Showing posts sorted by relevance for query fashion. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query fashion. Sort by date Show all posts

Monday, September 5, 2022

Vivaia Shoes Are Machine Washable


It takes a different kind of shoe for me to consider shoes that are not real leather because I always have trouble wearing man-made, non-leather shoes. Either they are too stiff and I can never break them in, or they are too hot, or they click and clack with every step. In fact, I've sworn off so-called liberated leather shoes.

Then along comes Vivaia shoes (established in 2020), a sustainable shoe company on a mission to make quality, comfortable and stylish footwear using recycled materials that are sourced from nature. Believe it or not, Vivaia shoes are made of recycled plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottles are turned into spools of flexible thread that is knitted into form. According to the merchant, Vivaia flats feel like sneakers. Their signature sustainable material is not only soft, cozy, and breathable, but they will last for years to come, and they are reasonably priced too!

Indeed, Vivaia shoes and boots are super fashionable: classic and understated, as well as, ultra-modern with vitality and pizzazz. The fashion-forward shoes won't go out of style.

Moreover not only is attention paid to the exterior design, but also to the interior of the footwear. The inside heel is cushioned to avoid blisters, and insoles are added to provide high rebound (or bounce), and arch support.

The over-the-knee boots are made with recycled plastic water bottles plus wool for warmth in cold weather. They pull up like thick socks and stay put (as in don't fall down during the day). Furthermore, all Vivaia shoes and boots are machine washable. Now that's different, it means they're easy to clean!

Moreover, the retailer says their shoes are perfect for people with wide feet and bunions. In Vivaia shoes, "your feet won't be squeezed, pushed, pulled, or bent out of shape."

For comfort is the main reason to buy Vivaia shoes. As for sustainability, sources such as the Harvard Business Review argue that sustainable fashion is a myth. Once a plastic bottle is turned into fashion, it's no longer recyclable, but goes into a landfill. In fact, the best way of saving our environment is to buy less and re-use (i.e., shop 2nd hand) fashion. I must confess to never buying 2nd hand shoes, but I only buy the footwear I need and stop buying until I need replacement shoes or boots. That said ...
Enough colors and styles are offered for a day of work, a night out on the town, or a walk through the park. Certainly, Vivaia shoes are worth a browse, an open mind, and some serious consideration.


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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Vince Camuto ... Thank you!

There's so much I like about fashion designer, Vince Camuto. I walked into his Fifth Avenue flagship store recently (at 667 Madison Avenue across for Barney's), which houses his Signiture and Vince Camuto lines. His stuff, including apparel, shoes, watches, jewlry, sunglasses and jackets for men and women, is classic and modern. It won't go out of style anytime soon, and it's beautiful!! He gives you quality -- great fabric, complimentary silhouettes and expert tailoring combined with extra design details and ultra practical bells and whistles (such as zippers and pockets), and it's affordable! 
Even people who never walk across a stage to collect awards can buy his clothes, shoes and accessories. Vince Camuto creates clothes to flatter and make you look your best. Cher or Bjork may dress to stand out. Remember that weird swan Bjork wore around her neck to the Academy Awards? Be honest, didn't you think "bird strike on her way over to the show?" You don't want to wear clothes to look like that. I think even Bjork would leave her feathered friend at home, if she had a do-over. She's a talented musician who made a fashion mistake.

Which brings me back to Vince Camuto's store. The word for his collection is lovely. It's impossible to make a fashion faux pas while shopping in there, plus you won't have to rob a bank to pick up a few pieces. He also has a hand in designing Jessica Simpson's collection and is available in major department stores like Dillards, Macy's and Nordstrom's. Vince Camuto has a laser sharp eye ... and I love EVERY-fashion-forward-THING with his name on it.
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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Chunky Is Autumn Trendy

Photo: Marissa Cox - Suzanne chunky sweater.

This fall's fashion buzz word is chunky. Chunky sweaters, chunky jewelry and especially chunky chains on everything from wearing one around your neck to hanging it off your purse. The following are examples of the chunky chain trend:

Brinker & Eliza Spiral Staircase Necklace 



Pomellato 18k rose gold bracelet





Lovely rings that could probably be worn every day and to galas. Versatility is ideal for what we buy.
This autumn chunky gold cocktail rings replace delicate understated gold bands. To show the trend,
 I'm using statement rings of what I like😍 (not necessarily of what I can afford). To the left is a & Other Stories Chunky Color Block ring. To the right is a Bulgari East-West diamond ring. What works for me is to find something I like, then let it lead me to something similar in style I can afford.

