Lessons Learned



This is how we're accustomed to seeing Anna: Beautifully tailored suit always with gorgeous colour and texture. Nobody does
this look better. Even Wendi Murdoch feels compelled to walk 2 steps behind.

Our friend Jody from About Last Week touched on something here yesterday that is too often overlooked when dressing for a special evening out. Jody commented regarding the pic below of Anna at The Met Gala that she looked "a little hunched and as if she's ready to take criticism"....

The fabric is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for her but that garnishment through the shoulders
and neckline overwhelmed everything else. Scaled down to 1/3 of what they have here and it would
be a future masterpiece of the Costume Institute.

Now it's understandable how Anna Wintour made this uncharacteristic misstep (I know, I know the KK Vogue cover was almost unforgiveable but The Den is all about redemption). The Met Gala was for the Costume Institute and essentially Anna's party with the intention of highlighting the China: Through the Looking Glass exhibit so she was duty bound to stay on theme. I'll bet she okayed the gorgeous fabric in person and was later talked into the shoulder towers....sounded good over the phone...with all those lap dogs around her nodding eager approval. With all her other duties as host, it's a pardonable mistake. But ladies, remember always wear something you'll be comfortable in even if it's something old and unimaginative. The effect that dress makes or doesn't make lasts but a short while but a charming woman at her ease will quickly overcome even the most unfortunate choice of dress. But as I've said on numerous occasions, there is always a delightful frisson emanating from a woman who feels at her best and is ready to make the most of a night out.  I can spot them across the room and even with a devoted husband who is the love of her life in tow, I always get a charge out of respectfully complimenting her fab outfit and great energy and receiving her gracious reply.

Anna's a trooper; she knows it doesn't quite work but won't let it wreck her evening.

Anna, next year GSL will be at your service.

I want to confirm all the rumors that I am doing a comprehensive monograph on the LBD as a Den exclusive this Fall.  Vogue and Harper's are chomping at the bit to at least publish an excerpt but we'll wait and see on that....the prospect of working with G-Cod would make it a collaboration for the ages. But I must share something re the LBD that's just come to my attention which I think you'll find instructive. Did you see this in your inbox earlier this week?

MaiTai rockin' the LBD like a Level 5 Hurricane (remember that awful song?).
MaiTai even has these statement necklaces now that all her girls are raving about.
The Den loves a woman of enterprise and resource!
Simple, elegant, and she didn't have to pour herself in either. Room to maneuver, room for dessert,
and room on dance card for GSL.

I don't know if I've ever seen MaiTai in an LBD and I've seen her in literally hundreds of pics. Part of the reason she hits this little ensemble out of the park is because we aren't conditioned to seeing her in an LBD therefore it packs an elegant punch. That's why GSL always preaches not to have that LBD be such a security blanket. I'm tired of going to an event and trying to spot who isn't wearing an LBD...it's not as bad as it was 5-10 years ago but it's still overdone. Every woman needs a 'hole card' that's worn very seldom on celebratory occasions when she knows she's at the top of her game. Whether you've finally shed those 10 pesky lbs, got the most fab haircut of your life, or that killer tan and spa treatment has your complexion turning heads at Whole Foods; you need that one showstopper outfit to  knock everybody's socks off. If an LBD is your security blanket, then search high and low for some gorgeous colour/pattern/fabric combo and have it tailored to fit like a glove at your fighting weight.