The final, fleeting days of summer are upon us; I'm already seeing change on the morning horizon and falling leaves whilst driving to work. And with a change in season, comes a change in clothing — though you might be fighting it, the time to store summer clothing and pull out your heavier fall fare has arrived. While some of us more organized than others and have a system in place for storing summer clothes in a spare closet or an unused set of drawers, others have no extra space in which to store their clothing. No matter what your lot, I hope that each of us can take something from the following suggestions on clothing storage and use it in our own wardrobes. With proper organization, you can fully utilize even the smallest of storage spaces!
Whether a go-to piece in your everyday wardrobe or an article of clothing you're putting away for the off-season, clothing needs proper air circulation and space. When you try to squeeze too many pieces into a small space for a long period of time, chances are that your clothes will come out of the drawer or off the shelf permanently damaged and misshaped. Also, when storage space is too tight, you'll find you have trouble getting to your everyday clothes, which is another reason why proper organization is the key to a fully functional closet and wardrobe.
The solution for maximizing use of space is simple, really: Take an inventory of the clothing you plan to style during the coming season (in this case, Fall/Winter), and organize the clothes you plan to put in storage by sorting it accordingly. Blouses, sweaters, lingerie, and fine garments; pants, skirts, dresses, and shorts. Once you've done this, decide which pieces will be most frequently used over the next few months, and which you might not wear at all. Then, dedicate at least one drawer (or shelf) to your tops and bottoms, and everything in between. Store less worn clothing in the back of your closet, and in your lowest drawer.
In the closet, cothing can be hung on either silk or cedar hangers. I find silk hangers work best for hanging delicate fabrics like silk and cashmere, whereas cedar hangers are favourable for hanging more heavy fabrics and bottoms. Cedar also imparts a refreshing fragrance and is a natural safeguard against moths. Clothing you plan to store in drawers or on shelves can be sorted according to material — silks and linens; light knits and summer-weight cashmere; cottons and polyblends. California Closets makes a fantastic multi-functional plastic divider, that can adapt to either a drawer or a closet shelf. This will ease the often daunting task of sorting and storing your clothing, and it will also provide easy access and visibility to your clothes.
Shop these suggestions:
Whitmor Covered Hangers, $12.99 for a set of 10, Target
Cedar Hangers (assorted styles), $8.99-$9.99, Bed Bath & Beyond
Custom Closet Accessories, call for consult, California Closets
He's designed for Miss Piggy, he created Britney Spears's airline stewardess outfit for her Toxic music video, and he discovered Devon Aoki: Jeremy Scott.
Nothing if not different, the designer's even had guest-starring role as himself on The Young and the Restless earlier this summer, in a scene promoting a clothing collection to Lauren Fenmore at Fenmore's Boutique.
So I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise that the incredibly artistic Jeremy Scott for Adidas line was an instant bestseller. The winged Original by Originals sneakers Scott created for the brand became an instant cultural icon for the sportswear company.
Men, what do you think?
Would you wear these Original by Originals men's Jeremy Scott Wings 2.0 sneakers for Adidas?
Perhaps they might give you more speed whilst jogging, or more air time playing basketball.
Just a thought.
ObyO Men's JS WINGS 2.0, $249.99, Adidas
Well, I've done it. After years — really, years — of searching, I've finally found the perfect desk for my home office workspace. And it's perfect timing, too, since I'll be hitting the books again this month as I continue my education. Ever since watching the Anna Wintour-inspired Devil Wears Prada, I've wanted Miranda Priestly's office. A near replica of Wintour's former office at Vogue (I say 'former' because the infamous editor-in-chief had her office redesigned after Devil Wears Prada was released), I was instantly attracted to the clean, modern lines and light colours of Priestly's office. The workspace would be ideal breeding ground for concentration and creativity. Thus started my search for Miranda Priestly's office desk. Three years later, I've found it!
