmmm as I wipe the tears from my eyes thinking about the long wait for summer (cuz there is no spring here).
2. When I wake up to said PNW weather I wonder what shoes to wear, then fear for the life of the shoes I choose as they're required to wade through the day (I admit I'm not a rain boot fan, hence the struggle).
3. Thinking about the fact that my outfit is rarely revealed in these jacket intensive days. It seems that day in and day out the look du jour is coat, scarf, boots, repeat.

And then I remember, well usually, that this too shall pass. Someday, not so soon, we will be showing off our pedicures in lovely sandals and donning spring frocks. Admittedly, some days it is more difficult to see  this fact than others. But it really is a fact.

When you realize the Seattle rain brings us our beautiful, world renowned landscape and build a very strong relationship with sweaters, coats, scarves and boots you'll Love What You Wear!