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  • Let’s Discuss The Puff Shoulder Trend

    Let’s Discuss The Puff Shoulder Trend

    Apparently shoulders were getting really tired of being left out of this whole “trend” thing, so they got together and decided to do something about it.  They wanted to be more than just expected fabric rounded off the tops of our arms.  They have more potential, and they knew it.  Just take a look at Nordstrom’s new arrivals and you’ll see they aren’t messing around. Might have something to do with that whole season they were cut out of the game altogether…


    The end result is puffy shoulders, and I’m all in, especially for fall.  There’s an inherent notion that cold weather clothing is more boring than summer clothing, what with its fun sundresses and strappy sandals and whatnot.  But then fall fashion slaps back with the puffy shoulder and says CHECKMATE.  It is possible to wear something suitable for the weather and feel like you’re rocking something fun and fresh at the same time. 

    MADEWELL 

    Leather Covered Buckle Belt

    PELLE MODA

    Bayer Embellished Slide Sandal

    And yes, there’s a slight Victorian novel aftertaste—but in my mind that’s just adding to the femininity and structure of the trend, and you know I don’t shy away from those things.  Also, if midday you change your mind and decide that you know what… you actually prefer boring shoulders instead, just throw on a blazer (may I suggest this one or this one) and it’s like you’re wearing… literally any other shirt.

    Paired with a crisp trouser or voluminous skirt, the puffed shoulder is the answer to anyone who fears a basic button down rut.  Go forth, and fear no frill.

    ARGENTO VIVO 

    Front Hoop Earrings

    TORY BURCH

    Lee Radziwill Small Leather Satchel

    Looking for more puff shoulder options?  Peep my favorites below!

    Mary Orton

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  • The Top 5 Stain Removers You Need To Know

    The Top 5 Stain Removers You Need To Know

    Love to wear white?  Spill things sometimes?  This one’s for you.  The question isn’t “do you wear white after Labor Day,” the question is, “how do you get stains out of the white clothing you obviously wear all year.”  Coffee—I mean wine—is often the culprit, and is no small feat when it comes to erasing the evidence.  Below, my five favorite methods for pretending stains never happened.  Your secret is safe with me.

    FIRST DETERMINE THE TYPE OF STAIN

    Before we begin, a quick reference guide to stains. The stain remover you choose actually depends on the kind of stain you’ve imparted upon yourself.  It’s pretty simple:

    OIL STAINS:  Oil stains need a product with surfactants, which will make the stain more water soluble by decreasing the surface tension between the stain molecule and the material, so that the oil molecules can be washed away.  It’s science.

    PROTEIN STAINS:  We’re talking stains like grass, blood, egg yolk, dairy products, and sweat.  You’ll want an enzyme-based stain remover for these. What happens here is that the product breaks up non-water-soluble molecules in the stain into smaller, more soluble ones.  Stay with me, it will start making more sense below. 

    TANNIN STAINS:  Look for stain removers that oxidize the stain, these are oxygen or bleach-based (if the clothing is white!) removers. Basically the product is removing the color of the stain molecules to solve your problem and save your clothes.  Think wine, coffee, tea, ink and soda.

    THE BEST STAIN REMOVERS

    Best On-The-Goproduct image of Tide to Go packaged stain remover pens
    Tide Pen: In my opinion, if it ain’t broke, remove pinot noir stains with it.  I never go anywhere without one of these in my bag, in my TSA-approved liquids pouch, you name it. The best quick solve for unsightly stains that happen at the worst times (i.e. that time I got chocolate on the front of my white rehearsal dinner dress), Tide Pens are the spill-prone person’s best friend.  For oil-based stains and protein stains you’ll likely need something more serious, but the Tide Pen is very effective on tannin-based stains (except ink stains—you’ll need something more serious for that as well) and food-related stains of all kinds.  When tackling stains like ketchup, BBQ sauce, grape juice, tomato juice, coffee, soda, chocolate, tea, and wine there’s really no reason not to have one (five?) on hand at all times.

