The Evolution of Menswear: Looking hot and hip as you age

I recently received a request for a blog post about fashion for the hot hip urban man in his later years. Later as in 50's, 60's, 70's and beyond. As you can imagine, retailers aren't using many models in this demographic, so finding the right look can be challenging.*

This got me thinking about the evolution of menswear. Decades ago, men and women "dressed" for the day. Somehow over time, with the decline of the suit, came the decline of the expectation that men put together a thoughtful ensemble each day. By the 90's, a man who put some effort into his look was known as a metrosexual. It was unusual, for sure.

Nowadays, men have become fashion enthusiasts- talking about clothes, grooming products, tailors and retailers with pretty much anyone anywhere. Personally, I'm pretty excited about this transition as someone who loves menswear and is lucky to be married to my very own fashionable fella.

This also means that there are more opportunities for pieces that are functional and fashion forward for men of any age. The key: stay relevant and true to your style. Here's what you need to know now:

MenswearmelliciaNovember 22, 2013clothing, comfortable, functional, hip, men, older men, Personal stylist, strategies, stylish Comment

Everybody loves a winner!

Baby, it is crazy cold outside. And that means it is chunky scarf season. You know how I love the local Seattle companies, so I've partnered with HookandStem Designs to celebrate the season with some hand-made functional fashion.

And you, Dear Reader could win this chunky infinity scarf. Here's how:

Loving Lafayette 148 New York

This year is the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. It got me thinking about the impact that black fashion designers and moguls (hello Russell Simmons!) have had on our culture and our clothes. My thought was that it would be fun to share a top 10 list of influential designers with you, Dear Reader. But, who can narrow it down to 10? I cannot.

As an alternative, I'd encourage you to check out this list of the Top 25 Greatest Black Fashion Designers. It's addictive. Anyway, in an effort to avoid writing a PhD thesis on this subject, I've decided to focus on one that is very popular with a number of my clients:

Bouclé. That's right. Bouclé. Get some.

Welcome to our first really rainy work day in some time. This is the sort of morning you wake up and have two options: 1. put on something super comfortable that may or may not be super flattering. Or, 2. put on something really put together that may or may not be foiled again by your cozy cardigan half way through the work day.

Cardigans. I love them. I hate them. I am constantly on the hunt for real alternatives. And, I'm happy to report that I have one to share with you.

Finally! Kids consignment made easy

Today's magnificent cold crisp weather got me very excited about coat and boot appropriate weather. I have a personal obsession with coats- colored coats, vintage coats, faux fur coats and the last few years leather and vegan leather. When I moved across the country years ago, I only shipped my electronics and my coats. You can imagine the space that storing these coats takes.

melliciaNovember 16, 2013consignment, hip consignment, Kids fashion, Personal stylist, SeattleComment

I just want something new. But my budget said, "no!"

Who hasn't been there? You roll over in the morning, look inside your closet and feel utterly uninspired. Worse. You feel overwhelmed. Whether you are overwhelmed or underwhelmed, sometimes we all just want something new. And, sadly, our bank account is not hearing why we MUST have that new pair of boots.

What to do?

American Made: Feral Childe.

I'm lucky to work with all different types of clients and I've learned that each of us has our "thing." We may not realize it until we are talking about it. Sometimes it's a certain type of clothing, for example tailored or boho. But, more often than not, it's something a little bit more unexpected: Does the retailer have a fair return policy? I really like fabrics with birds on them. Or, I prefer if the retailer has a generous charitable giving program. It's pretty incredible, as each client's desires offer a new challenge as we embark on updating his or her style.

Your clothes do not define who you are.

And neither does your car or your house or your job. Who you are is defined by your actions, your words, your thoughts.

Your clothes are tools to communicate to others who you are and how you see yourself. For those of us who love clothes and shopping, they can also be a creative expression -- what is more gratifying than finding the exact pair of shoes to go with a dress?

Are you funky and unconventional as a recent client of mine described herself? Or sophisticated, vibrant and inspiring confidence? Do you value yourself enough to invest some time into looking and feeling great each morning? Or are you in a constant battle with the clock to prioritize your needs in the overall balance of your household? It's not always easy, but how we look does impact how we feel and how we behave. It also greatly impacts how others treat us.

So, as we head into rainy weather and the half yearly sale at Nordstrom, I thought it might be nice to pass along a few tips to help you, dear reader, feel good about how you look out in the world, even if you only have a few minutes and even less motivation when getting ready.

Finding the perfect frames AKA. I can finally see.

Chicks who wear glasses are hot. True story. Sadly, I've always had incredible eyesight and just sat on the sidelines as other ladies rocked some spectacular frames. I know. Clear lenses exist, but it just didn't seem right.

