fashion tips Archives - Goodwill Michiana

Avoid Grey weather turning into a Grey mood

Posted on January 15, 2020 by

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:

Brighten 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.

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

Posted on October 9, 2019 by

Trend Alert: Snakeskin!

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

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.

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

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.

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

Style Makeover – Natalie

Posted on October 4, 2019 by

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

Posted on September 27, 2019 by

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

July 4th Outfit Ideas

Posted on July 1, 2019 by

It’s 4^th 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 4^th 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 4^th 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!

Posted on June 7, 2019 by

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

California Dreaming in tie-dye
Strappy low heel sandal
Sensible shorts (walking shorts)
Low-key easy utility pants
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

Winter Fashion Trends… how to wear plaid

Posted on January 10, 2019 by

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:

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.
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.
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!

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!

Christmas Cards

Posted on November 27, 2018 by

…and family pictures!

It’s that time of year. We start to get holiday cards in the mail from friends and family…near and far…and then…PANIC! Thoughts of Family Holiday Pics and Christmas Cards bring on the stress!

Before the panic feeling hits hard, plan a family photo shoot this weekend for this year’s Holiday Greeting Card. Sound overwhelming and expensive? I promise, this will be the easiest part of your holiday season.

WHAT TO WEAR?

We’ve all seen the typical family pics where everyone is wearing the same color(s). Why not embrace one of the biggest trends of this holiday season, and go Mad for Plaid? Trust me…

CHOOSING PLAID

When choosing the right plaid for your Christmas Card, keep in mind:

1. Size & Scale – the size of the plaid should match the size of the person. In other words, babies should wear a smaller print than mom and dad.

2. Color Choices – either keep all of the plaid worn in the photo the same color(s) (for example, all reds and blues), or make sure everyone is wearing something different.

3. How Much plaid? Not everyone needs to wear a plaid shirt. As a matter of fact – it is best if you mix it up. Goodwill is a great place to search a variety of plaid pieces all in one place. Look for a top, skirt, pants, shoes, scarf.

4. Props – maybe add in some fun plaid “props” like a mug, blanket or pillow. Don’t forget to get your family pets involved too!

This is a display that is in the Niles, MI Goodwill Store, and is a great example of how mixing a lot of different plaids in one ‘family picture’ can look pretty amazing!

DIY FAMILY PICTURE TIPS for your Christmas Card

Professional photographers and wardrobe stylists offer these tips for a perfect Family Christmas Card picture:

Lighting – make sure you have lots of lights. Gather extra lights and brighten the space as much as possible. The lighting in your photograph should come from in front of the people in the picture (not from behind). Many times taking the picture outside on a partly cloudy day is the best.
Don’t overdo makeup – too much won’t look great in your family picture. What you may want to pay attention to is gloss on your lips and a dab of highlighter (or light eye makeup) in the corners of your eyes (near your nose).
Setting up your camera – this will probably be the hardest part of your family picture project. If asking a neighbor to help isn’t an option, use a tripod. Using the portrait mode on your camera phone can create some amazing pics…however, using a tripod will save you from getting the perfect shot all set up and your phone shifting.
Post photo shoot editing – there are tons of great apps to help you edit your photo, but don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s easy to get bogged down with time and detail in the editing process. And honestly, aren’t some of your favorite holiday family pictures the ones that aren’t perfect?

With our Goodwill mannequin family from the Niles Goodwill Store, we spent less than 5 minutes editing to come up with something we’re sure this family will be thrilled to use for their Christmas cards this year!

Goodwill Ambush Makeover – Rachel

Posted on October 29, 2015 by

Rachel is a typical 30-something Mom.

She has spent so much time over the past few years being a Mom, she’s forgotten what her style is.

She wants to look cute and sassy, but it seems the things she adds to her wardrobe only add to the confusion. Random shopping has caused her to spend a lot of money, and end up with a closet full of clothes she doesn’t like.

We took Rachel through a very simple process of figuring out what her style is, and creating a great outfit at a Michiana Goodwill Store…for a fraction of the price she had been spending on new outfits!

See how we did it here!

How To Build a Capsule Wardrobe – with free downloads!

