It's Seersucker Thursday Y'all

And you thought it was just another Thursday...pish!

Anyone who has spent a summer moment in D.C. knows how the heat can be downright oppressive. Prior to the God-send of air conditioning, senators hailing from the South shed their wool black frock coats for lighter linen and cotton attire. Northern colleagues took note.

In 1909, New Orleans clothier Joseph Haspel made summer wear more comfortable by designing a light-weight suit in pale blue and white striped rumpled cotton fabric.

He named that fabric "seersucker," a cotton that was based on a silk derivation from India popular during the British colonial period. In Persian it is called "Shir Shakkar," which loosely translates into "milk and sugar." The milk described the smooth parts of the material, while the sugar was a metaphor for the texture commonly referred to as "dimples" or "puckers."

Seersucker suits became widely popular because of their wash and wearability, made very necessary in the humid summer.

In the late 1990s, Mississippi Senator Trent Lott revived the long-forgotten Senate tradition. Selecting a day in June to be designated Seersucker Thursday, Senator Lott along with several other Southern Senators donned their seersucker. Three cheers for Trent!

Trent third from left. Lovin' that pink tie!

Today, senators happily make this annual fashion statement in the spirit of harmony. Imagine that? It is also a gentle reminder to their colleagues of what Senates from days past considered proper (read: required) summer attire. Ahem.

All in favor...?

Yours relishing this fashion/political history moment,

Mrs. News Readin'


We now return to your regularly scheduled program.

Some things I will never understand.

I will never understand why Robin Givens married Mike Tyson. Or why Brad Pitt dated her for a minute, either.

I will also never understand why hamburger and hot dog buns are sold in different quantities than the actual meat products. Conspiracy on the part of commercial bakers? Probably.

I will also never understand why Hollywood starlets (or those that purport themselves to be) - who take extreme measures to maintain youth, beauty and above all - a body to rival that of a (somewhat) lazy anorexic - wear clothing that any normal human being would consider fug.

Yet you, young starlet, are duped to believe it is "fashion forward."

Come, now. Really?

Case in point:



Have you ever played that miserable game at a wedding shower when a team has to make the best wedding dress out of a roll of toilet paper? Looks like sweet Kirsten drew the short straw and Laura and Kate Mulleavy found some sparkly gray tp for this dress from their Rodarte line.

And what can I say about the peep-toe shoe booty business with buckles? I can say U-G-L-Y.

Kirsten, Kirsten, Kirsten...honey. Bright side - the Ferragamo clutch - is perfection.

In closing: call Rachel Zoe. Yeah - she'll make you feel fat - but better looking than this.
You might even achieve bananas.

Big hug,

Mrs. NewsReadin'

Bendel Wellies

I'm a traditionalist and not known to openly pimp labels. (Major endorsement deals aside, of course.)

However, this sole pair of footwear combine two of my many favorite things - wellies and Henri Bendel.

Bendel Girl Wellies in Chocolate. Be still my heart.

Also in citrus and red.

Each pair comes with a signature stripe canvas tote. Need I say more?

Hope the rain holds off for at least for 7-10 business days.

More at 11.

Tibi Outlet Scores

During Christmas on the Coast, I made a stop at the Tibi outlet on St. Simons Island, GA.

If you are ever in that neck of the woods and like some deeply discounted Tibi - get yourself to Redfern Village and my little slice of heaven. Over the years it has gone from a fulfillment office/backroom - to a legitimate little shop. (I can remember trying on clothes in the bathroom before they actually had dressing rooms.)

On a few occasions, I've had the pleasure of running into Tibi designer and founder, Amy Smilovic, who hails from the Golden Isles. Once she even asked where I had gotten my sweater because she loved the oversized buttons. "Umm...H&M." To which she replied, "I'm doing big buttons next season. It's great looking."

I am NOT worthy wearing my $18.99 H& M big button festooned sweater.

Anywhoodle, this is what I picked up on my last trip:

Ragtime Short Sleeve Gem Dress in Black. Retailed for $396 here. Ha!
Scored at the outlet for $104.


Casablanca print skirt. Retailed for $248. Scored at the outlet for less than $50!
They had this print in a dress, but not in my size. Grrr.

I'm headed back at the end of the month with hopes that they will have more shoes in size 7.5.

Stay tuned.

Buffalo Check Beauty

Buffalo check warms my heart.

There was a moment when I wanted to have a Christmas wedding and my bridesmaids to wear red and black buffalo check skirts.

Fear not. We got married in September and no one was forced to look like the bride of Elmer Fudd for my amusement. It was just an idea...

Had I seen this little piece of gorgeous, we would have toasted nuptial egg nog and six lucky ladies would have made Woolrich's way proud.


If only I had fabulously festive affair to attend this holiday season that would warrant such a display. (sigh) Although, not sure if I could pull this off without looking like a Braveheart extra or worse - someone who actually eats. Ahem.


Miss Bush: That bag obviously does not hold your FEED. Honey...you look like a bobble head doll. Get a meal in, dear. Life is much more enjoyable satiated. Promise.

But, j'adore your horsebit belt. Would make for a lovely bracelet.

In awe of your buffalo check-ness,

Mrs. News Readin'