Category: fashion

Summer Trends – hi/low dresses DIY

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I am sure you’ve noticed the hi-low dress and skirt trend.  These are the cute little summer frocks that are notably shorter in the front than they are in the back.

AFTER
BEFORE

WHY IS THIS STYLE WEARABLE
For those that love the idea of a maxi dress, but aren’t tall enough to pull off that look, the hi-low is a great compromise

GET THE STYLE FOR LESS
First, head to Goodwill and find a long skirt. To keep things easy, be sure the skirt fits you. Look for something in a fabric you love: a trendy floral, or maybe chevron.

I started playing around with the idea of a DIY hi-low skirt, and quickly became aware of my limited sewing and crafting abilities.  So I did what any fashion savvy woman would do…I turned to You Tube and Pinterest.

Here is a great pattern to follow when you start your hi-low project. Really, it is very simple! The great thing about this idea is when the trend is ‘so yesterday‘, you can continue to alter the item to become a short skirt/dress.


IMAGES:
found on Pinterest
hi-low skirt tutorial found at: http://blog.freepeople.com/2011/10/guest-post-diy-fishtail-maxi/

Bathing Suit tips for Summer 2013

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Well, the season is finally here…the time of the year we learn how to masterfully suck-it-in, creatively wear a towel as a skirt and head to the beach or pool.

This summer, I challenge you to embrace your curves and fluff.  To that end…I offer some tips and tricks to make this bathing suit season your best yet! 

COVERUPS

Carry a cover up with you wherever you go, and make sure that the cover up is one that dries quickly.  There is nothing more unsightly than a wet pair of shorts over a bathing suit.  Be creative with your coverups.  Maybe a men’s button up might make a cute cover up (wearing it as a dress), or athletic wear that dries quickly, or maybe even a lightweight summer jacket?
As you scour your local Goodwill, be sure to keep an open mind and be creative with what might be able to be used as a coverup.

GETTING A GOOD FIT

Getting a great suit is all about dealing with your “situations“…or as some of my friends call it, fluff; those fluffy situations that seem to sit right at our midsections and on our hips. Here are some easy tips to camouflage the area:

  • Fabric:  the first thing to look for is a bathing suit with a lot of lycra or spandex. This will hold everything in. When you are seeking out a bathing suit at a Thrift Store, remember to be sure the elastic still has some spring in it, and the fabric still has stretch. 
  • Style:  A tankini style with rouching is the best for concealing the midsection. Rouching are small gathers at the side of the top that create a drape across the midsection.  If you can find a suit with side panels AND rouching – SCORE! Don’t be opposed to purchasing 2 bathing suits at Goodwill, and using the top to one and bottom to another…but be sure to do this on a 50% off sale day!
  • A tankini with a patterned top.  The pattern will act like camouflage.  Pattern and rouching – double score on the slimming factor!

OTHER TIPS
But, for some of us, the midsection isn’t’ the part of our silhouette we are the most self conscious about, so here are some other tips:

Heavy Arms 
Shifting attention away from the neckline / shoulder area will be key for you.  Look for a suit with detail at the center, something that creates vertical interest. Another thing to consider is your coverup.  Coverups should match your bathing suit.  Going monochromatic here is a good choice.

Small Bust 
Look for suits that have a lot of detail or embellishment on the top. Things like ruffles, maybe metal rings on the straps or even a pattern with a lot of contrast (that demands attention).  Contrasting colors (like pink and orange) will make the top ‘pop’. 

Large Bust 

Make sure you choose a top with an underwire support.  Many manufacturers offer bathing suits in bra-sizing.  This makes it simple to get a very good supportive fit.Darker prints without a lot of contrast will help to minimize.  Make sure that the coverage (in the neckline and around the under-arm area) does just that…cover
     
Disguise Hips 
      Skirted suits have made a comeback and are cuter than ever! Look for a skirt that is longer than the widest part of your hip.  This style tends to look more like a tennis skirt than the “swimming dresses” our grandmothers wore. Don’t love the skirted idea?  Then the opposite is best for you.  A high cut leg will elongate your leg, and help to minimize your hip.

Plain (without pattern) on the bottom with an interesting contrast top will help to balance your hips and draw attention away from your hips to your face. 

Plus Size Bathing Beauties 
Looking for suits with extra Lycra will serve you well (about 15-20% of the fabric content).  Rouching and support will be important for you.  Choose a bold print.

Finally, CHEERS to a fun-filled and fashionable summer!

IMAGE CREDITS:
Cover Up: http://productshots2.modcloth.com
Other Tips: http://thriftstorerunway.com

TREND ALERT: walking shorts

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One of the hottest trends this season is the walking short. I’ve been looking all over for the perfect walking short (that won’t break my very-limited budget) and have fallen short.