Be strategic about your style & your money

For those of you who have been around me, you undoubtedly know that one of my very favorite things is telling random people how to find something I'm wearing that they like. Yup. Conversations commonly go as follows, "I love your (let's go with dress)."

"Thank you so much. I got it at (let's go with Target). You should go get one. They have several colors and it was only $28."

Ack! I lost my keys.

It is about time. If you are like me, you have a million ideas about how things could be easier if only someone were to invent X. One of my personal favorites is the, "why hasn't someone invented a GPS for my handbag or my keys?" As it turns out, your friend can call your lost cel phone, but she can't dial up your handbag.

Look no further.

Women's fashionmelliciaNovember 1, 2013fashion, finding your keys, GPS for handbags, Kickstarter, Kids, men, Personal stylist, Tile, womenComment

I bought them. Now what do I wear them with?

I am loving all the real world fashion questions that people have been asking me lately. My good friend, Sara, was so kind as to post one on the Facebook page. A challenge! I'm in.

Functional items so hip, I just might start biking

I am obsessed with these pants and I don't bike.

An alternative to yoga pants: The maxi skirt

Welcome to autumn in Seattle. With the recent cold foggy mornings, it's no wonder we hear the call of our favorite yoga pants. If you're a mom of young children, the call might be more like a shout.

Don't give in. You can still be comfortable and look great. One answer: the maxi skirt. It's just as easy to throw on as a pair of sweat pants. Pair it with the same v-neck t-shirt and a cardigan you were planning to wear, add a scarf and you are suddenly chic.

Most maxis are super functional, but take care to find the one that fits your needs. A few of my favorites:

YOU really can rock fall trends, I swear.

Client after client seems to think that current trends are for someone else. Not true! Of course, it is imperative that your style reflect who you are and not just the latest fad. But, your look can be authentic & current. Often times, you just need one new piece to change everything. Such as:

Jegging, Legging, Tregging. I'm sorry. What?

Today I'm surfing the world wide web on the behalf of a client who falls into that small corner of the style world between preppie and edgy. One of my favorite corners, if I do say so myself.

On this venture I stumbled upon the term, "Treggings." I'm sorry what? Yes. Treggings. Thank you, Top Shop for making sure we have ample opportunity to latch onto this one. I thought I'd make sure that you, dear reader, are never in the dark at a dinner party or on a shopping spree when the various iterations of leggings come up.

Menswear Essential: The structured over shirt

There are few things as satisfying as a beautifully coordinated look on a man. The right shirt, the perfect tie, a pair of high quality shoes. In Seattle, layers are essential. And, taking pride in your clothes is a big trend for men that will undoubtedly continue to grow.

Personally, I'm currently obsessed with coordinating the following pieces: undershirt, button up collared shirt, tie and a slim fitting over shirt made from a heavier fabric. You can see several examples from a recent client of mine in his gallery. Here's one for now. The grey jersey over shirt pictured is from Relwen.

MenswearmelliciaOctober 20, 2013fall trends, hip, layering menswear, Personal stylist, Relwen, Seattle, slim fitting shirt, structured over shirt, Styling, tie, urbanComment

Bringing order to chaos: Hanging your child's artwork

When our son was born, we couldn't imagine a time when he'd be drawing or painting. Now, his toddler artistic career is in full swing. We wanted to display his pieces, but found that we were quickly overwhelmed with the sheer number of them. We needed a solution that highlighted the work, but kept everything looking organized and esthetically appealing. (We're like that.) Plus, he really enjoys seeing his work and talking about when he made something.

So, I offer to you not one, but two genius solutions:

melliciaOctober 16, 2013hanging children's artwork, Kids fashion, Personal stylist, Seattle Comment

Fashion & Function: Staying warm on your wedding day

A huge thanks to the folks at Elegant Affairs for sharing Poplin with their blog readers. As a special thank you, today's blog post answers one of the most common questions brides ask: I have the perfect dress. Now, how do I stay warm on my wedding day?

Answer: The faux fur shrug. Let's face it, few things are more on trend right now than leather, faux fur and animal prints. But you can bring an unexpected, sophisticated AND uber practical touch to your big day by rocking a quality (hand-made in Seattle!) shrug like these one from Foxglove Bridal. This one even has pouches for your hands!

Genius tricks of the trade: Quick fixes for fashion mishaps

Yes! I did find this dress at a vintage store. Thanks for asking. I love it, too. Oh, the hem is coming out in back? Oh, dear. Oddly, my office doesn't employ a tailor.

With a long career doing public speaking, there were a number of times when I discovered that my hem had come loose or my button fell off immediately before heading off to present to hundreds of people.

Most maxis are super functional, but take care to find the one that fits your needs. A few of my favorites:

So, over the years, I've discovered a number of quick fixes. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites: