I love the holiday of Chanukah. It’s not a major holiday- I still have to go to work- but it’s always fun and special. This year, there was an added poignancy to it. As always, I used my clothes and accessories to give me a morale boost and it worked.
Every year, my in-laws host a Chanukah dinner for their children and grandchildren. This is part of what makes the holiday fun and special for me. The dinner is always a casual event so I didn’t want to dress up too much but I still wanted some festivity for the holiday.
Here’s how I did it…
Skirt- dark denim, very fitted, mermaid style. This is part of the base outfit and it shows curves on my straight figure. Denim is inherently casual so I didn’t feel overdone.
Shell- basic black, snug. This blends with the skirt to give me one long line.
Cardigan- long, open, olive/army green. Olive green is perfect for Chanukah- the tradition is to use olive oil. It’s also a soft color that’s in my irises and isn’t too dramatic or aggressive so it’s perfect for family gatherings.
Headwrap- Olive green base scarf in basic turban plus olive sari in sash Israeli turban. The sari is made of strips of silk and that made it inherently festive.
Necklace- peach/pink For Our Kedoshim necklace. Pink and peach are opposite green on the color wheel so they give a nice contrast.
For Rosh Chodesh Tevet, I wanted an outfit that showed off my feminine power. The story behind Chanukah involves women asserting themselves and making things happen so I wanted to bask in that.
Here’s how I did it…
Skirt- light gray, straight. Most grays don’t flatter me so I don’t wear them near my face but in a skirt, gray works as a great neutral. The straight shape works for my figure.
Shell- blush pink tee. This is a light color so it blends with the light gray skirt for one long line. It’s a secondary neutral and it flatters my coloring more.
Overtop- Peach button-down. I wore it open for a more edgy-glam look. The shirt is structured so it has that edge. Peach flatters my coloring.
Headwrap- Peach pashmina in basic turban plus blush sari in sash Israeli turban. It was cold so a pashmina worked a little better. Again, the sari made it festive for Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah.
Necklace- Blue/green For Our Kedoshim necklace. The blue and green contrast nicely with the pink and peach.
Dear readers, what kind of outfits do you enjoy for holidays?
May Hashem allow all of our hostages to be rescued safely.
Unfortunately, we are still in a very stressful and worrisome time. I myself have my work and my family which I love but I’m also very scared for my family in Israel. I’m still hoping and praying that our hostages are rescued safely and that our soldiers return safely. But I’m also trying to live and thrive. And my clothes help me from the outside inward.
Here are two more outfits that have given me a serious morale boost. Both are based on prints. Women must not be afraid of prints- they can be flattering and fun when done just right for the individual woman. I like autumn-y prints because they flatter my coloring. But there are lots of great prints in great colors and they deserve a look.
First is my favorite animal print- leopard.
Skirt- basic black, straight. This gives me a base. Because it’s straight, it balances the slightly looser fit of the blouse.
Shell- black, snug. This gives me one long line by blending with the skirt.
Overblouse- leopard print wrap top. This is a focal point that I love. Animal prints are powerful and that gives me strength.
Wrap- Solid teal in Israeli turban. When done in the natural colors of the animal, animal prints are like neutrals. They go with every other solid color. Teal is a dramatic color on me and it adds an extra dose of strength.
Earrings- soft white drops. These offer contrast with the teal and the leopard and they offer an extra dose of support.
Second is my favorite print dress.
Dress- off-white base with bohemian print in soft autumn colors. This is probably my favorite dress. The colors flatter me and the print reflects my relaxed and creative side.
Wrap- Country blue Israeli scarf with gold pinstripes plus Teal “golden” Israeli scarf in double Yerushalmi twist. This style was the first wrap style that really got me excited about headscarves and in fact, I learned how to do it in Yerushalayim. The two blues don’t match but they look rich and sophisticated together.
Earrings- larger soft white drops. These offer contrast next to the print and to the blue scarves and they offer that extra dose of support.
When I celebrated the Jewish holidays in September and October, I thought that I would be able to come back to work refreshed and relaxed. But during the last days of the Jewish holidays, we found out about the attack on Israel. Right now, we’re hoping and praying for our family there including our relatives who are serving in the IDF and we’re hoping and praying that the hostages be returned safely.
Yes, we’re under stress. But we cannot stop living and thriving wherever we can. If we do stop living, our enemies win. We cannot afford that. In order to keep living and thriving, we need to give ourselves morale boosts whenever possible. One of those is to continue to practice good grooming and wear real clothes.
Here are a couple of outfits that have made me feel a little better.
