It's a Croc: The Ugg Effect or Why What You Wear Matters

"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today,

when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."

- Miuccia Prada

This is probably going to tick some people off. I realize that. So let me preface it by saying I have no problem with Crocs or Uggs. With the right outfit, the latter at least can be quite cute. And I hands down give kudos to the geniuses that figured out how to sell updated gardening shoes for $50 and glorified slippers for $150 or more. Brilliant marketing all around was done by both companies. Both brands have also branched out quite a bit from their original designs into some seriously sleek and fashionable alternatives (Uggs have sequins!). But for the sake of this discussion, I’m talking about the original basic models. And again, it’s not the shoes themselves I take exception to -- it’s what has happened since then. It’s the slobbification that’s going on. When did it become de rigueur to wear sweats in public?

To clarify, it’s not just any sweats I’m seeing – they’re the rattiest, baggiest, most figure-stifling sweats on the planet. Twice I’ve seen people in PAJAMA bottoms and slippers. In one instance, it was honest to goodness pink bunny slippers at the airport. I realize airline regulations have become stricter, and airplane travel is not very comfortable at the best of times, but you’re still in public!  One of my best plane trips ever involved a sexy, French-Canadian aeronautical engineer. I doubt he would have chatted me up if I had been sporting animal slippers. Because I had on heels and nice jeans, he slipped me his number. I had a boyfriend, but it was still a fun interlude to pass the time.

To use a cliché, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” If you are out and about looking like a slob in your ratty sweats, baggy shirt, and slippers, or yes, Uggs, the fashion statement you are making is, “I don’t give a single crap about how I look.” Which in turn often gives people the impression that you don’t care about anything else, either. You don’t want that to be what people take away from meeting you. This is especially true if these people can affect your future. Let me just list some of the people I have run into while out and about at a place as busy as Target in Daly City, CA.

1. Freelance clients
2. Potential business contacts
3. Ex-boyfriends
4. Cute guys (pre-fiancé, of course)
5. Friends I haven’t seen in forever
6. Business acquaintances
7. Work colleagues
8. Former bosses

That’s just off the top of my head. I guarantee you that if I had been dressed as casually as I see far too many people dressing these days, I would not have gotten some of the leads I’ve received while doing mundane tasks like shopping at the supermarket. You never know whom you will run into. So it pays to be presentable. Literally.

And ladies, I have a rule: Always make sure that if you run into an ex-paramour, you look so good that he/she wonders for at least a second why they ever left you. You don’t have to want them back in your life, you just have to make them remember why they wanted you in theirs in the first place.

As another example, the day I met my fiancé we were at softball practice. He was wearing a newsboy cap and I thought it was a cute alternative to a baseball cap. It made him stand out. I later found out that he just didn’t own a baseball cap at the time, but the impression was already made. You know what he noticed about me? He liked how good my butt looked in my yoga pants. He probably couldn’t tell yoga pants from leggings from skinny jeans, but he noticed and he remembered. (The bit about his newsboy cap was in our wedding announcement. We left the part about my heiny out.) So while we stayed together because of all the stuff you can’t see on the surface, we got together initially because of those first impressions. I guarantee you there might have been a different outcome had I worn my shapeless sweats.

I’m not asking you to be uncomfortable…just presentable. Yoga pants, leggings and un-ripped jeans are all nice, comfortable alternatives to sweats. Plus, they are far more neat and clean and professional-looking. Yoga pants give off a sporty vibe, while leggings and jeans can give off a neat, put-together impression.

As recently as the 1950s, it was common for women to go out in white gloves and skirts.  We don’t need to go all the way back to that extreme to look respectable, though. This current day devotion to comfort at all times has spawned such horrifying products as the Forever Lazy Lounge Wear, Pajama Jeans and the Snuggie. The Forever Lazy has a “drop seat” so you don’t have to take it off to do your business. No item which features a butt-flap will ever be considered fashionable. Please, I beg of you, don’t wear any of these things in public.

