Category: Kathy Friend

Spring Summer 2014 Fashion Trends

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A few weeks ago, many of you joined me at the 5th Annual Little Black Dress Fashion Show and Luncheon.  It was a spectacular day, filled with shopping, good food, and of course…a great fashion show.

If you were one of the lucky ones to be at this must-attend event, then you saw some of the season’s top trends on the runway.  For those who weren’t able to be with us, I thought I would share a spinet of the fashion show with you, and show you what some of the season’s top trends are.

COLORS
Pantone tells us that the year’s color is Radiant Orchid.  You will see purple everywhere this season, as an accent to prints and as the statement hue in many looks.  Because purple is hot, you will also see colors that are logical ‘matches’ to that trending (for example, orange and yellow).

Bold black and white is back and is BOLD this season. This season, step out of your “color comfort” zone, and add a pop of an unexpected color to your geometric black and whites.


SHAPES
Structured shapes are also a big trend this season. Short, boxy jackets over shirt-dresses, traditional trench-coat styles in whimsical prints. 

Full skirts are also something for us to consider adding into our wardrobe this season. Think 1950 housewife style.  Longer is more on-trend, but can be hard to wear.

INSPIRATIONS
It seems every summer, we see a nautical feel in trends.  This season is no exception. Stripes, strong hardware…all nautical inspired details.

FABRICS
One of the fabrics we are seeing a lot of this season is a heavy lace.  Personally, I am in love with this look!

STYLE
The maxi dress is back and bigger than ever!

PRINTS
Prints this season have a distinct artistic tribal feel. 


To see all the photos from this year’s Little Black Dress Fashion Show and Luncheon, click HERE.

To get a FREE copy of my complete Spring Summer 2014 Trend report, just click HERE!


FREE Dress for Success Workshop Next Week!

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If one of your New Year’s goals is to FASHION a new career, then plan on attending the Dress for Success Workshop at the new Warsaw Community Career Center next week!
Our Fashion Guru, Kathy Friend, will offer helpful and practical advice on things you need to know before your next job interview.  Learn the importance of first impressions, and the key non-verbal advantages you can use to get the job and keep the job.
Join us at the Goodwill Community Career Center on Tuesday, January 21st from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm.  The Career Center is located at 751 Anchorage Point Drive in Warsaw, Indiana.

DIY Holiday Sparkle for your wardrobe

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Nothing says “holiday outfit” more than a little (or a lot) of sparkle!  But spending that much money on something you will wear a hand-full of times isn’t a wise investment of your clothing budget.

The great looks you crave can be yours at a fraction of the cost if you are willing to get a little crafty!

DIY Brooch Necklace
Brooch necklaces are expensive.  What if I told you that you could easily make one and be the envy of all your friends this holiday season? Check this out…

The web is full of ideas on how to make your own brooch necklace.  I have tried many of these and have learned a lot through that process.  The key to making a nice looking necklace is wire. Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a step-by-step guide at making a fantastic brooch necklace. 

You Will Need:

  1.  A collection of brooches, pins and earrings.  Make sure they all have some element in common (all pearls, all rhinestones, all silver, a specific color, etc.).  These are good things to search for at Goodwill.  When hunting for a nice collection, be sure that the backs of the pieces are open (you will want to hook all the pieces together with wire).
  2. Wire – make sure the wire you get is specifically for jewelry. Trust me, floral wire won’t work (and I won’t admit why I know that).
  3. Ribbon – I have found that a thicker grosgrain is best, however a silk will work too. If the ribbon style isn’t for you, try a thick chain.  Find a chain necklace (that has a solid clasp) at Goodwill, and use that as the launching pad for your own design.

DIY SEQUIN or GLITTER STILLETTOS
Several years ago I met this woman who had the most amazing stilettos. I asked her where she found them, and she replied “I made them”.  This was a time before Pinterest, so I couldn’t imagine someone would MAKE something like that.

To take on the task of an entire shoe in glitter or sequins is a bit daunting, so why not try just the heels?   There is a simple You Tube video on how to do this.  Check it out HERE.

Of course if you are more confident in your crafting abilities, try gluing sequins to a full shoe.  The results will be AMAZING! 

You Will Need:

  1. Shoes with a great heel from Goodwill
  2. Craft Glue (I agree with the version in the video, it works the best.)
  3. Glitter or sequins.  Many times you can find craft supplies at Goodwill. Before heading to the craft store, be sure to look at your local Goodwill first.  You may be surprised by what you find!

