I'm mad at Tom Ford. With the launch of his new lipstick line a few weeks ago-at $45 a tube-he has created the lip color equivalent of the $1200 pump. Let me explain. While there are many drugstore products I swear by, I have always splurged on department store lipsticks reasoning that you get what you pay for. That just like a great pair of shoes, lipstick should look gorgeous, feel great and be long wearing. And let's not forget about the wow factor. Just as more expensive shoes are made of great materials, have a sophisticated designer palette and are beautifully packaged, well, so too expensive lipsticks.
I couldn't write about Mr. Ford's 'lipstick wardrobe' as it is billed until I 'd plunked myself down at Bergdorf for a test drive. Well, his lipsticks are sublime. Twelve gorgeous colors including one of the best reds I have ever tried and a beautiful range of corals soft or vibrant enough for any woman's style or age. The finish is just slightly matte but the feel is very creamy (thanks to a blend of the emollients Brazilian murumuru butter, soja seed extract and chamomilla flower oil). It stays put and lasts. Naturally, the packaging is gorgeous? But for $45 dollars?
I asked my friend and talented makeup artist Shawnelle Prestidge (you've seen her work in lots of ads for L'Oreal and Sephora among many brands) what could make a formulation worth $45? Says Shawnelle, " I don't know if the adage 'you get what you pay for' is always true but let's not forget the effect of gorgeous packaging. Often what we pay for is access to a fantasy. And if the product feels incredible and smells great the sensory ritual is a little piece of the fantasy with each use." "But don't forget that drug store brands spend TONS of money to constantly upgrade their products and color formulas to compete with more expensive brands" she reminded me. "But what about the murumuru butter? " I sobbed.
Maybe this is why lipstick is recession proof. A woman can always reason that instead of buying the pair of Prada shoes or the St. Laurent skirt she spent a mere $45 on an anti-depressant in a tube. I may try out this bit of fashion and beauty logic on my husband.
A few of the exits in Diane von Furstenberg's Spring 2010 show featured black jersey day dresses styled with ethnic accessories. Among DVF's colorful prints these combinations appealed to my practical side because who doesn't have a simple, solid colored dress -black or otherwise- that couldn't use a transfusion of 'right now' accessories? This summer's global bazaar of baubles, bags, and sandals are available at prices from bargain to very high. The tribal trend looks especially fresh when paired with something straight-forward. That white cotton dress that feels a bit precious whenever you put it on? Show it some tough love with a tie-dye clutch inspired by Indonesia. A stack of soft kente cloth bracelets, a straw bag and a woven leather sandal will change the landscape of a simple frock. So, here are a few suggestions:
1.DVF's dress has an interesting sarong-like drape in the front. The silhouette is easy going and looks right with a mix of ethnic accessories (image from style.com). 2. Dookie bracelets are $10 each at nakumuli. 3. Tie dye clutch available at Club Monaco stores. 4. Woven hobo $175 at jcrew.com 5. Beaded mesh bib necklace with snap closure $725 roarkejewelry (Yes, big price tag but interpret the Aztec beads idea in your range) 6. Loeffler Randall perforated pump is $550 at loefflerrandall.com (this will go on sale any minute. I tried on a pair and they are great looking on the foot and comfortable too).
A TIP FOR PETITES: If you love the look of tribal necklaces but feel the scale is too big, look for small scaled pieces - lots of little beads or a small scale link, for example. Then layer. Combine 2 or 3 necklaces ( the same or mix it up) to create visual volume minus a proportion that swamps your upper body.
It happened at H & M. Recently, as I rummaged through the racks for a project, I spotted a perfect mid-gray cotton jersey sleeve...a longer sleeve cut in a semi-kimono shape. A crew neck and a row of small buttons from neck to mid-back made things look even more interesting. But yack! When I pulled it free from a snarl of hangers it was just another thigh-high tunic dress. This has happened to me a lot this spring. In my ongoing quest for the perfect tee I've been suckered by too many crotch-high jersey 'dresses'.
But this time, I ran my tape measure across the low hip and doubled the number. After pulling the jersey to test its' give and stretch, I reasoned that if shortened, the dress would make a good-looking tee. And it does. After removing the attached belt loops ( of course a belt was needed to make this thing even shorter) I took la tunic to my trusted quickie alterations lady at the dry cleaner and she reduced the length to just above my low hip.
The spring sale racks are filling up - many stores are on sale at 40%. Don't dismiss that annoying tunic dress. You may have found your next great tee.
You could call it the Hanes Principle. The staple of all wardrobe staples, the tee shirt, has undergone a subtle loosening up this summer with a fit that's closer to a men's classic 3-pack than the baby tees (that never looked good on anyone but Kate Moss) or the cropped and sprayed-on fit of the last decade. Or you could call it the Alexander Wang effect. The CFDA nominee for 2010 Womenswear Designer of the Year has re-worked the tee to reflect a 'boyfriend fit' and the average-woman-on-the-street has taken notice. Below
T by Alexander Wang tee shirt in lightweight rayon jersey $78 lagarconne.com
The shape starts with a skim fit that's flattering to the average female midriff. Time to weed out anything tight or very stretchy. Nothing emphasizes rolls of any variety like lots of elastin. Lightweight cotton, rayon jersey, tencel. modal and silk blends are fabrics that create drape over feminine curves and smooth over bra bulge. The shoulder has changed subtly from high and tight to a slightly dropped line with short sleeves that are a little longer. This is a visual improvement over cap sleeves which cut into the fullest part of a woman's upper arm. The longer line of the boyfriend fit is elongating and flattering when it hits at just above the low hip. Pass on any tee that rides up above your belly button. So, there are three reasons and here are two more. A tee shirt that is shrunken and too tight looks dated and is a look-blower. When you keep your tees modern-looking, you 'll look modern in what you pair them with. And nothing gives a girl more high/low versatility than a good old white tee paired with anything from denim to an evening skirt. This season's statement necklaces look glam not precious with a tee shirt. So look around for a style that works for you.
I recently conducted a workshop and among the most frequently asked questions was " What kind of tee shirts should I buy?" " Should I tuck them in? Leave them out? " "How do I wear longer tee shirts?" Which brings us to tucked vs. untucked. Tucking your tee into low waisted pants and blousing it slightly provides waist definition without any clinging. The half-tuck ( below left) is kid's stuff and looks too sloppy for grownups. If you leave your tee untucked, the hem should reach no longer than low hip or it can have a widening, blocky effect. Choose a bottom that won't look bulky underneath.
Left to Right: Michael Michael Kors plus flutter sleeve tee $69.50 nordstrom.com.
J.Crew softspun cotton tee on sale for $24.50 jcrew.com. James Perse pocket tee on sale $49.50
If a slouchy boyfriend tee isn't your look then go with a trim boat neck tee and a v-neck or u-neck that is just slightly more fitted. And a here's a tip: if you happen to find your best fit in a long sleeve style ( check out the Gap and lines like 3 Dots, for example) then buy a few colors and have the sleeves hemmed to your perfect short sleeve length. It's a simple cut and sew job that the drycleaner can handle.
Left to Right: Kain silk and modal tee $90 and Kenneth Jay Lane necklace netaporter.com.
J Crew Collection sequin sailor tee in neon rose $ 78 jcrew.com.
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