The Gift Of Style

Fab New Tee Line -cnbT

You know how tee shirt obsessed I have become over the last six months...perhaps it is my new non-corporate lifestyle, perhaps my need to invest my money in my business and forgo the pricey fashions of my past or perhaps it is that the design community keeps bringing me great collection after great collection.  I have fully embraced the graphic tee trend, I have enveloped myself in the drapey tee phenomenon, so now it only makes sense that I covet lines with not only direct links to the art world, but those with socially conscious messages to boot.  I have found several as of late on Cool Hunting that could have quelled my most recent cravings, but it wasn't until just the other day that I came across perhaps the perfect combination of everything I desire in a tee.

This line is so new, that you can only buy it directly through the company and if I am not mistaken, I am probably the first to write about it...yes, I have an inside track.  It is simply called cnbT and is named after the artist and her daughter.  They decided to collaborate on this project as a way to give back to women, which I will explain in a minute.  The design team is compirsed of a an up and coming "wall art" photographer with a passion for visually alluring female imagery and her partner/daughter is a long time fashion exec.  The line is based on the photographer's ongoing series, FEMALE FRAGMENTS, which has been translated into wearable art. In the collection, the images of women have been created by layers of torn posters, bits and pieces of photos, advertisements and graffiti rearranged and transformed by time. The overall effect is a celebration of the female form. 

The launch collection is comprised of six sophisticated images, named for the various ways women are objectified, but seen through a lens that uncovers the beauty within...some feminist undertones perhaps, but more of a call to action to support women's health and social issues.  Each image, BODY DOUBLE, MASKED, EXHIBITIONISTA, VOYEUR, DRAMA QUEEN, VEILED PRINCESS is riveting and tells a profound story.  Now for the part that I really love...5% of the revenue generated from each collection will be donated to a women's charity that has some link to the chosen images. For the launch collection, the money will go to the Somaly Mam Foundation, http://www.somaly.org/ which saves women and girls from sexual slavery...yes, a global problem that persists and is so important to address!

The tees are fitted and slightly longer so they look great with leggings or skinny jeans and a fab little blazer.  The images are powerful and graphic and fill the body of the tee (not just some skimpy word across your chest), so they really do look like you are wearing some amazing piece of art...a great replacement to a print blouse!  They are also really soft...100% pima cotton which just gets better with age.  They cost $78, though you can receive a 20% discount if you mention THE GIFT OF STYLE when you order.  If you are interested, send an email/order to cnbtee@gmail.com.  They will forward a photo of what the image looks like on the tee and they are quoting about a two week turn around as they have just started to take orders. 

It is so important to give back, so why not do so while making yourself look oh so fashionable. Guys these make realy special gifts as well. cnbT is the perfect combo of style, "itness", comfort and yes social consciousness...I for one cannot wait to see what they do next and yes support their very worthy cause!!!!

~Nancy

Make A Wish

"Tis" the end of my charity week, so I am going to try something a little different for my final entry.  I am going to forego the usual style tips, product recommendations and general fashion commentary to talk about something a bit more personal...

In late February 2008, I started my own business, ended a relationship and sprained my knee... One hell of a trifecta!  I plunged myself into work, which luckily was quite lucrative right off the bat.  I was working in the social media space, fashion, publishing and having what I thought was a great old time.  The truth is that although I thought I was following my passion, I was really just taking consulting gigs that put good money in the bank.  Trust me it takes a lot of guts to walk away from years of a nice, big, cushy salary...  I was allowing cash to control my decisions.  

Come July, my consulting gigs had ended.  All of a sudden, I found myself with no income, no man and what I believed to be the signs of a mid-life crisis.  I promise, I am not being dramatic.  I just didn't know how to move forward.  Luckily, I had a couple of unlikely guardian angels.  The first was my good friend who recognized my state and suggested that I work with his life coach, Kim Ades.  At first, I resisted, but eventually decided to take the plunge.  Kim and her company, Frame Of Mind Coaching are amazing... The program is fairly straightforward.  Ten weeks, one hour long coaching call a week (she is in Toronto) and a personal journal.  When she told me I had to write in an online journal every day for ten weeks, my first reaction was-"no way, no how, I hate writing".  Pretty funny coming from someone who is now a major blogger...

