I am very fortunate to have a great friend who loves vintage and knows some great places to find it. As well I find myself trying to be more fiscally conservative this fall but still wanting to update my wardrobe.
My dear friend brought forward two pieces that I could not resist: a lovely 1940's cape that is right on trend for this season and a fantastic Brioni (yes you read correctly) dress.
Now, the thing with vintage and good second hand is that you might need some help with alterations especially if the item is quite old. A good seamstress is a must and I have one!
A few rules, you can buy larger but only two sizes max. Any larger and the proportions will not come out right on alteration. You should also make sure that any wear and tear can be dealt with via dry cleaning and alteration. Ask if you are not sure or take someone with you, like me, who has experience with these things.
I wore the cape out to dinner at La Society and I felt very French in it! I styled it up with black capris, a black tank and Roger Vivier shoes. C'etait magnifique!!!
The dress has been worn on several occasions and I love it!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Fall Closet Clean Up
Thanksgiving weekend is the time of year that we usually and albeit grudginly put away our summer clothes and get our winter clothes.
This year in line with the rules, I plan to use the occasion to do a few things - pair down my summer wardrobe and make some money! Then I might be able to buy something new or even better keep the money and stretch my spending power when the sales start in December.
I suggest that you start with sorting through your summer wardrobe and put all of the clothes that you did not wear and that are not true classics in one pile. The next step of course is to sort this this pile into which ones go to Goodwill and which ones you will sell on Kijiji.
The same holds true for shoes and I am afraid that I've got a lot of shoes that I will be saying good bye to... That's going to be the hardest.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Mix and match master class
Not so long ago Vivienne Westwood, doyenne of British fashion and eccentric, publicly decried the Duchess of Cambridge's bland fashion choices and suggested she should be more adventurous.
I disagree. I fall into that other group that welcomes the Duchesse's fashion choices as intelligent. When I think back to the BAFTA gala on the US portion of the Duke and Duchesse's North American tour, I could not help but notice that the Duchess went against the trend. She was so covered up compared to everyone else that you could not help but notice her! Pure genius!
I am not done yet... In typical Hollywood fashion most of the actresses showed up in revealing dresses- lovely to be sure, but they were ultimately outshone by a lovely woman in a lovely dress that was fairly conservative. Even Nicole Kidman who always dresses beautifully was eclipsed by the Duchesse's low key understated style.
I'd suggest that the Duchess was being adventurous by dressing against the norm!
I disagree. I fall into that other group that welcomes the Duchesse's fashion choices as intelligent. When I think back to the BAFTA gala on the US portion of the Duke and Duchesse's North American tour, I could not help but notice that the Duchess went against the trend. She was so covered up compared to everyone else that you could not help but notice her! Pure genius!
I am not done yet... In typical Hollywood fashion most of the actresses showed up in revealing dresses- lovely to be sure, but they were ultimately outshone by a lovely woman in a lovely dress that was fairly conservative. Even Nicole Kidman who always dresses beautifully was eclipsed by the Duchesse's low key understated style.
I'd suggest that the Duchess was being adventurous by dressing against the norm!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
PURGING
As part of reforming my habits, I'm making a conscious decision to purge my closets of things I have not worn in over a year.
For me some clothes have a history so it is hard to let go. I have lovely rose coloured boiled wool jacket that I picked up in Paris at Monoprix about 9 years ago. I was on a 4 month sabbatical from work, hanging out in Paris in early October without enough warm clothes. I wore that jacket almost non stop for the next two months. It travelled to Bordeaux, San Sebastian, London, Whaley Bridge and finally back home to Canada!
For quite a few years after that it was also a work wardrobe staple. I wore it with a pair of grey plaid Tahari pants that have some pink in them. It also travelled to Amsterdam and back with me. A lot of memories to be sure.
As I write this post it's already in the pile of clothes to give away and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. Should I go and retrieve it? Will I ever wear it again? Can I down grade it and wear it with my Lulu's on the weekend? Questions abound. But I must stay firm. My closets are bursting so I must be strong!
