Pregnant Child in the City: What to Do With the Bump

Welcome back, ladies! Are you starting to think about how to expand your wardrobe as your tummy expands as well? :) Today, we'll be looking at how to do so with what you may already own. Rule #4 of our Five Basic Maternity Style Guidelines is...

4) Consider Non-maternity Options...but be mindful of the length. One thing that's changed in the last decade is putting the bump front and center with body-con clothing that highlights your tummy. Occasionally, this means transitioning your pre-pregnancy wardrobe into maternity wear. This can be accomplished with pieces such as the one below from Forever 21, which has enough length to grow with your tummy and the right amount of stretch to boot.



While "bumping out" can be very cute and flattering, remember that letting the belly hang out below the hem of your top is NOT an attractive look. So always look for tops that allow for growth (via stretch knits), and if it's a baby-doll style top, do find one that hits at least at low hip (see below example from Old Navy).



Thoughts? Do you embrace the bump, or prefer the “I Love Lucy” tent look?

Pregnant Child in the City: DENIM TIME!!!

Welcome Back! If you are an expectant mother who loves her denim, you probably already know how crucial it is to find a pair that fits your changing shape without screaming "MATERNITY PANTS! MATERNITY PANTS!" Don't fear the "tummy panel," though: it can actually be very comforting and supportive. With this in mind, Rule #3 of our Five Basic Maternity Style Guidelines is...

3) Invest in Maternity Jeans. God Bless Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy) for only going up one pant size and being able to wear misses vs. actual maternity wear. If this is NOT you, do consider finding some great Maternity jeans amongst other maternity basics. Of the ones I've tried on so far, my favorites (at all price points) are as follows:

• Liz Lange for Target "Flex Panel" Jeans ($29.99 at Target and target.com).

For such a great price, you get a uniform wash, comfy tummy panel, and the perfect leg length for your ballet flats or lower heels. They are also available in extended sizes, a nice bonus.

• Gap Maternity "Long and Lean" Jeans ($69.50 at The Gap and gap.com).

I instantly felt taller and svelter putting on these jeans! The denim, from Gap's 1969 premium line, is of the highest quality, and the jeans truly live up to their namesake: your legs will look a mile long, especially when paired with heels or boots. Hemming might be necessary, but if it ensures the best fit, go for it!

• J Brand Maternity "Ocean" Jeans ($185 at Saks Fifth Avenue).

If you are "anti-panel" and want jeans that fit in a more standard fashion, this is the pair for you! Great stretch, an amazing fit, and perfect length for low-to-mid heels, these J Brands are an investment worth every penny.

Enjoy your adventures in denim, Mamas!

Pregnant Child in the City

After a VERY long break away from this blog, it feels great to be back. It feels even better to say that I have come to appreciate personal style on a whole new level in recent months, mostly due to the little person growing inside of me each day...

That's right; Baby Kendall will soon be upon us! We are due in January, and my husband and I are very excited to welcome our little Winter Baby.

When they say pregnancy/parenthood changes you...they were NOT kidding. It's been entirely positive changes so far, though not without its character-building moments. With pregnancy comes a lot of give and take, especially with your changing form. You realize that feeding and caring for this little life takes precedence over all, and you come to accept that (for a few months at least) you will not be able to wear your skinny jeans. And that's completely okay.

For starters, your figure changes daily. I remember when my friend Kelly was expecting, she would have "flat belly" days and "big belly" days. Depending on where the baby was at that moment, what she'd eaten the night before, even how she slept, Kelly's belly would change shape each day for several months! Imagine trying to dress yourself when your figure changed constantly...

Then there's the actual growth of everything else...mainly in the "guts and butts" area. No, you shouldn't go to extremes to keep your shape, but things do "round" themselves out when you're expecting, and it forces you to rethink your silhouette.

Pregnancy is a natural, healthy process, and it can be an absolute joy, especially when you feel beautiful in your own skin. Preferrably, there's a supportive spouse/partner/friend by your side who appreciates your new curves, too! So for the next week, I will be posting some tips and tricks of the trade to share with my fellow mamas-to-be. To start with...

1) No matter what your current size, there are three areas that will always look slimmer: your wrists, collarbone, and ankles. Drawing attention to the first two is a great way to balance out your shape, so think bracelet-length or 3/4-length sleeves (wrists) and square or scooped necklines (collarbone). Ankles and calves should be highlighted for the same reason; it helps to balance our your figure. However, the legs can sometimes be tricky, because some of us will have swollen ankles during preganancy. So with that in mind...

