Yesterday was the first day of spring- or the start of Aries season and the new year astrologically speaking. (Here we are a fan of new seasons and new beginnings). Spring- and a new start- are the beginnings of oh-so-many- things: from new fashions to new feelings, new habits, and new us. The start of anything is also a time of transition. We put away out winter clothes, carefully fold and store our sweaters- maybe do a closet clean out. Get out our shorter skirts, shorts, and sandals. Embrace warmer weather and begin new routines.
Spring and all the new- I love it. And it’s fun and exciting and I can’t wait to show you my new, and to build new routines and habits (ya know, new year new me). Share the season and things with you. And yet, I want to acknowledge: even in the best of times, transitions are hard. We can go back and forth (if you believe my great-grandma we have at least one more hard freeze before Easter! So maybe leave at least a sweater or two within reach.) Transitions by definition mean leaving some things behind, and humans at even our best are not always great with change. (Perhaps you’re also like me– really wanting the new from fashion to habits but sad about all the winter things you didn’t get to from fashion to activities).
So, if transition is hard and new is exciting and yet we have to deal with them both at the same time- what is it exactly we do? Or, more apt, how do we chicly and calmly transition?
I don’t know that I have all the answers (and yes, I do at times find change a bit more difficult than I would like to admit). But I will say- we move at a pace that is comfortable for us, we wear things that make us feel like us and look chic, and breathe.
How else do you suggest we transition?
I am open to any and all tips! I can’t wait to share and showcase all my spring fashions (and the house!) And show you my transitions from clean-outs to redecorating. What are you looking forward to this season? And again- how do you transition- and what do you wear?
I’m a true believer that fashion is a medium with which to tell stories; and, that we tell stories every time we get dressed, or buy clothes. So, it’s no surprise that I’m simply fascinated by what we buy, collect, and hang onto in our closets. These are the stories I love telling!
This month I had the privilege of speaking to Tess of PhoebePhiloFan (she is a must follow on Instagram, @pheobephilofan). Tess is a dear friend, and over the years has evolved not only her personal style, but her collection of one of her favorite designers, Phoebe Philo (when she was at Celine). Tess and I sat down to chat all things Celine, Phoebe, personal style, and more!
IP: What started you on your journey to collect Phoebe Celine? Or, why collect Phoebe Celine? Tess: Well, I got a few of her pieces throughout the years, but recently felt like I have honed in on my own personal style, and this specific era from Celine really represents that.
IP: What would you say your personal style is? Tess: I feel like it’s become more sophisticated and self confident, not as much flashy or showy. I feel like it really reflects my inner self confidence so it’s more about me and less about the clothes–though it is about the clothes! IP: Everytime I see you I feel like you look very chic, but also very Tess. Nothing ever looks like a costume or like you’re letting the clothes wear you. Tess: I feel that for a while I was experimenting, but I’ve always been searching for clothes that really reflect the true me, and through Phoebe Philo I’ve found that.
IP: So where do you find all of these great Phoebe Philo pieces? Tess: I look all over the place. The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, eBay, local second hand shops like UAL, etc. I find most of it second hand, which helps with cost, but I really look all over. IP: So, how much of your closet is Phobe Philo? Tess: I would say about 20%. I feel like I buy clothes frequently, but I’m now at the point where I would rather buy fewer clothes of higher quality and things that I really love than just whatever is trendy. So, I don’t feel badly about spending a little bit more and investing in her pieces rather than going for the easy, fast fashion pieces that quickly go out of style, or the quality isn’t there! IP: Investment Pieces are something I understand and love!
