Nouvelle

A Velvety Spring

Posted on February 13 2018

The days are getting longer. But don’t put away your velvets just yet. A touch of velvet is the very essence of Spring. Take a walk in the woods to see what I mean. Spring’s delicate new growth is like a velvety garment. Velvet is an ancient obsession. First created in silk by the Chinese, the technology traveled to Iraq and Egypt, then to Europe, where it continues to conjure opulence, luxury, and saturated color.

The Lady in Red

Posted on February 09 2018

Do you shy like a pony from the prospect of wearing red? Too obvious? Too bold? Rubies excepted, red is just not you? Consider an experiment. Think about Chagall murals, rhubarb, Titian hair, tomato sauce. Picture striped deck chairs, claret, strawberries, flame. Or Lifesavers, saris, Cartier. Imagine a sunny morning, a secret kiss, a dance party, a wild embrace. Then let Jane’s Vanity slip you into a teeny bit of red.

Laundry Thoughts

Posted on February 06 2018

Gorgeous lingerie brings to mind this quote from Belgian ballet choreographer Maurice Béjart about Gianni Versace’s costumes: “Watching him work enchanted me: he would be there sewing pearls on a dress, painting on golden embroidery, cutting out pieces of transparent silk, attaching invisible bits of lace in the folds of a costume where they were so hidden that only he and I knew they were there. But in the composition of a work of art, it is precisely what you don’t see that makes something a masterpiece: it’s the pointless that is absolutely indispensable.”

Etched in Sunlight

Posted on February 04 2018

“Etched in Sunlight:” a tiny snippet from a book dedication.* In just three words it frames my vacation and packs my suitcase. Goodbye, Winter. Off we go, to chase the sun in the finest from Jane’s Vanity. Etched in white, the Mika Navy Cotton and Silk Pajama is perfect for the plane. Etched in black, Olivia Von Halle’s Farleigh white cotton shortie pajamas strut “cruise director” upon arrival.

About Town, Again

Posted on February 03 2018

Monday: Long walk in the woods. Morse Code practice with the boys in the afternoon. Plan cocktail party. Hostess attire? Tuesday: Ravioli class in the AM. Movie afternoon: keep to theme with The Great Beauty (La Grande Belleza). Look bellissima in Olivia Von Halle’s Lila Joy Pajamas in chartreuse. Wednesday: Return Aunt Sue’s golf shoes (so handy during the ice storm). Buy lots of crackers for party. Audition party outfits: Madame Aime’s Mauvais Garcons Pajamas? Completely stunning. Dinner at the deli.

The Blues

Posted on January 28 2018

The color of water and sky, the happy color: blue. The color of birds eggs and flowers and ink. Simple, prim, ingenuous. Or cool, jewel-like, profound. Silk absorbs blue in a special way. The result is a dancing assortment of colors that are perfect for lingerie. One garment would hardly be enough. Get the blues. Lots of them. Start a collection from Jane’s Vanity.

A Closer Look

Posted on January 27 2018

A passing glance, a second look. What is that certain something you project? The offhand feeling of knowing you are subtly, but perfectly, put together. In a similar vein, perhaps you think you know someone, then, suddenly, they surprise. You are the one who must look again. Two French lingerie lines offer a tantalizing second look. Marjolaine and Vaninna Vesperini whisper, “You think you know us, but wait…”

About Town, Still

Posted on January 21 2018

Monday: Beatles Fan club reunion. Where is my necktie? And pink lipstick? Don’t forget white Go-Go boots and Falke’s All Over Flowers Stay-ups from Jane’s Vanity. Love them, yeah, yeah, yeah...Tuesday: Up late. Cancel bongo drum lesson. Give the mailman a house tour--he’s been asking. Make the family meatballs for dinner. Watch The Crown. Wednesday: Catalog sweaters. Best whisper-knit yet: Dana Pisarra’s Romantic Camisole in Almonde or Antique. Perfect with jeans and a Pendleton shirt for hot springs weekend with X. Take a selfie.

An English Moment

Posted on January 20 2018

Jane’s Vanity is riding a wave of brilliant British lingerie design. The UK labels featured at JV are nudging up toward double digits: Damaris, Derek Rose, Gilda & Pearl, Klements, Loveday London, Morpho + Luna, Olivia Von Halle, Rossell England and, soon, Meng and Violet & Wren. Each is delightfully different, but perhaps there are threads that bind them. What has created this special moment? Each has a vision, based, among other things, on the love of British heritage, bespoke tradition, menswear, English flowers, fine art, luxurious materials, sustainability.

