STYLE Santa Fe - The Go-To Basics

From Editor Cheryl Bruedigam

To start you off I am sharing my favorite, easiest go-to look when it comes to my own Santa Fe-style.

Four basic pieces: jeans, a black tank, boots and turquoise or similar jewelry like multi-wrap bead-bracelets). 

Keeping a tank top in every color that you like will broaden versatility, especially earth and desert-tones, and let's not forget turquoise. And of course, boots to suit the mood, the activity or the weather. In cooler weather I layer over the tank with button-up shirts or light jackets. 

That's it. It's simple, comfortable, timeless, and cool-lookin'!

Give Yourself a STYLE Santa Fe Manicure

When other women ask, AWho did your nails?!@  You may confidently just smile and say, AI did.@

This takes a little longer than usual but for a special occasion or just to add a little STYLE Santa Fe to the same old drab look, why not? We did!

Soak nails in olive oil for a few minutes.

Gently pat dry

Massage cuticles with natural aloe vera from the plant.

Air dry.

Select your three favorite Santa Fe shades of nail polish.

Apply a single stroke down one third on side of nail with a darker shade.  Repeat on other side with another dark shade.  Using the lightest shade last, paint one single stroke down the middle.  Repeat on all nails. Seal with clear polish or nail hardener.

We used Revlon=s Tuscan Sun, L.A. Colors Antique Rose, and Revlon=s totally Toffee for this look.  Color coordinate with your favorite southwest outfit and you=re ready to go!

Flappers: Yet One More Influence on Santa Fe-Style

There are many cultural and artistic contributions that make up "Santa Fe-Style." In addition to the obvious influences like Spanish and Native American, other influences came from the women who moved to Santa Fe in the early years, usually coming from back east with their husbands (There were pioneering exceptions of course like Georgia O'Keeffe and Mabel Dodge Luhan). Here are some beautiful examples of the flapper-style brought to New Mexico in the early twentieth century.

Yellow evening dress and shoes, ca. 1926

Eugenie Shonnard was born in Yonkers, New York.  She lived in Paris from 1911-1914 and in the 1920s where she studied sculpture under Rodin and likely purchased this elegant “flapper” dress.  In 1919 she met Edgar Lee Hewett, who encouraged her to come to Santa Fe to pursue her art.  She spent the summer of 1925 working on her sculpture in a studio at the Palace of the Governors and returned two years later to live permanently in Santa Fe.  She married civil engineer and entrepreneur Edward Ludlam in 1933.  

History Collection NMHM, DCA

Gift of Thomas B. Catron III, 2006.40.1, 10109/45



Peach evening dress, ca. 1926-1927

As soon as the ATSF railroad steamed into Las Vegas on July 4, 1879, a number of fortune seekers, including the Raynolds brothers, Jefferson, Frederick and Joshua, wasted no time in taking advantage of the boomtown.  They opened the First National Bank on the plaza in West Las Vegas and expanded their businesses in New Mexico and El Paso.  Joshua Raynolds built a three-story mansion overlooking Las Vegas in 1883.  Daughter Ruth married James McNary in the mansion in 1902.  She wore this “flapper” dress for social events. 

History Collection NMHM, DCA

Gift of Mrs. Peter S. Krebs, 1272/45

Photos courtesy of The Museum of New Mexico.

In Love with Turquoise

At STYLE Santa Fe, we are in love with turquoise and a girl can never have too much turquoise, there is no such thing. From boots to jewelry to clothing, purses and accessories, turquoise says STYLE Santa Fe. Nothing more need be said. 

Give Mom a Little STYLE Santa Fe for Mother’s Day

Here are some quick gift ideas to help Mom add a little STYLE Santa Fe to her life:

Homemade scented soaps.

 A scarf or belt to easily add to her wardrobe

A long flowing skirt

Turquoise Jewelry

Mother’s Day with Mom in Santa Fe

Flowers on Canyon Road, a stroll Mom is sure to enjoy

Santa Fe is a great place to treat mom. With the wonderful restaurants, spas, shopping, museums, cathedrals, and sightseeing, all set with a beautiful backdrop of the mountains, makes for an enchanting outing for Mother’s Day.

Sightseeing:

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Drive through the mountains up to Santa Fe Ski Area

St. Francis Cathedral

Loretto Chapel

Hang out on the square

Schedule an historical walking tour or a guided culinary tour

 

Visit one of Santa Fe’s many day spas like the Spa at Loretto or Ten Thousand Waves.

Shopping:

Downtown and strolling Canyon Road

Restaurant Suggestions:

Anasazi Restaurant - Southwestern   

Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

113 Washington Ave.

Santa Fe, NM  87501 

Refined dining in a rustic Southwestern setting. More...

The Compound Restaurant     - Contemporary          

 Dining Room at The Compound Restaurant, Santa Fe, NM 653 Canyon Rd.

Santa Fe, NM  87501 

A stunning Santa Fe original.

La Casa Sena - New American          

Sena Plaza

125 E. Palace Ave.

Santa Fe, NM  87501 

A jewel hidden in a historic plaza.

Rio Chama Steakhouse - Steakhouse

414 Old Santa Fe Trl.

Santa Fe, NM  87501 

Dry-aged steaks in a clubby setting favored by state politicians.

Terra -  American        

 Dining Room at Terra, Santa Fe, NM           

Four Seasons Resort

Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

Check santafe.org for more great options.

A STYLE Santa Fe Make-Over

This make-over may be in the opposite tradition of glamour make-overs because although being a  woman with Santa Fe style can be a state of mind, it is also a lifestyle; a toned-down, natural, exuberance radiating the warmth of Santa Fe, the enchantment of the desert and mountains, colors of the rich palette here, and the use of natural fibers.  Jewelry is locally made but of excellent quality and famous to the region.  Fashion styles are comfortable, functional and flowing, drawing on the cultural influences that abound in this region.

Make-up, if worn, is subtler, for an attractive yet natural glow.  Colors are blended to almost mute, and tanning is as easy and natural as simply getting out of doors.  Gaudy brightness and overpowering make-up is not meant for Santa Fe style.  A good daytime routine includes a protective moisturizer, a natural base if needed, just a stroke of light blush, mascara, lip-liner if a business or social engagement, and lightly colored lipstick.  For evenings, go a shade darker and add layered earth-tones eye-shadow applying a light base color from lid to brow, adding a darker shade in the crease and blending well, re-blend all with the base shade once more from lid to brow.

As for hair, a lot of sprays or gels are not advisable.  There are some windy days in the Santa Fe and a spritz of pump spray does a lot better than the aerosol so that while outdoors the wind does not Alift@ the entire style. A scrunched natural look is great for this look and if you have fine thin hair, a perm may be a good way to add the body lost in the dry climate as well as to cut down on the static fly-away that can happen here.  Styles that have to be curled or set in the mornings will not hold in the dry climate, you curls will be gone before noon.

Clothing of course should be suited to the occasion but business dress is a little more lax in Santa Fe, sometimes incorporating boots with a western or desert style, while native American fabrics and prints are popular and worn for almost any occasion.  A carefully planned wardrobe can carry you from home to a casual to a dressy affair; rather it is knowing how to piece it all together that is the trick, how to dress up or tone down with colors and accessories.  Individual style plays a much bigger factor in Santa Fe fashions than in other areas.  With such a mix of cultural influences, a mixture of lifestyles and climates, and occupations, a unique blend of tastes make up our STYLE Santa Fe.  Women who want to add a touch of Santa Fe style need to use a creative flair for fashion through the use of colors, fabrics and cultural influences found in the area.