I disliked the color yellow for many years (the reason would require a whole blog post by itself) but I’ve started working it back into my wardrobe. Yellow is actually a great bright color. Here’s how I used it.
Skirt- beige, A-line. This gives me a base and the A-line shape makes my shape appear more feminine.
Shell- off-white- this blends with the beige skirt to give me one long line and it gives me a higher neckline for tzniut purposes.
Overtop- Warm yellow, V-neck, ¾ sleeves. The V-neck keeps my neck area open which is much more flattering on me and the warm color flatters my coloring.
Wrap- dark yellow base scarf plus dark yellow textured oblong. The textured oblong was my first foray into yellow and the other colors made it easier to adjust. I wrapped it in an Israeli turban which I love to start and which reminds me of my family.
Earrings- blue and green “For Our Kedoshim” earrings. These colors pop next to the yellow. I made them as a reminder to stay strong and come together.
This next outfit helps even more both because it shows solidarity with Israel and because blue is my second-favorite color.
Skirt- white with navy print. This is the anchor.
Shell- bright teal. This is one of my best blues because it flatters my coloring.
Overtop- Soft white, V-neck, ¾ sleeves. Soft white flatters me more than bright white and the V-neck keeps my neck area open.
Wrap- light blue base scarf plus bright teal textured oblong. Another Israeli turban to remind me of my family.
Earrings- Purple cluster earrings. The beads have a lot of texture to their color and purple is a color of dignity and strength. I love the way it pops against the white and blue.
With this second outfit, I’m wearing a very basic face of makeup. I defined my eyes and brows, evened out my skin, and added subtle color to cheeks and lips. This too helped a lot.
For many years when I was growing up, glasses were simple. If you needed them, you chose frames that you liked and that was that. But when I was an adult, glasses became fashion. Designers began making frames in different colors and shapes with different details and glasses became fun to wear. Plus, the lenses in glasses have improved. They’re lighter and better for your eyes and they allow for a better view of the eyes. Today, we have more options than ever for vision correction and we need to enjoy that.
I loved these classic frames for many years but I needed new glasses and new frames.These frames were on trend and fun and flattering and I loved these for a long time.
For some people, permanent vision correction is an option but for others, it’s not. For many people, contact lenses are an option but for others, they’re not. This means that most of us will need glasses at least sometimes. If you do need glasses, try to enjoy the options. There are frames for every face shape and colors for every coloring. There are frames to play up your face shape or to balance it out. There are colors to play up your hair or your eyes or both. Some frames are trendy while others are classic but this is one area in which trendy is good. Since most insurance plans do cover at least part of the cost of new glasses every year or every two years, then if you get trendy frames and they go out of style, you’ll be getting new frames anyway.
There are fashion gurus who say that we need a wardrobe of glasses- one pair for work, one for casual, and one for special events. If you can afford it, go for it, especially if contact lenses are not for you. But most of us can’t afford more than one pair of glasses at a time so it pays to find one versatile frame that works for everything. But no matter what your style is and what you can afford, it’s not good to stick with the same frames every time. If your eyes need a new prescription or if it’s been two years and your insurance will cover new glasses, get frames that are new and different from your previous ones. If your style is classic, go for just a small change from your old frames. Otherwise, go for something more noticeably different. You CAN do that so take advantage and have fun.
Here are some suggestions for frames:
Consider color. Some people like to choose colors based on their hair color. Different frame colors do look different next to different hair colors. Some like to choose frames to play up their eye color. The best way to do that is to go with a color that contrasts with the eye color. Brown eyes look great with dark blue or dark green. Blue eyes look great with bronzy brown. Green eyes look great with burgundy. Hazel eyes look great with dark green. Some like to choose frame colors based on the colors they wear the most. And some of us, myself included, prefer neutrals that go with everything. Tortoiseshell is a great neutral for frames. I love tortoiseshell with some red in it because it’s warm and flatters my coloring. Others prefer tortoiseshell with some yellow/gold in it. Black and white are both classic neutrals and they’re great for frames too.
Then consider size. According to my optician, the trend right now (as I write this) is slightly larger. Just keep in mind that your frames shouldn’t be too big for your face. If you can see your eyebrows in the lens area, the frames are too big. At the same time, if you have a larger face and larger features, then it’s good if the frame is a little larger and proportional to that.
Consider shape. If you like your face shape and you want to play it up, go for a shape that echoes that. Rounder frames will play up a rounder face shape while more angular frames will play up a more angular face. If you want to balance your face shape, go for a shape that counteracts it. Rounder frames will balance a more angular face while more angular frames will balance a rounder face.
