APPAREL

High end designers have taken note:  women want their closets AND balance sheets to look fabulous.  The option to splurge versus save can be tricky.  There are certainly pieces worth investing in – great fitting jeans, a solid black blazer, a rich husband – and those that aren’t; namely, everything else and anything trendy.  I typically prefer to save up for something I know that will last me for years, both quality and style wise – say, the ubiquitous Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress – but also like to have fun with seasonal pieces that I may tire of after a few months.  And in the latter case, I’d rather not fork over my hard-earned cash for a fad that passes like the wind.  Norma Kamali, Vera Wang and Matthew Williamson brought their status and names to three bargain retailers.  I had to know:  does the buck pass?

When I think of Wal-Mart, I think of screaming children, discounted school supplies and ill-fitting blue smocks.  Unscathed by these hurdles, Norma Kamali, the knitwear maven of the 70s, launched a ridiculous cheap line at American’s superstore four years ago that’s still going strong today.  This jersey dress, $20 at Wal-Mart stores, is cute, travel friendly and costs a fraction of a style from her original boutique line.  I give it a green light, though urge The Vogue City readers to check out these styles in person and not order online – a gingham skirt for $15 looked great on the web but felt chintzy in person.

Kohl’s, a subsidiary of Macy’s, has hosted Vera Wang’s SimplyVera line for several years.  Her smoked yoke cardigan is listed for $64 online, and is yet another example of my opinion that it’s “Simply” too expensive.  I can’t justify spending more than $30 for anything at Kohl’s, whether it’s a bed set or sweatshirt, and find that Ms. Wang’s styles here are either completely boring or way too whimsical.  I’ll pass.

H&M hypes up their guest designer lines like an anxious kid on Christmas Day.  Matthew Williamson joins the likes of Madonna and Karl Lagerfeld with his line, launched on May 14.  And like any good Santa, H&M leaked a few pieces for preview at the beginning of the month.  With prices starting at $30 for a T-shirt and $75 for a silk dress, it tips the scales of their discount diva ambiance.  I do know that these pieces often move fast, and if you’re not willing to dole out your dollars, some other fashionista gladly will.  The verdict?  If you find something you really love – his style ares exceptional – go for it; the really outlandish stuff will probably stay and make it to the clearance racks within a few months.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

I have a confession for TVC readers:  I was prom queen. 

That’s right.  Me, queen of satire, sweatpants and with glasses to boot, was once a high school glamazon.  In addition to preternatural bronzed skin thanks to the local tanning salon, a crown of highlights that I still wouldn’t replicate today in favor of my natural hair color and a plethora of rhinestone jewelry from Macy’s, I donned a $400 floor-length taffeta dress that was the very epitome of a Cinderalla story.  (I should also note that I begged and pleaded with my mother to buy me this dress, as my salary as a coffee-slinging counter girl didn’t exactly make the cut for such an extravagant purchase.  She obliged mostly to shut me up and to regain some “peace and quiet around here.”)  The dress, which was white, had a tight, corseted bodice encrusted with Swarovski crystals and flowed to the floor with twenty-something layers of mesh tulle.  When paired with clear resin heels and an attitude straight from a Janet Jackson music video, my 5’4” frame towered over my classmates and won over the reception hall staff, our “judges” for the evening.  (Take that, Perez Hilton.)

That was my story then.  Nine years later, my catwalk consists of the sidewalk; my competitors are the other rush hour commuters with bagels and briefcases in hand, not dreamy dates from the soccer team or a Bonne Bell lip gloss.  Our judges consist of the narrowed eyes on the seat next to us in the subway, which subtly glance up and down at the fashions du jour and make mental notes to avoid a trend at all costs or to fly like hell to the nearest H&M before it’s completely sold out.  And with prom season in full swing, memories of that floor-length dress flood my memory and force me to notice the flux of women in maxi length dresses on the streets of the city. 

Interestingly enough, some of these dresses – often printed with funky floral or geometric patterns – could be considered prom-worthy, if paired with the right heeled sandal and silky pashmina.  When paired with bejeweled flats and a pair of oversized sunglasses, though, the maxi dress is contemporary, cool, and a relief to women everywhere who want hemlines shorter than their nether regions.  As is the case with many styles that sit on the fence of being pushed to black tie or totally bohemian, the key is to accessorize wisely. 

