Posts Tagged ‘Zac Posen’

Lady Liberty Lookin’ Good

March 22, 2010

Before I get started on the real blog, let me just address this dang cold weather.  It presents a problem.  The Uggs need to be stored by now, but what to do when it’s 46  degrees?  Go ahead and do leather tall boots or cowboy, just lighten up the tops and jackets with springy colors.  And do jeans, cords need to be up now too.  This’ll pass soon.

Does anyone recognize the brand name Liberty of London fabrics?  It’s a company started by a man whose last name really was Liberty, in London of course.   It has long been recognized as one of the elite, 100% cotton fabrics.  Back when I used to sew, it was usually too much per yard for me to buy to sew with.  Liberty is known worldwide for its delicate prints,  florals in beautiful shades, and fine hand (the way it feels and drapes).   I have normally thought of it as a more girly look, really cute for a skirt or  maybe to use for some bed linens, but never really pictured a chic womens look made from Liberty fabrics.  In an effort to revamp the brand (although a handful of designers have used it) and for Target to partner with another big name, Liberty of London is now at Target in apparel, home goods, shoes, childrens wear, and I don’t know what else.  And I like what I’ve seen.  They have modernized the fabric a bit and come up with some really cute pieces.

There are fantastic looking swimsuits and flip-flops.   The totes are great and spacious and  look very “Hamptons”.   There are also some traditional sundresses  but I’ve heard, and if true it’s very disappointing, that the dresses are polyester.  How crazy is that?  I mean, if you say you have a Liberty of London dress, it is understood it will be cotton.   Very fine, beautiful, soft cotton.  So, truthfully, if  that’s the case, I don’t think I’ll be buying.  Go to the fabric store, get a couple yards and have an original made.

If you haven’t ever seen the fabric, the pic below helps you get the feel of the look.

Liberty of London banner for Target

While you’re at Target check out the Zac Posen collection.  I think it’s called the garden collection, not sure but the pictures look very pretty.   Just remember you are not getting a designer piece.  Not the quality, construction, or even fiber content of a designer piece.  The name and frequently a pretty good design.  I think since Issac Mizrahi left they haven’t been able to replace him.  Anyway, hurry, the stuff is going very quickly! Many styles are sold out;  if you decide polyester is ok but can’t find your size,  look at the accessories…..or buy hubby a tie…. or get a set of bowls (obviously not polyester, hehe).   Seriously, this stuff is all over Target! Good luck and have fun……

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Where’s The Beauty?

March 18, 2010

Okay, give me a chance to wax philosophical for a moment.   Surprisingly to some,  for me, true beauty is not in a Zac Posen spring frock going down the runway or a fabulous pair of Jimmy Choo sandals.  Not even the most gorgeous cashmere sweater in the fall.  Real beauty lies in….. babies, buttercups, turning leaves, my parents, the ocean, snow, kindness to everyone, faith, Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas tree, the rolling hills of Tennessee (just drove through them yesterday), a painting, a bride, and many other things that have more to do with nature, people, talents, and occasions.  My buttercups are just starting to open and to see them in mass is just lovely.  My great-niece is a year old.  The last time my extended family had a baby to spoil and love was when my big 15-year-old boy was a baby.  The picture of her below is a wonderful example of beautiful.

Thanks for letting me ramble, and now that we’ve established what is truly beautiful to me, we can get shallow and materialistic and discuss to-die-for fashion.  But, let’s still stay in the beauty category and to do that I’m going to draw a couple of distinctions.  The pretty and the not-so-pretty.  Look at the photos below; the garish looks of Ed Hardy and the lovely details on the on the J Crew tee.  Give me a good ‘ole white t-shirt any day over the thing by Hardy.  With a white tee you can rock it out, dress it up, wear it with shorts or skirts, etc.   Plus, its really pretty, cute, classy, whatever, none of which the other can claim to be!

ed hardy tee/ edhardyfish.com/ $71.70

I really didn’t try to find the ugliest one, they just all looked like this.  Don’t ever think gaudy can’t be expensive, the price listed is a  sale price!  Now, for chic and classy…….notice the sequin embellishment.

white sunray sequin tee/ jcrew.com/ $52.00

Obviously I used extreme examples above and some will say this all  comes down to preference anyway.  But, in an effort to bring up the collective style sense of America,  I’ll give you one more.  The dresses below are both in an animal print but one is sleek and subtle, the other juvenile and loud.  I’m all for glamming it up every now and then but this isn’t it.  This little wisp of a dress looks like a nighty.  Don’t you agree?  There’s always the chance this would look good on, but the all over print is pretty blinding.   Choose your animals carefully!

leopard dress/ roberto cavalle; polyvore.com/ $662.00

Notice the price differences again……

zebra print dress/ karenmillen.com/ $300.00 (I think)

So, there’s  my take on what’s stylish and beautiful.    I’m thinking Tim Gunn would agree.  It’s all about what image you want to portray.  I remember when people used to dress up to fly.  Now, it’s what sweat pant are you going to wear.   Where’s the middle ground?  Let’s just say, try to take pride in what you look like and how you present yourself.  The way you dress is worth paying attention to.   But even I will admit, in the big scheme of things,  this isn’t foreign policy, it’s fashion.  Enjoy the sunshine and thanks for reading……

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