Consider details. Some glasses have designs that can make them look unique and sophisticated and others have designs that can look unsophisticated. Some frames have a little “bling” on them that dresses them up for special events. Others are simpler and plainer. Different details work for different people.
All of the above are guidelines only (not rules) that can help you narrow down your choices. You need to try on many different frames and see what you like. The frame you love and that really works for you may be the opposite of what I’ve suggested here and that’s the frame that you need to choose. This is why I don’t like buying frames online- you can’t try before you buy. If buying online is your best option, try to buy from a retailer that allows returns and won’t make things more difficult for you.
There is one detail that I believe applies to everyone. Avoid frames that droop downward on the outsides. If the frames droop downward, they’ll drag your face down with them and this will make you appear tired. Great glasses will celebrate your energy. Look for frames that go straight across your face or that lift slightly at the sides.
Here I am (left) with my older glasses. I loved these glasses for a long time because the frames were fun and flattering. But I need progressive lenses now and I decided to get new frames too. My new glasses (right) are flattering but also on trend and I love the colors. And the progressive lenses allow for a good view of my eyes.
Dear readers, don’t be afraid to have fun with even these details.
Whenever any of my children was graduating from elementary school or high school, I would always get a little dressed up and I had a go-to outfit similar to what I would wear for the Graduation Shabbat at our Shul (synagogue). But this year, when my younger son was graduating 8th grade (shameless Ima brag- he was valedictorian), the graduation was taking place in the late morning and I had to leave work for a little while to attend the graduation. That meant that my outfit had to be dressy enough for the graduation but also work-appropriate.
Here’s how I pulled it off:
Skirt: Basic black and straight. My go-to outfit normally includes an A-line skirt with a handkerchief hem but this straight skirt was simpler and better for work.
Top: Navy, boatneck, ¾ sleeves. The dark top blended with the dark skirt to give me one long line and the neutrals gave me a great base for colorful accessories.
Wrap: Blue and teal Israeli scarves in a double Yerushalmi twist wrap. A two-scarf wrap always makes me feel just a little dressier than usual but these scarves are simple and I didn’t look overdone. The colors added a nice pop.
Necklace: Olive green Anita necklace. This was my second pop of color. I love the combination of navy (or any blue) with olive (or any green) and this necklace added a nice dressy touch.
I was able to celebrate with my son while still looking professional at work. Yes, sometimes you can have it both ways.
I still remember a time when women wouldn’t wear the same outfit twice because “everyone’s seen me in that.” Some women used this as a perfect excuse to shop for new clothes and enjoy that but others found this stressful. And even those of us who enjoyed clothing and shopping knew that this was not cost-efficient. Thank goodness this rule is long dead. Now, it’s even a good idea to have a go-to outfit for certain situations that you can wear many times and change up with accessories.
Our shul (synagogue) has a Graduates’ Kiddush (refreshments after services) every year in June to honor people who are graduating from any school program from pre-school to post-college. When each of my children graduated from school, we made sure to have them honored on the Graduation Shabbat. And I wore my go-to outfit each time.
This year, my younger son graduated from 8th grade (as valedictorian) and so I used my go-to outfit at the graduation Shabbat.
Top- basic black shell top with ¾ sleeves. This top is fitted and gives me good figure definition.
Skirt- black A-line skirt with handkerchief hem. Since the top is fitted, I can wear a flowy skirt without losing my figure. The handkerchief hem gives it an extra dressy look.
Shoes- nude. In shul itself, I wore sandals with heels. Later, I changed into nude flats. Both shoes go with everything and maintain my leg length.
Wrap- green scarf with print. This adds a great pop of color right near my face. I wrapped it in a rose turban style which reminds me of the fascinators worn in the UK for dressy daytime events.
Necklace- bright light green. Another pop of color near my face. It’s not the same green as the scarf but that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with matching if you prefer but when colors don’t match exactly, it makes the outfit more energetic.
I wore variations of this outfit for previous Graduation Shabbatot and I hope to wear it many more times.
This past Sunday, I had to run errands and do a few chores and then go to an engagement party and then to a wedding. And I needed outfits. This was NOT the “day-into-evening” issue where I had to dress up one outfit in record time. I had the time to change. But even in these instances, I like to keep a consistent color throughout. It’s not necessary but it works well for me.
The daytime look was easy.
Skirt- multi-colored, tiered. This skirt always makes me feel very artsy and creative and whenever I wear it (or the similar ones that I have), I always feel like “I can do whatever the heck I want.”
Top- bright coral, ballet neck, ¾ sleeves. There’s coral in the skirt so it coordinated. The top is more fitted to balance the volume of the skirt.