I wrote the first part of this blog about 3 months ago and I have to say, I am not feeling any regrets in fact I feel liberation!! I am actually looking forward to some more purging at the end of the summer! My dream now is a tightly edited wardrobe of great peices. I want to buy and wear only those things that I truly love. The wool jacket was a long term relationship but clearly not a marriage!
I wrote the first part of this blog about 3 months ago and I have to say, I am not feeling any regrets in fact I feel liberation!! I am actually looking forward to some more purging at the end of the summer! My dream now is a tightly edited wardrobe of great peices. I want to buy and wear only those things that I truly love. The wool jacket was a long term relationship but clearly not a marriage!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
FALLING OFF THE WAGON
It has been a while since I've posted something and a lot has happened since March! Most importantly I fell off the wagon when visiting San Francisco and Palm Springs in late April.
We already know I love shopping! And when you go to another country, one that supports 350 million plus consumers it is pretty hard to dismiss the selection and choice that is available! So I shopped! I bought!
The purchases were focused. One of my rules is that you must plan for those key pieces which means having a list. I do, even if it is not written down. At the top of the list for some time has been a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress. There aren't that many places in Canada that have them and the selection is pretty meager. In San Francisco I went looking for one, found one and bought one. It's a classic and can be worn all year round! So kudos to me!
I've also been looking for something to wear with a Hugo Boss black skirt that has a double row of buttons down the front that was purchased in Amsterdam about 3 years ago. I was on my way to Union Square by way of Upper Filmore Street when my heart leaped in my chest... I saw a store sign that said JIGSAW and it called out to me: "Stop the cab and come in!"
Jigsaw is one of my all time favourite stores. It is a UK high street shop and a favourite of the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge ( the former Kate Middleton). It's become a key destination whenever I go to the UK.
About an hour later I'd purchased a lovely linen sweater vest and an interesting poncho sweater!
In Palm Springs I discovered the joys of Marshalls - discount shopping at its very best. I bought a beach cover up and a T-shirt.
The one impulse buy was a Banana Republic dress- nothing at Banana except maybe the white jeans, is worth full price and the dress was on sale. It will do perfectly for an August Wedding I am to attend. Even this was not entirely impulse.
I haven't been in a store since December so some retail therapy was hard to resist. I also learned something - trying things on is another way to way to assess your level of fitness. Last August I suffered a running injury one that left me pretty much unable to exercise for about 8 months. Although I didn't gain any weight things had shifted around. Retail therapy let me know that some exercise was needed.
The take away? Retail therapy or retail exercise as I now call it, is a good way to keep your waistline and your fitness goals on track. Isn't it great to be able to look in the mirror and know you look great in something even if you don't buy it!
We already know I love shopping! And when you go to another country, one that supports 350 million plus consumers it is pretty hard to dismiss the selection and choice that is available! So I shopped! I bought!
The purchases were focused. One of my rules is that you must plan for those key pieces which means having a list. I do, even if it is not written down. At the top of the list for some time has been a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress. There aren't that many places in Canada that have them and the selection is pretty meager. In San Francisco I went looking for one, found one and bought one. It's a classic and can be worn all year round! So kudos to me!
I've also been looking for something to wear with a Hugo Boss black skirt that has a double row of buttons down the front that was purchased in Amsterdam about 3 years ago. I was on my way to Union Square by way of Upper Filmore Street when my heart leaped in my chest... I saw a store sign that said JIGSAW and it called out to me: "Stop the cab and come in!"
Jigsaw is one of my all time favourite stores. It is a UK high street shop and a favourite of the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge ( the former Kate Middleton). It's become a key destination whenever I go to the UK.
About an hour later I'd purchased a lovely linen sweater vest and an interesting poncho sweater!
In Palm Springs I discovered the joys of Marshalls - discount shopping at its very best. I bought a beach cover up and a T-shirt.
The one impulse buy was a Banana Republic dress- nothing at Banana except maybe the white jeans, is worth full price and the dress was on sale. It will do perfectly for an August Wedding I am to attend. Even this was not entirely impulse.
