Fall 2008 Fashion - Hell Freezes Over?

At least according to Robin Givhan in this article from the Washington Post. In her view, many New York designers' collections seemed to have run out of new ideas and featured recycled shapes and textures like wide legged trousers and tweedy suits. Fortunately she found exceptions.

More evidence of Hell freezing over, a European fashion designer has chosen none other than Barack Obama, as her muse for her men's Fall 2008 collection.

A male politician from the US as the major fashion inspiration for a major designer's collection. Evidence either Hell has frozen over or maybe the beginning of more style entering into how politicians dress.

One can hope it's the latter. Here's to hope and change!

District Sample Sale

Is happening now. More details, list of participating stores and designers, and info on the Fall 2008 sample sale here . Marimekko is one of the featured stores and I especially like their take on the classic LL Bean canvas tote shown above.

One of these days I really need to get to their store in Silver Spring, MD

Who Am I? Why Am I Here?

Kudos to anyone who remembers who said that, and it harkens to the political side of my blog, not the preppy side.

So who the hell do I think I am to be starting a blog when zillions literally have done the same? Simple, I scrounged around the internet and saw that believe it or not nobody else had quite the same message. Yes there are shopping and style blogs aplenty and political too but nobody's quite intersected them yet. Until now, here.

See style does have to do with the political. Time and again, it is said how Europeans get it, how they make their look work with carefully edited clothing and accessory choices. They know what's in their closets, wear it regularly and nothing is wasted. Things don't hang there forgotten about or unworn. This ties in very nicely with the concept of being kind to the planet in general, not wasting things, not trashing things. This is a major message the Democrats are putting forth this year.

So it might not at first seem to be related, but it is. Reducing, Reusing and Recycling can make for great, great style. Having a carefully edited closet full of things to wear means you put it on and go knowing you look good. You use and wear it out. And if not worn out there are kids or friends to pass it along to.

Because we all know genuine prep involves classics that are worn and loved. - Mom's alligator bag, a pal's Burberry raincoat that she is setting aside since she no longer needs it, beloved jewelry handed down through the years.

That's who I am and why I'm here.

Brava!!

Hillary Clinton has conceded to Barack Obama

This may have been one of her better speeches. I sincerely hope Mr. Obama when the dust settles decides she is the person with the grit and the experience in the DC fishbowl to stand beside him as his running mate. I hope he doesn't listen to the conventional wisdom. Much of what's been said of her I feel is simply untrue and the making of many who still plainly and simply fear womanly strength. For no good reason. I feel what's been thought of her is also wrong. A person having a strong personality and delivery can put public service ahead of ego. They aren't mutually exclusive.

Are Bill's and her finances of concern? Yes. But do we already know most of what there is to know about them? Again, I think yes. Is it worth setting those concerns aside so a win can be had and a mess cleaned up with a shovel instead of a broom?

YES. YES WE CAN.

For Senator Obama

here is a breaking news story that says Hillary will run with you if it helps the Democratic party.

It would. Please remember roughly half of Democrats backed her in this long and often contentious race. Please also remember that maybe, just maybe the race was so tinged with racial and gender overtones because really, the two of you stand for very similar things. More than you disagree on. And maybe that was about the only big thing that was different about the two of you.

If you ask her to run with you, you will be unstoppable in the General election, you will have a strong tenacious ally to help clean up the messes of the past 8 years - someone who has been in the Washington DC fishbowl and knows how many sharks are waiting in it for you to have a weak moment. And you will be showing the country and yes, even the rest of the world you really are different from the rest and truly are an agent of hope and change.

Thanks, a loyal Democrat