Saturday, November 17, 2012
I caught up with Snow White while she was in Chicago last week promoting her soon to be published new book. She graciously agreed to sit down with me for a brief chat . . .
Snow White was the darling of the media back in 1937 and she remains a favorite today. Here is a portion of our recent interview: N: We have not heard from you in some seventy years, Ms. White. Can you tell us what prompted you to write this book now? SW: Of course. After many years in the spotlight as celebrities, my husband Prince Charming and I settled down and enjoyed a quiet, lovely way of life. However, turns out he was not all that charming. After just a couple years of marriage, he ran off with an old flame he connected with on Facebook. Can you imagine? N: Will you tell us the name of this old flame? SW: Honestly? It was so long ago, I barely remember. But it may have been one of those young fairytale girls like Sleeping Beauty …
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Boots and shoes for women are always a challenge as fall turns to winter. Check out some of the latest styles and some advice about what to buy this season!
Gold toes, towering heels and buckles galore! That’s what’s out there in the stores these days, and trying to take a more moderate middle of the road approach when shopping is definitely not easy! I discovered this while shopping for myself recently, both on-line and in the dizzying vastness of Nordstrom’s shoe department. I needed to replace my beloved but badly bruised and battered black ankle boots. I hated like heck to say goodbye to those boots. They were the perfect combination of comfort and style. They were also devoid of any telltale signs of “trendy” like bows, buttons, buckles, exaggerated toe shape, cowboy vibe, etc. Translation? I could wear them for many years and not worry about staying fashionably in style. And boy did I …
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Our fashion columnist gives you the dos and don'ts for wearing scarves this season.
I have been a fan of "the scarf look" for as long as I can remember. I wear scarves often and with great enthusiasm. The truth is that a scarf has always been one of the hallmarks of fashion for stylish women. Just travel to Europe sometime and you will see most women there (and men too) wearing scarves everywhere they go and looking ever so stylish! But just recently, I've come across not one, but two fashion articles that raises scarf bashing to new heights! Both articles say scarves are old fashioned and aging. In this stylist's opinion, that's sheer nonsense and we should not believe it. Now, I grant you that traditional smaller square silk scarves, like the exquisite Hermes prints many of us own and love (unfortunately I don't own any…
Saturday, May 5, 2012
When it comes to bridal gown fashion and style, Vera Wang continues to lead the way.
For years I was a faithful fan of the TV show Project Runway. Every episode started with these words of advice to aspiring new designers from the veteran fashion judges: "Remember... we want to see your unique point of view as a designer in every single piece you create." I would hear their admonition and think, boy oh boy. That's a tough nut to crack. Exactly how does one show their unique point of view in a clothing design? Then I read a recent article about the famous designer Vera Wang and I got it. She did exactly that. After 17 years as senior fashion editor for Vogue magazine, she began her design career and opened her first bridal boutique showroom in 1990. It was located at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City. The store had …
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Isn’t spring always the best time to clean anything and everything? Here are 5 tips to keep in mind when your closet has reached critical mass status.
You may have seen the ads that Carson Pirie Scott ran on TV recently. They offered discount coupons for every item you bring into the store for donation. I thought what a great idea! What a clever incentive to get rid of items one no longer needs, wants, or finds useful. I decided to take full advantage of the offer. It was time to purchase a few of my can’t-do-without cosmetics, so I proceeded to peruse my closet for items I might donate to Carson's Good Will drive. Please keep in mind that I try to keep my closet in tip-top shape. I purge on a regular basis so that when clients come to my studio for style workshops, they can see how an organized closet should look and function. Obviously, as a professional wardrobe advisor, I need to …
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Thinking of shopping for a new handbag this spring? Here are some timely tips for choosing just the right purse for you!
I had the time of my life a couple of weeks ago when I lunched with two of my favorite former students. They’re all grown-up now, but still completely adorable. Curious about my current career, the conversation ultimately turned to fashion, and one of the girls said she was in the market for a new handbag. She saw one she loved at a nearby department store, so after lunch, the three of us sauntered over to take a look. The bag was gorgeous. It was also very large. When she held it up to her slim little frame, she all but disappeared. Oh boy. Not good. And then she asked me the $64,000 question: “Do you think it's too large for me?” With those big beautiful blue eyes searching for approval, it killed me to tell her the truth. Clearly …
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Will one-hit wonders never cease? Probably not, but boots will always endure.
When Nancy Sinatra became popular with her 1966 hit song, These Boots Are Made For Walkin', I wondered, who told her she could sing? Then it dawned on me. Her father, of course! Looking through the old blue eyes of love, no doubt. But, here’s something for which I give Nancy Sinatra all the credit in the world. She single-handedly made boots the fashion statement of the decade. It’s true. When go-go boots hit the style scene, girls of all ages across the globe went wild for them, especially in London, New York and California. As a matter of fact, they even became prolific in my little college town of Winona, MN for heaven sakes. We all bought them and we all wore them every chance we got. Who knew? The extraordinary thing about the '60s …
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Are uniforms appropriate only for sports teams and the military? Not according to this wardrobe expert.
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “A man in uniform is simply irresistible.” This sentiment, of course, originated from the military back in the day. A man in uniform was both highly respected and considered quite handsome. As a matter of fact, I remember seeing photos of my Dad taken when he was a Navy pilot in WWII. He was not handsome in the traditional sense, but in those Navy whites, he was a striking figure of a man. Watching a Chicago Bears game recently, I was mystified as to why the Bears were wearing bright orange shirts. I thought the team looked more like an overgrown pumpkin patch than a force to be reckoned with. The usual dark navy, on the other hand, looks much more powerful, fierce and intimidating from …
Nancy Pipal
7:27 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Thanks for your comment, Madeline. Great boots like Frye are indeed a worthy investment. I have a pair of winter all weather Aquatalia boots that I place in that very same category. I love them and they truly love me back! more ›