Challenge #4-

Well, the heat is back on and Labor Day hasn’t arrived yet, so that leaves me time for my seersucker dress- challenge item #4. I bought this dress about 5 years ago at H&M in Ireland because to me, it epitomized the perfect summer dress.

There are several features that make this dress great. First, it has vertical stripes, a no-brainer for anyone. Vertical stripes have the power to elongate your figure and create a nice line for the eyes to follow i.e. they make you look a little taller and a little thinner.

The second flattering feature is the smocked waist. Smocking is a method of stitching or embroidering that is used to gather material. It gives fabric a stretch or elastic quality and is probably most widely seen on those terry-cloth bathing suit cover-ups. On this dress though, it is done with a contrast stitch and gives the waist a perfect fit. Also, because it starts under the bust, it creates a wonderful hourglass shape and helps those of us who are less busty than others. The bust is further enhanced by the square neckline. Lastly, this dress is 100% cotton and you just can’t beat that when the mercury starts to climb. A special detail that has nothing to do with function but I still love, is the funky print on the skirt that gives it a modern edge.

I paired the dress with some cognac colored peep-toe pumps from Zara and a chunky contrasting Lia Sophia necklace. Throw in some big sunglasses by Vogue and I was ready to bounce around the city. (Yes I bounce around the city in heels.)

Incase you can’t tell by my rave review, this dress was saved from the Good Will pile. I even had my friend Stacy ask why I hadn’t worn this dress more often? When cleaning out your closet, ask your friends for their opinion! Great friends will always be honest with you and they are a set of eyes that see you in a different light. They might even have styling suggestions that you didn’t even think of!

On to the next two...

So I’ve been rockin’ and rollin’ lately and I have done challenge pieces #2 and #3 already!

My second item of choice was a printed cotton bustier from White House Black Market. I remember going on a bit of a bustier kick at one point about two years ago and this was the just one of the pieces I purchased.

What I love about a bustier is that it is just E-A-S-Y! Slip it on and you can wear it with jeans, dress slacks, a skirt- doesn’t matter and this little number is no exception! It has a beautiful rouching detail on the bust and a great print that comes up from the hem.

I chose to make it part of my outfit for a time-square stroll/dessert with my friend Victoria and I paired it with cropped black skinnys and a great blazer. (Remember what we said about a great blazer?!)

Outfit- White House Black Market

           

So my thought on the outfit was that it was a winner. I loved the way it showed an open neckline and I intentionally wore no necklace and my hair pinned up. However, what I realized was that the blazer was doing all of the work. Because I am a pear shape and I have a small natural waist, the tailoring of the blazer was very chic and pulled me in at the right places to show my curves.

However without the blazer, the empire waist and A-line body were doing me no favors. The hem hit at the widest part of my hips and drew an unflattering line making me look even thicker. Although I would recommend this top for a woman who is thicker in the mid-section as it would nip her in at the correct spot and help give a more hour glass shape but for me, it wound up making it to the Good Will bin. 

Outfit #3 brought me back down to basics as I was trying to make a sassy outfit out of a classic cotton cami from Banana Republic (Yes I actually have clothes from other stores).

I bought this tank a few years ago when I was in Boca Raton, Florida and on a serious color kick! I LOVE the coral pink color and the lace detail, which really elevates a look even if you’re just pairing it with jeans.  

Jeans and Sweater- White House Black Market; Leather Flip-Flops- Eliza B; Ring- Forever 21

I was definitely happy with this look when I stepped out to go to a friends backyard barbeque in Brooklyn but I realized that this top, for me, really couldn’t stand alone. Let’s face it ladies, no one really enjoys wearing a strapless bra and I am not one to try and sport an elevated look with bra straps showing; not even clear ones. This cami was great to me but it is just time to let it go.

3 items down and 6 more to go!

Challenge #1

Here it is- Challenge #1.

It has finally cooled down here in New York after a maddeningly hot Summer so my first item of choice was a cascade collar jacket that I bought from White House Black Market. (I used to work there, hence nearly my whole wardrobe is from there.)

