In the past 10 days, I’ve worn outfits #11, #12 and #13 from my wardrobe therapy project with designer/stylist/blogger Stacy Lomman. Stacy has been trying to break me of my dependence on black tops. The black tops don’t always look bad, of course, but it’s interesting to mix it up. For instance, I’ve worn a black top every time I’ve worn my Chanel skirt. Here’s how I wore it in 2011.
![wbthanksgiving2011edit](http://wendybrandes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/wbthanksgiving2011edit.jpg)
Click for original post.
Stacy thought the skirt would work with a grey (or as I write it, “gray”) top too. Conveniently, she had a gray top that she got years ago but doesn’t wear now, so she gave it to me. I liked the way it brightened up the look. She also got me to wear hose, which is pretty remarkable, because I hate hose. Normally, I happily go bare-legged in winter.
What Wendy Wore — Stacy Lomman Outfit #11
Top: Prada (from Stacy Lomman)
Skirt: Chanel (2005-ish)
Shoes: Miu Miu (2010)
Purse: Prada (2007)
Necklace: My own design (same as in the 2011 photo)
I wore this to a friend’s holiday party, where I was surprised to be included on a December birthday cake.
I wore Stacy Lomman outfit #12 to dinner with MrB and his colleagues. When Stacy first looked through my closet and said, “Wow! Even your ruffles have ruffles!“, she was gingerly holding this skirt between her thumb and index finger.
![skirt2a](http://wendybrandes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/skirt2a.jpg)
There are more ruffles on the back.
I think of this as my gray ruffled skirt, but it’s really a sponge-y black and white knit that looks gray from a distance. Stacy decided this was the one bottom that really warranted the black sweater I’ve been wearing with nearly everything for years.
What Wendy Wore: Stacy Lomman Outfit #12
Sweater: Alexander McQueen (I have reason to think this is from 2000, but I’m not 100% on that.)
Skirt: Charles Chang-Lima (pre-2005)
Shoes: Prada (2010)
Purse: Prada (2007)
Necklace: Same as above
I got that skirt at Bergdorf Goodman. Charles Chang-Lima was one of the many designers who was forced to seek bankruptcy protection in 2009, due to the recession. At the time, his studio produced the Charles Chang-Lima women’s sportswear collection and the REDUX Charles Chang-Lima line of dresses and gowns. I’m guessing he developed the REDUX label after I bought my skirt, because it doesn’t have REDUX on the label. In its article on the bankruptcy, the Wall Street Journal said, “Some pieces in Chang-Lima’s REDUX line look like something that ‘Sex and the City’ columnist/fashionista Carrie Bradshaw would choose for a night out …” I can’t really see Carrie wearing my skirt, can you? It’s too conservative for her. Maybe it’s more Charlotte.
I wore lucky outfit #13 for my birthday dinner. I had a few moments of worry because I was supposed to wear it with a particular pair of shoes and hose, but I’d already gotten a snag in every pair of hose (this is why I hate hose!). I desperately wanted to wear the skirt because of a conversation that MrB and I had about it when I bought it. I loved the color but I was very nervous about the high hemline. As I recall, I said to MrB, “What if I spend all this money and can’t wear it in 10 years because I’ll be too old!” (Yeah, I’m always thinking way, way ahead.) MrB was like, “Please, you’ll be 45 then. It’s a long time from now. Who knows what you’ll be wearing.” Obviously, I had to wear the skirt for my 45th birthday, hose or no hose. Stacy, I hope I did okay with the boots.
What Wendy Wore — Stacy Lomman Outfit #13
Top: Vintage Ossie Clark (Not sure when I bought this, but I have a photo of it from 2008)
Skirt: (Versace, 2003. Previously seen here)
Boots: Prada (2008)
Purse: Louis Vuitton (2001)
I used to think that skirt was purchased in 2005, but because of the conversation, it had to be 2003. I don’t see it on Versace’s Spring 2003 runway, but it looks like it would fit in with that collection, doesn’t it? The Fall 2002 had chartreuse in it too.
As we were getting ready to leave the apartment for dinner, my 23-year-old stepdaughter looked at me and said, “Aren’t you going to be cold in that outfit?” That gave me pause because this conversation would make more sense if our ages and roles were reversed. In that case, the only appropriate response would have been a foot stamp followed by an eye roll followed by a shriek of “Oh my God! MOM!!!! I’m FINE!” But I’m supposed to be an adult now, so I smiled as I put on a long shearling coat and said, “I’m not planning on standing out in the cold.” I have to admit that in my head, I added “MOM!” to that sentence.
Remember: If you live in the New York tri-state area and want to enlist Stacy’s help in revitalizing your own wardrobe, you can book an appointment with her through Cross It Off Your List. If you want a Skype consultation, contact Stacy through her website or Twitter.
I hope you all have a happy holiday, no matter what you’re celebrating!
I love them all but especially #13. And #12. And #11.
A very happy birthday and Merry Christmas Wendy!
Wendy, you look lovely in all the outfits, but especially radiant on your birthday, m’dear! All the best to you and Mr. B. and all the furry fam.
You and Stacy keep making your gorgeous wardrobe even better. Now, stay warm! : >
Those are all fabulous outfits, from head to toe! I’m like you. I hate panty hose, but I LOVE tights. Isn’t that strange. I feel like my mother when I wear panty hose, but a teen girl when I wear tights. I always go for the tights!
I have a bad memory of those tights we had when I was little, that were always too tight yet somehow baggy around the crotch at the same time. *shudder*
You look fabulous – and long live age reversed conversations. This summer, I was having lunch with some students from China and India. One asked me if I liked heavy metal because of a Shaun Leane blackthorn ring I was wearing (I do, but I wouldn’t have said that conclusion should authomatically follow from the ring), and another asked me why my hair was that colour (it’s black, short, with a splash of purple – then the splash was probably turquoise). I had in my mind, these are competition winning engineering students, so likely geeks from conservative families, but still, I’m over 40 and I’m not sure I should be explaining wacky hair color to 20 year olds! If you’re 20 and I have to explain it to you, I’m not sure it’s even possible for you to comprehend me!
That is hilarious. Though I gotta tell you, I’ve had to teach U.S. 20-somethings how to use social media for marketing and that blew me away. I thought they were supposed to be born knowing that? Seriously, they hadn’t tried live-blogging an event? Kids these days!!!
Stacy does such a fab job, but you have such fab taste! While they all look great, #13 is my fav. But no hose is making me cold… gotta go put a sweater on now! XXX
#13 is my favorite too. It was the one I was most dubious about and those ALWAYS turn out to be my favorites.
Love the three outfits. Especially the “before” and “after” with they grey skirt. It almost looks like another skirt completely!
ps. Happy birthday!
pps. Merry christmas!
Right? That’s what I thought…I was amazed!
It does look completely different, huh?
Makes Wendy feel like she got a new outfit for free and what’s better than that? 🙂
I like the way the grey (or gray) top lightened the look but you seem to look great no matter what you where. Happy holidays!
I love all three of those skirts! Very nice! They look great on you! I’d like to become more lady like and wear skirts in 2013 =)
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas!
Have a safe New Year! ♥
Happy Boxing Day Wendy! The last outfit is my favorite of this set but they all look great. Luv that necklace :).
I would kill for that Chanel skirt!
I love all of these outfits too, and especially that Black Sweater (which has an incredible neckline and sleeves) still has a raison d’etre! Your birthday outfit is spectacular, great colours and the shape of that jacket is gorgeous. LOL @ “MOM!”
Very well done my dear!