Nouvelle

A Boudoir With a View

Posted on October 14 2018

As we return from summer travels, personal space is looking awfully good. What a pleasure to have that private oasis, however quirky. So gratifying to give it a little TLC. Then, clad in Jane’s Vanity loungewear, to recline there and take in the view. The scenario makes a perfect metaphor for the transition to fall, whether the vistas turn inward or float off to the horizon.

Kaftan Diaries

Posted on October 13 2018

The kaftan was an afterthought, tossed into my suitcase at the last minute. Just for fun. Hardly an essential. But it made all the difference on the trip. Perhaps a kaftan seems frivolous. Not so. It is a practical friend on the road.

Page Turners

Posted on October 12 2018

Intriguing new garments on the Jane’s Vanity webpage call to mind the elegance and mystery of a rare book collection. Picture gold-tooled bindings, swirling marbled endpapers, tactile rag bond covered in deepest clearest black type. And you, dressed in your JV reading costume, represent another kind of masterpiece: exquisite design, mesmerizing lace, sparkling detail, and a few surprises of your own.

Sweater Weather

Posted on October 11 2018

It’s here! Autumn, the mellowest season of the year. Wistful cloudy mornings, bright breezy afternoons, inviting early nights. It’s time to think about scarves, stockings, boots, and what might go underneath. Jane’s Vanity loves autumn, too. The mood is nostalgic, the soundtrack pure Buena Vista Social Club. The scent might be your new woodsy perfume. And on your wardrobe list…

Meet Me at Le Meurice

Posted on October 06 2018

The Jane’s Vanity crew has stayed in many Parisian hotels on their frequent trips to see the latest in European lingerie. The pursuit of new lodgings and neighborhoods is part of the fun of being in this beautiful city. But Jane and Emily have a few favorite places. And, they suggest, if you really wish to feel that you are in PARIS, check into Le Meurice!

Ziggy Suggests: Be A Flirt!

Posted on September 30 2018

He’s back, our chihuahua about town. And, in effort to make the world a jollier place…

Ziggy Suggests: Be A Flirt!

First for Fall

Posted on September 29 2018

A beach chair is an ideal place to contemplate perfection. Close your eyes and picture your autumn basics from Jane’s Vanity. Let time drift as you build your dream loungewear wardrobe. So constructive, so relaxing. Under your sun hat, you can’t help but smile at the approaching season.

Somewhere Under My Raincoat…

Posted on September 22 2018

Corsetorium at Jane's Vanity

A well-tailored British raincoat is so seductive, especially when it reveals exquisite British corsetry underneath. Rain or shine, a great combination. But, other wardrobe juxtapositions abound on Blighty’s lively corset scene. The Jane’s Vanity team has been checking it out. They are delighted to bring you garments of daring, beauty, and empowerment from London’s Corsetorium.

What Comes Next

Posted on September 16 2018

On a terrace in the shimmering gardens of the Hillwood estate in Washington, DC, a simple stone sundial adds a bit of wit. At first it seems to be a sculpture of a child’s sailboat, furled and afloat on a shallow pond. Then, magically, the eye recognizes the shapes and shadows of a sundial. Charming!

Road Wisdom

Posted on September 15 2018

On the road, the idea of comfort goes beyond elasticity. Rather, it suggests a certain grounding. At the end of another crazy day, it is nice to have something special waiting in my suitcase.

Old World, New Twist

Posted on September 08 2018

When an elegantly edgy British lingerie business partners with London’s fabled Victoria and Albert Museum, Jane’s Vanity takes note. As Sherlock Holmes might say, “the game is afoot!” This fall, luxury brand Coco de Mer UK ventures into new territory with a swooningly beautiful line of garments inspired by the museum’s collections of art and design.

Secret Garden

Posted on September 01 2018

Secret Garden

A giardino segreto is an ancient concept. Throughout history, from Asia to North Africa and around the Mediterranean, it provided a dream of sanctuary. Then, as now, a hidden corner could be transformed to a place of delight. Elaborately or humbly executed, the formula is simple: shade, a place to sit, the sound of water, the color and scent of flowers, the whisper of music. Timeless. Come outside to your own special place, dressed as you please in a magical garment from Jane’s Vanity.

Dining Al Fresco

Posted on August 25 2018

Picture yourself reclining in a nest of pillows, bathed in candlelight, surrounded by the sounds and shadows of a moonlit bay. Cue the lightning bugs. And the guy in the corner with the guitar. Look slightly extravagant in amusing (and protective) layers from Jane’s Vanity. Mix it up, and go boldly into the night!