Lingerie Logic

Posted on January 17 2018

Soon it will be time for the Salon International de la Lingerie in Paris, the French antidote to winter. This three-day January event is a showcase of the latest intimate apparel designs. Open to the trade only, the Salon displays acres of stunning little garments, miles of models walking in defilade, a sea of bundled-up store buyers mulling it over. Which items to choose from this wealth of offerings? How can the buyers ever decide?

My Mental Vacation

Posted on January 14 2018

What started it all? Just an inscription, in Latin, seen in a book: “Hilaritati ac genio dicata.” It is engraved over the entrance arch of the Loggetta in Vicenza’s Salvi Garden. It means ”Abandon yourself to laughter and insouciance.” What a great idea! And my inspiration for a winter stay-cation. First off, set the mood, with tropical print pajamas from Olivia Von Halle. Choose her billowy Daria Barbara Silk Shirt and Wide Leg Trousers, in a glorious teal flower print, piped with white. Drift off to your loggetta. Well, OK, your couch.

The Start of Something Big

Posted on January 13 2018

American entertainer Steve Allen’s mid-century theme song, “This Could Be The Start of Something Big,” is so upbeat and evocative. Each verse describes a sudden and unexpected meeting with love. “You’re walking along the street, or you’re at a party…” His images ooze a nostalgic sex-appeal and cool. But the idea is timeless: love is right around the corner, be ready. Jane’s Vanity makes sure that you are.

The Mix

Posted on January 08 2018

My new things from Jane always give my wardrobe a boost, sometimes in surprising ways. I think of it as mixed-up elegance. It makes getting dressed a lot of fun. Picture a vintage Scottish golf jacket, made for the vacation trade in Bermuda. What a find! Tastefully embroidered with golf balls and the word “FORE,” it calls out for a glimpse of something red and lacy. The fabulous Ritratti Ermitage Embroidered Sheer Balconette Set smartens it up nicely. Just add a costume jewelry choker or a Klements scarf.

Straight

Posted on January 07 2018

As I passed through the lobby of my hotel, a very handsome young man, possibly Italian, stopped dead in his tracks and called out to me, “What a beauuutiful outfit!” No machine could have produced better posture. Or a more sincere “Grazie!” Stunning lingerie can nudge you toward fabulous posture, too. Your back will arch ever so slightly as that glorious bra lifts your bosom skyward. Scintillating silk camisoles and chemises demand that you relax your shoulders and pull in your tummy. Perfect stockings accent your curves and put a spring in your step.

Baubles, Bangles, & Bright Shiny Lingerie

Posted on January 06 2018

As I adjust my plastic sunglasses, nylon stockings, and costume jewelry, I notice that this celebration of American imagination and mass-production barely mentions lingerie. Well, nice to have an ecumenical approach to getting dressed. Who could mind a European touch (or Canadian or Japanese) to the lace and silk confections that provide the ultimate accessory? Consider, for example, the versatility of a bodysuit. Jane has several stunners.

"Take a Break!"

Posted on January 05 2018

Thank goodness I have friends in tune with my daily ups and downs. They reside in my closet. When I come home tired, wet, and misunderstood, they say, “take a break!” Or, if I burst in the door with new ideas and places to go, they also say, “take a break!” They just know me right down to the ground. But when there is no company, nothing much on the calendar, it is nice to take a break. I never feel alone.

Your fortune, Cookie!

Posted on January 01 2018

Holidays = Chocolate. Often of an exotic nature, such as Baci from Perugina. Each chocolate and hazelnut “bacio,” or kiss, includes a tiny transparent sheet of blue printing, nestled inside its wrapper. The message is not a fortune, but a love note. Translated into five languages. The source is usually from literature, properly cited. Today’s missive: “There’s always some madness in love. But in madness, there’s always a little wisdom.” Friedrich Nietzsche.

Holiday Wishes

Posted on December 25 2017

Wishing you: David Hockney dachshunds, a postcard from Rio, Pink Martini tickets (or at least a pink martini), diamond hugs and kisses, old movies in the afternoon, a heifer for The Heifer Project, a Christine Vancouver Gatsby Velvet Robe. And may you: win at Boggle, wear fur-lined boots, decorate with orange carnations, collect blue and white china, occasionally serve red velvet cupcakes, and sleep in Morpho+Luna’s Chloe Night Silk Gown.

