First things first, dear readers: your DCGF was in the NY Times this weekend! Big ups to Rob Walker for featuring Goodwill in his “Consumed” column in Sunday’s Magazine. He just reinforced what the blog’s all about: fashion, shopping, style…for a great cause. Ooh, and I want those Goodwill sunglasses in the illustration, too! Now back to our regularly scheduled blog…

Okay, dear readers, you have a very important decision coming up soon. You could go with red, but that might wash out your now-paler complexion. You could go with blue, but that might highlight the fact that you’ve been suffering from a bit of a cold lately. What am I getting at? Why of course I’m talking about dressing for colder, gloomier, post-Daylight Savings Time Weather. Duh! You didn’t think I was talking about tomorrow did you? Oh haha…

Red, blue: too harsh for this time of year. That’s why the DCGF is declaring late autumn 2008 the season of purple. It’s the perfect neutral (wink!) color. Think about it, though: black goes with purple; brown goes with purple. Red and purple are fantastic counterpoints, as are purple and green.

Don’t think you can pull of these color combinations? Start simple, like the with sturdy yet sassy Ariana pump from Hush Puppies. But these ain’t yo mama’s Hush Puppies, obviously. These were designed by Rachel Fanconi for the brand’s 50th Anniversary. They’re sold out in purple on the Hush Puppies website, but can still be found on PiperLime for $100.

I really like the flower on the rounded toe; it would look great peeking out from a brown pantsuit. Plus, the shoes are water and stain resistant. Who doesn’t want that when the sidewalks get all slushy? Now if only they were aviailable in an 11…

Perhaps you’re willing to commit to purple on a more regular basis. I, for one, am always on the lookout for that perfect work/gym bag combo. I hate to have to carry two different satchels to the office. May I suggest that the Bauhaus overnight bag from Matt & Nat might be the ideal solution to this age-old conundrum?

Regular readers know of my *slight* obsession with Matt & Nat. I’m not vegan (I am a vegetarian), but their bags are so gorgeous, even the most hardcore omnivore could appreciate them. This fantastic bag comes in plum, as shown, and three other colors. I showed it on the mannequin so you can see how roomy it is. There are multiple pockets and compartments to keep everything duly separated.

Now all this gorgeousness doesn’t come cheap. This bag costs $375. But when you think about the cost of a similarly sized leather bag, it’s potentially a reasonable investment. Keep an eye out, because they do put items on sale on their website.

If you’re ready to dress to impress with purple on an even grander scale, Tocca’s Maureen Dress is just the ticket. I used to work at this little boutique that carried a selection of Tocca pieces every season and the label never failed to carry one of the pieces that every shopgirl coveted. I have a feeling that if we’d seen this dress, we would have all wanted it, too.

The sleeves are ruched and feature paisley sequins and beaded embroidery. So perfect for the holidays! The dress hits just above the knees and has enough of a curve built into it to be flattering to those of us with more - ahem - womanly figures.

It’s fully lined in silk, which means it’s not exactly inexpensive. But is the really good stuff ever? The dress costs $308. Blargh. Here’s to hoping that is shows up on Bluefly or the clearance rack at a local boutique. Keep your fingers crossed!

Finally, you might just want to wrap yourself up in purple all winter long. Nothing wrong with going all out, right?

Target’s Mossimo Wool Jacket has the most fun pleating detail in the back, no? I could show you the front but it’s not nearly as fun. The jacket’s a great length for wearing over shorter dresses in cold weather and comes in the most fun purple color with single-breasted front button closure.

And here’s the best part: all sizes (S - XXL) are on sale for $47.99! Phew. I knew I could find purple for a bargain. Sure, this coat probably won’t last you a decade, but it could be a great, colorful addition to you wardrobe for at least the next few years. It’s a timeless style that will weather other trends quite well. I hope the sleeves are nice and long!

So there we have it, our purple parade draws to a close. Isn’t it easy when you don’t have to choose between one or another, but get - as Pangloss would say - the best of all possible worlds? That’s a message I’ll approve…

Any purchase made at a Goodwill Retail Store or on ebay.com funds Goodwill’s mission of training and employment programs for people with disadvantages or disabilities. Copyright Goodwill of Greater Washington, DC Goodwill Fashion Blog. All Rights Reserved.

I have two types of gloves that I keep around. Those that are actually functional for cold weather and keeping my fingers warm, and those that are purely ornamental. The latter group usually coordinates so well with some coat or other accessory that I’ll wear them when I know I won’t be exposed to the elements for too long.

Equally non-hand warming, but just as cute for fall’s jewel-toned ensembles are lace gloves, which can be worn inside or out. I found the cute pair at left from Girl Props, and they cost just $6.99! They’re one-size-fits-most and in nylon, so obviously it won’t be a great fit for everybody, but try pairing these with a bracelet-length sleeved dress and black tights for look that will stand out from the crowd. Or go romantic with pearls and pinks. These gloves definitely say, “Girls just wanna have fun!”

In the realm of more practical gloves, there are some great options this season, too. The DCGF loves wearing vintage coats, but the sleeves are often a bit (or a lot!) on the short side. The solution? Elbow-length gloves. Now they don’t have to be worn all the way to the elbow; I like to scrunch mine down so they just brush the hem of the sleeves.

