Throughout the years, fashion has been heavily influenced by social changes and major world events. Most recently, COVID has created another shift in the fashion industry. With more people working from home during the pandemic, plus the long-term absence of parties, weddings and other fun get-togethers, people were looking for comfort, both in their clothes and in their psyches.
Now, though, the world is slowly but surely opening back up, and women are getting tired of the same old yoga pants and tee-shirts. They want to dress up and feel confident and pretty when they walk out the door, whether it’s going to the office or to a fancy cocktail party.
“As we slowly re-emerge and return to our pre-COVID activities, getting dressed is different,” says fashion expert, Mary Farley. “Weddings, parties and special events are on the calendar and they are actually happening. As in the past, we are ready to not only get dressed, but get dressed UP! The one thing we are not willing to sacrifice though, is comfort. Dressing, more than ever, must be effortless.”
Also, she adds, many people purged like crazy during the pandemic, donating or discarding clothes they were no longer wearing and leaving a clean slate in their closets. For those ladies, now is the time to begin building a new post-COVID wardrobe. But what will that look like?
Mary, who was a long-time stylist with Etcetera and is now with Pearl by Lela Rose, is the perfect person to lead us in the right direction. So, let’s get started!
The first thing to do, she says, is lose the “anything goes” wardrobe and get back to dressing in a way that doesn’t remind us of the pandemic. Each person, depending on their lifestyle, will approach this a little differently, but rather than hard and fast fashion rules, Mary says to trust your individuality.
“There are always fashion trends each season, and I think it’s great to observe those trends, to look at them. But I don’t care what the trend is - I want someone to look good and feel good in their clothing. A trend might be out there and be really big, but if it’s not you, it’s not right.
“Regardless of the trend, choose the fit that is comfortable and flattering to your individual shape. This doesn’t mean 365 new outfits - it’s about investing in high-quality, versatile pieces that suit your lifestyle and make it easy for you to look your best season after season.”
Speaking of versatility, Pearl by Lela Rose has a blazer that’s made out of stretchy knit fabric. “It’s something that you can absolutely wear to the office, but you can also sit on an airplane for three hours and have the blazer not be wrinkled when you get off,” she says. “The technology of fabrics is so incredible these days.”
Mary has also a noticed a huge desire for updated staples such as great fitting pants, jackets, blouses, tops, sweaters and dresses which provide the perfect base for mixing and matching. Those, along with a few statement or trend pieces, take you out of your comfort zone. And don’t be afraid of altering items here and there. The right fit is imperative.
Women are also ready for a pop of color and/or unusual color combinations. “We have several different color groupings in our fall collection and one of them was inspired by Seattle-based paper flower artist Kate Alarcón,” says Mary. “Lela Rose saw these handmade intricate flowers and those colors were an inspiration to her for some of this fall’s color groupings. Black with pink and orange and poppy red - it’s just really bright and fun. Color triggers something in our minds and makes us happy.”
Another big change she’s noticed is consumers and designers taking an interest in sustainability in the fashion industry. “With Pearl by Lela Rose, each piece of clothing is cut to order which is a really important thing since it eliminates waste and avoids having leftover inventory,” she says. “There’s also a trend called upcycling, and Pearl is doing that too. They’re taking a fabric from a previous season that they have left over, and are redesigning it and making it into something new. It’s a great way to use the fabric so nothing goes to waste.”
Pearl by Lela Rose is located in New York City’s garment district, and about 90% of the collection is produced there. Any leftover scraps are donated to a nearby women’s volunteer organization that makes tablecloths to sell and then uses the proceeds to support various charities. This is another way for the fashion industry to practice sustainability.
Since Pearl focuses on ready-to-wear clothes that are effortlessly stylish, Mary, along with her team of dynamic women - Patty French, Cindy Blake, Ann Howe and Linda Abar - are spending a lot of time helping women capture this perfect look.
Four times each year, Mary invites women to shop at seasonal home trunk shows at her home in Grosse Pointe. “Each one lasts about an hour to an hour and a half, and we take guests through our collection of samples, showing them the current trends, building on what they may have previously purchased, and ordering the clothes. Items are then shipped directly to the client.”
Each collection is created by the designer, Lela Rose, who along with clothing, also has a flair for entertaining and cooking. In 2018, she combined those with her love of textiles and design and that’s how Pearl by Lela Rose was born.
“Her vision was that friends would gather together to shop, enjoy a cocktail and have fun in someone’s home,” says Mary. “Fashion - Food - Fun! - that became the inspiration for Pearl by Lela Rose where each seasonal trunk show has a signature cocktail and one of the clothing fabrics is made into dinner napkins so that your outfit can match your table!”
During these parties, there is also an opportunity for local female business owners, regardless of industry, to share what they do and what they are all about with others. “During each show we highlight a woman who owns a business, small or large,” she says. “We also feature them on our social media account.”
“I love owning and managing my own [home] business,” says Mary. “I have learned a lot over the years - it’s very empowering. I have also developed the most wonderful relationships with people in this community. I feel very lucky to have met so many great women who have put their trust in me to help them with their wardrobes. The way people dress is a very personal thing and I’ve been honored to be a part of it. I’ve shared in their daughters’ weddings, and high school graduations, and was a part of picking out outfits for other special occasions in their lives.”
So, let’s get shopping and refill those closets once again. “We all know that when you walk out the door in the morning, and you’re wearing an outfit that you feel really good in, it sets you off on a positive note for the day,” says Mary.
For more fashion ideas, follow mfarley_pearlgp on Instagram and to be added to Mary’s email list, send her a message at mfarley@pearl.nyc.
Popular items and trends to be in style this fall:
Unexpected Color Pairings and Fall Florals - ice blue, camel and ivory; black, pink and poppy - two main color stories inspired by Seattle-based artist Kate Alarcón. Also add some fun accessories to combine different or unexpected colors in the mix.
Re-imagined Classics - A blazer cape combination is amazing! A show stopper for sure.
Knits - The softest luxe sweaters in gorgeous textures and colors. Warm and cozy with wools that feel like cotton. Pair with your favorite jeans. Think Après Ski and weekend hikes in the country.
Luxe Leather - dresses, skirts, pants and jackets. They are hot, hot, hot!
