VINTAGE '70S GOWNS

I am finally back from Asia, though on a somber note.  My biggest style icon - my Mom - passed away.  As my sisters and I were going through her closets, we remarked what a gorgeous wardrobe she had designed for herself.  Someday, I will take pictures of her gowns.  Meanwhile, these pictures give the essence of her style back in the '70s.

Joy Stevens vintage jersey dress;
Mom had similar gowns, some in mixed prints with contrast accents

Mom was an intellectual who thrived on witty debates on any topic.  She disliked High Society and preferred the company of the academic elite at University.  However, her station required her to attend many social functions at the Presidential Palace or similar events.  Her bohemian streak led her to design and create many gowns elevating the hippie batik fabric to evening status.  A weak spine, causing a curvature in her back, also honed her talent in using asymmetry and visual tricks in clothing.

From watoday.com.au
Mom would mix prints - floral or batik - with solids or beading to create interesting combinations

Her preferred silhouette was a column gown topped by a halter, to emphasize her broad shoulders.  The halters could be cleverly asymmetric, made of a beaded applique, or adapting the edge of a batik print for emphasis.  She also loved big, chunky, and cheap bohemian jewelry.  It didn't matter if she was at a State dinner receiving foreign heads of state!

From poshvintage.com
Mom could cleverly make the halters asymmetric

We also found unique '60s shift dresses that she had trimmed with batik fabric, as well as chiffon disco dress styles.

Mom designed several '70s disco dress styles
with similar long sleeves and flowy skirts

As my sisters and I reminisced about watching Mom get ready at her dressing table, spritzing perfume and clipping her earrings on, we realized we owed all our sense of style to her.  In fact, the day after Mom was laid to rest, our family got together for a dinner to celebrate her life.  We sisters all wore Mom's clothes from various stages in her life.  I was so proud to put on one of her '70s evening gowns.

Catherine Malandrino gown
Mom liked mixing printed fabric with accents like this gold braiding

We love you, MOM!

SYMPHONY IN WHITE

I am still in Asia but realized that summer break in the Northern Hemisphere is nearly over.  If you believe the old adage "Never wear white after Labor Day", it's time to make the most of your whites.

Remember the elegant, white pants suit (see Summer Pants Suit)?  Let's see how we can transport this look from elegant to casually stylish.  You can sport it in an everyday setting using pieces from your closet.  It can be as easy as mixing the top and bottom (unmatched suit) to make the look  more casual.

CASUAL WEEKEND
For casual environments, or for a chilly summer evening, try this combination reminiscent of Amelia Earheart.  A white tank top and white jeans are a great base:

Buttery leather jacket, white jeans, gauzy scarf and heels

OFFICE TO COCKTAILS

The following looks can go from work to a night out depending on your office dress code.

Jacket with silk ruffles tops white slacks

Jacket has slimming pleat details; denim wedges with suede bow add fun

There are so many combinations you can pull from your own closet.  Remember how much fun paper dolls were to dress up?  Do the same with your own wardrobe!

TRAVEL YOGA

I am on another trans-Pacific trip and remembered to share another travel trick to avoid swollen ankles and aching backs.

On long flights, it is convenient to book the Bulk Head seats so you have room to stretch and move around. This is particularly important if you are crunched up in Economy Class, but works as well in Business or First Class cabins.  I use this space for a little airplane yoga.

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold)
from yogajournal.com

I am an active person, and especially as a dancer, feel extremely uncomfortable being immobile for any length of time.  With the extra room at Bulk Head, I can do simple versions of Sun Salutations, calf stretches, even narrow lunges to get the blood moving! 

Deep Lunge, from wholeliving.com

You can do a shortened version of Downward Dog by facing your seat, folding at your waist and holding the armrests to lengthen your back and get a little hamstring and calf stretch.  There is room for a Standing Forward Fold.  You can do alternating leg Calf Raises for exercise.  In a pinch, I have stretched my legs in front of my face right in my seat.

Forward fold right in your seat
from yogalifestyle.com

There is no need to be shy. You can do this in the dark while other passengers are asleep. Believe me, even in full view, I have found other passengers look and then copy me! 

Given all this movement on board, remember to dress in knit or other stretchy garments for greater comfort.

AWAY ON VACATION

I will be away over the next few weeks and will probably blog sparingly.

Meanwhile, I leave you with some thoughts on swim wear.

