Fashion: What’s in Your Closet

Stylish ‘Burgers reveal their fashionista favorites

By MEGAN SIMONS

I believe it takes a certain amount of sense for aesthetics to dress well. To be trendy, it takes taste and some knowledge. My favorite styles are the ones that don’t blindly follow the trends but embrace our personality and accentuate our best features. Therefore, I decided to ask my readers for their fashionable choices.

The results are refreshing and sometimes surprising. Mostly what comes across is that we are feminine, we are stylish, we are practical, classy, and sassy, we care because we are women. So, come with me on the journey of discovery of what Tampa Bay women love in fashion.

What is the one item you buy brand new for Spring?

Spring symbolizes new beginnings. For our wardrobe, we love to refresh our look with new and feminine items. The most mentioned was a new dress, either for Easter like Barbara P. likes to do, a new fun summer dress for Solange G. or a classic one for any occasion like Maureen G. prefers. Unique tops come in second, ones that we can wear with a variety of bottoms. Handbags are strong contenders to be purchased in Spring, followed closely by sunglasses. But my favorite new Spring item came from Dee P. who loves to reward herself with a gorgeously flowy, luscious Spring flower print duster!

What is your favorite trend right now?

Fashion today off ers many choices, and the responses to this question were the most versatile. But I’m delighted to notice that there was one strong common denominator – femininity. We love our style to be eff ortless and chic, with trendy puff sleeves like Solange G., bejeweled jeans with bling tuxedo stripes are Dee P.’s favorite. Christine H. loves the newly arriving crochet dresses, Tracy E. like many others loves the bright colors with yellow Pamela R.’s preference. Barbara P., however, pointed to my favorite detail making a strong comeback – the belt.

What was the last fashion purchase you were most excited about?

To my delight I’m in great company — most of my responders mention boots in one way or another as favorite pieces. Richie S. loves her new pair of snakeskin print with red accent shoes. Lauren F. loves her leather jacket, and Pauline D. sleek boots, Dee P. is thrilled about her leather jacket with snakeskin trim and jeans with tuxedo stripe that match the jacket. Christine H.’s fi nd was a strapless white jumpsuit. Sylvia K. bought a pair of animal print ankle boots!

Ruta F. said “my two very bright colored dresses.” Tracy E. loves her cashmere belted trench long sweater, Pauline D. her UNO earrings and Barbara P. loves her dress with military brass buttons. What a fabulous list of great items, makes me want to get up and go shopping!

What would you love to add to your wardrobe if anything goes?

Here once again we are showing that we love our feminine wardrobe and longing for romantic details that would coordinate with our contemporary styles. Dee P. wants to see more old glam flowing pants with furs and boas, and long evening gloves combined with sexy, slit skirts. Tracy E. desires more fine Italian handbags and shoes.

Sylvia K. dreams of floor-length anything, cardigans, dusters, dresses. Richie S. dreams of cashmere lounge pants and top. But the most mentioned item many of us would love to see in today’s fashion is a hat. A great headpiece is the most stylish finishing touch to any look, and we have an appreciation for it.

What is the one fashion item you would splurge on?

No surprises here — we love to splurge, and the list of what we love to splurge on is long. What we all agree on is that we indulge in what we love the most. For some like Valerie M. and many others it is jewelry. Occasionally we buy that extraordinary, everlasting piece of fi ne jewelry, sometimes we collect unique pieces of fashion jewelry to update everyday styles.

Purses and shoes are equally popular on Lauren F.’s splurging list, followed closely by good slacks that are Barbara P’s favorite and great coats/jackets according to Andrea J. Solange shared with me her peculiar splurging obsession — a good sweater. I don’t see anything unusual about that, do you?

What label do you consider totally cool?

The timeless meets the modern here, and designers’ names of all fashion levels do make their way to our homes. Let’s start with one of the most classic and recognizable names in the fashion industry – Channel. Christine H. like many other Channel lovers just must have something from the famous house.

Flamboyant Versace styles and Louboutin shoes find their place in Dee P.’s heart. Some of Lauren F’s contemporary, urban favorites are Rag n Bone and Helmut Lang. We see hip Free People lovers with Tracy E., bohemian Hale Bob and colorful Lilly Pulitzer with Pauline D., Solange G. feels that Balmain designs are distinctive compare to others, like punk and chic would join a piece of art.

But the most mentioned and wearable label was Joseph Ribkoff , the brand Richie S. describes as one that always adds the unexpected to his collection.

A Ribkoff dress is always delightful

If you could buy only one thing tomorrow what would it be?

We either unleash our dreams and go for the one item we really want, or think practically about what would go with most items in our closet. A classic white blouse that fits well and pairs perfectly with jeans, slacks, and leggings is what Virginia B. desires. A glamorous satin ball gown that is strapless and all black is what Dee P. wishes. Maureen G. claims that The One purchase would be either a casual, classic dress with sleeves or a pair of beautifully shaped and versatile dress trousers. Nancy G. would get a luxurious duster jacket that would make a dramatic statement.

What would your One Thing be?

What in your closet will you kiss goodbye forever this season?

Most of us have items that we should say goodbye to and move on, what are they? Apparently, we’re not in love any longer with all the baggy and oversized pieces that we were hiding behind for way too long. Like Lauren F. we want to remove the clothes that are too big so we won’t grow into them.

Shapeless, long jackets, gigantic T-shirts, and trendy styles from decades ago like the silk, floral, kimono-style wrap sweater in Tracy E.’s closet – I can’t even imagine that one! We don’t want uncomfortable shoes – that’s definitely one item to kiss goodbye forever, and everything that doesn’t fi t. Oh, one more – Solange G. fell out of love with her bright colored purses!

What’s the most important accessory you can’t leave home without?

Right now, Pamela R. and I would place a fashionable and functional mask as the most essential fashion accessory. Many of us love our sunglasses and wouldn’t leave the house without them. We also are strongly attached to our jewelry, earrings are the leaders here from hoops like Beverly W., and simple studs that are Tammy P’s favorites. How about red lipstick? I know that Debbie R. would not be seen without it, just like Barbara P. would feel out of place without her beautiful rings. I’m just surprised that nobody mentioned a handbag! Ladies, what to carry your phone in?

Who is your inspirational fashion icon?

Jennifer Lopez is admired for her sense of style

I’m happy to know that we are independently thinking women and creating our own style, but we do admire certain people in the spotlight who inspire us and sometimes take us out of our boxes. Most mentioned was Jennifer Lopez and her impeccable sense of style. Then we have an array of fashion icons from Maria Callas, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren to Halle Berry, Victoria Beckham, Salma Hayek, Zendaya, Gal Gadot and Moira Rose. I’d have to agree with all the above, throwing into the collection Sarah Jessica Parker.

What is your favorite style?

How complicated can it be to describe our personal style? We are juggling with a collection of words to describe our preferences, but the truth is we have many choices, we broke many barriers, removed many rules. Good for us!

Richie S.: “Just unusual things is my style, not something off the racks at retail stores that everyone will have. That is why I like boutiques.” Lauren F.: “Hip and edgy.” Pamela R.: “Clean lined basic for daily and something eye catching for evening.” Dee P.: “Sophisticated glamour.” Christine H.: “I love classic tailored pieces, and funky creative necklines and collars.”

Solange G.: “I like to consider myself pretty laid back but stylish. I have always clicked with the Californian style (denim bottoms and a neutral-colored top, sometimes loose fitting) or the New York style (black everything, minimal look). As long as the accessories are up to par, and the shoes make the outfit, I am good to go.”

Ruta F.: “Sporty, elegant, classic.” Tracy E.: “Euro street chic.” Pauline D.: “Resort and casual chic.” Virginia: “Classic with a touch of color” Lauren RD: “A mix of elegant/trendy/ flamboyant.” Debbie LR: “Eclectic – edgy.” Maureen: “Classic and decorative.” Barbara P.: “Tailored.”

So, how would you describe your style?

Megan Simons is owner of Pippa Pelure, a fine fashion boutique in downtown St. Petersburg. Contact her at pippapelure@ tampabay.rr.com