Fashion Friday: PJs as Evening Wear

My first childhood friend to get married got married pretty young. She was maybe 21. She married a farmer. They now have roughly 7 or 8 kids. She unfriended me on Facebook last year because I got into it with some of her more fundamentalist friends on her wall about LGBT rights. I was surprised but I guess I shouldn't have been. When someone shows you their true selves, believe them? Isn't that what the poster says? Put another way, when someone serves boiled hot dogs and jello molds at their wedding, don't be surprised when they continue to act in a way that makes you roll your eyes and question their judgement.

At her wedding, which was, no other way to put it, an odd affair, I made a wee spectacle of myself. It was the 90's and I was still wearing vintage clothes and bold lips almost exclusively. I loved the 1940's little black dress that I wore to the wedding, but it was the gold kimono that I wore on top of it that really made the look work, I think. Of course I looked out of place and of course I was glad about that. I can be an asshole sometimes now, but back then I was a 21 year old asshole and you know them. They know everything.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I was cute in that look, but probably off-puttingly smug. Mea Culpa.  May I live to rock PJs as evening wear at a more appropriate venue sometime in my future.

Why the tangent?

Earlier this week, at the Met Gala we were treated to many costume pieces, at least three nearly nekked dresses and giant trains. I enjoy the spectacle, that's what you want from the Met Gala. But at the end of the day, the two ensembles that made me think YES, that is both on point, fashion forward and wearable were Grace Coddington and Jenna Lyons, both in PJs.

Grace Coddington in Michael Kors designed PJs

Jenna Lyons in J Crew PJs with an overlay of netting and jewels.

                       
Coddington opted for the comfy approach because she was heading to the airport after cocktails and could wear them on her flight to France. So that's pretty adorable.

I love Lyons' look. It's so effortlessly chic. It fits perfectly with the "China: Through The Looking Glass" theme without veering too close to appropriation. The overlay just sends it over the top.

Gorg-eous.

So, what do you think? Would you ever wear PJs to a fancy-schmancy event?

Fashion Friday: Louisa LaBarbera Custom Jewellery for Mother's Day

I just had to let you guys know about my favourite jewellery designer, Louisa LaBarbera's latest genius concept.  I've been wearing Louisa's "whimsical frivolity and functional art" for almost eight years now, and with each passing season her collections just get better and better.

This past Christmas I bought several of her Frozen themed necklaces (featuring delicate snowflake charms and beautiful blue Swarovski crystals) for the young ladies in my life.  Lenny treasures hers.  The next holiday Louisa has set her sights on is Mother's Day.  

Oh, hi there, perfect excuse to spoil myself.

Louisa spent a lot of time with me choosing the perfect stones and charms to not just represent my little family but to also suit my personal style, and then expertly arranged them on her signature hammered hoop.  It's so pretty I can hardly stand it. The Rose Quartz just makes my socks roll up and down.

My favourite thing about this custom piece is the disks that are engraved with T + J and LIA.  Why LIA, you ask?  To represent #LennyIsAwesome, my kid's hashtag.  The best thing about this, other than how very unique and personal it is, is that this was Louisa's idea.  She gives you a lot of creative control over the custom piece but her expertise and creativity steps in when you're stumped.

A few more of the custom Mother's Day necklaces.  How cool is it that each one is different from the next?  I feel like they have as much individuality and personality as the lucky ladies that are going to be wearing them.  And likely, wearing them every day.

Want your own custom Louisa LaBarbera Mother's Day necklace for yourself or a mom in your life?  Visit her website here or BETTER YET, see her in person at the Beach Studio Tour this weekend! She can make your necklace there on the spot, even engraving it while you wait!

(Disclaimer: This might read like a sponsored post because I'm so damn excited about these necklaces, but it's not. Louisa's just a friend and artist I'm thrilled to support!)

Fashion Friday: A Celebration of Sweater Weather

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

There are some beautiful new sweaters in the shops this Fall.  This Textured Cardigan with Shawl Collar and Long Sleeve Boat Neck Sweater from Addition Elle both caught my eye.  Also, this Mustard Cable Sweater from Old Navy brings me riiiiight back to the 90's in the most pleasant way.

Hope you're all stay warm and cozy so far this Fall!

Fashion Friday: To Hat or Not To Hat Edition

I used to live in hats.  When I was in high school I wore a hat almost every day.  I guess it was a 90's thing?  Those "Blossom" hats made of crushed velvet with flower brooches holding up the brim?  They were my jam.

