Bringing Fashion Back Where it Belongs

I am not a fashion blogger nor am I a beauty blogger. If I am passionate about an item of clothing or a beauty product that tickles my fancy, I will write about it. I write blog posts because it is fun and I love to connect with the small group of friends who follow and enjoy my blog.  And I want to welcome others into my little blogging neighborhood.  And I want to show the world that older adults are just like everybody else.

I write about random thoughts that may enter into my mind and elaborate upon that thought.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about fashion.  I’ve also been thinking that we need to bring real fashion back.

tonsai-trend-spring-20161 stylecaster

From Stylecaster.com Spring Trend report.  Part of the “best” trends. Excuse me. But these fashion trends are not refined nor are they elegant nor do they even look beautiful.   I gather that the models aren’t too thrilled either because they look absolutely miserable in these ensembles.

J. Crew Fashion. I think not

From New York Fashion Week. It SHOULD be New York Fashion WEAK! J. Crew. Proof that Jenna Lyons needs to get the heave-ho.  I’ve seen bag ladies who look more fashionable than this. The styling is horrific. There is nothing good about this look. It is not refined. It is not elegant. It isn’t cutting edge either. it is not fashion.  It is a hot mess!

It seems as though fashion—especially writing about fashion has lost its way. Gone are the days of paragraphs and pages about designers and their craft.  Instead we are left with blogs containing photographs of collages of clothing and links to the brands of clothing. Allowing  the consumer to know where to make the purchase. No detailed descriptions. No fun or interesting stories.

My polyvore

This is my own Polyvore ensemble. I do NOT use these collages as blog posts. I use them as a fun way to put an outfit together. This mix isn’t fashion. It is merely a pragmatic and logical ensemble that I would wear while out and about on a very cold, rainy, damp day.  I place these collages on Pinterest.

As a young girl, I looked forward to the Sunday edition of the New York Times because I would get to read about fashion in both the Style section and the Magazine.  I loved looking at and studying the photographs. I loved the clothing. I loved the detailed description of each item of clothing. I enjoyed reading about every nuance of the clothes. I loved the story behind the clothes.

large_NewYorkTimesMagazineCover1976

I loved this magazine and looked forward to afternoons reading about the latest fashions and the stories behind them!

Back then, I loved what fashion stood for. It represented chic elegance and refinement.

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Four women. All dressed in Chanel circa early-1960’s.  The suits are fashionable. But yet each woman has her own style of wearing her suit. Nothing over-the-top. Just simple elegance. Oh look. They’re smiling. I would be too if I could afford a Chanel suit! It’s also funny that they are posed in front of Alexander’s –what used to be a great clothing store with discounted pricing on the clothes!

Fashion was a statement and over the decades hemlines went up and down. Shoes went from ladylike to clunky. Fashionable attire went from structured to relaxed.  Fashion has even been influenced by military uniforms.

Invalides. Napoleon's military jacket and Hat. I want to steal this look

This is one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s military uniforms. I snapped this at Invalides in Paris. MY Bonaparte loved the military history of the museum. I loved the uniforms. I would wear this today. THIS look has inspired many fashion designers over the years. BTW, I would also wear the hat!

Yves St. Laurent made an incredible statement with the pantsuit for women. He may not have created the pantsuit but he brought it into the public eye with a bang. This simple suit also changed forever the way women dressed for the office.

1967 YSL pantsuit

The pantsuit may have been around for quite some time before he made it a staple for women, but Yves St. Laurent popularized this look!

I love the nubby texture of a Chanel Jacket.

Chanel-600-Fashionaires

…and I want to read all about the fabrics and textures that go into these iconic jackets!

I love the smooth and simple lines of Andre Courrèges. And to think he made polyester fabric look great!

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Who knew that polyester could be used as a fabric for beautiful clothing?  Andre Courrèges remains my all time favorite designer (R.I.P.). His clothing is just the perfect example of simple and timeless fashion.  I am lucky to own one of his ensembles!

Fashion is every step that goes into making an article of clothing. It isn’t only about the design.  Fashion is about the draping of a fabric. It is about the texture of the fabric.  It is the way the article of clothing, whether a dress, jacket or trousers lies against the body—how it fits.  It is the cut and the construction and the qualityFashion is about every. single. detail. of the clothes.

