Bad girl Joan Crawford taunts Norma Shearer, The Women, 1939.
Seraphic Secret likes to follow trends in fashion. Our mission is to bypass the slutwear that parades as cutting edge design and focus instead on beautifully tailored outfits that are both flattering, ladylike, and modest.
As always, we do not highlight pant suits; they are a crime of fashion.
Speaking of crimes of fashion:
Vogue magazine keeps telling its readers that Michelle Obama is one of the best dressed women in America. Seraphic Secret begs to differ. Wearing a belt right beneath your armpits is hardly a desirable look.
We are happy to report that the most interesting trends are a return to a demure, feminine silhouette. Overpowering volume and outsized patterns are, for the most part, absent; a good thing if you’re over 20 years-old and weigh more than a stalk of wheat. Instead, most designers focused on refined simple lines that can be worn by actual female human beings.
The best outfits are a welcome flashback to the Hollywood glamour of Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Talylor, Audrey Hepburn, Kim Novak, Tippi Hedrin and Eva Marie Saint.
Donna Karan's crisp collection is a study in easy elegance.
Barbara Tfank's line is an homage to Elizabeth Taylor. Even the models were styled to look like the late, great star.
Jason Wu makes clever use of a nearly weightless nylon that moves like chiffon. A great little dress that can be accessorized for most every occassion. Extra points for the pockets.
Burberry Prorsum presents a fierce military vibe that's softened by a masterful combination of unexpected textures and patterns.
This flirty but sophisticated look from Giles says: “Let's mix a few dry martinis, turn on the flatscreen and watch Vertigo.”
Nobody does the sporty but luxurious look better than Carolina Herrera. The vivid green pattern celebrates spring. This is perfect for ladies who shop and do lunch.
Alberta Ferretti conjures a liquid chiffon dress that's neatly wrapped with a flattering drop waist.
Fendi's line is cheerfully girlish. Here's a charming silhouette, the love child of a Shaker apron and a Japanese kimono—with a touch of Hello Kitty.
Karen and I wish all our friends and relatives an inspirational and fashionable Shabbat.
Ariel Chaim Avrech, ZT'L, May His Righteous Memory be a Blessing.
15 Comments
I was raised that a lady never wore pants. If one went shopping she would wear both gloves and a hat. Over the years the gloves and hat have gone away here in So. Cal. but I still wear makeup and have my nails done. I am not comfortable wearing pants and I have never worn jeans in my life, feeling like those are worn by “working” people. At age 65, I doubt I will change. I do get noticed and am told I have class which makes me feel good. Claudia
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
Claudia:
Ladies wearing gloves is a fashion statement that I really wish would return. Sigh. Of course you have class, you dress like a lady and your read Seraphic Secret:-)
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
IMO, Michelle Obama’s style fluctuates between perfectly stunning and garishly inappropriate. What you want in a first lady, besides elegance, is consistency (think Jackie Kennedy).
I was surprised that Laura Bush wore a pantsuit to the 9-11 anniversary memorial. She was never given enough credit for her fashion sense as first lady, and she usually shone when compared to the wives of other heads of state.
Great lineup of dresses, Robert!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Shyla:
I was really disappointed when Laura showed up in a pants suit. Not flattering. Usually, she has a refined sense of fashion.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Love these fashions. I, too, dislike the pant suit, but confess I wear trousers because I work in a university setting where I climb very public stairs, and don’t wish to…reveal any more than I must. But there is no question that a skirt or dress makes a lady look like a lady.
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
Shyla:
I get it.
Dennis Prager confessed that when he was in grade school, Yeshiva of Flatbush, he used to look up girl’s dresses when they were going up the stairs.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi Robert,
You should check out Jackie Evancho. Besides having an amazing voice she wears beautiful, yet modest dresses at her performances. According to several people who have attended her concerts they see many young girls there taking hints from her and wearing beautiful and modest dresses themselves. It’s good to see.
Cheers, Brian
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Brian:
Thanks for the tip.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Gace Kelly and Cary Grant were in To Catch A Thief.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I think someone once said there have only been six songs written. With women’s fashions, the same thing applies. A designer doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel. All they have to do is build off classic designs that have been around for ages and avoid making women look like a cast member from Lost In Space (i.e. wearing a belt 15 inches above the waist).
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Johnny – the statement that “only 6 songs has been written” perplexes me”.
I know what the originator is trying to say but it still sounds funny. Would Beethoven’s Fifth be included with one of “Lady Gaga’s” hits?
I think too that a simplicity of design – if elegant – always has a timeless appeal. Everything from Frank Lloyd Wright to Raymond Loewy to Carolina Herrera.
Then I am thinking of a famous song composer (forget the name) but he wrote a piece and his benefactor complained that it had “too many notes”.
Or maybe that was from the movie Amadeus where we can all agree it was a famous song composer.
Can’t remember but I do remember the quote
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Johnny, Bill:
And add this to the mix: there are only thirty-six plots which are recycled again and again.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
The originators of those statements had to have really known their fields. But then the world is comprised of only 117 elements – it’s how they are put together
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I still think of Grace Kelly in It Takes A Thief
I know, Robert, that one of your mantras is Less Is More but i also know it applies only to writing
Michelle best dressed? I would say of all the First Ladies in my memory one in my distant memory, Jackie Kennedy, would have to be on the list – but Michelle?
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Bill:
I actually like fashion that is minimal, without all the bells and whistles. I suppose you would call it clean lines. So less is more does apply.
The fashion magazines, especially Vogue, the dominant voice, foster the illusion of Michelle Obama as fashion icon in the same manner that the MSM pretend that her hubbie is a fab-u-lous president.
Fashion has been highly politicized ever since the Viet Nam war. It is a very sad development.
Like or Dislike:
3 
0