Anyway, Kim's program changed my life... Yes, another dramatic statement, but so true!!!!  She basically taught me to "think better" and to focus on what I WANT, WISH FOR, COVET, DESIRE. She taught me that YOU are the only one who has control over your happiness.  You cannot control what others say, do, think, but you can control how you let what others say, do, think affect you.  The key is very simple... Whatever you focus on grows!  If you focus on the negative, you get more negative, but if you focus on what your really and truly want, you get that instead!!!  I promise you it is true.

Since I ended my 10 weeks, I successfully re-focused my business (incorporating much of what I learned), I am doing what makes me happy every day and I discovered that I LOVE to write which has started to open new doors for me.  Don't get me wrong, there are times when I slip back into my old ways of processing the world, but I am getting better and better at shifting my attention when things don't seemingly go my way. 

There is so much power in hope, in wishing, in wanting... It may seem self-indulgent, but so what?  There are so many people in our world that only have hopes and dreams to keep them going, so if you have any money/time left this week after donating to all of the charities I have mentioned, then please give some to the one organization predicated on wishing, the Make A Wish Foundation. I don't know about you, but what they do truly moves me.  They grant a wish, any wish to children with life-threatening diseases, with the goal that when the wish comes true it gives them and their loved ones more hope, enough hope to continue to sustain positivity and potentially life.  As Kim would say, "pretty cool"!!!

So to all my readers, I hope that all of your wishes come true... Don't be shy about wanting, coveting, desiring.  I promise, it will change your life as well!!!

~Nancy

Fire Billy Bush’s Stylist!

I am a pop culture fanatic…I worship Gossip Girl and The Hills, I read US and I watch Access Hollywood.  Now if you are thinking “how vapid”, I “totally” understand.  But…of course I am going to have to disagree.  Pop culture is certainly part guilty pleasure and mindless entertainment, but it is also a rich source for style cues, a window to youth mindset and most importantly a more accurate view of what makes America tick.  If you are a marketer (for a company or even yourself) and you don’t have your pulse on the finger of pop culture, I promise you are missing the big picture!

Last night I was watching Access Hollywood and I was inspired to write this blog.  Actually I was more  than inspired; I was compelled!  Who is responsible for Billy Bush’s out-of-date and ill-conceived wardrobe? My entire business is predicated on helping people look and feel great in their clothes so I have to wonder, how does any stylist get away with such consistent “Fashion Police” violations?

His ‘fashion don’ts” are numerous, but lets just start with the most obvious.  Guys please don’t go stripe happy.  Never wear a bold stripe suit with a bolder stripped shirt and yes, a stripped tie.  Yikes!!!!  First of all, it is just way too much pattern.  I am a big fan of subtle pattern mix, such as a soft plaid suit with a micro-check shirt and the right stripe tie.  When pattern mixing, keep it subtle and make sure the patterns compliment each other.  Don’t ever do the same pattern over and over, like Billy.  Also, another good trick if you are going to mix it up is to think about pattern balance.  If you want to wear a stronger stripe tie, then make sure your shirt pattern is subtle as in the example above.  You can do a stripe tie with a stripe shirt as long as the shirt is a pencil stripe and if you are a bit more fashion forward, go for a plaid tie on a check shirt, but stick to a solid suit. Everything should look harmonious and nothing should fight.

Another reason that too much pattern doesn’t work on him is that he is very short.  If you are shorter, the best bet is to limit pattern, as it will cut you and shorten you even more.  Solid colors always elongate one’s body.  Now, this doesn’t mean you should look boring, so use ties, pocket squares, or a great tie bar to make your style statement.  Find something you can own to make yourself unique. 

Billy’s next big “don’t” is the beyond dated, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”, dark suit, dark shirt, dark tie look for daytime.  I love this for evening, when done correctly, but for day it is just way too “Regis Philbin”.  He is also fair haired and skinned and the dark colors always look harsh on him.  Choose a dark suit, but soften it up with a softer colored shirt.  If you just can’t break away from the dark-on-dark look, then simply choose a shirt that still has a lot of color depth and richness so that you still get a bit of tonality but also some contrast.  For example, a beautiful French blue in lieu of navy or any kind of royal blue, or a khaki instead of olive or dark brown. 

Lastly, Billy's ties, even done right are beyond ugly.  Come on guys, you have so many tie choices! Like I said in my RVR Neckwear story, ask for help in the store if you aren't sure. Well, I could just go on and on about this topic, but I think I have given you some good food for thought!

So now, on to how you can give back.   Get rid of all of those Billy Bush, Regis Philbin-inspired clothes in your closet and donate to Career Gear, today’s featured charity.  Like Bottomless Closet for women, Career Gear has the simple goal of providing appropriate business clothing for under priveleged male job seekers. They have volunteers who help men choose the right clothing for interviews, so don’t worry, they won’t be making the same mistakes that Billy makes.  All clothing is appreciated and put to good use.  Of course, don’t donate anything that is torn and cannot be mended or that is permanently stained.  If your clothes are damaged, a better bet is always the Salvation Army as they cater to providing basic human requirements such as food, shelter and clothing. 

Find some time to consume some pop culture and you will benefit (most of the time) from the powerful style statements that today’s celebs shower upon us…. Use these cues to make smart decisions about your wardrobe, then purge yourself of “fashion don’ts” and donate the cast offs to those in need!

Oh, and Billy if you are reading, I am more than happy to help!!!!!!

 

~Nancy

Feast For The Eyes

I am always thinking about the best way to add a little visual pop to my male client’s wardrobes.  I shared one of my favorite quotes with you recently about how you should be a work of art…  For woman it is so much easier as color and pattern and print are so widely accepted.  It so contradictory to nature! The male peacock is the beautifully embellished sex…the lion has the wild mane…the baboon (well maybe his visually enhanced part is better left unsaid)… So why are men so accustomed to being bland and subdued?  Well if you are ever so slightly intrigued with why so many male animals are so “well-adorned”, this blog entry is for you!

Here is a really inexpensive way to be a bit bolder, get noticed and yes, continuously amp up your style.  My favorite and the most widely accepted is the always casual-chic printed tee shirt.  This of course is nothing new, but I am still amazed that so many men still get it wrong.  If you don’t have fashion confidence, keep the color neutral.  Stick to white, ivory, all shades of gray and olive.  Black can work as well, but it does give you that rocker edge, which is not for every man.  You have to be a specific type to pull it off.  Wear them under a casual sportjacket, bomber jacket or cardigan.  You don’t want to hide them, as the whole point is to add a little graphic pizzazz.  Layer them over another solid tee to add more color texture to your look (choose complimentary colors). Stick with jeans or casual pants, the tee shirt under a casual suit look is a bit played out or was it ever in?

Try to stay away from slogans… No need to broadcast your political or sexual ideology to the world.  Definitely look for cool vintage tees with brand names or better yet, just artistic designs. Also, don’t go collegiate, unless you are still in school and please retire your frat tees!

Some great tee shirt resources are of course Barneys Co-op. They have by far the broadest selection. Some key brands to look for are Ever, Rogan and Surface To Air.   Another sure bet is “What Goes Around Comes Around” in Soho.  Canvas the LES and you will be sure to find a plethora.  Collect several so you can always change up the visual cues you are emitting.

Since we are talking about the proverbial “feast for the eyes”, it is only fitting that I share today’s recommended charity.  This one is perhaps the most obvious, but also the most overlooked.  We are so concerned with the hot “charity-de-jour” that we don’t always think about how we can help in our own backyards.  How about donating to the Food Bank For New York?  Help feed the millions (can you believe?) that go hungry in the 5 boroughs.   It is so easy!  Give some of the money you save by wearing tee shirts on the weekends and at night or just clean out your pantry.  I have the same issue in my pantry that I do in my closet…unused stuff (canned goods, rice, etc.). Even if you can just give a little, it can go a long way.  Please make sure that the date on the package isn’t past expiration. 

Actually I have a brilliant idea…just volunteer some time.  You can wear your new tee shirt when you do…

A Shopaholic’s Journal-Coveting Under $100

I am coining every Tuesday, “Shopaholic’s Day” on “The Gift Of Style”.  If you didn’t have a chance to read last week’s entry, “A Shopaholic’s Journal” is basically a brain dump of all of the fashion and fashion-related objects of art I covet and obsess over.  This week staying true to my promise of being penny-wise, I am taking you on a tour of all of my “wants” that are under $100.  Now you are probably wondering how such a self-proclaimed fashion girl could ever want anything under $100… Well, I am here to tell you that not only do I have to edit myself to keep this entry from becoming a novella, but that when it comes right down to it, if you are savvy and open minded, you can potentially build the base of your entire wardrobe with such items and still look great!!!

First on my list is always American Apparel.  I am obsessed with their long sleeve tee shirts ($20) and wife-beaters ($17) that come in a rainbow of colors.  The long sleeve tees are amazing layering pieces, fit well and are the perfect length.  I am only 5’4” so I hate when tee shirts come down to my knees.  I open up the possibilities in my closet by layering them under my Spring sundresses.  Who ever would think that a spaghetti strap dress could work 12 months out of the year?  Add some great tights and boots to the knee and you have a smart Fall look.  Be careful not to pick anything to summery looking!  I also adore their leggings ($26).  They also come in a broad palette and fit well (they hit at just the right part of the hip, so you don’t feel like something is pinching you around the waist all day).

I am in love with the cotton pointelle sweaters ($95) at Geminola in the West Village. They also are the perfect layering piece and look great over a tee, under a vest, a sleeveless dress and so on and so forth. The options are boundless.  They have a feminine, vintage feel that will make them standout pieces in your wardrobe.  For the more adventurous fashionista who likes to add a little whimsy to her wardrobe, they also design these wonderful plastic beaded charm necklaces ($95) that are sweet and girly and so much fun!

  Stripes, stripes, stripes!!! When I was young, I lived in France and of course wore the quintessential “Breton Nautical Sweater”.  Since then, I have always been drawn to a great nautical-inspired stripe.  My favorite stripes are from a special little store in the West Village called Butik. They sell the softest, textured stripe tees ($95) that are a mainstay of my wardrobe. They look great with anything black, navy and I especially love to mix them with other textures such as tweed…super chic!  Another tee shirt go-to is Splendid for their “not-so-basics”.  This season they created the perfect, lightweight wool jersey, long sleeve, stripped tees ($90).  I found them at Intermix in pale gray and white and in mid-gray and charcoal. I want them both!! They are longer so look smart under a solid sweater with the bottom peaking out.  They also would work for business under a jacket or even layered under a dress.

I adore vests… They never go out of style, they are versatile and can add excitement to a tired outfit.  I am coveting several of the vests at Urban Outfitters.  At the top of the list is a nifty little ivory and black intarsia knit version for yes, $14.99. I promise it doesn’t look it.  I would layer it over blouses,   dresses, the Splendid tees and so many other items.  It adds texture and pattern to a subdued look and enhances that personal flare I always talk about.  I also want the slightly rough and tumble tuxedo vest for $68.  Keep it rock-n-roll with black jeans and a cool printed tee or soften it up with a romantic ruffled or lace blouse.  There are so many to choose from.  Hit the store on Broadway, right above Houston and relish in the choice.

Sadly ladies, retiring the Uggs is long overdue.  I still buy a pair every season, but I use them to walk the dog.  If you want a comfy, updated alternative go for a pair of Minnetonka’s (all under $100).  They still give you that Ugg feel, but look more relevant as fringe was a big trend this year. I have my eye on the knee-high, front lace up and the calf, high-fringe versions.  They are perfect for the up-and-coming winter months and you can find them on Zappos.com. 

Finally, you know by now that I relish costume jewelry.  As mentioned before, the street vendors in Soho are a great source!  Get great bracelets and necklaces for $20 and under.  I get compliments on the pieces I find all of the time.  Another new desire is the friendship bracelet.  I am sure you are wondering how does a woman who thinks of herself as stylish incorporate a rope, multicolored bracelet into her wardrobe?  Trust me I was as well, until I found the perfect, cleaned-up, nylon rope versions at the fabulous Michael Angelo’s Wonderland Beauty Parlor.  Not only do they cost $15, but the proceeds go to today’s featured charity, the Somaly Mam Foundation.

The Somaly Mam Foundation is committed to ending sexual slavery. Somaly Mam’s organization in Cambodia runs several shelters to rehabilitate the victims of this horrible crime. As part of their rehabilitation the girls (yes, they are children that have been sold by their families) undergo basic academic instruction and useful skills training. In sewing class, one of their first achievements is learning how to make the aforementioned bracelets. By a couple of them as they look great layered or better yet buy them for all of your friends and family for the holidays and at the same time save a child from horrific torture! 