Diors new look look at that skirt

This incredible photo of a Dior ensemble tells it all without words. Look at the way the skirt swings. The hours of work that went into that must have been incredibly long.  Look at the lines.  It is such a simple suit even with the intricate trim on the collar and bottom hem of the jacket.  THIS is fashion photography at it’s best! You can see the way the skirt drapes. You can see the texture of the fabric. You can see that perfect fit!

My favorite childhood fashion memory was the Mondrian dress by YSL. I wanted so badly to be grown up just so I could buy one of these dresses and wear it every day. (Even as a child I was delusional–as if I could afford a YSL designer dress!)

YSL 1965 Mondrian dress

YSL’s Mondrian dresses were the part of my obsession with fashion at a young age. I also love the length of these dresses. How ironic that I’m not a fan of abstract art but am a fan of the dress!

Style is the way in which you put that fashion together.  Many people today confuse fashion with style and vice versa.

 

Audrey Hepburn was not a fashion icon but was a style icon.

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 Scarf tied around her chin. Look at the neckline of the sweater she is wearing under the coat. See how simple it is? A beautiful attention to detail. The coat loosely tied. The gloves-oohhh those gloves. This is a timeless and classic way of styling and so simple!

Jane Birkin had an innocent and fun sense of style. Before the infamous Birkin Bag came to be, she carried around a basket as a purse and as much as it may have been a bit eccentric, it was every bit as charming.  BTW, The Birkin Bag has a great story.

2BACE80700000578-3211989-Carry_on_Jane_Birkin_often_carried_her_belongings_in_a_wicker_ba-m-42_1440624214840

This outfit is proof that Jane Birkin was (and still remains) a master of style. This is an outfit that can be worn today.  This ensemble is epic!  Two thin gold chains and that basket. I love this so much!

Diana Vreeland was a true fashion visionary. She was exciting. She was not bland. She was not boring and she had a great joi d’vivre. She was also one terrific fashion writer.

Vreeland

Vreeland was a total fashion and style visionary. Her creativity is surely missed.  

vreeland (1)

..and if you get the chance, try to catch “The Eye Has To Travel” it’s an entertaining documentary about Ms. Vreeland.

Anna Wintour is a visionary too. She has managed to turn the vision of Vogue from a true fashion magazine into a glossy celebrity rag.  Over the years, I was becoming more dismayed with her use of celebrities on the magazine’s cover.  My days of reading Vogue ended when she put Kardashian and West on the cover.

USNov68 Vogue

Vogue magazine–when it was worth reading.  No celebrities on the cover. Great articles. Not a rag–just a great fashion magazine…

What made me stop reading Vogue magazine

This was the issue that caused my final divorce from Vogue magazine.  Putting Pee-Pee Kardashian and her trashy no-talented husband on the cover was the absolute end for me. This magazine has been reduced to The National Inquirer of the fashion trade!

Which brings me to fashion bloggers.  I enjoy reading blogs about fashion. Fashion history, fashion designers, and new trends in fashion, classic fashion and reinventing fashion.  However, blogs about REAL  fashion are few and far between. Where are they to be found???  Please lead the way for me.

I’m tired of looking at the thousands upon thousands of fashion experts’ blogs (and I use the term “expert” lightly) who do nothing more than post photos of themselves in various overpriced ensembles that come directly off a store’s mannequin.  I’m bored with looking at self-proclaimed experts whose idea of fashion means putting every imaginable pattern and stripe and color mixed together and think they are cutting edge.

how-to-wear-stripes-with-florals

Two different blogs. The same mismatched look…. although I will admit the bottom look is slightly better due to the fit of the clothing. The gold bag in the  top photo looks like it came from a cheap street vendor. 

mixing

This look still is not cohesive.  If you are mixing patterns and stripes and animal prints you need something that ties it all together….

Understand the clothing you are advertising wearing. You may not realize this, but some readers are interested in the clothing. They are not interested in your cute poses such as bending down to sniff roses or hailing a cab on the wrong side of the street!

Big kids hot pink hunter boots, Hunter boots for petites, Hunter rain boots, Loft petite striped pocket blouse, Tory Burch mini Robinson bag in luggage

..and if I see one more pair of pink Hunter boots–or ANY Hunter boots worn as every day footwear, I shall scream. These boots are NOT a fashion statement. They are rain boots and should only be worn in the rain. In addition, I’ve seen at least a dozen different blogs with this same outfit.  The bag is another issue onto itself. Leave the structured bags for the office. A softer less constructed leather bag or a canvas tote would be more appropriate for this photograph of clothing.

