Dresses are hands down my favorite thing to wear. Honestly I think it’s because they are so easy to wear.
I pulled together 10 sun dresses under $25 that I personally love. These sundresses are for all body types and can go with multiple shoes that you most likely already have in your closet. I also pulled some pieces from my spring wish list that are great dress outfit builders.
Direct links are in a list at the bottom of this blog post.
Realizing how vital a great fit is was an eye-opener to
me. I have a curvier body type, and I’m
all over the spectrum of sizing. I’m smaller sizing in shirts and dresses, but
larger in pants. So fit is essential for
me not to look bigger then I am. Here
are some tips for the perfect fit.
Shop For your Body
Type NOT by trend
We have all participated in trends we should not be
participating in, (cough cough, mid-2000’s low rise jeans). Just because it’s a trend, doesn’t mean you
should wear it. What looks good on a girl who has a more athletic body, won’t
look good on a curvier body. Look at
styles that flatter your body type and stick with those silhouettes no matter
the trend.
Example: I’m bottom
heavy but smaller up top, so I try to stay away from tops with too much volume.
Always try to showcase your best features.
STOP looking at sizes
Okay, we all want to be a smaller size but is it worth it if
it creates love handles and a stomach pouch? Wearing something too small or too
big can make you look 10 lbs heavier. All brands fit differently. You might be a size 27 in one brand and 28 in
another. Be mindful of how the clothing is making you look and feel, not just
the size on the label.
Don’t just go off
photos
One of my first responsibility’s at Wetseal inc. was to
style the modals at photo shoots. What you
don’t see behind the scenes is all the pinning, cutting, and tricks that happen
for the clothing to look perfect in the photos.
So just going off photos isn’t realistic.
Zara and other retailers have a great feature now that asks you age, weight, height, and body type to help you find the perfect size while shopping online. After you fill it out once, it will give you the suggested size to buy on every item you click into. If the website doesn’t have this feature, I recommend to read all the reviews on that item.
Make Alterations your
best friend
Everyone’s body is different and buying clothes from a store
with a universal fit doesn’t always work.
Most companies have one or two girls who they use as the fit models. Most of us don’t have the same body shape as
them. So alterations are a perfect answer to get a perfect fit. With doing alterations, you end up looking
more put together and its figure flattering.
With proper fitting clothes, you can make any body shape or weight look
good. You can make a $50 pant look like
$200 bucks.
Finding someone who you trust for alterations is the first step. I know some stores like Nordstrom do it for free when you buy from them, but a lot of local Cleaners do minor alterations as well.
Be specific with what you want. Shorter, cinched in, etc. Showing them photos of what you want helps.
I hope these tips help you feel more put together and
confident in your clothes.
The most commonly asked question I get is ” how do you put your outfits together”? So I wanted to start sharing some outfit inspirations with you guys. I thought I would start off with an easy piece like denim jeans. These jeans in all the outfits below were on my Spring essentials list. Everything else in photos was in my Spring Trend list.
My style is not perfect. I like to think of it as effortless but put together. Never to look like I’m trying too hard. I don’t have the time or energy on spending a ton of time on what I’m going to wear every day. Making this list of essentials and trends ahead of time helps me not have to think too hard about what I’m wearing on a day to day basis.
Disclaimer: I’m not a model and I don’t know how to use Photoshop nor do I want to use it.
1 bodysuit 2 looks. In these outfits I used the 70’s style halter bodysuit. Funny how changing your shoes and taking off your hat can change your look completely.
As the weather gets nicer, I find myself constantly looking at spring inspiration. All I want to do is shop for my spring trend pieces to freshen up my closet.
Trend Pieces are true to the seasonal trends but will likely not be a part of your wardrobe the following season, these items I will try to find on a budget.
Here’s a look at what my personal “Trend list” looks like for Spring 2019.
As I mentioned in my first Blog 3 steps to loving your closet my first step is to write out a wish list for the upcoming season and identify what pieces are essentials and what ones are trends.
Essential Pieces are key items you will use to create multiple outfits throughout the season; this is when I’m willing to spend a little more money. ( But I still try to get the best deals I can.)
After I write my list, I check my closet first. For example, I use my Faux leather jacket and ankle boots that already used in the Fall and Winter for my spring outfit looks. You don’t need to go and purchase a whole new wardrobe every season. The goal is to use as much clothing pieces you already own and sprinkle in the new season appropriate pieces to freshen up your outfits.
Here’s a look at what my personal “Essentials list” looks like for Spring 2019 with some added styling notes on how I envision wearing these pieces.
Faux leather jacket – This jacket is a year round piece for me. Goes with literally everything.
Denim Jacket – I have a couple but I’m really loving the oversized look right now. My oversized denim jacket is actually a men’s jacket.
One of my first buying jobs was when I was in college at a store called Crossroads Trading company. I remember coming home to my father after my first day of work, As I’m telling him all about my day and the concept of the store his face instantly showed a mix of confusion and disgust. He didn’t get the concept or why anyone would wear used clothes by choice.
Fast forward four months later; I was wearing Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Cynthia Vicente, Tory Burch, etc. Like most people, his perception changed. Shopping at Buy, Sell, Trade stores gave me an opportunity to wear the clothes I loved but never could afford at normal retail price. Years later I’m still a fan of Buy, Sell, Trade stores. After every season, I clean out my closet of things I don’t want or wear anymore, and take those clothes straight to sell or trade. Frequenting these stores is a huge part of my process to maintaining my closet and buying strategy for the following season.
My Favorite Buy, Sell, Trade stores
I frequent the stores Crossroads Trading Company and Buffalo Exchange the most. Crossroads Trading Company usually has more designer pieces and Buffalo Exchange has amazing unique finds and vintage.
If you have never sold your clothes at a store like this, it can be intimidating. So I’ll try to break it down so it’s not so overwhelming and you know what to expect.
How it Works
Since I visit these stores most, I’ll explain how they work.
Bring clothes you want to sell.
Make sure these are washed and clean.
Make sure the clothes are in good condition — no holes or peeling.
Make sure they are in season. These clothes go straight on the floor after they buy them, so don’t try to sell them Sweaters in the summertime. They want appropriate season clothing.
Make sure you have time (about 1-2 hours) there is usually a line to sell clothes, but I use this time to shop around the store to see if there is anything, I want so I can use my trade for it.
Don’t get offended if they don’t take some clothing pieces. It could be something they have too much of at that time, or they know that style doesn’t sell well for their Demographic.
At the end of your “buy” they will total up the selling prices of the pieces they are keeping and either give you 30% back in cash or 50% in trade to shop in the store. If you don’t find anything you like that day to trade, you can use the trade another day as a gift card.
Some stores also
offer consignment selling if it’s higher price retail. So, consignment is an
option as well.
Benefits
Going to Buy/Sell/Trade stores gives you an opportunity to find some great pieces for your closet at a fraction of the cost. You can find some great pieces for a fraction of what you would pay in a regular store.
Even if you decide to take the cash, you can put the money
towards other clothes that you have your eye on. That’s money you didn’t have
in your pocket before. So, it’s a win-win.
There are tons of different Buy/ Sell/ Trade stores or consignment stores with great clothing pieces at low prices. I hope this post inspires you to go and check one out.
Shell jewelry has to be my favorite trend for spring. Loving the chockersand layered style necklaces mixed with gold jewelry pieces. I remember living in my puka shell necklace in elementary school, so this trend is close to my heart.
This is the one thing I will live in for Spring and summer. I love that you can dress these sandals up or down.
5. Neon
I don’t know if I could pull off a head to toe neon outfit, but I’m really feeling neon pieces that make an outfit pop. I’m liking neon activewear, bodysuits, and a bralette.
Have you ever stood in front of your closet full of clothes but found nothing to wear? This would happen to me all the time. So, I tried a new approach. As a buyer in the fashion industry, we would buy seasonally for the stores, look at trends, outfit pairing, inventory, and the budget among other things.
Implementing aspects of my buying strategy from my work life into my shopping habits in my personal life helped with creating more outfit options. Rather than having single clothing pieces purchased on an emotional whim and little to wear them with, I found this approach kept me focused and at the same time saved me from overspending.
Steps to my shopping approach
Step 1: Make a shopping wish list
o I start by looking at Fashion trends I like for the season coming up. (magazines, blogs, Pinterest, etc.) o I see what I already own in my closet that will work in those trends to build outfits. o I come up with a list of pieces I like and need for the trend or looks I’m trying to achieve. Making sure to keep in mind nightlife, work, and casual outfits. (I want pieces that can create multiple outfits) o I identify if it’s an essential piece or a trend piece.
• Essential Pieces are key items you will use to create multiple outfits throughout the season; this is when I’m willing to spend a little more money. • Trend Pieces are true to the seasonal trends but will likely not be a part of your wardrobe the following season, these items I will try to find on a budget.
Example of my Fall 18” /Winter 19” List
My Essentials o New black booties o Black leather or faux leather crossbody bag o Black raw hem midrise skinny jeans o New black turtle neck o Moto jacket (which I already had in my closet) o Good red lipstick (Already own)
Trend pieces o Faux fur or Fuzzy coat leopard or burnt orange color o Black Backer boy hat o Lace bodysuit o Lace long sleeve bodysuit o Couple crop sweaters that I could wear with pants or over dresses o Tights (warm plain ones & dot designed) o Dresses I can layer with
Step 2: Closet Clean Out
After I get my list together, I DON’T start shopping yet. I begin my closet clean out. Getting rid of the old clothes to make room for new. I go piece by piece and ask myself these questions.
Have I worn this piece in the last two months?
How many outfits can I create with this piece of clothing?
Does this piece fit into my vision of the coming season
Whatever clothing pieces I decide to get rid of I either sell, trade, or donate. Selling or trading clothes helps towards the cost of your future wardrobe.
Step 3: Buying
At this point, my list is made and the style hunting begins!
I hope a look into my process helps get your closet where you want it to be.
Xx,
Christa
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