Remember it is important to continue to fuel the economy…so, please shop!  You can find so many great stylish pieces that won’t put you in the poor house and thus will allow you to continue to support those truly in need!!!!! ~Nancy Berger

Underneath The Xmas Sale

Yesterday I braved the holiday insanity and spent the day shopping with one of my new clients.  He is one of those dream clients who loves clothes and embraces designer fashion.  He really doesn’t have an issue spending money, but we had to purchase several items so we like most of you decided to go sale hunting.

Every year at this time, we enjoy the promise of great deals and great product, but this year was shaping up to be the best yet for bargain lovers.  Stores that usually are not known for being promotional were touting 60-75% off… a shoppers dream come true.  Yet, I have to tell you, I was disappointed.  Like I said my client loves designer, so we were hopeful to go a little crazy at the once sale-poor Barneys 3rd Floor and Bergdorf Men’s Store.  Do you remember the line from “Pretty Woman”, when Richard Gere tells the store manager that they are going to spend an obscene amount of money?  Well, I don’t know if we were planning on the “obscene” route, but we came to spend…

First we tackled Barneys.  We started on the main floor and worked our way all the way up to 7…nada!  Barely any sale, and what we could find that was worth buying didn’t come to close to the vowed 60% off. 

Next we went to Domenico Vacca, as my client is a big fan of their shirts and rightfully so.  Everything in the store was on sale at 30% off.  Now, we did end up buying a couple of shirts as they were exactly what we were looking for.  Clearly we didn’t save what we hoped. I will tell you that the shopping experience was stellar however, as the staff was attentive and really rolled out the red carpet for us.  The Maitre D from Cipriani happened to be in the store and as a favor to the Domenico Vacca crew ran over to the restaurant and brought us a bottle of water.  I mean come on, the guy didn’t even work there…love that!!! 

The next and last stop was Bergdorf Goodman where we spent a good hour and a half.  Again the sale merchandise was really limited.  We did hit the service jackpot though.  My old friend, Teddy is one of the personal shoppers, so I had him scour the store for what we needed.  We did pretty well, but again, ended up with less than we hoped.  My client was looking forward to finding more Gucci and is obsessed with Tom Ford (just one measly group of sweaters marked down), but no luck there.  Now, I commend Tom Ford for not going on sale, as the label is still new and coveted and is trying to maintain brand integrity.  Alas, we were still let down.

So what can you find that is worth braving the holiday madness for?  Cashmere, cashmere, cashmere!!!  Both Bergdorf and Barneys private label cashmere sweaters are on sale for 60% off.  The Barneys selection was broader and less picked over.  Bergdorf was fairly cleaned out of v–neck and crew styles, but had some luxe cashmere vests for around $250…a great investment.  Bergdorf had a broad selection of noteworthy shoes on sale as well.  The entire back wall of the shoe department on the main floor was marked down.  If you are in the market for a new suit or two, Barneys has a fairly good selection at 60% off, though key sizes are slightly depleted.  If you aren’t a 40/50 Regular or a 42/52 regular, a quick trip to Barneys is absolutely worth it.  I also happened to stop by the John Varvatos store in Soho on Friday and they had a nice selection of 50% Fall…great suits, outerwear, shirts.  The staff there “rocks” as well. 

The best place to find deals are at my crop of “low” shopping favorites such as J. Crew and Uniqlo (cashmere sweaters are $49). 

So when you do get lucky and find your most desired pieces and gifts at the remarkable price of 60%-75% off, what should you do with all of those savings?  Spread some of your wealth and buy a ticket to the “Charity Ball”.  The annual gala to support “Charity Water” is tonight, Monday the 15th at the Metropolitan Pavilion.  Tickets to the after party are only $250.  I went last year and it was a great night.  Beautiful people, booze, a live rock performance and an amazing photographic exhibit.  It is so much more fun, when you can party and give back at the same time. If you can't afford the $250, you can donate even a small amount on their website. For those of you who don’t know, Charity Water is an amazing organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water for African communities.  I can’t do the description justice, so I want to share their powerful mission statement. 

