I love an old joke that’s new to me. I even love an old joke that I’ve heard 100 times before. Anyway, this is the throwback fashion joke my friend Thelma told me recently: A woman is wearing a pencil skirt that is so tight she can’t get up the steps on the bus. She…
About Wendy
What Wendy Wore: Last Birthday at the Four Seasons
New York’s iconic Four Seasons restaurant — which opened in 1959 and for which the term “power lunch” was invented — is being booted from the Seagram Building next year. I’ve had many birthday dinners there (as well as one dinner with Norman Mailer). Tonight was the final Four Seasons birthday dinner. We sat in…
What Wendy Wore: Outfits on Repeat in 2015
I like slow fashion and homegrown vintage. Here are some of my favorite old looks, re-worn in 2015. Whenever I wear my sex-ay Pilgrim dress by Donald Brooks Couture, I enjoy it so much that I wear it again almost immediately. I originally wore the dress in 2004 to the Committee to Protect Journalists awards…
Throwback Thursday: Jennifer Hudson’s 2007 Oscar Look
Earlier this year, I wrote about Jennifer Hudson’s much-criticized 2007 Oscar outfit, which featured a cropped metallic bolero. I loved it, of course. Embed from Getty Images It was unexpected and fabulous. Embed from Getty Images I do believe it left me with a lasting love for offbeat, cropped jackets. I thought of Hudson’s look…
Photos From Thanksgiving in Costa Rica
My parents, GeorgeB and BarbaraB, will be married for 50 years on December 26. For half a century of marriage, you deserve more than a one-day celebration, so we kicked off the fun early. First, my mother received her Wendy Brandes anniversary ring in October. Then, for Thanksgiving, my parents took the entire family went…
Awards for MrB and Barbaralee
A belated congratulations is due to MrB for being inducted into the Deadline Club’s New York Journalism Hall of Fame on November 19! I attended the celebratory lunch with him at Sardi’s. I forced MrB to do this #deadlineclub #selfie #coupleselfie #journalism #awards #halloffamer #smiles #proud A photo posted by Wendy Brandes (@wendybrandes) on Nov…
What Wendy Wore: Black and Blue and Kinda Old
Have you heard about the 3-7-14 shopping rule from costume designer Jenn Rogien? I’m sure this is very handy for a lot of people, but I always have trouble following the rules. This summer, I hit the vintage racks at Bond 07 by Selima with my friend Julie Matos, who enjoys playing stylist for me….
Throwback Thursday: King Kong’s 2005 Times Square Premiere
Ten years and five days ago, MrB and I attended the big Times Square premiere of the latest King Kong remake. That’s the one that starred Jack Black, Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody. The invitation called for festive attire, so I chose a vintage Ossie Clark dress with a Celia Birtwell print. In my first…
The End of an Era for Patricia Field
I’m sad to see that Patricia Field is closing her eponymous store. I used to browse there when I was in high school; I couldn’t afford to buy anything, but I liked to look. Back then, the store was located on East 8th Street. My most memorable visit was on July 31, 1984, when my…
Hoop Earrings, Plus Multiple Piercings for Midlife Rebels
I was pleased to see WhoWhatWear’s recent story about the popularity of gold hoop earrings among fashion bloggers, because I’d had a good feeling about hoops last year. I love it when my predictions are confirmed in a timely manner! (In late October, the New York Times had a good feeling about them too.) Meanwhile,…