Local Profyle!

Dress (Black Halo, Profyle Boutique); Watch (Charriol); Earrings (Nadri); Shoes (Bandolino)

You know you've made a good purchase when you're so excited about a garment you just have to wear it the very next day! That's exactly how I felt the second I slipped on this Black Halo dress at the Grand Opening party for Indy's swank new boutique, Profyle. It's called the "Jackie O" dress, but I call it the "Jody Oh!" dress!

Upscale ambiance, unique lines, and a focus on individual style give Profyle a unique profile

Located in the new Ironworks mixed use residential building at 86th and Keystone, Profyle is the realization of passion pursued for owner Wandini Riggins. Invited to the opening soiree by our mutual friend and fashion maven Murph Damron, I didn't know Wandini before I stepped inside her dream world. Within minutes of introducing myself, however, I realized we have a lot in common - we're both attorneys with a fierce love of fashion and a focus on personal style that transcends the trendy. I really liked this woman.

It's all about the asymmetrical draped neckline...

I also really liked her staff, her store, and the styles therein. The unique lines that Profyle carries, like Vika (Profyle is the exclusive carrier of the brand in Indiana) and Black Halo, make the boutique well worth a visit.  

but the back of the dress is great, too!

On a sofa table behind the stylish yet comfortable quilted couch outside the dressing rooms, you'll also find a bevy of beguiling bracelets and assorted enticing accessories, not to mention the covetable copper clutch showcased in the last photo, below. (Oh boy, I seem to have been bitten by the alliteration bug again)

Fresh flowers add warmth to the modern, chic space, while accessories on display are easily accessible.

Wandini and her crew also know how to throw a party! Guests were treated to champagne, sushi, cupcakes, and cake pops, and went home with custom Profyle candles, stationery, and a pair of hoop earrings. Though these party favors aren't everyday fare, I have no doubt that Profyle's customers will always come away feeling pampered. I'm already looking forward to visiting again.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

I couldn't resist one of these conversation starter clutches

Same Dress, After Labor Day

Dress (Ivanka Trump, Macys); Jacket (Material Girl, Macys); Bag (Anushka, eBags.com); Boots (Sonora)

If you're a regular reader of Red's Shoe Diaries, you may recognize this white eyelet dress from my last post. Yes, it's a sundress. Yes, it's white. Yes, it's after Labor Day. I don't know why so many Midwesterners still cling to this so-called "fashion rule," a remnant of the 1950s. How is it the same people who think nothing of letting their bra straps peek out beneath a tank top or wearing ripped up jeans to church on Sunday wouldn't be caught dead wearing white past the end of August? I don't get it. The Autumnal Equinox (aka the first day of Fall) isn't until September 22nd. It's still summer and it's still hot outside.  So why not white?! 

Apparently, there is ambiguity around the advent of the custom, though most sources agree (well, at least those sources I looked at during my Google search) that originally the rule was only intended to apply to white dress shoes and pumps, but morphed over time to apply to pants and purses, as well as dresses (the wedding variety excluded). Some stories indicate the guideline was merely a reminder to the masses that they shouldn't wear summer weight clothing during the Winter. It seems to me that, hmmm, let's see, cold weather would be sufficient to remind women not to wear chiffon sundresses in the Winter regardless of what color they are.... Other stories report that the rule may have been promulgated by established "Society" families to school the "Noveau Riche" who were perceived as lacking in social graces and conservative fashion sense. 

I see no reason to cling to a hard and fast Labor Day deadline for retiring my summer white wardrobe for the season.  Of course, I'm not going to wear this cotton eyelet sundress when the air gets crisper - not because it's white but because the fabric is lightweight and summery. For now, though, while the weather's still warm and the dog days aren't yet over, I'm not about to relegate it to the back of my closet based on its color. Frankly, for me, the only rule related to the color white should be "Don't wear white and eat spaghetti sauce!"

 

Same dress, before and after Labor Day

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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Look On the Bright Side

Dress (Ivanka Trump, Macys); Cardigan (Modcloth.com)

From the first pair of "designer" prescription glasses that I talked my mom into splurging for my freshman year in high school (Liz Claiborne was the Kate Spade of the 1980s) to the oversized pair of Cole Haans that I dropped in the lake this past 4th of July, I have cracked, smashed, misplaced and flat out lost more pairs of glasses (both prescription and sunglasses) than I can count. Those treasured style sensations with the iconic little triangles on the temples went missing just weeks after I got them. Devastated by the loss, I spent the better part of six weeks' worth of allowance and lunch money to replace them. I didn't want my mom to know, so I called the optometrist and worked out a payment plan "on the downlow." Of course, just one week after I finished paying for the new pair, my tennis partner mentioned she'd seen a pair of glasses just like mine in the office lost and found.... On the bright side, having two pair of glasses meant I could keep one at school and one in my locker.

