Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

How to Keep Your Fine Leathers Safe During the Holidays

True story. I attended a holiday party recently and ended up drenched in a glass of red wine. I was chatting with a girlfriend. We were both sipping on glasses of a full-bodied Cabernet. She slipped, and her glass of red wine came raining down on me. I was calm at first because I was wearing all black. But, then, I looked down and noticed that my brand new Tory Burch Marion Suede Crossbody bag (now on sale) was also covered in red wine. Yikes!

Another friend sprung into action and got me some napkins to start dabbing the suede. Still, my wine-colored bag was now a much darker shade of wine in spots. At that point, I was certain that my bag was ruined. You know how easy suede stains. Miraculously, though, by the time I got home from the party, my bag had dried to its original state. How in the world? Well, I had pretreated my bag with a coat of Wilsons Leather & Suede Protector Spray, and apparently this stuff really works.

I’ve been using the Wilsons Leather & Suede Protector Spray for years on all of my handbags. It works by creating a resistant barrier that repels water and stains. It’s easy to use too. Simply spray the product evenly over your leather goods, allow them to dry (at least an hour), and that’s it. It’s also important to apply the product before using your fine leathers.

Protect fine leathers

Now that I know how well the spray works, I’m going to start using it on my shoes too. Need to protect fine leathers? I highly recommend this product, y’all!

 

Sometimes You Just Need a Pop of Color!

Website glitch? Last week, on a routine visit to J.Crew.com, I noticed that a beautiful pair of Elsie suede d’Orsay pumps in flame (a bright orange hue) was significantly marked down to around $50 after the sale-on-sale discount at the time. What the what? It was quite odd for J.Crew to drop the price of a fairly new style by so much (about 80% off), so I purchased these beauties before they changed their minds. And, they eventually did. Those pumps are back at their full-price of $255.

I wasn’t shopping for these pumps when I visited the site that day, but sometimes you just need a pop of color, right? I’m convinced that’s what the fashion universe was trying to telling me with this bargain find. I already have plans to wear these with a navy jumpsuit I found on clearance in Madewell recently.

J.Crew Elsie Suede d’Orsay Pumps | Vera Bradley umbrella

Sizing? J.Crew recommends sizing down a 1/2 size in this Elsie d’Orsay pump, but I have never had to do that. I wear my usual size 8 in the Elsie pumps and the Elsie d’Orsay pumps. They fit to true to size for me.

What’s your favorite color pop?

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Wardrobe Staples Saved My Weekend Style

If my ponte knit leggings could talk, I would worry about the kinds of things they would say. “You just wore me yesterday. Don’t you think it’s time for a backup pair? I’m getting worn out.” I found my favorite pair by Adrienne Vittadini in Marshalls in 2010. They have a clean, sleek silhouette that always adds instant chic to my style.

Yesterday, when I had to get dressed for in-between weather in St. Louis, my look began with my favorite pair of ponte pants. No matter the temperature, these pants just work. When paired with another wardrobe staple, a white button up pullover shirt, I knew I had my look for the day. A leopard scarf (tied as an infinity scarf), my new Kate Spade Saturday flats, and a yellow handbag add a little flavor.

Shirt—J.Crew 

Scarf—The Limited | similar

Pants—Adrienne Vittadini | similar

Shoes—Kate Spade Saturday

Bag—Kate Spade

Earrings—Kate Spade

Bracelet—J.Crew | option

Rings—J.Crew Sliced ring, J.Crew Industrial Bolt ring, J.Crew Orb ring

Lip—Mac “Carmine Rouge’ lipstick |  try “Ruby Woo“, Mac ‘Brick’ lip pencil
Sunglasses—Michael Kors ℅ SmartBuyGlasses

The Purchase Decision

Scenario. I stop by the mall to make a long overdue return. While there, I might as well visit a few stores, right? In Macy’s, I encounter these standout sandals—a glossy leather slingback. Ok. So, I am not shopping for shoes. But, these are not ordinary shoes. The gladiator inspired sandal has a tri color—luggage, tan, and vanilla—strappy vamp with geometric polished metal accents and studs at the center. And, they’re on sale.
To buy or not to buy? The decision to purchase always rests on a number of things, one being whether I can imagine at least three outfits with the shoes. That’s easy.

But, wait a minute. I already have the Tahari d’Orsay pumps, which can easily blend into the same looks. The new shoes are new, but they don’t necessarily bring any added value. So, do I need them?
Decision: Not to buy (well, not to keep)
Shoes—MICHAEL Michael Kors via Macy’s
“As soon as you buy something, you lose the power to buy something.” –Charles Johnson, “Exchange Value”

If My Clothes Could Talk…

Speaking of returns.

I guess my willingness to make returns is no secret to the Apex. He said he sometimes wonders the kinds of conversations my clothes would have if they could talk. “You’ve only been here a couple of weeks,” one older garment says to a new purchase. “Well, don’t get too comfy. She’s willing to make returns up until that 30-day limit. Before then, anything can happen. You don’t fit her the way you did in the dressing room; you got a small tear she didn’t notice…you’re going back just like that.”

Funny.