I have nothing against fashion blogs or fashion bloggers. But, I want to read about the details of the clothing you are wearing. I am nosey. Give me the scoop on the construction.  Are the seams in the dress French seams?   Is the knit bonded?  If the fabric is a print how does it match up at the seams?  Are the buttons secured?   Is the collar reinforced? How’s the quality of the workmanship?  Is the clothing well-constructed?  Where is the clothing made? Where does the waist fall? Is the zipper of good quality? Is it lined? If it is a particular brand you shill write about—is the sizing consistent?

How-To-Sew-a-French-Seam-TITLE

Can you tell me if the seams are French seams? Do you know what a French seam is?

Is this too much to ask?

If you want another very educational and informative documentary on fashion and what goes into it, by all means, watch “Dior and I’. It chronicles the steps in making a collection.

DIOR-AND-I-800x500

Hands down–THE best fashion documentary ever. It follows the entire process of clothing for the runway. I have to hand it to Raf Simons and his absolute love for haute couture. I wish he was still at Dior. He wanted to bring that elegance back! I’m going to watch it again after I finish writing this post!

new-look Dior then and now

Simons brought this Dior look back.   That’s Marion Cotillard on the right!  THAT’s fashion!

I am now making a promise to anyone who reads my blog. Moving forward, whenever I write about clothing, I vow to give you as much detail as I possibly can.  I will turn those clothes inside out and upside down and learn about every aspect.  It’s the least I can do for you. I tried to describe this trench the best that I could in “Drenched and Entrenched” but will continue to improve.

That’s my rant for today. Bonaparte has been vocalizing his big wish that I organize my closet. Why is it that closets are so hard to keep in order?  I’m off see if there are any hidden treasures in those dark deep corners!

While I realize this post is about fashion, I have to play some music close to my roots. Here’s a set dance that Oona used to dance to played by the great feis musician Billy Furlong from his CD Strings for the Sets. Presenting, “King of the Fairies”. And I still listen to this CD every now and then!

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to You! XOXOXO!

2007 best dress

Oona from her Irish Dance days. I love the fashion of the Irish Dance Costume. This one is my favorite!

 

About Catherine

Far from perfect, but enjoying life as a non-perfect and flawed individual at 60 years young. I'm still wondering what I'll be when I grow up! The characters in my life's screenplay include my better half. He is a refined Frenchman who grew up in Paris and summered in St. Tropez. I grew up in Long Island and summered in Long Island. I am not refined. My three grown children are also a big part of my life. For their sake, they happily live where their careers have taken them! But I can still mother them from a distance! I write about the mundane. I write about deeply shallow issues. But whatever I write or muse about--it'll always be a bit on the humorous and positive side! It's all good!
This entry was posted in Audrey Hepburn style, Blogging about fashion, Bringing back fashion, Channel, Classic Clothing, Dior, Fashion, Fashion writing, Irish Dance Music. Billy Furlong, J. Crew, Jane Birkin style, Vogue, Yves St. Laurent. Bookmark the permalink.

42 Responses to Bringing Fashion Back Where it Belongs

  1. junedesilva says:

    Happy St Patrick’s Day to you! Wishing I was in Paris tonight to see the Sacré Cœur being lit up in green. Long live style & I’m looking forward to reading more of your fashion posts. X

  2. spearfruit says:

    Well said Catherine! I also like Oona’s Irish Dance Costume – very cute. Thanks for a very insightful post. I am not into fashion, so if I ever have a question I can come to you. Thanks, have a wonderful day! 🙂

    • Catherine says:

      Thanks Terry. Happy St. Patrick’s Day. That dress of Oona’s is almost 10 years old and it is the only dance dress we saved. I resold all her others. She eventually wants to frame the dress as a work of art. It really is beautiful!! XOXOXO!!

  3. Fabulous! I agree completely! And I love Oona’s costume! Their outfits are always so fun! She looks very princess-ish!

    • Catherine says:

      Thank you Never! I’m glad that you agree on the subject of fashion! I’m also you love Oona’s costume. Yes. She is my princess and always will be because I am the queen! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!