IP: so, where are you going from here? Is Phoebe something you intend to keep collecting on purpose, or do you see this as an evolution of your own style/wardrobe? Tess: I’ve been through Phoebe and OldCeline, and they really fit my sense of self. So, I would say I’m just incorporating this into my wardrobe, I still buy other designers and pieces, but since I love Phoebe so much will always make space for her in my closet! IP: How has this changed your interaction with fashion and the fashion community? Your account is so beautiful, and you’ve had great engagement. How has this changed your outlook on fashion? Tess: I think it makes me more mindful about the way I shop. Before I feel like I could get distracted by trends, and now I’m following the trends a little less and staying true to my own sense of style more. I’m investing in classic staples, and being ok with that, and then having one or two stand out items. But I now really think more long term when I shop.
IP:So you take all your pictures yourself? Tess: Yes, I do! I love photography too, though I know very little about it, so I’m loving the pictures side of this too, as well as the fashion of course. Actually, one time I was at the graffiti wall in Austin and someone saw me shooting and asked if I needed them to take my picture; and I explained that I love taking the pictures myself. It’s part of the journey for me. IP: You’re so good at it! Taking the pictures yourself is still something I’m working on! Tess: and there are times when I feel bad. Like my husband would take my photos for me, but I really don’t think he gets what I do-I mean he knows it’s important to me, but I don’t know that he would capture the pictures that I’m going for.
SideNote: Mr. PhoebePhiloFan is amazing as well, but yes, I get that! My husband laughs every time I wear these shoes. Phoebe can be so specific and that’s part of what I love about it!
I just adore Tess of PhoebePhiloFan, her fashion choices, and her fashion philosophy! I hope that you enjoyed this fashion story as well–make sure to follow Tess (@phoebephilofan) on Instagram and I’ve picked out some of my fave Celine pieces for your shopping pleasure below!
What stories are you telling in your closet?
XO RA
Note: this post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support! Xo RA
As a woman who will absolutely gush about pockets if you compliment my outfit, I cannot tell you how excited these pockets made me. In fact, they are modeled after a pannier*, and the shape, the ease, the functionally of them made me fall in love quickly!
(Side note: I am aware that this dress pulls a bit, even did so on the model- I think it’s just the fit! And worth it for the pockets!)
The benefit of huge pockets? You can store all your secrets and magic (or just keys and lipstick). But here, these pockets allow you to play with portions- cultivating your look to your own liking. You can absolutely pair this dress with a sweater, top, or even a belt, to further exaggerate the pockets. Or you could wear it alone, letting the pockets speak for themselves! Besides being functional and helpful pockets- these are also fun!
**A Pannier is a bit of skirt looped around the waist. They were incredibly popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, usually as an undergarment to make your skirt wider. In fact, some of the fashionable panniers were as wide as a full grown man (what a spectacle!)! Obviously, “modern” panniers are not that big, but playing with volume and proportion are always part of fashion that’s a bit fun. You can read a bit of pannier history here, and you can see modern versions in the popular barrel leg jean as well as this dress!
I couldn’t resist pairing these pockets with a scarf (tied in the idea of a cape). For a pop of color. For some fun. And to be slightly off shoulder and play with proportions even more. Flats (and these are absolutely my new go-tos!) for more play–and I was good to go! In this outfit, I loved the various elements – but I would by lying if I didn’t tell you I love the pockets the most!
Are you a fellow pocket lover? Do you go out of your way to get clothes with pockets? And how do you feel about proportion play?
I’ve linked similar options for you as well as this exact dress for your shopping pleasure below!
Happy Shopping! XO RA
Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Let’s be honest- the last few months, well, maybe the last year- has been not my best. I haven’t felt like myself. I haven’t dressed like myself. I haven’t been present here- or in a lot of my life (from gym to friends to basic chores). It’s almost like I lost myself and I am slowly starting over. And, not as an excuse but as an expiation -even to me!, it’s been so difficult to get anything done: being sick, the house being torn up, the house being under construction, the unpacking and restarting that may finally be here. The House? 98% done. And while not everything is perfectly in place- actually there is a ton of unpacking and redoing to still get through- it feels as if I am in finally in a place to start over.