I haven't been in a store since December so some retail therapy was hard to resist. I also learned something - trying things on is another way to way to assess your level of fitness. Last August I suffered a running injury one that left me pretty much unable to exercise for about 8 months. Although I didn't gain any weight things had shifted around. Retail therapy let me know that some exercise was needed.
The take away? Retail therapy or retail exercise as I now call it, is a good way to keep your waistline and your fitness goals on track. Isn't it great to be able to look in the mirror and know you look great in something even if you don't buy it!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Planning ahead has its rewards...
Last weekend I went skiing for the first time in 25 years!
As you may imagine my wardrobe was a little outdated if not non existent. What to do? Well my rules have an exception for sports clothes so of course I used it.
The result several hundred dollars later was a ski suit (Spyder) with hot pink snow pants and a black ski jacket. The outfit is conservative and represents an investments in the future. All of my nieces and my nephew will be able to beat me down the hill soon but I am looking forward to many years of being able to ski with them and their parents. So I'm really doing this for reasons other than fashion- family and exercise.
Happily, after spending at least 12-14 years taking lessons and skiing on weekends the moves came back very quickly. Just like riding a bike.
And.. I am thinking this might be a whole new way to see Europe! What could be better than spending a sunny winter's day on the slopes with good friends and family.
The fact that I have not spent any money on clothes this year means I actually had the money to make the investment with no debt. Did I mention pretty much everything I bought was on sale? This is the other advantage of my rules... Planning ahead means that you save money or set aside funds for the things you need rather than buying on impulse and coming up short handed when you are trying to put an outfit together.
It's March now so the end of ski season is in view, but if I get out next year I may treat myself to a pair of ski boots. Can hardly wait!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Consignment Cash
Consignment!!! Cash$$$$
There are several options for realizing cash for gently used clothes. Two that I am aware of are consignment and selling on-line through a website like e-bay.
I've always given away my clothes, but this time I decided that some of my clothes had hardly been worn and it did not seem quite right to give them away. My thinking may also have been coloured by the fact that I was feeling that the items in question had been purchased by mistake so the idea of cash was a way at redemption. Or so I thought, as the dollar signs started floating in front of my eyes
The real story is a little different. This is a true study in supply and demand economics. For this little adventure I decided to go to Second Nature Boutique on Mt Pleasant, a store that I have passed by for years and always been a bit curious about. Here is what I learned:
1. Clothes can not be more than two years old
2. Good consignors are extremely picky-they demand the clothes be clean and in good condition
3. The price they are willing to sell the item for will be deeply discounted from the original purchase price
4. You will only get 45% of the final sales price
5. There is no guarantee that the item will get sold and you only get paid if the item is sold
6. You have no control over the price once you hand over the goods-the market decides.
I brought the following items
1. Tory Burch 2009 Spring/ Summer jacket -white with purple and charcoal grey detailing and buttons. Would look great with white pants and a white shirt. Retailed for about $575.00
2. Missoni Tank top. Purchase in Florida in 2006. Retailed for about $160.
3. Teenflo 3 peice suite purchased in 2007. Retailed for about $700-$800.
Here is what the consignment shop offered for each item:
1. Tory Burch Jacket $200 to start.
2. Missoni Tank Top $65
3. Teenflo suit 3 pieces for $275. Each piece could also be sold separately.
I''ll get 45% of this if I am lucky, so $200 and change. From this, I need to subtract the $51 I paid to have the items dry cleaned. All in I'll get about $150. You might be able to get away without the dry cleaning but you'll need to take good care of your clothes.
Since I'd never been to a consignment store before I took some time to look around. Everything was in great condition and nicely displayed. The staff was courteous and professional. There were some beautiful Prada bags and a pair of 7 year old Miu Miu sandals, that I in fact own! These were priced at $65. So when does something become Vintage? When will it go up in value? Good thing I love them even though I've hardly worn them - looks like it will be a while!
Next time I might try e-bay. I'll have more control over the price and I would consider having the purchaser pay the shipping or at least include it in the price.