  4. Jane Martel(totally French) Billman says:

    People I work with think I am a little crazy because I like to shop and read the fashion magazines – I explain my first job out of college was an assistant buyer at a department store and I have always loved it. I do agree it isn’t what it used to be with buying actually being done locally and so many crazy characters behind the scenes. So impersonal anymore … Loved your perspective …happy St Patrick’s Day!! XO Jane

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Jane. Right? Fashion has a tendancy to be rather impersonal these days. I blame fast fashion and malls. It’s funny because Bonaparte cannot stand the way we shop here in the States. He always feels more comfortable when we are shopping in France because of the many, many boutiques. Those smaller shops lend themselves well to unique articles of clothing and allowing you to achieve more of a personal style. You must’ve had a blast as a buyer!!! XOXOXOXO!!!

  5. JulietC says:

    I completely agree too! Love your girls costume. I think much of the problem these days at least here where I live and have brought up the offspring is that people are not literate in clothing construction for want of a better way of describing it. I remember hot tears and my mothers wrath when I took home my wonky sewing attempts from “home ec” and her furious disdain for the “idiot” sewing teacher who was “sloppy” and “ignorant” and an “utter disgrace” because she had supervised me cutting my first skirt fabric without matching perfectly the side seams, I was the go-between between my snotty but oh-so correct mother and the younger, trendier teacher and their sparring was conducted via my homework. We learnt piecing out, we learnt fabric, we made some hideous stuff but I do think I am now pretty hard to please and pretty canny at spotting badly put together, over-priced rubbish (even if I do sound like my mother). It is like cooking or baking – if you always rely on mass-produced junk food or food always prepared and made by big companies sooner or later you lose your knowledge of how to cook or bake and become dependent on whatever they feed you – same thing

    • Catherine says:

      Juliet. You are so correct!! Like you, my first attempt at sewing (in Home Ec) was a disaster, but my teacher, Mrs. Pomerantz, was so understanding and literally deconstructed the dress and patiently helped me. I used to sew when the children were young. I still have my machine and I do believe I should take it out, dust and oil it and begin again–it’s been a long time.
      And you are right about the cooking and baking. All three of my kids (now grown) are adept and cooking because they love a good meal. Oona is quite the baker as well. In fact, she was incredibly upset because she’s been so busy at work that she didn’t have time to bake a soda bread for St. Pat’s. She ended up purchasing one and bringing it to the office. (She also took her old hard shoes with her to the office and entertained her co workers with some jigs and hornpipes from her Irish Dance days!) She said the soda bread wasn’t the same as home made…..
      Oh..and construction doesn’t have to be limited to clothing. My grandmother taught me to thoroughly inspect each piece of furniture from every angle when furniture shopping. THAT got me kicked out of Pottery Barn in Princeton many years ago! I got under a table and started to snap pics of the way the table was constructed because I wanted to compare. Assholes kicked me out! Can you believe it? I ended up finding a great table in the trash instead!!! And it was free! XOXOXOXO!!!

  6. Leslie Preston says:

    Thanks for clarifying the wearing of Hunter boots! I’ve been seeing them on various blogs and kept thinking I thought they were rain boots. What the heck? Looking forward to more fashion pointers from you!

    • Catherine says:

      Leslie–Oh God. Don’t even get me started on those damned Hunter boots. Mine are in the garage and they are so clunky and ill-fitting that I only wear them when it is practically monsooning outside. I can’t stand them. They are so cumbersome to walk in. HUNTER BOOTS ARE NOT FASHION!!! (I’m not yelling at you–LOL). They look ridiculous as everyday boots. I’m shuddering!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!

  7. Catherine, this is an excellent post. I totally agree with your sentiments. Fashion is about art and culture, and it is a reflection of the societies in which we live. Yes, it is about having fun and being frivilous, but it can also be a serious intellectual pursuit.

    I am certainly not a fashion academic, but I am constantly amazed at the banality of some ‘fashion blogs’ – like when someone ‘discovers’ that a white shirt is a ‘must-have’. And if someone says they will ‘curate’ their wardrobe just to sound fancy one more time, I think I will puke!

    And a lot of the ensembles presented to us on so-called fashion blogs are, as you rightly point out, and I will add an Australian colloquialism for added colour, “bloody awful”. I know there is a general trend about being “too cool to care” and just throwing things together, but very few look good. A very beautiful young woman can get away with three to six months regrowth showing at the roots, jeans that have more holes than fabric, etc., but it looks than desirable on the less genetically blessed, and downright ludicrous on women of a certain age.

    But here is Australia we have such women who are fashion bloggers and, more often than not, they have a link to how you can hire their services as a stylist on their blog. What’s more amazing is that they have a significant following.