Sunglasses (Rayban, Zappos.com)

As an adult, I splurged on my first pair of wrap-around Oakley sunglasses when I was training for a week-long 500 mile bike ride across Iowa, only to lose them on a century ride in Michigan shortly before the big trip. With that much time in the saddle coming up, a new pair was a must. On the bright side, Kevin was working at a sporting goods store at the time, and the substantial employee discount meant that both pair together cost little more than the full retail price of a single pair.

Shoes (Naughty Monkey)

This summer, I dropped my favorite pair of sunglasses in the lake when I was getting out of the boat. I'd managed to hang on to that particular pair of tortoise-framed Cole Haans for 3 years (pretty much a record for me), so I was pretty disappointed to watch them sink out of sight before I could do anything about it. On the bright side, when I dug around my closet for a spare pair, I rediscovered an old pair of cat-eye glasses that I'd forgotten all about and really liked. 

Belt (The Limited); Watch (Elgin); Citrine ring (David Yurman)

Sadly, a few weeks later, I stepped on them and broke one of the ear pieces. On the bright side, that was just the excuse I needed to pick up these tortoise Wayfarers trimmed in sunshine yellow. A few friends are taking wagers on how long I'll be able to hang on to this pair, but I'm choosing to be optimistic... After all, my brother was visiting two weeks ago and actually found the Cole Haans at the bottom of the lake!

My glasses certainly aren't rose-colored, but I'm doing my best to heed the advice of Monty Python and "always look on the bright side of life!"

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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My Grandmother's Pearls

Both the necklace and the mabe pearl earrings belonged to my Grandmother; She'd have loved the Isabella Fiore handbag  from Nordstrom, dotted with beads and sequins, and the blue and yellow striped and tasseled Poetic License shoes; The pants are Ann Taylor circa 1997; The jacket is Jones New York (see it styled another way here); The watch is Oakley (and you thought they only made sunglasess...)

My mom says I remind her of my Grandma Dorothy in many ways. Like me, she loved to entertain and always paid special attention to even the smallest details of a dinner party or holiday celebration; she had shoes and purses to match every dress; and she loved to get gussied up (usually for an evening at the Moose Lodge). We even shared similar taste in clothes - despite the generation gap, the brown leather jacket she wore in the 1940s is the most treasured item in my closet.  

Wasn't she beautiful?!

I was in college when she passed away, now more than 20 years ago, but I feel like she's with me all the time. It's no surprise, then, that I was thrilled last summer when my mom handed down some pieces of her jewelry, including this fun strand of "pearls" strung on rainbow hued thread. This piece was handmade by Grandma, probably sometime in the 70s. She had mad crafting skills - I would pay money for this necklace today! Of course, I love it even more because it was hers. No, they're not real pearls and, no, they're not worth a lot of money. But to me, they're priceless. 

My Grandma, Mom and Aunt Linda all used to hand make necklaces on rainbow hued thread.  I think they'd sell today if  I had the patience and know-how to make them.

Even so, the material possessions I have of hers are trivial compared to my childhood memories of quality time spent with her and my Grandpa Harold. When I sat down to write this post, I thought it would be clever to share some of Grandma's "pearls of wisdom" in addition to the pearls she wore. But the truth is, one of the things I admired most about Dorothy Coy was that she didn't spend a lot of time giving people unsolicited advice about what they should and shouldn't do, or how they should or shouldn't live their lives. Well, there was that one time when she told the grade-school me to stop eating mac & cheese before I made myself sick, but that's not the kind of advice I'm talking about here... though I can tell you she was certainly right about it - I should have listened.   

I wish I had a window into the world of young Dorothy.  This picture is one of my favorites of her.

For the most part, my grandmother let the way she treated others and the way she led her own life set the example for those around her. She was not a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of woman. She walked the walk. I'm happy I've inherited my sense of style and flair for entertaining from her; I'm thrilled to own and wear jewelry that once belonged to her; but I hope I grow up to share her wise ways, as well. 

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

My Grandma Dorothy also inspired these posts:

      

The Moose out front shoulda told ya'

Today's post is about Wally World. No, not the theme park destination of the Griswold family odyssey, but that other Wally World - the big box store known for rolled back prices. You know, the one that has spawned an entire website devoted to showcasing pictures of its outrageously attired customers behaving badly.  

My mother in law often remarks that a trip to Wal-Mart sucks the life out of her. It's hard to disagree. It's usually crowded; lines are long; it's poorly merchandised; the lighting is harsh... Oddly, it also seems to rain every time I venture inside. I'm not kidding - every time I go to Wal-Mart (or at least every time I've been in the last year), I've had to run through the madhouse of a parking lot in the rain.  

