Dressing for the Holiday Season

Tis the season for holiday parties. Whether a corporate event or a friend’s house party, it is the time to put your best foot, or shoe in this case, forward. This is a time of a year where we get to reconnect with family and friends and as they say “don we now our gay apparel!" This holiday season is seeing a few bold trends that will be sure to hit all the right notes this winter. 

Lace. When I was in Paris in June, every other mannequin was draped in lace. It’s not surprising that we’re now seeing lace as a major trend for the holidays. If you want to turn heads, go for a full lace dress in cream or black. To keep it more simple, look for a piece with lace trim or embellishment. As an accessory, the perfect lace gloves are a nice touch (Gigi Hadid rocked them at last week’s American Music Awards)

Kate Middleton in a white lace dress by Self Portrait on November 3 at a movie premiere.

Reese Witherspoon Nov 29th at the DirecTV Now launch in NYC.

Red, Red Wine. Hard to go wrong with red for the holidays, but this year the trend tends to be deep wine inspired hues: Burgundy, Cabernet, Merlot. Men can pair a burgundy velvet bowtie to add a warm touch to a tuxedo or suit. Ladies can go for a full dress or just a piece or two. The richer the shade the better. Leave the bright red to Ol’ Saint Nick.

Felicity Jones in a wine-coloured Dior at the 23rd Annual Elle Women in Hollywood Event

Emma Stone at the Kennedy Center in a dress by Prada, shoes by Jimmy Choo

Black and White. Not so much a holiday trend as much as a current fashion trend. Classic black and white pairings are hitting the red carpet and will be sure to make a statement at any party. 

Keke Palmer stuns at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards on November 23, 2016.

Supermodel Karlie Kloss in a lace Caroline Herrera dress in Madrid on Nov 15, 2016.

Gold. Another holiday favourite has been popping up everywhere. Stick to a classic silhouette and let the colour and shine do the talking. Save this outfit for when you really want to get some attention. 

Gigi Hadid at the CR Fashion Book Party in Paris

Miranda Kerr's Reem Acra tulle dress at the Baby2Baby Gala

These are a few ideas to give you inspiration to look your best this season. But no matter what you wear this season keep a few things in mind:

1. It’s a Christmas party, keep it classy. Ladies—Mini dresses and plunging necklines aren’t appropriate for work events. Gentlemen– at the office party, don’t wear the same suit you wore all year long. Change it up with a cool sports coat and a bowtie. 
2. Winter is cool, so keep it relaxed. Don’t be that person at the party that tries to outshine the Christmas tree. Keep it simple, cool and chic. Tinsel is not optional.
3. Be realistic. The weather may not always be your friend this season so dress for the elements. Ladies–swap out your stilettos for a pair of killer boots and invest in a stylish wool coat that will actually keep you warm. Gents, go to your cobbler and get grips on your leather soled shoes. It’s hard to look stylish when you land on icy pavement. Accessorize your overcoat with a cashmere scarf and coloured leather gloves. 

To pack or not to pack? There is no question at all.

To pack or not to pack? There is no question at all.

By Charlotte Tanager

    I often get a kick out of those articles that suggest all a fashionable, well-traveled woman needs to pack for a week away is a non-descript black dress, black pants, two shirts, a bikini and a pair of flat sandals—all of which should be able to be dressed down enough to explore ancient Greek ruins by day, and be able to be dressed up enough to dine and dance the night away. Who is this young Bohemian who is satisfied with this sartorial arrangement? I imagine she is someone who stands in front of her hotel sink madly scrubbing at her rapidly fading black clothes with bar soap while desperately wishing she could stop wearing her bikini as underwear.

    Such strict packing regimens do not make for good travel. They make for light luggage, but unless your goal is backpacking in some youthful rite of passage, for goodness sakes, check your baggage (and bring enough clean underwear to more than last your entire journey)! That being said, I know there are very few of us who have luggage wranglers at our beck and call, ready to heft and heave our portable wardrobes at a nod of our heads. Some small economies can be made in the packing department and definitely should be—no one needs to bring ten pairs of shoes but everybody does need to bring more than one. But no one who loves fashion should ever deprive themselves of at least a few wardrobe heavy hitters that will make them feel wonderful—especially when they are on holiday! 

    The publisher of Spoiled Splendid, Neil Salsbury, and I were out and about taking in the sales recently when we got into a conversation about how we chose items to buy. Neil suggested that he bought some pieces because he could just picture them in certain places, and I had to agree. Now, I don’t mean, “Oh, this dress will be entirely work appropriate,” or “These athletic socks will be smashing in my runners at the gym.” What I mean is “These feathered shoes will be parfait for lunch at L’Espadon at the newly refurbished Ritz Paris.”