 

Coach, along with other purse designers, has trendy chains gracing their bags in their new fall collections. The Signature Chain Hobo bag on the left is available on the Coach outlet website, while the Hutton Shoulder bag on the right isn't yet.

I like the chunky chain look but won't go out of my way to buy it. Once the trend ends, it will look dated. Yet I wouldn't say no to the Pomella 18K gold bracelet, the Bulgari diamond ring, or the Hutton ... which leads me to ponder ... how do bloggers get on those luxury goods freebie lists? I'm an apt blogger who isn't on any such lists! At least, dear readers, you know my topics and product reviews are totally unbiased.
ASOS Fashion Union cardigan
Unlike chunky chains, the chunky sweater seems to be a wardrobe staple. Forever fashionable on a frigid fall day. As it happens, I like my sweaters soft and a bit fitted, yet also loose ... more oversized than tight. 
 
Will you be hopping on the chunky trend bandwagon?


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Monday, January 11, 2016

Shopping At Zara

Zara is the queen of fast fashion retailers. The style, quality and sheer volume of inventory beats competitors, such as H&M and Forever 21. Topshop is as designer inspired, but the apparel, accessories and shoes cost much more.

According to Forbes, Zara delivers new goods to it's 2000 stores (in 88 countries) twice a week and only takes 10 to 15 days for it to go from design stage into its retail shops. So if you need a new dress, trousers or coat browse often.
I have mixed feelings about fast fashion. I'm all for a wide selection of fashion-forward clothing at budget-friendly prices. Who doesn't appreciate modern, chic and edgy pieces for less? I just worry about over consumption. It is best to shop only when you truly need something and not because you're stressed, bored or depressed. Always shop with your head leading your heart.

Over the years, I've gotten very good at separating my needs from my wants. Now I tend to be an under buyer. But if I need something like a new blazer, winter hat or pair of boots, I do buy it when I see it at a good price.
So at Zara, get to know the various collections and focus on the styles you like. Read the labels and zero in on the fabrics you like. 

In general, the scarves are flattering, and the dresses are classy and up-to-the-minute. Jackets for both men and women are especially vogue: Although many are unlined and a blend of fabrics, Zara's blazers are substantial enough for the price. You can score a signature piece at an unbeatable value during frequent sales ... and that is the time to pounce!
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Tuesday, January 2, 2024

7 Things I Won't Buy Anymore


More and more I'm embracing minimalism. I try to buy what I need, not more than what I need. By owning less we can reduce clutter, simplify our lives, and gain freedom from having to work just to pay the bills. Living in Manhattan where apartments tend to be small helps me shop mindfully, but I too must resist temptation sometimes!

7 Things I Won't Buy Anymore Include:

1) Shoes & Clothes Like a Fashionista - Once upon a time I bought a motley of fashion-forward shoes and clothes that struck my fancy. Now I'm into a less is more mindset. I have a capsule of classic clothes that I wear over and over. Even my gala clothes I wear time and again. As long as I look polished, coordinated, and appropriate, I no longer care if I wear a dress multiple times. Outside of show business or a public person who delivers televised speeches, do people really remember what we wear? Probably not, and if so I really don't care if they do! 

2) Makeup Like A Fashion Model - When applying makeup I go for a little razzle-dazzle but overall I keep my cosmetics fairly natural. I strive to look my best, but I no longer experiment or try to create different looks. The best version of me (lines and all) is fine. Fortunately, superb drugstore brands like Maybelline, L'Oreal, Milani, and Drew Barrymore's Flower are examples of high-quality makeup that make spending on pricey luxe labels totally unnecessary today. I have more lipsticks than I remember buying so I plan to use up my lip colors before buying more.

3) Toilet Seats Like a Town & Country Socialite - I stopped overspending on a toilet seat. I keep it basic by buying the simple but adequate white wooden toilet seats from Home Depot. When workmen enter my bathroom and scratch the paint off my toilet seat by carelessly setting their toolbox on it, replacing it with a factory-new toilet seat is cheap. A basic, inexpensive wooden toilet seat looks great and lasts if you don't abuse it.

4) Sweets & Junk Food Like a 20-Something Year Old - I avoid the middle aisles of a supermarket and I rarely keep bags of my weakness -- salty food-like substances such as corn chips, tortilla chips, or potato chips at home. When out and about, I'll eat a portion of French fries or potato chips, something less likely to happen at home where family sizes of nacho tortilla chips torture me until the bag is empty!

