Margaret Logan Style

There’s nothing quite like a coffee date between gal pals. No spouse, no kids, no work…just a soothing cup of java and company in which to delight. To dish. To have a hearty laugh at the challenges and peculiarities of life, exchange a hug and a promise to do it again soon, and then, off and running, you’re right back at the daily grind. It’s such a perfect, albeit too brief, moment of reprieve.

I’ve never given much thought about what to wear to one of these coffee dates. I love them, I look forward to them, and I’m usually so pressed for time, my daily uniform of jeans and a tee must suffice. After all, it is the company one keeps, not the clothing, right?

In theory, perhaps. Ladies, there is no delicate way to capture in words what my friend and I bore witness to during our most recent coffee date. Nothing delicate at all. In fact, the whole experience was rather jarring. And it prompts me to share a few thoughts about what not to wear for coffee….

1. An exposed midriff, especially if you’re not sporting athletic wear. If your sweater is too short and your pants are too tight, leaving your ample tummy rolling forward for all the world to see, you’ve got a problem. Certain things should always be covered. Case closed.

2. Faux snake skin, gold-plated stilettos with a power suit. Mixed messages, if you ask me. Especially at 8 am.

3. Skinny leg, skin tight, black denim Bermuda shorts. On a guy.

Stop.

I wrote this blog entry a few months ago and just couldn’t bear to hit “publish.” In fact, I stopped writing it before it was finished because it just seemed in poor taste. Such eye popping observations are so shocking in the moment you almost can’t wait to recount them, but then somehow, it seems nothing but cruel to share some poor soul’s tough day for the masses to envision. I mean, we’ve all had our moments. A little compassion goes a long way. I’d like to think so, anyway.

So I swore off this blog entry as the right thing to do. And then it happened to me again. Today. In a restaurant. During high noon. The same shocking moment that caught me totally unexpected. I tried to avert my eyes, but I couldn’t help myself. A gal got up out of her booth, her denim britches so low and her t-shirt so tight that not only did I bear witness to a vast muffin top and at the very least, half a fanny, but a belly that simply fell over in abundance.

Perhaps it was my husband telling me he had just seen the new Britney Spears video on VH1, where she is basically nude through the whole thing. Perhaps it was the shock value of catching a glimpse, yet again, of something that really is meant for intimate eyes only. Trust me, I’m no prude. But ladies, cover it up. Over exposure is just that. Over exposure. And it’s so over.

Or perhaps I should say guilty purchase. Because in today’s unstable economic climate, what isn’t an impulse buy? And when you do indulge, it feels more like a guilty pleasure than a legitimate wardrobe update. Because with paper wealth in a tailspin and even the greatest economic minds unable to grasp the enormity of what continues to unfold before us on a daily basis, it becomes tough to justify $200 jeans and $75 t-shirts.

And still, we spend. A bit more carefully, perhaps. Call it what you will – retail therapy, instant gratification, impulse buy…there are those of us that will never cease to feel the gravitational pull of a fabulous hand bag, a pair of “I have to have them,” shoes or an exceptional jacket. Oil could be $5 a gallon, groceries may shoot through the roof, retirement funds may dwindle, but the call to shop will never go unheeded.

Case in point. This fabulous little faux fur jacket by Milly. Called the Mink Chubby Jacket, it’s delightful to the touch and has a hot pink lining that is simply a dream. Perfect with your favorite jeans or a snug little pencil skirt, there is no place this jacket won’t take you. In style, to boot. At $428, this is one impulse buy that will never go out of style. Available at Simply Chic on Exchange Street in Portland. Call 207.775.2442 for more information.

Perhaps a little more self-indulgent, this ecru colored, long boucle jacket, also from Milly, is both lovely and entirely impractical. The black grosgrain ribbon tie is the ultimate finishing touch. Great for special occasions or as a formal cover up. Also available at Simply Chic, this coat retails for $576.

It is the quintessential pop of color, just perfect for fall, and just perfect for everyday. It is the Devon Small Coal hand bag by Kate Spade. The pink/chocolate/rust color combination is striking and evokes the beauty of this season’s fall foliage. Its sister, in the more collegiate color combination of green/gray/navy, is a bit more subdued, but no more versatile. Great with jeans and a cozy fall coat or cashmere sweater, it’s a simple statement, and an eye catching one.

Made with heavy felt fabric and tumbled leather trim, this satchel is relaxed, functional and fun to carry. Such a great way to jazz up the basics, with a price tag that won’t break the bank. Love that.

Available at Stiletto on upper Exchange Street, Portland, the Devon Small Coal retails for $375. Contact Stiletto at 207.775.3033.