ITSO . . . In the Style of . . . Diane Von Furstenberg

Character. Intelligence. Strength. Style. That makes beauty.

— Diane von Furstenberg (1946) Belgian fashion designer

Diane von Furstenberg started her fashion design career and became famous with her wrap dress. This orange 70s vintage example was retrieved on May 30, 2021 from Shopmodig.

Her silk jersey wrap dress was an influencer for me as I grew into adulthood. It was the seams on her dresses (or dresses like hers) I checked in my first job. I had to make sure every article of clothing that was put on the sales floor of the high-end dress shop (at least it was high-end in the mid-sized town I lived) was in faultless condition. I worked in the basement and checked for split seams, fabric flaws, sewing mistakes, dye irregularities, and print or stripe mismatches. Does anyone do that anymore?

People say I made the dress. Yes, I made the dress, but the dress made me.

- Diane von Furstenberg

Apparently, she originally created a wrap-around top with a matching skirt and that evolved into the dress. The DVF's wrap dress was born in 1973/1974 (depending on the source you read) when she arrived in New York with a suitcase full of jersey print wrap dresses. Asked why she invented this particular dress, she emphasized the ease of getting dressed and I would also suggest getting undressed. She has been quoted as saying:

If you are trying to slip out without waking a sleeping man, zips are a nightmare. Haven’t you ever tried to creep out of the room unnoticed the following morning? I’ve done that many times. 

Considering DVF's wrap dress has been used to symbolically represent the the rise of the women's movement in the 1970s, liberated women, and comfort and ease in workplace dressing, I find it has similarities to previous "house dress" patterns from an era that was not so liberated. Here's a wrap dress called "a 1949 Women's Wrap Around Brunch Coat" from the category of House Dresses in a Simplicity Vintage Sewing Pattern (Retrieved May 30, 2021 from Ecrater — 2845 https://www.ecrater.com/p/7216806/1949-womens-wrap-around-brunch-coat).

I remember my aunt having a blue floral wrap house dress just like the vintage Simplicity pattern. I feel certain that DVF, who was married to a prince (making her a princess although she lost that privilege with divorce) and who first designed a wrap-around top and a skirt was not influenced by a "house dress". However, DVF's wrap dress does look like a re-stylized, re-invented, shortened adaptation of the 1950s version. Has anyone ever had that thought before? It does appear like there's really nothing "new", simply revisited, modified, and revitalized with updated fabrics created for a new market audience and regenerated with a new "story". No matter the origin or motivation — it was brilliant.

Photo Source: Yahoo!Life This photo was retrieved May 30, 2021 from https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/diane-von-furstenberg-means-woman-140021841.html. Read the interview, Diane von Furstenberg on What it Means to be a 'Woman in Charge', by Nikara Johns, March 8, 2020

At 75, Diane von Furstenberg is still designing and still in charge. 

For me, the zipper issue is huge. I have one dress that has a side zipper - that's perfect. All the others have back zippers. Impossible if you are alone. With apologies to DVF, the ease of dressing gives the wrap dress a greater advantage than for the purpose of "sneaking out without waking a sleeping man".

Who, Where & What you were Wearing

 

Last night, around the dinner table, we created a game, "who, where, and what we ate". Some of the responses at our table were — "Angie & Jim, at their acreage, German roulade", "Nadia & Joel, Calgary, shrimp and grits" and "Lolita, Arcachon, oysters". 

Here, I have modified the game to do the same with clothing — "who was there, what were you doing, and what were you wearing". "The girls, a bonfire while camping, warm thick sweaters and jeans", "the sisters, cleaning mom's house, stained t-shirt and leggings", "colleagues, retirement party, beige Lida Biday suit & Jimmy Choos" (in the photo). 

Let's see . . . what else? Angelica, Danielle and I — having dinner in the garden in Port Ste. Foy — all three of us in black and white Breton stripes.

Me — Fashion Fur Ladies Wear — my first designer purchase, a knit dress by Louis Féraud.

Me — my Masters convocation — my first Armani suit purchased at Holt Renfrew in Edmonton. Unfortunately, this also brings back memories of me at my heaviest. 

