A fashionable Fourth
How do you do red, white and blue?
I’m partial to dusty blues, with a nod to my Nordic ancestry. I give myself white-blouse immunity to buy any white shirt that really fits. (But I rarely find one.) And yes, there’s just something about red shoes...
But how could I fashionably don red, white and blue for the Fourth without looking just a little too, well, patriotic?
I put the question to our panel of Old Port fashionistas. Their suggestions:
Selena Joannides: “A great pair of blue sailor inspired shorts with white piping…You could definitely do a white tank with them, and accessorize with a red bag, red sunglasses, red necklace, bracelet (not all but choose one) and then do a simple shoe (white or neutral flip flop). It has to be very clean… It can be done but it has to be done right—simplicity is key here.”
Marlene Allen: “It's a big fashion look this season! Navy and white striped T, white shorts and red espadrilles!”
Emily Scott: “For a great Fourth of July outfit, I’d wear a pair of wide leg white pants paired with a little blue and white striped tee and a great pair of red flats! You’d be all set for the Fourth of July or Bastille Day – tres chic!”
Linda Smeaton: “’Blue’ jeans or navy pants with a crisp white shirt or jacket - along with a pair of red sandals or white capris with a navy top and red bag or red sandals, (but not both together – too ‘matchy – matchy’).”
Chantal Young: “A great pair of denim shorts from Chip & Pepper with a white tank and white flare cardi from Splendid layered over the tank and tied together with a great skinny red leather braided waist belt from Streets Ahead. And, of course, a great pair of wedges from Madison Harding. Clean, patriotic and all the right colors. I'd wear the same thing on Bastille Day- July 14.”
Bottom line? Keep it simple, keep it crisp and don’t forget the red accessories – in moderation.
Hillary Sproul models an Alice + Olivia tunic dress and Seychelles shoes.
I wandered downtown on my lunch break to see what I could find:
July 4 style was easy at Zane with an Alice + Olivia cotton/rayon navy and white tunic/dress ($225) with an attached elastic belt. Other options: red Seychelles shoes ($65) and red 1.5-inch Kenneth Jay Lane enamel hoop earrings ($70).
Down the street at Betsy's I found a fabulous little silk red and white polka dot ruffled silk blouse by Pixie ($180) for a little dressier look and a terrific large red acrylic wrap ($70) that would be just right for snuggling up for the fireworks. (And the wrap could do double duty this fall as a bright accent with your blacks and grays...)
Club 21 was full of options if the sun shines Wednesday. My favorites: a soft red, white and blue print sundress ($108) or red tube top dress/tunic ($49.99), both by Free People.
Pixie silk blouse
Enamel Kenneth Jay Lane hoops
This just in
Margaret Logan is leaving her job as store and marketing manager at Helene M. to pursue style consulting, writing and her post as style editor of "207" on WCSH-6. Taking her place as manager is a familiar face to Old Port shoppers, Liana Zaborowski, who managed Betsy's on Exchange Street.
Trunk shows
Me&Ro Foundry Lane on Commercial Street will hold a summer 2007 Me&Ro trunk show Saturday, July 14, 10-6, and Sunday, July 15, 11-4. If you don't know Me&Ro, you've likely seen it on a Hollywood star. Designed by SoHo-based Robin Renzi and Michele Quan since 1991, it's inspired to "reflect values of strength, love, faith and balance of beauty and form." The jewelry pieces are both larger and delicate, in sterling or gold and some stones. I hear it's a big hit with the yoga crowd.
Margaret O'Leary: Betsy's on Exchange Street will host a Margaret O'Leary trunk show Friday and Saturday, June 28-30, that will feature items from her spring/summer 2007 sportswear and sweater collections. (Cash and carry, no special orders.) If you don't know Margaret O'Leary, do check out this line - her fabulous sweaters often fly out the door.
Coming soon...Going short
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