There were Winter versions of the hat, that I paired with these snazzy purple pants (!) and Summer versions of the hat (that made my nephew make that face).  Despite how dated they look now,  I never felt fully dressed without one and I never had to worry about the state of my unruly hair, either.  Stick it under a hat today...worry about staying up all night detangling it tomorrow!

(Thanks to Mo for both of the throwback photos)

Somewhere in the mid-late 90's my attitude towards hats changed.  I think part of it was that I was in the workplace and, well, you're not gonna wear a hat all day at the office.  Part of it was that I had matured and wasn't the same sort of fashion free-spirit anymore.  I had done the hat thing to death and was over it.

Cut to the recent wide brim Fedora  / Panama Hat trend that's everywhere this Fall.  Initially I was intrigued, and then I dismissed it as "not for me" because I have this thing about not wanting my head to look tiny (and sometimes hats can do that).  I knew how ridiculous that was before I typed it out but now it seems even more ridiculous.  But it's true.  That's my plus size fashion fear...that my head will look disproportionate to the rest of my body.  I can be fearless and break the rules most of the time, but the idea of creating a situation where I'm a pin-head isn't something I'm interested in doing.

Good lord that sounds dumb.

Well...anyway...I wanted to give this trend a try, so I bit the bullet.  Fall is the perfect time to wear a hat for style as opposed to function, isn't it? My first kick at the can is this Urban Outfitters Westward Panama Hat in Olive.  It's soft, yet structured and not so small that I feel like it messes with my proportions.  Win / win!

I've paired it here a pencil skirt from Old Navy which is available here and a great top from Addition Elle's Nola Activewear line.  I don't see the top on the website yet, but I'll link to it if becomes available online.  I'll feature both of these items more clearly in a later post because I've been living in them lately.  Hooray for new Fall essentials!

So, what do you guys think?  Are you team hat or not?  Will you be rocking a Panama Hat this Fall?

Fun side note: this post marks the 1 year anniversary of the Fashion Friday feature here on Miss Tracey Nolan.  Thanks for reading! If there are any ideas that you'd like to see explored over the next year, let me know!

Fashion Friday: Flowers! Edition

I am in love with skirt.  I bought it years and years ago at the Bay.  It was on sale because I think everyone else thought it was gawdy.  Mwahahaha! More for me!

Can you have too many flowers in July? Short answer: no.  Dig these awesome sunnies from H&M.  Another crazy sale item that I got my paws on for $2.  Come on now.  Just...come on.

I realize I look insane in that photo.  But, you know, we're all just going to have to deal with it.  Lenny's agreed to help me work on my posing.  So, who knows, maybe things will improve.

If you're looking for something floral and awesome that's in stores now, I've been digging on this Floral Crinoline Dress from Addition Elle.  Or, if you're feeling more cheeky, show that world that you are a Perfect 10.

Fashion Friday: Menswear Dog

So, it's been a pretty stressful week.  Lots of work happening all at once...not enough work coming up. So little time to spend with Lenny, and then when I am having family time, I kind of just want alone time (it happens sometimes, sue me). And riddle me this - why is it that the PMDD is never more pronounced then during weeks when I have STUFF to get done?  Furthermore, why am I not making sense in this blog post?  Yeah.  My brain is kind of mush right now.

You know what makes me feel better?  My patient family, happy clients, quad grande upside-down americanos with half a pump of hazelnut and this guy.  Meet my new boyfriend, Menswear Dog.

According to his Tumblr, Menswear Dog is a 4 year old shiba inu living in NYC with a penchant for all things style. His interests include never washing his selvage denim, lurking around Soho for someone to notice his steez, and sniffing fine a$$ bitches.

My god I love the internet sometimes.

Like Menswear Dog on Facebook and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

Fashion Friday will be back next week with a fun and flashy plus size floral skirt that I'm loving lately.  I wonder if Menswear Dog would like it?

Fashion Friday: Behind the Lens

I'm in the middle of a couple of busy weeks for Tracey Nolan Studios.  Last week I spent a lot of time in the studio with head shot clients and tonight I began my assignment shooting the Toronto Jazz Festival (which is always such a great pleasure).  Then, this Sunday I'm shooting my first wedding of the month!  What that means for my wardrobe is simple. Black, black and more black.

It's probably fair to say that I have flair for the dramatic in my every day life, but when I'm the one behind the lens it's important just to blend in and fade away.  In the studio I lean towards loose fitting and comfortable.  There's usually a scarf thrown on too, just...because.