The skirt has been reworked into a pencil skirt from its former tulip skirt self.

Even though the jacket fits a little more loosely, it is so well tailored, I can still wear it and do.

Another adaptation that would be fun —the place, the event, and the shoes. "Winners in Prince Albert — going to Chad & Alyssa's condo at Elk Ridge — bought beige Havaianas flip flops".

My husband and I — after a picnic on the banks of the Dordogne — barefeet.

Let's play . . . hit the comments and tell me: Who was there? What were you doing? What were you wearing?

Best Dressed Lists - No Thanks

For the most part, best dressed lists do not mean much to me. Who makes those "best dressed" lists? It doesn't seem to have anything to do with being well-dressed but rather who you are and where you go and where you are seen.

Recently I perused Calgary's Avenue magazine featuring their best dressed choices. The clothing and accessories ranged from a blouse from Urban Outfitters, a dress bought from a consignment online store, the-upside.ca, shoes purchased at Aldo and Chanel, items from Holt Renfrew and the Bay to earrings bought at the Women in Need Society Thrift Store. The NICE in this list was the variety and range of clothing. High-end designers were visible but not on everyone illustrated. The ages ranged from 20/30 somethings to 50+somethings. There were four men and seven women, and one couple which actually made it the 11 Best Dressed in Calgary for 2017. Although I appreciated the variety and neutrality of clothing bought at Urban Outfitters and the Bay, I didn't see the "best" in this list. If this is the "best", the eccentric meets "the best" criteria as well as the mediocre. I do commend those who mix the likes of H&M and designer choices in one ensemble.

Harper's Bazaar has a weekly best dressed list. Weekly? This weekly best dressed list again smacks of mediocrity and only focuses on celebrities that need the media attention. I suppose Harper's plays the role but really identifying people who they claim to be best dressed when they are simply dressed has lessened my opinion this endeavour. With that, the weekly Harper's best dressed list has gotten old for me. Like I said, it's a dressed list but not necessarily a "best" dressed list. It is just like any other posting of what a particular celebrity is wearing in a particular week.

The judgement required to value someone as best dressed is so subjective it can not be worth anything to anyone. It may have some entertainment value but in my opinion that is all. Perhaps, if there was a rationale by the adjudicator of what and why he or she considered the clothing the best or why the person who is wearing the clothing should be so designated. 

My mother's words come back to haunt me - If you are going to be critical, be prepared to provide a better "widget", idea or plan of action.

OK mom, I now have no other choice but to start working on this blog's 2017 Best Dressed List or perhaps a Well Dressed List. Yes that's it, A Well Dressed List.

Best dressed lists - still a NO THANKS - but now maybe a Well-Dressed List can replace the "best".

A Max Mara Experience: What a Gift!

I have a friend with whom I love shopping. It seems that we gravitate to similar brands, even similar colours and we enjoy each other's commentary about design, price points and service. Unfortunately she lives about a six hour drive from me and so we do not have regular shopping dates, but rather, if we are lucky, an annual excursion. 

Years ago I remember a visit to a consignment store with her, where there was a Max Mara dress and long jacket ensemble. This was a time when I was teaching in a public school and she was working on her Masters with plans of establishing herself with a financial institution. We were the same size although she is taller than I. The navy Max Mara dress was perfect for either one of us, however, she thought it might be a bit short for her. She deferred to me and I bought it. It was the perfect length for me. I still have it. I still wear it. 

I do love Max Mara and look for the brand in consignment shops, on sale while at Holt Renfrew and in factory outlet stores when I am in Europe. My friend also loves Max Mara and shops in upscale and designer storefronts wherever she is in the world. Life is good.

Max Mara Plum Jacket Photo Source: JoyD Creations

Last week she came to visit and to make a long story a tad shorter, she gifted me with a Max Mara jacket. She bought it for herself but it spent more time in her closet than on her and so she decided to offer it to me. It happened to be a bit too short for her. Our shopping history may have some repetitive features. It turns out it's the perfect length for me. It does have a belt however I find with the belt, the proportion is not right. The fabric is rather thick and it bunches at the waist where I prefer not to have fabric bunching. There is an ever so slight swing action happening and I do love that style.