I understand that if you have a sick kid or aren’t feeling well and have to dash out for Sudafed or Advil, maybe you really can’t muster any more effort than sweats or pajamas. You get a pass in that case. Other than that, though, it takes almost NO more effort to slip on jeans than it does sweats.

I made it a point of getting rid of most of my less than attractive leisurewear not long ago. It’s just as easy to throw on cute Lucky Brand embroidered pants and matching hoodie as it ever was to throw on gray threadbare sweats two sizes too big. I saved out one oversized sweatshirt for those sick days. My cute relaxation gear is twice as likely to stoke the fire of my honey’s ardor as those sweats ever were. It’s good to keep the romance and the spark well-kindled. Plus, I guarantee if you make a small effort to look better…you will feel better too. No one feels peppy and energized when they are all slobbed-out.

Another bonus: we may not like to admit it, but you get better service when you look nice. The bartender serves you faster, the girl in the shoe department notices you sooner, the bagger at the grocery store offers to carry your groceries to the car, and the nice Texan in the airport helps you lift your carry-on into the overhead bin. None of that is a life necessity, but it sure is nice to be afforded the common courtesies, and you’re far more likely to if you look presentable. You can rave at the injustice of it all, but it does not make it any less true.

So that’s my two cents. I didn’t start a blog to be one of those people that rants at things all the time. I won’t make a habit of it. But this “trend” was really starting to chap my hide. So please, just because your feet are cozy and comfortable in your Uggs doesn’t mean the REST of your outfit has to be ugh, too.

Here’s to being comfortable and fashionable in 2012.

Don’t like what I have to say? Have a different take on this? Have a fashion pet peeve you’d like to share? Feel free to comment below or email me at princessheathab@gmail.com. Also, I’m always looking for new topics and guest bloggers.

Future blog topics include:

• To Buy or Not To Buy, That is the Question

• How to Dress Appropriately for Any Occasion

• The Five Shoe Staples Every Girl Should Own

Be Fierce. Be Fashionable. Be Yourself.

XOXO

H

Inspiration of the Week

Every week I see some fashion that inspires me to create an outfit around it.  Rather than just keep it to myself, I thought I’d start a weekly post about it. I’ll show you my inspiration and then how I’d style it. Sound like fun?

It was easy to decide which item to style first, since I saw these boots today and absolutely fell in love with them (plus I just did a blog on shoes trends). I’m pretty sure Betsey Johnson wakes up some days and says, “What does Heatha want to wear today?” Okay, maybe not, but if sure feels like it when I see items like this:

Completely drool-worthy, don’t you think?

And as I am wont to do, I immediately started designing an outfit around them. I think boots with a flared top call for some more streamlined bottoms like a skinny jean or legging. And these boots definitely need a leather jacket. Add a cute top (perhaps with a pop of color if you are feeling a little sassy), a long gold chain necklace, pretty feather earrings, and a killer hand bag, and you are good to go.

The fun thing about these boots and so much of the fashion I’m loving right now is the pairing of tough and girly. These biker-chic boots with the peep of leopard are the perfect example.

My style picks are below:

Want to know where to purchase these items?

The leather jackets are all from www.nordstrom.com, the skinny jeans and tops are from www.express.com, jewelry from www.claires.com, and the Guess handbag is from www.zappos.com.

So check back weekly for what’s inspiring me and hopefully it will inspire you too.

Want to tell me how you’d style these boots? Have an inspiration to share and want me to style it? Or just have something to say? Comment below or email me at princessheathab@gmail.com.

Be Fierce. Be Fashionable. Be Yourself.

XOXO

H

Holiday Dressing for Dazzling Effect

“Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la la la la la la la.”

            -Deck the Halls traditional Christmas Carol

The original version used to say, “don we now our bright apparel,” at least according to Wikipedia. And it’s no coincidence that one of the more famous Christmas carols has this line in it. With Christmas (or Hanukah, Kwanza, Festivus or December holiday of your choosing) comes holiday parties. Whether that holiday party is a work get-together, family gathering, ugly sweater party, or friendly soiree, you are going to need a little something extra to wear. So without further ado, I present to you: Heatha’s Guide to Holiday Dressing For Any Occasion.

