Anatomy of Style

When designer events happen in San Francisco, pictures of the socialites who were in attendance show up in the SF Chronicle, C magazine, or Town and Country magazine. If it’s a Chanel event, everyone’s in Chanel. If it’s a Prada event, everyone’s in Prada. So taking my cue from the big names, I had to wear something that came from Carlisle or Per Se when on Monday I met a client to review the fall offerings of the Carlisle Collection. My friend and colleague, Marjory DeRoeck of the Image Studio in Lafayette has been showing the Carlisle Collection for years. It just so happens I’ve been a fan and own several pieces but more than that, I have a client who seems to have been made for Carlisle clothes. She looks fabulous in them! And I was going to meet her at Marj’s studio on one of the hottest days of the summer.

So here were my thoughts:

1. Wear Carlisle or Per Se (both lines are part of the Carlisle Collection)

2. Wear lightweight clothing

First decision: I started with my Per Se black leggings. When I first looked at them in Marj’s studio I wondered why I’d pay that much money for leggings when I could find leggings at H&M for next to nothing. But of course, these aren’t junior department type leggings, they are grownup leggings: not too tight, come up to the waist and fasten securely so I’m never pulling them up all the time like other leggings, and they have about a six inch zipper detail at the ankles which appeals to that part of me that likes to have a little “rocker” element in my style. And they aren’t skin tight so I’m not self-conscious in them. And, what was perfect about wearing them on Monday was that they are super lightweight. Good on a hot day!

Second decision: I really wanted to wear a chunky necklace I’d bought on sale at Chico’s. It came out in April or May so if you like it, good luck finding it. In fact, I helped a client buy it early in the season and a few weeks ago I was still thinking about it. I actually tracked it down in my own hometown. The green beads in it make me happy, happy, happy. There’s something about that color that just sends me! I was hungry for it that day, especially. And get this–I’d never worn it yet! This was the day to bust it out so I had to find a top that would showcase it.

Third decision: There’s nothing cooler than this white semi sheer, very textured gauzy top that I found here in town at J.James just off the Sonoma Plaza (122 East Napa Street). To create the longest line I could, I put a black tank underneath it so there wouldn’t be a color break underneath the white top. I hate color breaks! It chops the body in half and although you could say wearing black and white like this chops the body in half, the uneven hemline was creating interest and that was okay with me. I also needed to consider that this top has a tendency to want to slip around at the shoulder and I wanted a tank that covered my bra straps. Then I could relax and not worry about whether or not the top was moving around. My undies weren’t going to be showing.

Fourth decision: I needed shoes. Comfortable shoes. And bulky ones. When I looked in my mirror and saw how strong the necklace looked, I knew my strappy wrap sandals I’d thought of wearing were going to be too delicate looking. So I searched my shoe bin for the right design weight and pulled out my gladiators. When I put them on and looked again, I knew I had what I wanted. The bulky shoe was in balance with the bulky necklace. Ah, all is well. And then Russ walked in and said, “Oh! You’re wearing my favorite shoes!” I had no idea he felt that way but that seemed like a bonus to me!

Fifth decision: I chose my metal kind-of-hoop earrings because I basically just wanted a placeholder on my ear. My focal point was the necklace. Then I decided I needed more accessories to balance the necklace and top. So I went to my bank of bangles and pulled out this black one. It was bulky enough and had a sheen like the necklace. It tied in nicely.

So, there you have it! The anatomy of my style, the decisions I made to put together this outfit that met my two most pressing requirements — wearing something from the collection I was going to see with my client and being cool on a hot day. Oh, and also looking like someone who loves fashion! But hat’s a minimum daily requirement no matter what’s in store for the day.

I’m excited that I got to mix in something new (the necklace) with my tried and trues (the bangle, leggings, and sandals) that have been around a few years, and a more recent local purchase (the top) that should be used as much as possible in these last weeks of summer before fall clothes move in and take over in my closet.

I love getting dressed. Don’t you?