JeanAnn Taylor | thesofiamagazine

Jean Jacket Joy

by JeanAnn Taylor | Oct 31, 2019 | Asheville, Fashion, Style

By JeanAnn Taylor

If you are looking for a lightweight, comfortable, timeless, versatile jacket that works season after season, you’ll find everything you’re looking for in a denim jean jacket.

In 1880, ten years after Levi Strauss created jeans for gold miners and cowboys, he designed a “triple-pleated blouse” for the rough and tough men who needed a garment that would withstand their hard, rugged work. Now referred to as a “jean jacket,” the “blouse” evolved into western wear and later became trendy in pop-culture. With it’s “bad-boy” vibe in the 1950s, it was popular with motorcyclists, movie stars, and rock idols. Though it was originally a man-only garment, women have adopted the jacket as an integral piece of their wardrobe. The primary difference between a man and woman’s jacket is found in the buttons. Men’s buttons are on the right, women’s are on the left.

There has been much debate about the “double denim” look. Some fashion experts advise to only combine light washes with dark washes; if the top is light, the bottom should be dark. Some say to keep the hues the same. Others say not to wear denim with denim at all. So, what is a fashionista to do? Wear what feels good to you! Denim with denim can work, I just think it’s flattering to break up the blues with a bright top, scarf, or bold necklace.

Jean jackets are currently available in just about every silhouette imaginable. From the original boxy design to form-fitting, from cropped to long lengths; and in colors from pastel pink to lipstick red. There are also floral and graphic prints available. Embellishments of embroidery, patches, ruffles, and flounces add to the flair of the basic jacket. While the indigo jacket works for nearly every outfit, white jackets imply a more polished, dressy look, and black gives an edgy vibe. You can continue to wear your summer frocks into autumn by slipping on a cropped jacket. Long jackets will break the chill and look best with pants. If the cotton, denim fabric isn’t enough to keep you cozy, add a scarf or lightweight sweater to wear underneath.

The jean jacket can tone down a bright color or busy print. It adds an air of casual chicness and relaxed personal style. The jean jacket’s functionality and innate coolness adds to its status as an iconic element of American fashion.

Style expert JeanAnn Taylor can be reached at [email protected]

JeanAnn’s Journey–Trick or Treat

by JeanAnn Taylor | Oct 1, 2019 | Asheville, Halloween, Recipes

Finally, it’s October. I can say goodbye to sweat and hello to goosebumps. That’s fine with me. Like many others, autumn is my favorite season because there is so much to love: colorful leaves, pumpkins, candy corn, hoodies, boots, bonfires, and our first fall holiday, Halloween.

Halloween has become the second largest commercial holiday in America; its origin stems from an ancient pre-Christian festival, Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). These Celtic festivities were held at the end of fall to celebrate the gods and goddesses of harvest, and to honor the dead. Scary disguises were worn as participants danced around bonfires to keep spooky spirits away. Around this same time, All Saints Day, which is devoted to prayer, was also celebrated. On this day, the poor received a pastry in exchange for a promise to pray for a saint. Due to the potato famine of 1845, there was a massive influx of Irish immigrants to America. They brought along their customs and traditions which had by that time evolved from a celebration of spirits and saints into a celebration of lighthearted fun. It’s believed that wearing costumes and handing out treats began with these early ceremonies.

Unfortunately, the lawlessness of the 1920s brought back an element of fear to the celebration. This time the fear was not of ghosts and goblins, it was of the vicious violence that ruled our streets. With the banning of alcohol in 1919, and an ensuing depression, crime became prevalent in America. Jobs were scarce, which induced the criminal activity of bootlegging and prostitution. Murder, rape, vandalism, gambling, drug trafficking, theft, kidnapping, and malicious assaults led to a 561-percent increase of convicts in America’s prisons.

Thankfully, when the Second World War ended in 1945, there was a renewed passion to end the violence. Through the efforts of Law Enforcement, law and order was restored in our country and Halloween became a safe holiday once again. Now that my children are grown and live so far away, I enjoy going to neighborhoods where I can watch little witches, princesses, and dinosaurs skip along from house to house to get their treats.