    I am not about putting anyone down, but I do wish some women were more discerning. I understand wanting to look good (who doesn’t), but why not embark on a self-educative journey. Read fashion books old and new: (Chanel, Claire McCardell, Yves Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood … the list is endless) to learn about the fundamentals of style. Watch documentaries, visit art galleries – anything rather than take the advice of ‘certain’ fashion bloggers.

    The internet is a great democratiser – it gives us all power to say what we think and express ourselves. A career in ‘fashion’ used to be available to a privileged few but now anyone can be an ‘expert’ on fashion with their own blog.

    • Catherine says:

      Hipsterette. Bingo!!!! You GET it!! You understand! I’m no fashion academic either–but I have a distinct common sense about the subject and from years of reading, my education is pretty decent for a commoner. And the white shirt. Here’s how you wear the white shirt. Put your arms through the sleeves. Button the shirt. Or. Put your arms through the sleeves. Put shirt over your head and pull down so that shirt lies over your torso. We wore white shirts as part of our uniform. Those shirts go with everything, You don’t need a self-proclaimed expert to tell you how to wear it. Like you, I have absolutely nothing against fashion bloggers. When a blogger gets it right–it is a joy to look at, study and learn. However, fashion blogging has gotten off course. The fashion details and education need to be a part of the editorial makeup!
      I actually “curated” my wardrobe yesterday. I cleaned my closet and threw shit away!
      Thank you so much for commenting. I swear if we lived near each other we would be continuing this convo over cawfee! XOXOXOXO!!!

  8. Susan G says:

    Love love love this post, Catherine! It’s refreshing — and gratifying! I’m not alone! — to read opinions that line up with my own when it comes to fashion and style. The “celebritization” of fashion magazines, makeup lines and the runway may have made fashion seem more accessible, but has taken away appreciation of craft and beauty. In my experience, bloggers with the best sense of style tend to be our age, having lived through the mismatched, ultra-casual Sixties and Seventies and come out the other side with elegance and simplicity.

    I have winnowed my fashion magazine intake to two: Harper’s Bazaar UK (monthly) and the relatively new Porter (six times a year). Both are not afraid to use actual models on their covers, and provide more content of art and design than many others.

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Susan, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. And I hope I didn’t come off as too harsh on the younger fashion bloggers, but they need to see that fashion is far more than just posting the clothes you are wearing. Give a description of the fit and everything else. Nobody wants to take the time out. They are more interested in how many hits, clicks and likes they can get. It’s about sharing information with the readers….
      Oh girlfriend. You are GOOD! The only “fashion” magazine I read these days is “In Style” because my subscription expired–but I can’t renew because I am so tired of celebrities and twenty-somethings gracing the pages. I want older women. I want models and NOT celebrities. I swear I cannot read Vogue anymore–it’s just awful. And I feel bad because I adore Grace Coddington. If only Grace was editor rather than that vile Wintour. Ugh! I’ll have to check out Porter. If you’re recommending–I’m a tryin’!!

      Thanks again, for commenting! XOXOXOXO!!!

  9. BlingTreeG says:

    I loved your take on the subject… I have always dreamed of becoming a part of Fashion, not even knowing what I am really looking for.. Reading this post gave me a much clearer view on where I should begin with.. What Fashion actually is.. You have clarified my doubt on fashion vs style… Thank you so much for such an amazing post..

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Bling! I’m glad to have given you a much clearer view on fashion. Hopefully I didn’t come off too preachy in my post, but fashion is just one of those subjects I’m passionate about. I think a small part of it may have been the advice my mother gave me and my sisters and she pointed out many, many things to look for when purchasing clothing. I want details. It’s like beauty. If I’m going to spend a lot of $$ on a cream or product, I research and read tons of reviews before the investment. I truly believe the same should be done with clothing. So happy you enjoyed!!! XOXOXOXO!!!

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  11. calensariel says:

    Great picture of Oona! Is that really her hair, or do they all wear matching wigs? Loved the music, btw. And though I’m usually dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, I totally agree with everything you said. Classic never goes out of style. And Hepburn is the epitome of classic. So was Jackie O. Nice post, girlfriend!

