1990’s Express lavender button down
Style’d with…
Calvin Klein satin blazer
New York & Company satin pants
Nicholas Kirkwood heels
Aldo bag
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Vintage Style’d: 90’s Express Button-Down
Category Archives: Fashion
Kentucky Derby Hats: The History Behind the Fashion
A few years ago my friends and I went on a girls’ trip to the Kentucky Derby. During the race, there was a crazy woman standing in the infield screaming “You’re all winners!!!” at the horses as they sped around the track. That crazy woman was me.
Truth be told, I don’t care for horse racing or any sport that exploits animals for entertainment. And while I’m not a fan of the Kentucky Derby itself (too many horses dying) – I do love the fashion. In fact, I think they should do away with the horse race altogether and just make it one big drunken fashion show where everyone struts around the track in their best hats!
It rained when we attended the Derby in 2019, so our hats were not just fashion statements. They protected us from a very bad hair day. As you can tell from the photos below, the rain certainly didn’t stop us from having a blast. Or maybe we’d just had one too many mint juleps.
As a vintage collector, curator, and seller, I wanted to understand the history of the Derby hat and how it became such an iconic fashion statement. So I went straight to the Kentucky Derby’s official site, which provided most of the details and photos for my research.
Here’s what I found.
Kentucky Derby hat styles through the decades
The 1870s
The first Kentucky Derby took place in 1875. This was the beginning of the “gilded age” in fashion.
The wide-brimmed and elaborately styled hats worn at the inaugural race would have been constructed of straw with satin and velvet trim and decorated with feathers.
The 1900s
In the decades that followed the first run for the roses, fashion became more streamlined and simple.
Kentucky Derby hats for women retained their wide brims and satin ribbons, but the extravagant plumes and feathers were absent.
The 1920s
The roaring 20s introduced “flapper” style and the popular bell-shaped cloche hat. (Cloche being the French word for “bell.”)
With its simple design and low brim, the cloche was definitely the most understated style of hats in Kentucky Derby fashion history.
The 1930s
Hats remained small in the 1930s, but the brim was lifted and many were worn tilted at an angle, paving the way for the popular pillbox styles.
Plumes and feathers returned as did wide satin and velvet ribbon trims.
The 1940s
In the 1940s, turbans and snoods became popular as the original “bad hair day” coverup during wartime, when women were working in the factories and money for regular hair appointments was tight.
Certain materials like felt and straw were scarce, so trimmings such as flowers, ribbons, feathers, and netting were used in greater quantities to construct larger-looking hats that influenced Kentucky Derby style in the late 40s.
The 1950s
Post World War II, the fashion industry longed for a return to glamour.
When Christian Dior launched his “New Look” collection in the late 40s, saucer and cartwheel hats became as popular as the new look itself, as they were quite complementary to the wider style skirts and dresses.
The 1960s
Wider brimmed hats became popular again in the 60s thanks to the floppy styles worn by the hippies and beatnik generation.
Whether adorned with a bouquet of flowers or a single satin bow, these Derby hats were a throwback to the original 1800s versions.
The 1970s
Both the hems on the pants and the brims on the hats got wider in the 70s.
Floppy hats continued to be popular throughout the decade, appearing at the Derby with wide brims and wide trims in satin and silk fabrics.
The 1980s
The only thing that got smaller in the 1980s when it comes to fashion were the hats.
While big shoulder pads and big hair were the trends of the decade, it was just the bright neon colors of the 80s that made it into the overall hat designs.
The 1990s
When I think of hat styles in the 1990s, I think of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and I also think of Princess Diana.
The hats of the 90s were definitely a flashback to the wider brims and more elegant styles of the 1950s and 60s.
The 2000s
Reality stars descended on the Derby during the 2000s, bringing much more attention to the fashion and the race itself.
While the clothing got smaller and the waistlines dropped lower, the hats definitely got bigger and brighter.
The 2010s
Okay, so my best friend Missy and I got in at the very end of the decade here in 2019.
