HOW TO ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING TO WEAR
by Anita Sarko
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| I laughed when I saw that every fashion publication and blog is insisting that wide-legged jeans are one of the MUST HAVES for spring and summer (along with just about every other look from the 70s). In case you have better things to occupy yourself with than following fashion trends, this is how the fashion world hilariously and predictably works season after season. This is how the fashion industry must work in order to sell as many garments as possible. The idea is to always push items that are the polar opposites of the previous trends. We’ve all been happily donning leggings and jeggings since last year, so now they tell us that we must have bellbottoms. Because you are constantly buying everything that is contrary to what you already have, you will always find yourself experiencing that dreaded “I have a closetful of clothes, yet I have nothing to wear” panic. Who needs that? Clothing should make you feel good, not insecure ... or poor! |
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| MONTICELLO JACKET (Wool/ Viscose/ Silk/ Elastane), $545. FINALE SKIRT (Wool/ Viscose/ Silk/ Elastane), $315. MONTICELLO JACKET, $545. FINALE SKIRT, $315. STARDUST Turtleneck SHELL (Cotton/Nylon/ Spandex), $320. Look: Jacket closed. MONTICELLO JACKET, $545. FINALE SKIRT, $315. STARDUST Turtleneck SHELL, $210. Look: Jacket open. |
| This 70’s retro push really makes me giggle because a dear old friend of mine — a very important person at a very important fashion publication — has always been fond of dictating (for they always dictate) that, “If you were around the first time a trend appeared, you should not be wearing it when it returns.” If I were to follow that advice, I would be walking around stark naked these days. Poppycock! And he (I hope) knows it is! If you blindly follow trends, what happens is that you become fashionable, but not STYLISH ... which is any truly fashionable person’s holy grail. Having “style” means that you transcend what is fashionable; that you transcend trends. Find clothing that makes you feel comfortable, that truly expresses what you like, that best serves your real lifestyle. To begin this process, you need to build a core. “A woman does not need to invest in 20 pieces to look good. 6-8 pieces can take her through the entire season or two .... It's about learning how to make the most out of the least amount of clothing,” Leena Gurevich, New York Showroom Director for The Carlisle Collection, says. “When it comes to downsizing, all we can do is help the client build up her core items from scratch. |
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| These are items that you could never live without: They are versatile and comfortable. You feel like you look you best without having to think about it. Your look becomes effortless. “The ideal core is a suit jacket, pant, skirt, dress and 2 tops. All of these items should be purchased within the same color story so that they can be mixed and matched appropriately,” Gurevich explains. “It is ok to eventually add an item that is a bit bold. Adding a variety of colors to compliment your existing core can be extremely beneficial, not to mention fun." Color brings up the important concept of dye-lots. How many times have you been baffled that a red or yellow or gray garment or accessory was not the same shade as the piece in the same color you thought it perfectly matched? It particularly gets vexing when you’re dealing with navy, brown and, especially, black and white. It’s baffling how colors that SEEM to be uniform can actually vary wildly. The only way to be safe is to be certain that the garments are made from materials that come from the same dye-lot. Carlisle/Per Se has always understood the considerable value of focusing on this problem. “Our dye-lots are almost always identical from season to season," notes Gurevich. “This makes adding to a core so much easier. Our consultants keep records of their clients’ purchases so they know what can be added in every season to refresh the look." |
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| FINALE SLACKS (Wool/Viscose/Silk/Elastane), $315. FINALE JACKET (Wool/Viscose/Silk/Elastane), $545. STARDUST Turtleneck SHELL (Cotton/Nylon/Spandex), $210. Look: Jacket open with sleeves turned up. FINALE SLACKS, $315. FINALE JACKET, $545. STARDUST Turtleneck SHELL, $210. Look: Jacket closed with sleeves turned down. FINALE SLACKS, $315. STARDUST Turtleneck SHELL, $210. FINALE SLACKS, $315. STARDUST Turtleneck SHELL, $210. STARDUST CARDIGAN JACKET, $325. |
| In order to get the most utility when considering seasonal transitions, Gurevich insists that the materials should be “clean wools or techno fabrics. No linen or trendy items that will stand out and will be noticed if worn too many times.” Finally, go through your closet. Do not follow that other insane fashion magazine dictate that “you should throw out anything you haven’t worn in one or two (they can never agree on the time span) years." Guess what: You might actually have occasion to use something you haven’t worn in a long time, or you might find something that looks great with it ... like a new pair of shoes or other accessory, or you might either lose or gain the weight that will make it fit again. So, keep your favorites, no matter what. “If a woman has an item in her closet that she has had for years, but has not worn, it doesn't necessarily mean that it has to be thrown away. We encourage women to bring in their favorite items and we will show/teach them how to incorporate the look into something new and fresh without spending hoards of money.” |
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| Clockwise from top left: FINALE JACKET (Wool/ Viscose/Silk/Elastane), $545. BRANCH PENCIL PANTS (Wool/Elastane), $315. STARDUST Turtleneck SHELL (Cotton/Nylon/Spandex), $210. BRANCH PENCIL PANTS, $315. KENYA SHELL + SCARF (Silk/Cotton/Nylon/Spandex), $225. BRANCH PENCIL PANTS, $315. KENYA SHELL + SCARF, $225. KENYA CARDIGAN (Silk/Cotton/Nylon/Spandex), $335. CAPPUCCINO SKIRT (Cotton/Polyamide/Elastane), $310. KENYA SHELL + SCARF, $225. |
| Find your core; find your style. In the end, you will build a permanent wardrobe that will always look great, take you anywhere and has unlimited uses. Buy the finest examples of those pieces and, in the end, you will actually save money because, not only will the garments last, but they will also be relatively timeless. And think of the time you’ll save, both with shopping and when pondering what to put on! Best of all, you will ALWAYS have something to wear! Now, who could put a price on that? |
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| TESS DRESS (Vicose/Nylon/Spandex/Polyester), $425. TESS DRESS, $425. IRIS TRENCH COAT (100% Silk), $535. IRIS TRENCH COAT, $535. BRANCH PENCIL PANTS (Wool/Elastane), $315. JAVA short-sleeved TOP (Silk/Cotton/Nylon/Spandex), $220. |
| For appointments in the Carlisle New York City showroom call: 212.751.6490 or visit the collection here. |
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