A Vinho Verde Summer

Posted on August 18 2018

And what to wear to feel “young and refreshing” throughout the season? A black bra under everything (or by itself). Show the casual coolness of black beneath a crisp white blouse, camisole, or pajama. Choose from an intoxicating assortment, in all its variety, from Jane’s Vanity!

My Mail-Order Bra

Posted on August 11 2018

There it is on the screen. The bra of my dreams, at the Jane’s Vanity website. So pretty. So right. I need it. Truly. But, dare I try to order from afar? My mailbox could use a lift (ha!). My spirits also. The trick is in the fit. Follow along as I make the match.

Three Weeks, Three Capsules

Posted on August 07 2018

A three-week vacation. How will I manage? Two big cities, a rustic destination wedding, a week of driving around the countryside. It will be hot and humid. I can’t take my entire summer wardrobe. But I could take three capsule wardrobes: one for city, one for wedding, and one for exploration. Jane’s Vanity to the rescue!

Friends of JV: Lovely Alice

Posted on August 06 2018

Alice says that she has been steeped in the tea leaves of Jane’s Vanity. That is how she describes her time behind the counter at Jane’s bricks and mortar store in downtown Portland (now replaced by the JV website). Alice’s background in New York’s design world, and her love and knowledge of fabric, made her a natural to make the transition from customer to employee. That was in 1995. For seven years she assisted in creating the world of Jane’s Vanity.

Your Little World

Posted on July 28 2018

No vacation this summer? Say a fond driveway farewell to all the neighbors as they back out of your life for awhile. Seems quiet. Peaceful. Like your own private island. A place to make your dreams come true. The possibilities are invigorating. Dive into the unknown with Jane’s Vanity by your side.

Gardening in Emeralds

Posted on July 22 2018

Picture it. You in wellies, driving the pickup truck to the garden store, sheepdog at your side. Under that mud-flecked straw hat, your earlobes sparkle. Emeralds, darling. Where else would you wear them?

Set the Scene for Your Party Moment!

Posted on July 21 2018

Set the Scene for Your Party Moment

Swinging London: Picture it. A house party, circa 1965. David Hicks decor, lots of of color and pattern, which he always trimmed with white. Flip the concept with Olivia Von Halle’s black-trimmed Coco Oyster Silk Pajamas. Soigne and timeless, like the man himself.

The Mighty Duster

Posted on July 15 2018

A glance at the spring offerings from Jane’s Vanity shows the duster as a fashion star. What is it? A longish robe, worn open (hint: casualness is key). This handy garment sails behind you as the ideal frame for whatever you wish to wear underneath. It looks cool with skinny pants or a little summer dress. A duster wards off air-conditioning, nudges your look into cocktail time, and allows you to rethink your prettiest coverups.

Seven Days A Week

Posted on July 14 2018

Drift into your mental boudoir and imagine a glamorous seven-drawer semainier. Cute in French Provincial. Suave in mirror-front deco. So useful, not as a calendar cue, but as a co-conspirator. Together you cultivate your mutual obsession for seven pretty JV tableaus that offer lingerie surprises from top drawer on down: lovely scent, amazing colors, tiny momentos.

Ziggy Suggests

Posted on July 13 2018

Meet Ziggy, a dapper canine “Friend of Jane’s Vanity.” Ziggy Suggests… A walk! As a chihuahua-mix about town, I want to look sharp on the sidewalk. I tap my nails to the beat of summer as I accompany E. on parade. I admire her choice of Meng’s Blossom Stripe Silk Pajama Set. And her strappy heels that click along to my rhythm section.

“On Location”

Posted on July 08 2018

Your agent called. Filming starts next week. Whether you are joining the crew on a mountaintop, a steamy city street, or an endless beach somewhere, Jane’s Vanity is at the ready to helicopter you to a world of stylish movies. Here, a few inspiring cinematic possibilities to give your lingerie wardrobe an “extra” boost. Be a star!

A Change in the Air

Posted on July 07 2018

What could be more luxurious than an enveloping layer of cashmere to protect from the chill of a summer evening? Hard not to feel exultant as you reach into your bag for the delicious wrap that will keep you out a few more hours--at a beach bonfire or an outdoor wedding banquet. Your nomadic spirit embraces the night.

Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Posted on July 01 2018

Six Impossible Things

Are you up on your “Alice?” Then you know your crazy life out-distances the Red Queen on any given day.

Allen Toussaint of My Dreams

Posted on June 28 2018

Let your sweet dreams show a bit of New Orleans magic, à la Toussaint. Compose that special nighttime look with flair and fun. Layer it up with Jane’s Vanity’s excellent building blocks.

