Day and Night

So lately I have gotten some new clothes that I think are great staple items for my wardrobe. I wanted to share with you the new pieces and the ways I plan on wearing them. I am all about outfit versatility and creating multiple different looks.

So these outfits are for a purple shirt dress I got from Banana Republic. It is a great and simple dress that you can dress up and down. The color is fantastic! Here are the outfits that I developed:

These are all items I have in my closet in some form. Option 1 is more of a work casual outfit that looks great and is comfortable. Option 2 is more of a day to night look.  A new dress look totally different depending how it is accessorized.

I'm excited for both of these looks hopefully you like them too and get a few ideas.

Shine on, Literally!

It is clear that the holidays are upon us and in full swing. Stores are starting their extended hours, people are planning out their Christmas shopping and decorations creating the North Pole are on display. For some this maybe to early, while others it is just a constant reminder of what is coming. 

Now working in the mall I spend a lot of time with not only clothes, but walking around stores and something that I have noticed is the over take of metallic and shiny clothes.  Little silver  or gold tops entwined with sparkles are everywhere. I have found myself saying more times then not, "this would be great for the holidays," like I really have anywhere to go, NOT. However, I assume that is what the intention is for people to purchase these specialty items with thought of the holiday coming. 

I'm informing you that the shine trend is on and if you need any special clothes for upcoming parties or just cause like me you feel the need to buy, there is some really great stuff out there. You can find the shine in every form, heck even pants. Color is also not an issue with this trend you can have traditional silver and gold,  or metallic colors. The thing is any thing with a little bit of sparkle is holiday appropriate. 

I also think that this trend always comes about around Christmas time, sparkle maybe be popular at other times during the year, but it is magnified to the extreme around the holidays.

These are some of the sparkly clothes that I have taken a liking to this holiday season. This is a little shrug from Banana Republic that is super cute and comes in gold and silver. Below is a black sparkly top by Marc by Marc Jacobs that is simple and really cute, I love the contrast between the black and silver. 

Just a few items and to get you guys thinking.

Tis the season,

Good luck finding your perfect holiday outfit!

Less Clothes = More Pressure

One thing that's been on my mind is something that I read about the fashion industry this summer. It was an article about how retailers were going to purchase less clothes because they wanted to avoid markdowns and sale prices, due to this change less clothes were going to be produced. Obviously this is inevitable because not every item of clothing is going to do well with buyers, but if there is less product available there is more pressure to buy.

I have seen this change from two perspectives as a shopper and as a retailer.

While we are only a month or two into the prime winter season, I've dealt with customers at the Ridgefield Ski Shop in need of essential pieces like fleeces or specialty items like dressy tops.  In the store we have already sold out of most of the items that are doing well and are left with only a few sizes.  In previous years I would simply call the company and order an extra top or a new size run for stock. However, this is usually much later in the season.  Each time I've called the vendor to get these items, they have been sold out completely, or only have random sizes and colors left. None that would suit my customer.  The customers are then left to search for a second best item and hope it is in their size.

As a shopper the situation has come about that I've been searching for specific items like a poncho or hot pink blouse, while I was exploring all of my options I decided on the one I really loved, the poncho I happened to like was by INC, however when I went back to the store to buy it, GONE...SOLD. The associate told me the store only got a few and she wasn't sure who else had it. Fortunately it was available on line, so I acted fast because who knew for how long.  


The fashion industry is trying to make a change and have more full price selling. As a shopper there is not much time left to think about if you really want the piece because chances are that might be the only one that the store has and it might not be there when you come to terms with how much you love it. There is less opportunity left for the shoppers to make a decision, the pressure to buy increases because of the decrease in product. If you don't buy it now it wont be there when markdowns begin.

Bargain shopper now takes a huge risk waiting to see if their item makes it to the sale rack, my advice, if you love it look for a coupon and buy it. It may not be as cheap as you would like, but if you love the item you'll wear it enough to spend a little extra.

Don't give up on those sales racks  ladies, the chance of finding a treasure is always there, just don't depend on it to purchase your items.