    • Catherine says:

      Hey Lady Calen. Glad you like the photos of Oona. Her hair is a wig! Let me tell you, wigs were the best thing that ever happened to Irish dance! Before the wig, I would have to slip a movie into the “VCR” (that’s how long Oona has been dancing), get a comb tons of little rollers, Vidal Sasson spray gel and set her hair. I also had to listen to whinging and “You’re abusing my hair!!!” With wigs, you just plop ’em on! I still have about 4 of her wigs in the garage in a box somewhere! Isn’t the music great? “King” was her championship set. And when I miss those days, I pop Billy’s CD into the car’s player–it’s nice! And you are right. Classic NEVER goes out of style!! Thank you! XOXOXOXO!!

  12. Trudy says:

    As usual great post. I agree with most of this but unfortunately fashion only really exists for the rich because they can afford clothing with French seams and clothing properly cut on the bias. Otherwise the most of us have to settle for clothing made with with suspect labor.(sarcasm). Also since culture in the US has changed, I don’t think there is a real appreciation for style/fashion unless you are in the industry. Even though Devil wears Prada came out more than ten years ago I would still wear almost everything in it but that not how the typical woman dresses anymore because it’s not practical. We try to get close with H&M or J.Crew(still pricey) but it’s definitely not the same. So I dream through movies and articles because my uniform, to my regret, is jeans and t-shirts on most days. Or maybe I’ll be lucky enough to make friends with a talented seamstress one day?? And bloggers are sent those clothes to brainwash you into buying it because you see everyone else wearing it, it’s timed just for that reason. So that If you see it everywhere you’ll think it’s the height of a trend, because you’ve been pummeled with that look.

    • Catherine says:

      Trudy–my god girlfriend, you bring up such great points. It’s incredibly daunting that only the wealthy can afford truly well-made and constructed clothing. However, if you look hard. I mean, really look hard, every once in a while you can find a well-constructed article of clothing at an affordable price point. Old Navy, for example, has a dupe appropriately named Pixie Pant for the J. Crew Pixie Pant at a far lower price. The construction is excellent and the fit, although you may have to size up, is good. I’ve been a loyal customer of J. Crew since the company started–but I just can’t take Jenna Lyon’s ridiculousness any more. The pricing of J. Crew has skyrocketed and the quality of many of the items is shit. Absolute shit. And when I see some of the “fashun” bloggers being gifted with clothing it blows my mind–not that they’ve been gifted, but because they don’t even have the decency or respect to describe, in detail the clothing that has been given to them for free. I’m amazed. Hey. I would wear ALL of the clothing that Anne Hathaway wore in “Devil” in a minute! I agree with all you’ve said! XOXOXOXO!!!

      • Trudy says:

        I love Old Navy! Don’t get me wrong it’s just that they’re fashionable pieces are few and far between. But I’ll still shop there because that’s my price point. But I know for sure, I’ll have an easier time finding really stylish offerings on the other extreme of the company at Banana Republic.

      • Catherine says:

        Trudy! I’m so upset with ON right now that I’m working on a post. My love for their Perfect fitted tee is no longer available in-store. They discontinued it and it’s only available online (I’m guessing until they run out of stock) I just ordered a few more of the shirts before they fade into oblivion. I USED to be able to wear Banana but no more. My body has gotten curvier and the clothing just doesn’t fit the way it used to when I was leaner! XOXOXOXO!!!

      • Trudy says:

        I haven’t shopped at Banana in a while, unfortunately . I love the fitted t, I didn’t know that they weren’t available in store anymore! That’s the perfect white t for me , it’s not so thing that you can see right though it.

      • Catherine says:

        Trudy. Go over to ON online and order those perfect t-‘s before they run out. I got them last year for under five bucks on sale–the price is now 7 bucks but it is worth every cent. It’ true, you cannot see through them and they are the perfect t! Or they WERE the perfect t! XOXOXOXO!

      • Trudy says:

        I think there’s a sale now and I got a couple last year , one of each color . But I need to load up on white t-s because they’re the first to get destroyed by stains.

      • Catherine says:

        That’s why I carry around that Tide stick thingy.LOL! XOXOXO!

      • Trudy says:

        Mine always dry out or leak in my bag.. I’m accident prone you see.

