The Last Word by Karen

Sophisticated Stripes

Dress and Tee: Target

Stripes appeared in every runway show for spring and summer.  Remember when the fashion experts said vertical stripes were good for all body types  but horizontal stripes were not for everyone?  I have seen women of all sizes in both horizontal and vertical stripes and they have all looked marvelous!  Vertical stripes can make you look taller and leaner while horizontal stripes can add curves or enhance them

Ashley Graham  (Link)

Dior & Prada InStyle.com

    Gucci, Ferragamo, Tommy Hilfiger Instyle.com

There are stripes for work, play and evening wear. The patterns vary from wide stripe to narrow, perfectly straight, horizontal and vertical to stripes that follow no ordinary form.

Shop The Stripes

 Mary Katrantzou Ella Blouse

Tie Neck Shirt by Make Me Chic

Button Front Cold Shoulder by Shein

If you've been under the assumption that you can't wear stripes start small, buy a striped top or bottom and pair it with a solid. Find a stripe you love and wear it proudly

From left to right:

Pants and jacket : Nordstrom Trouve

Skirt: White House Black Market

Skirt and sweater: Nordstrom

One day at a time!

Karen

The Last Word by Karen

         FRINGE  BENEFITS

Jacket: Grace Elements
Shirt: White House Black Market
Jeans: Joe  
Glasses: See Eyewear

In Mesopotamia 300 to 300BC fringe adorned the two most basic garments worn: the skirt and the shawl. Fringe has been used for decoration at other points in human history, notably as a decoration on the leather clothes of Cowboys in the American West and as a brief fashion trend in the 1970's.

And lets not forget the roaring 20's, fringe was flying everywhere and they seemed to be having lots of fun.
                                                               

I remember watching the western shows that were television staples when I was a little girl in the 60's.  The male characters wore fringe jackets in addition to the native Americans who sported clothing with fringe and moccasins, remember those? For those of you too young to remember they were very popular.

Per an article written by the Gale Group, Inc. Fashion, Costume and Culture, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the ages/2004, Native Americans of the Plains and elsewhere had long created garments with fringe, which served as a type of gutter that repelled rainwater from the wearer. Here's a thought, our eyelashes serve a similar purpose.

Easy Rider, a film in 1969 featured the stars wearing casual fringed suede jackets. The fringed jackets were really popular . Many Indian looks, including occasion boots and beaded belts became fashionable. Designer Giorgio di Sant'Angelo (1933-1989) copied Native American ceremonial dress for his fall 1970 collection. Di Sant'Angelo won the city American Fashion Award but backlash deemed the collection insensitive to native Americans.

Fast forward to spring 2015 where fringe made a strong showing.

Source: The Huffington Post/By Michelle Persad

You can add minimal touches of fringe to your wardrobe by  adding accessories.

 

Coat:    Rebecca Taylor "Artisan" Tweed fringe coat

Boots:  Giuseppe Zanotti fringed suede boots

Purse:  Silva Isla Fringe Gold

Gloves: Diane Von Furstenberg Fringe Leather Gloves

I now have fringe jewelry and shoes in addition to a skirt and jacket. I would love to buy a purse.  I will never wear them together, that would be too much of a good thing: I would consider that overkill.  Polyvore has contributors who have tastefully coordinated outfits which include fringed items.

 Boots: Fringe tobacco ankle boots White House Black Market
Pants: Joe Jeans
Poncho:unknown

Skirt: Grace Elements

Jacket: Amyung Fashion

Glasses: SEE 

Tee shirt: Target

Necklace: Baublebar

Chain Fringe Bracelet from Rowe Short North Columbus

The 2015 fringe is not much different than the 1970's offerings except for the fact that the designers have utilized more materials than the proverbial leather and seude.

Try it again, or for the first time.  You might find it interesting. Make sure your clear of anything that you might catch the fringe on, oh and be careful sitting, but enjoy!

One day at a time! Karen

other sources: www.fashionencyclopedia.com

The Last Word by Karen

 Button Down Shirts

Skirt:White House Black Market

Shirt:Macy's

Jewelry: Baublebar

Shoes:White House Black Market

Glasses:SEE Eyewear

The button down shirt is a must have staple for any wardrobe. Button down shirts can look utilitarian but they can also be very feminine. Many women feel that button down shirts are boring and conservative. I read an article complete with a slideshow written July 16, 2014 by Kristen Bousquet. Http:///stylecaster.com/how-to-wear-button-down-shirts/, that was very interesting.

I have several button down shirts in my closet in white and black and blue.  I have purchased button downs from many stores, but my favorite shirts are  sold at Banana Republic. Banana Republic shirts are no-iron and are made of a beautiful, comfortable material.

