Taryn Talks

There was a Saks ad in the catalogue last season that read:

Think about keeping a few no-assembly-required looks on hand for mornings when you’re running late. Wearing an armful of bangles- balance is so boring.

The first few times I read this I was mad. Saks, the pinacle of style, is encouraging style-lessness. Then I started to think about some of my favorite tops and tunics that are so heavily adorned with beading and embellishment around the neckline, that aside from some bangles, there’s nothing else required. Effortless dressing.

So to accompany Saks’ no-frills advice, a look that required little to no effort:

Tunic, Betsy Johnson; Leggings, Express; Boots, Christian Louboutin; Bracelets, Vale and Monkees

FASHION RULE #56: Effortless dressing is a must when you sleep through your alarm. Have some of these great tops handy that require absolutely no effort.

Published/reviewed September 3, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

Days like yesterday are challenging for a number of reasons…

First, this time of year the weather starts out nice and cool in the morning and by afternoon its 95 degrees and you’re sweating. So, outfits are challenging.

On top of that, I knew I was going on a walking tour of Greenville and was told to “wear walking shoes.” Um, problem. I don’t own “walking shoes.”

We’ve already discussed my aversion to flip flops anywhere but the grocery store, so my options became very limited.

I gave it my best…to which my husband responded, “You look like Burberry.” Hmm. Well dear, not even remotely close, but I guess when you assume plaid must equal that British designer, then yes, you got it right. I’ve taught you well.

Dress, Bitten; Boots, Bakers; Necklace, Vale

FASHION RULE #55: Invest in some sort of “walking shoe”. Do not however show up to such a tour wearing tennis shoes. Ever. Please. Tennis shoes are meant for just that.

Published/reviewed September 2, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

I am not spontaneous. In fact, I am the complete opposite of spontaneous. My days, weeks, months are planned to a tee months in advance. Want to grab a drink? Great, let’s set an exact date, time and place- and I probably can’t fit you in for another 3 weeks. Seriously.

I live and die by my planner- I schedule time to call friends, time to go to Yoga, time to HAVE LUNCH WITH MY HUSBAND ON SATURDAYS. I put this in all caps, because that is seriously how neurotic I am. I schedule my husband.

So, when I knew I was invited to the “pre-flight” launch lunch at the new Runway Cafe opening at the Downtown Greenville airport, I planned a spectacular outfit.

I just didn’t really take into consideration I’d have to climb into a 2-seater plane at any point during the day.

Top, Elie Tahari; Skirt, Ralph Lauren; Pumps, Christian Louboutin

FASHION RULE #54: Dress for any occasion. You never know where the day will take you- including 5,000 feet into the sky. (I learned this rule the hard way, but did it with as much grace as I could muster)

Published/reviewed September 1, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

I am on the Mad train. I just love everything about the show. As I’ve been sifting through some “transition” styles of dresses that are in fall colors and patterns but are still short sleeve or warm-weather appropriate, I came across this dress in my closet and was thrilled.

Dress, Donna Ricco; Shoes, Olivia Rose Tal; Pearl Bracelet, Amy Pride

FASHION RULE #53: The great thing about a dress like this is that it requires little or no styling effort. The dress speaks for itself. Let it shine.

Published/reviewed September 1, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

Each year we host the Scher Annual Luau party in our home. This year, I felt added pressure, not only to make excellent food and serve as a terrific hostess, but to present myself in a fashionable manner while still conveying the theme.

I gave it my best shot:

Tank, Lilly Pulizer; Shorts, Express; Wedges, Coach

FASHION RULE #52: Theme parties are no excuse to dress tacky. There is a stylish way to dress for any theme- except maybe Halloween. Get creative.

Published/reviewed August 31, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

This is something I talk about all the time in business. There is nothing worse, as far as I’m concerned, than overpromising and under-delivering. This always lies at fault with the over-promiser.

The lesson to learn is how to manage expectations.

I find with my job, there is a certain expectation about how I will look. I realize some of this I have brought upon myself by positioning myself as a Style Expert of sorts, but how it came about is not the issue. The point is, I am always expected to look a certain way. If I leave the house in sweatpants, the assumption is that I am deathly ill.

The hardest part of my job on a day to day basis is when I actually have to leave the house- whether it be for  a meeting, or to run an errand at CVS- I have to bring my A-game in the fashion department no matter where my destination.

In this case, call time was at 7:45am for an appearance on Fox’s morning news. Now, in the past 5 years I’ve woken up this early, but rarely- if ever- do I recall having to look completely put together and on-set by this time of morning.

I have a newfound respect for the morning news anchors who look camera-ready every day.