Spring? The perfect time to restart. Nature itself is starting over, and I am too. It’s so tempting at this point to tell you I am restarting it all- from the blog to my life. And in many ways, it feels like it. BUT- I also know that to sweep everything in a general statement is a way to set yourself up for failure. So, below,I am listing the specific areas and ways I want to start over. Partial promise, partial accountability, all where I want to start over.
Side Note: The frustration of starting over? Ya know, like how when you’ve fallen off any habit and have to start over and face that you’re not where you want to be? I know it’s coming. In some areas, it’s here. That’s most likely another post- and journey- but I know (and I think you do too) that starting over sometimes isn’t easy. Or smooth. Or feels good. I am prepared (as I can be), and I guess on the super bad start over days there’s a shoe sale for that?
The House: I know it sounds crazy to tell you that I need to start over in the house when in this same post I let you know the house is 98% done. That’s just construction. We now have to get all our things out of storage, clean out, go through, decorate and full the house back up. It’s completely overwhelming. And did I mention (because I may be a little crazy) I have also started a major closet redo and began redoing my bathroom at the same time? At the end of the house my living space is going to be SO amazing. I just have to get there. And we will! But it does feel like a restart.
The Gym: I have once again started working out (which used to give me such joy and is still such a stress reliever) .It’s something I wanted to get back to- not only for looks- but because it makes me feel good! And oh my lands! am I sore. This is where I also admit that for someone who used to be in great shape and prided herself on that it’s a bit humbling experience (I knew that there would be starting over growing pains). Yet, I am excited to find ways back to myself.
Getting Dressed: Between having construction workers here and being sick a lot, I have to admit that getting dressed- another part of who I am- has fallen by the wayside. There are days I have spent in sweats, sadly sometimes the same sweats days in a row. It’s a small thing but my big restart is to get dressed. Daily. To play again with fashion. To have fun in my clothes again. Which leads to :
The Blog: I haven’t been present here. I haven’t been who I want to be, or write about. From posting to writing (in all aspects), I have fallen done. I am going to be better. Start Over, right?
My relationships: I haven’t been a great friend. And I miss my friends. And you. I want to be someone who invests in their relationships. And can be there for people. And ask people to be there for me. Again, it’s a start over.
So many of these are not the kind of start overs that involve completely starting from scratch. But any time you start again, it feels overwhelming – and exciting. I am doing my best to lean into the exciting part. And stick to the starting over. It’s spring– and here we go to the start over. Thank you for being here and thank you for letting me start over!
Wishing us all a week of amazing shoes and new beginnings! XO RA
It’s Spring Break in a lot of places in the US- a time to get away, to reset and recharge. Me? We are still waiting for the house to be (mostly) done. (Fingers crossed it’s today) My Spring Break? a beginning of a return to me and a schedule and updating you. This week, in the lead up to the ending of most construction, our power has been off, our internet down, my schedule all over- though I do love laying in bed with my cats it’s been. A. lot. I had big plans for a post (about transitions and fake spring and the hope of all that may come) but alas- the Spring Break for me was not having the access to get that up. Meet me here Friday? We will have updates and thoughts and maybe this spring break will be the thing that gets us back.
This year. The past 10 months have been so disruptive and hard- I can’t wait till we are in a place with fantastic fashion and a set routine again. Thank you for waiting that out with me! If you are on Spring Break I hope you are living it up and getting a true rest!
It is Spring Break in oh so much of the country….and we may be 3 days out from the most of our house construction being done.
Loves. The last few months- year?- has been oh so hard. I have lost myself. Not gotten dressed. Become a bit of a hermit (though there are times that staying in bed with the cats have been fun!). And yet- with what’s a break I can’t wait to start finding my way back to myself….
More on that to come. More outfits. And more thoughts on the theory that maybe here we should start over.
Thank you for sticking around. I hope that if you are on a spring break it’s a true and rejuvenating break. And if, like me, you’re in a season where you are beginning to find your way back to yourself – I am hoping the journey is easy and joyful.
