My October Obsession Part 2 - A Black Fall Jacket

When I first wrote about this obsession a few weeks ago, I still hadn't made a jacket decision. I had 4 or 5 jackets to return to a variety of stores and nothing was staying.  Until we attended that Saks fashion show.  And I ran into personal shopper Claudine.  Who put me in a room and made me try on this.

Image from vince.com.

I realize this doesn't really fit ANY of my bullet points...it's wool (thought I didn't want wool) and it's not belted (thought I wanted a belt).  But it is light-weight and it's long enough to cover most of my longer sweaters.  The leather sleeves are edgy, and it looks great over everything from jeans to dressier bottoms.  And it's super cool.  I gave in.  And I love it. ~ JH

Reunited and it feels so good...

...unless you are my wallet, in which case, you took a beating.  

As I was returning more black coats to Bloomingdales 2 weeks ago, I was distracted by a blonde woman.  I caught her out of the corner of my eye.  I recognized her.  Was it?  Could it be the devil herself?  Yes, it was.  It was Loren Munro, our original stylist and co-star of our series on 'Demystifying Personal Shopping - Part 1'.  I squealed with delight!  Loren Munro Lush (married since we last posted about her) was back in town and had recently started working at Bloomingdales.  Amen.  After a quick text to Lisa, I immediately made a shopping appointment with Loren for the next week.

That appointment was last Thursday.  I know, you are wondering, does Jen REALLY NEED MORE CLOTHING.  Honestly, no.  Don't tell my husband I said that.  But it is LOREN after all and I couldn't wait to see what she would pull together for me.

I asked Loren to pull some out-to-dinner and holiday looks for me.  And when I arrived, a large, fully-stocked dressing room awaited me.  Lots of goodies.  

And as in the past with Loren, the first outfit was a home run.  An out-to-dinner look, date or girls-night-out.  Or a hostess outfit.  Blue silk top by Reiss over high-rise, skinny AG Farrah jeans with Prada pointy toe black patent pumps.  Oh, and throw on that Vince grey wool coat too.  Oh, and tuck this navy clutch by Whistles under your arm.

Loren is a DRUG DEALER when it comes to clothing and I'm her addict.  Honestly, I would never be able to pull this all together for myself, out of 4 separate departments.  Would I really pick up that clutch by itself and say 'I have to have this'?  No.  But with the entire outfit, it just works.  That's the beauty of personal shopping; find someone with great style who knows all the merchandise in the store.  That person can pull it all together.

For holiday, Loren pulled several cute and sparkly looks.  This tunic by All Saints is staying.  Over leather leggings (which I already own, and no, we are not too old to wear them) and the same Prada pumps, I'm ready for December.  

This is a look that I'm still trying to get used to, but that's what shoppers do to you; they pull you out of your comfort zone.  This sequin top by Whistles is insanely cute and has a silk back.   Not sure if I can personally pull it off, but I love how edgy and different it is.  Wear over those skinny jeans for a fun night out, or cigarette-leg black pants for a more 'grown-up' look.

Ah, it was a good day.  Too good.  I might have to slow down my shopping, but just a little. ~ JH

W2WW is 3!

It's official!  As of October 18th, What 2 Wear When... is 3 years old!  

Image from flickr.com.

We can't believe it.  While we've had prolific years (in 2012 we wrote 117 posts!) and disheartening shopping seasons (where on earth was 2013 holiday attire?!), we have always enjoyed writing, responding to reader questions, and, of course, researching the retail world's latest offerings.

To commemorate our birthday milestone, we're launching a What 2 Wear When... Facebook page.  Like us there to continue to receive our latest musings!  As always, thank you for tuning in! ~ LB & JH

What we took away from the Saks "Key to the Cure" fashion show.

Jen and I were off to Saks this past Thursday morning for a "Key to the Cure," a fashion show and shopping event sponsored by Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support the fight against women's cancers.  Shopping is even more enjoyable and when some of our dollars go to a good cause, all the better!

There were some very fun and very wearable looks for fall/winter 2014.  And you don't have to spend gobs and gobs of money to recreate these looks.  Here are the key themes to work into your wardrobe this season, along with some Cheap and Cheerful alternatives:

Leather in all silhouettes - Yes, this is a trend that is not going away.  If you don't already own something in leather, march yourself out and find something!  You won't regret it.  There are lots of affordable options out there and lots of ways to wear it.  The white shirt underneath this dress by The Row takes this to a daytime look.  Wear it without and you're good for a night on the town.  Note the touch of leopard in the belt and bag.  Which brings us to the next trend....Leopard - high quality, small quantity.  Again, animal prints are still trending and a very wearable neutral.  