“Most of us have never really been thirsty. We’ve never had to leave our houses and walk 5 miles to fetch water. We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out. Clean. Yet more than 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have clean water. It’s hard to imagine what a billion people looks like really, but one in six might be easier. One in six people in our world don’t have access to the most basic of human needs. Something we can’t imagine going 12 hours without.

Here, we’d like to introduce you to a few of those billion people. They are very real, and they need our help. They didn’t choose to be born into a village where the only source of water is a polluted swamp. And we didn’t choose to be born in a country where even the homeless have access to clean water and a toilet.

We invite you to put yourself in their shoes. Follow them on their daily journey. Carry 80 pounds of water in yellow fuel cans. Dig with their children in sand for water. Line up at a well and wait 8 hours for a turn.Now, make a decision to help. We’re not offering grand solutions and billion dollar schemes, but instead, simple things that work. Things like freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters. For about $20 a person, we know how to help millions of people.”

Pretty amazing!!!

"Tis The Season"...so go ahead and find a great sale, then share some of your savings by donating to an organization that helps millions find a little something special underneath their proverbial holiday tree!

~Nancy Berger

The Bottomless Closet

Day 2 of my commitment to help you give back… One of the most sought out services that my company Grace Group offers is the strangely traumatic, ultimately freeing “closet cleanout”.  Like you, I have trouble parting with my most prized fashion possessions, regardless of whether I have worn them in years.  I go through the “but what if I want to wear it someday” mental “tete-a-tete” on a regular basis… Now here is the thing, I never end up wearing it and neither will you!!!

Here are some simple rules to live by… If you haven’t worn it for a full fashion calendar (two falls or two springs in a row), it will languish in your closet into perpetuity.  If it has sentimental value, perhaps some painfully ugly sweater your ex gave you, trust me, it is time to let go!  Look at his or her picture instead, but don’t give up valuable closet space to house emotional baggage.  Wouldn’t you rather fill it with new “baggage” instead?  If it seems painfully out-of-date, then it probably is.  Yes, fashion from other eras is constantly being reintroduced and reinvented, but some fashion moments just don’t need to be resurrected.  Look, I am an 80’s child, and I have affectionate memories of Madonna and Pat Benetar-inspired “costumes”, but I promise that although they still serve to be powerful design influences, the real thing is best preserved in the mind’s eye.  Finally, get rid of anything overly trendy.  Denim can be a good example… Although it seems like a classic item, the wrong jean silhouette will scream out-of-date!

OK, so what should you keep?  Don’t part with timeless pieces if they are still in good condition.  Good condition means no visible stains, snags, seam pulls, over-pressing marks, etc.  Don’t try to convince yourself that no one will notice, as someone will. Wearing damaged goods, chinks away at your personal brand armor, so pay attention to those small details.  What makes something timeless?  If something is simple, a neutral color, has clean lines, it can be savored as a go-to for years.  Best examples for women are the LBD (little black dress), pencil and simple mini skirts, white blouses, cashmere cardigans, a great trench coat, classic flat front trousers (any leg width) and a fitted jacket. These items sound oh-so-boring, but they are quintessential items that not only build a wardrobe, but serve as the base for all fashion experimentation.  They should always be replaced as needed…no closet should be without!

Keep special pieces and style builders… They items provide the punch to any wardrobe and although may come and go with trends, in my world they are always relevant and are the source for experimentation and change.  Some of my favorite “keeps” are anything sequined, leather regardless of the silhouette, handbags (only if they are in great condition), an amazing print dress, costume jewelry, great boots (I still adore my Chloe boots from two seasons ago) and lace.  Everything else should usually go. 

Hopefully, you will decide to give the old closet purge a try.  If it is just too painful for you, find someone like me to help.  Give everything that you don’t keep away.  My favorite charity is actually called “Bottomless Closet”…how appropriate?

It is the first workforce development organization of its kind, to address the compelling need for services that would increase the potential for low-income women or those on assistance to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Their main focus is to assist women in the greater New York metropolitan area get back on their feet and to work again; taking women who have been job trained and dress them for economic success; helping them get off welfare and stay off welfare through job retention training and provide the ability to obtain appropriate clothing for work. Job readiness, combined with self-confidence in one's appearance, allows women to focus on learning their jobs, keeping their jobs and advancing to a higher career level and paying positions. Your old clothes will be donated to these women and will be given a chance to be truly appreciated rather than collecting dust in your closet.