Updates and outfits and hopefully a completed house coming….ASAP
In an episode of Sex and the City, the ladies visit LA where Samantha tempts Carrie with fake Fendi bags- conveniently sold out of the trunk of a guy in the Valley. Bags that look exactly like the real thing but for half (or less than half) the price? It does sound tempting- but Carrie opts to hold out for the real thing; her thinking being that even if the bag fooled everyone she would know it was fake, and she didn’t want fake. And while getting a steal is tempting – I side with Carrie on this one.
Is this an essay to persuade you that you should always shell out the bucks for the designer bag? Nope. I do believe in quality, and love saving and buying some of my designer things- but think quality can be found at any price and you have to do what is best for you- and if a fake bag makes you happy I say go for it. What I’ve been thinking about all the other things in life we fake- and whether or not we deserve more than Valley-trunk fakeness.
To an extent, we live in a world of knock-off, fast fashion just being one of the culprits. And I’m just as guilty: I’ve staged photos to get “likes” on Instagrams, I color my hair but want my stylist to make it look as natural as possible, and I’ve spun events in my life so that to people everything sounds amazing. Is this bad? The hair color is for sure great, and I’m not a fan of spilling my secrets to strangers; there is a truth to the saying “Fake it till ya make it”. So, good right?
Maybe. But, what I’ve been thinking is that maybe we spend a little too much effort on how things look like on the outside, and completely ignore the inside. To put it another way, if the bag looks designer on the outside does it count if it’s cracked and peeling on the inside? Some of the best nights of my life have been messy: crying , laughing, holding onto people I love. Not one picture from those nights would pass anyone’s Instagram standards. And while spinning events can be great–how amazing is it to open up to the people with whom you can be honest? The ones who ask who you are and you can honestly say “Sad” or “Scared” or “Abnormally excited” and have that be ok? Aren’t all those experiences, messy as they can be, just if not more amazing than having things look perfect?
Does this mean that I’m going to stop having things look nice, coloring my hair, or spinning to certain people? Nope. But, just like Carrie, I think that even if I’m the only one who knows it–I don’t want fake. So I’m making an effort to be more real–even if it’s messy and scary– and I’m trusting that it will be just as beautiful as the fake. I’d love to know–what’s your take on this?
Wishing us all a week of realness and amazing shoes! XO RA
Most of this is a repost. When I first started this blog, I knew that I wanted to talk (and show!) stunning fashion, outfits- and tell stories. As we know, for me stories and fashion are a part of the same thing. It’s taken me a while to really refine my vision and how I talk about our fashion stories, but the ideas have always been there. At first, I wanted to talk about fashion on TV and Movies (because, as an actress it made sense to me). This was one of my first attempts. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot (again) about costumes and costume designers. I talk a lot about how what we wear tells our stories, and one of the most visible ways (and ironically, one place where we learn how to dress for what we’re trying to express) of fashion story telling are costumes. They let us know so much about a character- who they are, what they like, what they’re dealing with, who they want to be. Costumes are such an important part of any show or movie you’re watching. I promise. So, I’m looking again at what I was thinking about the Americans- and how the story of being a spy is one I’m drawn to. I’ve added a link to an interview with the Costume Design Team from this show- and I’m also currently shopping items like these!
Xo RA
In case you haven’t been watching, “The Americans” is simply one of the best shows on TV right now (seriously, go binge). It follows two Russian spies, living in the US in the early 80s–and I love everything about it. So much goes into making a great, timeless, compelling show–the story, the actors, the production–but also, the fashion. When I completely fall for a show, like I have with “The Americans”, I find myself wanting to live in their world, and while that isn’t always possible, dressing like them can be.
THE AMERICANS — (Premieres Early 2013) Pictured: Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings — Photo CR: Jeff Neira/FX
Let’s be clear, I’m not calling for a return to all 80s fashion (let’s just say no to big shoulder pads), but when fashion is great, done well, and timeless, elements of any period can be added to your wardrobe. It’s a case of “classic fashion never goes out of style”. The fashion on “The Americans” is not only great and classic–a lot of it would look modern today!
