Category: Style Sessions

Artist Elizabeth Alley has been described as “Memphis’ answer to Audrey Hepburn,” and I think in the following week, you’ll see why.

In fact, it’s Elizabeth who deserves credit for the Fashion Week concept.

Elizabeth and I were on the same team back when we played for Memphis Roller Derby and we still get together for meetings of what we call the pizza buffet binge-eaters club. But no matter when I see her, she always looks chic and well put together. And she always has the cutest shoes!

Which always leads me to say, “Where is Justin when you need him?” (B/c I can’t take a good picture for anything.)

The end result, of course, was this feature.

This particular day Elizabeth was wearing a dress from Martin + Osa, which she got online, on sale. Because she thinks it looks a little like a St. Agnes uniform by itself, she paired it with a gray sweater from Target.

“I bought it for the warmth factor, but it’s gray so it goes with everything,” she says. “When I button it up and wrap the built-in scarf around my neck, it looks like something an old lady would wear in a sci-fi movie.”

I know Charlize Theron isn’t old, but I couldn’t help but throw this in there, from Aeon Flux. Just to give people an idea of what it *might* look like, buttoned up.

But Elizabeth obviously isn’t wearing it the sci-fi way.

“When not buttoned up, the built-in scarf makes the sweater asymmetrical, which if you know me is weird,” she says, “but then I don’t have to worry about losing a scarf.”

For starters, let’s just say how cute that cat is, right? Now that that’s out of the way …

On this particular day, Amy was going to the Grizzlies Academy benefit at Boscos. She wore an FCUK blouse under a Banana Republic dress and tights. With yes, her boots from Crazy/Beautiful.

“Man, I wore those boots a lot last week,” she says. “Oh, well, they’re new.”

I’m a fan of this dress and, given Amy’s skill at layering, I’m thinking this is one that can be worn all year round. The bodice has a very pretty lace overlay, and she included a little roadrunner broach.

“I think that black dresses can be a little blah, and this one is pretty conservative, but popping a pin on there adds a little fun,” she days.

Thanks so much to Amy Gregory for being my first fashion guinea pig to do the Fashion Week feature (and to her husband/photographer Joey Miller for taking the snaps). I think she really showed how different a person’s style can be from one day to the next, even if some pieces, such as the boots, remain constant.

Also I think I may have to go into Crazy/Beautiful.

Amy calls this a typical work outfit:

She’s wearing an American Apparel tunic over a Target long-sleeved tee, Chica stretch jeans, and her boots from Crazy/Beautiful.

“My job is pretty physical so comfort is very important to me,” Amy says. “This allows me to move around and stay cool while working.”

Recently, I noticed some construction going on at the Pottery Barn Outlet at Audubon Place (near Poplar and Perkins).

I finally got close enough to see what it was over the weekend and it appears that West Elm is taking over some of that space. I don’t know if anyone else has already reported that, but … Squeeeee!

(Don’t worry, the Pottery Barn Outlet is still there.)

While the rest of us are grumbling over our coffee and cursing the Mondays were ever invented, well, I don’t know what Amy’s doing. But I know she’s not working.

As an esthetician at Hi Gorgeous, she has Monday’s off.

“Monday is my Sunday,” she says. “It’s my day to lounge around the house.”

This particular Monday, she donned a Hello Kitty sweater, American Apparel denim tights, a scarf from Target, and Melissa jelly flats.

“This oversize sweater is comfy and cozy, and I added the scarf for a little color,” she says.

For Fat Tuesday, Amy wore another dress she picked up at Crazy Beautiful.

(I posted it on Friday to give you ladies some inspiration for your weekend “going out” outfits.)

She paired it with a pair of fuschia peeptoe heels, which I think would definitely fall under “shoes that pop.” I love the little tuxedo ruffle down the front.

I’ve also heard that short sleeves are the next big trend for dresses (look for them at the Oscars next weekend) and I love them on this vintage-inspired, belted dress. It has a classic feel, but with the chunky neckline and shine of the material, it also has a lot of visual interest. Plus, it’s hot.

In the real world, Fashion Week is over.

Over here at Style Sessions, Fashion Week is just beginning.

When we started this blog, Justin and I would go out into the wide world of Memphis and catch fashionistas at events or parties or just on the street.

We’re not stopping that. Oh, no, don’t you worry about that. We will continue to jump out at people and randomly compliment them on their outfits. And then snap the poor thing’s picture while they’re still too discombobulated to say no.

But today we’re starting something different.

We’ve asked some of the city’s most stylish people to show off a week’s worth of their own personal style.

We’d like to introduce you to Amy Gregory, an esthetician at Hi Gorgeous. We first met Amy at her wedding reception, where like all brides, she was wearing the most awesome dress. Unlike many brides, however, her reception was the day after her wedding. The dress was a light confection that took its lines and cues from a traditional wedding dress, but was shorter and more wearable for an early evening garden party.

Last week, to meet some friends for drinks, she wore a Trashy Diva dress, tights from Target, a belt and boots from Crazy/Beautiful and a vintage Girl Scout sweater.

“This outfit is casual and fun,” she says. “I’m into the black/brown combo these days.”

The dress, which she got in New Orleans, is one of her favorites, but here’s the part that I love: the Girl Scout sweater!

She got it at a thrift store when she was in high school, and it’s survived several closet purges since then. And, yes, it might be made for a little girl, but it totally works on her.

As the event coordinator for Minglewood Hall, Angela Martinez has perfected day-to-night dressing.

“I have to be ready for appointments during the day and concerts at night,” she said.

On this particular evening several weeks ago, she was headed to Shelton Clothiers’ Mark It for Market event. We loved how she paired several classic pieces — the leather jacket, the pearls — in an unexpected way.

“I do like classics, but you have to throw in something a little eclectic,” she said.

In addition to her jacket and pearls, she was wearing a cardigan, a gray pencil skirt, and a pair of Gucci slingbacks.

Just because someone is dressed casually doesn’t mean they can’t have style.

Case in point: Marie Blount.

With this she paired a striking jacket — love the 3/4 sleeves — with black pants and a blue tee.

When I complimented her on the jacket, she said, “I probably paid $15 for this at Rue 21.”

Turns out Blount is a girl after my own heart. She considers herself a bargain shopper and says she often helps pick out things for her friends. With $100, she can find them “the look for less,” including accessories, sometimes even a purse.

Muck Sticky’s outfit at the Grammys MADE this gallery of “glam-rock interpretations of Kiss of the Spider Woman.”

Without it, eh.

Srsly. Check it.