While organizing my closet this week I came across a pair of trouser pants that I never wear. They are a loose fitting linen that would be perfect for shorts. But alas, they are a baggy pant.
My instinct was to set them aside in the Goodwill pile, but then I thought twice. Maybe I could make these into the perfect walking short!

Well…long story short, I really messed up my first attempt (or two) at this DIY project (let’s just say I am NO Amy Clark!).

After several trips to Goodwill to get other “perfect trousers that will become perfect walking shorts” I stumbled upon some ideas and tips that will help you not make the same mistakes I did.

STEP1
line everything up and mark your pattern

To create the pattern, I found a pair of shorts in my closet that I like.  The length of these old shorts seems to be perfect, so I used those as a pattern for my DIY ones.

Lie the shorts on top of the pants.  Line up the rise of both pants. This will insure that the length of both sorts is about the same.  **NOTE this is a step I did not take the first few times around, and found that it is in fact a critical part of the equation! 

STEP 2
Measure twice…cut once

Mark the pants with alteration chalk and a ruler **NOTE yet another step I left out the first time or two around. 

The ruler is critical.  Although I can cut a straight line on wrapping paper, apparently I can not cut a straight line on fabric.

(Photo Credit: http://www.refinery29.com check out this blog for great How To, Entertainment, Fashion Beauty and more!)

STEP 3
Time to cut

I made sure to make my cut an inch longer than I needed.  This allowed for some ‘slop’ (and by ‘slop’ I mean my inability to cut a straight line).

 
STEP4
Stitch it down

Since I don’t own a sewing machine, I try to use Stitch Witchery or hand mend things that need a needle and thread.

(photo from http://adoremore.blogspot.com – check out her blog and see how she made some denim DIY shorts)


STEP 4
Be the envy of your friends 

One of the best things about projects like this is when people ask you where you got those super cute shorts, you can say “They are a one of a kind, and I got them from Goodwill for just a few dollars and made them into shorts myself”…it’s a real bargain for up-to-the-minute style… that is unless you mess up as many times as I did (*wink*).

SPRING TRENDS! Color…

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New trends mean new colors.  This season is no different.  The color story is a wild tale of typical Spring pastel hues, and a mix of vibrant tones.

 

The hot color of the season is Emerald green.  We are seeing this Emerald green color paired with a mix of hues ranging from Dusk Blue, Linen to Grayed Jade.


The HOT HOT color combo of the season is Poppy Red with Grayed Jade or Emerald.

WHAT COLORS SHOULD I WEAR?
The key to knowing if you can wear these new hues lies in an honest look at yourself in the mirror.  Take a look at your eye color, skin tone and hair color.  Look at the overall contrast in your look.  For example, if you have blue eyes, blonde hair and medium skin tone you could say that you have soft contrast coloring. If you have dark hair, brown eyes and dark skin you could say you have a deep contrast. Make sure that the tones of the colors you choose this season are inline with the contrast in your own natural coloring. For example, if you have a soft contrast in your look, choose colors that have a soft hue to them (Grayed Jade or Dusk Blue for example).  Likewise if you would say your over all natural coloring falls in the deep category, then the hues you wear should be deeper, higher pigmented tones (Emerald and Monaco Blue, for example).

SHOPPING FOR TRENDY COLORS
A tip my shopping mentor gave me was to print out the seasons hot colors and carry them with you (go HERE for an easy reference to print).   Take this reference sheet to your local Goodwill store and simply look for these colors. Choosing something that has a vintage feel, and pairing it in a fashion forward way by teaming it up with a trendy color combination will make you an instant fashionista!

WANT MORE ON TRENDS?
Pinterest is a great place to check out trends.  Be sure to follow my Spring Summer 2013 board on Pinterest!

Gearing up for the Holidays

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I’m all wrapped up in the holiday spirit, aren’t you?  Even when I go out on the weekends, I am searching my closet for something with a little sparkle or shine. One of the HOT pieces this holiday season is the sequin skirt.

I had this outfit idea in my head that requires a gold sequin skirt.  Seemed when I wasn’t searching for one, I saw gold sequins EVERYWHERE.  Of course now, I can’t find one anywhere.  So I got busy looking online.  The one I found that seemed to be the right gold was well over $70.  This Mom’s budget can’t afford $70 for a skirt she’ll wear a few times!  Then I wondered, could I make one?

Again, back to the Google searching, and voila! Why didn’t I think of this weeks ago?  Of course…find the perfect fit in a skirt at Goodwill, and simply sequin it! 

