Fall Fashion Trends – wear now and later pt. 2

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

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Five fashion trends this season you need in your wardrobe!

 

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

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!

Fashion Show Model Call

model call for South Bend LBD coming soon!

The model call for the South Bend Goodwill LBD is soon! Interested in being a model for the Little Black Dress Fashion Show? In the coming days, we will announce the dates for the model calls in Granger and Elkhart. All interested models must attend one of the model call events.

This is a volunteer casting for the Goodwill Little Black Dress Fashion Show & Boutique in South Bend.

Thursday, April 25th is the date of the show. The venue is the Century Center in downtown South Bend. Get tickets NOW by clicking this link.

Be up to date by being a part of the Little Black Dress fan club on Facebook.

Goodwill Style Makeover – Charlene

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.

Fall 2018 Fashion Trends – Western

As we head into Fall, it’s hard to not look at all the sweaters, leggings and boots and want to wear them now…but the temps outside aren’t cooperating.  One Fall trend you can easily start to embrace now is the Western Wear influence. This #CowboyChic take on western wear is seen in details in clothing, but especially in footwear. Western ankle boots, granny style boots and traditional cowboy boots are going to be everywhere this fall and winter. Wear an ankle bootie style now with your summer rompers and white jeans!