Dunger redo

There is a name or actually several names for the condition that affects a large percentage of women over 40. Call them mom jeans or rib ticklers. You know when it takes four minutes for your zipper to travel from bottom to top or if your jeans look like they are consuming your torso ,it's time for an update. Start with your body type are you curvy? straight hipped? Curvy gals are actually better in a slightly higher rise jean with a contour waistband. A little stretch, say 2% will help with problem spots. Keep the washes and pockets simple and clean.
A woman with a straight hip has the opportunity to wear a little lower waist and possibly a little slimmer leg. The jean should sit at your natural waistline just above your hipbone. Buy them a little snug. All jeans stretch out as you wear them anyway. Keep the length clean without a lot of break at the ankle, this makes for a longer leg look and keeps the denim from dragging and fraying. A slight update at any age can drastically change your look. Don't get stuck on something you liked 8 years ago.

The scientific effects of aging on fashion

Every generation has it's trademark style . The 80's had padded shoulders the 90's was the start of luxury denim (and Hub) as well as the velour virus of Juicy Couture. The 00's brought Americana updated and over embellished crap.

As a buyer and an older guy the trick is to be objective and insightful into all decades and customers. Folks in their twenties are the best canvas for more extreme trends. The only problem is sometimes they take it too literally. Runway is not reality.

Next, the lost souls in their thirties trying to figure out who they should be. A lot of people stall in style development at this point. This can also bleed into their music and cultural development.

The forties are a great time to look back and figure out what really works for you. If your are in decent shape you should be able to draw from past decades. Think of it as a "Best Of".

In your fifties, unless you are one of the left over style stumped people from the age thirty group you have a real opportunity to mix all the things you have learned. It's hard to beat the combination of wisdom and style.

When you are young the clothes can wear you. When you grow up you get to wear the clothes.

BLISS LAU. HOLY COW.

Inspired by suspension bridges and the art deco of NYC,

jewelry designer Bliss Lau's

new collection...

Alyssa likes the "kill joy" and you should too.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don't call me Dude.... Robert

What is it with guys and girls calling each other dude? Is it because of the one syllable capacity of the "Duder's"? First, don't call me Dude if you are younger than me or I am your boss or teacher. Girls. Really? "Dude I started my period", "Dude I'm pregnant" It's just wrong and odd. Is this an affectionate term? Don't think so. Maybe I am just not So Cal enough.
My father couldn't be bothered to remember my friends names so he just called them all Robert. That was okay with me, at least it had a meaning. It meant these are my son's friends, fair enough. It was a little tough when he gave me phone messages though.

The day

I was reading an entry on a 20 year old's blog and they mentioned back in the day. The day? Did she mean day care? It seems that everyone has the notion they were a badass at some point in their life. Lets face it everybody wants a checkered past or an experience no one else has ever had. These are the events that songs are written about and have caused a great deal of damage to tree trunks and pocket knives. As I get older "the day" starts to get a little fuzzy which is good because I am forced to embellish and complete stories with more creativity.
Now the person with the blog entry has a crystal clear memory of whatever life shaping event that has occured. "Once my friend and I took all the green jello cubes from the cafeteria and made a peace sign out of them on the sidewalk." In ten years it will be something like "My freinds and I robbed a circle K and threw Twinkies at people on bicycles from our getaway car". Or was that me?

Balancing act

There are certain guys that just seem to have cooler style than most. The secret is contrast and balance. The question I hear the most in the store is" What goes with this? " Wrong approach. The answer is what makes sense with it ,what would be unexpected with this? Example: A dandy stripe blazer as shown. Try another pattern,a looser pattern works with a tighter pattern and visa versa.
If your stuck on color think of nature. Bright blue like the ocean? Sand or brown. Mix formal carefully with casual. Beat up jeans with a blazer. Or a worn work shoe with a dressier look. The only thing that really needs to be perfect is your grooming and manners. Also ease up on the cologne and never grow a chinstrap beard.

One more peep out of you

Last night at 1 A.M the bird starts up. No not a pet parrot but a wild unnamed species,the most vocal of all winged things. This feathered bastard makes a mockingbird sound like a hummingbird. First a series of deafening beeps like a vintage Viper car alarm. Then quiet. Is he done? Nope. Now it's a buzzing sort of a chortle and a series of mega peeps. That's it, I get out of bed put on my Tom's (available in numerous styles at Hub) and head out to the back yard with my official police flashlight that the septic tank guy forgot on a service call.(that's another story) As I get closer the sounds stop, then some rustling and the flutter of wings. Then silence. In the morning the sun rises and the birds chirp when they are supposed to.