Posted on May 21, 2015 by

In a perfect fashionable world, we would all have a minimalist mindset and function perfectly with very few clothes. The truth is, most of us fall into the category called “closet full of clothes and nothing to wear”.

I believe the reason so many of us get stuck in this “bursting at the seams” place is because we haven’t been intentional about building our wardrobes. This is the premise behind Capsule Wardrobes. Before I tell you HOW TO BUILD A CAPSULE WARDROBE, let’s define it:

…according to Wikipedia

Capsule wardrobe is a term coined by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called “Wardrobe” in the 1970s. According to Faux, a capsule wardrobeis a collection of a few essential items of clothing that will not go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces. This idea was popularized by American designer Donna Karan, who, in 1985, released an influential capsule collection of seven interchangeable work-wear pieces.

The term is widely used in the British and American fashion media, and has been the subject of several popular television series. The term has come to refer to a collection of clothing which is designed using only interchangeable items, in order to maximize the number of outfits which can be created. The aim is to have an outfit suitable for any occasion without owning excessive items of clothing. This is usually achieved by buying what are considered to be “key” or “staple” items in coordinating colors.

Building this elusive perfect wardrobe is simple. The key to your stylish success is to plan and follow these steps.

Step 1 – Choose a color palate – up to 4 colors, 1 dark neutral, 1 light neutral, a pop color and your signature color. Once you master how to create a Capsule Wardrobe, you can add in other colors that compliment your palate. The secret is all of these colors match one another, kind of like Granimals! So, everything will go together, GENIUS!

First, determine what dark neutral looks best on you. For some, it may be black, however for most (yes, I am about to tell you that black might not be a good color for you) that dark neutral should be grey, brown or navy. Then choose a lighter neutral (white or cream). Then add in some color; a pop (or wow color for the season), and your signature color (that one hue that you know looks great on you).

Here is an example of what your color palate might look like (this is mine):

For help matching your wardrobe, click here for a cheat sheet.

Step 2 – Figure out what cuts of clothing look great on you. Knowing what your body shape is simply is knowing what your proportions are. The cuts of clothing we choose can emphasize our silhouette, and camouflage areas we hold a little extra fluff. Some of us have broad shoulders, so need to wear pieces that minimize our shoulders.

To start this step, choose your favorites: favorite pair of jeans, favorite skirt and so on.

For help choosing the right cuts of clothing, here is another cheat sheet.

Step 3 – List the pieces you are using in your capsule wardrobe. Typically, you will need about 30 items in your wardrobe, with 10 being your wardrobe backbone. I’ve seen a lot of numbers for a capsule wardrobe thrown around, but you should be able to build 30 outfits with 10 pieces of clothing. You will want at least 5 shirts (some like enough for every day of the week).

Once you have completed your list, this will show you where you might need to add some things into your capsule wardrobe. Try to get good quality pieces as the backbone of your wardrobe. Taking this list with you when you shop at Goodwill will help you to do a few things:

Shop intentionally – only search for those things on your shopping list
Choose pieces you can wear numerous times – as you will see by the chart, all of the pieces work together. All of the tops match all of the bottoms, and all of the jackets can coordinate with any of the tops, bottoms and dresses.
Add pieces you know will look good on you! By the time you have made your list, you will have a good understanding of your color palate and what cuts of clothing look good on you.

Here is a chart to help you get started. With this chart, you will have 20 pieces of clothing, giving you about 35-40 outfits. If you want to get technical, I counted 64 different combinations using these 20 pieces!

The final step is to take some pictures of your outfit combinations. This will make it much easier to choose what to wear in the morning. There are numerous apps for your smart phone that will help you store and organize these pictures. My favorite is called Stylebook. It allows you to mark an outfit so you remember that you wore it recently. If you are a fashionista at heart, you NEED an app like this!

Here are some screen shots from my capsule wardrobe (of course, all of the pieces you see here came from Goodwill!).

I hope this helps you and challenges you to be intentional when shopping at a Goodwill Industries of Michiana store. Be sure to check this blog for the latest on 50% off sale days!

#Capsulewardrobeonabudget #capsulewardrobe

Category: fashion tips

Avoid Grey weather turning into a Grey mood

Fall Fashion Trends – wear now and later pt. 2