Top, Jaloux; Pants, Express; Shoes, BCBG; Earrings, Monkees

FASHION RULE #51: You are you no matter where you go. Once you step out of your house, people can see you. They don’t know if you’re tired or just running out to grab laundry detergent- all they see is you. You are your brand. So, where platforms to the grocery store. You never know who’s looking.

Published/reviewed August 30, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

Kirtzer geshlofen, lenge gelebt.

In Yiddush, this means “The less you sleep, the more you get out of life.” Well these days, I’m getting it all.

So tired, that’s really all I’ve got at this point.

Top, mCm; Jeans, Beija-Flor; Shoes, Christian Louboutin

FASHION RULE #50: Even when you’re utterly exhausted, dress up. You’ll feel slightly better, even if you have to use YSL’s Touche Eclat beneath your eyes.

Published/reviewed August 27, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

Retail is a tough world. As a consumer, over the past five years, we have been trained never to pay full price.

When a new sweater hits the store- we know to wait a month, it will be on sale. These days I rarely pay full price for everything- I know, I am a designer’s nightmare. Not to say never (I splurged just yesterday on a faux-fur vest to wear for an upcoming photoshoot), but it’s rare.

Part of that hesitation comes from being in the industry. Before I even landed a full time job in New York City, I was being thrown piles of clothing from my two summer temp jobs- more than I could wear in a month. All free.

When it came time for my wedding gown, friends in New York told me to use my connections. I thought how on Earth am I going to use my connections in South Carolina. Well, long story short, I found the gown of my dreams, unintentionally was at Atlanta Apparel Market 3 weeks later for a trade show, and the designer was there. End of story: I paid wholesale plus shipping.

What if I told you this tee was originally priced at $2,000. And no that is not a typo. There are supposed to be 3 Zeros there. You know for certain I didn’t pay that. I did pay for it, but how much? That’s for me to know. I will admit it was still probably too much, but you know it’s worth it when you wear it and get compliments from everyone you see that day.

Sequin Tee, Blanc de Chine; Pants, Express; Cuff, Shaylon; Shoes, H & M

FASHION RULE #49: Use coupons. If they are out there, why on Earth wouldn’t you use them? My friends make fun of me for clipping coupons- from department stores to ones I get in the mail from my favorite boutiques. Um, why on Earth would I pay full price if they sent it to me? There is NOTHING wrong with being sensible. (Plus, then you can buy more!)

Published/reviewed August 26, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

Here’s a secret I’ve had as long as I can remember: sometimes I wish I was from the South. Like, a Southern Belle Southerner.

When I first moved to New York City more than 5 years ago, I bought a pair of cowboy boots (as I recall they were super trendy at the time). I wore them EVERYWHERE for about 4 months.

They’ve been sitting in the back of my closet ever since. So when one of Fashion Greenville’s retailers, Monkees of the Westend, declared on Your Carolina that “Cowboy boots are always in style” I dug through the back of my closet until I found my good ‘ol trusty boots.

Now, I don’t know for sure if they are always in style in Boston or New York, but in South Carolina, cowboy boots are always made for walkin’.

Dress, Lilly Pulizer; Cowboy Boots, Bakers; Ring and Earrings, Monkees

FASHION RULE #48: One day you can dress like a New York City powerwoman, the next like a Southern Belle. Mix it up, and dress how you feel. That’s what makes fashion so much fun!

Published/reviewed August 24, 2010
Category: Uncategorized

It’s about this time every year that I start itching to wear fall clothes. I am so excited about the new season that I resent the fact it’s still only August and I have a closet full of new sweaters and pumps I am dying to wear.

Partly to blame, of course, is the fact that we’ve been surrounded by Fall styles since late May at most stores, as part of this insane brainwashing push by the entire industry.

I worked at teenage mecca when I was in high school (Abercrombie and Fitch). Clothes used to arrive daily that I thought were just okay….until I spent 5 days staring at the same sweater, seeing girl after girl trying it on…suddenly I had to have that sweater.

So, now I yearn for cooler days full of layers and chunky knits. But, at the same time I am sad that in just two weeks “The White Rule” kicks in and if you dare to wear white below your naval, you will get odd stares.

So, today I’ve done the unthinkable. I’ve combined white with a fall print. Satisfied both my fall craving and my one-last-white attempt.

Shell, Ralph Lauren; Skirt, Lafayette 148; Shoes, Jimmy Choo; Necklace, Vale; Bracelet, Coach

FASHION RULE #47: Don’t wear white after Labor Day? Says who? I hate rules.

Published/reviewed August 24, 2010
Category: Uncategorized