Low-Rise Clothes: Time for an Uprising

Trousers at Bookster U.K.

So, you are possessed of a perfectly shaped body and decide to go shopping. There is nothing available but low-rise pants and skirts that rest on the hip. The fashion industry and its manufacturers are saving big bucks on your back. You decide that to go against what seem to be the demands of current fashion is pointless, so you buy whatever looks prettiest on the hanger. Once it goes onto your well-toned corpus, something sinister happens: your legs now look a mere foot long, and your tight “abs” sit above the low-rise top of your skirt or slacks, looking for all the world like a beer-gut. What’s happening here? The fashion industry is sabotaging your looks while saving themselves money on yardage. It’s now impossible to find a pair of pants, tights, or a skirt that comes up to the natural waist; anything that does is derisively and incorrectly labeled “high-waisted”.

If you must have your clothes made for you in order to avoid this sick, disfiguring fashion regime, there are ways to do it without breaking the bank. A well-constructed pair of corduroy, moleskin or tweed trousers will get you through the depression in style, last for many years, and what’s most appealing about them is that they will make you look taller than everyone else (unfortunate fashion-victims that they are). Even a well-shaped jacket can be sabotaged by slacks, skirts, or trousers that hang below it. Last night’s Academy Awards brought out a cavalcade of men whose crotches landed below the bottom edge of their jackets–poor misguided fellows, yet rich enough to get it right. Overly long slacks creating a puddle of fabric on top of men’s shoes do not lengthen their legs visually–they just look wretchedly tailored.

A tasteful and reliable source for elegant, durable tweed jackets and trousers is Bookster U.K. They will guide you through the ordering process, and see to it that your clothes have an actual waist, so that your investment isn’t a waste. The clothes are made by Bookster in England. There are plenty of British and American companies that copy the traditional English styles, but have them made inexpensively in China. Yet, these clothes are crafted the old-fashioned way, close to where the fabrics are milled in the United Kingdom. It may take a couple of months to have a great pair of trousers or elegant jackets made, but you just might be wearing them for a lifetime. Bookster U.K. is a small operation with a huge reputation for customer service and fine clothing. They specialize in equestrian and tweed clothes, which are perfect for town and country.
Don’t let hip-hop fashion and cheap clothing manufacturers dictate your style. It is time for an uprising against the tyranny of low-rise clothing.

~~Copyright M-J de Mesterton; February 23rd, 2009

M-J in Bookster Tweed Jacket, with Traditional Wool Skirt

Berkshire Stockings: Elegant Survival’s Favorites

Elegant Survival’s Favorite Everyday Stockings

Originally submitted at Essential Apparel

Product Features: Silky Sheer Stockings; Sandalfoot, 80% nylon, 20% Lycra * SOLD IN QUANTITIES OF 3 *

Berkshire Kicks Silky Sheer Stockings – Sandalfoot

I Get a Kick out of Berkshire Kicks!

By M-J from The Rockies on 8/19/2008

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Pros: Fit Well, Silky, Stay In Place, Comfortable

Best Uses: Everyday, Formal Occasions

Describe Yourself: High-end shopper, Practical, Conservative, Stylish

These are as close to classic nylons as possible, and are an improvement over those which were available in the 1960s and 1970s! Thanks, Essential Apparel, for Berkshire Kicks!

The Elegant Survival Stocking: Still Available as Berkshire Kicks

Elegant Pencil Skirt by Jaeger

Classic Skirt with an Actual Waist

The Elegant Survival Source for Gloves

Ladies’ Lambskin Gloves

I’ve advocated the wearing of gloves on Elegant Survival since its beginning in 2006 (see “The Merits of Wearing Gloves”, my old article). I’ve worn gloves for decades, whether or not they were in fashion. Now, there are even more reasons to wear them. Traditionally, it did not have to be cold outside, as it was on Inauguration Day outdoors in Washington, D.C.,  for ladies to wear gloves. Gloves will protect your hands from deadly germs and viruses, protect your jewelry from unwanted attention in-transit, and cushion your hands should you trip and fall on the pavement. For reasonable prices and a very extensive selection of glove styles, try Gloves-Online.com

Inexpensive, Tough, Useful Leather Gloves: One of Many Styles at www.gloves-online.com

~~M-J de Mesterton, Copyright 2009

Classic Ladies’ Pumps, Made in France

Classic Pumps by Robert Clergerie, at Christabelle’s Closet

In Christabelle’s Closet, Elegance, Elegant Cocktail Party, Elegant Lady, Elegant Shoes, Elegant Survival Favorite, Elegant Survival Living on a Shoestring, Elegant Survival Summer Cocktail, Elegant Survival: Stylish Living on a Shoestring, Elegant Survivor, Elegant Tweed Suit, Evening wear for middle aged women, Health, How to Dress Elegantly, classic shoes, classic woman’s clothes, clothing shoes for middle aged women, consignment shop on-line NYC, dress code, dressing for fall, dressing for winter, dressing with respect, elegant cocktail dress, elegant dressing, elegant dressing at Ascot, elegant evening dress, elegant living on a shoestring, fall fashion, inexpensive cocktail dress on March 19, 2009 at 7:45 am

The Most Elegant Pumps, by Robert Clergerie; Size 7.5 US

Robert Clergerie Patent Leather Pumps, Made in France: the Most Elegant of  Shoes for Evening, Cocktails or Teatime

It’s difficult to find classic, real shoes these days. When I speak of elegant dressing, I often mention closed-toe shoes, which used to be the norm. Sure, peep-toes and strappy high-heeled sandals are all the rage, but I don’t write about trends, except to disparage them and their lack of longevity. Exposing one’s toes and tottering about on stilts are never elegant. This pair of shoes represents my ideal for evening.

