The LBD: One of Life's Necessities

 

J. Mendel LBD available at Richards of Greenwich

Close your eyes and picture a beautiful woman in a Little Black Dress – the uniform of New York.Chances are you conjure Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the film of the Truman Capote’s classic, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

The iconic opening scene – featuring a pre-dawn, whippet-thin Audrey, dressed in perfectly cut Givenchy, long gloves, dark glasses and a swirling up-do – is seared into our consciousness.

Hepburn/Holly’s LBD is her armor, her art and her artifice.

So what is it about an LBD that demands space in every woman’s closet?

• LBDs are great cheaters – It can be as difficult to spot an inexpensive LBD as it is to detect a cubic zirconia at a glance. With haute couture runway being copied and reproduced for the H&Ms and Zaras of the world within weeks, all you need is your best accessories, good posture and a little attitude.
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• LBDs are versatile – You can easily segue from day to night, simply by swapping daytime pumps for nighttime Jimmy Choo platform sandals. Leave your tote behind and pull out your YSL clutch, add a pop of bling and you are good-to-go to an event or dinner.

• LBDs are good travelers – An LBD looks as chic in L.A. or Monaco as it does in New York. If it’s knit or jersey, pack it well in tissue, and chances are you won’t even need to steam it on arrival.

• LBDs are timeless – As an investment, a good LBD is as solid as a savings bond. I still wear a Dolce & Gabbana sleeveless wool turtleneck sheath dress I bought back in 2002. Why would I part with it? It looks as fabulous and stylish as the day I bought it. At this point, it costs pennies per wear.

• LBDs are brainless – It may be the one item in your closet you put on with complete confidence that requires no second-guessing. If you have ever lamented the ease with which men get dressed every day, well, the LBD should give you some comfort.

Is there a menswear equivalent to the Little Black Dress? Of course.

A classic navy blazer and gray trousers can gracefully take a man almost anywhere. Since it is a staple in most men’s wardrobes, it makes sense to buy the finest quality you can afford. Originally, most navy blazers were double-breasted, from their uniform origins. Most men prefer the ease of a single-breasted style, because to look their best, double-breasted jackets must remained buttoned.

Optimally, it’s best to have a light-weight wool version for warmer months and a heavier cashmere or flannel for the winter months. Silhouettes are so much slimmer and more refined in cut than they were years ago. You can appear several pounds thinner just by taking the leap. Merely altering your old blazer will not do the trick. The shoulder line will be broader and will not tailor well. It’s worth every penny to update your navy blazer if it is more than a few years old.

Personality can easily be injected with the choice of shirts and ties. Khakis or ivory linen trousers can replace gray wool or flannel in the spring and summer.

A more formal approach would be a perfectly cut dark suit in a midnight navy or charcoal gray with a crisp white shirt, pocket square and a brown slip-on shoe. No tie required. It’s elegant and irresistible and gives every man who wears it the touch of je ne sais quoi that women adore.

If a man were sipping coffee and gazing into a window at dawn, either coming to or from me, that’s exactly what I would imagine he would be wearing.

Holly, meet your match.

xox,
DD

Mama Mia! Clarisonic Mia is Marvelous

Clarisonic Mia now available in colors to match your newest jeans. $119

Inexplicably, I sometimes can't get myself to splurge on a beauty product.  Even one that has received glowing online reviews and raves from anyone I know who uses it.

Clarisonic's cleansing system seems to be the one to beat.  Using it for just two minutes a day will greatly improve your skin's clarity and texture, help your creams work more effectively and your makeup application smoother.

I had contemplated purchasing Olay's Pro X system which claims to rival Clarisonic's hand held system, for significantly less money,without mentioning names.  I couldn't pull the trigger on that one either.

Happily, last week we had a Lela Rose trunkshow at Richards, and there lovely reps came bearing grab bag gifts...O.K...so I peeked.  Shoot me.

After charging it overnight, it was ready to roll the next morning in the shower with me.  After just one use, my skin was glowing more than usual.

I was not impressed with the cleanser it comes with.  I don't consider that I have a keen sense of smell, but when something smells off to me, I can't continue to use it, no matter what it's pedigree. Clarisonic does say you can use it with any of your favorite cleansers, so I quickly moved on.

Using Mia to remove a face full of makeup left me perplexed...wasn't I really just moving around my primer, tinted moisturizer and concealer?  My friendMichele is a longtime fan.  She recommended essentially cleansing twice, which I did last night.  Good plan.

Here is how Clarisonic describes Mia's attributes:

While cleansing is the first step in any skin care ritual, it is often overlooked.  Typical manual cleansing can leave behind dirt and oil trapped in pores. This build-up can damage the appearance and health of your skin and keep your skin care products from working like they should.

Used and recommended by spas and dermatologists, Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems use a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Cleaner skin is the first step toward healthier skin. And healthier skin is smoother, more radiant and more beautiful. 

I couldn't have said it better!  If you don't get the Mother's Day gift you were secretly longing for, treat yourself  to Clarisonic's Mia.


You deserve it Mama.

xox,
DD