Yet, I still go. I go because Wal-Mart always has Diet Coke for less than seven bucks a case when it's at least eight everywhere else absent a sale or coupon (this matters when you drink as much DC as I do). I go because the regular price of my favorite Kashi cereal is more than a dollar cheaper per box. I go because it's on my way home and open 24 hours. I go because the bakery sells fresh-baked individual bread loaves that are shaped like footballs, which make the perfect theme-appropriate meatball sandwiches for a Fall tailgate. I go.

Guess what else? I got this hat and scarf at Wal-Mart.  They were each less than eight bucks. The pants are Ann Taylor, the shoes are Tommy Hilfiger, the jacket is Jones New York, and the bag is Fossil, but the pieces that pull this look together and really make it click are straight up Wal-Mart.  

Usually, I'm proud of my bargain-shopping prowess, but when I sat down to write a blog post featuring this outfit, I was slightly embarrassed to admit where I got the key pieces. Not because they were inexpensive (which is great), but because of the social stigma associated with wearing clothes from Wal-Mart. If I'd found them at Target, Goodwill or a consignment shop, I'd have thought nothing of shouting to the world, "Look what I found!" 

I actually considered writing a different sort of post altogether, burying the origins of the hat and scarf in the photo caption. But, the more I dissected my discomfort, the more I felt like I needed to address it head on. I'm disappointed that I felt any wisp of shame about wearing clothing from Wal-Mart. They look great. I felt great. I'm excited to wear the whole ensemble again. So, it shouldn't matter where I got them.

I could pretend my discomfort was rooted in a belief that Wal-Mart treats its employees unfairly or that big box stores are a blight on otherwise genteel neighborhoods. The truth is, I am more affected by social stereotypes and the quality (or not) of consumer marketing than I want to admit. The perception of "people of Wal-Mart" makes it an undesirable place to shop (or to admit you shop) for anything beyond groceries, school supplies, and Halloween decorations.  

The same thing used to be true of Target. When I was a kid, my mom used to buy my tennis shoes and some of my clothes from Target in the Markland Mall. I hated going to Target. I was embarrassed to shop at Target and if I happened to run into anyone I knew from school, I'd pretend we were just getting school supplies or that I was just passing through on my way to Paul Harris or one of the "cool" stores in the mall.

But now, I love, love, love Target. I will make up an excuse to go to Target, only to browse the aisles and buy a hundred dollars worth of stuff I don't need. I am not alone in my adoration - there are countless memes and blog posts that bear witness to the marketing and merchandising genius behind Target's dramatic reputational 180. If Wal-Mart was merchandised and marketed as well as Target, I'd probably like shopping there, too.

It bothers me that at 41 years old, I can still feel the same sort of brand-consciousness I felt as a seventh grader. I'm not talking about brand-consciousness due to quality issues or innovative style. Clearly, we often get what we pay for, and Wal-Mart will never become a wardrobe building destination for me.  Where fit and finish are critical, I expect to pay more for quality fabrics, cut and construction that I know I won't find at a big box discount store. I also prefer small boutiques that carry unique designers to avoid mass-market styles and cookie-cutter looks.  But, when it comes to trendy accessories like a coral striped infinity scarf or a basic sunhat, why should I care?! I'm quite certain the quality is on par with anything from my beloved Target, and the construction of the hat is identical to that of a Nine West sunhat I bought at Macy's. Perhaps most importantly, I like them.  

So, I bought this hat and this scarf at Wal-Mart and I think they make the outfit. There. I said it.  

Why am I still hesitant to push the "publish" button...?    

    

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

If you like hats, check out Hat Attack!
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Rent the Runway

 Dress (Temperley London, Rent the Runway); Hat (Loreta Corsetti Millinery); Shoes (Schutz, Zappos.com)

There's no such thing as "overdressed" when attending a dinner party and film screening to benefit the Indianapolis Museum of Art's Fashion Arts Society. It was the perfect occasion to move beyond standard LBD cocktail fare and add dramatic flair befitting Auntie Mame, the title character of the evening's entertainment. Though the movie was released in 1958, I'd never seen it. It's a delightful film, and I have to admit I wasn't the least bit offended when my friend Madison remarked that Mame's penchant for matching her outfits head to toe, and even coordinating them with her party decor and interior design, reminded her of me...   

I used the event as an opportunity to try out "Rent the Runway," a New York city based company that stocks hundreds of high-end designer dresses that it rents for a mere fraction of the retail cost of the garments. I was skeptical when I first heard about it - the idea of renting a dress did NOT appeal to me. I've always had a "why rent when you can buy mentality." If a man is going to wear a tuxedo more than once a year, he should absolutely invest in a classic style tailored to fit him. He'll be money ahead after a few wearings, and it will have a more debonair, James Bond air than an off the rack rental.