2) Embrace New Styles! Highlight the features you would've downplayed before. Pre-pregnancy, I liked to emphasize my shape by emphasizing my waist and hourglass shape. With my waist growing each day, I've found myself embracing longer tops and favoring skirts, jeans, and even leggings because they draw attention towards the legs. The same can be said of highlighting the arms a bit as well.

I hope this gets all you mamas out there thinking about how to embrace your changing shape and make the most of these next few months! More to come tomorrow. Happy hunting!

With love,

Jamie

Why "Kell On Earth" Led Me to Order a Cozy

Two weeks ago, Bravo ran the season finale of their new series "Kell on Earth," an inside look at the fashion world via PR firm People's Revolution and its founder, Kelly Cutrone. And I cried because it ended. Literally, I cried.

In eight short weeks, this show became my favorite hour of television, surpassing "Project Runway" by leaps and bounds. Whether it was Kelly's "Mama Wolf" manner, Andrew's knack for impeccable Rick Owens styling, or Stephanie's unwavering work ethic (she must be a fellow Midwesterner), each episode was funny, entertaining, and always fresh. So many reality TV programs get into a set pattern (setup, commentary, dramatic preview footage), and "Kell on Earth" never fell into that mold. Kelly Cutrone runs her business with love, know-how, and honesty, and I genuinely look up to her for what she does every day.

The program was so effective, it even impacted my spending habits!

In the final episode, Kelly and People's Rev are hired by DKNY to produce/create a short film highlighting "The Cozy," a sweater which can be worn in over a dozen ways. When you think about it, the product is sheer genius. Our economic downturn means people are seriously reconsidering every purchase they make. What better time than now to introduce a garment which is a) beautifully made, b) recognizable, and c) possibly the most versatile piece in your wardrobe?
After watching footage of the sweater (shown above) being worn all over Manhattan, I knew this was the piece for me. I ordered one in black (naturally) from the DKNY website, jumped for joy when it arrived, and instantly went onto the DKNY website to watch the video on "How to Wear The Cozy." With a bangle bracelet used as a buckle/catch, the looks become even more versatile, and last week I wore my Cozy four separate times (see below).
Kelly mentions "new media" several times in this final episode, and she clearly knows what that means: my introduction to this product didn't come from a Look Book, or newspaper article, but from its place on a television show. I saw DKNY's garment in action, and that was what sold me.

I cannot wait to see future inceptions of The Cozy and how its designers will tweak their original concept. And I cannot wait to see how People's Revolution presents it to the world in their own creative manner!

Further reading/watching:

"The Cozy" Official Video:
http://www.dkny.com/womens/cozy_video.html

"Kell on Earth" Official Site:
http://www.bravotv.com/kell-on-earth

"The Cozy" Look Book and Instructions:
http://www.dkny.com/womens/collection.php?view=cozylookbook

Photos courtesy of Bravotv.com and 4bp.blogspot.com

Which Trend is Trendiest?

Nearly 100 years ago, Chicago's beloved department store Marshall Field and Co. expanded their empire by launching a fashion magazine. Competing with Harper's Bazaar and Vogue was no mean feat, but the company's intentions were good: the magazine, entitled Fashions of the Hour, was "designed to boost interest in the retail store and foster greater customer loyalty" (Jazz Age Chicago par 7).

In essence, the in-house magazine was the New Media of its time. The words "branding," "brand image," or "customers for life" are tossed around freely these days, yet these concepts existed long before HSN, QVC, or anything thought up at Mad Men's Sterling Cooper offices. Marshall Field's clearly knew they were on to something with Fashions of the Hour.

Boosting interest in retail is a very present idea these days as well, especially as we move into Spring/Summer fashions. Generally speaking, sales grow in these months because of the perceived "freedom" of warmer weather. We Chicagoans put away our major artillery (boots, sweaters, ski masks) and begin to seek out clothes which offer independence from heaviness: sandals, shorts, flowy dresses, and NO WINTER COAT.

So the question remains: how do you determine what to buy this spring?

If you go to any retail or fashion magazine websites, the answer varies greatly from page to page. Whereas in the past a single color or print might seem dominant, these days a digital print will be sold right next to a floral. The Pantone Institute may tell us which colors we will be seeing much of in the next year, but spring pastels are being featured right next to bold primaries.