DIY SEQUIN SKIRT
Sequin skirts are very trendy. The most wearable styles are those that have some sequin embellishment. Why can’t you just emblish yourself? Of course you can!

I found this great blog with lots of DIY clothing ideas.  I LOVE this sequin skirt idea.  So simple!

You Will Need:
1. A skirt. Go to Goodwill and find one in a color and style that is perfect for your project.
2. Some sequins. I have found that you can find great sequins on other things at Goodwill.  Look through the sweater asise, you might be suprised what you find!
3.  Needle and Thread.  I have also affixed embellishments with Stich Witchery. That can work if you are using a fairly large piece of sequined fabric.

Holiday Looks for Less

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As I sit here in my office, looking at my event calendar for the month of December, I’m wondering how in the world I am going to be able to find amazing holiday outfits to fit all of these events.  Everything from an office cocktail party to a girls luncheon and a dinner dance. 
Rather than making the mistake most of us do this time of the year (run off and buy a few new outfits that we will wear one maybe two times), I decided to head to Goodwill and see what I could find.  First, I settled on a color: RED!  
Here is how I styled this amazing red dress, 3 ways to meet all of my holiday event needs.
THE RED DRESS – one holiday dress, 3ways
Holiday Gathering with friends-The first look I found a great vintage tapestry bag and made that the statement of this look.  With understated jewelery and boots the handbag pops! Since this event is a casual one, I grabbed a denim jacket to finish the look.

Dress:  Goodwill
Jacket: from my closet
Boots: won in a Facebook Contest
Handbag: Goodwill
Necklace: Stella and Dot
 

Office Party – Sophisticated and chic was what I was going for in this look.  I paired the red dress with a textured tight (these have a subtle stripe) and shoe-boot, a necklace with a lot of sparkle and finished the look with a scarf with some sequin detail on the ends.

Dress:  Goodwill
Scarf: Goodwill
Handbag: from my closet
Tights: from Target
Shoes: from my closet
Necklace: Stella and Dot
Bracelet: local boutique ($10)
 
Dinner Party with Dancing  – Finally, I needed something that I could wear to a dinner dance.  I changed the neutral in the outfit from black to gold.  My gold sparkly shoes are perfect for dancing.  When I added a gold statement necklace, layers of gold bangle bracelets and the vintage designer handbag…I was set!  I also threw on an amazing vintage fur jacket to finish the look.  Of course…from Goodwill!

Dress:  Goodwill
Handbag: Goodwill
Shoes: from my closet
Necklace and Bracelet: Stella and Dot

Of course to further change the look of this dress, change the belt!  In the first look try a thick black belt or a braided one.  For the second, try something with some shimmer.  And for the third try a gold chain belt.
 
STAY TUNED!
Stay tuned to this blog for some great ideas on how to add a little sparkle to your New Years outfit!

FALL FASHION MUST HAVE’s

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I am dying for all the new trends this season. So much so that I have become a bit overwhelmed! Honestly, I found that my shopping list was longer than my budget. Something had to be done.

I needed to consult with some colleagues.

I spent some time talking-shop with a Hollywood stylist in LA a few weeks ago. Our girl’s lunch consisted of a lot of hummus and fashion magazines! Here is the list of this season’s top MUST have’s (and note – most of the  pictures are from the runway at the Goodwill Little Black Dress Luncheon in Valparaiso last week)!

STATEMENT JACKET  

A great outdoor coat will go over last season’s jeans, your simple spring/summer sheath dresses and the leggings and turtleneck you’ve been wearing for years.

Get creative with your choice this year.  Consider a vintage find from your local Goodwill store, like this saddle toned beauty.  Belting it with a wide leather belt will give it a new vibe.

 

SOMETHING LEATHER 

For me, I will be going for a leather skirt, leather tank-style top and leather trimmed leggings. Oh wait – I said one thing leather didn’t I?

Look at your lifestyle and see what fits in best and will be the most wearable for you. A transitional leather jacket is a great start, like the ones pictured from Michiana Goodwill Stores.  Be sure to look for details like interesting colors, texture and hardware.

CUTE SASSY SWEATSHIRT   

Who doesn’t love a cute sweatshirt?  For those of us who get the kids off to school, run off to the gym and then work from home, the sweatshirt is a staple in our work-wardrobe. And let’s be honest, generally the sweatshirts we are wearing every day aren’t ones we SHOULD be wearing.