There are several options for realizing cash for gently used clothes. Two that I am aware of are consignment and selling on-line through a website like e-bay.
I've always given away my clothes, but this time I decided that some of my clothes had hardly been worn and it did not seem quite right to give them away. My thinking may also have been coloured by the fact that I was feeling that the items in question had been purchased by mistake so the idea of cash was a way at redemption. Or so I thought, as the dollar signs started floating in front of my eyes
The real story is a little different. This is a true study in supply and demand economics. For this little adventure I decided to go to Second Nature Boutique on Mt Pleasant, a store that I have passed by for years and always been a bit curious about. Here is what I learned:
1. Clothes can not be more than two years old
2. Good consignors are extremely picky-they demand the clothes be clean and in good condition
3. The price they are willing to sell the item for will be deeply discounted from the original purchase price
4. You will only get 45% of the final sales price
5. There is no guarantee that the item will get sold and you only get paid if the item is sold
6. You have no control over the price once you hand over the goods-the market decides.
I brought the following items
1. Tory Burch 2009 Spring/ Summer jacket -white with purple and charcoal grey detailing and buttons. Would look great with white pants and a white shirt. Retailed for about $575.00
2. Missoni Tank top. Purchase in Florida in 2006. Retailed for about $160.
3. Teenflo 3 peice suite purchased in 2007. Retailed for about $700-$800.
Here is what the consignment shop offered for each item:
1. Tory Burch Jacket $200 to start.
2. Missoni Tank Top $65
3. Teenflo suit 3 pieces for $275. Each piece could also be sold separately.
I''ll get 45% of this if I am lucky, so $200 and change. From this, I need to subtract the $51 I paid to have the items dry cleaned. All in I'll get about $150. You might be able to get away without the dry cleaning but you'll need to take good care of your clothes.
Since I'd never been to a consignment store before I took some time to look around. Everything was in great condition and nicely displayed. The staff was courteous and professional. There were some beautiful Prada bags and a pair of 7 year old Miu Miu sandals, that I in fact own! These were priced at $65. So when does something become Vintage? When will it go up in value? Good thing I love them even though I've hardly worn them - looks like it will be a while!
Next time I might try e-bay. I'll have more control over the price and I would consider having the purchaser pay the shipping or at least include it in the price.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
GIRLS WEEKEND WITH NO SHOPPING
My fabulous friend MA, mother of two and almost married 20 years (!) came for a little R&R this weekend from Ottawa.
In our university days I remember her borrowing a beige Ralph Lauren skirt from time to time.
As the rules dictate no shopping we were required to explore the world beyond clothes and what a fabulous world it is!!
Friday there was tea and pedis at the Windsor Arms. Naturally the tea include wine a requirement for any Friday evening activity after a long hectic work week.
Saturday we awoke and almost ended up going out dressed alike- jeans, pink sweaters and white T-shirts. MA is a true frugalista fashionista! She follows the rules. So we wouldn't overwhelm I changed to a grey cashmere sweater with lovely crotched edges and cuffs in shades of pink and purple (circa 2005 purchased in NYC).
Lovely brunch at Live and then to the AGO for the Maharaja exhibit. Cartier jewelry is on display so some window shopping was had.
Then to Bloor and Sephora. Happily even though makeup is not off limits I resisted.
We decided to eat in. A fantastic feast of Canadian artisan cheeses, rapini and sausage with pasta followed by a fruit place and salt an red chili flavoured chocolate. Divine.
So you see a great girls weekend can be had without clothes shopping. After all it is about the company and conversation however that gets stimulated.
In our university days I remember her borrowing a beige Ralph Lauren skirt from time to time.
As the rules dictate no shopping we were required to explore the world beyond clothes and what a fabulous world it is!!
Friday there was tea and pedis at the Windsor Arms. Naturally the tea include wine a requirement for any Friday evening activity after a long hectic work week.