The shelf life of a white button down for me is usually about three months.  I try to wash them by hand and they can also be dry cleaned.

Shirt:Banana Republic

Skirt:White House Black Market

Shoes:Sam Edelman

Jewelry: Baublebar
Glasses: SEE Eyewear

Shirt: Caslon Nordstrom
Scarf: White House Black Market
Jeans: Kensie Nordstrom

elle.com

aceshowbiz.com2013

Carolina Herrera: culturacolectiva.com

So when in doubt as to what to wear with "anything"  try a button down shirt, be it a casual or dressy piece. One day at a time! Karen.

The Last Word by Karen

Formal Wedding Attire

I was invited to attend the wedding of a very accomplished young man who was once a student intern. It was a pleasure to attend and be witness to the promise of young love and all of its possibilities. The wedding was formal per the invitation and since I like to dress appropriately, I wore formal attire.

Blue lace cocktail dress: Adrianna Papell   Nordstrom

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Jewelry: Bauble Bar & Jared

Glasses:Prada

Purse: Vintage 

I love it when I go to an all white party and all the guest have complied. Invitations with dress

suggestions are often hard for people. What do you do when you don't have all white, or formal gear and don't want to or can't buy an outfit befitting the occasion?

Per the Huffington post article on Wedding Etiquette: The Do's and Dont's of Being a Guest you should dress as the style of the invitation suggests. Emily Post says the proper wedding attire for a formal wedding is a cocktail or dressy afternoon dress for daytime. For evening a long evening dress or dressy cocktail dress; gloves optional. So again, if you don't have a dressy cocktail dress what do you do? I say you can't go wrong with a black dress, add some interesting jewelry and black strappy shoes/sandals.

One day at a time!

Karen

The Last Word by Karen

Earring Jackets, Cuffs , Crawlers and Doubles

Ear Art

Earrings and cuff from Baublebar

     I have several pairs of earring jackets that I inherited from my mother.They are gold and elegant yet simple, a far cry from the more edgy jackets and cuffs we wear today. In the 70's earring jackets were worn with the jacket appearing on the front of the ear lobe and were a way to "dress up" diamond earring studs.  Today we wear the earring jacket on the back side of the ear lobe giving it a much different look. Doubles, where there are two decorative sides to the earring front and back, are becoming more prevalent.  The trendy new earring jackets, are not my mothers jackets.

Old School vs New School:  Top row my mothers earring jackets from the late 70's early 80's Bottom row new trend.

     

I have seen many women in the media working the new versions of earrings but not many women of a particular age or those who dress conservatively.  I am a fan and have several pairs of jackets, doubles, crawlers and cuffs.

photo source

My daughter Kristin wearing doubles purchased from a gift shop in Dover, Ohio.

photo source

Try a pair of one or all four styles, experiment.  If you have old jackets wear them the trendy way with the jacket on the back of the ear. They add interest to your accessories and  are works of art!

1. House of Harlow 1960 Goldstone Warrior Ear Jacket

2. Cuffs with Lips Betsey Johnson 

3.Vince Camuto Silver Tone Pave Stud and Spike Ear Jackets

4.Betsey Johnson Something New Flower Ear Cuff

5. Nadri Pave Ear Crawlers

6. Rental Jules Smith Camden Ear Jacket

7.Shaun Leane Silver Talon Earrings

8.Assad Mounser Neon spike crystal pave

Ear crawler from Nordstrom

One day at a time!

Karen

The Last Word by Karen

Flared Jeans and Culottes

The resurgence of 1970 styles

My Look: Top, Jacket & Flares by White House Black Market, shoes Nine West

As fashion trends re-emerge,  you wonder why you didn't keep the clothing you previously owned. Just think, if you had the space to store clothes from the 1970's would you?  I'm sure the flare jeans and culottes sold back in the day have changed slightly from the items being sold in 2015.

Flare Jeans 

Flares from my high school days. Hanging out with grandma.

I have worn skinny jeans since they became popular in 2007, I have now decided to throw in a couple of pairs of jeans with "flare".  My previous flared jeans were never worn "as is", I decorated them with ribbons, hands and flowers in high school and college,  I embroidered my astrological sign and symbol on them along with my initials and the initials of my college sweetheart. My mom thought the jeans with the hands were a little crass.  When people asked me to embellish their jeans I complied, then I stopped wearing mine. I wasn't trying to look like 

  everybody else.

Culottes

photo courtesy of stylishtwo.com

Culottes have also made a comeback. According to Wikipedia the women's fashion industry has taken a word that has historically been used to describe mens garments to describe a split, bifurcated skirt or any garment which hangs like a skirt but is actually pants.