Let’s up the style and sass factor this season!  This trend is something you can DIY very easily.  The style is a sweatshirt with a lace insert on the back, sheer sleeves or interesting detail on the seams. I like to call it a “dressed up sweatshirt”. You can wear this wardrobe staple with jeans or pull on with a simple knit skirt.

Find a great sweatshirt at Goodwill and check out these ideas how to DIY from Pinterest.

THE SHOE-BOOTIE 

The shoe boot is back with a vengeance this season!

Feel free to wear that shoe-boot (or sha-bootie) with EVERYTHING!  Skirts, pants, jeans, leggings – and dare I say shorts?

The key trend is an open toe boot.  And yes, it is on-trend to wear the open toed version with tights!

IMAGES:
http://pinterest.com/pin/46584177367764676/ 
all others from the Goodwill Little Black Dress Fashion Show in Valparaiso, Sept 2013

Take Your Wardrobe Into Fall…with your summer clothes

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Over the past few months, I’ve offered several tips on adding in some current trend into your wardrobe.  You might remember the tips on shorts, bathing suits, and even dresses posted on this blog.

As summer winds down and the kids head back to school I thought it would be a good idea to look at our closet to decide what we can wear as we transition into fall.
WHAT TO DO AND DON’T DO:
  • Summer fabrics: things like gauze and linen are distinctive summer fabrics and won’t work in the fall.  Move these things to your “out of season” wardrobe, or donate at your local Goodwill store. 
  • Shorts:although short suits were a huge trend in early Spring, going into fall keep wearing walking shorts, but pair them with an ankle boot.  As the weather gets cooler, try a colored or textured tight with the shorts! 
  • Summer Dresses:  add tights to your summer dresses, or try boots. The best summer dresses to keep around are those without a distinct summer pattern (i.e. bold floral).  
  • Bare Some Skin: it’s OK to start wearing those fall dresses and skirts now, just keep a bare leg.  This will keep you cool in the warmer fall days, but is a great way to transition to tights and boots. 
  • Sandals:  keep your toes exposed well into autumn.  My general rule is it’s OK to wear toe-bearing shoes until the first frost. The sock/sandal trend we seen in fashion magazines and on the runways is a trend that is very hard to pull off.  To avoid a fopah – skip it. 
  • Colors:start wearing the trendy colors of fall (don’t know what those colors are?  Sign up for my newsletter HERE and get the Fall-Winter 2013 Trend Report for FREE!) 
  • Add a scarf: one way to keep warm in the cooler fall evenings is to simply add a scarf to your ensemble.

Want to be in the know on the latest trends?  Sign up for my newsletter HERE and get my Fall-Winter 2013 Trend report for Free!

Summer Fashion Trends for Less!

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What better way to celebrate a hot summer day than to talk trends…for less!
First, let’s get some of the seasons hot color into your wardrobe – EMERALD! Seek out that THING at Goodwill in the IT color. Be it seafoam or turquoise, green is the IT color this season, and your wardrobe needs more color! 
 
SHOES
Let’s say you find a really cool pair of green shoes at Goodwill, how many different ways could you wear them?  
Consider these ideas:
Try with your favorite summer dress. Even if the summer dress doesn’t have any green in it, the added touch of an unexpected color says instant style!
We all have those favorite lounge shorts that we try to dress up from time to time. Break out the green shoes! Keep everything on top neutral, and let the shoes speak for themselves!
And what about all that black and white in your closet?  One way to add some sass into those monochromatic looks is a splash of color in your shoes.
 
JACKET
One thing I always seem to find when I am Goodwilling are cute jackets. I am not a big jacket person, so I came up with these fun ways to bring a seemingly tailored jacket into my wardrobe.
Rompers are a big trend this season, why not dress up the uber casual look with a pop of color!

I love my colored skinny jeans, especially the pair I got for a few dollars at Goodwill!  I like to wear a trendy stripe tee with them…here I added the green jacket to one of my favorite outfits to make it luncheon-worthy, or cocktail-worthy, or grocery shopping-worthy…well, you get the idea!

Summer dresses, LOVE THEM!  But I don’t like to wear them to dinner because they are sleeveless, and restaurants are freezing!  Throwing on this green jacket against the white/red sundress is a fun color combination that screams high fashion.  Then, I found a whimsical straw watermelon clutch that really brings the whole look together. FUN!
Well, good luck seeking out that one thing in this season’s HOT color!  I can’t wait to hear about (and see!) what you find at your local Goodwill store!  Oh, and by the way – check the sales calendar to be sure you get ever more for your money at Goodwill!
Goodwill of Michiana’s Fashion Guru

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