I also enjoy decorating my home. There is something so appealing about the colors and fabrics of fall. I’ve made kitchen accessories from fabric adorned with purple cats and orange pumpkins, pillow covers from candy-corn and green witch prints, and several quilts from pretty, paisley leaf-prints. Crocheted ghosts and witches are also scattered about. It’s pretty cute around here this time of year.

October is also the perfect time to bake a pumpkin pie or loaf of cranberry bread. The aroma of these treats will add to the warm, cozy aura of autumn ambiance. If you need a super-simple party recipe, try this~

Pumpkin Delight

Slice the top off of a small pumpkin and scoop out the inside.

Combine 8-oz of softened, cream cheese with 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy. Spoon into the pumpkin.

Serve with crackers, bagels, or that loaf of cranberry bread you just took out of the oven.

Sofia Style–The LBD

by JeanAnn Taylor | Sep 30, 2019 | Asheville, Fashion

By JeanAnn Taylor

Do you know anyone who doesn’t have one hanging in their closet? The “Little Black Dress” may be the most iconic garment in fashion history. The versatility and adaptability of the dress has made it a timeless and indispensable element of fashion. While the fabric and silhouette impacts the spirit of the dress, its power lies in the color.

The influence of black is unmistakable. Take any colorful dress you own, dye it black, and it will send a completely different message. Black can conjure up a plethora of reactions including elegance, danger, and sophistication.

The little black dress offers the opportunity to define oneself. This is primarily due to the wide range of appropriate fabrics, silhouettes, and added—or avoided—embellishments of flounces, ruffles, and other fancy trims. This dress has been re-invented countless times, yet remains as stylish as ever. This essential LBD works for all women regardless of age, size, or lifestyle.

The LBD can be worn during the day, night, and every time in between. It is appropriate for cocktail parties and picnics, for frolicking and funerals, for a business meeting or a tryst. This dress can be as simple as a silk sheath, or as elaborate as a full-skirted ballgown. It can be accessorized with classic pearls or trendy costume jewelry. Every color in the rainbow can be worn with black. Pastels, brights, and jewel-tones all play nicely with the dark color. The LBD can be worn as a monochromatic ensemble or as a canvas to highlight brightly colored accessories. A LBD worn with only one pop of color, as in a pair of hot pink high-heels or a pumpkin orange fedora, sends a statement of chic confidence. Of course, wearing orange with black will also say, “Happy Halloween!”

While Coco Chanel is credited with creating the little black dress, she was actually not the inventor. Wearing black garments to make a statement dates back to centuries ago. Coco is however, responsible for designing dresses for all women—not just the elite. They were also original in her use of jersey fabrics which were at the time reserved for men’s underwear—not ladies’ dresses. Her designs were simple, appropriate for ready-to-wear, and more easily mass-produced, making the LBD the timeless, fashion sensation it has become.

All colors affect our mood, but a color that can express both grief and sexiness at the same time, definitely has power. Maybe that’s because black is actually not a color at all. Black is technically the absence of color—which adds to the mystery and magic of the LBD.

Style expert JeanAnn Taylor can be reached at [email protected]

Celebrating Autumn

by JeanAnn Taylor | Aug 29, 2019 | Asheville, Lifestyle

By JeanAnn Taylor

When publisher Tammy Sheppard called to tell me her idea of creating a high-quality magazine designed for women by women, I was thrilled! We know women are powerful consumers, making 83% of all buying decisions. This includes 91% of new homes, 92% of vacations, and 65% of new cars. Add food, clothing, and healthcare for themselves and their families, and they have a substantial percentage of influence. With this in mind, women deserve a magazine specifically created for them.

Along with a new magazine, we embark on a new season; the first day of autumn is September 23, and we begin by celebrating Labor Day. This holiday was created by the labor movement in the late nineteenth century to pay tribute to American workers. It is dedicated to the social and economic achievement of those who work to make our country strong and prosperous. It became a federal holiday in 1894. Today, America is enjoying the lowest unemployment rate since 1969. The unemployment rate for women dropped to 3.1% this past spring – the lowest since 1953. Now that is something to celebrate!

