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Customizing the Classics Archives

Does Anybody Care About Making and Selling Beautiful, Comfortable Shoes? Heck YES!

This is a shamelessly sponsored post! Yes, I was given a pair of shoes, which is a pretty sweet deal. But I hope that you know me well enough by now to know that if I didn't think that something was worth your time and effort, I wouldn't write about it - I'm not going to sell out and waste your time, and my good reputation...Last week, I was invited to the Thierry Rabotin shoes trunk show at Hanig's Footwear. I've been buying shoes from Hanig's for... 25 years? maybe, and I've been buying Thierry Rabotin (1 pair every 6 months, VERY carefully chosen) since they began carrying them. So I just thought that they were inviting me because I'm an old, and pretty good, customer...

Heck no! They offered me a pair of CUSTOM SHOES, in exchange for ... View the Post

Does every woman need a denim jacket? Customizing the Classics

April 26, 2013   A couple of people have asked me about the widespread advice that every woman show have a denim jacket. Of course I disagree with this idea - I don't think anybody else can tell you what you should have in your wardrobe.

 

Traditional denim jackets can be really cool, but they're not always flattering:

There's nothing particularly wrong with denim; there are a variety of options in denim that could be a lot more flattering than the traditional cropped, narrow fit.

 

Maybe the cut is okay, but the color doesn't work very well; there are denim jackets in other neutral colors that might be a lot more useful for you.  

  Or you could get really radical and choose a ... View the Post

Must every woman own a pair of Khakis? Customizing the Classics…

Pants – Brunello Cuccinelli, sleeveless top – Dorothy Perkins, cord bracelet – Dorothy Perkins, blush sandals – Marais USA, chalcedony earrings –NuNu, tunic – Mary Portas, lace ballet flats – J.C. Penney, tank top – Uniqlo, tote bag – Ted Baker, sandals - Balenciag  

When you read those "10 wardrobe classics every woman MUST have", you'll often see a pair of khaki pants included as one of the ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED pieces of clothing...What utter tripe - there is NO REQUIRED GARMENT for any woman's wardrobe.  (Yes, I firmly believe some women can live without a bra, and if you wear tights every day, then other undergarments might be optional too...)

That said, there is some logic to the idea of a pair of khakis are a core ... View the Post

Customizing the Classics: The Navy Blazer

Navy blazer – Armani Jeans    

Biker – Dorothy Perkins, silk twill – Jil Sander, wool – Balenciaga, silk tussah – Stella McCartney, waterfall – John Lewis    

Double-breasted cardigan – Marc by Marc Jacobs, self-belted cardigan – Steffen Schraut, leather belted cardigan – Michael Michael Kors, silk cardigan with pockets – Marc Jacobs    

Grey, black and taupe blazers – Topshop, brown blazer – Jil Sander    

Navy merino cardigan – J. Crew, black cardigan – Zadig et Voltaire, beige belted cardigan- Schumacher, white drawstring cardigan – Hugo Boss     ... View the Post

Customizing the Classics: the trench coat

Trench – A.P.C.  

Yellow – Burberry, blue – Burberry, green – Lanvin, bright indigo – Burberry, purple – Max Mara, red – Burbearry, raspberry, orange – Burberry  

Sage green – Wallis, white – Ann Demeulemeester, pale grey – Moncler, olive grey – Organic by John Patrick, apricot/lt. blue – Dries van Noten, light denim – Derek Lam, grey – Preen, yellow – L.L.Bean  

Trench coat with ruffled hem – Miu Miu, drawstring hem coat – Acne, san suede waterfall-front coat – Ralph Lauren Black Label, cotton belted coat – Carven, leather jacket – Preston Knight, beige coat with black leather piping – Marni, short waxed cotton jacket – Vince, military style jacket - Gryphon  

Metallic brown ... View the Post

Customizing the Classics: the Little Black Dress

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Someone asked just yesterday about finding a versatile dress that could be worn for (among other things) funerals.  It was a timely question, as I was just finishing up my meditation on the Little Black Dress...  thanks for your question!    

Black dress – The Row  

Brown dress – Chinti & Parker , Navy dress – Diane von Furstenberg, Grey dress – Diane von Furstenberg  

Gray blouse – Aubin & Wills, gray skirt – Chloe, Camel tee – Ralph Lauren, camel skirt – House of Fraser, Navy sweater and skirt – Alexander McQueen  

Midnight blue shirtdress – Steven Alan Hayden, Camel sweater dress – J. Crew, Gray dress – Tomas ... View the Post

Customizing the Classics: black skirt

Black skirt – Maison Martin Margiela  

   

Black pleated skirt – Junya Watenabe, Navy flaired skirt – Miu Miu, Wrap skirt - Carven  

Gray skirt – Gucci, Navy skirt – Reiss Lime, Brown skirt – Kosher Casual    

Navy tweed skirt – Debenham’s, brown velvet skirt – Alberta Ferretti, gray suede skirt – Z Spoke by Zac Posen  

Navy pleated skirt – Theory, camel linen skirt – Selina, white cotton skirt – Jigsaw online   ... View the Post

Customizing the Classics: white shirt

White shirt – Hugo Boss  

Beige blouse – Miss Selfridge, Blue blouse – Equipment, Grey shirt - Topshop  

Beige blouse – Vanessa Bruno, Ivory blouse – See by Chloe, White blouse – Donna Karan    

Grey sweater – J. Crew, Camel sweater – Ralph Lauren, Beige sweater - Burberry  

White tee – Blossom, Camel tee – Oasis, Gray tee - Kookai  

Tweed skirt – Lanvin, Camel jeans – Moto, Brown silk pants – 3.1 Phillip Lim     ... View the Post