The Color Purple

As a child I always loved purple - purple clothes, purple wallpaper, purple bedding. And even though it was not kosher, I knew that I would surely love grape-flavored bubble gum if given the chance (since it is, of course, purple).
And I was not alone in this. Most girls I knew, if they did not like pink (I did not and still don’t) loved purple just like me.
I have left my childhood behind and with it my passion for purple, or so I thought until recently...
Purple has made a comeback! And I was quite surprised to see that purple is no longer a color just for us girls, I mean women. Yes, men have started wearing purple too. At first, I have to admit, I was taken aback and thought that men should never wear this color. But at recent parties and other celebrations, I have seen a growing number of men daring to don purple, and it was then that I realized it isn't just for women anymore.
The fact is that men can and should wear purple (depending on the shade, of course).

So if you are ready to add a little life to your basics without adding too much color, go for it.
The right shade of Purple will help you stand out in a crowd without shouting “look at me”.

Service With a Smile?

The other day, while out scouting on behalf of a client, I was pleasantly surprised at the change in the level of customer service. After living in Israel for fifteen years, I seem to have grown accustomed to the rude and aggressive behavior of salespeople. But while I was roaming through the Shivat HaKochavim shopping mall in Herzliya, the service I encountered was courteous and friendly. Of course, it may have been due to the fact that the stores were virtually empty and they were trying to make a sale. Or perhaps it was my notebook and pen in hand which gave the impression that I was taking a survey. Either way, I felt good and occasionally needed to stop and remind myself that I am in Israel!

That is, of course, until I entered a store called Sigal Dekel.

Sigal Dekel is an Israeli designer with an interesting mix of style. Her stores can be found throughout Israel and she also has a boutique in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood.

Although I find it is a hit or miss when shopping at Sigal Dekel, it is worth a stop when you are already out and browsing through the stores. However, I would stay clear of the store located at the Shivat HaKochavim mall. The salesperson there is rude, obnoxious and simply unbearable.

What a pity that after such a positive experience at all the other stores, it was Segal Dekel’s boutique which provided me with an unpleasant reminder that Israel's customer service revolution is not over yet.

Layers, Layers and More Layers

Talk about confusing..... Yesterday, the sky was gray, the rain was pouring down and the high for the day was 12 C (53F), while today, it is cool outside but in the sun it still feels like spring and the high is 23 C (73 F). There are days where inside your home you are shivering while outside you could be wearing a t-shirt. On other days you need a sweater or jacket just to walk around but as soon as you get into your car you begin to sweat and need to turn the AC on.

So what does one do? Do I wear a short sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve t-shirt, a jacket or a sweater…. Ahhh, the daily dilemmas we face getting dressed in the “winter” when you live here in Israel....

But the answer is really quite simple: ALL OF THE ABOVE OR AT LEAST SOME SORT OF COMBINATION.

It all boils down to: layers, layers and more layers.

Depending on whether you always feel cold or warm, you can decide what types of layers work best for you.

Layering is simple and these basic tips should help you out. Start with a light layer and work your way up, for example:

1. A thin layer, a t-shirt, a shirt or blouse
2. A light-weight sweater - cardigans work best
3. A vest jacket, jacket or bulkier sweater
4. A light weight scarf
5. For colder days and evening add a coat or wrap

Remember that layers should be easy to put on and take off. That way, you are ready for whatever wind blows your way.

Man's Personal Touch

Inspired by the man with the 10 shekel cufflinks

The other night at a local bat mitzvah party I noticed how all the men were dressed exactly the same way… blue button down shirts. Sure, there were several shirts with a fine stripe or check but from my angle all I saw was a sea of blue paired with either khaki or navy pants.
Now I understand that for most men clothing is simple. Sure, you need different types of clothes for different occasions and most men do not “update” what they wear every season with the latest styles and trends. So naturally the choices are not very exciting. Frankly I am fine with that, as I like the simple, clean classic men’s look. So whether you shop at the Gap, Brooks Brothers or have your clothing custom-made, you can wear the same clothes, if they are well-cared for, for years and years.
Of course that means you will be wearing the same shirt and the same pants over and over and over again and will be left with very little room for personal expression - but that is the price you pay for not being a woman...
Many of you are fine with that and that is ok, but for those of you that want to add a personal touch here’s how:
BUY FRENCH CUFF SHIRTS AND A SELECTION OF CUFFLINKS.
Why cufflinks? Because they are not too out there like a tie would be. Cufflinks are small and subtle, can be serious or fun, and can quietly speak volumes about who you really are.

