A Distant Cry For Help

This morning, I received a phone call from Aviation Geek Boy in Korea. The conversation went something like this:

AGB: Cindy, did you get my email?! Something happened to my suit.
Me: What happened to your suit?
AGB: There's a big hole in my pants. I don't know how that happened. What can I do?
Me: Find a tailor and get it fixed. Or just get a new suit. But don't throw away your old suit. Your pants can be fixed.
AGB: Cindy, this is Korea! They wear shiny suits here. I don't want a shiny suit.
Me: Well, then just bring your pants to a tailor.

(I wish I could be more helpful Aviation Geek Boy but when you're thousands of miles away, there's really not much I or my tailors can do for you. He he he.)



This was the attached image. First generation iPhone picture quality. Tsk tsk.

Just a word of advice for anybody who travels for work: always pack more than one suit or at least an extra pair of matching trousers.

That's why I always advise any customer when he/she is ordering a suit to get two pairs of pants instead of the one because pants wear out way faster than the jacket. It's next to impossible to get an exact pair made again because styles are always changing and suiting manufacturers don't normally do repeats.

Can't Resist That Parisian Chic

Marlene Dietrich embraced men's fashion head-on. She was known to have a gutsy approach in fashion during a time when women rarely wore anything other than dresses or skirts.


THIS FALL, baggy pleated trousers are making a huge comeback. I've got to say, it's not something that all ladies are ready to accept. Any pant with huge hips and thighs and tapers towards the bottom aren't the most flattering on any women's figure...even if you were a 5'10" leggy babe, you'd still look fuller than you really are in pleated trousers.

Men-inspired pleated trousers aren't new news though. Coco Chanel made a ladies' pant suit in the 1930's and German actress/fashion icon, Marlene Dietrich wore it. Since then, pant suits for the ladies have been reworked over and over again to look feminine and modern. But it's no surprise that the women's slim cut suit is nowhere to be seen this year. The classic loose fit trouser is the way to go! And it's no wonder that they dominate the runway--since it's the classic pieces that can stand the test of time.

I personally cannot resist a look that oozes elegance! I raided my mom's closet and I found this pair (see below) hiding in her closet. If they weren't too big for me and they weren't her favourite, I would steal it. You can see that it fits really nicely but it's all an illusion--thanks to some handy bulldog clips. Even though I can't have these, I will be owning a pair in about two weeks time. I'm having mine custom made to look like hers. Yes, I'm serious.

I've figured that since I'm petite, I would benefit from the thinnest and slinkiest or silkiest fabric possible if I'm going to have a go at the pleated pant look. Remember, you want to reduce the amount of fabric possible if you want to look slimm-ER. Looking slim is not an option in pleated pants.

So, here's a few tips that I've observed and figured out if you're daring enough to try this look:

1. Counter the bulkiness of the pants with a very slim top (think bodysuit slim)
2. Wear your highest heels possible
3. Go with dark colours
4. Select a pair that has a HIGH WAIST (that creates the illusion of longer legs)

I picked out some shoes that will go so absolutely freakin' well with this type of pant. Hope you like!



(Parisian Elegance, Parisian Poshness, Parisian Vintage)