Pantone 109 U

In New York, Bill Cunningham is talking blue, but here in Rose City the topic is yellow. Pops of yellow in accessories are brightening up this season's sartorial decisions and sorry excuse for summer.

And now the hue has penetrated my medicine cabinet. Voila! Contact lens case by Pantone Universe the color: 109 U. An even brighter excuse to slip off the specs in the morning. Rise and shine.

The Here and Now

It is still Fashion Week in New York and I have been keeping up (best I can) on the latest catwalks and styles on the street. With a special thanks to Bill Cunningham, the Sartorialist, Garance Doré and the New York Times as they have been incredible resources.

Looking at the new lines and silhouettes for this fall (and the fur, my goodness the fur), I was compelled to compile a mood board of my own. Some images to inspire my wardrobe choices here in late winter/early spring... and if they carry over into fall even better.

(Top to Bottom: Sean Young in Blade Runner, Sean Young + Harrison Ford in Blade Runner, Jodie Foster Sunglasses, Vogue Spring 1970 James Galanos Dress, The Rolling Stones 1970 Gimme Shelter, Alice + Olivia Fall 2011, Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, and Sean Young)

Tuesday's "Style Wars"

This is one of those Tuesdays where time is divided up into 45-minute increments.Laundry; detergent, wash cycles, lint filters and quarters. The Beatles are now available on iTunes and there are exactly 9 grams of protein in the Luna Bar that I ate for breakfast. And I am sure that the double americano from the coffeehouse has none. I am playing voicemail tag with my mother and trying to figure out how I should approach the latest On the Street with Bill Cunningham titled Style Wars. I look at my closet. I realize that there are dust bunnies to sweep but the timer on the dryer is ticking.

Meanwhile these questions keep scrolling through my head like one of those old pianos. How does a modern man or woman dress? What are the objectives? Is it individuality, personal mission statements, self-expression? Is street fashion a reaction to the minimalism on the runway? Is the camel coat really offensive?

Then images of Diane Keaton in Annie Hall and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde keep flashing in my mind's eye like police siren lights. The goal: to mix the old with the new. Speaking of new, H&M opened five days ago in Pioneer Place. I haven’t been yet. I am holding out. Holding out because I suppose I am afraid to have the same basics as everyone else. Which worries me now more than it did when I purchased the same basic American Apparel tee and hoodie as half of Portland. Weird. Maybe then it is individualism that I am striving for. Or is there a sustainability factor?

While pondering the dilemma, which is my winter wardrobe, I am sporting my new, well “new to me” brown Rockport flats. A brand I was sure as a child only belonged to sensible baby boomers. I suppose when it comes to footwear a girl can make an exception every once and again. Thank you Goodwill for keeping things interesting. As for the Style Wars, at this point anything goes, and best of luck to you and your closet.