Questions and Answers

Thanks to all of you who have been following this blog and sharing your comments with me both on- and off-line. Below is a note I recently received from one reader, and I thought I would share it with the rest of the you:

Dear UOnlyBetter,

I have seen the new over-the-knee boot everywhere, but I wanted to know what is the best way to wear them?

thanks,

Patrice

Dear Patrice,

Over-the-knee boots are not easy to pull off and they are not for everyone or every age. If not worn properly they can look cheap and even very trashy. Here are several tips to help guide you and incorporate the over-knee-boot into your winter look :

1. Make sure that the boots are in sync with the proportion of your body and legs (leave the thigh-high ones in the magazines)
2. They look best when worn over leggings or skinny jeans
3. Make sure your top is loose and delicate, to keep your overall look feminine
4. If you want to wear over-the-knee boots with a skirt then make sure your skirt is short and full (not straight)
5. I prefer suede rather than leather
6. For during the day, stick to flats. Heels should be strictly for evenings
7. Keep your outfit simple - the boots are enough of a statement

If you are like many women that I know and you do not wear pants or short skirts then please skip this trend. The knee-length skirt with the over-the-knee boot is just so wrong!!!

Do You Really Need A Winter Coat

Has winter finally arrived? For many of you out there it probably has, but here in Raanana, Israel, winter - as we know it - never really comes. Yes, the weather changes and the sun is not as strong, the humidity is gone and the air is cooler. But it is not COLD. Sure, it is time to change over your closet, to take out your winter collection and replace the summer wear. But how much winter clothing do we really need? I wish we would need a lot but unfortunately we do not need all that much.

When you walk into a store filled with the latest winter styles, don't you just want to fill up your arms and buy, buy, buy? Well, I do. I love winter fabrics and designs, I love the warm, cozy feel and the deep, earth tones. And in the winter the most important item of clothing is a coat. You can throw on a coat over anything and look great.

Throwing on a coat would work if you lived in most of the northern hemisphere or even Jerusalem or in the north of the country… but here on the coast not far from Tel Aviv you will be lucky to wear your coat a handful of times. So what is a woman to do?

Frankly, if you already own a winter coat and it is in good condition, keep it and use it until you are through with it. If you do not own a winter coat and are looking to buy one (because you are going to travel somewhere cold) be smart:
-Buy a good quality classic coat, one that can be used to dress up or down.
-The coat should be medium weight that way you can use it here and also layer underneath for colder climates. -
- Leather is perfect, it is lightweight, can be worn in mild temperatures and both in rain and snow… very versatile and leather looks better the more you wear it.
So do you really need a winter coat? Probably not but if you are like me, you can't resist.

Singing in the Rain

I am sitting at home feeling all warm and cozy as I listen to the wind howling outside and the rain pouring down. In weather like this, many of you probably like to crawl under the covers with a good book or movie and a nice, hot cup of cocoa. I enjoy that too. But what I really enjoy is being outside, walking and splashing in the puddles. That is, as long as I am properly dressed for it: no one I know wants to get stuck in the rain while dressed for a meeting, a dinner party or a wedding. So if you are heading outside in the rain to stroll, run errands or even just carpool, make sure you have:
1. A pair of rain boots, good rubber boots. Today you can get simple old-fashioned ones or bright colorful ones
2. A rain jacket with a large hood. Just make sure it is WATERPROOF, as water resistant is not enough in a downpour
3. If you are not a hood person, then use a rain hat - only make sure that the hat has a large brim so the water can run off without getting your face wet


Once you are ready, throw on your gear, head outside and feel like a kid again.