When it comes to candy and sweets I'll have a portion outside of the home. As a rule, if I want cake or French fries at home I must make them from scratch myself. It takes more effort and you have to wait to eat them.

5) Cleaners Like a 20th Century Housekeeper - I clean mostly with white vinegar and water which I mix and keep in a spray bottle. I use the vinegar mixture to mop floors and treat most stains on rugs or upholstery. I scrub my toilet and bathroom fixtures with 3% hydrogen peroxide (which kills germs without removing the varnish off of surfaces like toilet seats). White vinegar combined with baking soda dissolves soap scum. Bleach, Ajax, and Bartenders' Friend are for periodic heavy-duty cleaning. I mix ammonia with water to make my own Windex to clean mirrors and glass. For food spots on clothes, I use dishwashing detergent containing OxiClean. These basic cleaners take care of most household jobs as effectively as more expensive commercial cleaners (which also come in fewer ounces so you must restock more often).

6) Gold Jewelry Like a Multi-Millionaire - This is more my fantasy than a former reality😁. Nonetheless in the past, I bought some fashion jewelry and was more tempted by fine jewelry than I am today. As with clothes and shoes, I have a capsule of fine jewelry and never buy fashion jewelry. The price of gold has risen so much that we no longer get enough for our money. We're charged an arm and a leg for flimsy gold chains and thin bangles. Just say no -- pass on buying expensive skimpy pieces. It's not good value for the money!

7) The Latest Gadgets Like a Techie - I keep my laptops, iPads, and cell phones until they cough and die. We'd go broke trying to keep up with updated gadgets. Every 6 months a new version comes out. As long as what I own works, I continue to use it. After it coughs and dies, I thoroughly enjoy owning the latest faster computer ... for what seems like 15 minutes before a newer model replaces it. Therefore I give up on keeping up!

I'm committed to becoming as much of a minimalist as makes sense. I like simplifying my life and capsule buying in every area of life. We only need enough, not more than enough!


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Saturday, March 19, 2022

Spring Fashion 2022: Cut Out Middles And Matchy-Matchy

Photo: Yahoo News

Although I don't go out of my way to dress trendy nowadays, I still follow what's new and in vogue and if I happen to have a piece in my closet which becomes a fad, I'll make an effort to wear it. You?

Two of several styles fashion editors tell us will become big this spring are (1) outfits consisting of 2 pieces exposing a bare midriff or waist; and (2) matchy-matchy outfits. Now I've always been somewhat of a matchy-matchy dresser stopping short of buying shoes and purses cut out of the exact same pattern as my dress. In the 1960s women often bought shoes and handbags that matched 100% in the exact leather and color; or fabric, texture, and pattern as one another ... so everything old becomes new again!

I think I could pull off a matchy-matchy top, trousers and blazer in the same solid color, it's when you wear patterns you must be careful not to overdo it. It can look juvenile. I also don't mind a little peek of a waist as it's not too revealing, especially in a warm climate.
Vintage matching shoes and bag

What are your thoughts on either fashion trend?


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Sunday, April 25, 2021

The Oscars 2021: Red Carpet Favorites

French Director Florian Zeller and his wife Marine Delterme

Yes, the Academy Awards is still in progress on television, but it never takes me long to pick my favorites. The telecast is subdued this year without a huge audience. Not much hype leading up to the awards either as nobody could go to the movies for over a year.

But the show must go on, and as you can see, I threw two stylish couples into the fashion mix -- French Bohemian chic 0n top and American elegance to close the blog.

Below are the dresses on my Oscars 2021 best list. There is nothing flashy or over-the-top this year. The attendees look classic and relatively comfortable. It reminds me of bygone days before stars hired stylists, and they wore their own clothes, although I'm fairly sure stylists and dressers were consulted. I'd call this year's outfits safe and lovely. 

As a non-celebrity, I never have a problem with safe, timeless fashion. If trading places, I'd go for pretty every time. We can't all be Cher or Billy Porter, nor should we try to be. Perhaps it would be one's only time before millions of viewers, and I'd want to look pretty, not like a Cher or Billy Porter wannabe. 


Director Lee Isaac Chung and wife Valerie Chung

Laura Dern is wearing Oscar de la Renta. Reese Witherspoon is in Christian Dior. Viola Davis is in an Alexander McQueen gown. Margot Robbie wears a floral Chanel dress. (All photos: British Vogue.)

So who did I miss? Do you have a favorite Oscar gown to either agree with or add?


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