At first, I found myself hesitating; calculating how much it cost her; how much she might get at a consignment shop; and should I offer her compensation and how much; or would I offend her if I offered too little . . . I finally just said "thank you and I love it". 

ITSO . . . In the Style of . . . Carolina Herrera

Photo Source: BusinessOfFashion

NICE

My favourite Carolina Herrera look is a pencil skirt with a white shirt. Actually it is the white shirt that is her trademark.

I love the look of the slightly upturned collar and the 3/4 length sleeve. Whether comfortable casual at leisure or business casual and covered with a jacket, the white shirt works and it is so, in the style of Carolina Herrera. 

On redbookmag.com Herrera offers Rules for Perfectly Simple Style" and rule #2 is that the white shirt is a "vital" item. She advises that with trousers, a man style fit is acceptable, but with a pencil skirt, it should be fitted. She also claims that for her the white shirt is like a "security blanket". Rule #5 is that "accessories make the outfit" and so it has to be if you are wearing a lot of white shirts and black bottoms. 

Elegance isn't solely defined by what you wear. It's how you carry yourself, how you speak, what you read. 

- Carolina Herrera 

Her Spring 2017 collection is predominantly black and white, with a few florals and metallics to break things up a bit and of course, she comes out to take a bow at the end in a white shirt and black skirt. Predictable yes, but always elegant and dependable. 

Fashion has always been a repetition of ideas, but what makes it new is the way you put it together. 

- Carolina Herrera

She has said many things in respect to clothing and fashion that I truly believe and so I shall respectfully leave the last words to her . . . Thank-you Carolina Herrera, we need to hear those words.

Always choose style over fashion: wear something that makes you look beautiful. 

Attention to detail is of utmost importance when you want to look good. 

It's important to find what really suits who you are, because style isn't only what you wear, it's what you project. 

Melania Looked Fabulous

Michelle Obama and Melania Trump on
Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017
Photo Source: Daily Mail

No one can deny how lovely Melania Trump looked for the inauguration. And we can thank Ralph Lauren for providing the pastel blue sheath and bolero. The gloves and shoes matched the outfit perfectly and I haven't seen that kind of match-matchy since I was in Europe. Even though I'm one of those who like that sort of thing, I recognize that there are probably many more who don't and I deliberately work at not matching perfectly in my own outfits when I am in Canada. In France, I do become more matching conscious.

Maybe Donald should have chosen a pastel blue tie to match Melania's outfit. Now there's a 1970's moment! At least that would have shook things up a bit in opposition to his usual red tie, power suit look.

Lauren has dressed many first ladies and many of them for their husbands' inaugurations so I'm not joining in on the criticism of him for choosing to design for this particular first lady. I read in the New York Times that Lauren chose to dress Mrs. Trump out of "respect for the office". I get that. After all this is the fifth first lady upon whom he will have had the privilege to feature his work.

Photo Source: A.G. Nauia Couture

It has been reported by major news agencies that Melania Trump looks to Jacqueline Kennedy as a mentor and model. But of course.

The suit Jacqueline Kennedy wore to her husband's inauguration was designed by Oleg Cassini and it too was in a pastel blue. Notice as well that she is wearing opera-length gloves. Because Melania chose pastel blue and chose classic and chose the gloves as well, I can't see that she will ever be acknowledged for determining her own fashion sense but rather she will be seen as a reflection of Mrs. Kennedy no matter what she decides to wear. She stopped short of the pillbox hat and that was a good thing. But I do admit copying Jacqueline Kennedy's style is not a bad thing. 

However, it may represent yet another situation in which she is unable to think for herself. Remember the words she chose to incorporate in a speech that she had taken from a talk that Michelle Obama presented previously. You can read here what the Huffington Post wrote about that.

But I digress . . . 

Photo Source: Vanity Fair

Ralph Lauren was a popular choice. Not only was Melania Trump choosing to wear his designs but Lauren also provided the white pantsuit that Hillary Clinton decided to wear to the inauguration. I probably would have rather seen Clinton be inaugurated but I don't know if the fashion world would have been ready for a resurgence of the "pantsuit". 