A Great Coat and Boots
It’s on every “must have” or “invest” list–a great coat and a great trench. When it’s paired with boots it’s a classic outfit–and all over Instagram as we speak. Spring is a great time to buy a coat on sale, and trenches are always a good investment. I’m a fan of high boots, they never go out of style.
Some of my picks:
Trenches: Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and Zara
Boots: Stuart Weitzman, Frye, and Steve Madden
Wrap Dresses Subject: The Americans On 2013-04-08, at 3:50 PM, Yeo, Debra wrote: Kerri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings and Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings in The Americans on FX. CRAIG BLANKENHORN/FX The Americans.jpg
DVF made it ionic, the shape makes it completely flattering. A wrap dress is great in every decade and in every way–short, long, dress up, casual, there’s just something about this silhouette that looks great on everyone. It’s a classic you need and here are some of my picks:
Wrap Dresses: DVF (on sale!), DVF, and Ann Klein
Great Jeans and a Top
Ironically enough, high waisted jeans and tie blouses are back in style–but I think any jean rise that looks great on you and any simple blouse is a classic hit. There’s something both effortless and pulled together about the combo. Some of my faves:
Jeans:JCrew, , and MOTHER
Tops: Equipment, Anna Quan, and Zara
Mary McFadden, infomous for her pleated creations- but also an Editor at Vogue, working in PR for Dior, art collector and writer, left us recently. It is always shocking when someone who shaped so much of our fashion world passes; I can’t help but going through their lives and their creations, and wonder how I can honor them through fashion. Mary McFadden (to me) is the 1980s glam, that still looks sophisticated (and fun).
Above, where I am wearing one of my favorite Mary McFadden- a purple pleated number that’s seen me from cocktails to holidays and everything in between.
Mary McFadden was a native New Yorker, who worked in PR for Dior in the early 1960s, until she married her first husband. They moved to South Africa- where he worked for De Beers and Mary became the editor for Vogue South Africa. She opened her label in 1976, creating distinctive apparel that was inspired by the art of China, Africa, Greece, and South America as well as cultures she encountered during her travels. She collected a distinguished array of objects in varied substances, particularly gold. Acclaimed for her use of African and Asian prints intricately quilted jackets, as well as for her pure, timeless designs using “Marii” pleating that was enhanced by beaded cuffs and collars, jewel encrusted trim and panels, as well as gold embroidery, “zardozi.” McFadden also designed bold sculptural jewelry.
McFadden’s clothes, though clean-lined, were conceived to combine, textures, graphic designs and art of many cultures. They referenced faraway (from New York) cultures and long-ago times. Her work was described as having the quality of “romantic abstraction” by Vogue journalist Jill Robinson in 1977. “I’m not a draping artist. My construction is simple, flat, one-dimensional. I’m interested in limiting bulk, in a total spareness of finishing,” said the designer at the time.
Vogue credits the designer with transforming the way women dressed for evening in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This was a time of soft dressing, and her longline dresses celebrated the natural body. Though not hippie-ish in the least, they tapped into the prevalent fantasy of other places and other times. Free of constraints, McFadden’s clothes were polished but comfortable, allowing for movement. And women’s lives were changing apace, both in boardrooms and in bedrooms. A McFadden dress was as sensual as it was timeless. As easy-on, easy-off for the evening as Diane von Furstenberg’s wraps were for the day.
Mary McFadden the brand closed in 2002. People will tell you that it’s because the customer and style changed- and yes, the early ’00s were not as chic. However, these dresses, the pleating, the draping, the embellishments are all still favorites of mine. I am also of the opinion that if you don’t have a place to wear something fantastic you create it!