Waimea Swim Series from athleta.com

This may surprise a lot of people but Two-Piece Suits are a good option whether you are scrawny or curvy.  They can flatter varied body types on an average woman better than the wrong style maillot:

• Many labels allow you to size the top and bottom separately for a great fit
• You can even mix styles up, like a tankini on top and string bikini bottom
• For most women, the deep V-plunge of the bra is a slimming feature
• You can choose the cut of your bottom (hipster, boy short, high cut, thong ...) to flatter your shape

Missoni crochet bikini, from polyvore.com
Not to be worn in water!

Note, if you are an athletic person engaged in active water sports, you need performance swimwear that won't leave you with a wardrobe malfunction mid-lap.  Regular swimsuits  made for lounging will stretch when wet and can leave you uncovered with one strenuous move!  Shelve your crochet, glamor bikinis if you are water bound.

For tips on what looks flattering, check out this site Glamour Swimsuit Shopping Guide

PACIFIC COAST STYLE: AMERICAN CHIC

I'm heading down the California Coast beginning with Monterey Bay - the backdrop to John Steinbeck's "Cannery Row"  -  through the charming town of Carmel to the rugged beauty of Big Sur.  The Beat Generation's Jack Kerouac immortalized Big Sur in his writings too.

Big Sur, CA (from myfreewallpaper.net)

On the Coast, activities range from outdoorsy treks by the beach to world class wining and dining.  This makes packing a bit complicated.   Did I mention that the Coast can be cold and foggy in the middle of summer too?  It will be in the 50s to 60s Farenheit this July, colder if we are in the middle of the ocean spotting humpbacks.

Jeans and sturdy shoes can take care of horseback riding and trekking.  What about the evenings when the local Inn offers its wine and cheese reception, or when we stroll by the many acclaimed restaurants in Carmel?  This calls for ...

AMERICAN CHIC
Rugged fabrics like denim, though perhaps in white or as a skirt, and camel-colored leathers or suedes nod to Carmel's most famous resident, Clint Eastwood.  Vogue's fashion editor, Tonne Goodman, also embodies this effortless American style:

model as Tonne Goodman, Vogue August 2008

Here are a few ideas of the mix of fabrics and styles that can bring on this look:

Camel sweater jacket with fur and denim trim
White jeans contrasted with denim wedges with suede bow

White V-neck tops suede pants
Cropped denim jacket and denim shoes finish it

You can play around with the fabrics in unexpected places - like suede pants, or denim shoes.

Note:  To make legs look longer in either ensemble, swap the contrast shoes for a pair of neutrals, like camel-colored suede booties.

SUMMER PANTS SUIT

There is something so timelessly elegant about the white suit.

Bianca Jagger in the '70s turned this into an iconic style that continues to be relevant - and utterly stylish - today.  Paired with high heels and floppy hat, the look still projects confident elegance.

Mick & Bianca Jagger's wedding

Bianca Jagger at the airport

This is such a timeless Style that varies little from year to year.  Chaiken's version from their Spring 2008 collection looks just as chic today.  Even Tom Ford revived Jagger's YSL white pants suit in his collection while he was at YSL.  If you already have one in your closet from the last decade, you can use it again!

Chaiken Spring 2008

Key things to remember with this look:

• Make sure the jacket is tailored perfectly on you.  Ill-fitting creases or boxiness can make it look frumpy.
• Straight or even wide-legged trousers give it the most elegant drape.  If the pants are cut tight, the look is on the trendy side and may not be as flattering.
• Bianca Jagger can get away with a bowler hat topping her pants suit (her airport look).  For the rest of us, a floppier hat exudes more glamor!

* Jagger photos from Getty Images

TRESS DISTRESS

In the summer months, our beauty routines get simplified.  Days at the beach or poolside leave us preferring the au naturel look.  While skipping the blow drying phase is good for our hair, the stress of sun and chlorine or salt water is not.

Beach-tousled hair (Getty Images)

After interviewing several hair specialists, their advice always came down to this:

Saturate the hair follicle with good stuff before you go out.

This is especially necessary for chemically-weakened hair.  So for you sun- and water-worshippers out there:

• Soak your tresses in clean water first to saturate the hair follicles
• This leaves no room for chlorinated or sea water to do damage internally
• Coating the hair with conditioner gives added protection externally
• Some products made specifically for hair also coat with UV protection

Towards the end of summer, don't forget to get a hair trim to get your hair back into shape!