The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 made the fascinator hat fascinating again. I actually ordered this hat from Amazon and Missy wore this beautiful cream and black hat from my vintage shop.
So while Derby hats have changed throughout the decades, there are two things about Derby style that remain the same: creativity and individuality. My advice for dressing for any outdoor formal event is to start with the hat and build your entire look around it. Start at the top and the rest of the look will follow.
And let’s hope they either find a way to make horse-racing 100% safe and beneficial for the horses, or do away with it altogether. Fashion is fun. Animal abuse is abhorrent.
Check out some of the vintage hats available at Shop Stylaphile
The Top 5 Spring 23 Fashion Trends
What’s old is definitely new again.
Current fashion trends are always a throwback to previous decades. For Spring 2023, the trending styles are all about the 50s (polka dots), the 60s (mod florals and bright yellow), and the 70s (sequins and pleats).
So if you’re planning your spring outfits or buying spring clothing, here are some of the trends that were all over the runways this season, along with a flashback to their vintage counterparts.
Spring Fashion Trend #1: Polka Dots
Left: Chanel Spring 2023 (Vogue Runway) | Right: Vintage (Unbranded)
SHOP VINTAGE POLKA DOTS AT SHOP STYLAPHILE
SHOP SPRING ’23 POLKA DOTS
Spring Fashion Trend #2: Sequins
Left: Simkhai Spring 2023 (Vogue Runway) | Right: Vintage 90s Sequin Skater Dress
SHOP VINTAGE SEQUINS AT SHOP STYLAPHILE
SHOP SPRING ’23 SEQUINS
Spring Fashion Trend #3: Pleats
Left: Altuzarra Spring 2023 (Vogue Runway) | Right: Vintage Pleated Skirt (Unbranded)
SHOP VINTAGE PLEATS AT SHOP STYLAPHILE
SHOP SPRING ’23 PLEATS
Spring Fashion Trend #4: Yellow
Left: Monique Lhullier Spring 2023 | Right: Vintage 1970s Maxi Dress (Unbranded)
SHOP VINTAGE YELLOW AT SHOP STYLAPHILE
SHOP SPRING ’23 YELLOW
Spring Fashion Trend #5: Florals
Left: Lela Rose Spring 2023 (Neiman Marcus) | Right: Vintage 1960s Adele Simpson Maxi Dress
SHOP VINTAGE FLORALS AT SHOP STYLAPHILE
SHOP SPRING ’23 FLORAL
Like this post? Share it or leave a like or comment below! You can also check out these previous vintage fashion stories…
13 Going on 30 Outfits
Thirty, flirty and thriving.
While I’ll never be 30 again (nor do I want to), I certainly felt flirty and thriving while putting together these looks from one of my favorite movies. Jennifer Garner is an absolutely joy in this film. The entire cast is actually. Judy Greer’s “Tom Tom” to Garner’s Jenna Rink is a frenemies match made in movie heaven. (The fact that they’re best friends IRL makes it even better.) Even the soundtrack to this movie rocks. I mean, The Go-Gos, Rick Springfield, Pat Benatar, Billy Joel? Come on!
But the real star of this movie to me is the fashion. Costume Designer Susie DeSanto (who also did the costumes for Hope Floats and Miss Congeniality) succeeds in making us all nostalgic for the early aughts. Slip dresses, Fendi baguettes, pastel cardigans, and butterfly motifs were all the rage. I wore them all when I first moved to New York City in 2000.
And while the Jenna-Rink-Versace-dress-look has become a popular Halloween costume, many of the other outfits are just as fashionable today as they were back then. Here’s a look back at some of the best outfits from 13 Going on 30. (And if you haven’t seen it, or haven’t seen it in a while, do yourself a favor and watch it. Again. You can watch the full movie online here.)