Here are the quick and easy steps:

STEP 1
Go to Goodwill and find that perfect little skirt.  The color doesn’t matter, just make sure that the fit is exactly what you want.

STEP 2
Head to the craft store (or if you find something that is sequined at Goodwill, that might work too…rework what is already done?).  Choose a perfect color sequin fabric.  Make sure the sequin fabric has some stretch. Sequined fabric can be a little pricey, so before you hit the stores, look online for a coupon.  I found a 40% off coupon and used that…making my “holiday gold” MUCH less expensive!

STEP 3
My step 3 is a bit different than the inspiration (link below). Cut your sequined piece of fabric about1-1.5″ bigger than the “pattern skirt”.

I then used a fabric glue to seam the sides of the sequin fabric together.  I stitched the sequins at the waistband of the skirt, and only about 2″ down the sides.  This allowed the Goodwill skirt to act as a sort of slip for the sequins.

DONE!

Here is a ‘how to’:
(from: http://toothfairyfashiontale.blogspot.com/p/diy-sequined-skirt.html)

Fall/Winter Trends – Leather

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Nothing says Fall/Winter like LEATHER! The thing that I think is so unusual this season, is I’m seeing more and more pleather (fake leather).  Pleather is much more affordable, and very easy to alter or re-work.
The ‘rocker chic’ look is a fun one to incorporate into your holiday looks.  Think about pairing a motorcycle leather jacket with a flirty ruffled or lace skirt.
For the office, take the same motorcycle jacket and pair it with a tweed skirt.

Fall/Winter Trends – Global Details

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I am in love with Global Details in fashion (home fashion and wardrobe fashion) this season. The thing I love the most is the eclectic and vintage feel those details bring…and what better place to get great vintage finds than Goodwill!

Global Details simply means, well, DETAILS!  Tapestry, colorful woven designs, heavy knitting.

When you are wearing a piece with these kinds of details, be sure to make THAT piece the statement of your outfit and keep everything else very monochromatic and simple.

Be sure to keep this trend within your style personality. If your style is natural (in other words, you like natural fabrics, love the comfort and ease of jeans and t-shirts.  Your shoe choice would be Crocs or maybe a Toms)…then choose your Global Detailed piece carefully.  Keep this trend in your accessories (scarf, hat).

If your style is more sassy (people ask you how you came up with outfit combinations, you aspire to be the local Carrie Bradshaw) then go wild in this trend!  This style will easily pair a fair aisle sweater with a tulle skirt and cowboy boots.

And if your style is tailored and polished (you love a trouser and sweater set, you prefer to not make a statement with your clothes, you know what looks good on you and what flatters your silhouette and you stick to it) then a great tailored piece is best for you.  You are most comfortable in cuts of clothing that are generally the same.  Stepping out of your style-box-comfort-zone and adding a pencil skirt with a subtle tapestry would be perfect for you.  Even a jacket will add some pizazz into your wardrobe, and mix very well with the other pieces in your closet. 

To see more ideas on this trend, visit: KATHY’S PINTEREST PAGE

What to Wear NOW! …the white shirt

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The classic white shirt.  There are a thousand ways to wear the white shirt:
·        Tucked
·        Untucked
·        Untucked and belted
·         ½ tucked (tucked in front but not the back)
·        Open like a jacket
·        As a layering piece under a sweater or jacket
·        Oversized and tied in the front
A great white shirt is something you will have in your closet for a long time.  It is also something that once it wears out, you realize how much you really wear this classic piece.
The best white blouses I have found were at Goodwill.  Looking for some with a variety of details and cuts will let you have even more options in your closet.  Look for:
  •       No signs of wear, specifically stains (look closely in the arm pit, this is where stains and pilling show up first) 
  • Missing buttons?  No problem, changing out the buttons may make this classic really sassy and hip. 
  • Straight hem – as opposed to a shirt-tail hem.  This will give you more options to wear it untucked 
  • Oversized and longer – wearing your shirt as a tunic? A great idea! 
  • Something more structured and fitted. Perfect as a layering piece.

Fall/Winter trends…TWEED

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You have probably noticed the posters in our local Goodwill stores that show trends of the season.  Our fashion Guru, Kathy Friend, has some tips on those trends!

First, the TWEED trend.

This trend is a classically inspired one, and reminds me of the styles of eras gone by.  Look for tweed that has some vintage feel to it and some color.  I love a nubby tweed with a lot of texture and some kind of unexpected color (like pink!).

Wear tweed in small doses.  Even if you find a great tweed suit, I would caution you to NOT wear those pieces together.  The current way to wear tweed would be to break up those pieces, and make the tweed texture THE statement of your outfit. 

To see more ideas on this trend, visit: KATHY’S PINTEREST PAGE