Holiday Fashion Chat

December 05, 2000

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Katie: What about stiletto heels? I heard women are wearing them again.

Angela Ahrendts: They are absolutely back, and they are wearing them with everything from skirts to pants to jeans. Again, depending on where you live, they are acceptable from day into evening and are a part of the whole overall feminine trend that has hit fashion globally.

Snow Girl: Is velvet always acceptable for the holiday season?

Angela Ahrendts: In some way, shape or form, yes, velvet is always acceptable for the holidays. In all of our brands, velvet is always used and if you need something more "smart casual" or more comfortable, it may be a pull on pant and an easy pullover top from Liz & Co. But if you need something that is more "day into evening", on our Collection Division, we always, at this time of year, offer a myriad of styles in woven velvet blends. It's one of those naturally elegant fabrics that takes the jewel colors of the holiday season so beautifully.

Persian Kitten: What colors are trend setting this year?

Angela Ahrendts: Well, considering that the year is about over, I would say one of the hottest colors of the moment is red, not just because it is the holiday season, but because it looks phenomenal with the camels, black and white, etc. Some of the hottest accents at the moment are all of the shades of gold and the many hues of pinks from coral to fuchsia, etc.

Fally: Are hats in this season? What are the appropriate occasions to wear them?

Angela Ahrendts: Hats are absolutely in this season and if you live in the Midwest or the northeast, with the freezing weather we are having at the moment, the most obvious place to wear them is outdoors. But the new hat silhouettes have such "attitude" and come in such a diverse range of fabrics and are trimmed with anything from fur to leather to suede, etc. So I would say it's really the fashion hats teamed up with great outerwear that are most important at the moment.

Persian Kitten: Is it okay to wear silver jewelry if you have gold wedding rings?

Angela Ahrendts: I think there are a couple of ways that you can do it. For example, you could probably get away with wearing earrings and a great necklace in silver with your gold rings or ideally, there is a lot of gold and silver combinations available today. You could purchase something that is predominately silver with accents of gold that would complement your rings.

Jade: I just don't know what kind of belts I should wear to be fashionable? What goes best with denim jeans, and what would I team with a classic pant?

Angela Ahrendts: Again, not knowing much about you or where you are going to wear these jeans, I will tell you that some of Liz Claiborne's best selling belts right now that look great with jeans, dresses, as well as slim pencil skirts are all of the great, new, metal link belts. They come in golds and silvers, many different designs, but we are selling thousands weekly and I think they help update a great pair of classic jeans. Some of Liz Claiborne's best selling leather belts to be more worn more with classic trousers are some of our animal printed styles. They come, again, in a number of different widths, with simple buckles, but it's really the animal print that makes it look new and modern.

Melly: I have just bought a lovely sleeveless velvet dress and a shimmery gold shirt; what kind of evening bag do you think I should carry?

Angela Ahrendts: Well, the good news is, you have a tremendous number of options because there are so many options available in evening handbags today. For example, on the Liz Claiborne handbag line, we have all types of fabric evening bags that come solid and embellished. The solids in multiple colors and the novelties with multi-colors allow you the option to have something simple if you are going to a more elegant, sophisticated party; or something more fun if you are going to a younger type of an event. This is really the season of evening handbags and the choice is really yours, again, depending on where you are going. But have fun with it.

Desy Lee: I am looking for some accessories, belts, etc. that will go with more than one outfit, do you have any tips to help me out? My wardrobe's colors range the full spectrum.

Angela Ahrendts: The hottest thing in accessories today is the fact that gold is back. If you look on our site at www.lizclaiborne.com you will see, for example, a gold beaded bracelet and earrings set from our Accessory Division. We also have been doing unbelievable with all of our new metal, chain-type belts in gold. You really can't go wrong at the moment with any type of gold accessory, from jewelry to belts to earrings, depending on the style. It is appropriate for the most casual to the most elegant needs.

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