The Slip Dress
Vintage Nanette Lepore Coat (slip brand unknown)
GET THE LOOK
The Closet Scene
GET THE LOOK
THAT Dress
Versace dress & Tarina Tarantino butterfly necklace (The necklace I’m wearing is Betsey Johnson)
GET THE LOOK
The Polka Dot Dress (that’s only seen for a split second)
Moschino or Marc Jacobs dress (I think!) & the bag is either Prada or Fendi (couldn’t find an exact match)
GET THE LOOK
The Lace-Up Blouse
Moschino blouse and vintage yellow skirt (she later wears this skirt with a Ralph Lauren strapless corset top)
GET THE LOOK
The Black Leather Jacket
I think the dress is Roberto Cavalli but not sure about the jacket
GET THE LOOK
The Chop Sticks
Christian Dior Corset Bag (not sure who made the jacket & pants)
GET THE LOOK
The Chloe Ribbon Blouse
Chloe blouse & skirt
GET THE LOOK
The All Pink Ensemble
Marc Jacobs skirt
GET THE LOOK
The Moschino Dress That No One Can Find
Moschino dress
GET THE LOOK
If you liked this post, check out the “Get The Look” posts I did for The Devil Wears Prada and Factory Girl – two of my other favorite fashion films.
Vintage 80s Clothing: 5 Things I Kept From High School
Some things you never throw away.
Everyone has that box up in the attic or down in the basement that holds pieces of our past… old memories we may want to revisit some day.
Being a collector who regularly scours consignment and thrift stores for other people’s vintage pieces, I recently climbed up into the attic and brought down my own box of history. It was filled with middle and high school annuals, printed photos (from a time when you actually had to get them developed) and lots of clothes.
Here are 5 vintage 80s clothing items that I kept from my high school years.
1. Letterman Sweater
Above right: A photo from my high school annual. That’s me in the middle (with blonde hair) wearing my letterman’s sweater in the homecoming parade. Below right: My dad’s football patch from Etowah High School, my mom’s majorette patch from Emma Sansom, and mine.
I remember the day my mom took me to the sporting goods store in the Gadsden Mall to order my letterman sweater. She was so proud of me.
It was my sophomore year of high school and my first year as a majorette. Mom was a majorette at the same high school in the 1950s, and she told me about how excited she was when she got her lettermans sweater.
When my mom passed away, I got several boxes of her things. In one of those boxes was her letterman sweater patch. Right next to it was one of my Dad’s football letterman jacket patches. I love the fact that she kept them, and the fact that I still have them now means more to me than she’ll ever know.
2. Pep-Rally Uniform
Above left: A photo of a few of the majorettes in our pep rally uniforms. I’m on the right in the back row (right under the “wine” sign, of course.)
Our pep-rally uniforms had our names embroidered across the front. One day, two of my majorette friends and I skipped the last two periods of school to drive across town to another school to see boys we were dating.
We thought we were so cool, showing up to a rival school in our little pep-rally uniforms. Unfortunately, the principal of that school did not think we were cool. He called our school and reported all three of us since our names were right there on our chests.
We got suspended for three days.
3. Varsity Sweatshirt
My high school had a bit of an identity crisis when it came to school colors. The marching band uniforms were red, white, and blue, but our school colors were actually purple and gold.
The majorettes wore these purple tracksuits when traveling to band competitions or during Christmas parades if it was really cold.
I only have the sweatshirt now. No clue what happened to the pants. I’ve been trying to order sweatpants to match, but I’ve yet to find the exact color.
4. 80s Sequin Sweater
Sequins were a big 1980s fashion trend. So was my big blonde hair. In the photo above, it looks like I’m emerging from a gas station loaded with Mountain Dew and Pepsi. I’m guessing my friend and I were en route to drive around the mall, which is what everybody did on Friday and Saturday nights in Gadsden, Alabama in the 80s.
I’m still a sucker for sequins, so I still wear this 80s style sweater.
5. Majorette Uniform
My red sequin majorette uniform is missing its stars. I wore it in college in a play called The Miss Firecracker Contest and the costume designer replaced the original stars with big silver ones that eventually fell off.
I had another majorette uniform my junior year that was silver instead of red, but I think my niece took it when she was younger. She also took my original Starline batons. (I recently ordered a new baton from Amazon because I missed twirling. Now I do it around the house just for fun. I even remember some of my old routines.)
