COOL COMFORT WITH JAMES PERSE AND OTHER FASHION FAVORITES

The dog days of summer arrived in New York City last week. The heat and humidity were a jolt because the weather in June was comfortable. August is the month I've considered the most oppressive. But based on these recent days, July is ranking with August as uncomfortably humid! When there is a shift in weather, a change in my clothing choices quickly follows.

With a life style of lots of walking and also traveling in the subway, being dressed to"beat the heat"is top of mind. Cotton and linen clothes, especially lightweight tops have been my go to choices in the past and these clothes are once again in the front of my closet. Drilling down further, pima cotton and linen are my favorite fabrics. I don't have a firm grasp regarding the differences between fabrics that are described as organic with those that are not. I wear both.

Minimalistic is my approach to clothes and in the summer, I keep it super simple by wearing "nice" t-shirts and basic pants. Some of my go to favorite brands for these summer clothes are: Vince (love the pima cotton t- shirts), Anthony Thomas Melillo (great cotton slub t-shirts) and Velvet by Graham and Spencer, (super soft linen button up long sleeve blouses.) As for bottoms, for me, pants are more comfortable than skirts. Alternating among a half dozen pair of the Theory brand's Treeca pull on pant in good linen, I've embraced the wrinkled look. These pants are the best for this sultry weather!

Since the majority of my summer "uniform" is full of basics, I like to go in-store shopping for a few items that could add some interest to outfits. Last week while in Bloomingdale's I came across a terrific top that adds texture and interest to almost any outfit. The item, by James Perse is a black semi sheer boxy fit linen polo with long sleeves. It is light weight. It looks great over a sleeveless top or tank top and works well with any sort of bottom and even looks terrific with a plain dress. I've already worn a few times and love it!

Check out the linen top. It is the James Perse "Soleil Linen Polo" It is also available in natural and white. https://t.ly/0_L4N

Just a few favorite brands are noted in this post. What are your go to clothes for dressing for the heat and humidity?

JIMMY CHOO- LOVING THE "LOVE 85"

Jimmy Choo

About a month ago, looking for a pair of pointed toe high heel neutral suede pumps on bloomingdales.com, I came across a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps that caught my eye.

Seeing the style was the Love 85, I knew the heel, a little more than three inches high would be manageable. When it comes to heels, a manageable height is different for each person. A while back I was able to walk in the Jimmy Choo "Anouk" pump. But this heel is no longer manageable for me. With close to a five inch heel and pointy toes, the shoes are now tucked away in my closet. They are gorgeous and I'm unable to part ways with them. A special occasion will be needed to coax me to try walking in them again! I've worn Jimmy Choo shoes for about a decade. But I just stick to the range of pumps.

The Bloomingdale's website listing for these Love 85 high heels noted these were a pre-order item so I did not spend too much time reading through the product details. However, I stayed on the page staring at the shoes because I was fascinated by the color.

bloomingdales.com lists the shade as Caprgreen. The Jimmy Choo website states the color is Caper green. The website with the incorrect spelling of the color listed should consider correcting it. Caper green is difficult to describe. It is a brownish, greenish, "mustardish" combination. What I love about this color is it is a strong neutral color. It will look great with black, olive, navy and almost any other color in an outfit! Please check out the shoes on the Jimmy Choo website: https://tinyurl.com/fvrw4zzj

Yesterday while at Bloomingdale's I went to the Jimmy Choo area on the fifth floor. There they were-- the Caper green suede pumps. I was in a rush so I could not ask to try them on. Hopefully another time. While I do not know how they would feel on my feet, I do know I'm in love with "Love 85". What about you?

A NEW FIND:LOVELY HANDBAGS BY LISELLE KISS

One of yesterday’s goals was to check out Bloomingdale’s where I haven’t been in a few weeks. The trip did not disappoint. Bloomingdale’s is not top of mind for me with selling merchandise of newer /emerging designers. I think it is because their merchandise is not always given prominent space, or of course I just miss it. Yet, I do consider Bloomingdale's a leading destination for the most up to date fashions and trends. My trip yesterday introduced me to a handbag designer who was new to me. (*)

Bloomingdale’s sells handbags in different parts of the store, including the entry level space on Lexington Avenue and on the first floor where there are specific spaces for individual brands. (e.g. Burberry, Chloe, Tory Burch). There is a particular space, a few steps up from the first floor that combines a number of brands such as Callista, Themoire and MZ Wallace into one open space.

When browsing this multi brand department I like doing a full circle around before stopping and examining the products. When I entered the area during this trip I was attracted to a black tote bag by LISELLE KISS. I made a mental note to go back to take a closer look at it. Finished circling, I returned to the tote bag. I asked a sales associate for help accessing it as it was on a mannequin. She quickly came over and took one of the same tote bags from a shelf.

The LISELLE KISS tote bag was really nice! Many tote bags are clunky and /or ordinary looking. This one was elegant. The straps were an attractive shape and the bag would be multi-functional. Another great feature was the lining. It was a gorgeous silver. Linings play a key part in my decision purchase process. (That has been noted in a previous post when I wrote about my times having clothes made at Sam's Tailor in Hong Kong. Selecting the linings for jackets was a favorite part of the design process.) I liked that the lining of this tote bag was given attention and style. The inside was as nice as the outside!

While looking at the tote bag, a smiling woman introduced herself to me. The woman was LISELLE KISS. Wow! She was interested in my feedback which I gave. I was impressed with her and the handbags. One of her handbag shapes is the heart. Please refer to image in this post for that. Later in the day I went to her website to learn more about the brand. Interestingly the website states a portion of LISELLE KISS proceeds will support the A21 Campaign, a nonprofit organization that works to fight human trafficking worldwide.

I've been a Bloomingdale' shopper for years. During this shopping visit I found a new lovely brand. (* Post updated on January 28, 2024 to reflect store's inventory.)