Now we will wait and see: Will Melania come into her own as the first lady? And how long will it take before her husband becomes impeached? Will she wear a peach pantsuit to his impeachment? I'd like to see that. 

Lucian Matis . . . a Canadian Designer

Lucian Matis is an artisan through socialization and environment, an accomplished designer by natural inclination and talent, and a Canadian via emigration from Romania in 1999. He represents the positive vibrations of what it means to be transplanted and flourish in a new location. He's blooming and so are his creations.

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau in a
Lucian Matis dress
standing beside Michelle Obama.
Photo Source: Global News

The self-confident women who wear his designs radiate the poise many women aspire to. (See the celebrities wearing Lucian Matis designs.) 

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, the wife of Canada's prime minister is of course my favourite. It is as if he is designing just for her, yet I can imagine myself in this orchid accentuated dress.

As I began writing this post, I realized that I became acquainted with this designer through television in 2008. It was Project Runway Canada (no longer produced) that introduced Lucian Matis to Canada and it is now a pleasure to read about his well deserved accomplishments.

The future appears to be unfolding in miraculous ways for Lucian Matis, for Canada's reputation in fashion design and for us. There are beautiful dresses and as two January 6th Twitter and Facebook messages tell us, soon to be functional and perfect handbags. 

I am pleased to write that business is good for this Canadian designer. (You can shop online at Lucian Matis.)

Sophie (and Justin)

With a new American first lady about to make her way into the White House on January 20th, 2017 (or maybe she won't want to live below her means), it will be interesting to see how she fulfills the role and what she will be wearing as she does it. The wife of the prime minister of Canada does not have the duties imposed upon her that the "first lady" of the United States does. Even though there are no official duties "required" of her, there are expectations and she does not have a support staff to help her as does her American counterpart. If Sophie wants to be philanthropic, she has to manage the three kids and make her own arrangements. She has been criticized by the press for alluding to the fact that she is not given extra support. Expectations are high for both roles but the management is quite different. 

NICE

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has a beautiful, natural and well-respected presence on the international stage and it is reassuring, from a fashion blog perspective, that she has also taken to promoting Canadian designers (in the same way Kate Middleton has in the UK). In fact back in March of 2016 when the Trudeaus were hosted by the Obamas, both women wore Canadian designs to the state dinner. Michele Obama wore a gown by Jason Wu, who grew up in Vancouver and Sophie wore a design by Lucian Matis. 

Photo Source: Global News

The Trudeaus have style and when I am at social events in France, there is always someone who comments on their good looks, their style and their relationship. One Belgian even said to me, "you should be proud" and I guess I was and am. 

So what is Sophie wearing?

2012, before Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister

The Trudeaus. Photo Source: HuffingtonPost

2015, Sophie in Erdem Moralioglu when Justin Trudeau was sworn in as Prime Minister

Photo Source: Huffington Post

2016, at the Canada Day celebrations - How can you not love her? By the way, the red jumpsuit is a design by Lucian Matis . . . again . . . nice.

Photo Source: Huffington Post

There are many beguiling photos of her online and it's worth the time to search for "Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and Canadian designers" to see what she is wearing. Have fun!

Max Mara - what an opportunity!

Closet Content Analysis: Unexpected Find #2

NEW and NICE

Max Mara Camel Hair Trousers
Photo Source: Lyst

The liquidation sale of the Max Mara store on Cours de L'Attendance in Bordeaux began April 20th and will continue to June 20th, 2016. I had no idea about the liquidation but needed to go to Bordeaux to buy coffee at the Nespresso store. I had to walk past Max Mara and there it was, a "liquidation" storefront. Unfortunate that the location is going out of business but I got lucky. Max Mara makes a particular camel hair pair of pants that are classic. As my friend Aiden Joelle can attest, I have been trying to replace a pair of camel trousers for the past three years. I have told her that if she sees them in my particular size, just buy them and I will gladly reimburse with interest. It never happened.

The key was to think "winter" even though it was May. It was obvious that the store was liquidating last year's stock from summer, fall and winter. What luck! I found the trousers that have eluded me for the past three years.

