• After make-up artist Terri Bryant was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she decided to create Guide Beauty — a make-up line developed with the help of ergonomic experts for the easiest application possible.
• Nordstrom has launched a new resale store called See You Tomorrow which offers used designer clothing at discounted prices.
• Have a look at the Kate Spade for Keds Spring 2020 collection.
• Only 4 of the top 12 models of New York Fashion Week Fall 2020 were women of colour.
• A new documentary, “The Times of Bill Cunningham“, reveals the more emotional side of the iconic street style photographer.
• Macy’s has announced plans to close 125 department stores over the next three years, and cut 10% of corporate and support staff.
• Designer Raf Simons is joining Prada as co-creative director.
• The New York City Met Museum is marking its 150th birthday with a time-themed exhibition: “About Time: Fashion and Duration.”
• Meanwhile, “Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk” opens at the London V&A tomorrow.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that the literal meaning of the word kimono is “thing to wear”. This simple, straight-seamed garment, wrapped and secured with an obi sash, was the principal item of dress for men and women in Japan from the mid 16th until the early 20th century. 

Wearing denim on the top and bottom of an outfit is often thought of as too much denim, especially when the washes are the same shade of blue. Too cowgirl, too stiff, too matchy-matchy, too casual, or too something else. Yet it’s a look I see in Europe every season, and one I wear too. There’s also an iconic integrity about it that does not date. So for those who like to wear double denim, here are some outfit ideas.

From casual to smart casual, it’s on to the outfits. Feel free to throw in greys, more white, and non-neutral denim because there is no need to stick to blue. I do though, like the neutral statement that double denim can make.

1. Black, White and Blue

This is the easiest of the four looks to pull together. Combine a white top with black jeans and throw over a blue denim jacket. These are trendy relaxed straights, but choose any silhouette. Black boots are a nice extension of the black jeans and bookend the model’s hair. White footwear would work well too. Add jewellery, scarf and bag if this feels too plain and minimal.

2. Pretty Chambray with Skinnies

Remember that chambray tops needn’t look like hard-edged and rigid denim shirts. They can be shaped like blouses, and soft and pretty. Here, a pretty chambray blouse is paired with classic skinnies. Its fluidity creates an effective contrast with the body-con bottoms. A semi-tuck hints at a waist for structure, and the snakeskin boots are a fun wild touch. I can see this work well with sandals, mules, ballet flats, and loafers too.

3. Trendy Retro

Wide crop jeans make for an excellent on-trend wardrobe essential. A dark wash is especially versatile because it can be dressed up or down. Here they’ve been combined with a Modern Retro neck-tie blouse that’s tucked for dressy polish and structure. The similar wash of both denim pieces give the effect of a streamlined column of colour that looks like a dress. Heels further amp up the dressy factor. I love the denim blouse!

4. Trendy Classic

This is my favourite of the lot because it’s the dressiest and I adore the off-white components. On-trend slim wide cropped cream jeans are combined with a blue denim blazer that looks as classic as it does fashion-forward. I suspect there is some sort of camisole or tee under the blazer. The denims look less matchy-matchy and the gold hardwire breaks up the expanse of denim. The cream booties look like a marvelous extension of the bottoms, and the structured bag is the dressy cherry on top. Add jewelley, eyewear and watch as desired.

StyleCaster rounds up 6 watch trends you’ll be seeing more of in 2020.

What it means to wear a watch in the era of mobile phones. The Guardian’s Eva Wiseman writes about how it feels to start wearing a watch again after going without one for years. “It took a week to remember to use it to tell the time, the action of lifting my left wrist so foreign to me that my hand felt weighted, yet I was deeply aware of it, as a statement, a sign.”

I also enjoyed this 2017 essay by Gary Shteyngart about his (and many others’) infatuation with (vintage) watches in a world where most people just use their phone to tell time.

Fab Links from Our Members

Nuancedream has always loved Judith’s collection of hats, but never knew she had an entire scarf room that is an accessories lover’s paradise.

She also wanted to share this article: “I think many of us already know about the magic of tailoring but the crux of the article is contained in the last three paragraphs.”

Shevia thought this a very good summary of the quality vs cost issue.

Susan posted about the influence of her parents on her sense of self and how it has had an impact on her style. Runcarla says: “I am also ‘of a certain age’ and grew up in a home where both parents had issues around food and weight, and where my mother still feels compelled to comment on my appearance and that of my sister.”

Rachylou found this article about made-to-order fast fashion quite interesting.

Amelia Earhart designed her own fashion line. Fashintern adds: “It sounds like her priorities were just what I look for.”

Vildy wanted to share two articles that seem to play off each other and off the theme of who are you dressing for: All Career Advice for Women Is a Form of Gaslighting, and The Pungent Legacy of Axe Body Spray.

Angie thought it was nice to see women over 60 sitting front row at Fall 2020 Fashion Week: “Sad that I have to draw attention to it because women of ALL ages should be sitting front row — full stop! I’m inspired by Maye Musk who is wearing blinding brights with neon and looking as chic as ever. I want to do just that when I grow up! Love her silver short hair too.”

Six months ago I revisited my mustard capsule and decided to keep a pair of waterproof, mustard, lugged sole Gore-Tex Chuck Taylor hi-tops. They were a little heavier than I like, but versatile, comfortable and perfect for the wet Seattle climate. 

On a grey November afternoon it was raining heavily and I needed to walk our little Yorkie Sam.  We put on our raincoats, and I put on the waterproof mustard hi-tops. My happy yellow raincoat worked well with the hi-tops. My own little bit of matchy-matchy sunshine on a rainy day.

Nordstrom

Levi's Levi's Water Repellent Hooded Parka | Nordstrom

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Nordstrom

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Gore-Tex Waterproof Lugged High Top Sneaker

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We were walking downhill in the rain when I slipped on a large metal sewer plate, falling hard on the top part of my back, and hitting my head. There is no permanent damage. But I did fracture some ribs, jolt my sciatic nerve, and inflame the nerves and muscles at the top of my back. Recovery has been slow but very steady. It’s three months later and I am feeling MUCH better. I’m in physical therapy and hope to feel 100% by July.

Unfortunately, I don’t want to wear these hi-tops again because I associate them with something very negative. A bad fall at the end of a difficult year. I don’t know if the shoes have slippery soles, or whether any shoe would have slipped on that ultra slick metal plate. Either way, these shoes no longer spark joy.

I don’t want other people to slip in these shoes, so I’ll look into having grippy soles put on them before I pass them on.  It’s a pity. I’ve only had them for six months, and I love the way they look. But life is short, and I can’t wear these shoes with a happy heart. My hope is that someone else will.