Many people here and world wide discussed the late Princess of Wales (Diana's ) clothes and of course Cherie Blair's fashion and spend on this was covered so much in our media.Wheras our present Prime Minister Gordon Brown's wife Sarah is better known for her work for children who die in early childhood.Sarah was in my area yesterday campaigning wearing much the same as myself..nothing special but she is a different type of person from Cherie Blair.
Jackie Kennedy was so photogenic and wore such wonderful clothes..I even wore a pillbox hat to a cousin's wedding.
mainstream women will always remark on those they see photographed.
Mountain ash

Cookie, for goodness sake! The election is so close that all you see are these people! What is wrong with discussing them anyway?
I did not know the election was off limits and in fact, I'm told it is not. If you have something to add, which you did on the price of Obama's suits, thank you! I'll not stifle myself because of one or two posts that people choose to get personal on!

Mountain Ash,

Yes, Diana was amazing in her taste! I never saw her look bad! She had the very best to help her but her taste is what prevailed regarding her wardrobe! She studied dance well into adulthood, did you know that? I liked her very much. How did you feel about her image?

I have not seen the current prime minister's wife so I cannot comment on her wardrobe.

Jackie Kennedy was also a women of impeccable taste! She was, early on, scolded for wearing French designers so she had the French styles "knocked off," by American designers so she could wear them! Very smart, Jackie O. I am told that she photographed not near as beautiful as she was in real life. As far as I know, her sister is still alive. Both women had great taste. I feel Jackie, much like Diana, the princess, had bold ideas for their image and bravely dressed as they saw fit. I admire that.

You sound, Mountain Ash, like you are also that type of woman. You sound like you know your style and wear it no matter what trend my appear! You descibe peices that seem in great taste!

My best,
Dancer

Must say that the Irish designers who have such wonderful woollens and linens to work with catch my eye.the weaves are to dye for..GOT IT?
The colleges there are turning out creative dedigners.There is a shop in a town I visit where they stock a collection.Alas beyond my price but lovely to look at.
Maeve Binchey an author (IRISH) wears same dress style remade over again but its the cut..and Maeve is large and regal.so does Judy Dench and her flowing scarves make her stand out..
Mountain ash

Dancer, where do you go for your fashion information?

Got, it Mountain Ash! and it's true on both levels. There's an Irish import store in Annapolis, MD, not far from here. Their fabrics are absolutely gorgeous -- every single one of them. The wools are incredible lush colors, the weaves are inventive, the cuts are beautiful. Of course, it's all way too expensive for me -- even on sale, but I always stop in and look. Maybe some day...How come no one else can be so creative with wool?
Every winter there's a craft show in town - the American Craft Council show. I'm noticing that each year they have more and more designers making clothes and weaving fabrics, and hand painting, knitting, etc. It's all very elegant, high-end, beautifully designed stuff. It's made it impossible for me to shop, pretty much, because every store I go to I compare with this handmade stuff. I won't even set foot in so many stores any more.

Anyway, We always go, and usually I try to get something like a pewter serving spoon, some earrings, a vase. My husband gets hand painted silk ties every year from a designer who lives in Washington state.

But my point was going to be this: that for me, it's all about the texture of the fabric.

Th landscape my dear.
The Celt has soul...earned and honed by starvation and blight.Persecution for religeous belief..used by rich landowners.
and where else to go then is there but
CREATIVITY
the music.. the weavers and that started as a cottage industry
In Scotland also the Shetland/Orkney weavers have a similar ethos.People here left for the New World when their roof were burned to evict them.Our history is bloody.

The Irish use words lyricly even when speaking .
when all else is taken what is held within surfaces.
These Irish designers are special. Their lecturers must hold the key too.

Mountain ash

dancer, you mention wearing color. In the warmer months, I'll wear hot pink and turquiose. They're two colors I just love. Warmer months I wear black, brown, olive green, with white shirts thrown in here and there.

Like DJ, I have many different jackets and coats because throughout the year, we have temps from zip to 100. Right now I'm wearing a fleece that's a shade of purple, with black trim because I'm going to work-out.

You mentioned boots. I was all over NYC last weekend looking for boots and came up empty handed. I can't seem to find something like a riding boot with a little bit of a heel, that's comfortable. I must have funky feet because I tried on about 20 different boots. Shoes have to be comfortable because I love to walk and don't want to change into walking shoes whenever I want to walk. Maybe I'm being too picky?

