The ladies' paradise

Pile them on

I should be embarrassed to admit this, but I'm not, or at least not very much. My secret: I adore ivory. This began a long time ago, when I worked at a jewelry store selling both old and new ivory. At some point, all the new stuff got taken off the shelves and was eventually illegal. These days, when you go to that store, there's no ivory of any kind to be had. The owner's wife, though, had a real thing about it -- in the safe were walrus tusk bracelets, a warm yellow and very heavy. She had a few with silver hinges set with stones. She'd wear one with a big lapis stone set in the clasp, plus a narrow but weighty silver cuff and a clashing-but-perfect ring, high carat gold with imperial jade.

Ever since I've been on the lookout for ivory and eventually collected a half-dozen bracelets or so. I don't wear them much and had frankly all but forgotten about them when I noticed so-called pre-ban ivory bracelets "engraved" with short, witty expressions. (Apparently these types of designs marking ivory are what's known as scrimshaw.) The bracelets are prohibitively expensive (for me, anyway) at a price topping $1000. But these in resin, also by Jessica Kagan Cushman, are much more accessible at $125. At that price, wouldn't two (or even three) look great stacked on a bare arm against a pale linen sundress, or a black tank, or ... well, almost anything?

Jessica Kagan Cushman Resin Bangle ($125)

Organizing your wardrobe

Isn't this a great idea -- a journal for keeping track of recent purchases, planning outfits and new purchases, and storing inspirational pictures.

Fashion Journal

Summer breaks

During graduate school, I  turned to any type of activity that would allow me to put off writing my dissertation. One project was a tiny antiques business. To find goods that I could sell, I frequently drove to an iffy neighborhood for a weekday-morning auction. One of my favorite finds was a hundred-year-old African-American doll. The other favorite was a Neiman Marcus carpet bag, made of kilim, with leather straps and sterling silver fastenings. Brand new. Sold to the highest bidder -- me -- for $25. I use it whenever I can find an excuse.

Bags like that are rare, but this one is a close runner-up, though a bit smaller (and a bit pricier than my $25 version). It would work as a capacious everyday bag, or as a weekend bag when you weren't expecting to make many costume changes.

Wine-tasting weekender ($568)

Lift and separate

It's a curse. I can't walk down the street without noticing how many women, tragically, are wearing bras that just aren't working. The result is unfortunate -- sagging bosoms that add pounds and distort the silhouette.

This issue wasn't always on my radar screen. I wore a nursing bra for a long time, one without underwire. Eventually, my guardian angel at Saks set me straight. She told me, and she's completely right, that without the proper bra, even the nicest clothes won't look that good. She sent me to a nearby lingerie boutique to get fitted, and I've looked and felt much better (and more comfortable) ever since. These days I swear by my balconette bras (also sometimes known as balcony bras). They're cut with the strap a little far out on the shoulder, and they're sexy and keep the bosom up, which is the whole point. They're also cut low in front, which makes them useful for deeply plunging necklines.

Calvin Klein F2762 Push-up Balconette Bra ($42)

You've read this before, and it's true: It's imperative to get a bra that fits. One thing to look for is that when the bra fits and is doing its job, the breasts will be halfway between the shoulder and the elbow. Anything lower, and your silhouette will be distorted. (A digression: Empire waists? The breasts must be above the seam. I can't stress this enough. Otherwise the whole look is just a disaster.) A few other pointers: Nothing should overflow the top (or side) of the bra cup. The strap around the back must not ride up -- if it does, get a smaller size. It should feel quite snug on the loosest hook, as all bras stretch a little over time. The front center of the bra between the cups should lie flat against your chest; if it doesn't, you probably need a smaller size.

And if you're thinking you're a little more well endowed than you like, that's all the more reason to get a good bra. Otherwise, those breasts look like you've randomly stuffed old throw pillows under your shirt. The right bra will lift and define them and also make your torso longer and more sleek.

Yes, a little lacy nothing is pretty and fetching and all that. But how do you look once you've put your clothes on? If your current bra can't do the job, you may be better off with something more sturdy, and this holds true for both small- and large-chested women.

So here's what to do. Go to a big department store and experiment with different styles, brands, and sizes of bras. Notice how different they can make you look. Get a couple and see how you like them -- and only then buy more than one of each kind. You'll be amazed at how much better you look!