Random Fashion Notes for the Weekend

Random Note #1: I received my first ever Shade catalog in the mail the other day. I guess I somehow missed getting off their list in my journey to declare my independence from junk mail. I have to say, I am kind of glad that little catalog made it to my door. I thought it was very well done. A few things really caught my eye: The short sleeve, white, button-up shirt. A great wardrobe basic and with 3% spandex, it has the potential for a great fit plus amazing comfort.

Also, check out their two new Extender Slips - the solution to another problem plaguing most Mormon women - the too-short skirt. It is also is a great reminder to women to wear a dang slip under that not-see-through-inside-but-it's-a-different-story-once-you get-outside-dress! Call me old fashioned, but I think slips are still a very necessary, yet hugely neglected underpinning.

Anyway, I have a few skirts that I have used to layer under dresses that are not particularly "short" but the constant chasing and bending over while caring for a baby/toddler makes them feels too short and uncomfortable. And I fear that I am flashing people unknowingly. I know I am not the only woman with this problem. These new slips from Shade can make a skirt or a dress more wearable, comfortable and worry-free by adding a couple inches to the length. And just for the record, I don't quite understand the shape of the Extender Slip on the Shade website, but if you click on the "view on model" button, it makes more sense.

Random Note #2: I received my first issue of Eliza magazine finally after the first one they sent got lost in the mail (BTW, they were really nice to get another one out to me as soon as I brought it to their attention. I love good customer service!). I posted a while back that I was extremely curious to see how they handled the subject of modesty in their magazine. Was it purely going to be about covering the body? Or about living modestly. Two things that don't necessarily go hand in hand.

So here are my thoughts: This new modest fashion magazine featured beautiful photos of models wearing clothes that covered more skin than those in your average fashion magazine. But every outfit wasn't necessarily "garment appropriate" which is fine with me--I realize they are marketing to a larger audience than Mormons and everyone that knows me knows I don't define modesty as covering all the parts that garments cover. I wear garments, so I cover them because it's the appropriate thing to do not because I think that a woman who shows her shoulders is necessarily immodest. I digress.

Many of the clothes featured in the editorials were really expensive, designer pieces which didn't appeal to my "trying to live modestly" side, but really it really appealed to my designer side. I'm talking about some really beautiful, yet modest, eye candy. Some of the spreads seemed really young and half of the magazine was dedicated to weddings, so when it came down to it, there wasn't a whole lot of magazine that I could relate to.

What I did enjoy was the small section featuring vintage wedding pictures. Really fun. And it looks like they are going to continue this vintage picture idea in the following issues as well so if you have some fun, vintage pictures, you should contact them and make a submission.

In the end, I think the magazine has potential and I'll stick with them for a few more issues to see how they evolve and because I love to support women who have taken their passion, thrown in their beliefs and have tried to create a business from it.

Random note #3: In case you haven't heard, there is a new site called The Modest List that claims to bring you "the crème de la crème of modest fashions". They have links divided into categories like fashion, swimsuits, wedding gowns and accessories (can anyone tell me what makes a modest vs. immodest accessory?) I think it could turn into a great reference list for the modest-minded dresser.

Random note #4: Project Runway is probably my most favorite show on tv. I have watched every season religiously. While I was saddened to hear that the new season would be airing later this fall rather than during the boring summer, the news of a new Tim Gunn makeover show brought me some consolation. I really love Tim Gunn. Sometimes I fantasize that he is my super-fashionable father and how fabulous it would be to get his design-eye genes. Then I think of my own father whom I love dearly and decide that it would fine if Tim Gunn were just my design mentor instead.

Anyway, I have watched the first few shows and have been sorely disappointed. He and his sidekick are way too over the top when it comes to labeling what they see as fashion monstrosities. The poor mom last night cleaned out her entire closet and had not one thing in her "keep" pile. Not one thing. Then the fashion moguls gave the mother of two a strappy sundress and heels as her "running errands" outfit. I am sorry, but you two are way out of touch with reality. Does this mom need to wear a t-shirt and capris everyday for every event? Of course not, but to think that heels, blouses, and dresses can become the new uniform of a mother that spends most of her time in the trenches is pure lunacy (they also gave another woman a beautiful dress and heels for her new "dog walking" outfit).

Get her some new underwear. Give her some tips on how to flatter her figure and find clothes that fit properly. Build her confidence. Get her out of her rut. Those are great things. But don't make women feel bad for not looking fabulously fashionable everyday at every moment. People wear clothes for all different and valid reasons--comfort, emotion, communication, as well as figure flattery and style. It's just not reality to assume that the last two are the only things that should matter. But I guess reality doesn't make for good tv.

I will say that I loved the moment when Tim Gunn let out a visceral yelp when someone mentioned the word "leggings". My thoughts exactly.

UPDATE: Random Note #5: Thanks to my long lost BYU Clothing and Textiles buddy, alibop, I have now been introduced to VintageHem.com. They deserve a fashion note of their own -- not just a comment. Alibop was right, they have a large selection of slip extenders featuring fabrics ranging from tulle to silk to polkadots to eyelet and in many colors besides the basic black. Go check it out. They are very cute. Most of them have raw edges which isn't great to wear under all styles (the Shade slips are definitely more sophisticated) but this makes them great for more casual skirts and dresses. The only thing I don't love is that the slip above the ruffle is always white, no matter the color of the ruffle. I wish it all matched because when the slip peeks out from your dress or skirt (which is likely to happen during normal movement) it's a little weird to see a big chunk of white when your dress is black and the ruffle is black. I'm sure it's a cost issue, but maybe in the future when sales build up, they will be able to fix this.