Wrap- Israeli scarf in rust in a Yerushalmi twist. The rust color is really a darker coral to coordinate with my top. The scarf has a golden sheen to it that I love. The style is a signature look for me.
Earrings- unakite and chain drop earrings. Unakite is a stone that is mostly olive green with touches of coral. It contrasts with the top while pulling up the green in the skirt to bring everything together.
The evening look was a little trickier. An engagement party is a little less formal than a wedding so this is where the “day-into-evening” issue came up. I had no time to really change between the two events and so I needed a base outfit that would work for both with just a few tweaks. Here’s what I did.
Skirt- black with graphic print in white. This skirt is long and straight which flatters me and it’s refined so it’s dressy for events. The print adds a little interest. A woman I know complimented me and said that the print looked “art-deco.”
Top- basic black, ballet neck, ¾ sleeves. This coordinated with the skirt to give me one long line.
Wrap- Solid peach scarf in basic turban as a base plus “Autumn Leaves” sari scarf in sash marrakesh turban. This was where I added my first pop of color. Peaches and corals are great “romantic” colors so they work for both events. The marrakesh turban style comes off like an asymmetrical updo.
Jewelry- Purple crystal drop earrings plus purple hodgepodge Noemi bracelet. These popped next to the black base and the peach/orange wrap and added a nice dramatic touch.
Between the engagement party, I made only two changes. One was with shoes (not shown). I wore nude flats with “shoe liners” for the engagement party. It was a very warm day so I could avoid hose and the flats were comfortable and easy. The wedding was in the evening when it would be cooler so I wore hose with black heels. The heels were comfortable enough that I could still dance in them. The other change was with my makeup. I wore basic makeup for the engagement party- define my eyes and brows, even out my skin, conceal as needed, and add subtle color to cheeks and lips. For the wedding, I added some extra shadow and highlighter to really play up my eyes. Keeping things soft all the way through meant that I still looked like myself.
I had a wonderful time at both events and I felt great about myself and about how I looked.
Dear readers, do you like to keep something consistent?
I’ve been going to the Celebrate Israel parade for so many years that I can barely remember a time when I didn’t go. Either I was marching with a school or I was a spectator. When my children were old enough to travel, they came with me. And when my daughter began marching with her schools, it was wonderful to see her there. Plus, I often saw people I knew who were happy to see me. One of my happiest memories of high school was working on our display for the parade. When I was in 12th grade, I co-chaired the committee.
Does anyone need to get dressed up for the parade? Absolutely not. Whether you’re marching in the parade or going as a spectator, you need to be able to walk and be comfortable. But should anyone go sloppy? No. The parade may be casual but it’s a cultural and social event where you will see and be seen and so it pays to put just a little effort into your appearance.
Sturdy walking shoes are an absolute must. I recommend black sneakers because they show less wear and tear. There are flat shoes with thick sneaker bottoms that are very comfortable and those are OK but I still recommend sneakers because it’s harder to accidentally step out of them. Good strong socks are also an absolute must. High socks are not flattering and not necessary but ankle socks are fine. Hose are OK if it’s cold enough to call for them but they’re not necessary.
A denim skirt is perfect- it’s casual and it usually has enough structure to make every bottom half look good. Khaki and cotton are also fine. A shape that gives movement, like an A-line, is the best but straighter shapes can work too as long as there’s room to move. Be careful with the length. Anything longer than ankle-length raises the risk of tripping and it’s not flattering anyway.
There needs to be at least one top in a fun and flattering color. This gives an energy boost for all that walking. Layered tops are fine if it’s cool enough for that. Tops should be comfortably fitted- not too big because that looks like you have something to hide but not too small either because it won’t be comfortable. It looks best if at least one top is the same value (lightness or darkness) as the skirt so that you get one long line.
If you’re marching in the parade, chances are that you’ll need to wear a group t-shirt. Go for one that’s only slightly bigger than your normal size. Again, you need to be comfortable without looking like you have something to hide.
For accessories, stick with earrings. Necklaces or oblong scarves will just get in the way. But there’s nothing wrong with fun and dramatic earrings for those who prefer that (like me).
A regular pocketbook that might be good for work is OK here but a duffel bag or knapsack is even better. Those bags are more casual and easier to carry and they have enough space for keys, money, ID, phone, sunscreen, snacks, and water.
