Category: fashion

Avoid Grey weather turning into a Grey mood

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This time of year, all we see is the cold, grey of winter. It’s easy to fall into a grey mood as we patiently (or not so patiently) wait for spring.  Here are 2 easy ideas to help you avoid the doldrums:

2020_brightsBrighten up your outfits.  When the temperatures outside fall below freezing, it seems we tend to think that means we should be dressing in dark dull colors. Liven up your dark ensembles with pops of bright colors. Things to look for at your local Goodwill Store include scarves, tank tops, belts or other layering pieces.

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Spring clean – a little early. After the holidays, my office is a disaster. Well, if I am being honest, everything in my house feels cluttered and unorganized.  We all have that room in our home that seems to accumulate all the “stuff” over the holidays. Take an afternoon and re-organize that space. Focusing on just one room isn’t as overwhelming as thinking about your entire home. Take all the extra things and duplicate items that you find and donate them to Goodwill. Keep the other rooms of your home free from clutter by not re-storing things you don’t use over the holidays.

Fall Fashion Trends – wear now and later pt. 2

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Trend Alert: Snakeskin!

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Have you noticed that snakeskin print seems to be everywhere?  Literally. EVERYWHERE?  This is a hot trend with a timeless feel. This print has been a part of fashion for many years, and the vintage pieces you’ll find at your local Goodwill store will be a new treasured piece in your wardrobe. Think of your snakeskin pieces as neutrals, and wear them with everything! Here are some ideas how to wear snakeskin now and later!

THE PANT

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A snakeskin pant is a fun alternative to jeans. Pair them with colorful blouse now.  SHOPPERS HINT: remember think of the print as a neutral. Whatever you’d wear with your favorite jeans or black trousers try with a snakeskin pant.

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When boot weather officially arrives, pair your snake print pants with your favorite cozy sweater. Maybe in the season’s ‘it’ color Sugar Almond? SHOPPERS HINT: Try a cape or poncho with the pants, or search out a fun ski style sweater in the men’s department!

THE BOOT

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For all of you fashion forward divas, try this look with your snake print boots now. Break out a basic walking short, pair it with a sweater or turtleneck to create a monochromatic look, add a little sass with the snake print boot…and you know you are going to turn heads when you leave the house! SHOPPERS HINT: Add a statement belt to the look to finish your outfit.

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When winter arrives, the same feeling of the short outfit can be a wardrobe favorite. Simply swap out the shorts for your favorite black jeans or ankle pants. SHOPPERS HINT: Goodwill is a great place to find a vintage jacket with fur trim!

We’d love to see your #dressingroomselfies showing what you found in this color at your Goodwill Store! Post your finds on social media, and use the following hashtags: #GoodwillTrends #KathyFriendStylist

2019_guest_blogger_Kathy

Style Makeover – Natalie

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This month, our Style Makeover is Natalie – who will be one of our models for the Little Black Dress Fashion Show on October 30, 2019 in Merrillville. The event will be held at Avalon Manor. Be sure to get your tickets NOW for the runway show, appetizers and amazing shopping!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-Uwt01xQtE&w=560&h=315]

Fall Fashion Trends – wear now and later

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How to wear fashion trends Now and Later

I know the calendar says it’s Fall, but the temps outside still say it’s summer. Here are some ideas on how to wear one of our favorite fall trends now and later.

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One of the most popular colors this season is called Sugar Almond. This is a great autumnal color that you need to search for now at your local Goodwill Store.  This color looks good on just about everyone, and will definitely be a hue you’ll want to add into your wardrobe.  Think of this color as a neutral. It really looks nice with a lot of other colors. Here are some ideas on how to wear it now…and later!

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Wear this deep fall hue with colors that feel more like warm weather. TREND TIP: The colors shown above are actually from the Fall trend color palate. When worn together, they feel very warm-weather. But, when paired with dark neutrals (like Sugar Almond), they take on an autumn feel.

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This brown hue is easy to wear now and keep cool.  Find an easy light weight pant, and pair it with your favorite summer blouse or t shirt. SHOPPERS HINT: if searching for a paper bag waist pant like above, look for trousers that are in a larger size than you normally wear. The key is to have this style unstructured and slouchy.

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This color looks great with denim blue. Longer skirts are very on-trend this season, finding one in Sugar Almond and pairing it with a denim shirt will look fantastic on you! TREND TIP: Silk and satin skirts are all the rage right now. Look for this style skirt at your Goodwill Store, and don’t be afraid to try something in a different size. Make it your own with a big belt or cutting a slit in the side.

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Once the temperature outside catches up with the calendar, this rich fall color can easily work into the other bold colors of the season. TREND TIP: The darker colors above are also part of this season’s trendy color palate. Prints that have all of these colors in them will be everywhere!