DJ. there's an excellent seamstress right after you pass the Towson Circle. It's in the little shopping center on the left that has the Post Man Plus and the nail shop. I can't think of the name of it. Go figure. She has pattern books on the tables in the front of her store so I'm sure you creates whatever you like. She is forever hemming stuff for my daughter. She's done school uniforms, jeans, pants, prom dresses, etc. She's a delightful woman.

Mountain Ash -- that's so beautiful what you say about the Celt having soul. Where are you in Britain? I have ancestors from Wales and Scotland (Scots-Irish). Maybe England, but we're not sure.

Hey Dotsie -- if the clock is correct on this thing, looks like we're up at the same time. We should take up our mile (and a half?) early morning walk again. Since I canceled the Sun paper a month or so ago, my routine is messed up -- that newspaper got so bad I couldn't stand it any more, but now, what to do...
Anyway, thanks for the tip about the seamstress. The last one I used was an Italian couple in Catonsville that I read about in Balt Mag as the "Best" but she actually ruined a couple of things. I had some jackets made of some really nice, heavy linen but they were too boxy and I wanted them more fitted. She made the sleeves too short. If I had the time and a room where the sewing machine was always set up, I might have done it myself and done a better job.

I used to have a problem with my shoes and my left second toe -- it always hurt and I always bought shoes that were super comfortable. I tried everything to help that toe (including surgery which didn't help at all and probably was detrimental). Finally I went to a physical therapist who said that my left toe hurt because of my right hip that was out of line. hmmm. So a friend of mine recommended a specialist in the Alexander technique who works with the dance troupe at Towson U. She made me kind of re-learn how to walk according to that technique. Amazing. I was self-conscious about walking for a while because it seemed so forced and artificial, like I was marching with my knees too high or something (though no one actually noticed) but no more toe pain. Dotsie, you might look into that, especially because of your knees.

PS -- I always thought I had a long second toe. And it is longer than the big toe. But actually it's not that the toe is longer, but that the bone to the big toe is shorter. It's called "Murphy's short toe" and about 25% of the population has it. Anyone with toes like that is bound to have some kind of foot problems because at some point the foot bones spread apart. Our bodies are so frigging complicated. Who knew!?

Well DJ
since you like the CELTS...Why not love your Murphy's toe.

Ha! -- is that where I got it from?
Ok -- I LOVE my Murphy's toe. Always have. My mother told me it's a sign of intelligence!

Hi DJ,
I got my fashion experience by being a runway model/dancer for a LOT of shows. After the shows, you can tune into industry websites and get industry magazines to tell you what's what for each season, which designer is being replaced, who knows who and who is "hot." I love cloting, my mother dressed me in designer wear as a child so naturally I grew up loving fashion. I still do. I think what we wear is an extention of ourselves!

Ah, Irish lace, Mountain Ash! I had my wedding gown done with a LOT of Irish lace, it was beautiful. Perhaps I'll post a photo of it! You are right about the Irish, both of you, it's the soul they put into their work. You could say that about most of Europe but it's my belief that Irish lace is the best. Irish wool is great too and Ralph Laren uses a lot of it in his sweaters and dresses.

Dotsie, for fashion and comfort, you cannot beat Clergerie boots.

http://couture.zappos.com/n/es/d/722110927/order_by/price_asc/show_all/1/size/9/page/1/bar/1.html

Even if you get a pair on sale, (they can get a bit expensive,) they are the best I am trying to give you the best. If you desire a lower price range, just specify and I'll give you some lower lines that specialize in comfort as well.
Robert Clergerie shoes and boots are made for comfort and for the woman who invests in her clothing. They are French. French shoes can run slim but Clergerie do not. That is Cler - jer - e, for pronunciation.

D.J., since dancers are obsessed with their toes, and need a certain kind of toe to go un pointe, they have their lore too. A longer second toe is supposed to signify intelligence. I bet your mother knew that! She was right in your case, non?

Mountain Ash, I could talk fabric and clothing with you all day! You put things so beautifully! I wish we lived on the same land!

I can tell you all where to get about anything and if I can't I can ask a friend. I do a lot of locating things for my friends and even buy their wardrobes for a few. (Their money, of course.)

Dotsie, your purple is a good touch for working out, congratulations! I can tell you have good taste though, it has shown through.

On to my next post. I got some news this morning about clothing and fashion so I'll put it right here!

Warning: Mention of Palin in next post, purely innocent. lol.

Dancer