What I loved about the jacket when I bought it was the color, the texture and the fact that it is a knit material. Blazers and jackets are a staple item in any wardrobe and for someone like me, with broad shoulders and a small waist, something knit is key for getting the fit and function you want without having to go to a tailor.

I decided to wear it out to dinner with a friend at a Thai restaurant with some jeans and a white lace cami and my favorite wedges and this was the result…

Cami, Shoes, Ring- White House Black Market; Jeans- Agave Nectar

What I love about this outfit is the casual-chic appeal. I was totally comfortable and the sweater breathed enough for me to go from the cool, rainy street, to the stuffy subway and back.

To style this jacket in other ways for the future I would do it up with some black skinny pants bring out the fierce-ness with some high boots. The nude color of the jacket makes it perfect to pair with some fierce leopard heels as well. (All the rage this season!)

Another fab combo would be to wear it open with a long drapey tank, jeggings and some layered chain necklaces.

Needless to say this jacket saved itself from the Good Will pile and is safely back in my closet!

Operation: Closet Cleanout!

We have all done it before: let our closets get out of control! Having worked in retail, I can say that it has happened to me several times in the past few years because I just plain shop too much!
We have all heard the rule- 'if you don't wear something in a year, it's time to get rid of it' and I have actually become pretty good at letting pieces go. (The tax deduction at the end of the year is A-MAZING!) However more often that not I find myself SWEARING that I will wear these pieces again soon only to see another year go by. So here is my test...

 These clothes are part of my 'Challenge' pieces as I come to call them. I'm going to give myself 30 days to wear these clothes and see how I really feel about them and chronicle the results. I have a total of 9 pieces and I would like to test their versatility and truly see if I can make some great things happen. At the end we will see what ends up at Good Will and why. What's waiting in your closet?

Family Jewels

I was going through my jewelry box the other day trying to clean up shop and I came across a piece that holds a lot of sentimental value for me. It is a gold tie-pin that belonged to my great-grandfather. Set in the pin are the birthstones of his grandchildren but we were confused to find an empty slot. No one could remember what was there especially since my Nonna really only had 5 grandchildren....

The empty hole gave me an idea that I’ve always wanted to do, edit a piece of jewelry and turn it into something else. I took the pin to my friends at Dante’s Jewelers in Middletown, Connecticut (when you have a jeweler you trust, you’ll travel) and we discussed removing the post on the pin and making it into a charm for my bracelet (also a family piece). $20 and about a week later this is the result…

My next idea is to melt and bend a pendant into a ring and I can’t wait!

Mom’s the word:

Our most recent project at De Melis Atelier is our first custom suit for our mother of the bride, Angie. Angie turned to us to design a suit that she could wear not only to her son’s wedding in October, but for various occasions thereafter. The thought process was simple, make Angie look fabulous in a season-less suit catered to her petite, older figure.

We have been working away and found not only the perfect fabric and trims, but we just finished our second sample fitting which was a huge success. Our next step is to cut and begin to piece together her beautifully tailored jacket and embellish it with some great black stones on the lapel and collar. All the while she will be fitted for a fabulous matching pant to complete the look. I can’t wait to post pictures of the finished product but for now here is an image from our fitting.

We would love to help bring your fashion inspiration to life- Contact us to place your custom order today!

Get them to ‘the Gris’

          So my favorite TV show just started back up again, AMC’s Mad Men! Now obviously I lust for the fashion and that handsome Don Draper but Season 4, Episode 1 also just happened to plug one of my favorite places in the world, the Griswold Inn or ‘the Gris’ as it’s better known, in Essex, Connecticut. It’s not just me that thinks so, I remember seeing a book about the 1000 places to see before you die and seriously, Essex and the Gris were in there! I first heard about the Inn when I worked on Main Street at J. Alden Clothiers. If it hadn’t been for my time there, I would not have become so familiar with the family that owns it or what it means to this quaint town. 