There is advantage to having a "replacement clothing" list and being prepared to buy off-season. I can now check off the camel trousers. My next "discount" shopping trip will be to Romans-sur-Isere where I hope to cross off more "classics" on my list - navy blazer, royal blue Lancel purse, white shirt. Marques Avenue is not as good as liquidation but it is a darn sight better than designer storefront retail.

ITSO . . . In the Style of . . . Judith Richardson

Nice

Teenflo top under Lida Baday suit, 2011.
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Necklace: JoyD.

Charles Le Pierrès and Judith Richardson first started their design life for women's wear twenty years ago under the brand Teenflo but have since morphed into Judith & Charles. Of course, I am enamoured because theirs is a Canadian brand with an international reputation. The name change was necessary since the word "teen" is not what one is looking for when one is in "classic" buying mode. However, a young sales associate at Holt Renfrew in Calgary brought me a top that was perfect with the suit I purchased. It's the cowl neck off-white top in the photo with the Lida Baday suit. It carried the name, Teenflo, in 2011. Even then I found the classic styling and the name incongruous. By the time the Spring Collection for 2012 was ready, the company was rebranded into Judith and Charles. Smart move.

Judith Richardson and Charles LaPierres of Judith & Charles.
Photo Source: Vancouver Sun

The clothing they produce reflects the style of Judith Richardson because every piece I see on a model, I also envision on Judith Richardson.

In 2014, Michele Marko in the Vancouver Sun, summarized Charles LaPierrès' description of the clothes they make in the following way: 

La Pierrès describes their collections as chic modern or modern sophisticated, an esthetic that fits their working woman and stylish urbanite clientele. He’d rather not use the word classic which for him evokes stodginess.

“The pieces are very subtle. They keep evolving. They’re very fresh,” he says. But he acknowledges there is also a timeless quality to them. 

(Retrieved April 12, 2016 from the Vancouver Sun)

His description of the line sounds pretty "classic" but for me the last thing classic connotes is "stodgy". I also see the clothing as "adaptable" which doesn't sound very appealing either. I can see a 20, 35 or 60 year old wearing many of their pieces. So, yes, it is definitely "modern sophisticated" or "chic modern" or any one of those three . . . modern, chic and sophisticated. And that top I bought in 2011 can still be worn in 2016 with the feelings of modern, chic and sophisticated.

Photo Source: Judith & Charles 
This collage was made using http://PhotoCollage.com

Sameness Encourages Differences

I love looking at the results of my blog visitors by country. It is exciting to imagine who, from where and how visitors come upon my website. Whether by accident or by design, it doesn't matter. It just proves how small the world is when we factor in the world wide web.

Jolie and Pitt in Yves St. Laurent tuxedos. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Source: HollywoodTake. Retrieved February 25, 2015

And so it is when we dress. We can all potentially dress the same because designers of world wide renown can be used as the standard in what is the epitome of expenditure in our closets. The majority of the modern western world recognizes Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and so on. Two people on either side of the globe can buy the exact same latest Armani suit but how they wear it and with what is where the differences begin. Angelina Jolie is going to wear the same suit or tuxedo a whole lot differently than me or her husband!

Kate Hudson, American actress and Lily Allen, English singer/actress
in Louis Vuitton. Photo Source: Acid Cow Retrieved February 25, 2015

We have evolved socially and historically, from when dress demonstrated which village, which district, which geographical area you were a resident of and to which social strata you belonged. We are now more individualistic, more democratic and more global since we live and work all over the world. That being said, from the "sameness" individual differences develop. 

Interestingly, because of worldwide designer availability and a more democratic access to designers, the unfortunate might happen, at the same event no less.

Photo Source: The Mirror: Fashion Faux Pas as Wedding Guest Turns up to Ceremony in Same Coat as Kate Middleton.
Featured in the article by Richard Hartley-Parkinson. Retrieved February 25, 2015

What are you wearing?

If you take the time to comment, please let me know what part of the world you are commenting from.