In essence, each trend is trendiest, because it has made it to the retail floor!

In a talk I gave last week, I found myself recommending spring fashions for "all ages and all sizes," distilling the dozens of spring trends out there into five simple pieces. As follows:

1) Shaped Necklines- they flatter all body types, draw attention to the collarbone (very feminine), and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.


2) Bright Tweeds- absolutely age-appropriate for everyone (from Gossip Girls to Golden Girls) and saturated with fresh color.

3) "Far from mellow" Yellow- I thought this was a tricky one to pull off, too, but it's all about the shades you choose. Fair-skinned ladies can pull off lemon beautifully, whereas olive-skinned gals can do muted and yellow-greens very well.
4) Khaki/Neutral Separates- Yes, they are simple and classic (and can be boring), but they also complement what you already own, and there are so many shades to choose from these days! Go for bone or cream if you're fair and tan/beige if you're medium to dark.
5) Punched-up accessories- Think of the old adage "When stocks tumble, lipsticks sell!" Wherever our economy is headed (hopefully up!), we know that we can brighten up our looks without spending a fortune thanks to accessories. A beautiful bright bag, scarf, necklace, or pair of sunglasses can do wonders for your existing wardrobe!


NOTE: A few good stores/sites to visit to find your perfect spring look...

http://www.macys.com
http://www.hm.com
http://www.torrid.com
http://www.thelimited.com
http://www.zara.com

Happy shopping, everyone!

Comfort CAN Be Stylish!!!

More shoe talk...it never gets old!

The other day, I was lunching with one of my favorite clients...my little sister! As we waited for our delicious (and humongous) omelettes to arrive, Tracy's shoes caught my eye. And they were FABULOUS!Tracy was wearing KEDS, of all things! KEDS! My memory of Keds always goes back to the original white canvas or leather sneakers with the telltale blue tag on the heel. Yet the shoes (pictured above) were completely unexpected. Black canvas with white trim and a checkerboard patterned wedge heel...adorable, comfortable, and so spring-y.

It goes to show all those makeover candidates on "What Not to Wear" who cling to their sweats and ratty sneaks that comfort and style go together like peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff. When you put in the time and effort to finding flattering pieces, it doesn't stop at your feet. Treat them well so that when the time comes to bring out the stilettos, you don't do too much damage :)

To purchase Tracy's shoes:
http://www.zappos.com/keds-midnight-black-gingham

What Not to Wear Official Site:
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/whatnottowear/whatnottowear.html

Repurposing Clothes: Fashion for All!

Over the past week, I have been working with lots of different people who need help with...excess clothing, or pieces which need "repurposing."

"Repurposed" clothing is the new term for recycling, reusing, or working with existing pieces and finding new uses for them. Since I work as a Style Consultants and Fashion Presenter, part of my work includes handling closet overhauls, estate sales, and wardrobe organization. As a result, I get to "play" with these extra pieces and find new homes for them.

Sometimes, this means taking career-ready separates to Bottomless Closet, where I know they'll go to a VERY good cause: helping women re-enter the workforce in style. Other times, casual pieces get taken to the Salvation Army, which always has a need for new inventory.

And sometimes, you get to take on the ultimate in repurposed fashion: resizing a classic vintage piece!
My great-grandmother, Celia Jackson (pictured above), was a true dainty English rose, and fashionable to the hilt. The Jackson and Williams side of my family immigrated from Lincolnshire, England, to the States in the late 1800's. Celia lived to be almost 95 years old, and judging by her taste in clothing, she was fashionable her whole life long!



The dress (shown above and below) was Celia's, and was made by a design house named Alex from Montclair, NJ. As you can see, it's a definite product of the 1950's. Made of China silk, the dress is fitted in the waist and has a flared cocktail-length skirt with matching bolero jacket on top. It's fabulously 1950's.





And it's TINY!!! My grandmother, Mary Jackson Foltz (also pictured above) was 5'2" and small-framed, but great-grandmother Celia must've been a slip of a thing! When I tried the dress on, the zipper refused to budge beyond the waist! Granted, I'm 5'8" and wear a size 6, so that may explain it, but still! The woman was in her fifties and wearing what would likely be a size 2 today!

In any case, it will soon be repurposed with a stretch panel in the pack, and worn by me at a later date.

And I look forward to repurposing my great-grandmother's style, taking it from the nifty fifties to the keen teens :)