  13. Maguy says:

    Chere Catherine:
    “A Typical Blog. A Typical Woman. A Typical Take On Life. With An Atypical Twist!” Great description of your “most” interesting blog! I’m in complete agreement with you on today’s so called “Fashion World”! It seems that the designers run out of ideas and often the runways look like outfits made for “Halloween”!….French born and living in Canada, fashion was and always will be important to me. (mostly classic, Ines de la Fressange being my idol!) The world of “blogging” is saturated with good and bad ideas of what to wear and not to wear!!…(self-portrait, etc…etc….).
    Want to share with you the “Hermes defile 2016-2017” that I found in “Elle Magazine”, quite beautiful and “elegant”!
    Thanks for your inspiring “blog”!
    Maguy
    http://www.elle.fr/Mode/Les-defiles-de-mode/Pret-a-porter-Automne-hiver-2016-17/Paris/Hermes/Hermes-3065725

    • Catherine says:

      Bonjour Maguy. I’m glad that you are in agreement with my opinion on today’s so called Fashion World. Its true that so many of the designers’ ideas do resemeble Halloween costumes. But I liken that to pretense of the customers–the same customers who will look at bad art and pontificate the greatness of this bad art, while at the same time, dismiss the beautiful Gustave Courbet painting “The Origin of the World”. Like you, I’m a huge Ines fan. She is the modern muse of style! Thank you for sharing the Hermes ready-to-wear. It is simple elegance–although I do wish that a few of the pieces were more fitted. I have a thing about proper fit. But I love my Hermes scarf and I loved the Hermes bracelets that belonged to Bonaparte’s aunt, Daniele. I hope you continue to read my views and rants! Thank you again! XOXOXOXO!!!

  14. Hi Catherine, I just popped over from Rubber Shoes 🙂 My first visit here and I just loved this post! I think the fashion blogs are all about making money via clicks and sales on the clothes. Of course, that takes away much of the credibility and genuine fashion lay outs. I agree with you on the Vogue magazine. I haven’t actually found a fashion mag I like. I’m enjoying reading all the comments on this topic as well. Great post!

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Lisa! Glad you stopped by! I’m also glad that you enjoyed this post. Oh–Vogue–right?? Right??? It’s insane. Hope you stick around for more of my rants! XOXOXOXO!!!

  15. lorigreer says:

    I loved reading this post. I’ve always been amazed at the outfits on the runways…and sometimes not in a good way.

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Lori! Welcome to MY runway! Seriously–its so true. I’m oftentimes amazed at the way clothing is styled and am constantly bewildered as to why the models always look so miserable. It’s amazing. Doesn’t a smile mean anything anymore?? XOXOXOXO!!!

  16. LosiLosLoco says:

    Absolutely amazing post here Catherine! I can tell that you are passionate about fashion and all the aspects that come with it. You’re clearly well versed and have historical reference to boot and back you up. How can I not agree with you? Even if you personally prefer more simpler styles and designs, you still manage to give great critiques when ensembles and technical executions of these clothes when they are due.
    I think you’re right about other fashion blogs though. I don’t personally read them but I watch those who turn their blogs into VLogs about fashion (sometimes.) It’s the same everywhere. I wasn’t born until the mid 90s so I have not a clue about how it used to be. But if what you say is true, and I believe you, then fashion has fallen quite a ways.
    You know, once the greats pass on, it seems to happen everywhere in every field. Still, it only takes time or someone’s fed up temper to start a change. Maybe you could give these other bloggers a lesson! Huh.
    I don’t pay attention to fashion (after all I’m not even trendy or fashion forward), but I will be sharing this. If for nothing else, for the fact that you sold your argument so well. Perhaps someone who runs across my blog and see my shared link, will have their eyes opened. We can only hope right?
    Once again, bang up job! I really enjoyed reading this. I might have to check out Dior and I since you talk so highly of it. Also, that photograph regarding Dior and the skirt: fan-fucking-tastic! I’m a photobug but that photo is beautiful AND I can see every stitch and texture in it. Amazing.
    Maybe you’d consider offering a crash course on how fashion works, or at least it used to. I’m sure you’d be wonderful at it! 😉

    • Catherine says:

      Pineapple–THANKS for your positive thoughts on this. Methinks you are a fashion critic in waiting!! But yeah, you really HAVE to check out the Dior doc. It was amazing. Back then it was true fashion compared to the fashun of today. I mean–street fashion??? WTF, now people in tattered jeans and who look like they rolled out of bed are now fashionable. I can’t even………. XOXOXOXOXO!!!

      • LosiLosLoco says:

        Well, I can’t deny that I have crippled someone’s STYLE before because of poor execution. I don’t pay as much attention to the build of the clothing unless it is completely ATROCIOUS!!! Like some of the people out of US Weekly… But I won’t go there today. Much love <3

  17. Mei says:

    Classic. Great blog. Thank you for sharing.

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