The maxi dress:  a flashback to that special night of dancing to Boyz II Men and raucous in a limousine, or summertime’s newest “It” piece?

-Karyn Polewaczyk 
 

Here at TVC, we love leggings. We love primary color spandex leggings, leggings with side zips and leggings that sit low on the hips. We love leggings under dresses and leggings paired with print. So when the arrival of spring prompted a seasonal wardrobe swap, we reluctantly folded up our leggings, sighed, and realized that life sans leggings meant we would be forced to bare our, um, legs. Gasp.

In retrospect, it may have been a good idea to periodically use our leggings for their original purpose, the gym, at least a few times last winter. While our leggings went out for dirty martinis, weekend brunch, movies and even made a cameo at Fashion Week, our legs were sadly neglected. This coupled with the dangerous fact that leggings’ stretchy material and surprising comfort sneakily disguised our seasonal stem shape changes. AKA weight gain.

While denim provides unforgiving reminders of that extra pint of beer or holiday cookie binge, leggings stretch to fit, allowing for both neglect and denial. That same neglect and denial ended up on the back of our thighs and may have even found a home on our calves. Gross. But exhale, for hope is not lost. Here are some tips to immediately glam up your gams.

1) Bare them often. Do not hide your leggings-induced looseness as much as it pains you to show. The more you are aware of your actual leg shape, the more motivated you will be to make a positive change.

2) Walk everywhere. This might mean waking up fifteen minutes early or getting to work fifteen minutes late, but increasing your daily mileage by a mile or two a day will make a huge difference come bikini time.

3) The gym. Amount of actual gym time will depend on the severity of your leggings legs. Running is the quickest way to both lose weight and tone up your leggies. If you can’t run (bad knees, weak stomach, fearful aversion), then try for 30-45 minutes of other cardio per workout.

4) Maintain a consistent diet. Logically, if you add 30 minutes of walking and a couple extra days at the gym, you should be able to get great legs in a few weeks without changing your eating habits. If you aren’t sure of your dietary requirements visit www.usda.gov to calculate your daily nutrition requirements and healthy BMI.
5) Then strut into spring smiling and proud of your shapely stems. And remember, for next winter: It’s easier to maintain than retrain!

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as the quasi-menopausal temperature shift that inevitably hits the East Coast each and every spring. One day, it’s 75 degrees and sunny and you’re ready to call out sick to play Frisbee in the park; the next, you’re bundled in a scarf, gloves and cursing the decision to live in a venerable winter wonderland 9 months of the year, wondering if those Floridian retirees are onto something.

When wearing white before Memorial Day is not an option and Ugg boots are out, what’s a lady to do to get through the wacky weather spell that blesses and curses New York City until the last week of June – when, undeniably, it will become so scorching hot you’ll have no choice but to indulge in Tasty D-Lite at regular intervals?

Like a good friend who reminds you to keep on working for the weekend (and those delicious roofdeck cocktails at the bar at 230 5th Avenue), The Vogue City presents its list of transitional wardrobe pieces that will not only carry you from spring to summer, but may even make you appreciate the hot and cold spells that are more sizzling and icier than the ones you give to your ex-boyfriend, twice removed.

-A lightweight cashmere cardigan is not only great for layering under a crisp poplin blazer, it also pairs well over a bikini at the beach. Just make sure to shake out the sand before you return to the office.
-A pashmina – or any big, comfortable and oversized scarf – doubles not only as a wrap over black tie cocktail dresses, but looks fresh when twisted into a necklace substitute with a tube top.
-Knee high leather boots – the same ones that got you through last month’s snow squalls – will keep it kicking until the end of April; pushing them into May is questionable. Proceed with caution and be forewarned that such a decision will leave even an Adidas-clad street meat vendor scratching his head in bewilderment.
-Ribbed tanks layer well under just about anything and everything and are an absolute staple from January to December.
-Moleskin pants and skirts – also known as faux suede – are heavy enough to block a gust of chilly wind, but light enough to give your gams room to breathe when the mercury rises. Switch to seersucker or a three-season wool blend come June.

Other items – a twill trench, peep toe flats and a penchant for bargains – are year-round staples that get the green light no matter what the weather. Just don’t blame us if your boss discovers you’re “home with a head cold” while shopping on 7th Avenue.

-Karyn Polewaczyk