As a passionate dressmaker, quilter, and lover of any-and-every thing to do with fabric, needles, and thread, I enjoy celebrating National Sewing Month each September. Sewing is not only fun and functional, it is an important life skill mistakenly (in my opinion) taken out of our public school system. If you want to sew, but are not sure where to start, visit a fabric store, take a sewing class, or join a sewing circle. If you are looking for a way to express yourself, sewing can take you wherever you want to go.

As you read this editorial in the safety of your home, my son is serving our country in Afghanistan. This war, which began after America was attacked on September 11, 2001, is now the longest in our country’s history. In Afghanistan alone we’ve had nearly 2,300 casualties, and over 20,000 of our military have come home physically wounded–I imagine all of them come home with emotional scars. The only way I can, as a Military Mom, get through this time is to be the person worthy of my son fighting for. I know the best way to honor him is to honor myself. So, while I may feel like crawling into a hole, instead I’m going to take care of myself. The last thing I want to do is to give him something else to worry about while he is on the other side of our planet eating cafeteria food, sleeping in a bunk, and carrying heavy equipment while wearing a bullet-proof vest under his combat uniform–in 99+ degree heat. So, I’ll be strong, and smart, and when he comes home, I’ll breathe again.

When I hear the chirping of the cicadas, I know summer is nearing its end. Their enchanting call lures me outside to sit quietly and listen. You can squeeze a little more fun into these last days of summer by going for a hike to search for early-fall wildflowers like asters, witch hazel, joe-pye weed, and goldenrod; wading in cold, creek water before the temperature drops; picking apples at an apple farm, then baking a pie; watching a sunset from a hilltop.

The month of September is the perfect time to start a new venture. The shift in the air creates an anticipation of something new. I’m honored to be part of a magazine that will truly inspire, inform, and entertain. We’ll have information on health, relationships, gardening, fashion, beauty, and lots more. We’ll tell the story of successful, local women; give you ideas for decorating; and share recipes. You may not love everything you read in SOFIA, but you’ll find something you love each issue. I hope you enjoy the premier issue of SOFIA for Today’s Woman!

Please send your thoughts and ideas to me at jeananntaylor @rewnc.com

YES! You Can Wear White After Labor Day!

by JeanAnn Taylor | Aug 28, 2019 | Asheville, Fashion, Lifestyle

By JeanAnn Taylor

If you are like me, you grew up with the strict fashion rule of, “No white after Labor Day.” White clothing was appropriate from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Period. Fortunately, that silly fashion rule is outdated. White is too pretty to limit to only spring and summer. Wearing white is now considered to be appropriate for all seasons.

White fashion during the heat of summer makes perfect sense. White fabrics don’t absorb heat the way darker colors do. The light color also lends itself to the easy-breezy silhouettes found in full skirts, loose-fitting tops, and butterfly sleeves. These flowing styles help to keep us cool when the temperatures soar.

To transition white into autumn and winter, consider your choice of fabric. Obviously, eyelets, linen, and seersucker are too lightweight for cooler weather. Denser-weave cotton, wool, cashmere, and flannel will feel much better on chilly days.

Summer whites are often clear, bright whites; the whites of fall are softer creams, ivories, and vanillas. For a pretty accent on a monochromatic outfit, try including one element of color such as a bright ruby or soft blush scarf. This will add just a pop of color. Mixing whites is also a flattering way to wear white. Eggshell can be mixed with ivory; cream can be worn with vanilla. The key to mixing prints, colors, and textures is to make the ensemble appear intentional—not haphazard.

Labor day is considered to be the end of summer fashion; however, with cozy hoodies in vanilla, cashmere sweaters in ivory, skirts in eggshell, and pea-coats in marshmallow—all in our foreseeable fashion future—who can feel sad about that?

Style expert JeanAnn Taylor can be reached at [email protected]

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