Thrifty Review: The Dig

I am always a fan of exploring thrift stores in out of the way areas. They tend to be less picked through since the other patrons are typically looking for current Talbot’s and Land’s End collared shirts while I am looking for slouchy boots and plaid blazers. When I see a younger shopper sporting a style similar to mine, I tend to creepily pick up her cast-off items out of the dressing room. She acts as an editor for the mass of one-of-a-kind (but not worthy of my attention) items.

That said, The Dig in Oregon City required a GPS and 20/20 vision to locate and there was not a fashionista in sight; this was my dream. Tucked away in a business park/ strip mall hybrid, this store boosts $3, $4, and $5 finds. Even though these particular items were not right for me, I found $3 Joe’s jeans and a $5 Christian Dior sweater. This pricing leads me to believe that the people pricing the items are unfamiliar with the brands, which I love because I snap up outrageous deals. I did walk away with an amazing pinstripe Zara blazer and a vintage chunky teal wrap sweater.

There was a good mix of vintage and modern brands, but not every item is worthy of a hanger in your closet. You are required to search for the truly fabulous item. But after the search comes the payoff of an inexpensive great addition to a wardrobe.

The verdict: Quite a drive, but when you find that vintage Lacoste polo, it is well worth it.

You be the Judge!

After a forced and frustrated hiatus from writing, I am back. However, I am altering the format of "Fashion Court" to include reviews not only of street style, but also trends, products, stores, designers and my own personal style. I look forward to lending my discerning eye to interpret fashion issues with the reasonable and rational mind I so expensively paid to cultivate.

One of my new blog entries will ask you, the reader, to judge my personal style. Though I can now pick the proper accessories for that boho dress or print skirt, even I have photos of myself in choker necklaces and furry leopard print platforms (Damn you 1999!). So, please, help me prevent future shame by present punishment if I should step out of line.

First look: Afternoon shopping in the Pearl.

Please deliberate, then tell me your verdict!

Pantyhose/ Pantynose

Since I opened a can of worms on Facebook, I thought I would take this space to expand upon my opinions on pantyhose. First, let me define pantyhose. Unlike tights, pantyhose seek to cover a woman's natural leg with a similar tone, so as to create the illusion that the woman's leg is flawless and smooth. I deplore fraud. Pantyhose and make-up serve the same purpose; both cover and protect, but a courtroom does not require your cheeks be blushed and lips be rouged.

Tights on the other hand give purposeful color or pattern to a woman's leg. Wearing tights or lack thereof represents a fashion choice as part of a complete ensemble.

I equate the requirement of pantyhose in many law firms and courtrooms with women who cover their natural hair with a wig as not to arouse men. Is natural leg any more arousing than a sheer layer of simulated tan? If your skirt is an appropriate length(knee length or lower), then pantyhose do not cover anything the eye wouldn't see anyway.

I believe the requirement of pantyhose to be archaic, but as modern women we have choices--and the decision to wear pantyhose is among them.

But when you wake up tomorrow and make a decision about leg-wear, consider whether your appearance on this show is inevitable:


http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/what-not-to-wear-how-to-wear-pantyhose.html

Segregation Never! Integration Now!

From the window of room D in an office building downtown, I can see buildings where people conduct business and I can see buildings where people rest their heads. I imagine how the movement of people varies depending on the time of day; morning and night they fill the residential buildings, while during the day they occupy the business buildings. Where I currently sit I see one man on the top floor wearing a suit and another below him sporting only a shirt and tie (with pants of course). Now take away the physical building and what you see are stacks of people going from one stack to the other (I thought the visual amusing and significant). Without the floors and walls separating us, there is nothing to keep us segregated.

Our clothes are as compartmentalized as our lives. Instinctively, throughout our lives we separate our clothing into categories: school clothes, work clothes, Sunday clothes and evening clothes. For those who wear uniforms, the line is even sharper.

Law: Integrate your clothing

Contrary to my usual laws phrased in the negative, I am stating this one in the positive.
Clothing deserves to be loved and worn frequently, not just to your cousin's wedding or to walk the dog.

When my mother said I could never wear that shiny brocade skirt during the day, what did I do? I paired it with an embellished t-shirt, slouchy boots and wore it to brunch.



The lesson is to wear your clothing during all events of your lives...just style the item differently depending on the occasion. That suit jacket can be worn on the weekend with jeans and that sundress can be worn to the office with a cardigan and belt. Just be aware of hemlines; the sight of inner thigh does not inspire confidence when you are arguing for a client's restraining order.

There is one building across the way which is obviously a place of work, but boosts a door with access to the roof and two lounge chairs. With the combination of leisure and work, I can't wait to see what the people who walk through that door will be wearing.

Lets be Honest

This post is in response to the abundant fashion sites I peruse on a daily basis that highlight everyday women in their street clothes describing their style. While these women are featured for their ability to inspire others with their fashion aptitude, I am reminded of the numerous others who hide behind verbal justifications.

When someone is asked to describe their personal style, they use words that are positive in nature. People usually think the way they dress is pretty great--otherwise they would not dress as such. Behind the seemingly harmless, well-intentioned adjectives are often disturbing, ill-conceived looks. A black hole of fashion cliches exists just beyond the innocent ramblings of a lost fashion soul. Below are adjectives that often hide someone's affinity for sweatpants with sports jerseys or vinyl miniskirts with go-go boots.

Law: The following phrases should be outlawed when used as descriptions of a person's individual style.

"I like unique pieces that are timeless"; the fact that they are timeless means they have stood the test of time--hence tried, true and tested by many before you.

"Quirky"; this is translation for "I am often caught on the worst dressed list because of my hedgehog stuffed-animal handbag and tendency toward tie dyed stretch pants."

"Feminine"; I have nothing against this description if more than floral prints are implied.

"Flowy"; This is just another word for potato sack. Lets get some darts and seaming on this garment!

"Comfortable"; ex soccer players use this word to rationalize still living in their hooded sweatshirts and triple striped pants.

"Eclectic"; think Chicos linen dresses and buttonless cardigans mixed with tribal inspired jewelery--times 10.

Dressing "authentically"; This word annoys me the most because the person who uses it underhandedly patronizes everyone else's clothing choice. The definition of authentic is "not false or immitation", so I don't understand how anyone wearing clothing is inauthentic unless the clothing is made from fruit roll up. I am pretty sure if you are wearing clothing, that is about as authentic as you can get.

Portland- Don't get caught in a "What Not to Wear" moment. Get honest or get dressed!