"Dressing Up In Down Times"

The Wall Street Journal had the title of their article just right, so I used it in quotations. Couldn't have said it better. As our nation is captivated by the newly elected president and all the inauguration festivities, we wish to celebrate but do so in keeping with the times.

Michelle Obama has set a clear tone that her fashion sense will be moderated by these tough economic times. While she may be our new fashion barometer, so too will be her fondness for affordable style.

Dressing for the inaugural balls has long been complicated terrain for first ladies arriving during an economic downturn. Too much glamour and the incoming administration will be accused of excess, not enough glitz and the first lady may be branded dowdy.

Michelle Obama, who became a focus on the campaign trail for her style mix from J. Crew to Narciso Rodriguez, hasn't yet disclosed what she will wear to the 10 balls she and her husband plan to attend. Just days after Barack Obama delivered his acceptance speech, designers began submitting sketches to Mrs. Obama's team for potential inaugural gowns.

During the 1930's Depression, our nation welcomed another President who chose to skip the inaugural ball as a symbol of the era's new austerity:

In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt skipped his inaugural ball due to the Great Depression. Eleanor Roosevelt attended alone wearing a simple lavender velvet dress with detachable sleeves. (The president didn't attend any inaugural balls during his four terms in office.)

Not all presidential parties were so in-synch with their economic times, while some were in keeping with the mood of the nation:

Calvin Coolidge insisted his wife not repeat outfits, says Ms. Caroli. And while he had a reputation for being stingy, he spent lavishly on his wife's clothing. In 1923 Grace Coolidge signaled a return to glitz in the White House with her bright red flapper-style inaugural gown, the height of roaring 20s style.

Too much glamour during tough economic times can spark criticism. In the midst of recession in 1981, Nancy Reagan wore a range of outfits worth more than $45,000 for inauguration festivities, by most estimates. The former Hollywood hostess chose a one-shouldered cream gown with a sheer beaded overdress designed by James Galanos and borrowed diamond drop earrings and a matching necklace valued at more than $100,000 from jeweler Harry Winston.

Depressionaire Divas, though, don't need to shape their fashion sense to such strict standards. A bit of moderation, toned-down glamour, and practical style are always in fashion. Taking our clues from Michelle Obama will make our fashion decisions so appropriate that we won't have to worry about too much glitz!

Depression Fashion Is In!

So says the LA Times, with a recent article pointing to the new trend in fashion and design focused on Cheap Chic and on-line discount shopping. But we depressionaire divas are way ahead of the crowd, aren't we?

Here are some great tips offered in the article:

Gilt, Hautelook, Ideeli and TopSecret.com -- new online sample-sale sites are cropping up at lightning speed, promising "insider only" bargains on items such as Judith Ripka fine jewelry and Habitual jeans.

These sales are anonymous, meaning that shoppers don't have to feel guilty about spending. And they also offer good prices and value, says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for market research firm NPD Group.

The on-line shopping opportunities keep getting better:

Before cheap chic was, well, chic, Topshop brought inexpensive, up-to-the-minute trendy clothing and accessories to the masses. Topshop also recently launched a U.S. website, www.topshopus.com, that makes it much easier to order products on the Web. Quirky fashion darling Zooey Deschanel already has her favorite picks up on the U.S. site.

The new mantra for depressionaire divas for 2009?

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without," was the mantra of the post-Depression set, and a modern-day version is likely to be the 2009 rallying cry -- what "eco-friendly" was for 2008 -- even after the economy comes back to life. If there's a "dollar-saved" equivalent to the carbon-offset credit, expect that to be the next metric by which we'll all be judged. Conspicuous consumption in the form of wearing a status watch or carrying a luxe handbag will be as gauche as driving a Cadillac Escalade in a gas crisis.

Diva Hair Styles for New Year's Eve Parties

Depression got you gloomy for New Year's Eve? Cheer up! You can still go out and celebrate, depressionaire diva style, with all the glamour and sultriness of the 1930s goddesses with these retro hair accessories.

All these were found at Elegant Hair for less than $10 each.

Curl, crimp, gel -- see you at the party ... Ta ta!

Little Black Dresses for the Holidays

Oh, yes ladies ... it's that time of year again. What are we going to wear to our holiday parties? This year may be particularly challenging if we're being frugal (and isn't that the new rage?).

Whatever is black, sexy, alluring and sensual will more than make up for what is new. If it feels good to wear it, then you're going to look great while you do.

Here's some ideas on how we can come up with a new festive and feminine look -- right from our own closets.


Hello Little Black Dress

Hollywood style sequined lace evening dress, 1930. Fashioned from black Chantilly lace, the dress is embellished with clusters of sparkling black sequins. The neckline, shoulder straps, and peplum hem are bordered with bands of black sequins. While this dress fetched $1,150 at Vintage Textile, you can have it free from your closet.

Here's the look: Start with a black camisole (we all have at least one), pair it with your best fitting, form hugging long black skirt. The creativity comes with accessorizing with black high heels (or black boots), a bolero for the sholders, or long black gloves. Divine!

Sweet Black Sleek

It's very sexy to wear a tight knit sweater top. Take one of your smallish cardigan sweaters and glam it up with something shiny, furry, or colorfully contrasting to whatever color your sweater is. Match the top with a black knit skirt and voila! A sultry diva on the prowl.

Here's two looks to get your imagination going.

Dress To Kill

The dress to kill? It comes in many versions. Pick the one most likely to already be in your closet -- it's the black, shoulder less dress:

These two are available at one of our new favorite stores, White House Black Market. The chemise on the top is going for $168, while the more demure one at bottom is retailing for $148 .

Don't forget to accessorize!

Fab Scarves -- Home Made?

Who would have thought that your old wool sweaters, socks or gloves could turn into something so chic?

I found these on Fashion Plate (check it out for diva ideas). Here's what the designer had in mind:

When Jenne Giles began making wearable art, she sought a medium that could combine her love for painterly color, sculptural form, folk art, craft, and electrifying costume. All of this she found in felting.

An ancient craft, felting uses hot water and soap to bind wool fibers together to form a durable fabric. For Jenne Giles, each piece is then worked by hand using rolling, scrubbing, pulling, and cutting to create the final sculptural scarf.

The natural ability of wool to felt can produce unexpected results. Jenne Giles uses the spontaneity of the medium to discover new forms and color effects. Her sophisticated designs are as functional as they are fabulous. The evocative artistry of each piece is matched by impeccable craft.

My favorites:

Shopping Depressionaire Diva-Style

Not your mother's depression for you! When you shop in these economic times you do with the style of a 21st Century depressionaire diva.

From news in Manhattan:

You know the economy is ailing when a Manhattan fashion boutique starts offering free soup.

The temporary fashion boutique calling itself The 1929 is selling chic clothes and giving away soup and coffee. The store is located in one of the trendiest shopping districts in the city.

Manager and co-owner Aaron Genuth says the store in SoHo was inspired by the Great Depression. His partner Levi Okunov says they want people to go to the store, have a bowl of soup and try on some clothing.

Read more.