Defining Style

Posted on June 26 2018

"Maybe that is the essence of style,” Haslam suggests, “--making whatever one has, or can afford at the time, attractive at that very moment." Be yourself, only better. That’s a good definition of style. Cultivate your look. It doesn’t just happen overnight. Enjoy the ride.

Highest Joy

Posted on June 17 2018

Do you know that feeling, of being really good at something? Perhaps you would prefer not to brag. But, it is, indeed, exhilarating to work hard, do something your own way, and achieve success. The creators of the exquisite garments at Jane’s Vanity are cases in point (as is Jane herself).

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Posted on June 16 2018

Tired? Wound up? Overworked? You need a rest. You know the formula for blissful sleep: long walk, opened windows, clear conscience. Or, in extreme circumstances, substitute the muffled world of an elegant hotel with its perfect bedding, anonymity, and blackout shades. Yet, something is missing. Oh, yes, the latest silky nightwear from Jane’s Vanity!

This Cat’s Pajamas

Posted on June 13 2018

(A Father’s Day Tale.) I was sartorially prepared, with a tall stack of freshly laundered Derek Rose Men’s Pajamas. I like the Bari Navy, slim cut in finest cotton jersey. Or the fashion-forward Nelson 43 Patterned set in natty cotton weave. Many more to choose from. In a moment, I was neat, clean, and didn’t care who knew it. Display handkerchief at the ready (never a bad idea). Time for Sesame Street!

Instant Dress Up

Posted on June 09 2018

For a festive summer afternoon, look city slick in pared-down classics from Jane’s Vanity. Enjoy the freedom of a breezy dress, the sleekness of a silky jumpsuit. Or consider a floaty JV top over trim pants/short skirt. No complications. Just add some sparkle and your grooviest sandals. You are ready to be cool!

Dreaming of F.R.S.

Posted on June 07 2018

Lake Como is the spiritual, and actual, home of Francesca Ruffini Stoppani’s monogram-inspired lingerie business F.R.S., or “For Restless Sleepers.” On its shores the first European silk production took place. And here Ruffini grew up and attended Como’s unique high school dedicated to fabric design. The elegance and subtlety of her lakeside world combines with her love of flowing silk garments, especially pajamas, to create the sophisticated F.R.S. sleepwear that can be worn all day. This spring, Jane’s Vanity shares the pajama attitude by offering these lovely and versatile designs.

Friends of JV: Fumerie

Posted on June 06 2018

Come along to SE Portland to visit Fumerie Parfumerie, a tiny shop that would be at home in Paris’s Saint Germain district. Enter and be enveloped by the magic of fragrance. The owner, Tracy Tsefalas, has created a world apart that is based on her knowledge of and passion for the art of perfumery. Jane’s Vanity showcased Fumerie at one of JV’s recent winter events. Both businesses share a commitment to bringing exquisite, unique products to their customers.

Eminence Grise

Posted on May 23 2018

How I love grey. The heathered grey of a tight little GAP tee shirt. The inky blue swirls of a tube of Payne’s Grey watercolor. The grey violet mocha shade that could color lace or a wall. The faded ribbon that ties old love letters. Eminence Grise originally meant a cardinal’s grey presence behind the 16th century French throne. This spring, grey is abundant in lingerie design.

Savvy Hotel

Posted on May 08 2018

Travel is in the air this time of year. Hotels whisper promises of indoor adventure. Jane’s Vanity makes sure that you are prepared, worldwide. The Coconut Hotel, somewhere in the South Pacific: An unexpected layover presents hospitality at its quirkiest. Test your metal in clothes that make you happy wherever you go. Allow yourself the freedom of the moment in a Marjolaine half-slip, worn as a skirt on a sulty night.

About Town: The Honorable Freddy

Posted on May 06 2018

Monday: Paint Aunt Sue’s Doghouse. Her pooch Monty is going to be a father, and Sue gets one pup. Meet X for martinis after. Wear Meng’s Blossom Stripe Kimono for an artistic touch. Tuesday: LED dress class. New way to light up my lingerie. Especially the Gilda & Pearl peachy Gina Peony Silk Slip. Perfect for registering voters or celebrating Jane’s birthday!

Transformers

Posted on May 05 2018

Does clothing transform the wearer? Miuccia Prada thinks not, as quoted in the March 2018 issue of British Vogue. Power, sexiness--it is all in the mind, says the famed Italian designer. Well, maybe. What is transformative? A sunny day, falling in love, helping others, a good class, making a commitment. But also, beauty. And, in my mind, beautiful lingerie does transform Try it. Give your secret self a nudge, with a happy assist from Jane’s Vanity.

