Most Overused Fashion Term: Investment Piece

I just wanted to thank everyone who’s subscribed to my blog for hanging in here with me. I haven’t posted in a while but I thought I’d get over my hiatus and write about something that’s been on my mind for a bit. Here goes…

Fashion articles are ripe with words like  trendy, in season, out of season, vintage, rocker, boho, classic, mod, gamine, sexy, flirty, girly and statement piece to name a few. But investment piece is the one term that I’m getting tired of hearing even more so than the above.

For us unlucky folks who don’t have a large bank account saving up to buy  a Celine Boston bag (pictured above), a pair of Louboutins or even a $100+ pair of Sam Edelman shoes in a neutral color isn’t a splurge; it’s an investment.

No need to feel bad about the dent in your wallet  because you’ll have this item until your  grandchildren raid your closet (it’s no question they’ll love fashion as much as you). And if you don’t want to pack it away in its original dust bag or packaging after one or two wears just use it everyday. It will practically pay for itself right?

Sigh…it’s true that some items stand the test of time and deserve you shelling out a lot of money for them.  But why does it seem like more and more magazines, style gurus and fashionistas are comfortable promoting every item that is exorbitantly expensive or in a basic black, white or navy as an investment piece? The more I hear it the more I let out a little laugh because it’s so overused and sounds like you’re purchasing stock.

Investment pieces aren’t unicorns. There is room and a price point that everyone can select to purchase an item as their investment piece. But everything that seems like you can wear it with a zillion other outfits or is expensive isn’t an investment.

Photo from Google Images

Milking Moms

Breastfeading and odd parenting  practices are some of the latest media obsessions. A few months ago we saw footage of former “Clueless” star Alicia Silverstone  oddly feeding  her son and just weeks ago Beyonce’s public breastfeeding display turned up a few eyebrows. (But the incident made many others love the new mom even more, giving her the Mother of The Year crown on top of People’s recent “World’s Most Beautiful” title.)

The latest strange news item is Time’s newest cover showing 26-year-old mom Jamie Lynn Grumet simulating breastfeeding to her three-year-old son. Grumet is a model but she’s shown on the cover with her biological son. “It gives my children a strong bond,” she told the “Today”  show.

The cover  is getting the attention the publication hoped for and promotes an article about extended breastfeeding, a term coined by 72-year-old pediatrician and author Dr. Bill Sears who states that extending breastfeeding is healthy and promotes happy children. But the cover also brings to light the whispers and shocked looks that many give seemingly tactless moms who breastfeed boldly in public spaces. 

Breastfeeding is practical in that it  fulfills basic survival needs but there’s also a certain level of intimacy between mother and child. Unless necessary to breastfeed in public I believe these moments should be somewhat private. There’s no need to go into hiding but this can be done at home or at least tastefully.

The “Today” show polled 122,000 people and of the “people who were asked what they thought of the cover, 27 percent said it was great but 73 percent they really did want to see it,” according to Reuters.

And how old is too old to continue treating your child like a baby?  Too often I see children well over age 4 in strollers. Come on moms! 

 Earlier this week I even saw a mother on the subway cradling her adolescent son in her lap as if he were a newborn. The boy looked extremely tired but there was an empty seat adjacent to her. He could have sat upright in the seat and dozed off like many New Yorkers older and younger than him.

I’m not a mother and maybe in the future I’ll be cradling my ten-year-old in my lap too but now it just seems like you’re training your child to be a bit needy, spoiled and I’ll dare to say a “momma’s boy (girl).”

The Cigarette Shoe

I know smoking is bad for my health, that’s why I won’t be lighting up a cigarette anytime soon. But look at how cute Prada’s cigarette shoes are. They’re available in silver and black :)

 

 Photos  from Seaofshoes.com and Google Images

Petite Principles

I’m often mistaken for a teenager and my round face plays a role but being  5’2″ and thin doesn’t help either. Fortunately, after being petite all my life I’ve learned how to navigate the world from my vantage point. Here are some tid bits I’ve learned that may help you. :)

The Do’s

– Do wear heels to important events like  job interviews or first dates. Heels will give you an extra boost of confidence and make you closer to eye level with taller counterparts.

– Do wear clothes that properly fit your body. Loose and baggy clothing can swallow petite women’s figures. Clothing that is the correct size and fitted to your body will reveal what is there.

– Do save money and check out the kid’s section of high-end stores for jeans and coats. Not all kid’s jeans have pictures of ponies and Barney on them. If you’re small enough to fit into a size 12, 14 or 16 , save a few dollars and relive your days  of  “back to school” shopping.

The Don’ts

– Don’t think you can eat like everyone at your table. If you’re eating with friends who are a lot larger than you (especially guys), know that your portions and theirs need not be equal. I’m not advocating for dieting but common sense says that a smaller body can survive with smaller amounts of food.

– Don’t wear overly youthful clothing on a daily basis. You might be mistaken for a child. It’s sad but true. If you’re a smaller woman and decked out in Hello Kitty and bright pink it may send the message that you just got out of school at 3′ o clock. Ration the cuteness and you’ll go a long way!

– Don’t be afraid to embrace your natural height. I  like wearing heels but I can’t wear them everyday and sometimes there’s no need. Being shorter is not necessarily a disadvantage. Put on your flats and walk proud!

Wouldn’t It Be Nice

Today little things that usually make me raise an eyebrow began to come to mind and I thought I’d share some of them with your guys.

Wouldn’t it be nice…

if more of us stopped for those “brave” people asking for signatures for starving children, abortions and gay rights. There was a  man with model good looks who stopped me yesterday and regrettably I gave him the brush off. You fine sir are the inspiration for this post:)

if extremely fat people didn’t squeeze into seats. Sorry but when you’re in between two people and weigh 300+, three’s a crowd

if women bought less and donated more

if people didn’t treat animals better than other human beings

if more orphaned and  impoverished children in America were adopted

if Jay Z would stop rapping about drug dealing and hood life when he’s filthy rich

….