La Bella Figura

Posted on December 24 2017

The Italian concept of “la bella figura,” a fine figure, brings to mind Henry Cavill in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Great suits, swell posture, sly smile. But, the idea is more complex. Some consider “la bella figura” a central metaphor for Italian life. Applicable to both men and women, it describes your facade, the picture you show the world. And, to quote blogger Lynn O’Hare, it demands that you “look good, strut it, flaunt it--now!” While, of course, being nice.

A Little Bit of Venice

Posted on December 23 2017

If you can’t travel to Venice for a cozy winter holiday, bring Venice home. It may be cold and stormy outside, but inside your local palazzo, as in Venice, it is serenissima. Candles, velvet, muffled sounds. Picture quickly darkening afternoons and evenings full of promise. You glide into them. The colors of Venice are key: saturated, yet muted. The oranges of a winter sunset, the beiges of stones, the pinky reds of Tintoretto. You need look no further for your holiday wardrobe from Jane's Vanity.

Togetherness

Posted on December 19 2017

We are swooning over the beauty of our fall lingerie lineup. Artistic collaborations and witty juxtapositions have produced a feast for the eye. They remind us to keep things interesting by teaming up. Just add your own touch to create the ultimate collaborative twist.

Soie ou Soir?

Posted on December 17 2017

Soie ou soir? Which is it: silk or evening? Two French words that sound so like. And, in my mind, they are inseparable. Sleep issues are a thing of the past, since I started wearing silk camisoles to bed. Is it the gently insulating fabric, the sensuous weight, or, perhaps, the pretty colors? Like a little secret. Suddenly, it’s morning. Evening silk fills me with anticipation for being awake, too. A s the sun sets, I perk up my evening with adventurous silk possibilities.

Thank you, Slim

Posted on December 16 2017

At one time I knew nothing about photographer Slim Aarons, even whether male or female. I just knew that I loved her/his languid and colorful photographs of the beautiful and famous capering on sunny beaches or in cool palazzos. A trip to the library cleared things up, with a delicious assortment of coffee table books. A veteran of World War II, he vowed to leave combat photography behind forever and take only photos of “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.”

About Town, Again

Posted on December 14 2017

Monday: Rainy and cold. Holiday gifts on their way without leaving the house, thanks to the Jane’s Vanity website. Plenty of time to make it to Geography Club champagne luncheon (such a festive time of year). Wear Dana Pisarra’s Romantic Amande Camisole under my flight jacket. Take umbrella.

Agatha, Darling

Posted on December 13 2017

A chilly winter train ride along the Adriatic on the Orient Express? A balcony breakfast in the South of France? A house party in the wilds of the English countryside? It all conjures just one thing: an elegant dressing gown. Although my fascination with Agatha Christie is hardly limited to loungewear, it does add a little zing to the proceedings. I adore Christie’s wit, her settings, her longing. And I admire her rich characterizations that whisper rather than shout. Of course the clothes must play a part.

A Lift

Posted on December 10 2017

No, not that kind of lift. Rather, the fleeting effervescent feeling one gets when something nice happens. For example, when one knows that chocolate is in the desk drawer, that the haircut is this afternoon, that the refund check has arrived. Or when one receives an unexpected compliment, a day off, a spectacular invitation. Another excellent formula for a lift is to try on scarves.

Charm & Chic

Posted on December 09 2017

Lovely lingerie is the epitome of charm. To delight, to dazzle, to fascinate. Perhaps to seduce. But also to put yourself at ease, as you float through busy days. You have a little secret underneath that elevates your mood. Your confidence frees you to focus on others, which is the essence of charm. Fantastic underpinnings are also a first step to chic, that illusive certain something. F or some of us, chic may be a lifelong project. Lingerie leads in the right direction.

A New Star

Posted on December 04 2017

There's a new star in the Jane's Vanity constellation. The heavenly Salon International de la Lingerie in Paris offers a stellar opportunity for discovery. And by close observation, Jane and Emily caught sight of Akiko Ogawa Lingerie, a label that showcases the finest Japanese lace. In fact, Japan is one of the major producers of lace in the world. Jane’s Vanity offers a celestial sampling this fall.

About Town

Posted on December 03 2017

Monday: Laundry. Long walk. Write postcards to nephews. Remember to buy stamps. Flowers for the week. New Camille Roucher Dahlia Plunge lingerie set should be arriving this afternoon--smiley face. Tuesday: Gas up the coupe. Buy some celery and Rogue River Blue Cheese. Gig at women’s shelter--polish trumpet and wear snappy Olivia von Halle’s cropped PJs.