I actually kept two of my majorette uniforms. This one is from middle school. Eighth grade to be exact. Check out my Princess Diana haircut. (And prominent chin pimple!)
I kept this uniform because it reminded me so much of the one my mom wore in the 1950s. She was a majorette at the same high school back in the day.
I only have the top now. I have no idea what happened to the shorts. I’m certain they wouldn’t fit me now anyway. The only reason I was able to zip up the top in the photo below is because I wasn’t wearing a bra!
Shop 80s vintage clothing at Shop Stylaphile Vintage
The Little Black Dress: By the Decade
There’s nothing little about it, really. It’s as iconic and larger-than-life as the person who invented it. Coco Chanel.
According to The Costume Institute, Chanel debuted the little black dress in 1926. Vogue quickly nicknamed it the “Ford of Fashion,” comparing the garment to the Model T car, which was very popular at the time. The drawing pictured on the left of Chanel’s original design appeared in the magazine that same year.
The first little black dress was long-sleeved, fell just below the knees, and was constructed of a wool jersey fabric. Chanel designed it to be a simple and unadorned foundation piece that could be worn with different accessories and dressed up or down according to the occasion.
Prior to World War I, women didn’t really wear black that often because the color was associated with mourning. In the period that followed (and especially during the Great Depression of the 1930s) black captured the collective mood of despair and became more acceptable. The little black dress required minimal fabric, so it was more affordable to produce at the time, making it even more popular.
In the decades that followed, the little black dress only increased in popularity, appearing on fashion runways and magazine covers in various forms: the pinup, the wiggle, the mini, the maxi, and more. Here’s a little sampling.
1940s Dresses: The Pinup
After years of fabric-rationing and factory uniforms, there was a strong desire for a return to more glamorous dressing. Enter Christian Dior.
In the 1940s, Dior came up with the famous “New Look” silhouette, featuring rounded shoulders, nipped waistlines, and full skirts. This design led to the “pinup” and “rockabilly” styles of the late 40s and mid-50s. Black was a dominant color.
“You can wear black at any age,” Dior stated at the time. “You can wear it on almost any occasion. A little black frock is essential to a woman.”
Shop the 1940s look
1950s Dresses: The Wiggle
The 1950s introduced another new look. The “wiggle” or “pencil” dress became popular when worn by movie stars including Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.
The wiggle got its name in reference to the way a woman had to walk when wearing the dress. The straight hemline was more narrow than the hips, requiring her to take shorter strides and keep the legs close together when walking. This caused a swaying of the hips that became known as the “wiggle.”
The little black wiggle dress was certainly not the easiest to walk (or sit) in, but it was glamorous nonetheless.
Shop wiggle dresses
1960s Dresses: The Mini
The 1960s ushered in the rise of the hemline. The sexual revolution happening at the time freed women from strict dress codes and encouraged more expression in both sexuality and fashion.
Little black dresses got even littler thanks to designers like Mary Quant (who is credited with inventing the miniskirt) and André Courrèges (known for his space-age minidresses). Both designers were showing skirts and dresses that hit several inches above the knee.
Dresses in the 1960s were worn with go-go boots, platform shoes, or chic flats. Think Edie Sedgwick hanging out with Andy Warhol at The Factory.
Shop 1960s looks
1970s Dresses: The Midi and Maxi
The sexual revolution continued into the 1970s, but the hemlines retreated. The little black midi-dress replaced the mini-dress thanks to Studio 54 and the decade of disco. Prom and evening dresses went full-length maxi and were made of silk, satin, or polyester material.
Little black dresses from designers such as Halston, Bill Blass, Norma Kamali, Donald Brooks and Stephen Burrows were all popular during the 1970s.
It was also the decade that Diane von Furstenburg introduced the iconic wrap dress.
Shop 1970s Style Dresses
1980s Dresses: The Pouf
Pouf! There it is!
If you went to high school during the mid to late 1980s, you had a pouffy prom dress.
Whether the poof was at the shoulder or the hem, bigger was always better. (It wasn’t called the “Big 80s” for nothing. Something had to balance out all that hair!)