That’s why the Simply Vera Vera Wang Ruched Long Gloves might be the best glove of the season. They come in purple, as shown at right, and the more utilitarian black in an easy to care for acrylic fabrication. And - are you ready for this? - they’re currently on sale for $16.50. Get thee to a Kohl’s store pronto! I’m telling you, for anybody who worries about sleeves on coats that are too short, just one pair of long gloves will solve all of your worries.

Finally, if it’s a touch of whimsy and practicality that you seek, let me point you in the direction of Portolano’s Satin Cuff Leather Glove. But first let me wipe the bit of drool from my mouth. Are these not stunning? Love, love, love the wide pleated cuff that covers the wrist. Perfect for layering over a narrow sleeve on a jacket.

Portolano in general makes very high quality (read: Italian) gloves in an unbelievable array of colors and lengths. Their prices are very reasonable, too, for their basics. Even this pair is *just* $150, which is admittedly steep, but compared to many designer brands where one is just paying for the name on the tag, it’s a good investment.

So whether you spend $7 or $70 or $170, let gloves be a fun accessory to your cold weather wardrobe. And if you live in a warmer environment, use something like the lace pair to spiff up an otherwise average outfit. Your fingers will thank you.

Any purchase made at a Goodwill Retail Store or on ebay.com funds Goodwill’s mission of training and employment programs for people with disadvantages or disabilities. Copyright Goodwill of Greater Washington, DC Goodwill Fashion Blog. All Rights Reserved.

New feature alert!  Starting today and continuing every Saturday, the DCGF is bringing you the latest and greatest in Eco Chic from a collection of blogs across the Interwebs.  As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve added a new badge and updates on the left column.  And on Saturdays I’ll feature a roundup from that group’s best from the previous week.  Hope you enjoy!

It’s the hot thing in fashion right now: clothing labels comprised of little more than initials. Blame it on Donna Karan and her eponymous DKNY second line. Or maybe CK1 set off the trend back in the day. Either way, more brands than ever are launching a line based solely on a combination of letters. The DCGF is finding that the looks are great, but they won’t come cheap. Get ready, dear readers, for a very expensive serving of alphabet soup…

Take Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. line. You know, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Riiight. I’ve never been a fan of her clothes. They’re like some unholy combination of Juicy Couture and Alexander McQueen, all tartaned out and sweat-panted up. Ugh. The shoes, however, are a nother matter. How she performs entire concerts in 5-inch heels - like the Norland bootie, above - I’ll never know. But if I could pull it off, I would. Maybe the covered platform helps? Dunno. But I’m in love with the gray suede and funky detail. Plus zippers on the back! Too bad they cost nearly $500…

Speaking of plaid, the boys at Dolce & Gabbana always seem to get it right. And their D&G line offers, ahem, lower priced versions of their designer pieces. I use the term “lower priced” with a wink and a nod, as this plaid flannel pencil skirt still costs $575. Isn’t this supposed to be their second line? Oh wait, that’s right: the designer equivalent would cost well over $2000. So this is a relative bargain, right? Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but it is pretty spectacular…

Let’s see if we can find a better deal. DKNY has been around for over two decades now, and is the model for designers’ second lines. Some people don’t even know that it stands for Donna Karan New York! Clearly the brand has built a fashionable following. I remember my first DKNY purchase: a black velvet hoodie I picked up at a consignment store for probably about $20. So chic! I like to think that this line is cute and affordable, and I’m totally digging the Bracelet Sleeve Sweater Coat, above. But does it really cost $525? Is that not a misprint? Oh, DKNY! How could you do this to me? I used to think that you might be within my reach, but now I know you’re not…

Is there some sort of magical $500 budget that I didn’t get the memo about? Hmm… Thank goodness there’s OC by Oleg Cassini. Remember him? He was the exclusive dresser for Jacqueline Kennedy during her time in the White House and was famous for dressing his second wife, Gene Tierney, in many of her films. His name has largely been out of the fashion spotlight, but now there’s a small line known as - you guessed it! - OC by Oleg Cassini. And some of the pieces are very cute. I’m especially bessotted by the Belted Taffeta Dress in navy. A trench dress is always a great look. Paired with some tights and t-straps, this would be a great fall look for office or play. And did I mention it’s *just* $158? Not a steal, but much better than the others…

I tried desperately to find an alphabetical bargain, dear readers, but simply could not. Instead, I’ll leave you with one of the most beautiful shirts I’ve seen all season, in a price that’s sure to make your jaw drop. Why not go out on a high note? The Jussieu blouse is by RM Roland Mouret. In Mouret’s case, he had to use his initials, because he doesn’t own the rights to his own name as a designer. Oops! His bad. The origami-like folds on the front of the blouse are just spectacular: bold, yet feminine. And the nude panel at the hemline can be left untucked, or tucked in for a more finished look. What price luxury? Try $1260. I’ll take two! Ha.

Any purchase made at a Goodwill Retail Store or on ebay.com funds Goodwill’s mission of training and employment programs for people with disadvantages or disabilities.