Wardrobe Essentials part 2 : Investment Handbag

I would argue to say in our culture the handbag becomes an extension of many women’s arm right around junior high going into high school. It is an essential element to every woman’s look.   I have felt naked if I make it out of the house without a handbag.  Given its importance it’s only natural to want to select the best your money can buy when choosing this daily companion.  

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The purchase of a bag that makes your heart skip a beat every time you look at it is very very possible if you keep a few things in mind

We are looking for a bag that can be worn with almost everything in your wardrobe. This bag should enhance every outfit you wear it with. The selection of a classic silhouette and neutral color will ensure your handbag is a long term member of your wardrobe and with care will last for years even decades depending on the bag. The selection of a Designer bag will ensure it retains its retail value over time in order to provide the most ROI.

 

Marc by MarcJacobs Satchel

 

 Price-Per-Wear-Calculator

Use the price per wear calculations way of thinking. I have fallen victim to the “Its only blank dollars” or “This handbag is on sale” While it may have seemed like a deal at the time I also got what I paid for in regards to quality. Not to mention being faced with the chore of purchasing a new sub par handbag every year.  Once you have cultivated a collection of neutral classic designer handbags you will be able to purchase a trendy “ on sale “ bag from time to time with little consideration of its long term use because it will then be a great purchase based on the same price per use calculations

Now lets say you invest 500.00 into your dream  designer bag and you wear it 5 days a week for six months because it’s a perfect fall/winter bag.

 So you wear this fab new bag 5 days a week , there are  4 weeks in a month

 5x4 = 20 days   20 days each month You are going to wear it for 6 months

20x6 = 120 wears in 6months.

 The cost comes out to be $4.70 per wear and you’ve only worn it for 6 months. And you absolutely LOVE the bag.

 

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You can store it safely in your closet and take it out and wear it for at least 5 or 6 more fall/winters  or you can resell it and get close to the price you paid for it.

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Now lets have a look at the bargain trendy bag I found on sale. Given my history, I will probably only wear the trendy sale handbag say 5 times.  The sale price is $45.00 and I wear it 3 times this year and 2 times next year that is a 7.50 price per wear. Which in theory is a higher cost per wear than the gorgeous designer bag that you were apprehensive about paying such a large lump sum for.  

 Now that we have taken a look at the numbers what are we looking for in this bag?

Allibelle Tote

 A luxury handbag made by a top designer. Why?

QUALITY!! 

The quality that you will receive from a top designer should directly correlate with the price range for which you are looking to pay.

·         Great quality leather is buttery soft and  has a distinctive scent

·         Impeccable stitching, heavy duty thread, no puckering or loose strings

·         Heavy hardware, no plastic zippers all fixtures should be smooth as to avoid clothing snags

·         Metal feet on the underside of the handbag to protect the leather

·         Lining should be made of quality material if patterned the print should match at all seams.  

By doing a little research and taking your time you can make an informed purchase decision and score that  designer bag you really want.

 

Furla Olimpia Medium Shopper

 

I do not however condone using the price per wear logic to incur debt, or purchase every expensive item your hear desires but I do believe everyone should have access to the best quality wardrobe items her money can buy.  

Monday Cup of Motivation

Japanese Boulder Mug $14.00

Happy Monday

Marbled Latte Mug

 

I have decided to add a weekly motivational message to the blog. I often read encouraging and inspirational material and I find it very helpful. I hope that this feature does the same for you guys.

 

 

Happy Monday All.

Haute Finds: Goodbye Present

When faced with the challenge of saying goodbye to one of my dear friends and mentors  the dilemma of finding the appropriate gift presented itself. What do you give as a gift that expresses your love but still has a cool factor? She’s definitely a HauteTrenta. As a 30 something mom, business owner, coaches wife,  and mentor. Did I mention she manages to execute all of these roles flawlessly? That being said she has more than earned a fab gift just for her.

 So what did I want from this gift?

1. Something that appeals to her sense of style,

2. Something that wont appeal to the kiddies or hubby (in order for said gift to remain untarnished)

3. Something to will simplify her busy life

4. Something to celebrate this next chapter of life

This led me on a fabulous adventure through the blogsphere as I uncovered so many cool finds.

