Things That Shouldn't Work But Do: Boots Edition

Everything goes with black. I used to think that, if most of my basic pieces were black, that my shoes and purses had to be, too.

Man, is that wrong.

Don't misunderstand me, I love black. I just don't always love it head-to-toe. Especially on a Pale person, all black can look a bit goth, which is fine if that's your aim. I just feel that, for the most part, black boots are rather Hard Rock.

You can wear brown boots with a black outfit. It is actually very attractive as the brown helps to break up and soften the harshness that black can impart. Check it out:

She's wearing 3 neutrals: black, gray, and brown. The scarf adds softness in the form of a silver gray knit. The boots are a slightly slouchy suede that contrasts with the stark monochromatic aspect of her tights, dress, and gloves.

Pippa Middleton wearing a coat that I suspect is Burberry and a satchel I believe is Mulberry

Here, Pippa Middleton shows the same principle. She has used a silk scarf and suede boots to soften the structure of her coat and bag. She looks both glamorous and like the girl next door.

Pippa Middleton and Kate, pre- Duchess of Cambridge

Goddess Kate here wears structured riding boots with a cinch belt and softens the outfit with a flowy top and velvet blazer.


Half the battle when it comes to fashion is BALANCE. When you understand how to balance the clothes on our body, you can get away with a multitude of 'sins' (like mixing black and brown par example).

Rachel Bilson

Anne Hathaway

Me

By Request: Winter Hats

Winter is a great time for hats. Apart from doing quite a bit to keep your entire body warm, hats are an under-used fashion tool.

It's important to understand the different types of hats, how and where to wear them, and some general hat etiquette. I will tackle the first issue in this post.


I will start with a classic. The Beret.

Lauren Bacall in "The Big Sleep"

Traditionally made out of felted wool, they can also be woven, knitted or crocheted. Berets can be worn in a number of ways.

Pretty much Beret 101.

I like the look of a felted beret on top of the head and pushed slightly to the side. It's jaunty and has attitude. Be careful, this can look costume-y so be sure you wear it with Confidence.

Adorable with long, loose curls

Personally, I wear my berets in a style similar to the photo above. I pull it straight down onto my head and then push the fabric backwards and slightly to the side. This way, it functions as keeping ma tete warm, while adding style.

Next, is the cloche.

Clara Bow doing it Right

In French, cloche means 'bell', and the shape of this hat should tell you why. Cloches are a structured hat that are usually made out of felted wool or other sturdy materials.

There are a few ways to wear a cloche, but the most traditional is pulled all the way down and covering the ears. See Miss Bow above.

Tao Okamoto

This cloche still retains its bell-shaped crown, but she has pulled it down in front over her forehead, leaving her ears bare.

Continuing on, we have the fedora.

Kate Moss mixing cranberry and grey

Again, these are typically made of felted wool, but can come in a variety of materials, including straw. Fedoras have wide brims, a crease at the crown and is often pinched in the front. What we typically see worn today (ad nauseum), is actually called a trilby.

Note the difference in brim size between Emma Watson's trilby and Kate's fedora.

Trilbies have smaller brims. Note that all trilbies are fedoras, but not all fedoras are trilbies. Got it?

Zara Phillips wearing a classic fedora. Note the wide brim and pinches.

While we're at it, can I please just send out an S.O.S. to stop wearing these:

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz

They are over. They have been run into the ground and there is now no unique or ironic way to wear them. Pick different colors and go with a wider brim. Please? Just for a while.

Oooh look, these are fun: Trapper hats

Marge Gunderson works it in Fargo

Originally used by hunters and well, trappers, these hats are usually made of canvas, flannel, or a water-repellent material and lined with fur. Note the distinctive flaps over the ears. These can be tied under the chin or tied on top of the head.

Faux-fur lined trapper

These hats are ideal if you live in cold climates. And I mean cold. Please don't wear these if you live in temperate or sub-tropic regions. You'll look like this:

Ashley Tisdale

A Fool. Does she need the hat to keep her arm while she drinks that iced coffee??

Next up is the beanie!

Taylor Swift and her sunny yellow beanie

Beanie hats have typically been very tight to the head and worn by skiers and the like. Now, they come in slouchy varieties and guys are using them to cover up their bad hair days. Excellent!

I really love a beanie. They are perfect for winter in more temperate climes.

Sandra Bullock keeps warm

Just be careful that you don't end up looking like a bum in this hat as it's slouchy nature can look a little unkempt.

My personal winter hat inspiration?

Freda Gustavsson

Buy yourself some winter hats here:

urban outfitters
john lewis
asos
modcloth
village hat shop

The Pale's Fall/Winter Color Palette

Matching or Not Matching.

This is ridiculous and a waste of money.


Everyone can wear every color- what makes it work is dictated by the tone. I'm not a huge proponent of Rules when it comes to fashion but, generally: the paler the skin the cooler the colors.  When I refer to colors as being Warm or Cool what I mean is that Warm colors usually have red bases whereas Cool ones are usually based with blue. Here's a great trick: put a piece of gold jewelry next to the color. Now swap it out for a piece of silver. Which looks "better"? More pleasing to your eye? If it's gold, then the color is probably Warm. Silver means it's probably Cool.

The main secret to Color? Trust your eyes. When something is off or doesn't look right, there's undoubtedly a good reason so skip it.

Here are some of my favorite colors for this Fall and Winter. There's something about jewel tones on The Pale that just really snaps. They create stark contrast against fair skin, yet have much more life than the traditional black and brown.

 Cranberry
Looks especially fetching on: brunettes, brown or hazel eyes

Kat Dennings

Dita von Teese

Cobalt
 Looks especially fetching on: redheads, blue or brown eyes

Emma Stone

Lily Donaldson

Emerald
Looks especially fetching on: blondes, green eyes

Nicola Roberts

Nicole Kidman

Eggplant
Looks especially fetching on: brunettes, blue or green eyes

Julianne Moore

Rose Byrne

Dark Circles

You look tired.

Yeah, that's because I'm not wearing makeup. No, I'm not sick. Yes, I'm getting enough sleep. I did just want to enjoy my day off, but now I'm totally self-conscious. Awesome.

Does this sound like your life? Then you probably have dark circles.

Don't worry, plenty of Pale Ladies have them, too:

Katherine Heigl

Keira Knightley

Have allergies (seasonal or otherwise)?

Consider taking a daily allergy pill containing an anti-histamine. Reactions to seasonal or environmental  allergens can cause puffiness (and therefore, shadows) under your eyes.

Get less than 8 hours of sleep a night?


Try to go to bed earlier a few days a week. Make a date to hit the sack just like you schedule luncheons or workouts. Being well-rested is good for your whole body including your mood.


Not wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15?

Why not? Seriously. We know have iPhones, Google, the microwave, and cars that turn on without a key; we know about sunscreen. Anything less than SPF 15 is a waste of your time and money. Choose one without fragrances or dyes and put it all over your face (there is absolutely no reason to have a separate 'eye cream'). Lather, rinse, repeat.

Have Pale skin?
Don't change it- it's beautiful. Just invest in a great concealer. When I say 'invest' I don't mean spend googobs of money, just read the ingredients and be smart.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Clinique 'All About Eyes' $16

 

Shiseido Natural Finish Cream Concealer $25

 

Revlon Age Defying Concealer $10

Cle de Peau Concealer $70

Note: Many formulas work better when set with loose powder. Personally, I find that powder makes my skin feel too dry, but see what works best for you. Like most things beauty- and fashion-related it's a matter of trial and error.

Apply concealer to spots and under eyes with a brush.The Non-Blonde is a totally insane crazy person (in the most amazing way) about makeup brushes. Check out her favorites here.

Great Skin: Miracle Product?

Tiiu Kuik

Countless beauty products are often touted as being 'miracles'.

They can lift your jawline, close your pores, airbrush your forehead, and send you Jon Hamm wrapped in ribbons.

But we all know, somewhere deep in that part of our brains known as the "logic center" (or, "that-place-we-ignore-because-it's-such-a-buzzkill"), that these products do not work as claimed, often because their claims are simply preposterous.

Fortunately for us, there is one product that does work miracles. A product that can smooth your skin, decrease wrinkles, increase collagen, heal photo-damage, fade discoloration, and make all of your other products work better. The product in question really can do all that. It's called...


...Retinol...


The whole Vitamin A molecule is known as Retinol and it is broken down in to smaller pieces known as retinoic acids. Retinol is one of the few substances that has molecules small enough to penetrate the first few layers of skin and actually enter the collagen and elastin layer. Simply put, Retinol is essential for health skin cell function.

There are just a few things to keep in mind when using products containing retinoic acids.

First, only apply to dry skin. Applying a retinoid to damp skin causes it to absorb faster and increases the risk of irritation. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, pat dry, and then go brush your teeth or make your coffee. When you come back, you can then use your retinoid.

Second, start slow. There is a period of time in which your skin adjusts to the effects of Retinol. You will most likely have mild peeling and a bit of sensitivity. This is normal. Choose the lowest percentage of retinol and then work your way up.

Third, use an SPF of at least 15. Every day. Retinol can increase your sun sensitivity so protect yourself. And, honestly, if you don't already use an SPF of 15+ on your face every day then you are just being silly. You know the risks and effects of the sun. You do not live under a rock. Get with it.

**Note** Retinol and retinoic acids are sensitive to oxidation so they should always be packaged or stored in an opaque tube or bottle. Do not buy retinoids in jar packaging.

Some of the best:

TxSystems Afirm

Alpha Hydrox Retinol ResQ

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Olay Pro-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment

Serious Skin Care A-Force XR

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate

Ahoy, Sailor! How to be Pale and Wear Navy.

Let's face it: we all love Black. It is comfortable, familiar and, were we in a Sophie's Choice moment where we were forced to choose a wardrobe, we would totally choose it over any color. But is it really the best for the Pale?

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen

The thing with Navy is that it's softer than Black and still does all the same glorious things: complements other colors, slims, doesn't show dirt, etc. But most women are at a loss of how to introduce Navy into their wardrobe.

Navy goes with:

Other Neutrals and Primary Colors...

...like Red...

...Khaki and Yellow...

...and White...

Secondary Colors...

...like Orange...

...Green...

...and Pink...

Tertiary Colors...

...other Blues like Periwinkle and Turquoise...

...Purple...

...and Coral...

 If head-to-toe scares you, then start off small:

Dior's F/W Color Collection

Marc Jacobs

See by Chloe

My favorite nail polish, butter LONDON

And, don't forget: you can always mix Navy with more Navy!

If you are one of The Pale, I cannot recommend enough adding some Navy to your wardrobe. It is much less harsh and aging than Black, less draining than Gray, less boring than Brown, and less washy-outty (yes, that's right) than Tan. Also, it's pretty difficult to look like a stereotypical Goth in Navy, even with copious amounts of black eyeliner and an Anarchy pendant from Hot Topic.






*all photos courtesy of their respective owners.