1. Holiday Work Party — The thing to remember here is to strike the right balance between festive and business like. This is not the party for your sequined black micro mini. You don’t want to wear your regular business attire but you don’t want to show up in your club gear, either. You want to kick up your regular work ensemble a notch. As an aside, this is also the attitude you should have. Please do NOT go to the work party, get wasted and photo copy your private parts or make out with your boss. This is not that kind of party. You want to be able to show up to work the following week with your head held high and the photographic evidence showing only your smiling face in a smashing frock. A sequined scattered jumpsuit, blazer and red heels or your favorite LBD is perfect for this occasion. Add a pop of color to your LBD with a belt or scarf to keep it from being too conservative and stodgy. Keep skin-baring to a minimum, skirts should hit at the knee. Or strut your stuff in a tailored pair of pants and fitted angora sweater with some rhinestone earrings. I’ve found some great options that will keep you polished, and holiday and work appropriate. See below. Note: wear the red pants and lace shirt with a black tank or switch to a streamlined sweater to make it work party ready. Throw a cute jacket or blazer over the first, third and fourth one to add extra polish. Mom, if you are reading this, that red, fur trimmed blazer is on my holiday wish list.

black and white dress – www. Express.com, winter white sweater dress, black lace shirt, red pants, and red velvet burnout dress – www.victoriassecret.com

www.bebe.com

2. Family Gathering — Grandma does not want to see your cleavage. You’re her precious little angel. You want to maintain this illusion for her and your relatives. Okay, maybe they know your more devilish tendencies -- still ,Christmas or Hanukkah with the family is not the time to flaunt them. Most family gatherings are at least somewhat relaxed affairs. You probably don’t need to go all out in the dress department, but you don’t want to show up in ripped jeans and a Budweiser sweatshirt, either. I would suggest slacks or tailored jeans with a festive colored sweater, jeweled-tone satin blouse or stylish tunic. A cozy sweater dress would also work here. Add satin heels or fur embellished boots to up the style factor. Keep accessories festive and tasteful. Think pearl earrings and a long silver necklace. If your family is a little goofier and silly, throw on those Christmas light earrings. Grandma will be proud. Mom won’t cringe. Most families also usually have some of their own holiday traditions. Mine include festive Santa hats or holiday fascinators; I throw one on for the gift-giving portion of the festivities. Tilt them  rakishly, and go with the flow. Holidays should be warm and fun. Speaking of warm, for any of these parties, a red, belted trench strikes the right balance between holiday and chic.

3. The Friend Par-tay or New Year’s Soiree — First, if it does not specify in the invitation, consult your friend about the level of dressy-ness expected. If it’s a casual affair, dress as you would for a family gathering, but in this case you can show a little more cleavage. Still, keep it tasteful. Your friends don’t want to worry about your bits falling out of your shirt and into the cheese dip.

If it’s a cocktail party or New Year’s party, however, this is your time to bling it up a bit. Grab that sequined mini and slinky satin shirt or your sexiest sheath dress. Throw on some rhinestones and killer heels and work what your mama gave ya. I, myself, am absolutely dying to wear my satin, tuxedo inspired romper, tuxedo jacket and Harajuku Lovers black patent and white satin heels. I’ll post a pic on here when I do. Go all out. Christmas only comes once a year and the opportunities we have to get dressed up dwindle once we are past prom age, so take advantage. I’ve put some fun options below.

First options from www.bebe.com, last four looks from www.torrid.com

4. The Ugly Sweater Party — The key here is simple: the only thing on you that should be ugly is the sweater. If you have a 3-D reindeer on your chest, you don’t also need a light up necklace and Nordic leggings. For the sweater, however, the uglier and more overdone, the better. Think your favorite aunt with the 20 cats. You’ll be in the ballpark. You want the word tacky to spring to mind when you put that baby on. Keep everything else chic and in style and you’ll be the cutest girl in an ugly sweater ever! If your sweater is tunic length, throw on some sleek silver, red or black leggings. Add some fuzzy boots, embellished flats or sparkly glitter heels to up the fun quotient. Red, green, gold or silver bangles work nicely as a compliment. Skinny or tailored jeans are also a good option. I saw a photo of a woman in the cutest red plaid skirt with her Santa sweater and it actually made the sweater cute.