Purge, eliminate, streamline and donate!  You will feel lighter, you will feel fulfilled and you will feel great about yourself!!!

~Nancy Berger

Fit To Be Tied

Every day we get inundated with overblown, scare-inducing stories about how the economy, the world as we know it, is coming to an end… Of course, there is much truth to be told and although I am a great optimist, I do know we have seen better days.  First our financial system takes a free fall, then our auto industry runs out of gas and now up to 50 billion dollars has potentially been squandered by the greedy and corrupt.  I don’t know about you, but I am sort of fed up. 

So in true form, this got me thinking about how I can continue to preach about building a personal brand and creating a unique style, while being sensitive to those who are not quite as confident that all will be OK.  I decided to devote this entire week to ways we can still invest in our economy (by continuing to shop), be frugal and at the end of the day give something back to those who are in need.

As you know, I am a big fan of switching up your work wardrobe.  Even if you work in the most corporate of environments, there are ways you can still look memorable on a daily basis with minimal investment.  The most obvious, but perhaps the most challenging is neckwear.  Us girls think men have it easy… Throw on a suit, pick a basic shirt and grab a tie and go.  The truth of the matter is that picking the right suit-shirt-tie combo is not only quite a skill, but a real challenge for most men.  My truly fashionable clients definitely do it right, but it can be a painstaking process at six, seven in the morning.  There are so many ways to make a mistake and sadly grave-tie-choice errors seem to be the norm!

So what is a guy to do?  The first option is to shop intelligently.  Buy your shirts and ties at the same time and if you aren’t a true style maven, ask the salesperson to help.  Pick a least two ties for every shirt.  Another alternative is to pick a tie brand that is known for subtle, sophisticated patterns...small tight patterns, classic stripes.  If you keep it simple, you can still look distinguished and chic, without the potential for a complete fashion flop.  I recently found the perfect combination of style, craftsmanship and design, a new brand called RVR Neckwear.

I had the opportunity to sit down with the man behind the tie, RVR’s founder, Robert Valdez-Rodriguez.  Robert ( a great guy by the way) is a Wall Street veteran, who about a year ago came to the realization that buying a tie was not only somewhat of a daunting task due to the boundless selection, but that overall good taste and quality was somewhat elusive. He set out to create the perfect neckwear collection…one that addresses the needs of the style-conscious businessman and delivers quality, elegance and a big douse of personalization.

Robert designs all of the RVR ties and has partnered with the premier neckwear fabric mill in Italy.  Although some of the designs are similar to those found in some competitive brands, all of the colors and most patterns are exclusive to RVR.  I saw the collection and I really felt that it was right on the money.  He gets it…he lived it.  He was the one the guys who needed to make that arduous decision every morning.  He has more insight into the needs of the average man, than lets say some junior designer who never will have to don traditional business dress.  The result is rich colors, subtlety and a polished point-of-view. 

Also, all of the ties are 100% handmade.  At $185, you will be hard-pressed to find such a value.  Most ties are machine made (even some of the well-known luxury brands).  Another key distinguishing factor is that all of the ties are self-tipped.  In simple terms, the underbelly of the tie is in the exact same fabric as the tie, no solid lining...amazing!!! With RVR you get couture-like construction and smart design for a not-to-hard-to-swallow price.

Perhaps my favorite part about the line is that it is not readily available. Buying lesser known brands is a key way to up your personal style quotient!  Robert has been smart to control distribution and remain selective about which stores carry the line.  He decided to make his website the primary point of distribution, so you can shop online in the privacy of your own home with you entire shirt and suit collection at your disposal.  How can you make a mistake? 

If you are watching your spending these days, RVR Neckwear is a smart investment.  Forgo buying a new suit (of course unless you really need one), and buy a few RVR ties…take the money you save and donate it to one of my favorite charities, Housing Works, dedicated to fighting AIDS and homelessness. Better yet, clean out your tie drawer or edit your tie rack, and all of the impulse mistakes you have made and give them to Housing Works as well!!!

~Nancy Berger