Drawing Straws

Kathryn Lovell — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:50:13 +0000

“The summer night is like a perfection of thought.” Wallace Stevens, 1879 – 1955 Remember Rumpelstiltskin, the character that spun straw into gold? While that example is a little far fetched, straw is a pretty amazing material. It’s transformed into all sorts of things like bedding, thatching, packaging and of course, summer accessories. Not bad for an agricultural by product.
Hat Straw has been woven into hats since antiquity to protect against sun stroke. Some of the Asian styles are the least changed forms of head wear in history. A straw fedora is a terrific way to shade your eyes and add a bit of edge to your summer wardrobe.
Tote Straw totes are a spin off of baskets, which are some of the oldest items woven from straw. The earliest baskets found date back 12,000 years- talk about timeless!
Clutch What better way to carry your ID, keys and lipgloss all summer than in a seasonal clutch? Wicker is a sturdier weave than straw and lends itself perfectly to structured clutches.

Solstice Style

Kathryn Lovell — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:45:43 +0000

“Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ” Henry James, 1834 – 1916 Next Monday is summer soltice, the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. With 12 hours of daylight at the equator and 24 hours of daylight in Norway, it’s a long day to dress for. Summer varies so much by location- lightening bugs in the east, Santa Ana winds in the west- you’ll need to plan your outfit accordingly.
Chance of Showers If you happen to be somewhere where summer storms are common, you’ll want lightweight rain protection. A short belted trench will let you appreciate thunderstorms from the office or the backyard.
Chill Factor Planning to ring in summer where it’s cool and dry? A moisture wicking active wear jacket will transition you from warm afternoons to brisk nights without a wardrobe change. The fitted style is equally chic with skirts and shorts.
Endless Sun If worshipping the extended sunshine includes warm temperatures for you, a button front, tunic inspired shirt is a terrific option. Wear it over a tank top and leggings, as a bathing suit cover up or with slim pants to give your shoulders a break from the sun.

Shirt Dresses

Kathryn Lovell — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:49:11 +0000

“Women dress alike all over the world: they dress to be annoying to other women.” Elsa Schiaparelli, 1896 – 1973 Shirt dresses may quickly become your new best friends. They go with everything and can be worn to anything. And, with all the variations, it’s almost like a “choose your own adventure” dress. You can have sleeves or not. Slim skirts or full skirts. Full length placket or a half length placket. Let’s not get started on the fabric options- with everything from wool to chiffon, there’s a perfect one waiting for you. The only thing that is required is that it has a front placket and a collar. The rest is up to you.
Original Utterly decadent in silk with extended shoulders and embroidery details, this one is sincere nod to the 1940s original style. When the weather cools off, slip black tights and a longsleeved undershirt underneath for warmth and wear it all winter.
Shape Shifter Part of the fun of shirt dresses is their chameleon nature. A chambray version can be just as feminine or a little bit grittier. Try wearing it open as a lightweight jacket over slim pants and a tank top.
Boundless Office, graduation, BBQ, cocktail reception…in black lace, there is no occasion you won’t have the perfect dress for. Dress it up with heels, dress it down with flat sandals. Mix it up with a different colored slip underneath.

Fashionably Flat

Kathryn Lovell — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:30:39 +0000

“Fashion fades, but style is eternal.”
Yves Saint Laurent, 1940 – 2008

This image of Pia Lindstrom and Ingrid Bergman on vacation in 1957 has been on my bulletin board for ages. They seem so relaxed and so chic. And, most importantly this season, they provide proof that flat sandals can be fashionable and comfortable.

Sophisticated

Minimal and delicate this is dressy enough for dinner. But the padded rubber sole makes it sturdy enough for daytime.

Gladiator
For the most wearability, look for a gladiator sandal that doesn’t wrap too high up your leg. All of those straps keep your foot secure, so you can safely scramble over rocky terrain or simply take the stairs.

Flippie

Flippies are the quintessential summer shoe. My problem is that most of them are so darn flat and offer little to no cushioning. Leather straps, a molded footbed and rubber sole all add up to an easy going sandal that goes the distance.

Fringe Element

Kathryn Lovell — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:24:13 +0000

“Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not.”
Oscar Wilde, 1854 – 1900

There is something so…’fast car in the outside lane’ about fringe. It’s fluid, hypnotizing and always on its own terms. Few other design elements can claim a following as diverse as Annie Oakley, Louise Brooks, Janis Joplin and Joan Jett. Opulent or minimal, how you wear it is up to you, but definitely try it on.