That said, my position softened a bit when I spied the Temperley London "Aya" dress while checking out the Rent the Runway website. I first laid eyes on this heavily embroidered, sheer beauty while shopping in Chicago last Fall. I love the brand's design aesthetic, and the "Aya" collection is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the straight from the Fall 2013 runway look also cost over two thousand dollars. I don't know about you, but I can't afford two thousand dollars for a dress, let alone one that I'd likely wear only once or twice. And even a 50% after-season clearance sale wasn't going to bring it into the realm of possibility for me.

I'd even scoured the internet to see if I could find it at an affordable price on eBay or through a consignment shop. No such luck, though Google did inform me that I wasn't alone in my appreciation of the Aya collection. It was sold out everywhere (there actually are people who pay that much), and it's been worn on the Red Carpet and featured in more than one popular television show.

  

Vanessa Hudgens wore the Aya dress on the red carpet for a Make a Wish Foundation event; Hayden Pannettiere wore the blouse version in Season 2, Episode 13 of television show "Nashville."

 

In the nineteenth episode of television series "Reign,"  a CW period drama about Mary, Queen of Scots that will start its second season this Fall, Mary (Adelaide Kane) wears the full-length, white/gold version of the Aya dress; In the sixteenth episode, she wears the black/gold version.

Renting a dress that I hadn't tried on and would arrive just two days before the event could have been a disaster, but since I knew there were back-up options in my closet, I took a chance. What a great experience! The dress arrived a day ahead of the promised delivery date. It was carefully packaged, clean, and wrinkle free. The company actually sends two different sizes, which adds insurance against the frustrating lack of sizing consistency in women's clothing. The return process was also a breeze - I simply tucked the dresses into a pre-addressed package and popped them in a UPS drop-box on my way to work the following Monday. 

The website also has an excellent client review database, which includes photos of actual customers wearing the garments. This is tremendously helpful in evaluating whether a particular style is likely to be flattering on "real world women." Let's face it, not many of us actually look like runway models, so seeing somebody of similar height and body type is invaluable when you can't try something on in advance.      

Given the theme of the evening, I amped up the drama with a fascinator from Chicago milliner Loreta Corsetti (purchased on a day trip with the Fashion Arts Society last year). Between it and the elaborate detail on the dress, I kept accessories to a minimum. Both my earrings and the black onyx ring are cherished heirlooms from my Grandma Dorothy. They were made in Spain, and the conquistador carved into the face of the onyx resembles the likeness of Don Quixote. This seemed particularly fitting for the affair, which was held in the magnificent 1930s home of internationally acclaimed interior designer Jamie Gibbs and Cuban chef Paco Argiz - the house is dubbed "Dulcinea," the name of Don Quixote's imagined true love, in honor of Paco's favorite author, Miguel de Cervantes. Like Auntie Mame, I dressed for both the occasion and the setting!

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

With my beautiful, stylish friends Yolanda and Kristen in the library at Dulcinea

Linked up with: Hat Attack!
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Unexpected Pairing

Blouse (Dress Barn); Capris (Counterparts, Steinmart); Bag (Michael Kors, TJ Maxx)

I am one of those people who would prefer that my food not touch. Each component should be separate - no mixing! Mashed potatoes should sit beside homemade noodles, not underneath! I realize I'm in the minority here, especially as a born and bred Hoosier. I blame a certain grade school boy, who triple-dog dared me to breach the tidy little compartments of the school lunch tray and mix my canned peaches into my baked beans before I ate them. It.Was.Vile. To this day, I do not eat baked beans or canned peaches (though I will happily eat a fresh peach).

Watch (Kesaris, Steinmart); Belt (Ralph Lauren, Macy's)

The only exception to the no mixing rule was the delightful combination of Taco-flavored Doritos and cottage cheese, discovered on a camping trip with my grandparents some thirty summers ago. My Grandpa George couldn't have cared less about my mealtime quirks - it was "quit whining and clean your plate" with him. And so it was that I had to choke down those little orange triangles that had lost their crispness to the stray, wet curds that had crept out of their designated area on my Chinette. Lo and behold, and though I was loathe to admit it after the dramatic fit I had thrown, I actually liked the combination. Doritos dipped in cottage cheese soon became a staple of my visits with them. 

Sandals (Talbots)

Like Doritos and cottage cheese, this pink and bronzy gold combination was an unexpected but delicious pairing. I've had this silky pleated blouse for five years and I usually wear it with brown, black or navy. I've worn it so often, I was bored with it. But, inspiration struck as I was contemplating different ways to wear these pink canvas and cognac leather sandals from Talbots 2013 summer collection... et voila, a new way to combine clothes already in my wardrobe to create an entirely new flavor! If you're bored with what's in your closet, try mixing things up a bit before you hit the mall for something new. I triple-dog dare ya!

   

Pairing the same top with bright pink instead of predictable black brought it back to life for me.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!