The sexy secretary's day clutch

I'm often at odds with what's touted as the 'hot new look' for the season or the 'must-have' item that without, would render my wardrobe incomplete.

Case in point: this Fall's hot new look -- the Sexy Secretary. The word 'secretary' conjures two images in my mind: The first, a dowdy, pinch-nosed, slightly overweight matron, in a dark boxy suit, and sensible heels. The second: TESS -- Working Girl -- big-haired, gum-snapping, Staten Island brawd, in poly-blended two piece suit, Reeboks, and socks.

"How do I look?"
"You look great -- you might want to rethink the jewelry though..."

Women who mean business take heed--the playing field has changed. If you've got a head for business and a bod for sin, it's apparently the time to use it. Waist-cinching belts over slim-fitting slim-line dresses, tailored jackets over silky blouses with plunging necklines and silky ties at the neck (oh, behave!); dangerously high stilettos (the better to serve you coffee in); and well let's just add in a pair of long, black leather gloves, a whip, and a bee-hive hair-do while we're at it.

I own one clutch, and it's black peau-de-soie fabric, with suede accent, that I used at two black-tie events I recently attended. A clutch by design is small, and sleek, and can't hold more than a lipstick, eyeliner, credit card, stick of gum or an altoid, and coat check. A clutch says, I'm so put together, that I don't need a handbag the size of a small carry-on to get through the day. It says I can leave my apartment with just my lipgloss, ID, ATM card, and metrocard, and be ready to take on the world.

When I'm turning the pages of LUCKY, Vogue, or Bazaar and see new trends identified my first reaction is usually -- must buy entire new wardrobe, and donate old wardrobe to local Housing Works store. But this time, before I whip out my Visa, I do the following: I put down the magazine, count to ten, and take several few breaths. I step away.

I take a second look, and break it down piece-by-piece. What can I take away from this new trend report? The Sexy Secretary, although sexy, is a relatively conservative approach to business dressing that would actually work best on a curvy woman. Embrace your curves, don't hide them! And though I like to think that my large handbag when held close to my waist and hips, dwarfs the size of them, making me look smaller, maybe it is time to get rid of it since it leaves a dent in my shoulder (because it's filled with the entire contents of my apartment), and simplify my life by carrying a smaller bag.

Take what you can from the magazines this fall. Leave everything else on the pages where they're pretty to look at and fantasize about. We're just a few short months away from another season, and a new trend.

No room in my drawers

If you're like me, your dresser drawers are stuffed with summer clothes right now, making it hard to open or close them. T-shirts, tank tops, short-sleeves, long-sleeves, printed, plain, boat neck, scoop neck, v-neck, peasant, white (lots of), black, and every other color from the palette. Velvet, Splendid, Michael Stars, JCrew, Abercrombie, American Eagle, Doe....Sometimes the shirts on top are squished in so tight, that when I close the drawer they get shoved to the back, and disappear for a while. Which I don't mind, because when I do find them again, it's like finding an old friend. My summer clothes are in residence at the moment, and although Labor Day is just a few days away, I can't help but want more. And with the temperature still hanging in the 80s, and Indian Summer yet to hit, I know I still have a few more weeks to wallow in their simplicity and softness.

But no -- must focus on Fall -- or at least that's what the magazines are urging. Vogue -- 598 pages long, or something like that. More than 75% of it advertising. Black is the new black, supposedly. Look out for stacked heels, more defined shapes in women's clothing (buh-bye tent dress), fur, textured wool skirts, silky feminine blouses with ties at the neck like my mom used to wear to work back in the 80s. Boots -- lots of boots! Yummy tall, brown, black, leather, and suede ones, low heels, and high. Short ankle elfin boots (not recommended for the short of leg) paired with opaque tights or skinny jeans. Flats in every color with baubles or plain. And sweaters -- lovely sweaters! Grandpa cardigans, refined wool and plush cashmere twin sets in delicious colors, chunky wools with big oversized wooden buttons, wrap-arounds, belted and zipped. I'm a kid in a candy store.

Since about 5th grade, the September issue of Vogue was better than any catalog promising toys. From the moment it hit news stands in mid-August, throughout the Fall season, it was my bible. Dog-eared, worn, torn in places, stained with butter from the popcorn I ate as I reveled in its pages, it transported me to other worlds. Which was ironic since I wore a uniform to school for 13 years, and Filene's department store was the only outlet I knew for fashion (the Limited just didn't count). I carefully rip out pages and pair with other pages to make complete outfits that I would never buy. I was Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, and Galliano on the inside, and Guess, Reebok, and Swatch on the outside.

I'll be back frequently to share with you my thoughts on the clothes in my life, my overstuffed drawers, my plea for more closet space, and I'll let you know about the best websites to find the best pieces of clothing and accessories. Though I might not share everything with you -- don't want to give away all of my secrets.