            For those of you who don’t know, Essex is a nautical little shoreline town in Connecticut near Mystic. You can dock your boat and check out all of the shops along Main Street or even take a ride on the steam train. It really is a fun way to spend a day. The Gris is an amazing piece to the towns puzzle. It opened in 1776 and is one of the oldest inns in the country and business is alive and well today. I remember last Spring De Melis and J. Alden participated in a Fashion Show Fundraiser to benefit the Child and Family Services Agency and of course the Gris made the perfect setting. Not only that but the Grist was where I spent my rockin’ New Years Eve last year- dancing and having a blast!

However if it weren’t for the fantastic performances of the Shiny Lapels, I wouldn’t have a good place to spend my random Tuesday nights in Connecticut. Hands down they are my favorite performers and the band I hope to have play my wedding someday!

Even before Mad Men was shouting out the Gris I was telling my friend ‘you have to come with me to see this place, it’s awesome!’ Even their web site boasts “Although the inn exudes the charm of a day gone by, we are anything but dated.” It’s the truth. They have a gorgeous guest rooms, a bar/tap room,  and a beautiful dining area including the Wine Bar that won the Wine Spectator 2009 Award of Excellence.

With Fall here before you know it, I truly can’t wait to coax my New York friends to Connecticut with me to get them to the Gris. Maybe we’ll spot Betty Draper and her new beau?!

 

How to wear color and still look sophisticated

As a New Yorker I find myself looking at a monotone wardrobe more and more. Black is easy- it launders well, it doesn’t look dirty even if you spill a sip of coffee on yourself in the morning, and that LBD (Little Black Dress) always makes you look thinner, taller and sassier. But when did color become something to shy away from? Too often we are afraid of colorful clothing for fear of not looking age appropriate, but the black stops here because there are so many ways to wear color and still look fabulous!

If you’re not buyin’ it, start small. Accessories are a fantastic way to attract some attention to your look. Try a thin yellow belt with that black blazer and nothing says ‘va-voom’ like a deep red pump with your black trousers. Try anything, from jewelry to handbags; see what a little color can do for you.

When you’re ready to graduate to your closet, the easiest thing to remember is to first actually ignore the color. Why? Because you should look at the shape and cut of the garment first. Before you even think about plucking that dress off the rack, what will the style of it do for you? That means staying away from the fitted mini-skirt, or a skimpy baby-doll dress. Always ask yourself, would a 15 year old wear this? If the answer is yes, it’s time to move on.

A safe start for everyone is to shop in a store whose image is already age-appropriate for you. Sorry moms over 30, Forever 21 isn’t your store. Great middle market stores include Club Monaco, Banana Republic, Armani Exchange, White House Black Market (yes they sell a pop color every season) Ann Taylor, and J. Crew just to name a few. These shops cater to a more sophisticated client so your pool of choices is great from the start.

Now comes the tricky and fun part, start trying on! Don’t worry about what colors you’re picking, just grab what you think looks attractive on the hanger. We tend to gravitate towards colors that look good on us anyway so fear not! If you see a great outfit on the mannequins or in the window, ask a sales person for help locating it. Ask for honest opinions from the staff or bring a friend who will let you know what they really think. Once you find a piece that works see what other colors it comes in.

Ready to start combining colors? Now your choices are unlimited! The key with color is to make sure it doesn’t look like the skittles factory spit you out in the morning so here are a few tips:

• If you have a bold piece, try toning down your other outfit components. For example, a bright yellow sweater looks great with a white camisole and a navy pant, but green pants, not so much.
• Think of the color wheel. Yes that silly color wheel from high school art class. Re- acquaint yourself with terms like complimentary colors, primary colors, and analogous colors here: Color Wheel and Other Helpful information You can see that it’s okay to wear a light blue camisole with a bright blue sweater (monochromatic) or to belt a plum colored day dress with a cognac orange belt (triad colors).
• Still apprehensive? Try starting with soft colors, pastels or easy true tones. Then you can start experimenting with brighter, more vibrant shades as well as layering.

If color still unnerves you, look to a master like a personal stylist or your favorite designer. Check out runway looks from a collection you love and take them with you when you go shopping. You don’t have to spend a lot to look absolutely fabulous and dressed to impress.

Some favorite colorful looks:

Vintage Hues

Sleek and Chic

Great Style and Color Combo

For the Brave and Confident

Colorful and Conservative