T Shirt

One part quintessential white t shirt, one part rock star and all parts are suddenly the girl everyone wants to live next door.

Tunic
This captures the essence of flapper fashion in a thoroughly modern way. Play around with belts and gladiator sandals to keep it fresh.

Vest

Wild West meets bohemian biker in leather fringe. Try wearing it instead of a pashmina with a basic cocktail dress.

To Dye For

Kathryn Lovell — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:33:12 +0000

“Poetry is the impish attempt to paint the color of the wind.”
Maxwell Bodenheim, 1892 – 1954

While many of us only know “tie dye” from summer camp projects and hippies, it’s actually been around ages. The earliest surviving pieces come from Peru and date back to 500-800 AD. In the language of dyeing, it’s a ‘resist’ process which means something (like a rubber band) blocks the dye from parts of the fabric. And this spring, designers used centuries of inspiration for some gorgeously glam affects.

Wild

Floor sweeping tie dye makes a statement in a maxi dress. Toss a pashmina around your shoulders for warmth and you’re out the door.

Vivid
A silk tie dye top with slim black pants seems very Audrey. Or maybe you’re feeling more Jackie and pull on white jeans…dark glasses are a must, in any case.

Tranquil

Searching for something a little more…subdued? Washes of blue fade into white silk. A wide, equestrian styled belt would add an edge, a satin sash will keep it soft.

Rainbow Brights

Kathryn Lovell — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:30:57 +0000

“The only color I don’t have is navy brown.”
Yogi Berra, b. 1925

The thing about spring that no one ever talks about is how volatile it is. Sunny one day, rainy the next. Beach weather here, massive flooding there. This partnering of opposites plays out style-wise with color combinations. Try layering different colored pieces or pull in some multi-hued accessories.

Bracelets

Armloads of bright bangles revive even the tiredest of mornings. A jolt of color and a shot of sparkle makes Mondays a lot more fun.

Heels
Ay, caramba! These are like a fiesta for your feet! No need for an afternoon siesta- you’ll be quick stepping to the copy room and back. Tango, anyone?

Belt

I’m not sure if ‘old west preppy’ is an actual fashion genre, but if it is, this belt counts. Add a straw fedora and pewter gladiator sandals for a jeans-and-t-shirt ensemble that Maria Felix would approve of.

Isabel Toledo @ Payless!

Kathryn Lovell — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:53:38 +0000

Isabel Toledo (of Michelle Obama’s inaugural lemongrass colored coat and dress fame) is designing a line of shoes for Payless. The styles will hit the stores this fall. Stay tuned for more info…

Flower Up

Kathryn Lovell — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:45:09 +0000

“Mary, Mary, quite contrary. How does your garden grow?”
English Nursery Rhyme

Bold prints are a hallmark of spring fashion and the floral prints this year are bloomin’ terrific. These ladylike and lovely versions have a timeless design element worth investing in. From abstract to Asian, there’s a perfect print for your fashion landscape.

Cardigan

Fuschia flowers are fresh with navy, sophisticated with grey, dramatic with black and serene with white.

Dress
Keep a floral print from being overwhelming by limiting the color palate. An abstract watercolor pattern makes an elegant statement with enough depth to the colors to wear it year round.

Purse

A kimono print adds a sense of levity to any outfit while the canvas construction lightens your load.

Black, White & New

Kathryn Lovell — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:07:23 +0000

“My philosophy, like color television, is all there in black and white.”
Monty Python

Happy Anniversary to us! Today is the four year mark for Mint and this is the 110 edition. Woohoo!

The very first issue of MINT (Going for Bold) was all about black and white items. And, in a what-goes-around-comes-around, ebb-and-flow, yin-and-yang vein, black and white is back. But this time, with a neutral twist. Update your current pieces with a beige accessory or pick up something all together new.

Blouse

With the draping at the neckline, short raglan sleeves and the updated black and white pattern, this blouse is spot on.

Dress
Chevroned and chic, this can be dressy or casual. Try it with heels for dinner or a simple sandal and denim jacket for spring travel plans.

Heels

The mother of this color palette are the non-venomous Pythonidae snakes, a.k.a. pythons. A python print heel, bag or belt will instantly upgrade whatever you’re wearing this spring.