    Best Overallproduct image of Oxiclean stain removerOxiClean:  I’m pretty sure this product does it all. Like if you asked it nicely, it might make you breakfast, too. With over 101 uses (that’s the packaging talking, not me), this is an excellent stain remover to keep at home to treat stains new and old prior to tossing in the laundry.  Definitely effective on tannin stains, this one will actually work for oil and protein stains of all kinds, too.  I also really like the spray version when pre-treating laundry.

    product image of Zout spray bottle stain removerBest for Tough Protein
    Zout    : Especially designed for protein-based stains, this magic potion contains three enzymes that really cover all of your stain bases from tomato sauce, to grass, even sweat. Also it’s just fun to say.

    product image of Grandma's Secret Spot Remover bottle with blue cap
    Best Never-Heard-Of-It
    Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover. I’d never heard of this product but after some digging, I’m convinced we all need at least one bottle of this lying around. This biodegradable, non-toxic product has a 4.7 star rating on Amazon. For comparison, that’s the same rating as the iPhone 8. Just a drop of this stuff will remove any troublesome oil or tannin stain, even those unsightly grease moments threatening to ruin a silk blouse.

    product image of Biokleen stain and odor remover spray bottleBest Eco-Friendly
    Biokleen: Does the name sound like a salesman is advertising this to you on TV in the 60s? Yes.  Is it also a miracle worker?  Also yes.  Biokleen should be your solution for protein-based stains of all kinds, especially anything with an unpleasant odor.  Bonus: You can use it on your carpet, too!

    Mary Orton

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  • Monday Memo No. 26

    Monday Memo No. 26
    women covering her face and body with a thick black sweater against grey dark background
    THE $8 PILL REMOVER THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR CLOSET

    It may feel a teeny bit early to unearth last year’s sweaters, but I just can’t help myself.  I’m too excited for fall fashion.  However, when bringing out your favorite knits, you might notice that last year’s sweaters come with last year’s pills.  I refuse to allow pills to shorten the lifespan of my beloved sweaters, so now seems like a great moment to revisit my pill-removing methodology.  Go forth and be cozy, my friends.

    product image of remington fabric shaver pill remover
    THE BEST LAYERING TURTLENECKS

    Speaking of sweaters, by now I think we’re all aware of my turtleneck hoarding.  I don’t hide it, it is what it is.  From September through April, I’m pretty much never not wearing one, either on their own or layered under… yeah pretty much everything. Dresses, button-ups, cardigans, other turtlenecks, you name it, I’ll turtleneck it.  So, in preparation for dipping temperatures, I thought I’d share three favorite places to score great layering turtlenecks at affordable prices. When you’re wearing them as often as I do, it’s nice to get them at a bargain, especially if you want to refresh after a season and not feel guilty about it.  My faves:  Three Dots; Uniqlo (ribbed wool, classic cotton); and Splendid.  Can’t go wrong with those options, especially at that price!

    RACHEL PARCELL COLLECTION

    Are you familiar with Rachel Parcell and her collection of impossibly chic, classic clothing? If yes, congratulations, keep hoarding her timeless dresses (at excellent price points!) like it’s your job.  If not, stop what you’re doing, literally put down the La Croix right this second, and shop her incredibly stunning feminine pieces right now.  I just got this dress and intend to wear it until the end of time.

    THE FALL BOOTS TO KNOW

    Don’t expect me to ditch my over-the-knee boots anytime soon, but there are a few new boot styles popping up for fall, especially these knee-highs, that have captured my attention and affection.  I know—you may not have been expecting knee-highs to be back in the game yet, but here they are, and I can’t wait to rock my black leather & camel pair ASAP (because I have no self control and ordered both).  Marc Fisher has made a few versions of this boot in seasons past with the same vamp and heel style, so I already know they’re amazing.  Remember these?!  Yeah, that’s what we’re talking about.  The best. 

    BEST MOVIE NEWS EVER

    The Downton Abbey movie is HAPPENING YOU GUYS.  Lady Mary I mean Michelle Dockery recently posted an Instagram that confirms filming is underway and I am in cardiac arrest.  Feel free to freak out.

    Downton Abbey image of two men in tuxedos and woman in the middle in green dress and gold accessories headband and gloves
    ADULT COLORING BOOKS

    While I was recuperating post-surgery last week, one of my best friends dropped off the most thoughtful, hilarious get-well gift—an adult coloring book.  SO MUCH FUN.  Be warned, they incorporate very “colorful” language, so these are definitely not for children.

    "Fuck Off, I'm Coloring" cover of an adult coloring book

    Mary Orton

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  • Pleats and Thank You

    Pleats and Thank You

    Never one to miss an opportunity for wordplay, I’d like to take a moment to discuss my favorite texture, my favorite non-print print, my favorite way to add femininity and fun to outfits of all kinds.  I’m talking about pleats, and I’m going to enjoy it.  Welcome to the fold.

