What To Wear On A Plane?

A couple of months ago I read Nina Garcia's Little Black Book Of Style. It had a section of short interviews with famous designers and other prominent fashion figures that I found a bit lacking. It was too full with recycled cliches of the kind you find in magazines, but I still read it from beginning to end, hoping one of these luminaries would say something inspiring.

The question of what to wear on a plane was presented to two designers: Donatella Versace and Michael Kors. While Donatella managed to lament the days of dressing up for travel, say something about the importance of being comfortable and avoid actually answering the question, Michael Kors had some practical advice for us:
A black cashmere turtleneck and white jeans and huge sunglasses.

Seriously.

I don't know about you, but I'm just enough of a germaphobe to feel that clothes I wear when flying are dirty and full of ick, and somehow, international travel is not when I want to engage in finding a good dry cleaning place. And I'd rather wear my white jeans when actually on vacation than find a laundry service.

I do like to be comfortable on a plane, especially on excruciatingly long international flights, but ratty sweats (or even nice ones) are not something I'd wear in public. My choice is black yoga pants, which I'm fussy enough to buy a new pair or two just before my trips, to make sure they are very black and not even a bit faded. I pair them with soft (but washable) wrap tops and take a zip-up yoga jacket. It might not be the jet-set glamorous style of the old days, but still a flattering and effortless look.


I'll confess to wearing flip-flops at the airport. It makes taking them off and putting them back on in the security check (while struggling to gather and re-assemble the content of my purse, passport, laptop and various other items) much easier and saves some fumbling. Later, when finally seated, I slather some foot cream (L'Occitane) and put on a pair of thick cotton socks.

Michael Kors can keep his huge sunglasses.

Images: http://jozworld.club.fr/

And the Designer Of The Year Goes To...

Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein for Womenswear Designer.

Tom Ford for Menswear.

Tory Burch for Accessory Design.

Yet another glamorous NYC event went down last night. The New York Public Library held the annual CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Awards, (basically the Oscars of fashion) and well, as you can see the fashionistas were out. From MJ and Posh, classic icon Ralph Lauren and designer Michael Kors, to AFO and Hilary Duff, there really never is a dull moment in the Big Apple.

I thought that this pic was kinda funny, look how much taller model Karolina Kurkova is compared to Ashley Olsen! She may be on the shorter side, but what an impact she makes! More power to us! (obvs. I'm a bit on the short side as well)

Jason Lewis is popping up everywhere these days, but believe me, I don't mind!

- Erin Dustin

Against All Odds- The Magic Of Different Concentrations- Michael by Michael Kors

Michael has everything going against it. From the smuggness of the designer (Project Runway viewers can join my cringing every time Heidi Klum introduces him as "top American designer, Michael Kors!", though it gets better once the guy actually starts snarking), to the big tuberose heart that takes over the fragrance. In Perfumes- The Guide, Tania Sanchez called it an "evil tuberose" and declared it "One of the worst ever". My shameful confession is that I love Michael.

Now, I have no problem seeing how it can get this bad reputation. While I own and wear the parfum, and only dab it carefully, the EdP that's widely available is, indeed, an evil tuberose. Spraying it with abandon results in a skanky cloud that would rival some of the more infamous 80s gassers and calls to mind lucite heels and Fredrick's of Hollywood lingerie. What does a nice (ahem) girl like me is doing with a bottle like this?

The answer is, again, in the concentration. The parfum is significantly more well-behaved than the street version. While it's very tuberosy and I'm not exactly the queen of white flowers, I have discovered that I can actually deal with either tuberose or gardenia, as long as they do not reside in the same bottle. Also, they must have other notes to keep them busy enough as to not try and strangle me. In this case it's mostly a game of incense and sweetness that rounds the edges and makes it interesting. I'm not saying that Michael in parfum is modest or demure, because it's not. It's openly sexy, somewhat come-hithery, but more playful than porn.

The official notes are-
Top: Dewy Freesia, Tamarind, Incense, Chinese Osmanthus .
Middle Notes: Tuberose, Blue Orris, White Wings Peony, Arum Lily .
Base Notes: Cashmere Woods, Musk, Vetiver.

However, unless one has a super-skin and/or a super-nose, this is much more a "tuberose and friends" affair. Don't go looking for the orris or musk, because the tuberose has eaten them whole. It's not well-blended enough to be anything but a sweet, oriental tuberose scent. Even if you manage to find the parfum, don't wear it to meet his parents or for a PTA meeting. You'll get a reputation. But when it's ok to be a little naughty in a weather that makes floral bloom, this is a non-caloric guilty pleasure.

I bought my bottle about five years ago from FragranceNet, when the parfum was still in production. It's been discontinued since then, but I managed to stock up on eBay, where occasionally you can still find it for cheap.

Image: (yes, I know it's not tuberose, but I liked the painting and it has the right feeling) Brugsmania 2 by Judith Barath.