Number Fifty-three - Amendment

I was driving along today and completely forgot why I chose to write about the man's white shirt.  I guess I was caught up in the whole, "What was I just doing?" idea.  Nonetheless, I was inspired to write about the man's white shirt because of a visit from some friends from Texas.  Their mother is the quintessential southern lady.  She is from Texas and in her early eighties.  I've only met her a few times, but it seems like on every occasion she is wearing a nice white shirt (I have no idea if it's a man's shirt but it looks like it is.) with her collar turned up and the sleeves rolled just a couple of turns.  She oozes class and I envy her every time I see her.

While I love the whole, "Why do I have a man's shirt on?" notion, I love more the idea of being simply classy. 

Number Fifty-three

The man's white shirt.  Nothing, absolutely nothing is sexier to me than a man in a crisp white shirt (button down collar is most preferable).  A woman in a crisp white shirt is just about as sexy.  Ms. Garcia says this really needs to be a man's shirt or a really good version of a man's shirt made for women.  I think she makes an excellent point; however, I've never been lucky enough to find either.  If I wear a man's white shirt, it looks like I'm wearing a man's shirt.  There is nothing sexy or chic about it.  If I have a woman's white shirt, it looks like a woman's shirt.  But...I'm always on the search for a great white shirt.

Like the plain white t-shirt, I own several white shirts - they just aren't a man's white shirt.  I get the idea Nina is stressing.  She notes, "It quietly whispers morning after dressing which may or may not be the case."  I get that.  I get how great it is to look like you couldn't figure out what to wear so you grabbed your significant others classic shirt.  The problem for me personally is that when I do wear my husbands shirt, I give off the vibe of a slob rather than the uber chic, "I'm so cool." vibe.

Like other items in The One Hundred, I'm going to try and seek out the perfect man's white shirt because I think I can find the perfect shirt and have that, "What was I just doing?" or "I'm so chic I can wear a man's shirt." look.

Regardless of the look or ambiance you're trying to project, try and find a great white shirt and just as Nina says, try and stay to look of a man's shirt.  It's great with jeans, khakis, shorts, a denim skirt or with an evening gown.  (Nina reminded me of Sharon Stone at the Academy Awards with her husbands white shirt and a gown.)

Number Fifty-three - the Man's White Shirt.  Twenty-six down, seventy-four to go.

Number Twenty-five

Let me just say, that I've been obsessing over The One Hundred for the last two months and today it finally occurred to me that the majority of items are accessories rather than articles of clothing.  I don't know why it's taken me this long to figure this out and I don't know why I'm so surprised. The right accessories can make just about anything look new, trendy, or classic.

So, number twenty-five, the cuff [bracelet].  I must admit that at first I didn't get the need for the cuff.  Especially the $12,500 Verdura cuff Nina obsesses over.

Verdura Cuff

But, after looking through my jewelry box, I came upon a beautiful silver cuff bracelet that I had completely forgotten about.  Then I remembered why I purchased that cuff bracelet.  A girl I once worked with wore a wide, silver, monogrammed cuff everyday and I coveted it from a far.  Why I've never worn it is beyond me.  I think it's because it's bold and I always feel intimated by bold jewelry.  Nonetheless, I do own the cuff bracelet and since I've re-discovered it, I've actually worn it a time or two.  Perhaps I'll get it monogrammed and never take it off.

I don't really love Verdura which is a relief because I'll never be in a position to pay $12,000 for a piece of jewelry.  Okay, you caught me. I'm looking at fakes just to say I have one.  After all, Coco Chanel herself invented and wore costume jewelry; and was the inspiration for the Verdura cuff.

Number Twenty-five - The Cuff.  Twenty-five down, seventy-five to go.

Number Eighty-three

The striped sailor shirt, oui, oui!  You know the ones, the blue and white striped shirt with the bateau neckline.  I love them.  I've owned several.  Funny thing is, I don't think I've ever actually worn the one's I've purchased.  You see, the striped sailor shirt has horizontal stripes and no matter how hard I try to wear one, it seems I can never work up the nerve.  Oh, one more reason why I seem to never wear it - they shrink. But sweet Nina has given me HOPE!

Nina says, "The striped sailor shirt embodies French Chic, and completely disarms the old myth that horizontal stripes are not flattering."  (These shirts are part of the French Navy uniform.) With that one statement, I've decided to pursue the perfect striped sailor shirt.  I've researched all of Nina's suggested suppliers - Petit Bateau, LL Bean, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Armor Lux.  (Nina also suggests the Army/Navy store and it is on my list of things to do.)  I've yet to find the perfect striped sailor shirt, but fear not...I'm confident I will.  I have even gone so far as to have one store (the only store I could find online that sells the Armor Lux brand) call me when their summer supply is delivered.