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Adding a shoe or boot in this color will be your favorite go-to this season. And, yes. You can wear black and brown together! SHOPPERS TIP: Shop for basics that are high quality pieces… things you will wear for many years…and of course, pieces you can wear a number of different ways. If you can’t think of 3 different ways to wear something, it might not be a smart addition to your wardrobe.

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You will see a lot of plaid this season, and chances are you’ll see Sugar Almond in many of these prints. A cute skirt and chunky sweater is perfect for cool fall nights. SHOPPERS HINT: look in the men’s section for this color too!

We’d love to see your #dressingroomselfies showing what you found in this color at your Goodwill Store! Post your finds on social media, and use the following hashtags: #GoodwillTrends #KathyFriendStylist

2019_guest_blogger_Kathy

July 4th Outfit Ideas

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It’s 4th of July and our minds turn to stars and stripes.  If your family is like mine, we are preparing for the neighborhood cookout, fireworks, and a few days of relaxing by the pool and beach. Of course, all of these events on our calendar require the perfect American-themed July 4th outfits! Save your money for the corn on the cob and fireworks… check out your local Goodwill Store for the perfect 4th of July outfit.

Maybe dressing like a walking American Flag isn’t your personal style. And really, how many American Flag t-shirts can one person have before it’s time to stop the madness and donate all of them to Goodwill!

Embrace your patriotism while forgoing head to toe stars and stripes with these July 4th outfit ideas: 

ALL WHITE

for the Neighborhood Party

Who ever said you need to wear red, white and blue?  And, who ever said that on the 4th of July, your BBQ outfit  needs to include the American flag?  Answer: no one. While shopping at Goodwill for this look, start by perusing the racks for something in white that catches your eye.  Look for details like tassels, eyelet or lace. Use that key piece to build the rest of your outfit. 

All white is a hot trend this summer, embrace it!  You may want to add a pop of red on your foot or with your handbag.

PLAID

to work!

Nothing says Americana more than adding a little plaid to your 4th of July work attire.  This notion can keep your outfits perfect for work while adding a little sass to celebrate the holiday. Think outside the box when you shop for this look at Goodwill. The plaid just needs to have red or blue with white. To punctuate the 4th of July vibe, use the contrast color in your accessories.  For example, a blue plaid dress with red belt and shoes. Or, red plaid top with blue necklace. 

STRIPES

for your beach and pool gatherings

Stripes are always a fresh summer look.  Remember, a little stripe goes a long way, so keep the striped piece the focus of your outfit. If your style personality is bold, maybe mix the stripes with some stars! 

DENIM

for fireworks

Gone are the days when wearing all denim is a faux pas.  An easy go-to 4th of July outfit is your favorite boyfriend jeans paired with a tied-up denim shirt.  Denim dresses and overalls are perfect for summer nights. 

We’d love to see your Goodwill 4th of July outfits!  Comment below or submit to [email protected] 

Five fashion trends this season you need in your wardrobe!

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There are 5 fashion trends this season you need in your wardrobe.

We waited for Spring to be sprung and waited and waited. All of the sudden, summer is here.  The calendar begs the question what summer clothing is still in your closet from last year? What should you wear again this year? What is a budget-friendly way to add some of the current season fashion trends into your wardrobe?

All great questions.

There are some trends this season that I don’t think are worth investing in. However, there are several from last summer that have stayed for this year. Current summer pieces all have a vintage vibe, making them fun things to hunt for at your local Goodwill store.

5 things you need in your wardrobe this summer

  1. California Dreaming in tie-dye
  2. Strappy low heel sandal
  3. Sensible shorts (walking shorts)
  4. Low-key easy utility pants
  5. Bucket hats

In order to help you look your most fabulous best this summer, I’ve put together some thoughts and ideas for you to bring these trends into your wardrobe world.

1. Tie-Dye

Tie dye is all the rage this season. Because it feels so summer-specific, be sure to get in on the trend now. Typically, tie-dye is a casual print. However, this summer favorite can work in the boardroom too. Here are some ideas on how to bring a little California Dreaming into your wardrobe:

At Work – tie-dye top with your basic suiting pieces. Be sure to tuck in your tie-dye t-shirt and don’t forget layering on the jewelry pieces. Finish the look with a bright sandal.

On the Weekends – re-purpose a Goodwill find into your favorite tie-dye colors for a night out. Be unconventional and try your hand at tie-dyeing a skirt. Parents Magazine has an easy guide to tie-dying.

2. Strappy Low Heel Sandal

The strappy low heel is perfect for everyone…even those who say, “I can’t wear heels”. In fact, this style of sandal will lengthen your legs and add instant sophistication to your summer wardrobe. This shoe trend is one to embrace. I know it will be around for a while. Here are some ways to wear the trend:

At Work – ankle jeans, lacy blouse, and strappy low heel = perfect casual Friday sophistication

On the Weekends – try with your tie-dye t-shirt and cut off jean shorts. Be sure to do a French tuck on the t-shirt.