Toronto's Avenue Road has this sleek and sophisticated USM Haller table, designed by Fritz Haller and Paul Schärer of Switzerland. Originally designed in 1963, the USM Haller table has stainless steel legs and frame, and is built to last. There are 16 interchangeable table surfaces, however I'd go with the transparent glass to capture the same character as Priestly's office in Devil Wears Prada. Working with the Haller system, the options for this table are seemingly endless. While I'd only want one, you could opt to buy several table combinations and custom configure them for full efficiency and function. (The Haller system is fascinating, seriously). This is a bare bones table with nothing fancy and no extra accessories, however the height and dimensions make it the right choice for an office workspace.
Next up, I'll be looking for a chair similar to the one Priestly used in Devil Wears Prada. I'd like something that's sleek with a swivel bottom, and it must be leather. Stay tuned for part 2 of my home office furniture search!
USM Haller Table available at Avenue Road
Photos copyright Twentieth Century Fox
Made famous first by classic beauties Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O., this Fall 2010 season cropped wool pants are again attracting all kinds of attention and strutting straight back into style. Sure we haven't always looked at cropped pants as a chic clothing choice, but like their juxtaposed cousin the wide-leg pant, everything old is new again. Take the trend and pair these pants with a silk camisole and boyish blazer for office-friendly attire, or style the suiting pant with ankle socks and heels (ala J.Crew); no matter how you wear them, the results will be remarkable and spot-on for Fall 2010.
Though often perceived as a pant style that will hinder height or disrupt lines and make your legs look short, take it from me that cropped pants can work to enhance your height and figure. The key is wearing the pants with a fantastic pair of heels or boots. This will add height and ensure your line of sight goes straight down to the ground rather than stopping short at your ankles.
Check these Vionnet cropped wool-blend pants. Positively preppy, the dark grey wool (designer colour: Smog) makes the menswear look ladylike. The side pockets are hidden, and the welt pockets at the back work to flatter your tush. These pants have a zip fly and hook-eye closure. The pleats at front run down the leg, and the back of Vionnet's cropped wool pants feature a vent on the hem. They've got belt loops, so you can switch things up when you feel like further accessorizing. They're lined in silk, meaning these Vionnet pants are as comfortable as they are über-chic.
Not prepared to spend almost 900 dollars on designer pants? Fear not, frugal friends! I'm loving the J.Crew Fabien pant. Like the Vionnet variety, J.Crew's cropped pants are made from comfy wool flannel. (The flannel negates the itchy effect wool can have, hence why J.Crew's version is unlined). These pants feature side pockets and one back welt pocket. These pants have a cinched paper-bag style waist, which is elastic. The grosgrain tie is removable, so you can alternate with your own leather belt or another fabric tie. There are subtle pleats on the front of J.Crew's Fabien pant.
So which do prefer? Sure Vionnet's wool cropped pants are backed by the famous French brand, but J.Crew is providing a similar style for substantially less.
Vionnet cropped wool-blend pants, $89, Net-A-Porter
Wool flannel Fabien pant, $128, J.Crew
Check Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi looking confident and natural whilst walking the red carpet the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards. Gorgeous, right? The thing about it is, Padma's midnight blue sheath wasn't what garnered lots of looks; it was the stunner's stunning necklace, a piece she designed for the her Fall 2010 Padma jewelry collection.
The grey pearl Masai necklace, available soon on Bergdorf's and Neiman Marcus, is a must-have for the impending fall and winter season. The 18 Karat and 10 Karat Masai necklace features grey pearl, pyrite, a horn charm, and an eye-catching nav charm. Like her role on Top Chef, Padma's always been a woman who plays close attention to detail. The nav charm of this Masai necklace is colourfully embellished with hessonite, tigerseye, diamond, yellow and blue sapphires, emerald, pearl, coral, and ruby. Sounds like a lot to take in, non? That's why when you're wearing this number, you should let it do the talking. Keep your other accessories to a minimum.
What's Your Take On This Trend?
Will You Wear Cropped Pants This Fall?
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