The Mystery of the Mother’s Day Gift

Posted on May 02 2018

As Lady Pamela gazed from the window of the drawing room, a delivery van eased into the courtyard. “Mother will love it,” she sighed. Parker, the butler, drifted to the door to collect the inviting package. In just two hours he would be free to see Madeleine, the French maid. He burned at the memory of their last encounter. Distracted, perhaps, he tripped over the mat. The package flew out the door and was caught by Nellie, the playful sheep dog. Nellie scampered down the lane with her trophy. Parker and Lady Pamela gave chase.

Opera To Go

Posted on April 29 2018

Opera by the sea--glamour by moonlight. Opera in the city--glittering lights, dress circle. Opera in the park--power to the proletariat! Jane’s Vanity offers a chorus of dramatic garments to suit every opera mood. Bravissima! Standing ovation for you and Jane’s Vanity!

Fantasy Overnight Case

Posted on April 28 2018

Grace Kelly inspires with her “Overnight Case” scene in Hitchcock’s 1954 film Rear Window. She is a totally modern woman who can suit up in the most sophisticated manner and carry along a negligee in her serious-looking Mark Cross case. Totally Hitchcockian, yet uniquely, stylishly, teasingly Grace. Take a starring role in your next investigation. You provide the case. Jane’s Vanity will provide the contents. What will you choose for a special little overnight? There is room for just one item, so plan carefully.

Dreamy Morning

Posted on April 26 2018

An hour to yourself to greet the day? Intoxicating! Start with music: a mix of Italian pop divas such as Ornella Vanoni and Annalisa. So romantic, so tragic, so sexy. Draw back the curtains, open a window, just breathe. Wear a coverup from Jane’s Vanity. The Bianca Linen Robe with Raspberry Piping from Morpho + Luna enhances and elevates your sensuous morning. Off to your closet. Imagine dressing for an engagement later on. Or, possibly, undressing. Take pleasure in each seductive layer of lingerie.

Meng: “One Breath”

Posted on April 23 2018

Meng’s fabulous designs return to Jane’s Vanity this spring. The young British label, in business just six years, bowled us over with its latest collection of robes and kimonos. The floral prints are exquisite. The fluid, easy shapes offer lovely possibilities for wear at home or on the town. The intricacy and depth of this work marks a pinnacle in Meng’s creative thinking. It calls to mind the Chinese concept of “one breath.” Breathe in the enveloping luxury of everyday elegance from Meng.

Recherche

Posted on April 22 2018

The French word recherche is a lovely way to say special. As in rare, exotic, desired. The recherche mismatched drop earrings. The recherche vintage bomber jacket. It could also mean a little contrived, but, so what? The recherche over-the-top embellished kitten heels would work for me. Even the sound of this word implies something curatorial. I think of the way Iris Apfel might dress. Studied, but with creativity and joy. My Jane’s Vanity wardrobe allows me to compose my own recherche look every day.

Little Darling

Posted on April 21 2018

This spring Jane’s Vanity says hello to Violet & Wren, a newly-discovered UK lingerie line, and its breathtaking English flowers. The hand-painted fabric designs recall traditional botanical prints. The silhouettes are sports-inspired, suitable for home and beyond, layerable in that special English way. Another English friend, Morpho + Luna, continues to celebrate florals in its ongoing collaboration with artist Tom Gallant. This season, his limited edition deep blue and gold print takes inspiration from the tropical island of Reunion.

The Post Office Test

Posted on April 20 2018

If I’m in doubt about an outfit combo, I wear it to the Post Office. My local USPS is a safe place to experiment. While no one comments on my appearance in the line for stamps, somehow I sense either admiration or careful eye aversion. Often I head gratefully home to add, subtract, start over. Saved by the Post Office. No regrets for the bold and beautiful wardrobe staples from Jane’s Vanity!

Avedon and Seymour

Posted on April 18 2018

I can’t get past Richard Avedon’s description of model Stephanie Seymour. “She has something the others don’t have. She has humanity. Once I shot her while she was lifting her skirt, and underneath she was naked. It was a strange image. She’s not puritanical, but neither is she seductive. She’s not offering anything, just affirming herself. That’s why Stephanie interests me.” Lingerie could be your secret collaborator, your Avedon. No need to go commando into a challenging world.

Play Clothes

Posted on April 17 2018

Never mind athleisure, loungerie, swimtimates, shapeletique, or lingerie-to-wear. Think instead of play clothes. Best friends, ready to stay out ‘til dinner, maybe sleep over. Modern lingerie can take you anywhere. Don’t wait. Make every day a romp with a mix of your newest, happiest, most comfortable clothes from Jane’s Vanity. The JV team emerges from the clubhouse to offer strategy.

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