Holiday Fashion Chat

December 05, 2000

Read our holiday fashion chat hosted by Angela Ahrendts, Liz Claiborne Vice President of Merchandising and Design--she has a real gift for getting a look together.

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Liz Claiborne: Thank you for joining us for our chat tonight. Our host, Angela Ahrendts - VP Corporate Merchandising and Design for Liz Claiborne, will be discussing the Top 10 looks for the holiday season. We'd like this to be an open dialogue, so please feel free to contribute with your questions and comments. Afterwards, we invite you to visit the Liz Claiborne Holiday Gift Guide to enter our Holiday Sweepstakes for a chance to win a gift box filled with Claiborne luxuries - valued at $250. Happy Holidays! Angela, Welcome to our event!

Angela Ahrendts: Thank you very much. I really look forward to giving you the best advice I can this holiday season, so when you are ready, let's go!

Jacqueline: I love Liz Claiborne! When will I be able to buy clothes online?

Angela Ahrendts: That's probably the most frequently asked question at the moment. We are doing a test pilot with our Elizabeth brand under www.elisabeth.com, and based on those results, we will outline a strategy for the Liz brands. But that probably won't be for the next couple of years.

Missy: What is your favorite item of clothing for this winter?

Angela Ahrendts: Assuming you mean an item for the holiday season, I'd probably have to say a great novelty sweater. Whether it is made with a metallic/lyrex yarn or embellished with sequence or beads, etc., preferably, again in gold tones. You really can't really go wrong with a great modern sweater for the holidays. The right one has the ability to take you from day into evening.

Belle: I have just bought some new suede boots that are just awesome. can you tell me how I can best take care of them? The shop said something about treating them - but I was so excited about buying them that I didn't listen!

Angela Ahrendts: I'm really not an expert on shoe care, however, I can personally tell you that there is a waterproof suede spray that I've used in the past that works wonders.

Macy: Angela, I need your help! I am going away for 5 days and can only take a small suitcase. I will be eating out most nights and have 2 parties to attend. What should I pack that won't take much room, but gives me versatility?

Angela Ahrendts: I don't know if you are heading north or south but probably the lightest weight items to carry are blouses. If you are going south, you can do them bare, halter type styles. If you are going north, then you can do long sleeve styles. Printed blouses are so in fashion right at the moment, like the crocodile print wrap blouse featured on our site, or the myriad of floral and abstract type prints that we offer in all of our collections. Again, not knowing where you are going, I would recommend definitely bringing along something in leather. A skirt or a pant that again, you could dress up or dress down with a T-shirt for the day. Have fun!

Shipley: I live in a cold weather climate. I need something to wear to a business holiday party at a country club. Would something velvet be appropriate?

Angela Ahrendts: Absolutely. Whether you opt just to wear a velvet jacket or you could do a beautiful novelty sweater with an easy pair of velvet pants. But velvet is an ideal fabric choice for the holiday season, especially in a setting as you have outlined.

Over The 70s: I am so tired of the '70s look with the big clunky shoes and bell bottom jeans any chance we are going to see the return of straight leg jeans and cute pumps?

Angela Ahrendts: Not knowing how old you are, I will tell you that if you are middle aged, that straight legged jeans with a classic lace front or a simple boot are very acceptable at the moment. If you are a much younger customer, wearing the low cut flared jeans with the chunky boots, for the younger market. That trend really doesn't show any signs of slowing down at the moment, especially with the release of the new Charlie's Angel movie. So it really depends on where you live, but our number one selling jean, week in and week out, is a classic straight leg jean.

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