Fashion Design Copies

I have often wondered how it is that designers can survive financially, considering all the copying that happens in their industry. In fact, it is because of the ability to copy that the fashion industry is as successful as it actually is. I only realized this after listening to Johanna Blakely's Ted Talk, Lessons from Fashion's Free Culture. It also gave me a new appreciation for designers who emblazon designer logos on their products. I have criticized logo-laden products in a previous post without knowing the point of view of the designer label. In a nutshell, designers have copyright protection for their logo but not for their designs. The basic reason for no design protection is that clothing is considered a necessary utilitarian commodity and therefore needs to be exempt from limitations so that manufacturers can produce clothing for the masses. After all, a shirt is a shirt and a pullover sweater is simply that.

Brian D in black patent Tory Burch Revas.

Johanna Blakely made me appreciate two things. First, I now understand why it is that designers strategically place their logos on their products. I have a new appreciation for Tory Burch's Reva flats and I take back any criticism I have ever made about overtly placed designer logos. The second is that it is the freedom to copy which drives those who create and ultimately make money.

Toward the end of the TedTalk, she illustrates the monetary statistics of those industries who are bound by copyright and those who are not.

Yet I appreciate the concept of copyright, particularly in the business of writing and particularly when my authorship is acknowledged.  

Sport Influencing Fashion . . . or Not

With the "Tour de France", Maubourguet Pays du Val d'Adour to Bergerac (Stage 19) on Friday, July 25th and Stage 20, moving from Bergerac to Périgueux on Saturday, July 26th, (Bergerac is just 18 km away from where I live and the course to Périgueux is 54 km), there are two factions of spectators represented by my neighbours: those who want to be right there for the twenty-second (?) ride-by, or the Bergerac finish or the start-up; and then those who will be watching it on television.

Photo Source: Voler

Those on the highways and biways with their bikes at any other time are acknowledged as serious cyclists by the clothing they are wearing. In France, cycling apparel is professional and brand loyal from the top of your aero-cycling-helmet-clad head to your carbon-pro-race-cycling shoes. Teams and clubs are identifiable by their colours as in any other sport. Sport apparel seldom, if ever, crosses over to street wear in France. If you do see someone wearing sport specific clothing on the street, without actually participating in the sport, then it's probably a tourist.

It may not be what the cyclists are wearing that influences fashion around the Tour de France but rather what the fashionable are wearing when involved with the Tour de France. Kate Middleton chose green to start the wheels rolling on July 5th, 2014 . . . and you can find loads of sites featuring the Duchess of Cambridge wearing her "Allie" coat from Erdem's pre-fall 2013 collection. Erdem Moralioglu is the designer and the name behind the mark established in 2005 (retrieved July 23, 2014). She wore the same Erdem coat in April, 2014 while on tour in New Zealand. There's a reassuring quality in the "wear it once" world of fashion when Kate Middleton chooses to wear the same coat to two separate public events.

Be that as it may . . . back to the Tour de France . . . as with many sporting events, I think I'll choose to watch it on TV, as I have been, no matter how close it comes to me.

Stylish on a Budget

Double, double, toil and trouble, 

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.  

- the witches from Shakespeare's Macbeth

With apologies to Shakespeare . . . I have adapted the phrase to suit those of us who need to watch what we are spending on clothing.

Thoil, thoil, mark-up double 

Designers spurned; avoiding trouble.

- adapted by JoyD from Shakespeare's Macbeth 

 

"Thoil" is my latest new word. Wiktionary tells us that thoil means to be able to justify the expense of a purchase. 

"I loved those Manolo Blahnik's but I couldn't thoil them in addition to my new Theory pants and blazer." 

We probably need to say "I can't thoil that!" more often than we do! I had set a clothing budget and of course, I have overspent my assigned February clothing allowance owing to a friend's recommendation and visit to Holt Renfrew and Tory Burch. We can always blame our friends if we can't take responsibility for our own selves.

New

Tory Burch Riding Boots. Photo by JoyD.

Tory Burch brown leather riding boots - regular $545.00 (Cdn) on sale (taxes in) $251.00 (Cdn.) purchased at the Tory Burch boutique (Chinook Centre) in Calgary, Alberta on February 17th. Good deal!