Suave by Maison Ernest: www.maisonernest.com 

    You see, beautiful clothes and accessories have a potential, a destiny, if you will. And it is up to you to help them fulfil that destiny—even if you must take them to another country to help them do so. All of us fine followers of fashion have items that absolutely take our collective breath away but we have actually never worn because an occasion worthy of them has not yet presented itself. But vacations make all things possible, do they not?

    For years I have had a Mary Frances wristlet sitting gently nestled in its dust bag. It’s truly an absurd thing, being a golden orb with various charms and beads dangling from it—but I loved it from the moment I saw it. I remember engaging in quite the bidding war on eBay to win it but I never felt the time was right to debut it until I attended her Majesty, the Queen of England’s 90th birthday celebration. If any event demands a touch of whimsy it is a British royal event! And as Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, entered the royal enclosure, so vibrant and utterly graceful, I could feel the weight of the wristlet gently swinging from my arm, and I knew this little purse had achieved its destiny. Perhaps Kate espied a glint of gold or maybe she saw this odd mace-like object swinging from this gawking lady’s arm—who knows? The purse was just in the right place in the right time with the right person—me, of course.

Mercury Rising Handbag: www.maryfrances.com

    So far I’ve mentioned some pretty uppity accessories: shoes that want to lunch at the Ritz and a purse vying for royal attention, but one’s possessions need not have such lofty aspirations. Consider a pair of Krewe’s hand-carved St. Louis frames in the Bengal-polarized finish. The sleekness of the design and the ultra-cool blue lenses yearn to make you look like the hippest of locals in any urban jungle you care to visit. 

St. Louis Bengal by Krewe: www.kreweduoptic.com

    Or if you are visiting a locale that is even the tiniest bit chilly, Jocelyn’s fingerless Mandy plucked rabbit mittens will give you the perfect mix of cool-girl street cred and fluffy approachability that you’re bound to strike up a conversation with one or two interesting locals. Mandy Rabbit Mittens: www.shopjocelyn.com

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    Conversely, if you are on a sun-drenched patio, lakeside or, really, anywhere you feel confident in a wide-brimmed straw hat then it is also imperative that you have clothes that help you shout out to the world, “Today, I am a lady of leisure!” Certainly the breezy off-white, whisper-light unstructured Gayla skirt and the matching Carden camisole from Club Monaco would go very far in getting that message across.

Outfit by Club Monaco: www.clubmonaco.com

My point is this: if you love fashion then fashion must travel with you. You simply must make some room in your luggage for it. Take some of your special items on vacation with you—the ones with which you can already visualize sharing a special holiday memory—because the trade-off for hefting around a little extra weight in your luggage is completely worth it. For some, an unfashionable holiday is no holiday at all. 

Polka dots: Perfect pattern for spring

Polka dots are everywhere. Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Armani, Valentino, McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana are a few designers who have included polka dots in their spring collections. Burberry layered a large polka dot print overtop their iconic tartan for scarves, rain-boots and handbags. But its good to know that polka dots were common in European fashion in the late 19th century and they never really went away. They were seen on the bathing suits of pin-up girls in the 1950s. Carolina Herrera has continued to use polka dots in her collections since the 1980s. Kate Spade has also put polka dots front and centre of her collections. Oscar de la Renta has made everything from gowns to belts with these same dots.

I have always liked the classic look of polka dots—it's simple, it's clean and it's fun. In my wardrobe, I have several dotted shirts, pocket squares, neckties and bowties, socks and underwear. For me the objective has always been to make polka dots the focal point of a more conservative outfit. Polka dots say I'm approachable and stylish.  But if you have hesitations about the print, here are a few tips:

Keep it small on clothing. Most of the polka dots we're seeing on clothing are smaller—between the size of a quarter to a pin dot. Larger dots are louder and this is why they are often kept to accessories like scarves and bags. Smaller dot prints are classic, fresh and perfect for spring.

Wear it with a solid colour. Too much of any print can be a bad idea so use it as piece of an outfit so you aren't covered head-to-toe. If you do a polka dot dress, keep it short. A polka dot shirt looks great with a men's solid colour suit.

Not all dots are created equally. If you want something more interesting, try a pattern with mulit-coloured dots. Classic black and white dots never go out of style but keep them in rich fabrics like silk. Monochromatic dot patterns are very hot—for example, shiny black dots on a matte black background—just ensure the finish contrasts enough with the fabric to make an impact.

A little goes a long way. Polka dots are meant to be fun and whimsical so if you want to make a statement, opt for a brightly coloured polka dot tie, pocket square, pair of heels or purse. And go bold with your accessories and feel free to try a larger dot pattern here. 

