04.08.09

Clothes Outfit on a Budget – It’s Not Just About Discounted Clothes

Posted in Closet Talk at 10:11 pm by Administrator

Visit Kat’s Collection now for fabulous fashion finds & divine discounts. Save 20% on your entire purchase – enter code “privatesale20″ at checkout, valid thru 6/1/09. And remember, as always, FREE SHIPPING!!

Today I’d like to begin to share some of my strategies for putting together a clothes outfit or an entire chic wardrobe on a budget – there’s more to it than just shopping the discounted clothes on clearance racks. Retail clearance sales, discount department stores & outlet malls, resale & consignment clothing boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and your local Target – these are all important to your quest for a selection of chic clothing items that won’t break the bank. Fashion is a unique expression of each individual – don’t be afraid to mix it up by combining pieces from any and all sources, thereby putting your personal flair on each ensemble.

First, it is important to invest, as your budget allows, in classic staple pieces that are of high quality, that will not go out of style anytime soon, and that will last you many years. With these basic pants, jeans, skirts, and jackets, you can pair less expensive finds to freshen up your wardrobe each season. (Notice I included jeans here – don’t be afraid to make an investment in a couple of well-fitting pairs of designer jeans – you wear them a lot, don’t you?) You can find many of these high quality staple items on sale, but be prepared to pay more than you would for bargain clothes or discounted clothes.

Now for the pursuit of “fashion finds”:

Don’t be afraid of venturing out of your “shopping zone”. In the department stores, browse all departments, including those you normally wouldn’t – womens, juniors, designer, etc. You never know when you may find a trendy top in the juniors department to wear with a pair of 7 Dojo jeans from better womens sportswear. Throw on the jacket you scored on sale in designer womens fashions and you’ve got yourself an outfit.

Here’s an example of a pair of $165 Seven for All Mankind A Pocket jeans paired with an inexpensive trendy camisole top:

One final note for today – make sure while shopping various departments and clothing lines that the pieces fit properly – fit is key, and clothing that fits properly looks polished. We all have different body types, so some of us can “cross-department” shop while others have difficulty doing so.

Stay chic,

ML

Permalink Comments

03.09.09

Daylight Saving Time/Transitional Wardrobe

Posted in Closet Talk at 10:08 pm by Administrator

Visit Kat’s Collection now for fabulous fashion finds & divine discounts. Save 20% on your entire purchase – enter code “privatesale20″ at checkout, valid thru 6/1/09. And remember, as always, FREE SHIPPING!!

Well, it’s that time again. To me, this marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. Although it’s hot in New Orleans today, we’ll still have some cool days coming our way. For these days, I wear what I call my “transitional wardrobe”. A couple of ideas would be a 3/4 sleeve blouse paired with jeans and sandals, or a sleeveless top or cami and coordinating jacket, with trousers or jeans and either sandals or pumps. These outfits would incorporate fresh Spring colors, a departure from the darker colors we wear so much in Fall and Winter. See the Chanel inspired tweed jacket below:

For evening, I think a cami worn under a shrug like this navy shrug by Ann Taylor pictured below is a very chic, effortlessly stylish look.

Sadly, by this time I’ve put away the boots and have begun wearing my sandals even though my feet are cold! Winter is too short, practically non-existent here in New Orleans, so it is in fact a sad event for me to retire my boots for the season, knowing full well it will be a good 8 or 9 months until I see them again!

ML

Permalink 2 Comments