The witches of Macbeth inspire me to continue . . . 
Stilletto of Jimmy Choo,
In the shopping bag, first of queue 
Theory pants and Armani top
Burberry trench, do not stop
Tory Burch boots, Minkoff bags
Caroline Herrara dress so nags
Chanel suit, and shoes to match
Earrings, cuffs, add to the batch
For the charm of economic trouble
Like a hell-broth thoil then rubble.

- Adapted by JoyD with apologies to the witches, MacBeth & Shakespeare

Shopping in Paris

I took a five day layover in Paris before returning to Canada and spent some time at Galleries Lafayette on Saturday morning. I soon became disgusted with the crowds and the overburdened sales personnel. I made it to Bon Marché in the afternoon and service there seemed better. Actually you can't blame the service personnel for their short responses and their inattentiveness since most have to be suffering from "tourist fatigue". I left without buying anything at either department store, although I did try on several sweaters. Galleries Lafayette had a sale, which also is becoming more common. There once was a time when there were only ever two sales per year in France, one in January and one in July, both required by French law. Now very often you see the "soldes/sale" signs as often as you do in North America.

Shopping in Paris can be invigorating and satisfying or just plain frustrating therefore to accomplish the best Parisian shopping experience, you might want to try a few of my suggestions:

NEED: Have a list of the items you want to buy in the price ranges you want to spend. This year I had two particular things on my list: a bulky knit pullover in a creamy pink and a pair of camel straight leg trousers. If you go with no particular item or items in your head you will soon become overwhelmed with the choices. Don't worry, your list will not limit you, there is plenty to see and divert your attention even when you are shopping for specifics. When I was working full time in my profession, I knew exactly what I needed; now it's not so easy - I don't really need anything.

With that in mind, shoes, scarves and handbags are the easiest to buy. Clothing takes more time and effort in the fitting rooms.

NOTE-WORTHY: Visit the designer shops and the ones in the department stores such as Galleries Lafayette, Printemps and Bon Marché for the perfect opportunity to get a cross-section of what the trends are for the moment. If you can afford to buy, then make your way to the luxury brand signature stores. If the luxury brands are not worth it in your estimations, then make your way to the less expensive marks in the department stores with the ideas you garnered from the designer looks.

Language and attitude sometimes make tourists reticent to visit the small boutiques. Don't deprive yourself of this opportunity. The shop owners want to sell and you are a potential buyer - you have the upper hand. Or just window shop for ideas.

NECESSARY: Remember that you are paying a Value Added Tax of approximately 19.7% on the clothing and luxury items you purchase. As a tourist you can get that back if you spend €175. or more in one store on the same day so be strategic in your buying. You have to ask for the tax back form and the store personnel will fill it out for you. And remember your passport - that number and proof that you live elsewhere is necessary for the form. I wrote about this on the Paying Duty post. 

I did buy from a shop called Sandro in the Marais. The "form" came from the cash register in the same format as the receipt. Now I don't know if all shops have this capability but this is definitely an innovation, making the process easier for both the shops and the consumer.

NICE: If you see it and like it, buy it. That is the first rule of travel. If you are in Paris as a tourist wanting to get some shopping done, you may not have the time to indulge in looking around and then returning to where you first saw something. I have been in the situation where by the time I returned to the shop, it was closed and I was leaving before it would be opened again. Be happy with your purchases, don't second guess the cost and enjoy wearing your Parisian "souvenir/s".

And if you leave Paris with nothing new in your suitcase (although I doubt that), you will leave a little more cognizant of what is chic and what is trendy, helping you spend your tourist/closet dollars at home.

Skinny Pants

Choices: Last season's sale items at Holt Renfrew vrs. Costco 

New (Purchased over the last 6 weeks)
Note-Worthy      No Thanks     Need    

I've purchased three pairs of skinny pants in the past six weeks; two were on sale at Holt Renfrew and one pair was a Costco purchase - each in three different Canadian cities. Skinny pants are my alternative to short shorts. As to weather considerations, a loose pair of linen pants or a gauzy lightweight dress/shift would be better in hot weather than short shorts anyway. It's an age thing.