Keep it Classy with Trends

I have always said that fashion is a very expensive passion to have because with all of the constant changing in styles from season to season there is always pressure to buy. Each season new trends emerge as must haves, and we all run out to purchase these items and incorporate them into our individual style.

This season some of the must have styles are ponchos, booties, wedge shoes, and gem tones. With the constant changing in fashion some of these trends only last for one season or barely take off.   As Hedi Klum says in project runway, “One day your in, one day your out.”

However, that’s not true with all things..

Fur accents and lace are a few more trends that are popular among designers this season. However, I think that these are classic trends, meaning that they are something that is always in style but peaks in popularity. Fur and lace items are always being designed, but simply depend on the season if they are extremely popular among buyers. This happens to be one of those seasons where they are flying off the selves and appear in all styles and colors. However when lace are fur and not must haves, you are not looked down upon for wearing them out of trend.

For example I have worn fur boots by Tecnica since I was in high school because I like them better than UGGs and most of my coats have had fur-trimmed collars. Some people may have thought it was over the top or wanted that style for themselves, but as you can see in the past eight years fur has never been definitively out. Same with lace shirts paired under a blazer or  lace dress are very classic. I believe the same rules apply for leather and animal print.

I am a classic dresser and try to get versatility out of my clothes; I see endless opportunity with lace, fur, leather and animal print no matter the time. Other trends are worn countless time in one season and then they sit in your closet waiting to be worn again. Buyers need to remember fashion works in cycles as trends evolve and reemerge.

This isn’t to say that trends aren't fun to add to ones wardrobe, they just aren’t forever pieces, but there are forever trends.

FNO

As we are all aware this week is Fashion Week, the streets in New York along with other major fashion capitals are flooded with designers, media, and fashionistas looking to eat up what is about to come in the fall season. They want to see what they have to buy or the styles that are going to try to copy. In the fashion world this week means everything. It is the debut for a lot of collections and the first contact with the masses.

Clearly this is a major week for anyone that follows fashion, however I have not personally attended any major Fashion Week events, yet. Although I was a part of Fashion Night Out for Saks Fifth Avenue in Stamford, Ct.  This is a major night in NYC when all the fashion house and stores stay open late and have a party for customers to kick off fashion week and the fall season.  This year Stamford Saks decided to join in on the event. We hosted our first annual Fashion Night Out (FNO). This event was open of all customer and people in the area looking to celebrate Fashion Week.

For Saks it was a great turn out and a lot of fun! There was a fashion show that was put together with all products from the store, and the outfits were amazing. Hopefully for the customers it really showed them the variety of stuff we offer and how they can but it together to become their own little fashionista.  Before the fashion show there were acrobats walking around the store doing tricks and entertaining the guests, they also preformed a mini show for everyone.

Through out the whole evening food and drinks were served and customers were allowed to shop and check out the new fall arrivals.  The food was fantastic, one hor d'oeuvre was a fantastic lobster mac & cheese.  There were signature Saks Fifth Avenue martini's.

The event was so exciting and I can't wait for the Spring FNO to see how we change up the event and what kind of a turn out there is! Hopefully in one of the upcoming years I wont be working and I will be able to go check out everything in the city, if not at least I get to be part of this major event through Saks.



For all those interested in upcoming fashion event look here for updates!

Trends, Trends & More Trends

Fall is officially in swing and the major trends for this season are being seen everywhere. I think the largest and more impressive trend this season is fur. Fur is obviously a trend that goes in and out of popularity, it always holds a place in fashion, but it's not always a must have.  For the fall season fur is coming straight from the runways in all forms. It was named one of the 7 must haves in the Saks September 2011 catalog.

Fur is not only being used for it's warmth this season, but as a fashion statement. It is not only seen in winter apparel, but also as an accent to sweaters, accessories, and boots. Fur is being used as the trim/collar along clothing, shoes, scarves and purses. Jackets are not limited to being designed as a long minks, but made as a fashionable cropped jacket with a cuffed sleeve. The furs this season are very fashionable because they are textured and multicolored, making them more unique and beautiful.