 

Here are a few Haute Gift ideas for the special someones in your life

 

 

1. Found this adorable Dachshund umbrella which would have been perfect for my friend who has had her dachshund Copper since college. I ended up purchasing an affirmation journal similar to 2.Rock the Cabash trio notebooks for my friend as she has taught me the importance of writing goals and speaking positively of my dreams and aspirations. 3. As I am a notorious accidental pen thief i love this stylish set of 14 pens, their unique look ensure the borrower will not be able to mistake them as his or her own. 4. No creative Haute Trenta business woman is complete without a detailed business accessory this cute Kate Spade "lets do lunch" business card holder does the trick. Every wine lover can appreciate these 5. highstreet agate set of 4 gold leaf coasters, this 6. sleek wine decanter, or 7. A lovely wine glass collection. You also have the fun of glam desk accessories 8. Gold acrylic stapler and 9. You can even have fun posting bills and to-do list when using this mineral magnet set.

 

Haute Designer : Max Azria

Max Azria

As stated on the Biography on bcbgmaxazriagroup.com

Executive Officer Max Azria. In 1981, after eleven years of designing a line of women's wear in his native Paris, Azria moved to the United States and launched Jess, a series of new-concept retail boutiques offering hip French fashion to American women. After years of success, Azria decided to pursue his dream of launching a design house that spoke to the modern woman-thus BCBGMAXAZRIA was born. Named for the French phrase bon chic, bon genre, a Parisian slang meaning "good style, good attitude," the brand embodies a true combination of European sophistication and American spirit.

Max and wife Lubova @ their home

 

He and his wife Lubova now work closely together and oversee the operation of the label and overall brand.

I find the Azria’s designs to be continuously fresh, offering up both on -trend and innovative looks. Tailoring is one of the designers strong suits. He presents a  variety of mix and match separates and youthful yet sophisticated dresses. His pieces are chicly cut and well tailored, collection after collection. Ive highlighted some of my favorites from his website www.bcbgmaxazriagroup.com

Dresses

 

COCKTAIL

 



Audra Wrap Cocktail Dress

 

Pleated Lace Cocktail Dress

 

Yolanda Asymmetrical Printed Dress

 

One Shoulder Cocktail Dress

 

 

 

WORK

 

Printed A-line

 

Printed Side Pleat

 



Pleated Shirtdress

 

Depending on where you work

 

 

Separates

 

JACKETS

 

Cutaway Blazer and Skinny Pant

 

Abree Relaxed Jacket

 

Candice Jacket

 

TOPS

 

Colorblock Tank 

 

Relaxed High Low Top

 

V-Neck Color Block Top

 

 

BOTTOMS

Sweater Pencil Skirt

 



 

Color Block Slim-leg Pant

 

Crepe Tuxedo Pant

 

Stretch Leather Leggings

 



I have strategically chosen looks that I feel will highlight or add to your Wardrobe Essentials. Each look has some classic feature yet makes a statement on its own, which will allow you to keep it in your collection of clothing for years to come. The choice of colors of several of the pieces are currently on trend but can be confidently worn during many springs to come or while vacationing in a warm climate, as bright colors are always appropriate in a hot climate. The trendier the item the more conscious I was of the price point. I hope these tips are helpful in your quest to remain Haute.

 

Wardrobe Essentials Part 1

Wardrobe Essentials

 

 

As mentioned in an earlier post the establishment of a wardrobe full of essentials is ideal. Lets  outline what this essential wardrobe looks like. High on the list of must haves are a perfectly tailored pair of black pants, one for heels another for flats.

 

jcrew


 

You should look for a seasonless wool blend material that allows you to wear them comfortable throughout most of the year depending on where you live. You want to be sure you shop for both a pair to wear with flats and one with heels as the fit and length will vary considerably depending on this factor. Depending on where you shop for these trousers you may be able to take advantage of in house tailoring services if not I highly recommend taking them to a tailor or even your neighborhood dry cleaners. A perfectly fitting pant will lessen the grievances’ we  women often have towards what "we" view as our body’s imperfections. A great pair of tailored pants will surrender to our shape as opposed to us trying to shove the lower halves of ourselves into a one shape fits all mold, that garment designers must create in an effort to effectively mass produce clothing.

 

Here are a few examples to get you started

 

SLIM FIT

 

 

Calvin Klien Straight Leg

 

Black Fleece Straight Leg





 

Stella McCartney

 

 

Notice that each pant highlighted has a flat front detail. Flat front trousers as a rule work best for all body types. The flat front provides a smooth even surface,full coverage and doesn't add bulk like pleated fronts have a tendency to do.  A flat front detail can be found in each pant silhouette.

