About a dozen more Newcomers came after the Board Meeting to attend the Coffee and Program. After social time, Liz Wilson introduced Maureen Norton, Newcomer’s favorite “fashionista.”
Liz is honored that Maureen came today. She and Maureen have a lot in common -- both are home economists -- and they’ve become friends. Maureen’s specialty is clothing and textiles. She was formerly Manager of the Personal Shopping Dept. at Nordstrom’s. She also trained new hires on how to dress, and how to sell. When Maureen left Nordies, she thought she’d try a new business for a few months, but it’s going strong a year later. Today she’s here to answer all our fashion questions.
Maureen recently worked with Carol Carter, and for today’s program, she “shopped” Liz’s closet. She expected to need new scarfs, jewelry and shoes to update Liz’s wardrobe, but Liz had everything in her closet already! With Maureen’s ideas, and Liz’s clothes, the stage was set for our presentation.
Here are some of Maureen’s fashion tips and teachings:
- In this economy, the idea is to work with what you already have in your closet. It’s amazing what you find there, and you’ll probably need just a few items to update your whole wardrobe.
- Play it safe with looks. Don’t buy too many trendy pieces. If you do, buy less expensive ones.
- Have a Spring-Summer closet, and a Fall-Winter closet. In the off-season, move clothes to the other closet. Once you clear things out, it gives you a fresh look at what you’ve got.
- You’re better off getting fewer pieces that are really good. Look for the best fabrics, especially for Fall-Winter clothes. They’ll always last longer. Spring-Summer fabrics, like linen, are lighter, and won’t last as long. Similarly, black fabrics fade faster.
- Some clothes are “decade defyers” – Pashmina scarfs, a little black dress, diamond studs, trench coat or dress, pumps, strappy sandals, jeans (boot-cut is most flattering), tailored trouser pants in looser fabrics, sheath dress (unbelted), shaped straight skirts, turtleneck sweaters
Trends for Spring ’09 -- Colors, prints, fabrics, styles (see handout for more):
- Sheer tops – Layer over a camisole or T-shirt. Keep the look age-appropriate, camouflaging.
- Khaki and off-white, but add a splash of color via accessories (necklace, scarf, shoes, bags)
- Floral prints; geometrics; black and white
- Crushed linens – the rumpled look is fine.
- Fun stuff: Fringe as trim; soft quilting; drapey pajama top jackets; jumpsuits
- Accessories: Chokers, cuffs, especially worn 1, 3 or 5 at a time. Straw bags with colorful scarf or pin as trim. Bows on hats, shoes and bags automatically update what you wear.
Finds in Liz’s closet:
- Long shirts, tied loosely for shape. Wear black top + black pants under a white or print shirt
- Leggings (with a matte, not shiny finish) go under everything: shorts, pants, short dresses, long flippy skirts, or button-front skirts that you can unbutton almost all the way up!
- Find your best-fitting jeans. Try “It’s Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” – it has a bit of elastic. (Maureen even put a nightgown of Liz’s over a pair of jeans, and it worked!)
- Drape big shawls and scarves over one shoulder to avoid the granny look.
- Small scarves can be knotted and tied in back to give an ascot more shape.
Question: Are shoulder pads back?
Answer: Yes, but not as big as the ones from the ‘80’s. Best in tailored jackets or “futuristic” looks.
Q: What is your advice for short people?
A: Don’t lump short people together. Body shapes, long and short waisted. Put color near your face.
Q: What if you’ve had your colors “done”?
A: Take what you learned and work with tones of those colors. Always wear what works best on you. Don’t be limited by your colors, and adjust them if you have new makeup, or a new hair color.
The Coffee and Program was adjourned at 11:35.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Kaganov, Recording Secretary
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