The best hairstyles for this are simple and casual ones that keep the hair out of the face like ponytails and casual updos. There’s absolutely no need to straighten curly hair or to curl straight hair. For hair cover, it’s best to stick with simple cotton hats or berets or lightweight mitpachot (headscarves). I particularly like mitpachot for this because they look very casual and very Israeli and so they’re in the spirit of the day. Just keep the style very simple. This is one of the very few times when I do NOT recommend a shaitel (wig). It’s not necessary and it might get uncomfortable, especially if you’re perspiring. But for those who feel like wearing one, keep the style simple and out of the face.
Makeup is NOT necessary here but for those who feel like it, it’s best to stick with a minimum. Define the eyes, even out skin as necessary, and add subtle color to cheeks and lips. A full face of makeup is not a good idea- it will likely be uncomfortable. What is necessary is good skin care. It’s good to wash the face in the morning and apply lip balm and light moisturizer. Sunscreen is an absolute must and it’s good to take some along for reapplication as necessary.
I invite everyone to come out this Sunday, June 4th, and show support for our best ally.
I’m a Torah Observant Jew and a die-hard Zionist but I’m also a dyed-in-the-wool American. In the spring, there are Israeli national holidays as well as one American national holiday. And I like to dress appropriately for these holidays without sacrificing sophistication. It’s not difficult at all. Here’s how I did it.
Yom HaZikaron is the Israeli Memorial Day. We honor those who died for the state.
Skirt- basic black, straight. A good base.
Shell- basic black, sleeveless. This gives me one long line.
Shirt- Army green button-down. Not only is the color appropriate for the day since we honor soldiers, but it’s appropriate for me. It’s flattering to my coloring and it’s soft and not too dramatic.
Wrap- base scarf in olive plus sash scarf in mix of greens. I did the sash in an Israeli turban style. Again, the greens flatter me and are appropriate.
Necklace- peach/pink For Our Kedoshim necklace. I designed this necklace as a tribute to martyrs. The pinks contrast nicely with green.
The day after Yom HaZikaron is Yom HaAtzmaut where we celebrate Israeli Independence. It’s common to wear blue and white for this.
Skirt- white with navy print, straight. A good base.
Shell- teal, sleeveless. Teal is one of my best blues.
Overtop- white with V-neck. This blends with the skirt to get one long line.
Wrap- Country blue Israeli scarf plus white lace scarf in Yerushalmi twist. This continues the color scheme.
Jewelry- purple drop earrings and purple chain bracelet. Purple pops here next to the blue and white and adds an extra bit of drama and fun.
Just yesterday, we had the American Memorial Day where we honor the soldiers who gave their lives for the USA.
Skirt- denim, lighter wash. Denim is all-American. This skirt is in a mermaid shape which flatters my straight figure.
Top- light olive green. Normally, I would’ve gone darker but I wanted to lighten things up a bit. Light olive green flatters me as much as the darker version does and it’s no less appropriate.
Wrap- Green/gold/pink watercolor print scarf in chignon wrap with tails. The green allows the scarf to coordinate with the top.
Earrings- peach-pink For Our Kedoshim. Just like the necklace, I designed these earrings as a tribute to martyrs and the pinks contrast nicely with green.
Dear readers, how do you use your clothing to show patriotism?
Sometimes, I succeed in putting together outfits that I just love and I want to share. This Sunday was one of those times.
In the morning, I needed a “Confident Power Mom” look to take my son to a high school interview. I had worn a similar look before and I decided to just work with it.
Skirt- basic black, cotton, straight. This gave me a base.
Shell- basic black, sleeveless, snug fit. This was part of my base.
Shirt- dark brown button-down. I needed a color from my irises and dark brown works for that. Wearing the shirt open gave me an edgy glam look that I love. I could get away with that because of the slim black base underneath.
Wrap- brown/green/coral watercolor scarf in turban wrap plus brown/green/coral confetti scarf in sash wrap. Brown and green are both iris colors for me and these scarves added some nice interest.
Necklace- green and orange Rita necklace. This added a nice touch of contrast to the base outfit.
That was the morning. In the evening, we had an engagement party for my friend’s daughter. I had plenty of time to change but I didn’t have to do much.
Skirt- basic black, moleskin, straight. This kept my black base going.
Shell- same as daytime.
Shirt- teal button-down. I needed a more dramatic and dressy look for the party so I needed a more dramatic color and teal always works. Tying it at the waist gave me some needed definition there.
Wrap- teal scarf with gold floral print in a turban wrap. This scarf comes off very dressy and a simpler wrap worked for this party.
Jewelry- purple textured earrings plus purple mix bracelet. Purple is another dramatic and dressy color on me and it looks great next to blue.
Dear readers, do you have outfits that leave you feeling inspired?
True Tzniut Is True Beauty 