Aside from prom dresses, most dresses in the 80s had oversized shoulder pads and tons of embellishments, including sequins, beading, and chain detail, like this little black Lillie Rubin dress I’m wearing in the photo.
Shop 1980s dresses
1990s Dresses: The Bodycon
The 90s were a backlash to the over-the-top opulence of the 80s. Dresses became more streamlined. Emerging grunge and goth trends throughout the decade made black the go-to color.
Slip dresses in silk, satin, and velvet were also extremely popular. When Tom Ford took over Gucci in the mid-90s, his black backless and cut-out dresses quickly became collectors’ items.
Both the slip-dress and the bodycon were throwbacks to the wiggle of the 50s. Fashion does indeed repeat itself.
Shop 1990s bodycon dresses
To this day, the LBD remains an iconic fashion staple. It’s simplicity and classic style makes it the perfect choice for women of all ages and body types. As Wallis Simpson, the former Duchess of Windsor once said, “When the little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.”
Check out my Little Black Dress Pinterest Board
How to Beat the Winter Blues With Citizen Watches & Verilux
For most of January, I’ve just wanted to curl up in the fetal position and hibernate until pitchers and catchers report.
When I received an invitation to attend the Citizen “Beat Blue Monday & Get the Most Out of Light” event, I saw it as an opportunity to emerge from my funk and move towards the light. Literally.
Apparently, the third Monday of January is designated as “BLUE MONDAY” and is supposedly the most depressing day of the year. Some of the reasons behind this particular day being so bleak are that, well, for starters, it’s Monday. It’s January. It’s cold. The holidays are over and you’re faced with paying off debt from all that Christmas travel and gift-giving. Oh, and you’re three weeks into bailing on most of those New Year’s resolutions.
But one of the biggest causes for depression in January is that the nights are longer and we’re exposed to less sunlight. It’s dark when we get up and it’s dark when we leave work. Welcome to the Dark Days of Winter.
Given my blatantly blah state of being, I was quite grateful to see that the fabulous folks at Citizen had put together a presentation on how to survive – and even thrive – during this bleak time of the year. And it was all about seeing the LIGHT!
The lovely Tori Mellott of Traditional Home magazine kicked things off with tips on how to lighten up your living space. Some of her suggestions included:
- Incorporate more white into your decor – with pillows, throw blankets, accessories and more.
- Use mirrors to enhance any natural light in living spaces such as bedrooms and living rooms.
- Add metallic accessories, including picture frames, mirrors and candle holders.
- Infuse your space with pops of color. This could be done with either light pastels or bold primary colors.
- Create a wall gallery. Use white matting for photos to create a cohesive look.
- Consider bold stripes…be it wallpaper or painting, the contrasting patterns (especially if it’s black and white) can really make an area stand out.
Next up, Psychologist Dr. Susan Carroll Berck talked about things we can all do each day in order to help stave off the winter blues. Things such as:
- Eat smarter: pay attention to what you are eating, and especially, what you are drinking. Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol can help prevent mood swings.
- Exercise! Getting your body up and active releases powerful endorphins that can instantly boost your morale (and your metabolism!)
- Start a project. This could be a home repair or remodel or something like learning a new skill. Give yourself something to focus on and take time each day to move your project forward.
- Stay social. Not just online, mind you. Make plans with friends and family and actually get out of the house.
- Consider using light boxes (such as this HappyLight by Verilux that was given to all of us at the event.) Exposure to a light box for as little as 30 minutes a day can really make a difference in your overall demeanor and outlook.
After Dr. Berck’s presentation, Ellen Seckler of Citizen talked about the brand’s connection to light. For decades now, Citizen Watches have never needed batteries or winding because they are powered by light. As she was speaking, I thought about my “watch drawer,” which contains several watches I haven’t worn in years because they all need new batteries. Which is exactly why I’ve been wearing my Citizen Silhouette Model EW9990-54E almost exclusively now (because it’s always working.)
One of my favorite parts of the event was this video, which shows exactly how Citizen uses the power of light to keep its watches fully charged and ready to go.