If I'm shooting at an event like a wedding I'll go a little more formal.  Cover my feet up and wear a blazer.  Yes to not standing out...no to looking sloppy.  I've been to weddings where the photographer has been wearing cut off jean shorts and another where they were wearing old swag t-shirts (for a beer company I believe).  Just tacky beyond belief.  So, no, I won't be sporting any novelty t-shirts at the wedding on Sunday.

All this got me to thinking about my favourite photographers and what they wore.  Here's a collection of some of my personal icons and the way they dressed.  Lots of classic simplicity with the odd flamboyant punch thrown in.

Diane Arbus was such a classic beauty.

Eve Arnold always seemed to keep it clean, simple and modest.

 I love the glasses and the chunky silver rings.  Lillian Bassman's attention to detail seems to have carried over to her wardrobe.  This woman was such a bad ass.

And now, I'll leave it to the gentlemen to bring the wacky.  Ansel Adams and Gordon Parks, hats off to you!

Fashion Friday: Springtime Selfies Edition

Sometimes, when you're blogging about fashion, I'm learning, you have an outfit you want to share, but you don't always have someone around to take pictures.  How hard could it be to take a few selfies to show off your fun and flirty Springtime dress?  Pretty hard, as it turns out.  

Taking selfies in public is...uncomfortable.  

Uncomfortable selfie #1

I do love this ensemble though. The dress is a fit and flair cotton number from Eshakti.com.  I've written about them before, I even got married in one of their frocks!  This particular dress does not seem to be available anymore, but they have literally hundreds of other ones to choose from.  This yellow and white striped dress has a similar cut and would be so pretty all summer long.

The shoes are from Target and the closest thing I've been able to find to bare feet in any shoe department I've looked in. They're exactly what I wanted...something super minimalistic.  Bonus:  they are super comfortable.

The "spring bling" is all from Indigo.  Never would I have expected that a book store would end up being one of my favourite places to buy accessories, but it is!

The lightweight cropped cardi is from Old Navy.  I love having a cropped cardigan to wear with dresses.

The neutral colourblocked tote is from JustFab. It's called Curator (I love that, it makes me feel smart and artsy. Smartsy?) and can be found here.  It's a great bag, and really deserves it's own moment since you can't really see it in my awkward mirror selfie.  Behold, the Curator bag:

And with that, I'm off to get a much needed haircut and pedicure.  Should the results work out, perhaps I will try and have another human take some pictures to share next week.  Because awkward selflies are not something I plan on continuing to force you to endure! :)

It's going to be a beautiful weekend, hope you all enjoy it!

Fashion Friday: Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede

Last Friday night, Jen and I were wandering around the beautiful Sax Fifth Avenue in New Orleans.  After about 20 minutes I realized that I did not feel like I was in a department store.  I felt like I was in a museum.  A museum full of beautiful dresses.  That got me to thinking about fashion and art and where the two intersect, and then I read that The Andy Warhol Museum is presenting a new exhibit this Summer, Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede.

The exhibition Halston and Warhol: Silver and Suede examines the interconnected lives and creative practices of Andy Warhol and Halston – two American icons who had a profound impact on the development of 20th century art and fashion. Organized by The Andy Warhol Museum and Lesley Frowick (Halston's niece), the exhibition integrates Halston’s garments and accessories with photography, video and paintings by Warhol.

I'm sure they'll be showing some of the amazing ads that the pair collaborated on as well.  How cool are these?

Wouldn't these look magnificent framed in a walk in closet or dressing room?  I love them!  

Fashion Friday: My Imaginary Steamer Trunk

So last week I mentioned that packing light was a point of pride for me when travelling.  What I forgot until now is that the last week of a long trip like this one is when I start to regret that.  

This black maxi dress and the neutral cardi and scarf can take me anywhere, yes.  But damn, what I wouldn't give for some colour right about now.

What I wish I'd packed in my imaginary steamer trunk:

Jackie O rocking the brights in Capri

via Reseal

Silk caftan by Donald Brooks, photo by Howell Conant at the Kuwait embassy, 1966

O, Jackie.

Cherry Blossom Dress via Etsy

Pop of Yellow via Harpers Bazaar

via Penningtons

And finally, this beauty that I saw in the window at Saks Fifth Avenue at the Shops at Canal Place.  

Have I mentioned how thrilled I am caftans are everywhere all the sudden?  I'm about to go all Mrs. Roper all over Summer 2014, count on it!

Remember, if there's anything you'd like to see in this space on a Friday, just let me know!