My Look: Top & Culottes by White House Black Market, shoes LAMB

If you didn't like 1970's styles the first time around, give one of the trends a try. It will give you additional options for your wardrobe.  Maybe you saved old pairs of gently used flares or culottes, if not,  buy the 2015 versions.

There's nothing new under the sun!

One day at a time!
Karen,

The Last Word by Karen

Think Pink

Pink is a pale red color most commonly associated with charm, politeness, sensitivity, tenderness, sweetness, childhood, the feminine and the romantic.  Pink was first used as a color name in the late 17th century.

Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford English Dictionary online.

Shades of pink include blush, coral, fuchsia, hot pink, magenta, raspberry, rose and salmon.

Ellen DeGeneres plays a game on her show with guest called "Never Have I Ever." If the question was asked, as a little girl or adolescent did you wear pink?, my answer would be "I have never."

Most little girls love pink.  As a child I was never a fan of pink. I remember always wearing red, white, a combination of the two and bright yellow. All of the pictures from my formative years bear witness to my mothers color choice. Both my mother and I are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., whose colors are red and white. I asked  mom once why she always dressed me in red and white and she informed me that her color choice for my clothing was not based on her affiliation. Mom felt that pink washed me out and that the vibrancy of red better suited my personality. When Easter came around my Easter dress was red, my bonnet white, no pink for me.

This spring my  favorite shopping spot, White House Black Market, featured various shades of pink in their spring clothing offerings.

My Picks!!!

The White House Black Market shirt flatters the pant that it is paired with.  In addition, the shirt can be worn with the Vivetta Tobia Polka Dot Pencil Skirt.

1. Sleveless Black & White Shirt by White House Black Market

2. Floral Harem Pants by White House Black Market

3. Polka Dot Pencil Skirt by Vivetta Tobia 

My Looks!!!

Color-block

1. Tie Blouse White House Black Market (old)

2. Color-block Skirt Ted Baker London from Nordstrom (sold out)

3. Suede Lace Up Pumps by Sam Edelman

 

Print on Print

1.Houndstooth pencil skirt by White House Black Market
2. 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan by White House Black Market
3. Tee by White House Black Market
4. Mary Janes Sam Edelman (old) 
5. Glasses by Gucci (last season)

For me pink will be a way to think outside the box, a complete departure from the norm. I will never wear clothing that is predominately pink and definitely not pale pink, but I will add some shades of pink to my black and white. It is always good to introduce new color to your wardrobe or incorporate things you thought you'd never wear,  as long as they are complimentary.

 

One day at a time!

Karen

The Last Word by Karen

B L A C K ADD W H I T E ! 

Black is usually used to describe things not so pleasant: a black eye, black cats, you wear black to a funeral. The only time black is used in positive terms is when a financial institution or business says "their in the black."

I remember when rockers were the only people who wore black nail polish.  Black attire and black fingernails are my staples.  People who know me well know I love all things colorful, I just don't wear a lot of color.  My mother used to say I always looked like I was wearing the same thing, my clothing was always black or beige.

Some experts say that women (over 50) shouldn't wear black because it ages you. No little Black dress, say it isn't so ,are you kidding me? I guess in some cases black can be aging (it would depend on what your working with). I am also not of the opinion that black attire should always be diluted with a splash of color, but I am a fan of black and white.

Woolite currently has a commercial that asks how do you feel in dark clothes.  The responses are cool, chic, graceful and although they are in business to sell laundry detergent , I know the answers to the question to be true. Black is also slimming which is important to women who are less than pleased with their figures.

photo courtesy of vogue.de

My idol, the phenomenal head designer and creative director of the fashion house Chanel, is often photographed  wearing black and white clothing. Mr. Lagerfeld is 81 years young.

photo courtesy of sereinemagazine.com

There are models who are more seasoned who are still beautiful and look elegant and classy in black and black with white.

Get This Look

 

Black Add White by karen-nolan-mitchell featuring black jewelry

Theory striped knit top
nordstrom.com

Topshop blazer
nordstrom.com

Theory knit skirt
nordstrom.com

BCBGMAXAZRIA black pointed toe shoes
nordstrom.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors handle bag
$470 - luisaviaroma.com

GUESS cuff jewelry
guess.com

Black jewelry
kohls.com

Miriam Salat studded bracelet
gilt.com

Bling Jewelry black jewelry
blingjewelry.com

I say wear what feels good on you and to you and if it's black, rock it. Clothing is a part of your brand and if you keep it sharp people will buy what your selling, confidence, elegance and grace.

My Look: Blouse, pants and cape by Vince Camuto, Boots by BCBG

One day at a time!

Karen,