Stylish with Substance

Emmy 2010 fashions were mostly, in a word, boring.

Somehow, for this year’s Emmy Awards’ fashions, safe seemed to rule the celebrity runway. The red carpet was littered with boring gowns either lacking detail (like poofs of ruffle) or shape. The always ubiquitous glitter ruled, as usual, and why am I supposed to care?

Ugly dresses were few and, as usual, often on wives; and they were tame. No one loves a bad dress, but we do love to spot them. A lot of the ugly dresses were ambiguous – “should I hate this or actually love it?”

While the ugly was tame, the fabulous was also safe. My favorite gown of the night, a trendy lace number that was much better on top than bottom, by Carolina Herrera on Dianna Agron, was actually hated by many in polls and thought to age the actress. Sure, I could give them that, but I didn’t see anything better or that I’d rather wear. Well I didn’t see those things on the stars although I had on the real runways.

On one of fashion’s most exciting nights to be home, in pajamas or whatever one wants, watching the action on television; there were few thrilling moments. There was the Agron gown, or at least the initial sighting of the bodice. There were Jane Krakowski’s blue teetering Ferragamo heels that were so high the tiny feet effect toppled the pair past sexy into adorable, but that’s right up my shoe alley. And there were Badgley Mischka shoes (worn by E!’s Giulianna Rancic) among some of their pairs I both cooed about in blogging and considered buying at Neiman Marcus Last Call. (Points off for accessibility?)

And there was of course McQueen, fabulous and questionable on Anna Paquin and carried as a clutch by Ricky Gervais’s date; one that I could barely make out on my medium “small screen”. Underwhelmed by the iffiness? Actually no, my current favorite show’s star in a dress immediately recognizable got me audibly excited; but how often did that happen?

Seeing the stars walk the red carpet even made me want to go watch the stars' series and not the awards show, but later I came to find that I enjoyed the event; but did I enjoy it even more than the fashion?

I feel so blah about it all that I can’t muster the emotion to tell.

Bonus photo: The worst:

I only recently discovered Friend Friday, a blogging weekly questions group, by Modly Chic. I soon applied, and here I am in the group! I'm very happy to begin and start answering some heavy questions. This week is light and fun though; and about fall. Fall is tricky for me here in Florida, but this year I'm determined to make the looks work in our sunshine.

1. What new fashion trend are you looking forward to sporting this fall?

Ladylike, that sums me up, any year.

I don't like a lot of them (my wallet and sense of personal style is thankful!), but I love 2.

#1 - 60s.

I love modest pieces; 40s, 50s and 60s, and I love circle skirts. I can't own enough of big, flowy, knee-length skirts! But right now "the" hemline hits just below the calf, so I am trying to avoid buying the knee-length kind and will for a time only go for that lower-calf length unless the piece is really special. Honestly, I'm on the hunt for the perfect-something similar to the beige skirt from Louis Vuitton's runway (which I've blogged about already).

I already have one dress that fits the length bill, but that's not enough of course! Hence the strict shopping diet to help focus my direction for my wardrobe collecting.

The beau and I just started watching Mad Men on DVD, and we're not hooked yet, but if we continue, it could be a great source of inspiration.

As for other pieces, like jackets and such, I will work on incorporating these pieces more, too!

#2 - Lingerie as outerwear

If I can find a corset/bustier top that looks right (black/nude lace) and fits my tummy; oh I want it badly! But I vow to keep it classy.

2. Which item in your closet is most likely to be your go-to transition piece?

I hadn't really had one for Florida weather yet, so I bought these new booties that are pretty open and with open toes. Many hate that look, but they're almost essential down here in order to participate in boot-wearing as early as everyone else. Besides, they're open in general and are actually that new thang called "shooties". I hadn't known how I really felt about them until August came, and now I know how helpful this style is for a FLashionista! ;-) I've included their picture. Buy them yourself from Zappos.

Vigotti - Paquita

$79.00 at  Zappos

I'm also going to incorporate different scarves in all-weather materials, asap.

3. What item from last year are you looking forward to reinventing this fall?

I didn't buy new clothes at all over 2008 and 2009 (nor shoes and nary a bag), but I'm looking forward to bringing back lightweight non-full-sleeve sweaters and even warm-weather/short-sleeve jackets for early fall. It's hard to wear those little boleros and things in summer, surprisingly, due to the hard-blasting AC that starts on Memorial Day. I'm just not that comfortable with throwing a sweater over a bolero and of course never over a short-sleeved blazer. I'm hoping the ACs will be adjusted after Labor Day weekend, and thick sweaters can again wait until "winter".

As for re-inventing, I'm not sure I do that with old-old pieces much, but this past year I've picked up a lot of ruffley or couture-looking pieces to blend in with my other favorites, which are modest skirts and such. I'm still in need of building my perfect wardrobe and perfecting my ensembles for who I am now and ... where I am now.

I am, however, re-inventing things that are new. I'm going to wear all-year scarves, which is rarely-if-ever done here, and I will soon be wearing a "six-way" scarf a lot more ways than that!

4. What is your favorite part about this time of the year?

I hate August, wherever I am, but that's not what the question asked. I guess I like this time of year for the easing temperatures, even though it's still the rainy season until late Autumn. I can't wait for Florida winter, actually.

My favorite aspect of Fall is the fashion, which I need to struggle to use. But I will! And I will feel proud of that accomplishment, so there is that.

5. Will you be attending any fashion events this fall?

Sadly, that's not likely; it's about the money situation in this household. I will be come February March though, and I'll be prepared!

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I'm not thin but not a plus size. My petiteness causes pounds to look bigger on me but also puts me in a smaller size than I look. I feel a lot of the awkwardness of the big girl but I’m a bit lucky in terms of shopping, in a lot of ways. (Not in every way though, like my breasts and stomach are not compatible sizes.)

I may someday lose all the extra weight. I’ll never be as thin as I once was, but I’ll hopefully be healthier than then. My low-sugar diet is going swimmingly and I have great hope that it’ll all be for the better, in the end.

Being at a happy weight will never wipe away the compassion I feel for the chubby and upward and the passion I have for the subject of weight, though.

I suddenly realized that while although I've written about weight issues for a long time, I never showcase plus fashions in shopping posts. I know how hard this is for a typical blogger, because no one will really "get" viewing a blog entry about a "plus" option if the model is thin, which is the case with most brands that cater to both (not well, of course). And those brands that just offer plus are a bit few and far between, eh?

I also feel bad because I couldn't find a couture-looking dress to match the dress I posted a little bit ago today. However at least this frock from Torrid has similarities, has lots of style and detail, and is even flattering.

So here it is, our first "Plus Size Dress of the Moment".

$78.00 at Torrid Black Sparkle One Shoulder Dress

"Shiny black woven dress is accented with silver sparkles. One shoulder design features pleating over left breast and draped shoulder over right. Empire waist. [Pleated, camouflaging skirt.] Front pockets."