Fly On A Dime – Affordable Fashion Ideas & Tips
September 3rd, 2012 by ChristenIn addition to hosting a “Ready, Set, Engage!” Social Media Basics seminar over the holiday weekend at the 10th Annual AllState Tom Joyner Family Reunion, I also had the opportunity of co-hosting the “Fly On A Dime” Affordable Fashion panel with celebrity stylist Olori Swank & celebrity beauty artist Tia Hebron.
During this panel, several shopping ideas, tips & stories were shared including ways to extend your wardrobe, key pieces that every closet should have & the best time to shop/build your fashion collection.
Did You Know: One of the best times to build your fashion collection is in November? It’s true, the pre-holiday season boasts almost 6% deeper discounts than any other time of the year. (It’s even better than January which only offers average discounts about 4.5% higher.)
The top three “fashion investments” that every woman should invest in includes:
- Leather jacket
- Oversized watch
- Quality Bras & foundation undergarments
Staple items that every woman should have in her wardrobe includes:
- Great pair of black stiletto heels
- Convertible wrap dress
- Statement scarf that you can wear all year long
- Stylish trench coat
- Well-tailored black blazer & slacks
- Waist cinching belt
Did You Know: The worst days of the week to shop online is Saturday & Sunday! According to Consumer Reports, Tuesday is the best day of the week to shop online. Most consumers find discounts exceeding 5% more than the average discounts found other days online.
Tips:
- Before you shop, make sure you know your body type and what works best for your shape.
- Essence.com has a great tool online – The Fashion Closet that’ll help you out matching designers that specialize in specific body types.
- A great foundation will ensure that you look great all over – so make sure to invest in foundation garments.
- Overall, don’t be afraid to express yourself in fashion but do it wisely.
- Invest minimally in seasonal trends, instead opt for investing in quality staple pieces that you can wear for years to come.
The 10th Annual Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion attracts over 14,000 people over the Labor day holiday weekend in Orlando, FL. Filled with celebrity appearances and entertainment for the entire family – you can find out more by visiting http://familyreunion.blackamericaweb.com/ #allstateTJFR
5 Key Pieces for Your Spring Wardrobe Today…
March 28th, 2012 by Fashion StaffRecently, Yahoo.com posted “5 Key Pieces For Your Spring Wardrobe” online for your fashionable viewing pleasure. The following items listed, would definitely be included in our top ten list of things, but if we could only limit it to five…not so much. Check out the list of items that Yahoo suggests should be in your closet today and let us know if you agree below…
1. The Loafer
Puddles and cool mornings don’t support sandals – yet. It doesn’t mean you can’t stash your boots in the back of the closet and keep feet sweet with flats. Loafers are perfectly preppy to go with your spring outfits, and are making appearances in everything from classic browns and tans, to bright, bold colours and patterns.
2. The Striped Top
Nautical isn’t taking a back seat this spring, and an essential key piece for spring is the striped top. Look for navy, royal blue, and red to keep this look classic. Find oversized or extra long pieces to wear belted as a dress, keep fitted pieces paired with your favourite pair of cropped denim.
3. The Mod-collar
Think school girl meets the 60′s with black and white contrasting collars on dresses and blouses. These rounded collars are showing up in classic colours, and newer versions with perfect combinations like black on green and white on royal.
4. The Pleated Maxi
Guess what? Maxi length is still here, and a key piece for your spring wardrobe (if you haven’t already jumped on this bandwagon). This spring, look for bright maxis in pleated fabrics and pair with a black and white striped top, or a sheer floral blouse. For cooler days, throw on an open-knit sweater or cardigan.
5. The Classic Trench
Save the spring showers for the flowers. Save your outfit in a classic trench, and pick khaki or black to last. Neutrals will let your stripes and brights show off in a big way (and in a good way).
DO YOU AGREE? If you had only ONE item to add to your Spring wardrobe, what would it be? Sound off below…
Top Color Trends For Your Fall Wardrobe
September 2nd, 2011 by ChristenIt’s official! September is here and soon after, leaves will be changing colors and the weather’s air will become crisper and cooler. Why not get a jump on fashion’s top color trends and prepare yourself for the most fashionable time of the year?
If you’re looking for a little fashion inspiration…look no further. We have the top color trends that you need in your closet here.