3. Sensible Shorts

If you want longer shorts, this is your time to shop. This style of short, also known as walking shorts, are great for embracing a more updated feel to suiting trends. These shorts also look great with the season’s crop top looks.

At Work – if it is appropriate in your work environment, pair a walking short with a blazer jacket and silk blouse

On the Weekends – pair with your favorite graphic tee and strappy sandal, add a bucket hat for a fun festival look

4. Utility Clothing

With roots in street-style, the utility feel of many of this season’s clothing harkens back to the edgy notion of the ’80s. Utility pieces are the season’s of-the-moment trend. Although this trend might seem intimidating and hard to style, it doesn’t have to be. Keep the utility feel of your outfit low-key as opposed to head to toe. Contrast those rough pieces with opposing fabrics and styles. Here are some ideas:

At Work – utility pants with your low heel strappy sandal and a silk blouse

On the Weekends – the loose structure of utility pieces are perfect to pair with a crop or tube top

5.  Bucket Hats

I thought the overall hat trend was a fleeting one, but that isn’t the case. Particularly this season try a bucket hat. You won’t be sorry.

At Work – maybe this trend isn’t something to wear inside the office, however on rainy days, throw on a bucket hat to save your hair from the rain

On the Weekends – perfect with everything on your summer agenda, the bucket hat will keep the sun off your face while keeping your outfit cute and sassy

LBD Fashion Show in South Bend

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Behind the Scenes of a Fashion Show

Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the curtain of a runway fashion show? From the stage, it seems like all the lights and glitter mean the entire production is very glamorous.  Here, I give you an insight to what the weeks leading up to the show really look like.

Glamorous meals in my car as I head to the first Model call

 

Model calls throughout Michiana to choose the ladies who will be on the runway

 

Hours at my desk organizing model information and pouring over fashion magazines to find looks I want to recreate on the runway
Welcome to my car closet! Also my car kitchen…and car office.
Racks of clothes as far as the eye can see
Busy Bees working to get everything ready for the show

Behind the scenes…pulling model looks from nearly 100 racks of clothing, thousands of pieces of jewelry, hundreds of handbags and pairs of shoes.

Dozens of boxes of shoes

 

Do you like designer bags? You’ll probably see these in the show

 

And like magic, a fashion show is ready for the runway!

Goodwill Style Makeover – Charlene

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Welcome to 2019 and this month’s edition of the Goodwill Style Makeover!

In this Style Makeover post, we will introduce you to Charlene who is a client at Goodwill. She went through the Goodwill Works Program to help her with job skills. She is nominated as this month’s Style Makeover because of her hard work.  As a Goodwill Works Client, Charlene obtained employment with the Goodwill Industries of Michiana corporate office in the custodial services department.  Her co-workers say she is always going above and beyond to help others. They want to thank her with this Style Makeover!

Through this makeover, Charlene stepped back and thought about her style, and what her clothes were saying about her personality  As a result, she is able to make thoughtful changes to her image for 2019. Certainly this is a good “check” for all of us in the New Year.  We hope you enjoy Charlene’s Style Makeover story in this video.

Winter Fashion Trends… how to wear plaid

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Mad for Plaid – how to wear plaid

Have you been shopping this season, picked up a catalog or done any online browsing for clothing and noticed plaid is a big deal in fashion trends?  Plaid everything from pants to shirts, shoes, socks, purses and home décor. Plaid is a big fashion trend this season, and the options are endless. The question really is how to wear plaid – the hot winter 2018 fashion trend!

Even if plaid isn’t a pattern you would normally wear, I am sure you will want to add something plaid into your wardrobe this season. Here are some fashion tips for how to wear plaid:

  1. What size plaid should I wear?  The size plaid should match your size.  If you are petite, choose a plaid with smaller squares. If your stature is larger you should choose a larger pattern.
  2. What color plaid should I wear? The contrast in the colors within the plaid should also match your natural contrast. Makes sense, right? In other words, look at the contrast between your hair and skin tone.  Would you say there is a big contrast (dark hair, lighter / ivory skin tone)? Then you can wear a big contrast print like white, black and hot pink.  If your natural contrast isn’t as great (like brown hair with medium skin tone or dirty blonde hair and medium skin tone) choose a plaid with hues that aren’t as bold  for instance cream, teal and grey.
  3. Do all plaids match?  Don’t get hung up on wearing the same colors or plaids in one outfit. If your personal fashion style is a little daring, try wearing different plaids in one look!
winter 2018 fashion trend plaid

Of course, your local Goodwill Store is a great place to shop for all variations of this season’s trendy plaid! And, be sure to check out our Sale Calendar to get the most out of your shopping dollars!