We know. It's still summer. It's hot and humid and, well, boring.
That's why we decided to give you a sneak peek at fall.
Eileen Fisher does fall right. Her simple, modern, easy-to-wear sweaters, skirts and trousers look so touchable, so stylish. We are loving her ivory silk mohair V-neck cardigan (pictured left, $218) and gray knitted wool crepe bias skirt ($118). Top it off with a cute pumpkin beanie ($58), and you're set.
Eileen Fisher clothing is available at Nordstrom and Eileen Fisher stores in Tyson's Galleria in McLean, Va., and the Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. For a store near you or to order a catalog, go to www.eileenfisher.com.
A fine line between super and silly
Getting the sun-kissed-dewy-skin-and-glossy-bright-lips look that's all the rage this season isn't as easy as it looks. Pick the wrong tinted lotion, and you look like a crazed mime. Reach for a too-bright lipstick, and you'll stop traffic with your shiny, glaring lips.
Yves St. Laurent has two products in its summer line that can get you looking flawless in no time: Teint Parfait is a lotion with a supple elastic texture that glides on evenly and looks natural and radiant. It comes in six tints and costs $35 for a 1-ounce tube. And YSL's Lip Marker is a pen filled with liquid lip color that gives precision application of such bright, glossy colors as grenadine, lychee and blackberry ($24).
YSL cosmetics are available at Fields Pharmacy in Pikesville and at select Nordstrom stores.
The Colonial world through tinted glasses
George Washington was cool. Thomas Jefferson had it going on. OK, maybe not. But our forefathers did wear tinted spectacles, the accessory we know today as the ever-popular and attitude-adjusting sunglasses.
It turns out that neither Elvis nor Michael Jackson invented sunglasses -- they've been known to the Western world since Marco Polo traveled to China in the 1270s. Back then, sunglasses didn't have side pieces to fit over the ears. Instead, wearers had to put ribbon through rings at the sides of the glasses to keep them in place.
Get a taste of what it feels like to be Colonial cool by picking up your very own pair of 18th-century-style tinted spectacles just like George and Thomas used to wear at Williamsburg.
The reproduction Colonial sunglasses are suitable for adults and kids and come in blue or green. They cost $9 and can be purchased at www.williamsburg marketplace.com. For information or to receive a catalog, call 800-414-6291.
Polo shirt slims down, shapes up
News alert: Tossing on your boyfriend's baggy, shapeless, faded polo shirt is no longer an option. Not now that Ralph Lauren has introduced a fitted polo for men and women that is modern and updated but still has the look that's become a classic.
"The Skinny" polo shirt for women has a slim and sexy fit and bares the belly. The men's "Custom Fit" polo hugs the body. The new shirts cost $52.50 and are available in 100 colors from Lime Drop to Monaco Rose.
As if that weren't enough, shoppers at www.polo.com can customize their polo shirts for a limited time by mixing and matching their shirt color with the color of the little polo player logo. There are 12 colors to choose from. And your custom polo comes embroidered with the year the shirt was created just above the side vent. Custom polo shirts are about $62.
All shirts are available at www.polo.com. For information, call 888-475-7674.
