I went to Target yesterday because we needed a new non-stick skillet, a birthday present for a party on Saturday and an extra pair of soccer socks for Caroline. In addition to these must-have items, I also ended up with a pair of sparkly silver shoes in a girls’ size 13 and some yoga pants in a womens’ size none of your business. It took all the self-restraint I could muster to not purchase these really pretty bubble glass goblets, but then I remembered that we eat off paper plates almost every night of the week and don’t really need any more elegant glassware that we don’t use.
Then I made my way over to the clothing section and saw these:
Somewhere Grimace is walking around without pants.
These are sweatpants with elastic at the ankles. For sale. In a store.
I was ready, in the spirit of George Costanza, to declare it the winter of Melanie where I would do nothing but eat cheese and grow a mustache, except without the growing a mustache part because I have standards. Not very high standards as evidenced by the faded black yoga pants that I wore to drop Caroline off at school yesterday, but standards nonetheless.
I also saw some lace leggings and a pair of mustard yellow ballet flats. Then the cashier asked for my I.D. when I tried to purchase a bottle of wine (every serious wine connoisseur knows Target has the best selection when you’re willing to spend $5.00 and possibly even $6.00) and I got in the car to head home and A-HA was on the radio singing “Take On Me” and I seriously wondered if I was being punked and somehow ended up back in 1988. But without the perm and the acid-washed denim jacket. And possibly the fake I.D.
Not that I was ever party to any sort of shenanigans involving fake identification in 1988. I just heard about it from some friends.
Anyway, I’ve never understood when women talk about how they can’t repeat a trend they wore when they were in middle school, but this fall I’ve realized it’s because I’ve never really lived it. All I know is that a 38-year-old woman has no business wearing neon plaid and lace leggings. NO BUSINESS. I’ve officially crossed over to the other side.
(I originally accidentally typed “crossed over to the other size” which is also true but more painful to admit)
Now for questions:
1. Erica asks: “Can you recommend some boots that look like Fryes but cost way way less? “
There was many a year that I searched for a pair of Frye boots that cost way less and I was totally and completely unsuccessful in my quest.
However, this year is the year of the boot. There are fabulous boots everywhere, but I’ve discovered that you need to look online and not just in stores. Most stores are woefully lacking a decent boot selection.
Here are a few great pairs of boots that look similar to various styles of Frye boots, but without the price tag.
2. Kelli asks: ” I loved the Gap essentials jeans and now they are discontinued. Do you (or any of your readers) have any ideas of a similar fit jean?”
All I know about jeans is you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince.
In other words, the best way to find a pair of jeans is to devote an afternoon to your quest for denim perfection and bring a friend who’s not afraid to be honest.
I’ve heard good things about Gap’s Long and Lean jeans and that you don’t have to be long nor lean to look good in them. It might be a good place to start.
Do y’all have any suggestions?
3. Priscilla asks: “I will be attending two weddings in early October. I would like to try something strapless or maybe one-shouldered number. What would be fall appropriate?”
The one-shouldered look is a big trend right now, even though I am struggling because all of a sudden I feel like shoulder is a funny word. Shoulder. Think about it for a minute.
Strapless or one-shouldered (I think it may be the source of a new word phobia for me, kind of like “ointment”) dresses are absolutely appropriate for fall as long as they are in a color palette that’s not too summery and you remember to carry a light wrap in case there’s a chill in the air.
Nena would refer to this as a “stole”. She was just sick when Gulley wore a strapless dress on an 80 degree October night last year without a stole.
Here are a few beautiful dresses that would work depending on how formal or casual your events happen to be.
I also love something like this even though it is neither one-shouldered nor strapless.
That’s all the questions for today, but I do have a few other fashion-related things I want to share. I tried on this black cowl-neck sweater dress at Old Navy the other day and was surprised that it was actually made fairly well. It would look great with tights and boots. I also thought these drawstring waist dresses were cute and would be the perfect piece to wear with leggings and a denim jacket. And Gap has their boyfriend sweaters on sale which are the perfect casual piece to pair with jeans and a scarf.
One final thing. (I know, what else could I possibly have to say?) I almost never do stuff like this, but one of my friends is a jewelry designer. She entered one of her designs as part of a contest through Kendra Scott Designs and is now one of the top three finalists nationwide. If her design is chosen then it will be worn on the red carpet at the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles and become a permanent part of the Kendra Scott collection. You can click on this link to go see the three finalists. She designed the one with the turquoise, orange and black detail. If you agree with me on its total and absolute super-coolness, you can vote for her design.
Stay classy.
And y’all have a great Friday.