So the next time you are out shopping—keep an eye out for polka dots. You'll be surprised how often you see them around. 

Christian Louboutin: The Rise of the Red Sole

In 1991 Christian Louboutin sold 200 pairs of shoes in his Paris boutique. This year the brand will sell nearly a million pairs of red soles. 

Louboutin only opened his salon in the early 90s but he spent the majority of the 80s as a freelance designer for top designers such as YSL and Gucci. After a break from the fashion industry, he opened his doors in 1991 with Princess Caroline of Monaco as his very first customer. Her praise of the shoes eventually grew into larger press and eventually international fashion outlets were learning about his designs. 

By 2000, he was producing two thousand shoes. The same year, Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City debuted a pair onscreen and continued to wear his designs regularly for the next 3 seasons of the show. In 2009 Britney Spears wore a red pair in her "If You Seek Amy" music video a season before they were available for sale. The year after, Jennifer Lopez released a single entitled "Louboutins." Hollywood's fascination with his footwear have helped grow the brand. It is no wonder Louboutins are the most widely searched for shoes online.

But besides the trademarked red sole, what differentiates Louboutin from a variety of other shoe designers? His style is loud, daring and unapologetically sexy. His studded styles are his best-sellers and can be shocking and edgy. The brand's stilettos are dramatically high and comfort is something Christian admits he does not design for. Vibrate colors are often mixed with soft velvets, metallics or sleek patent. The finished product is a shoe that demands attention. 

But these shoes are not for everyone. I can personally say that the shoes, while fashionable, are not something you would want to wear for more than hour or two. The iconic red heel will get scuffed quickly the very first time you wear them out of the store. And with most price tags at the $1000 mark, these shoes are regarded as an investment for most. If money is of no concern though, you can have the company make you a custom pair beginning at $4000.

And if you're looking for something beyond shoes, Louboutin has been growing their brand into other directions. Handbags and leather goods are beginning to take a bigger amount of sales space in the showrooms. One laptop sleeve particularly caught my eye the last time I was in a store. Also, Louboutin launched a line of nail polish in 2014 that can purchased at the boutiques and at select other retailers. Polish seems fitting since that is what painted the original red sole of his shoes.

One final note - I have had a Christian Louboutin wallet for the past 4 years. Though I cycle it with other wallets, it does get plenty of use. It has held up exceedingly well for the amount of wear its been through and I still today get daily compliments on it. There have been no issues with any of the studding and the leather shows on minor creasing. And the red interior is still bright and vivid. Often designers cut costs on items such as wallets and it is reassuring to know that Louboutin puts the same craftsmanship into all his goods. 

Goyard: The Original Louis Vuitton

Goyard: The Original Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton was named by Forbes to be the most valuable luxury brand in 2015. This comes as no surprise when you consider LV’s saturation and iconic monogram. While every other suburban housewife is now toting their Vuitton Neverfull, other historical French brands are regaining their much deserved recognition. In an age of internet celebrities and faux everything, buyers no longer seek just visibility and exclusivity - they crave history, authenticity and nostalgia. French manufactures such as Hermès, Moynat, and Moreau have proven that elegance and craftsmanship are timeless. However, it was Goyard that emerged as France’s original and premier leather goods expert.

Goyard has been making quality leather goods since 1853 - one year before Louis Vuitton. However, the origin of Goyard actually dates back to 1792 when Maison Morel and then Maison Martin began making leather trunks for the French elite. Pierre-François Martin began the business and then taught his craft to his son-in-law, Henri Morel. Their continued success brought about the hiring of an apprentice in 1845 - 17 year old François Goyard. When Morel passed away in 1852, François took over and in 1853, the brand of Goyard was born. Eventually the business was taken over by Edmond Goyard who is credited with the creation of the signature Goyardine chevron print.

Production today continues as it did back in the original days: The goods continue to be made in France. Special orders are all created by hand. Custom personalization is still handpainted. Each piece is inspected to ensure that it passes the company’s highest standards. Practices that keep this brand exclusive and coveted.

Not only is this brand known for quality and craftsmanship, but it’s list of past customers is staggering: the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Romanov family, the Rockefellers, Coco Chanel, Edith Piaf and Sarah Bernhardt. More recently, fashion icons and celebrities such as Karl Lagerfeld, Madonna and Victoria Beckham make Goyard their brand of choice.

I personally enjoy my Louis Vuitton carry-on and have been complimented on it numerous times over the past decade. It is well made, durable and fashionable.  However, over the years the LV emblem has become more commonplace and the special feeling I once had with my bag has faded. So when you are shopping for a new bag or luggage, remember Goyard.

This brand has maintained its exclusivity through being one of fashion’s best kept secrets.

Goyard Storefront