We begin our lives clinging to comfort, whether in the form of a favorite blanket or a teddy bear. But at some point, we’re told we’re too old to don the blanket cape or tote the teddy. Enter the fuzzy sweater and the teddy bear coat. The Danish have a word for it — hygge — a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that causes a feeling of contentment or well-being. During the winter months, when many of us would rather spend our days cuddled in a blanket versus going about our daily tasks, we can seek hygge in wardrobe form. “You can’t bring your fuzzy blanket to work, but the fuzzy ..read more

Think about vests, and various personas come to mind: the gun-slinging cowboy, the Harley Davidson rider, the shirtless rockstar, the avid outdoorsman, a sharp-dressed businessman or your great aunt at Christmas. Vests are iconic, and such a statement piece does not stem from humble beginnings. The first noted and notable vest wearer was King Charles II of England in the 17th century.  What we now know as the vest was then referred to as the waistcoat. Royalty wore vests as a sign of status. Upper-crust folks liked them because when buttoned, they gave the appearance of broader chests an ..read more

Depending on the decade, a number of era icons come to mind when thinking of platform shoes. Cher and Stevie Nicks strutted stages in the ’60s and ’70s in their highest heels. The Spice Girls revived the platform in the early ’90s. And Lady Gaga donned them as her preferred shoe throughout the 2000s. The trend extends to men too — think David Bowie, KISS and Elton John. These larger-than-life celebrities elevated their personas with footwear choice. For nearly 2,000 years people have been wearing platforms to add a few extra inches. In medieval times, those of the higher class wore platforms ..read more

Visiting Qatar, Klara Haloho stood before a colossal fountain sculpture of an oyster and an enormous pearl. At that moment, she told herself that when she made it to the United States, she would work with the jewels of nature. Today, she is surrounded by thousands of nature’s jewels that she has made part of knotted pearl necklaces, bracelets, earrings and anklets at her Destin Commons jewelry boutique, a business 10 years in the making. “Life here is maybe too good,” mused Haloho, tucking a strand of long, jet-black hair behind her ear. “It isn’t lost on me. I am a new American, and I know i ..read more

Few children, when asked, could accurately predict what their futures will hold. Many future doctors dreamed of being pirates or princesses, but Alyssa Jamieson’s childhood aspirations bordered on premonition.  “Ever since I was a little girl — probably like 4 or 5 — I’ve just always told my mom, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to have my own store. When I grow up, I’m going to sell my own clothes,’” Jamieson recalled. “It’s just been a dream of mine since I was very little.” A young Jamieson watched fashion shows, created vision boards of clothing clipped from magazines and played dress-up w ..read more

From fresh farmers market finds and grocery store hauls to necessities for a day at the park, when we need a catch-all carrier, the tote bag is the first to come to mind. Where bag styles come and go, the tote carries with it a reputation of consistency for both fashion and function. The tote bag emerged long before society was concerned with something being “in fashion.” We can look back as far as 17th-century paintings to see depictions of men and women from all cultures using textile satchels to transport their belongings. Since tote simply means “to carry,” we can look back further to ou ..read more

People whose passions include fashion gathered at the SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach for a private show featuring designers Miguel Angelo of Angel Made and Emily Bishop of Goddess Heels. The event, held May 3, was organized by VIVACIOUS, whose Justin Kim served as showrunner and producer. Donnavon Lalputan was associate producer. VIVACIOUS is dedicated to championing creative literacy and fostering new ways of expression. It provides opportunities for designers to showcase their creations in markets including the Emerald Coast. The fashion show spotlighted the latest collection from Goddess He ..read more

Pale skin and jet-black hair against a cherry red dress. A man’s auburn beard peeking over the collar of a forest green coat. Black skin in a burnt orange top. A blonde, tanned by summer rays, in a pastel pink dress. Visualizing these complementary images is easy, and there’s a reason for that. How we process color is more than meets the eye. As the retina intakes color, our brain internalizes what we associate with yellow, blue or green. Since the beginning of humankind, red has caught the eye. It demands that our brain pay attention and be alert. Blue often lulls us into a state of comfort ..read more

Leather trends aren’t just for punk rockers and motorcyclists. With new eco-friendly styles of leather, such as vegan leather, the trend has resurfaced — even in subtropical Northwest Florida. Laurie Olshefski, the owner of Coastal Casuals and Shimmering Seas in Bay County, said that leather never drops out of sight. “It’s just like animal print,” Olshefski said. “There are times where we see animal print less, but it’s never truly gone — it always makes an appearance back with new trends, just in different ways.” You don’t need to own a Harley or be given to a rebellious nature to wear leath ..read more

It isn’t the most elegant or exceptional gem in my jewelry box, but the dainty, smoky quartz pendant I purchased on a trip to Colorado has for years been my favorite accessory. Each time I wear it, I’m reminded of that dewy, summer morning stroll through Colorado Springs, where I encountered an elderly couple who made their living panning for raw gems and minerals in the Arkansas River. Their modest shop was cluttered with handmade jewelry, each piece unique. I learned that the proprietors had descended from prospectors and were keeping a tradition alive. They thanked me for my $20 purchase a ..read more