And that’s exactly how I felt after attending the “Get the Most Out of Light” event. Fully charged and ready to go. I’ve emerged from my winter depression and I am prepped to tackle the rest of the year. Whatever it may continue to throw at me.
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5 Steps to Great Style
“I wish I had your sense of style.”
When people say that to me, I always advise them to develop their own sense of style by wearing what makes them feel most confident. It’s a proven fact that when you look good, you feel good. And you don’t need an unlimited budget to have great style.
Here are 5 of my best tips to help you unleash your inner fashionista.
1. Organize your closet.
Nothing makes you feel like you’ve got your life together like having an immaculately organized closet. Spending a few hours (or even an entire day) getting your closet arranged precisely the way you want it will pay off on a daily basis. For me, having everything in my closet completely visible and easily accessible is very important. I like to display belts, scarves and jewelry on peg boards. I hang all of my clothes on velvet hangers and arrange them according to sleeve length. Cleaning out your closet is also a good time to get rid of clothes you no longer wear and donate or sell them.
Here are a few closet-organizing items to get you started:
2. Plan and prep your outfits the night before.
It’s hard enough to get motivated every morning without the added stress of standing in front of your closet for ten minutes saying “What am I going to wear?” Not only are you apt to throw a half-assed outfit together that doesn’t make you feel fabulous, but you’re also likely to make yourself late, which is never a fun way to start out the day.
Every night before you go to bed, you should check the weather for the next day and plan your outfit accordingly. Then you can hit the ground running and start your day with a perfect outfit that makes you feel confident and happy. I also make sure to have my purse packed and ready to go with everything I need for the day (keys, Metro card, etc.)
Trust me – anything you can do the night before to make your morning run smoother will be well worth the effort.
Add these titles to your fashion closet library help you plan your outfits:
3. Wear high heels (at least occasionally.)
Okay, even I – the stiletto-loving shoe queen – have had to mix up my shoe wardrobe recently because my feet (and back) were hurting so bad. I work from home most of the time, but on the days I’m in Manhattan, I choose a comfortable chunky-heeled shoe, as single-soled stilettos, while sexy and beautiful, are just not practical for all the walking I do in the city.
However, I do make it a point to wear stilettos when going out to dinner or girl’s nights out, simply because they make me feel fabulous. There’s just something about slipping on a gorgeous pair of high heels that infuses me with an extra dose of confidence.
Why not make it a resolution to try it at least once a week? That’s 52 times a year you’re guaranteed to stand taller. And sometimes the extra height gives you extra might!
Why not add these gorgeous (and totally affordable) stilettos to your newly organized closet?
4. Invest in a great handbag.
Think about it…you carry a purse every single day. You may as well make it one that you love and one that looks great with all your outfits. Whether you prefer a large roomy tote or a small cross-body, do your online shopping research and find a nice designer bag in a classic style and color.
I’m a sucker for the Michael Kors Hamilton tote and Zac Posen’s Americana duffle bags. Both styles are big enough to carry everything I need for those days I work in the city, including an extra pair of shoes, my Macbook Air, my iPad, iPhone and wallet. Find your dream bag and buy it. It’s an investment you’ll never regret.
Check out these classic bag styles:
5. Get inspired by street style.
I’m not just talking about Instagram, blogs or editorials in your favorite fashion magazine, which are all great resources. But actually take note of people around you whose style you admire. When you see a woman wearing an outfit that you like, ask her about it. She’ll appreciate the compliment!
Create a “street style” inspiration board on Pinterest and update it on a regular basis. Soon, YOU’LL be the one being stopped on the street and asked “who are you wearing?”
Once you get your fashion life organized, the rest of your life becomes a little easier. Plus, you’ll have the added bonus of a sudden increase in confidence because you know you look your best every day. And nothing is sexier or more stylish than a confident woman!
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Better Starts Now With Citizen Watches
I was recently invited to attend the Citizen Watch “Make Time For Love” blogger event at the company’s flagship store in Times Square.