Plum—The lush tones of these purples in your closet embellishes any outfit with distinction, grace and class. Plum eggplant, grape…whatever your edible of choice, a rich purple feels fine for fall.
L’Wren Scott spring ’11; Acne spring ’11; J.Crew spring ’11; Michael Kors spring ’11; all images via Style.com.
Champagne—The only pain that’s allowed in fashion is Champagne. You’ll see plenty of glittering nude gowns and trousers this season, but our favorite champagne looks included gleaming silk skirts and gauzy separates.
Alexander Wang spring ’11; Marc Jacobs spring ’11; Derek Lamb spring ’11; Michael Kors spring ’11; all images via Style.com.
Yves Klein Blue—The perfect shade of blue. The French artist’s favorite color made appearance after appearance on fall runways. This super-saturated blue is a sumptuous option for after-hour outfit ensembles.
Peter Som spring ’11; Cushnie et Ochs spring ’11; L’Wren Scott spring ’11; Lela Rose spring ’11; all images via Style.com.
Fire-Engine Red—It’s already made red carpet appearances this season (see Beyonce’s Baby bump pics) as seen in this season’s fashion runway looks – red was bright and cheerful, unlike last season’s oxblood trend. We love a simple silhouette that tempers the fiery hue.
Karen Walker spring ’11; Rodarte spring ’11; Max Azria spring ’11; Prabal Gurung spring ’11; all images via Style.com.
Felt Gray—You can’t go wrong with grays. Nubby, textured heather-grays with a luxe, felted finish feel classic and timeless and will be a great closet accessory color for years to come.
Max Mara spring ’11; Rag & Bone spring ’11; Michael Kors spring ’11; Peter Som spring ’11; all images via Style.com.
Looking for more color options and trends for the season? Check them out here!
Wardrobe Rehab for the New Year…
December 29th, 2010 by ChristenDo you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? Are you tired of jeans and t-shirts but don’t know where to begin to build a wardrobe? Are you on a limited budget, but still need a professional look? Here is a plan to design a wardrobe from scratch, adaptable to anyone’s lifestyle, that can help you make the most of everything you have in your closet.
1. Pick a foundation color and stick with it!
(Pick one solid color as your foundation neutral. Black, navy, or camel are traditional standbys, but you could use burgundy, khaki or plum. This must be a color that you love, and one that flatters your skin tones. Keeping that in mind, now go shopping!)
2. Organize three signature looks in your foundation color:
(A. simple dress, B. two-piece tailored outfit, C. two-piece PRINT tailored outfit)
3. Select an alternate secondary foundation color for fashionable variety. (This color should co-ordinate with your foundation neutral, for instance grey if you have chosen black as your neutral, or perhaps chocolate or rust if you have chosen camel.)
- In this second color, add a blazer or a cardigan sweater, and a pair of slacks or another skirt. These two items should look good together, but not match exactly. A change in texture from your first two choices, perhaps a wool or linen blend, will add some interest here; these pieces can be worn with your print pieces and with your other solid pieces.
- Add two or three tops in any solid color from your print, in any style and fabric that you like. They could be button-down tailored, turtleneck, scoop neck t-shirts, or dressy knits. Whatever you choose, they can be worn with everything else you’ve chosen so far.
- Finally, add a couple bottoms (skirts or slacks, whatever you need) in a “semi-pattern” such as a tweed, or in solid color from your print outfit. These can be worn with every shirt and jacket you’ve chosen so far–your print top, any of the solid color tops, your dressy jacket, your blazer or cardigan choices. Your foundation neutral is what hold it all together.
RECAP: If you follow these guidelines you’ll have a dress, a jacket, and a two-piece outfit in your foundation color; a two-piece outfit in a print that sets the tone for your wardrobe and co-ordinates with everything else; a blazer or sweater and a pair of slacks or skirt in a second solid color and interesting texture; and a few solid color tops and bottoms that can be worn with everything else. This selection can be mixed in dozens of different combinations, dressed up or down with accessories and jewelry.
To build from here, you can choose other print pieces that will go with your solids. Or, you can begin again with all new colors. Chances are, you’ll find that if you choose colors you love and styles that work well, pieces from your “second” wardrobe will go with a lot of that from your first one. Now get to it!!!
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