 

 

WIDE LEG

 

Donna Karan Wide Leg

 

Armani Collezioni Wide Leg

 

Rachel Roy Talullah

 

 

Deciding whether you would like a cuff on your wide leg trouser is completely a matter of preference. The cuff is there solely for aesthetic purposes. The wide leg silhouette can be worn by all body types. For those of us who wish to minimize full hips and thighs this is the go to silhouette.

 





CROPPED





 

Zara Belted Crop

 

Asos Crop Pant

 

Diane Von Furstenberg

 

 

I highly recommend adding a cropped pant to your wardrobe because of the versatility it offers you. These pants can be worn with a slim heel, a stacked heel, or with flats. Crops are the ideal "flats pant" because they stop just shy of the ankle. You can always buy a full length trouser and have your seamstress crop them to fit "your" ideal length for a flat shoe, or you can bring your favorite flats along with you while shopping for a great pair of cropped pants.

 

 

The perfect tailored black trouser can be worn to work, dressed up for a night of cocktails, dressed down with a trendy tee and crazy shoe or even a canvas sneaker on the weekend. 

 

 

Black trousers worn with sneakers? It can be done. Check back as we continue to cover Wardrobe Essentials.

HauteTrenta Black History Tribute

 

Bethann Hardison

 

 Her Twitter title reads Fashion Activist and Documentarian.

 

She is many things and definitely a HauteTrenta woman and a part of modern Black History.

 

In the late 1960s and the early 1970s "Fashion" a multi billion dollar industry, the world's second largest employer exceeded only by agriculture was decisively failing to represent the diversity that existed in the modern world of the time. Bethann Hardison a young burgeoning model from the Bronx was a part of a group of African American models who would change fashion history.

 

Bethann w/ Stephan Burrows

 

 On November 28th 1973 a group of daring American designers Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Halson and Stephen Burrows faced off with five French major Couture Houses, Yves Saint Laurant, Christian Dior, Haubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel Ungaro in what would become  known as "The Battle of Versailles".

Audrey J. Benard explained (2012)  it was the American designers who dropped a bomb. Their secret weapon — great clothes and a group of explosive Black models that sashayed down the royal runway to R&B music. They turned heads and simply stole the show. The extraordinary evening left an unforgettable imprint on the fashion industry and forever changed the role of Black models in America and abroad.

 

 

Bethann featured on the left

 

This triumphant  event would stand as a perfect example of the form Bethann's life would take. Bethann would go on to found her own agency Bethann Management Co Inc. She remains dedicated to scouting managing and launching the careers of underrepresented models of color. She is responsible for developing the careers of  Naomi Campbell, Tyson Beckford and Veronica Webb to name a few.

 

 

 

 

 



 

In 1987 she and her dear friend Iman founded the Black Girls Coalition. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness of the lack of diversity in the fashion industry. There had long been speculation as to the lack of diversity present in ad campaigns and runway shows but a 1991 study would add statistics that would validate these suspicions.

 
 The City of New York's Department of Consumer Affairs 1991 study resulted in the findings that a paltry 3.4 percent of all consumer-magazine advertisements depicted African-Americans--despite the fact that they comprise approximately 11.3 percent of the readership of all consumer magazines and 12.5 percent of the U.S. population (The Ugly Side of Fashion Business, Essence Sep '93)

 

 

With this information in hand Bethann invited over 100 members of the international press to a conference in New York in the winter of 1992. She and 20 members of BGC spoke of the grave injustice they were witnessing. They argued that the 16 Billion dollars that the African American consumer alone contributed to the fashion industry was reason to adjust the lens in which brands and retailers looked out of when creating marketing campaigns. In an industry dedicated to constant change and challenging the rules it was only natural to have a myriad of complexions and ethnicities mirrored back at the consumer.

 

 

 Her continuing heroism is echoed in her role as Contributing Editor at Vogue Black, an extension of Vogue Italia. Here she and Tyra Banks one of the young models Hardison helped mentor, run the publication and online fashion website that showcases black fashion talent from around the globe. It does seem that Bethann has dedicated her life to challenging the status quo within the industry she loves so much. You can view her new documentary Invisible Beauty where she speaks candidly about Black beauty in the Fashion Industry.

 

We are so forward thinking and so progressive in many ways within the Fashion industry. I love Ms Hardison's mission to challenge an industry who otherwise praises the "provocative". We now live in a global society and consider ourselves global citizens who are quite capable of recognizing the many representations of beauty that exists in our world.  Thank you Ms Bethann for all you have done and continue to do.