Edition 64: Fashion Friday

So this weekend is Labor Day weekend and, while I’m looking forward to having a long holiday weekend, I’m a little sad it’s time to put away my white jeans. I feel like we barely got to know each other and now I have to put them away until next spring. My heart breaks a little.

On the other hand, it’s hard to be sad for long when this weekend marks the official start of the college football season. There are few things in life that bring me more joy than a Saturday spent watching a football game while eating some sort of dip. (Sidenote: Go check out the DipTacular going on at Boomama’s.) The only thing better is if it happens to be the Aggies participating in the aforementioned great game, but I’ll take what I can get.

And while we’re on the subject of college football, I was in Banana Republic yesterday (it’s all in the name of exhaustive research for you, internet) and saw this really cute top. The only problem was it came in burnt orange and I just can’t wear burnt orange this time of year because it would be considered sacrilege. It’s bad enough that I have to endure all the Longhorn love in the press (get a room); I certainly don’t need to contribute to it by wearing their colors, even if it is in the form of a kicky little blouse.

However, I felt like I wanted to pass it on to some of my friends who cheer for the school in Austin because I know the pain that comes with trying to find fashionable items in college colors, says the girl who went to Texas A&M and has conducted massive searches for maroon items that aren’t football jerseys.

(By the way, I was going to post a link to the top but it’s not online. I guess it’s just in the store.)

As I was standing there in Banana Republic pondering the dilemma of whether or not I should help the folks in burnt orange and thinking about how hard it is to find clothes in school colors, I received an email from my friend K telling me about a new website called Team Colors Couture. It’s basically a place where you can find fashionable items in your college team’s colors. Right now it’s only Texas schools, but they’ll be adding new schools over time and obviously there are many schools that share the same colors. It pains me that there is an appallingly low selection of maroon merchandise, but that’s an Aggie’s cross to bear. The fashion world is just generally not a fan of maroon or her slightly more attractive half sister, burgundy.

I’d cry discrimination and start a huge campaign to change things but that would take a lot of work.

My point is Gig’em Aggies. I love you and will always cheer for you even if the fashion world and the sports pages neglect you.

Now for a few questions.

1. Karate Mom asks: “Could you please link to the fabulous scarf video that you did last year? My mom got the most beautiful big scarf faux pashmina thingy for me, but I need to know how to wear it!”

Well, yes, I certainly can even though I cannot watch that video without cringing. However, of all the stupid things I’ve ever done in the name of this blog that one gets the most requests, so here’s the link.

And, by the way, the scarf is still totally in for this season. I plan on wearing all of mine if the temperature ever drops below 100 degrees again.

2. Amanda asks: “Can you suggest any ways to wear leggings for those of us who have not used our Shred DVDs yet?”

Are you trying to imply that I haven’t been using my Shred DVD? Because I have. I TOTALLY HAVE. Maybe.

The key to wearing leggings for those of us who are mere mortals and enjoy the occasional bowl of queso or bag of M&M’s is to think about proportions and the use of color. Clearly, most of us will not be wearing them this way. But if you can pull that off then God bless you and may I suggest you go eat some chicken fingers?

Buy a pair of leggings in a darker color because it will give your legs the illusion of slimness and then pair the leggings with a longer cardigan, jacket or top in a pattern or a lighter color. This will allow you to rejoice in the comfort that is the legging while drawing the eye away from your booty region. Just make sure that your top isn’t too big or loose because you don’t want to look sloppy, which can actually make you look bigger.

Here are a few outfits that show how to make the leggings look work in a tasteful way. I realize most of us aren’t going to throw down the coin these particular outfits cost, but I needed something to use as an example and they were all I could find. Just remember these looks and head to TJ Maxx or wherever you like to bargain shop to replicate them.

3. Kristen asks: ” I finally bought some Frye Harness Boots, (YAY!), but now and trying to figure out how to wear them. I’ve got some good jeans that I can put them with, but what else could I do? I’m a mid thirties average sized girl and I’m willing to take [some] fashion risks.”

See above discussion on leggings.

You know I have long been a fan of the harness boots and the good news is that Target is selling the knock off harness boots in both black and brown this year. You can pair them with jeans or try them with leggings for something different and slightly edgier.

And we all know I’m a fan of edgy because I’ve been known to skip breakfast even though it’s the most important meal of the day.

4. Cody asks: “We’re heading off to a wedding in Puerto Rico in December. My husband’s in the wedding and they’re wearing khaki’s, guayaberas, and leather flip flops. I wasn’t sure what to wear, so I asked the groom and he said business casual. The ceremony will be outdoors. But, when I looked up ‘business casual’ it said no flip-flops. I was thinking a maxi dress and flip flops but maybe not? Help! What is ‘business casual?'”

I’m going to share a basic rule of fashion that applies to virtually any situation and will serve you well for the rest of your life. Never ask a man (even if he’s the groom) what the appropriate attire is for an event. They don’t know. Even if they act like they do, they don’t.

They don’t.

Case in point, a wedding ceremony in Puerto Rico where the groom and his groomsmen are wearing khakis, guayaberas and flip-flops is not business casual, unless you’re in the business of making margaritas at the bar or playing the maracas for local tourists. No self-respecting place of legitimate business is going to let grown men show off their feet.

If the wedding were truly business casual then they would be wearing khakis and nice polo shirt with a “Vandalay Industries” logo embroidered tastefully on it. My point is I think the groom meant to say, but didn’t know such a dress category existed, resort casual.

A maxi dress with a thong sandal (the dressier name for a flip-flop) sounds completely appropriate for the occasion. For a little extra flair, you could wear some statement earrings and maybe a fun cocktail ring.

But I don’t really like to talk about my flair. (Can you name that movie?)

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday. Stay classy.

And Gig ’em Aggies.