One of the originators of the jam band movement, Indecision’s innovative music is a unique blend of rock, jazz, blues and extended jams complete with rich and complex lyrics. Indecision has shared the stage with musicians such as Widespread Panic, Phish, Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews Band, Jorma Kaukonen, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Neville Brothers, [...]

Dear Miss A,
I have always been a fan of your blog and you for that matter, so I wanted to get your opinion which will be practical yet classy. When do you know when it’s time to walk away from friendships? I have this group of friends that I’ve known since intern days/ first year [...]

On any given week, I receive a dozen or so emails from guys throughout Washington asking style questions ranging from a good brand for blue jeans(J Brand, preferably the Dylan in Oil Slick) to whether it’s generally acceptable to wear socks with loafers(hell no!). Most get a simple and direct reply from me, never to see the light of day or be published on District Cut. But then there are the rare few that reveal a foreshadow of trends to come, and present me with the opportunity to have a post thought out months in advance. Tony Weiner clearly paid attention to the fall collections when they first debuted back in February when, in March, I received in my inbox: “What’s the appropriate season for a camel overcoat?” Speaking of the obvious; fall, duh! And it doesn’t take a genius to know that camel will be the color of the season; it showed up on every runway in every city, in every designer collection. Camel is the new black.
The fall collections saw the end of a decade of maximalism in exchange for a loud call being heard for palette cleansing essentials. Although the camel coat has played as a wardrobe staple in almost every era, it is even more significant now. During a time when the economy ain’t it’s best, most are looking for easy, fuss-free propositions that are not only right for the times, but right for the future even. Enter camel. Enter the overcoat. It’s an effortless color and only becomes all the more nuance and chic in the form of an already essential outerwear.

Speaking of a ’70s revival, this season there are updated models in dynamic volumes featuring well-designs and distinct cuts. Prada, for example, opened the show with a beautifully cut camel jacket paired with classic navy trousers. This appeared to be the theme throughout with shrunken camel knits and coats, even layering camel upon camel at one point. Then there was Gucci who, for all intensive purposes, kept to their usual aesthetic with the added intrusions of a camel fur coat and tailored suit—a testament to how inclusive the muted color can be. Louis Vuitton paired the star color with shades of brown while it was Burberry who created the must have camel coat. Luckily, all it takes is one of the many options available to suffice for years to come. That is what makes this trend so forceful and available—for the masses, if you will. It’s a great investment that even us men can find reason for buying a coat for hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. It ages well and is more of an essential than a trend; or perhaps just an essential that happens to be a trend right now. Either way, get a camel coat. You need it.

Our client had a blank wall and an overwhelming pile of mail and documents. What would you do to solve this issue? Here are our ‘before’ thoughts:
Before (click on the image to see a larger view)

Piles of mail (including time sensitive documents and junk mail) were floating around the home office, kitchen and staircase.
Bills were [...]

If you’re over 35, chances are you’re thinking about the AGING process, and once you hit 45( if you’re not careful) it’s staring back at you from the bathroom mirror. I know women who are 38 and look 52, and others who are 50 and look 39. What’s the difference?  Is it all good genes? [...]

When you hear the word “cape,” you might think of Batman & Robin or Superman.  But Fall 2010’s trend is not inspired by a superhero.  Think more along the lines of fur stoles, beaded shrugs, and sophisticated wool toppers that are anything but cartoonish. 

The cape is one of the hottest silhouettes this fall, in any number of fabrics, textures and colors.  Here are some runway looks for inspiration.  Real life versions later. 

The first look is by Chanel.  It’s a Snow White igloo fantasy in fur with giant pom-poms.  A little hard to wear around town, but very fun to look at.  The drapey wide sleeves are an element that translates to real life well.

Next is a sparkly creation from dearly departed Alexander McQueen.  It has a military feel with the dramatic top cropped layer (the “capelet”) on top of the cloak itself.  High drama from McQueen, as expected.

Finally, my favorite piece by Gareth Pugh – a leather cape.  I love the cyberpunk look of this whole outfit, and the cape makes a strong tough statement.  The gloves, the boots, the hair… it’s quite a dark creation.

Let’s turn to capes we can actually wear off the runway.  I’ve picked out a few that I like.  First up, Ralph Lauren’s classic plaid cape with fur trim.  As shown worn with jeans, this is a practical warm coat for fall/winter.  Pure American elegance. 

Next, I love how Alexander Wang uses a traditional jacket front and added a cape back to this velvet version.  The back has the cape swing, but you still have something to put your arms into.  Inventive idea.

Finally, a simple, conservative look that would probably be appropriate for work from Stella McCartney.  Pair it with some fitted trousers or an A-line skirt and become a creature unlike any other in the office.

I love the vintage turn fashion is taking in bringing back the cape silhouette.  It reminds me of ladylike movie stars from decades past.  Long gloves, pearls and framed handbags complete the look (unless you’re going for the cyberpunk look of Gareth Pugh).  Whether you’re going for classic, snowbunny or military/glam, the cape’s variations offer something for everyone.

Dear Miss A,
Do you have any advice for me? My boyfriend of three years told me that he can’t see us getting married. He doesn’t have those kind of feelings for me. We broke up for a while and tried to be just friends, but we’ve started sleeping together again. I feel so sad when [...]