~~Copyright M-J de Mesterton, 2009

Elegant Men’s Shoes Made in England, at Pediwear

Classic, Elegant Shoes with the English Gentleman in Mind at Pediwear

Beautifully Made English Shoes at an Accessible Price

English Shoes for Men, Available On-Line at Pediwear

Alan Flusser Double-Breasted Suit

“Of all suits, the double-breasted is the most elegant,” says designer Alan Flusser, who chuckles at the “fashion” for DB. For well-dressed men, says Flusser, the suit’s ability to confer strength, stature and the suggestion of good breeding has made it a classic for 100 years…”

~~ Forbes, September 2008

The Alan Flusser suit has sold. Seller now offers a Lambourne tweed hacking jacket and a double-breasted Ralph Lauren blazer in navy blue wool.

AVAILABLE: Superb example of formal/professional suit by America’s top tailor is offered in brief auction for a song. This is the height of elegant dressing, in size 42 regular.

Forbes.com on the Double-Breasted Suit; Photo Shows a Near-Duplicate to this One.

A Popular Fashion Faux-Pas: Low-Rise Trousers and Pants

A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of a famous actress whose low-rise pants made her look strange.
For the purpose of demonstrating the effect of low-rise trousers on men, here is a famous actor, sporting the same tragic look.

 

The Midget Look–Very Popular!

 

November 10, 2008

 

Just to Illustrate My Point about How Important the Waist Is….Photo by Michael Bezjian

Clothes that do not have a waist are a waste. They make you look like a short-legged freak. As I’m fond of asking: what ever happened to gals who had “legs up to here”? They have become brainwashed fashion-victims. 

 

Elegant Dressing to Appear Taller

 

Recipe for Adding Height to a “Short” Lady

Besides wearing higher heels (there are some comfortable versions such as wedgies and chunky-heeled boots and shoes), there are a couple of other things you can do to affect a taller look:Avoid long skirts, favoring ones which end at the knee. Keep your color-scheme unified. If you are wearing a dark skirt, wear dark-tinted stockings. Do not let bare skin show between your skirt, pants and other components. It will break up the continuity of your ensemble. A long line of the same tones, head-to-toe, creates a taller image. Happy Dressing~~ M-J

Elegant Dressing in Pregnancy

Elegant Survival’s Pick of the Week from Christabelle’s Closet

November 2, 2008 at 2:23 pm (elegant dressing, elegant living on a shoestring, elegant survival, the original elegant living on a shoestring) · Edit
Tags: Maternity Clothes, Evening Wear Maternity, Maternity Gown, Maternity Clothing, Evening Gown Pregnancy, Elegant Maternity

This is a very elegant maternity gown for evening wear. It is black satin with intricate beadwork on the skirt. Click here for further details. Contact Christabelle for dimensions of dress, the price of which has recently been reduced to $60.00.

Elegant Lady’s Tweed Coat from the British Isles

Elegant Ladies' Tweed Overcoat Made in the British Isles

My Virtual Model Shopped at H&M

M-J's Virtual Model in H&M Clothing

My Virtual Model

Design a model that is your height, weight, and body-shape. Then find clothes on-line at sites where they feature “My Virtual Model,” and dress your “self.”

My Virtual Model in a Chalet Down Coat from Lands' End

Elegant Survival Exclusive: The Gentleman’s Ten Essentials

The Gentleman’s Ten Essentials, by Le Boulevardier: an Elegant Survival Original

Tweed for Elegant Fall Dressing

M-J with Bookster Jacket and Santa Fe Walking StickDalmatian Ebony Hand-Carved Walking Stick, by Santa Fe Sticks ;Jacket by Bookster UK/Tweed Jacket.com
Photo Copyright Santa Fe Sticks 2008

M-J in Bookster Tweed Jacket

Elegant Western Dressing

Tom Mix Publicity Photo

In the days when the American west was being settled, men and women wore tweeds from Scotland, British-inspired suits, long, luxurious skirts, long-sleeved blouses, shirts, and waistcoats made of durable, thick fabrics. Naked knees, elbows and plumbers’ cracks were rare sights. Combined with rugged yet elegant cowboy boots and hats, these tasteful clothes served two functions, affording both ladies and gentlemen dignified self-esteem out on the range, and protection from the elements.

~~Copyright M-J de Mesterton 2008

Bookster Tweed

O’Farrell Hats in Santa Fe

Western Emporium Clothing

Western Wearhouse: Inexpensive Cowboy Boots

Santa Fe Sticks