I really do love these shirts and can't wait to own and actually wear one. (Nina says it's about confidence.  Thanks for the reminder!)  I fantasize about wearing white pants, the striped sailor shirt, and navy blue ballet flats this summer.  I'll let you know if my dream comes true.  (God I'm shallow!)


Number eighty-three - the striped sailor shirt. Twenty-four down (almost) and seventy-six to go.

Picasso in the striped sailor shirt

French actress Jean Seberg  - ooo la la!

Number Fifty

Ooooo...The LL Bean Tote Bag.  It's every preppy's dream tote bag.  I always, always, always wanted one and a few years ago I gave each of my girlfriends one for Christmas.  I didn't buy one for myself at the time, but I was so envious of my friends' gifts that I broke down around mid-January and purchased my own.   I only own one, but I think I'll purchase another.  (Who am I kidding, I'll be purchasing one as soon as I'm done writing this.)  It's summer and you can never have too many LL Bean totes.

Here are my rules for buying a tote. First, it must be from LL Bean and MUST be monogrammed.  If you have one that isn't monogrammed, it's worthless.  Second, you need to use it as a tote, not a handbag.  Even the smaller sizes are just too casual to be classified as a handbag.  Order the medium size or larger.  Third, pick a neutral color like navy, green or red for your first bag.  If you want a more exotic color, buy a second bag.  And last, but not least, please do not purchase the patterned totes.  I don't know why LL Bean chooses to make these, but they are not original and they are U-G-L-Y.

Nothing feels better than carrying my tote to music festivals full of books, warm clothes, and food.  It's the first thing I pack on a road trip because it holds all the things I can't travel without.  I also fold it up and pack it when I fly just in case I get a chance to go to the pool or a beach.  I absolutely love it and am so glad the tote is part of The One Hundred.

Number Fifty - The LL Bean Tote. Twenty-three down - seventy-seven to go.

Number Nine

The Blackberry...the original "smart phone" that revolutionized phones.  (In my opinion, previous phones were dumb - I'm serious.)  I'm going to take some liberties here and say that any "smart phone" would do.  (The One Hundred was published in 2008 and I would venture to guess that Ms. Garcia has a iPhone instead of a Blackberry these days.)

I agree completely that every stylish woman should have some sort of smart phone.  I have a T-Mobile Dash that is almost 2 years old and is considered a dinosaur.  Nonetheless, I can not live without it.  I literally get jittery if it's not in my sight.  I never go to bed without checking my phone and the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check my phone.

Other things I do with my phone is exactly what Nina says - I check eBay and I get notices about items (yes, The One Hundred items) I'm bidding on or watching.  I also keep in contact with family and friends AND I get a great deal of work done which actually leaves me more time to...shop.

In all seriousness, there are several items I will replace the second it no longer works and a smart phone is one of those items.  I love it and it makes my life easier.  Change your contract and embrace Number Nine - the Blackberry (or any smart phone). Twenty-two down - seventy-eight to go.

Number Eighty-six

My sister Charlene says to me, "I have a present for you in my car and I'm sure it's in The One Hundred."  Of course, I couldn't wait to see what she had.  I patiently ate my lunch and dessert and visited with my sisters all the while trying to contain my excitement over the pending gift.  Really, who doesn't like getting a gift.  Finally, we head out to the car and she pulls out number eighty-six, THE most beautiful trench coat - PINK trench coat.  I squealed like a little girl, "OH MY GOD, IT IS IN THE ONE HUNDRED AND IT'S PINK AND I DID NOT HAVE A TRENCH COAT!!!"

As you already know, I have several winter coats and I have a rain coat that closely resembles something the quintessential dirty old man would wear rather than a stylish woman but a proper, stylish, classic trench coat is not something that is in my repertoire.  The trench coat is something I planned to purchase in my obsession with The One Hundred and had I found the coat my sister gave me, I would have purchased it for myself in a nano-second. However, getting it as a gift makes a 100 times more special.

Nina points out that what a girl wears under the trench is not that important and I couldn't agree more although my plans for wearing the coat is really more utilitarian than well...well, that's for me to know and you NOT to find out.

Number eighty-six - The Trench Coat. Twenty-one down, seventy-nine to go.