Fur is becoming an exotic statement because of the use of color. There is a beautiful hoop scarf by Venice  that comes in a variety of colors including grey and purple.  The purple is a very different deep color that could spice up any outfit, on top of a white sweater it makes a statement or underneath a black jacket just adding a pop of color. This is only one example of how color is being used with furs

Fur is a trend that not always attracts the best attention, some people do not like it because it is using and wearing an animal. However, don't worry, for those of you who love the look of fur, faux fur is just as much in style as real fur. It is a more affordable price and with the use of new technology they are of great quality, looking fantastic and feeling great. Furs  have changed a lot over the years they are lighter weights and more intricate designs.

I am extremely excited about this trend because fur is always something that I have worn. Im excited to see the new pieces that come out using fur and to see how people add them into their wardrobe.  I am most excited by the fur vest, both in mink and faux fur. I have a vest that has a fur lined hood, but I am very interested in a full fur vest. I think they are very stylish and add a little something extra to an outfit as an additional option to just throwing on a sweater or cardigan.

The Explosion of Rich Earth Tones

With new arrivals hitting stores, unfortunately fall is coming! Although everyone is hesitant to purchase because they are not ready to give up their shorts and summer dresses, they are all eager to see what's new. Yes ladies that means get out your pants, long sleeve shirts and sweaters so you can see what you need get for the new upcoming trends.

I have read in several articles that not only is nude becoming a must have in shoes, but clothes are following suit with the trend. As shoppers will see in the fall lines most designers have begun to use rich earth tones and outfits made using one color. These colors are mostly beige, chocolate and green. Now there is always a bunch of variety within fashion so this is not the only trend your are going to see this season, but it is a new one.

Outfits have also become more flowy and not so form fitting. These changes allow for the wearer to be more comfortable and not so confined in their clothes. The oversize fit is not something that customers are used to, but it a fun look to play with and add to your wardrobe. I think the biggest adjustment I have found, as I think many customers will find is the mid- section of tops is wider and connects right into the arms, which is tighter giving a wing effect. This is an awkward fit because the shape of the shirt, but definitely something to work with.

According to an article in ELLE most clothing lines for the fall are draping. Hanging loosly and using the angles of the body to create a silhouette. These clean lines offer more of a feminine look than the tight clothes women are used to squeezing into. Most of the closes have softer cuts that elongate the wearers body, but not focusing on certain features.

A positive to some of these designs is that they can be worn by multiple different shapes because the outfits are looser and work with the shape of the wearer based on their angles. For once the shopper is not going to be defined by the shape or size of the article of clothing it is going to be and interpretation of how the person and outfit work together.

This is something new that designers are working with and have showcased on the runway. I can’t wait to put it use and see how it makes a difference in my woredrobe, combining it with some older pieces probably will make some killer outfits. There is one designer Vince that I have had my eye on and think matches these new designs perfectly. These pieces look very simply, yet fashion forward. Most of all I think these pieces will allow people to look their best, while feeling comfortable.

A Nude Feeling all Over

For a couple of years now nude has been trying to establish a firm hold within the fashion industry. For the upcoming fall season it is finally started to take notice for me. They are a styling fall back and an answer for all outfits. Nude holds the ability to go with any outfit and dress up or down a certain piece.

On a side note about nude and its slow overtake of the fashion world. A few years ago a friend of mine had to get nude heels for a sorority thing. I being naive, thought it was just a southern thing and never understood why on earth she would want to wear nude heels. Well, after trying on a pair of Vera Wang nude heels, I now understand that in their own way they have a subtle sexy appeal. Also after doing some research in Cosmopolitan they listed it as a must have for all girls because the color accentuates and makes your legs look longer.

It took me awhile but I am now fully on board with the nude heels trend. I think

they are a staple piece that every girl should have in their closet. I'm excited to get a pair and probably wont stop with just shoes!

I read as advice in a fashion magazine ( the name escapes me now) that Nude heels are great to wear with the color red. The colors contrast each other and make the skirt stand out more. I saw a bright pencil skirt on sale at The Limited and I'm anxious to get these items and try this outfit out! The shoes don't have to be paired with only a skirt, but being a new working woman I think it would spice up the wardrobe and show ones own style while still looking professional.