The Art of Color

Posted on December 02 2017

As I look back on my fashion life, a riot of experimentation, I can see why someone might opt for a neutral wardrobe. But not for long. Can we conduct the art de vivre without a bit of color? I don’t want to. I want it all. Especially the sapphires, peonies, etc. of Jane’s Vanity. So therapeutic just to own. But, the actual wearing may require a bit of advice for a magpie such as I. My only rule seems to be: Does this color make me happy? Yes, it does.

Fishnet Catch

Posted on November 26 2017

Two European hosiery lines have shaped me into a devotee of fishnets. I wouldn’t be without these special stockings, and needn’t be, because they are amazingly sturdy. Suitable for any season, they insulate, yet allow air circulation. And, perhaps most importantly, they look fabulous! The open diamond weave, in whatever color, accentuates and perfects. I was not always a fishnet girl. But Jane’s Vanity somehow caught me up and encouraged me to be adventurous. To my amazement, fishnets seem to go with everything and have a certain subtlety.

Not by the Numbers

Posted on November 25 2017

Each change of season poses a challenge for getting dressed. And often leaves me feeling as if my closet is empty. Fall is especially alarming. First, because it is cold. Second, because the bright autumn light starkly points out items in need of attention or a fond farewell. But, as I recreate my look each season, I resist the urge to dress by the numbers. Fashion formulas abound: one this, one that, and so on. It makes me crazy. Instead, I just try to acquire things I love. Jane’s Vanity provides clothes that are beyond formulaic. They offer something else, a chance to be my very best self.

Black Friday Sale

Posted on November 22 2017

Black Friday is almost here, and this year it’s bigger than ever. Shop 115 exquisite styles, each priced at 40% OFF with code BF17 - only on Black Friday. Quantities are limited, and many of these pieces will disappear from our online boutique after the sale. From lingerie to loungewear to exquisite accessories, an abundance of treasures have been included in this year's promotion. Don’t miss your chance to take home a luxurious European design at a truly unbelievable price. Shop the full sale online HERE.

A Charmed Season

Posted on November 21 2017

My favorite charm bracelet is chunky and sparely embellished. Each of its five, evenly spaced, baubles is a work of art--of heart. As I lay it out, I think of the coming cozy months that call for a little sparkle. Each charm tells a story for the season. Wear your finery this winter, on wrist and elsewhere, with a shake of fun and soul.

A Whisper of Inspiration

Posted on November 19 2017

Take time to recharge and reimagine. It is the ultimate luxury. You might find your inspiration in a walk or a swim. Or a quiet morning spent looking out the window or reading. Indulge your senses with something silky to wear. From Jane’s Vanity, of course. Think back. Now inspiration is like a whisper. It is everywhere. Ideas interlink. Movies lead in many directions. Histories, biographies, memoirs stir the imagination. Magazines from far away lure one on.

Tiara Daze

Posted on November 18 2017

It’s that time of year. Dress up! For Hallowe’en or winter parties or just for fun. And this year I have the solution for all. A tiara. I had never dreamed of owning my own, until need for a child’s gift sent me to a toy store. What a revelation. My errand forgotten, I stared in amazement at a wall of tiaras that did not require a home mortgage to purchase. And what better way to set it off than with lovely lingerie? Float in for cocktails wearing your little tiara to accent Christine Vancouver’s elegant silk “Diva Gown” in deep red. Or, as a nod to jewelry, her “Faberge” in blue-purple.

Much Depends on Dinner

Posted on November 12 2017

Was Lord Byron speaking of food or flirtation when he wrote those lines? Perhaps both. Dinner, the art thereof, is complicated. Where to dine? When? Diane Johnson, in her delightful Le Divorce, schools Americans in the French concept of dinner “after,” rather than “before.” Much easier to focus on the food, I suppose. And such excellent food. But, whichever, one must look one’s seductive and vibrant best at table. Decolletage can be quite low. Conversation more elevated. What a wonderful opportunity to dress up a bit and have a lovely time.

The Paisley Palace

Posted on November 11 2017

Jane’s Vanity has a little hangout in Portland that you may visit, if you are lucky, and only by appointment. Known fondly as “The Paisley Palace,” it is the Breakfast at Tiffany’s of lingerie. As Holly Golightly says, “Nothing very bad can happen to you here!” Or as my friend Karen says, “May I move in?” Step inside this amazing apartment and feel enveloped by romance--and paisley. Your senses come alive. The rich jewel tones on walls and windows create an exotic lair. Beautifully framed art peeks out behind rails of lingerie.