Your Cheap and Cheerful alternative?...Tahari faux leather dress.  On sale for $84!

Image from neimanmarcus.com.

'Fit and Flair' - as coined by Manager Gretchen Pace,  a fitted dress with a bit of flair can hide the belly and be super comfy.  Yes, it's a little short but this model was close to 6' tall...so don't be put off as the dress will work for us mortals.

Cheap and cheerful...a striking blue knit dress from Trina Turk.  Love it!

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Outerwear - Don't forget about outerwear.  It's what most people see before they see your outfit, especially here in New England where we are full into light coat season.  Think a fun color, like pink or bright red, to add pop to your outfit.  

Cheap and Cheerful....Calvin Klein Notch collar coat available at nordstrom.com.  Look at how it dresses down with a tee shirt and jeans.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Camel - Love the camel coats in the show.  Such a timeless look.  This one is from MaxMara.   We all own lots of black....a drapey, loose coat over a structured column of black, perhaps belted,  is a classic that will take you through the season. 

Cheap and Cheerful...a dark camel dust coat.

Image from chicnova.com.

Slouchy pants - It's time to get on the slouchy pants bandwagon.  We've seen them for over a year now - I own 2 pairs myself - and women love the comfortable + chic combo.  These are gorgeous Lanvin ones paired with a J Brand camisole and jacket with Giuseppi Zanotti heels.  You don't have to wear heels - I wear mine with flats and you can too.

Cheap and Cheerful...J.Crew has a two styles I like.  Here's one.

Image from jcrew.com.

Colored Exotics - remember Jen's new gray lizard boots?  Well this look was all over the runway today...in clutches, shoes and more.  Love the burgundy color of this lovely Nancy Gonzales clutch.

Cheap and Cheerful..Alexander Wang croc clutch in red.  (Cheap as compared to the Nancy Gonzales one.)

Image from barneys.com.

Classic coat - a la Chanel.  Awesome.  Throw it over leggings, wear it as a dress, I love this pieces for it's versatility.  There is not Cheap and Cheerful for this coat. Just be inspired.

This was my favorite look of the show.  Stella McCartney Dress and eternally chic split front sweater from The Row. Effortless.  Comfortable. So so fabulous.  Replicate this look with a neutral shift dress, long swingy cardigan, black sheet tights and your favorite heeled boot.  Another trend to note is the pointed toe bootie. Points are back and are very elongating to the leg.  

And there you have it!  Look into your closet with new eyes, find the holes and get a few key pieces to freshen up your look this fall. ~ LB

Unless noted, all images from Lisa Bida.

My October Obsession - A Black Fall Jacket

As soon as the weather turned cool, I found myself looking for a piece of outerwear that I DON'T HAVE.  Shocking.  And I'm always shocked this time of year that I don't have a mid-weight jacket.  But it's really not as simple as "I want a mid-weight jacket".  It never is.  Here's what I would like:

• A jacket in a heavier cotton or cotton-like material, not wool, in black.
• It has to be long enough to cover the ends of some of my longer sweaters and have enough material in the body to go over these same sweaters while allowing me to still move my shoulders and arms.
• I prefer a belted jacket. 
• Don't really want a hood on it.  I'm ok if the hood is removable.

Is it a trench?  Is it an anorak?  I have a J.Crew trench coat that I LOVE, but at this time of year, it's really too light colored and 'springy'.  See?

Image from jcrew.com.

And I know what you are thinking - you are thinking 'Houston, just belly up and buy a Burberry!'  Oh, if it was only that simple.  That statement alone takes me back...

About 7 years ago, Lisa and I were shopping in New York City.  It was either fall or spring (chill in the air), and it was pouring rain.  I didn't have the ideal outerwear, so I made poor Lisa march to the Burberry flagship, determined to come home with one.  I tried on EVERYTHING but nothing fit right.  Problem?  The shoulders are too narrow on me.  I would have to buy a larger jacket to fit my shoulders and have the body completely tailored and remade.  At that price point, I'm not sure it's a path I want to go down. 

Anyway, I have started the pilgrimage yet again.  I am obsessed and determined to find something that fits without major reconstruction!  Where has that left me?  Here.  In my dining room.  With piles of black jackets from late night, online shopping.

Image from Jennifer Houston.

I've tried the Burberry quilted (too small or too big, depending on the size).

Image from saks.com.

I've tried to get away from the dreaded it's-Burberry-and-it-doesn't-fit, and tried this Elie Tahari jacket.  Which I loved but fit weird again.  Shoulders!

Image from bloomingdales.com.

There are a few others in the mix too.  I will continue my quest - hopefully there will be a 'My October Obsession Part 2' post, and I'll happily be showcasing my new jacket.  But until then, the hunt continues. ~ JH