The jumpsuit has so much history. It was originally designed by Italian designer Thayaht in 1919 to be a practical garment for sportsmen–hunters and skydivers. During World War II, it was used as a work uniform by men and women. Elsa Schiaparelli–one of my favorite designers of all time–saw its potential as a fashion statement …
Reflections on December in Arizona
In three days, Hubby and I will return to Seattle after just over a month in Arizona. Even though we love visiting family and friends here, I am itching to return to get back into my regular routine. While I wait, my impatience pushes me to create something anyway. That’s how my last post came …
Modern, Innovative, Playful Designs at Sassafras Boutique
Shopping the Indies on 1st took Amy from Sassafras and I to six independent shops in the historic neighborhood of Belltown in Seattle. I wrote previously about the Federal Army & Navy Surplus, Sell Your Sole Consignment, Endless Knot, KUHLMAN, and Reclaim Decor. Last but never least, today’s post is about Sassafras, a boutique close to my heart in spirit, philosophy, …
Fashion at Federal Army & Navy Surplus in Seattle
The Federal Army & Navy Surplus is a store I pass by often in my walks around Seattle. It’s just a couple of blocks away from the famous Pike Place Market and a stone’s throw from Sassafras, the boutique that started my love affair with Seattle’s local fashion scene. Their store windows always showcase interesting …
Shopping Seattle’s “Indies on 1st”
On a blustery November Wednesday, I met up with Amy Tipton, the owner of Sassafras, one of my favorite Seattle boutiques. We shopped six independently owned stores along First Avenue in our neighborhood of Belltown. We nicknamed the group the Indies on 1st. Maggie from Blue Hour Photography joined us for the day. She captured …
Fab Collab: Summer Get-Away Styles Over 40
It’s that time again when the ladies from JTouchofStyle and I pool our memories and photos to create a Fab Collab that spans the generations. Over this coming week we’ll share memories of summer get-away styles from the past as well as ways we style them today. My story kicks us off with memories of The Stratford Festival and …
Sampling Casual Elegance
In the United States, going out in public dressed for comfort has become a national pastime. It’s not uncommon to see a herd of teenagers wandering the sidewalks in happy-colored pajama bottoms. Just recently a couple of girls who were flying on a “Buddy Pass” were denied access to a flight because they were wearing yoga pants. …
A Versatile Tunic Dress Layered for Winter in Seattle
Yesterday I paired up Lizz Basinger’s Solo Pleat Tunic Dress with a scarf and boots. Today you may recognize the layers I added to another Sassafras purchase I wrote about earlier in the week: a faux fur vest and my motorcycle jacket. For the vest, I removed the scarf and added a couple of necklaces. I’ll write …
Dressing Like a Seattleite By Way of Portland
Now that you’ve seen how we do pinstripes in Seattle (here, here, and here), take a look at how we do another menswear style: the shirttail hem. The Solo Pleat Tunic Dress by Lizz Basinger of Portland is another great find from Sassafras. It may have the hem of a men’s dress shirt but it is made of sweater knit …
Great Gatsby on a Budget
Another Halloween has come and gone for another year. Did you dress up? I didn’t dress up this year, but it used to be something I did every year. These days, I put that energy into creating modern styles using elements from past decades of fashion. My goal is to create real style, something I would …