Citizen put together a morning presentation that included relationship, finance, fashion and beauty experts, all reminding us that whatever we’re currently doing, be it planning a wedding, taking a trip, or launching a new business, we need to remember to make time for love.
Even before attending this event, I had a special connection to Citizen watches. Back in 2004, my husband Carlos bought me a beautiful Citizen watch on our honeymoon cruise to Bermuda. It was my favorite watch ever. Unfortunately, I lost it a few years ago. I was devastated. That particular style had been discontinued and I was unable to replace it.
I was thrilled to find a similar model at the Times Square store. I ended up purchasing this classic Silhouette model that features a bangle style bracelet and Swarovski® crystals.
As soon as I put it on, it reminded me of my honeymoon. It reminded me that I’ve been married for over 10 years. It reminded me of how far we’ve come, and how rare it is these days that a marriage even makes it to the 10 year mark.
Isn’t it funny how something like a watch or a piece of jewelry can instantly take you back to a certain time and memory and make you think about how far you’ve come? The official hashtag for Citizen’s “Make Time For Love” campaign is #BetterStartsNow. And I think that should be a general hashtag for life. Every day when you wake up in the morning, #BetterStartsNow.
Last night around 11 pm, I told Carlos I wanted to take a photo of us with me wearing the new watch so I could include it in the blog post. He didn’t want to take the photo, said he was too tired from work, his hair was messed up, etc. But I insisted. It was spontaneous. And now this photo of us is one of my favorites. (He even admitted that he liked it too.)
Before we were married, 11 pm on a Wednesday night would probably find us at our favorite bar on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Nowadays, a weeknight finds us snuggled in bed watching Seinfeld reruns with two cats and a large German Shepherd.
Yes, our life now looks much different now. Different, but better.
#BetterStartsNow
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10 Ways to Wear Florals
Flower power is a trend that seems to have popped up (or “bloomed”) during every fashion season for the past decade. And the look isn’t limited to just spring and summer dressing. It can be worn year-round. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a few floral pieces as wardrobe staples in your closet.
Here are 10 ways to incorporate florals into your fashion landscape.
#1
Adorn your neck with a floral scarf. 
#2
Get maximum flower power in a maxi-dress.
#3
Jump right into the floral trend in a classic jumpsuit.
#4
Button up in a bouquet.
#5
Wrap yourself in flowers.
#6
Wear your floral heart on your sleeve.
#7
Brave the elements in a floral coat.
#8
Carry a bouquet with you every day.
#9:
Tiptoe through the tulips.
#10
Let the showers bring you flowers.
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The Original Style Icon – Mom
Editor’s note: This was the very first blog post I ever wrote when I launched Stylaphile. My mom passed away in October of 2016, but this post will always remain as a tribute to the woman who not only influenced my style, but also taught me to be an independent strong woman and to pursue my dreams with passion.
This photo of my Mom was taken in the 1950s when people actually dressed up to go to church. Wasn’t she a looker? Check out that fabulous fit-and-flare dress and how it accentuates her tiny waist. The dress would have never fit me, but damn I wish she had kept that straw handle bag and passed it down!
Growing up, one of my favorite things to do was to clean out my Mom’s closet. I especially loved organizing her shoes and bags. She was quite the collector when it came to shoes. My shoe obsession was obviously coded into my DNA. My seemingly meaningless childhood activity of playing in my Mom’s closet led to my modern day “shoe closet.”
Yes, I know it’s extravagant. To take an entire guest room and convert it into a showcase for your obsession. But hey, I don’t have kids (not the human kind anyway) and I could care less about things like expensive cars. This is where I like to spend my disposable income. To quote Carrie Bradshaw, “I like my money where I can see it. Hanging in my closet.”
The last time I was home visiting my Mom, I organized her closet again. She doesn’t have nearly as many shoes as she used to, and she prefers flats to heels now, but it was such a wonderful experience to be able to spend that time with her doing what we loved to do when I was a child.
So, thanks Mom…for letting me play in your closet for all those many years. I’m still playing in mine. And I know that makes you very happy.
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