    UNIQLO

    Men’s Super Non-Iron Long-Sleeve Shirt

    THE ROW

    Vailen Pleated Crepe de Chine Maxi Skirt

    And what of workwear, you ask?  Pleats can’t wait to go to the office.  Unlike you, they welcome Monday morning with open arms, like when the animals found their family in Homeward Bound.  Ideal for professional looks that exude confidence and put-togetherness, you’d be wise to keep pleated skirts on hand in both midi and maxi lengths. You know my rule about buying something you love in every color?  Fully applies here.

    ARME DE L’AMOUR

    Gold-plated Enamel Earrings

    Want to talk about width?  I sure do!  You’ve no doubt seen pleats of the mini and micro variety more often than not lately, but feel free to fan out to any style you like, as they each have equal degrees of timelessness.  The micropleat maxi you bought this summer will be just as relevant in a year, feel free to @ me.  The skirt I’m wearing here, by The Row, was an investment piece I felt 100% confident in, knowing that the quality of the skirt and the lasting power of pleats matched up perfectly.  Nevertheless, the pricetag is a doozy, so peep more options below at all price points.


    Whether you’re rocking them for a sartorial power move, or simply as an excuse to twirl, pleats are a classic that I’ve been wearing forever, casually smiling behind my laptop when they’re touted as a “trend” every few seasons. Those of us who pleat have always pleated, and it’s a lifelong relationship that’s never once crimped my style.

    UNIQLO

    Men’s Super Non-Iron Long-Sleeve Shirt

    THE ROW

    Vailen Pleated Crepe de Chine Maxi Skirt

    Mary Orton

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  • 5 Reasons To Wear Maxi Dresses As Much As Humanly Possible

    5 Reasons To Wear Maxi Dresses As Much As Humanly Possible

    Let’s be real, you probably don’t need five reasons to wear your favorite maxi dress—in fact, reason number one below is enough to get me to pull out my wallet.  A maxi dress isn’t just an article of clothing, it’s a damn lifestyle.  The kind of lifestyle where sartorial stress is minimized and twirl-worthy fun is maximized.  Inspiring this post is the dress I’m wearing today by a brand synonymous with great lengths and breathtaking floral prints—Yumi Kim.  Don’t hesitate, hit purchase.  This brand can bring it.  I’ve already purchased it in both colors.

    Below, five of my favorite reasons to max-out.


    REASON 1: A maxi dress is the best kind of one-hit wonder

    The first, and perhaps most obvious reason to wear a maxi dress is that you can put on literally one thing and be fully outfitted for the day or evening.  Another way to say this? Fashion for lazies.  Kidding.  But there is something very low-stress about a one-and-done look that I love, and this particular dress is the perfect canvas for a few of my favorite accessories.  Ahem, belt bag.

    REASON 2:  It’s the best of both worlds

    I was going to say that a maxi dress is like a jacket for your legs, but then I realized there’s already a name for that—pants.  Hear me out, anyway.  With a maxi dress, you get all the fun and festive-ness of a dress but also, what if it gets cold outside?  What if my host really likes air conditioning?  What if an ice bucket falls in my lap?  There’s no reason to skip that early fall outdoor event, not when there’s a closet full of maxi dresses just waiting to be of service.  The perfect length to keep your legs protected from any offending drop in temperature, a maxi dress is like climate control from the ankles-up.  You get the fun and comfort of a dress, with the warmth of pants.  Win-win.

    MADEWELL

    Sari Crisscross Sandal

    REASON 3:  Dramaaaaa!

    Maxi dresses don’t show up to the party.  They arrive.  Any time you feel like making a statement, a maxi dress is your best move.  Even better if your dress is sporting a divine print like this one, but even solid color maxis make their presence known.  Go forth, my friends, make it a long night.

    REASON 4:  Your legs are “Out of Office”

    Not enough time in the shower this morning to shave?  Maybe there was an incident with self tanner?  Look, I forgot to exfoliate, the cap fell off, I don’t want to talk about it. Solution?  Maxi dress!  Conveniently hiding anything happening south of your knees that you don’t want seen, a maxi dress is there for you when a mini skirt isn’t.  Pay no attention to the calves behind the curtain.

    REASON 5: Do it for the ‘Gram

    Tonight’s the night you’re nailing that twirl boomerang.  Did you think you were gonna twirl in like… pants?!

    A few of my favorite maxi dresses, for your perusing pleasure below…

    Mary Orton

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