Sexy Armor

Posted on November 05 2017

Is corsetry in your future? It might be just the thing for your busy life of saving the world. Or it could come to the rescue for an intimate dinner or holiday party. Use corsetry to create your own Wonder Woman inspired look.

White Nights

Posted on November 04 2017

Wearing white at night is seductive and confident, whether in a gown or sexy silk pajamas. White counters the shadow of dark times, notable in the slinky white evening dresses of 1930s movies. Coco Chanel seems to have set the trend, wearing white beach pajamas on the Venice Lido, white for tennis, white for yachting, white satin and pearls at parties. To quote the glib designer, “Women think of every color, except the absence of color.” White has “an absolute beauty. It is perfect harmony. Dress women in white or black at a ball: they are the only ones you see.”

"The Eye"

Posted on October 30 2017

Some people just have it: that certain style. And, what joy to find a shop (or website) that uses a special eye to present clothes that always look right and mesh with each other through the years. Once boutiquing has become a habit, it is hard to trade a curated world for any other locale. Sometimes the venue suggests a geographical link such as “a breath of LA” or “all things Capri.” Better yet is an eye for subtle items that are perfect in their own way. A sweater, a dress, a special undergarment--each a learning experience in engineering, detail, color. They provide the ultimate luxury (and economy) of clothing that doesn’t go out of style.

An island Wedding

Posted on October 22 2017

Come along to Martha’s Vineyard for a September wedding. The air is sparkling. The guests are delirious. Pack boldly and prepare to have a dreamy time. Island first-timers may puzzle a bit over wardrobe. Island casual? Island cocktail? Whether you choose a nautical theme or something more in the direction of Margaritaville, Jane has you covered. Or uncovered, if you take a cue from the beauteous wedding guests whose cutouts, bare midriffs, and wisps of striking prints set the joyous tone.

In Search of French Lace

Posted on October 21 2017

Acquisition of an elegant new bra set piques my interest in lace. I hold the material up to the light and admire the design. Flowers, yes, but also leaves. The images are perfect, slightly raised, frosted with an iridescent gleam. They change in size from tiny to bold, contrasting with the chaste netting that sets them off. There is a rhythm to the design, it undulates. I feel as if I’m having a conversation with someone out there.

Another Stylish Book Review

Posted on October 18 2017

I thought a sequel to my original Stylish Book Review was in order, as I've found several new treasures to add to my collection. So here it is. Another Stylish Book Review: Three Long + One Short. My little style library constantly changes, but three longer titles are “core.” Although not new, they stand out among my treasured assortment of fashion and design books. Full of information, ideas, and adventures, they ask to be read again, when the moment feels right. They are friends.

Wardrobe Heroes

Posted on October 16 2017

I'm on a flight from Istanbul to Dubai. We are just now crossing the Sea of Marmara, & yesterday we were yachting in the Black Sea. East - West, & two different seas, connected by the Bosporus straits; quite an amazing place. I've been traveling between Europe & Saudi Arabia for the past five weeks, & I'm congratulating myself on a job well done, in terms of packing for this trip.

In Reserve

Posted on October 15 2017

For me, part of the fun of travel is to test my wardrobe planning. Were my selections brilliant? Did I wear every single thing? Did I fit right in to wherever I was going, with a little zing? Was there plenty of room in my suitcase for shopping en route? But, sometimes I ask myself what I would do if all of my luggage were lost. Really lost. It could happen. Rather than being a disaster, such a scenario could provide a new challenge: how to manage without a thing! Well almost. It could be done, no problem.

My Dear Creature

Posted on October 10 2017

“My Dear Creature,” Thus does Jane Austen’s character Alicia Johnson begin a letter to her close friend Lady Susan Vernon in the novella Lady Susan. The story, in epistolary style, is the basis of the delicious 2016 movie Love and Friendship, written and directed by Whit Stillman. If you haven’t seen it, do not deprive yourself!

Despacito

Posted on October 08 2017

Even though the season has wound down, I am in the summer dance mode of Despacito, the musical phenomenon from Puerto Rico. The video, filmed in the romantically gritty La Perla neighborhood of Old San Juan, has hit the 3 billion mark (and counting) for viewings on YouTube. It is a mesmerizing dance number, sexy and full of joy. Its composer and singer, Luis Fonzi, celebrates the movement, dancing, and rhythm of Latin America that he says are “engraved on my bones.”

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