Mary McFadden’s many honors include the President’s Fellows Award of the Rhode Island School of Design. She was elected president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Her collections have been shown on runways in New York, London, Russia, India, South and Central America, and Tokyo. Miss McFadden received a Coty Award in 1976; she entered the Coty Hall of Fame in 1979, the same year she received the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award. Her collections have also been exhibited at Allentown Museum, PA; The Dixon Museum, Memphis Tennessee; The Women’s Museum, Washington D.D. and More College of Art, Philadelphia, PA.
You can read more about Mary McFadden here, here, and here. I have also linked some of my favorite Mary McFadden’s that are available for purchase below.
Here’s to pleats and art and the dresses that combine them all! XO RA
Please note: This post does contain affiliate links. While this does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!
Years ago I posted a knit dress that I couldn’t help but feel was perfect for the end of summer/beginning of fall, or the end of winter and beginning of spring:
This dress was a Rudy Gernreich. He was one of the first designers to use cutouts, vinyl, and plastic in clothing. He’s infamous for his monokini. And yet, as I think about fashion and using that as a weapon against fascism, I can’t help but think of Rudy!
I fell in love with these knit dresses (once loved by Goldie Hawn!) through a vintage friend who loved the recent museum showing she saw of his work. Rudy was considered unconventional and trendsetting in his day, and while he may not be the name you think of when you think of 1960s fashion, Gernreich was a driving force in many ways and a designer you should know.
Rudy Gernreich (originally spelled Rudi) was born in Vienna, Austria to a manufacturing family (an only child, his father died by suicide when Rudy was 8); but Rudy “stayed” in the family business and learned high end fashion and fabrics at his aunt’s dress shop. He did all the sketches for her clients, and was even offered a fashion apprenticeship in London at 12, which he turned down as his mom thought he was too young to leave home.
In 1938, Hilter and the Nazis took over Austria and Rudy and his mother fled for the safety of America. They settled in Los Angeles, where Rudy sold his mother’s pastries door to door, worked at the morgue, and after attending both Los Angeles City College and Los Angeles Art Center School returned to his first love, clothes.
Even though Gernreich loved clothes, he took a round about way to designing his own looks. He started as a dancer and costume designer, when his dreams of becoming a choreographer was dashed he was a fabric salesman for a while, then finally began designing clothes. In the 1940s and 50s fashion was dominated by Paris and the looks that Dior, Balenciaga, etc were producing-Gernreich hated these looks and felt very pressured to stay close to these styles. (Fun Fact! Gernreich refused to show in Paris throughout his long career!) Gernreich began designing his own clothes (avant-garde) and signed a deal with William Bass, INc and JAX boutiques. (He also began designing swimwear for Genesco Corp).
Rudy founded his own firm in 1960. Some things Rudi Gernreich, INC is known for? The first fashion video (Basic Black in 1966), knit wear (from dresses to more experimental garments to unisex clothes), one of the first brands to sell directly to chain stores (a contract with Montgomery Ward), seasonless fashion, the first swimsuits with built in bras (and the removing of boning and a more clinging fabric), the non-sexualization of clothes (as an old dancer, Rudy believed in function and movement, not the sexulization of the body), the first thong bathing suit, and innovative design.
From topless swimsuits to knit dresses that stand the test of time, you may not know Gernreich or own one of his pieces, but his work has influenced everything you put on.
During his life, Rudy was inducted into the Coty American Fashion Hall of Fame, won multiple design awards from Sports Illustrated, Coty American Fashion Critics, Council of Fashion Designers of America, and more. He was admired by his peers as being innovative, avant-garde, and putting the clothes first. Since his death, his works have been featured in exhibits in multiple museums and books.
Gernreich died in 1985 of lung cancer, surrounded by his life partner, Oreste Puccinani. (Gernreich never made his religion or his sexuality a focus point as he felt that both were obvious)
You can read more about Rudy Gernriech (and I hope you come to admire him like I do!) here here here
And you can search his works at museums from the Met to the Skirball.
You can also visit his website here