Saturday we awoke and almost ended up going out dressed alike- jeans, pink sweaters and white T-shirts. MA is a true frugalista fashionista! She follows the rules. So we wouldn't overwhelm I changed to a grey cashmere sweater with lovely crotched edges and cuffs in shades of pink and purple (circa 2005 purchased in NYC).
Lovely brunch at Live and then to the AGO for the Maharaja exhibit. Cartier jewelry is on display so some window shopping was had.
Then to Bloor and Sephora. Happily even though makeup is not off limits I resisted.
We decided to eat in. A fantastic feast of Canadian artisan cheeses, rapini and sausage with pasta followed by a fruit place and salt an red chili flavoured chocolate. Divine.
So you see a great girls weekend can be had without clothes shopping. After all it is about the company and conversation however that gets stimulated.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
BLACK TROUSER TRAVAILS..
Black pants... The staple of most wardrobes. I've got at least 3 pairs in different styles and weights so I am covered for all seasons.
I am rather tall so I usually have to have the pants taken down to their full length and a false hem put on the bottom.
This week one of my stand by pairs ( Teenflo, circa 2007) sprouted a rip in the front! These are my favourite pair as they are a classic boot cut that goes with everything. What am I going to do? I wear these at least once every two weeks. The only option, is to hope that they can be repaired well enough that I can still wear them to work. If not I will have to wear the Hugo Boss (circa 2008, purchased in Amsterdam) straight leg pair. Straight legs are going to limit the footwear options. Might have to pull out the Roger Vivier flats to wear with them... We'll see.
Don't feel bad for me, I've still got two pairs of Cambio pants in reserve that I haven't worn in about 3 years that I can use to fill in the gaps - just need to get them taken in a bit. A trip to the alterationist is in order ... I will make it through this year with no new clothes.
I am rather tall so I usually have to have the pants taken down to their full length and a false hem put on the bottom.
This week one of my stand by pairs ( Teenflo, circa 2007) sprouted a rip in the front! These are my favourite pair as they are a classic boot cut that goes with everything. What am I going to do? I wear these at least once every two weeks. The only option, is to hope that they can be repaired well enough that I can still wear them to work. If not I will have to wear the Hugo Boss (circa 2008, purchased in Amsterdam) straight leg pair. Straight legs are going to limit the footwear options. Might have to pull out the Roger Vivier flats to wear with them... We'll see.
Don't feel bad for me, I've still got two pairs of Cambio pants in reserve that I haven't worn in about 3 years that I can use to fill in the gaps - just need to get them taken in a bit. A trip to the alterationist is in order ... I will make it through this year with no new clothes.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Be Inspired - Mix Up the Mix and Match
Sometimes it is hard to reinvent the clothes in your closet and Mix it Up even if you follow Mix and Match. That is the beauty of the Mix and Match philosophy but also its downside. It's easy to fall in a rut, you wake up, it's Thursday, you're working 11 to 12 hour days, and so you fall back on a tried and true combination.
One of mine is a pair of Rebecca Taylor black and white tweed pants (circa 2007) and a black boiled wool Caractere Jacket (circa 2006, purchased in Amsterdam) . I usually pair this with a long sleeved white T-shirt and a Hermes scarf "Faubourg by Night" (circa 2008, purchased in Paris) that has blacks, greys and blues. Dreary and boring especially on a gray January day. I've got to come up with a new combo!
Here are two of my favourite links that I hope will inspire you to Mix up the Mix and Match!
Fifi Lapin, the furry fashionista, is a blog spot that I discovered this morning while I was reading the Globe and Mail newspaper. Although she is an "Har-ess" it is so cute I couldn't resist. It reminds me of Hello Kitty but Fifi is quite a bit more sophisticated. More inspirational and aspirational than anything else but then sometimes you need to be inspired to rework what you have.
My other favourite link is The Sartorialist- this is a great site! The man who is behind it takes pictures of real people who he finds fashionable as he wanders the streets of whatever city he's in and he does not discriminate. Great ideas and a unique perspective not to mention that the last time I went on there were several photos of people from Toronto.
