Margaret Logan Style

I remember being in Border’s, feeling compelled to buy this publication ~ Esquire’s The Big Black Book 2008, The Style Manual for Successful Men. But twelve bucks is twelve bucks, and so trying to tame the frivolity I tend to get around magazine racks, I put it back, ignoring the impulse. It never fell off my radar, though. And sure enough, a few weeks later, my friend Ken mentioned that David Wood, established men’s clothier here in Portland, had just been mentioned in Esquire magazine.

“Esquire magazine?” I asked, seeking to clarify, because surely he didn’t mean Esquire, the sophisticated men’s magazine. I mean, what would such a worldly publication want with one of our stylish little treasure troves?

“Yeah, Esquire,” he replied. “Some sort of listing…”

That’s when it dawned on me. “It must be in the Big Black Book of Style,” I exclaimed. “That’s huge!”

I immediately signed off and drove to the bookstore to grab a copy and see what kind of coverage a little store in Portland, Maine might possibly generate. Oh, the world is small indeed. And living in Maine, we sometimes forget that, to the rest of the world, there is hint of intrigue, perhaps even envy, for a place like this.

Sure enough, at the very end of the book (and I do mean book), there is a section called The Resources. And I quote: “Department stores are convenient and megachains are everywhere, but some of the best finds and most knowledgeable service can only be found at independently owned stores around America.” Divided into regions across the country, The East Coast kicks it off, where our very own David Wood is no. 2 on the list. In such good company as Richard’s in Greenwich and Mr. Sid in Newton, Mass.

Maine is well represented here – Best Bib and Tucker in Bangor and Rogues Gallery in Portland also made the cut – and we should be proud that our local talent base commands the recognition and the esteem of its global peers. Very cool.

But the icing on the cake? Flipping through the book and landing on page No. 038, to an article entitled The New Americans, The design mavericks who are redefining style from the U.S. of A. and seeing a full page spread on Rogues Gallery. Now that was something else.

Perhaps the old mindset of having to move to the “big city” to do something great can finally be put to bed. Afterall, it’s not really about location. Build it and they will come.

“Color is the most important luxury in a woman’s life.” ~ Isaac Mizrahi

I saw this quote on Isaac Mizrahi’s website yesterday, as I was checking in for my daily dose of inspiration. Isaac does that for me. Whether it’s his humor, his eye or his theatrics, I always find a little something in his milieu to tuck away for a rainy day. The moment I saw this quote at the top of the page, I thought, “Oh, he is so right!”

And it was a moment. I mean, in this dire economy, in this time of vast uncertainty and diminishing wealth, it served as a reminder that the greatest luxuries are indeed the simplest things. Like color. A smile. Reconnecting with an old friend.

For me, color is the ultimate pick me up. It’s a beaming smile. A boost of confidence. A warm embrace. Especially hot pink. I love hot pink. But not just any hot pink. It’s got to be a true, vibrant shade with lots of blue in it. Reminds me of my mother. She always wore a smile. Always looked stunning, with little effort or fanfare. And she always knew that a pop of color here and there could do a world of good for one’s mood and self confidence. Happiness emanates, afterall.

Whether it was as simple as never leaving the house without putting on her Coco Pink Chanel lipstick, or stepping out in that stunning hot pink cashmere dress all five of her daughters remember with a sense of territorial rights, she understood color and its impact. Both understated and to the nines. And her smile told all.

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I certainly hope so. It’s true, I never leave the house without putting on my NARS Funny Face lipstick or without donning my positively vintage hot pink cashmere wrap, and it always kicks my spirits up a notch. But mostly, in these times when your pockets may seem shallow and your clothes threadbare, it’s nice to be reminded that some of life’s little luxuries will always be in the palm of your hand.

Gorgeous. Lovely. Authentic. Job well done.

Amaryllis, Simply Chic, Betsy’s…All of these high end women’s clothing boutiques in Portland’s Old Port have either shut down or are closing. And this is just on Exchange Street alone. The only bright spot to this jarring local retail reality is that though Betsy’s has abandoned its Exchange Street location, the shop has indeed relocated to Bertini’s old spot on Fore Street, across from the Portland Harbor Hotel. Perhaps this will help to drive foot traffic down Fore Street, which would bode well for the many fabulous merchants on that end of the street.

A stark reality indeed.

No two ways about it. Amaryllis is Closed.

Simply Chic, a sliver of a store on Exchange Street with fabulous lines like Milly, Vince and Rachel Pally, is packing it in.

Betsy’s has left the building…