Posts filed under 'Style'
- Don’t overdose on chunky knits
- Buy one get two for you is not a smart plan (but it is a fun one)
- Shoe of the month clubs sound better than they really are
- Back away from the chocolate
- Back out of jewelry
- The internet is shopping’s best friend; take advantage of all the fabulous discounts currently being offered
- Scarves can multitask
- Moderation is not a four letter word
- Make a gift giving budget and stick to it
- It’s better to give than to receive is in the end, a theory
December 8th, 2009
Remember, today’s “it” item will be on tomorrow’s sale rack so invest in the classic and shop at lower priced stores for trendier stuff:
- Thigh high boots
- Anything animal print (Neiman’s declares leopard print although the NY Times declares skins for the truly trendy)
- Red
- Leggings
- Motorcycle jackets
- Knits
- Big shoulders (yes, think ’80’s)
- Statement necklaces
- Accessories with hardware (studs, etc.)
September 10th, 2009
Jimmy Choo will bring its international glamour and covetable shoes and bags to selected H&M stores. Woo Hoo – talk about style on a budget!
The collection will be available from November 14 in around 200 stores across the world.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124522785484222715.html
July 28th, 2009
Lace is so last year. In 2008, one of the big fashion trends was lace. In 2009, apparently it’s see-though. Now, I know there is a recession and that times are tough for a lot of folks. However, might I suggest that rather than forgoing a shirt, shop your closet and wear last year’s.
You don’t want to wear something you might really regret…and then have pictures to prove it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/21/sheer-genius-2009-is-the_n_242275.html
On the other hand, you’ll certainly get your drinks paid for!
July 23rd, 2009
2009 the recession years….
Carrie, having been downsized from Vogue, is working as a freelance editor. The decline in the publishing industry seriously crimped the advance on her fourth book. As a result, it was not nearly what she was expecting. Thank god she and Big did not take the pre-war penthouse – house poor is not fun. Big is still employed but she’s had to learn to look fabulous on a budget (buying So Many Shoes, So Little Money helped).
Samantha, savvy woman that she is, invested the earnings from her public relations company in cash equivalents weathering the economic crash nicely. Although business is slow, and most corporate events cut way back, managing Smith proved a boon to her standing and she still reigns atop the New York party and social scene. However, since she has cut down on the VIP lounges – bottle service is still not cheap. Although she keeps up with her hair and botox (fifty really is the new thirty) she has stopped most of her other high expense maintenance – and is banking the savings.
Miranda’s billable hours were cut back. She, Steve and Brady are getting by…Brooklyn really is cheaper than New York which would have been tricky to muster. Plus, now that Miranda has moved back home, they are saving on fortune by not maintaining two households and cutting back on her passion for Chinese take-out. She couldn’t believe how much take-out really added up. Yes, the lawyer now cooks. Steve handles home repairs (helping to keep expenses low) and Brady is in public school (although she would have preferred private).
Charlotte, Harry, Lily and Rose have also weathered the market. Divorces are on the rise so Harry’s practice is actually growing. Charlotte has started a successful breeding operation and Elizabeth Taylor has turned out to be quite fertile. But they are still watching things – they know that right now nothing is certain and things could change. With two kids to care for, a penny here really is a penny there. Carrie loaned her a copy of So Many Shoes and she’s found that shopping for classics really suits her style.
The girls still meet regularly at the dinner but have cut back a bit on the cosmos – and the shoes.
April 8th, 2009
Today, Michelle Obama wore Isabelle Toledo and the girls wore J. Crew. This is a great example of mixing high and low (well, J. Crew is not exactly a low). It is your prerogative to be a slave to fashion, and especially expensive designer items, if, but only if, you can afford them. Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is made to become unfashionable.” If you can’t afford them – and most of us can’t, let’s face it – there are always alternatives, notably second label lines, which are cheaper but still high-styled.
Smart shopping requires four things: Planning, focus, investing and finding bargains. Most of the following tips come from In Style Secrets of Style:
Plan:
- Figure out what you have and what you need – shop with a list.
- Determine how much money you can spend.
- Shop when you are feeling good about yourself, not when you are bored or upset.
- Shop when stores are the least crowded, so you can get the attention you deserve.
- Dressing well requires strategy so take your time.
- Know the store’s return policy – we all make mistakes and the fashionably and financially responsible thing to do is return the item when that happens.
Focus:
- Shop by yourself – unless you need someone to keep you in check and to tell you to “just back away from the shoes” – friends can distract you and encourage you to buy items you don’t need.
- Know what styles work for you and stick to them – just because something is trendy does not mean it is right for you.
- Buy for the body you have, not the one you want: Spending money on a size four when you are an eight is not smart – yes, I know you will be a four in no time, but the point is, you’re not a four this minute.
- Don’t deviate from your plan.
Invest:
- Buy complete outfits; otherwise you will have a closet full of nothing-to-wear. True classics are the exception – black, grey, navy or tan pants, white shirts, classic skirts.
- Buy the best quality you can afford for the classics and scrimp on the trendy stuff.
- Be wary of sale racks – Just because it is on sale does not mean it is a bargain or you need it. You only save money at a sale if it was something you were already looking for.
Bargains:
- Study the deals and steals sections of most fashion magazines.
- Go to your favorite shopping website and check out the sale section (or sign up for their emails).
- www.bluefly.com: Up to 40 to 70 percent off retail; need I say more?
- Boutique stores: Get on their mailing lists to receive notices of sales.
- Department stores: Look for second lines like Marc by Marc Jacobs and wait until they have a sale.
- Outlet stores
- Sample sales
- Lower scale retailers: Have you been to Target lately?
- Newsletters: www.dailycandy.com can tell you about sales, not to mention fabulous boutiques in your area.
- Thrift shops, known euphemistically as vintage stores; but be forewarned, genuine vintage clothes can cost a bundle.
Last but not least, try, just try, to exercise some discipline.
January 20th, 2009