One of mine is a pair of Rebecca Taylor black and white tweed pants (circa 2007) and a black boiled wool Caractere Jacket (circa 2006, purchased in Amsterdam) . I usually pair this with a long sleeved white T-shirt and a Hermes scarf "Faubourg by Night" (circa 2008, purchased in Paris) that has blacks, greys and blues. Dreary and boring especially on a gray January day. I've got to come up with a new combo!
Here are two of my favourite links that I hope will inspire you to Mix up the Mix and Match!
Fifi Lapin, the furry fashionista, is a blog spot that I discovered this morning while I was reading the Globe and Mail newspaper. Although she is an "Har-ess" it is so cute I couldn't resist. It reminds me of Hello Kitty but Fifi is quite a bit more sophisticated. More inspirational and aspirational than anything else but then sometimes you need to be inspired to rework what you have.
My other favourite link is The Sartorialist- this is a great site! The man who is behind it takes pictures of real people who he finds fashionable as he wanders the streets of whatever city he's in and he does not discriminate. Great ideas and a unique perspective not to mention that the last time I went on there were several photos of people from Toronto.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
MY CLEANING LADY MAY SABOTAGE MY GOAL
In anticipation of this year I bought a whole bunch of socks in November. However since then some of them have gone missing! And why is this you ask? Well they seem to get eaten by the dryer and since my cleaning lady does my laundry I have no way to check. I am totally reliant on her!
So far, I seem to be making due although yesterday I had to wear an old pair of Topshop fishnet type black socks that I bought in 2005 on a trip to London. They've lost their ability to stay up. That was interesting!
Today I found, luckily, a rather nice pair at the back of the sock drawer.
Wonder what I am going to do tomorrow....
Let's hope I make it to next December.
I'd post a picture of said socks so you could judge for yourself the dire straights I am in but I don't have a digital camera yet.
So far, I seem to be making due although yesterday I had to wear an old pair of Topshop fishnet type black socks that I bought in 2005 on a trip to London. They've lost their ability to stay up. That was interesting!
Today I found, luckily, a rather nice pair at the back of the sock drawer.
Wonder what I am going to do tomorrow....
Let's hope I make it to next December.
I'd post a picture of said socks so you could judge for yourself the dire straights I am in but I don't have a digital camera yet.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
WHY DO I THINK THAT I CAN DO THIS?
As I have previously indicated, my objective is to go a whole year without buying anything new... So why do I think that I can do this?
The answer: I follow some very simple rules for buying clothes for my wardrobe...
These are:
1. Mix and Match Rules.
90% of what I buy must go with everything else in my wardrobe.
How does this work?: Imagine blindfolding you eyes and then standing in front of your closet to an outfit. Would the items you picked actually make a wearable outfit? If the odds aren't good you are in trouble.
By the way this goes for shoes and handbags too.
2. Choose neutral colours for your key pieces / investment pieces :
suits, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, formal wear and sportswear.
Neutral colours are black, grey, beige, brown, Navy blue or white.
Plaids, tweeds, checks are acceptable if they have your neutral colours and possibly one accent colour.
There is nothing that dates more quickly than that purple suite or the weird Green one!
3. Chose 3-4 accent colours for shirts, tops, sweaters and the like.
Even patterns should conform. You can choose any colours but they should be colours that you feel good wearing and look good on you. Mine are pink, blue and purple! A bit of white doesn't hurt either.
4. Avoid to being trendy.
No matter how trendy the piece is if it doesn't look good on you, you won't look good
5. Less is more.
6. Classic.
You know you will look good, you won't need to update your wardrobe as often and you won't need as many pieces. The pieces we tend to wear over and over again are the ones that we love and actually look good on us! Think vintage-would you wear it again in 10 years? 20 Years?. I'm sure many of us would wear a Vintage Chanel suite if we could. Apply this principle to your wardrobe.
7. Have something for every occasion.
Most are not living in a snack bracket where we attend more than 5 formal / special events a year that require a long dress. These are expensive - choose wisely and update/ change with accessories which means you need to wear it again. This is where the "classic" principle really comes into play.
Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. That black dress is still a knock out and is incredibly versatile..... find your own twist and make it unique
8. Plan ahead.
It is OK to buy inexpensive items for a quick update but for the important pieces plan ahead. Review your wardrobe, identify the gaps, keep a list and pounce when the price is right.
What are the benefits?
1. Your wardrobe won't be outdated so quickly. It is amazing what one new well thought out piece can do for something that is 3 years old.
2. You can update / alter something that is well made
3. You will save money
4. You will have something for every occasion.
The answer: I follow some very simple rules for buying clothes for my wardrobe...
These are:
1. Mix and Match Rules.
90% of what I buy must go with everything else in my wardrobe.
How does this work?: Imagine blindfolding you eyes and then standing in front of your closet to an outfit. Would the items you picked actually make a wearable outfit? If the odds aren't good you are in trouble.
By the way this goes for shoes and handbags too.
2. Choose neutral colours for your key pieces / investment pieces :
suits, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, formal wear and sportswear.
Neutral colours are black, grey, beige, brown, Navy blue or white.
Plaids, tweeds, checks are acceptable if they have your neutral colours and possibly one accent colour.
There is nothing that dates more quickly than that purple suite or the weird Green one!
3. Chose 3-4 accent colours for shirts, tops, sweaters and the like.
Even patterns should conform. You can choose any colours but they should be colours that you feel good wearing and look good on you. Mine are pink, blue and purple! A bit of white doesn't hurt either.
4. Avoid to being trendy.
No matter how trendy the piece is if it doesn't look good on you, you won't look good
5. Less is more.
6. Classic.
You know you will look good, you won't need to update your wardrobe as often and you won't need as many pieces. The pieces we tend to wear over and over again are the ones that we love and actually look good on us! Think vintage-would you wear it again in 10 years? 20 Years?. I'm sure many of us would wear a Vintage Chanel suite if we could. Apply this principle to your wardrobe.
7. Have something for every occasion.
Most are not living in a snack bracket where we attend more than 5 formal / special events a year that require a long dress. These are expensive - choose wisely and update/ change with accessories which means you need to wear it again. This is where the "classic" principle really comes into play.
Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. That black dress is still a knock out and is incredibly versatile..... find your own twist and make it unique
8. Plan ahead.
It is OK to buy inexpensive items for a quick update but for the important pieces plan ahead. Review your wardrobe, identify the gaps, keep a list and pounce when the price is right.
What are the benefits?
1. Your wardrobe won't be outdated so quickly. It is amazing what one new well thought out piece can do for something that is 3 years old.
2. You can update / alter something that is well made
3. You will save money
4. You will have something for every occasion.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
ANOTHER RULE
Rule Number 7: Is is possible that I could make things? Sewing is not my strength but I can knit and I can make jewelry. Should this be allowed? If not, I 'll hav to give away the mittens I am knitting...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
NEW YEAR, NEW RULES
Welcome to my blog! I'm hoping to save a lot of money this year by not buying any new clothes. Maybe in 2012 I can then splurge on something really nice!
I've been thinking about this for a whole year so I have to admit I did bit of stock piling in 2010-10 pairs of shoes, all on sale though, or was it 11 pairs? Some new underwear ,and some new peices from Theory for work. I even bought a new pair of runing shoes on December 28th to get them in under the wire.
I'm feeling a bit relieved and liberated by the thought that I will not be making any clothing purchases this year.
My plan is to post twice a week and recount what I wore, observations about what makes it possible to go a whole year without buying anything new and not feel unfashionable or frumpy.
I've been thinking about this for a whole year so I have to admit I did bit of stock piling in 2010-10 pairs of shoes, all on sale though, or was it 11 pairs? Some new underwear ,and some new peices from Theory for work. I even bought a new pair of runing shoes on December 28th to get them in under the wire.
I'm feeling a bit relieved and liberated by the thought that I will not be making any clothing purchases this year.
My plan is to post twice a week and recount what I wore, observations about what makes it possible to go a whole year without buying anything new and not feel unfashionable or frumpy.
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