The most important thing to remember about holiday dressing, though, is to get into the spirit and smile. The most beautiful person at any holiday party is the one with the biggest grin and the most open heart. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are really about? So follow the above guide to be lovely inside and out. Now go throw on your Santa hat, bring out your dreidel and let’s get to partying. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, A Bright Kawanza, Happy Festivus and a beautiful New Year to everyone out there reading.

Please keep checking back for future blogs which will include such topics as: 

• To Buy or Not To Buy, That is the Question

• It’s a Croc, The Ugg Effect

• How to Dress Appropriately for Any Occasion

•The Five Shoe Trends I’m Loving Right Now.

Also, I have some fun guest bloggers hopefully lined up, so keep your eyes peeled.

  

And as always, I’d love to get your feedback, advice, comments and more. Please comment below or email me at princessheathab@gmail.com.

Be Fierce. Be Fashionable. Be Yourself.

XOXO

H

Sequins: Not Just For Parties Anymore!

Heatha Be took a short Thankgiving break, but she’s baaaaaack. I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving was fulfilling and filled with all those you love.

One thing I’ve always loved is anything with sequins. I have skirts, dresses, pants, shoes, scarves, and more with sequins. You might say I have sequin OCD, which is a problem because sequins are having a big moment right now, particularly as daywear.

The key to wearing sequins in the daytime is to pair them with something cozy and warm and decidedly un-shiny. Think sequin skirt with a cozy sweater, or skinny jeans and tee with a sequined scarf. See my outfit below for my take on the trend. You’re looking for chunky knits, angora sweaters, wooly boots, and the like.

Sweater, Skirt – www.express.com, Shoes – www.stevemadden.com, Jewelry – www.macys.com

I also have a cute sequined sweatshirt from Express.com that really captures the vibe of the sequins for the daytime trend. Pair it with some skinny jeans and some killer boots and you are set. See below.

www.express.com

Also, when wearing sequins as daywear, only wear one sequined item of clothing at a time. So if you have a sequined skirt on, don’t also throw on your matching sequined boots. Keep the jewelry minimal and also warm feeling, like my purple necklace above.

The next thing to keep in mind is that you want to keep the colors subtle. A bright scarlet sequined skirt is probably not daytime appropriate. Keep the color palette soft and subtle. Anything gold, blush, silver, pearl, navy, or black works well. Anything you’d be able to picture on a Vegas showgirl is a no-go. There are even a lot of looks out there right now where they’ve used matte sequins, instead of the super shiny variety to make the look even easier to pull off and more subtle.

The goal is a hint of shine and a slight sheen. My skirt above is not completely covered in sequins but scattered with them which makes it easier to pull off with a sweater.

As with any trend, you can start small if you aren’t sure about trying it. See my blog on Colorblocking for Beginners on how to do this. Maybe even just some dangly sequin earrings to ease yourself into it.

The great thing about trying this trend is you probably already have something sequined in your closet. Most of us girls do! So with some creative pairing, you won’t even have to spend a lot out of pocket to give it a try. See my post on Shopping Your Closet for some ideas on how to do that.

The best part about sequins for day time is that it makes it super easy to switch up your look for a little night time play. Some sassy satin heels and you are ready to rock at the club.

So, shine on, ladies. And if you see a crazed woman out there running from sequined rack to sequined rack, it just might be me on a sequined shopping bender.

To share with me your ideas, get advice or just comment on something I’ve said, email me at princessheathab@gmail.com or just comment below. I’d love to hear from you. Oh, and please subscribe to my blog to keep in the fashion loop.

Future blog topics will include:

• To Buy or Not To Buy, That is the Question

• It’s a Croc, The Ugg Effect

• Holiday Dressing for Dazzling Effect

• How to Dress Appropriately for Any Occasion

•The Five Shoe Trends I’m Loving Right Now.

And as always,

Be Fierce. Be Fashionable. Be Yourself.

XOXO

H