Retrieved from Lyst on March 27, 2013.

The dark taupe Theory pair were purchased at Holt Renfrew in Edmonton, Alberta at the sale cost of $149.00 (plus 5% GST) at the beginning of February. The original cost was $225.00. Theory was founded in 1997 by Andrew Rosen in New-York but is now a Japanese owned company. Clothing from Theory has defined "the modern contemporary category". According to the publicity statements, "exceptional fit, high-quality fabrics, and sleek silhouettes for both men and women have made Theory designs go-to staples in stylish closets around the globe". The starting retail prices are about $200.00 for pants. My favourite way of wearing my dark taupe Theory pants through the last of the snow is with a pair of flat knee-high boots and a black lightweight merino wool top. For work I put a black blazer on and it feels perfect.

Retrieved from Hudson Jeans on March 27, 2013.

I paid $99.00 (plus British Columbia HST of 12%) for these Leeloo super skinny cropped Hudson "bone white" pair with black side stripe at Holt Renfrew in Vancouver. They were originally priced at $198.00 but I bought them for $99.00 on March 19th. On the Hudson website I found them at a sale price of $119.00. They look more white in this photo than the beige I see in real life.

Nice:  My favourite of the two are the Theory pair. They feel the best, they sit the best and the dark taupe is my new beige. 

Need: I intend to find a floral top or a striped scarf including a matching taupe accent to lighten and brighten the Theory skinny pants for spring, 2013.

Note-Worthy 1:  Even though the cropped Hudson pair don't fit or sit as well as the Theory pair and they feel like they are "falling down" (but of course I only found this out after wearing them for a day), I do like the look. As well because stripes are such a strong trend this spring, I still am glad I bought them. 

Need:  A belt to keep my Hudson Leeloo cropped pants up!

Note-Worthy 2:  I bought a beige pair of skinny pants for a Costco purchase of $24.99. Of all, these are the easiest to wear and certainly fall into that "comfortable casual" category since they have no front or side zippers, except to act as fake pocket closures, and are simply a pull-on. What's note-worthy is that when I wear any one of the three, the "look" is essentially the same. Alfred Sung is a Canadian designer who is responsible for the Club Monaco label (with Saul and Joe Mimran - of Joe Fresh fame).

What shoes to wear with skinny pants: 

Professional stylists tend to put heels with skinny pants and I have done that. In the winter, flat or heeled boots are so perfect but in the summer, the ballet flat is my preference.

Care for cotton based clothing with elasticine or polyesters: 
The Theory label suggests the need for drycleaning. Yet the content of the Theory pants are over 60% cotton with nylon and elasticine. Sticking that drycleaning label on their clothing is a default action to defray any liability for fabric destruction by customers. Essentially they don't trust us to know how to care and clean our clothing. For the most part, when it comes to pants, the only ones I dryclean are those that are 100% wool (or the majority percentage is wool) and could be described as "dress pants" or "suit pants" - professional pressing and cleaning is a combination I cannot duplicate for those pants. The Hudson pants are 90% cotton and the Alfred Sung Costco pants are polyester and elasticine. Their labels both suggest a delicate cold water machine wash with similar colours, hanging to dry or tumble dry and ironing with a low iron if needed. If your iron has a "synthetics" setting, that would be considered "low". The Alfred Sung pants appear not to need any ironing and I would modify the "ironing" to inside out on the Theory and Hudson pants. I just washed the Theory pants, nothing bad happened and they look fine.

One of the reasons I iron my pants inside out is to prevent that "shine" which occurs when your iron is too hot for the fabric composition. To be on the safe side, anything that has nylon, elasticine or spandex in it should be ironed inside out. My guess is that the nylon, etc. has a lower melting point and those fibres will melt and create the shine. I may be wrong but it's a thought. Some will suggest using an ironing cloth, a cotton or linen piece to place on the fabric you are ironing so that the iron does not touch the clothing item directly. Good use for an old linen shirt or cotton t-shirt.

Another inside out ironing tip is to iron the zipper area and the seams open flat (if they aren't stitched together that is). This provides a flat finished look rather than the crumple you sometimes see at the seams or zippers.