{What do you think of this look?}
This week, we headed to NY’s fashion week to photograph the style cognoscenti as they brave February’s freezing temps. It’s not easy to look chic when it’s cold outside. Did this FOF succeed?
FOF Terry Gibraltar: “I really don’t like the combination of the jacket and the boots….it should be one or the other. I know it’s hard to look fashionable when it’s below freezing, but she looks like she’s trying too hard!”
–Terry Gibralter is the founder of Bespoke Custom Shopping Tours, carefully-crafted shopping “vacations” and a self-proclaimed, “fashion-obsessed” FOF.
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FOF Susan Grant: “The jacket is begging for simple accessories. A much chicer choice in footwear would be black leather over-the-knee boots along with a large black tote. As worn, the jacket and boots are at war with each other!”
Susan Grant is merchandise manager for Muse, a full-service jewelry showroom.
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FOF Robin Mizrahi: “I see someone who can’t decide who she wants to be. The bag has to go! Too green, uptight, and has nothing to do with anything else that she is wearing. The jacket is wonderful, but a bit short. If it were longer and she added a light chiffon scarf, it would take this look away from the ski slopes. I am a fan of these llama-like toasty boots, which elongate the leg, and are warm enough for trekking. And I do love that this woman didn’t allow fashion to rule her practical side–being cold is no fun.”
Robin Mizrahi is co-owner of Pamela Robbins boutique, buyer, merchandiser and entrepreneur.
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FOF Sherrie Mathieson: “This is the fashion equivalent of overeating–over indulgence on all fronts. Even if her neckline did not reveal her age group–the outfit is not only not age appropriate–it would not be great on any age. She seems like a cast member of one of the “Wives of…” reality shows.”
Sherrie Mathieson is a leading style expert and Random House author of Steal this Style and Forever Cool.
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FOF Gail Garramone: “Woah–It’s a style tsunami! Way too much of everything except exuberance. Also, the proportions are wrong–the knee-length boots with the short coat evoke hairy spider legs. Warm this look up by cooling it down.”
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Gail Garramone is a veteran V.P. of Liz Claiborne Inc. where she traveled around the country with Tim Gunn producing fashion workshops.
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Sandra Soich: “I think the components are all good, but not together. Very nice looking jacket, nice bag, nice boots but not making sense together. Replace the boots with over-the-knee black leather and it all would move.”
Sandra Soich is wardrobe stylist to the stars and founder of YourFashionTherapist.com.
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Tell us FOFs: Do you agree with our style experts? What do you think of this outfit?
“Before Jill Kirsh came to the FOF offices to explain her color system, avocado was the last color I would have ever worn,” says FOF Founder, Geri Brin. “After she left, I literally ran to H&M to buy an avocado shirt.”
FOF Sherrie Mathieson: “Lynn uses her body as a canvas for the creativity and imagination that we often lose as we become adults. She does not ‘compete,’ by the usual standards. Some may dismiss her as merely eccentric, but I think even within that category some do it well and some don’t. She has a great sense of texture, color, and design. I think she does her ‘art’ very well.”
FOF Terry Gibraltar: This outfit shouts in-control-New-York-working-woman. Head-to-toe black is a bit austere, but she looks quite put together. The dress is a flattering fit that emphasizes her trim waist, is not too short and works well with the very on-trend, over-the-knee boots. If an FOF’s thighs look good, she can always show a little thigh with pride.
FOF Susan Grant: “A clean, fabulous look. The show of skin is totally acceptable as the skirt isn’t offensively short and the distance between the top of the boot and the hemline is minimal. The look of the season captured in a chic, age appropriate way.”
FOF Sherrie Mathieson: The over-the-knee boot (a more sexy style than the classic knee-high boot, and in this case made a bit younger and sexier thanks to the heel) gives great coverage in exchange for that sexual innuendo. The gap between the dress and the boot is judiciously small and has a similar effect of a long sweater or anorak with tights and boots. She did it well…thumbs up!
FOF Gail Garramone: “Simple but powerful. It works because the wearer is thin and tall enough to pull it off. It also works because it is all black, which offers a slimming silhouette. There is just enough room between the top of the boot and the length of the skirt. An FOF should never wear a miniskirt with pumps or lower boots unless she is Tina Turner about to go on stage.”