Last week I was fortunate to speak at UCSB during a joint Latino
Business Association and Sigma Lambda Gamma meeting. These groups had
asked my husband and I to talk to them about appropriate professional attire since
they will soon be launching their first careers after graduating from the university .
The students were curious, intelligent, serious,
and delightful to talk to. I went over what the norms are for dressing
in various business environments and suggested some basic wardrobe items
to get them through a week of outfits. Few young people today have the
resources to fill their closets with expensive clothing; I suggested where to find quality, inexpensive pieces at consignment stores in town as
well as some thrift stores which carry nice clothing.
The groups were taking donations of gently used clothing for Job Smart,
a terrific non-profit in Santa Barbara. Job Smart provides clothing for
low-income people looking for work and "helps people learn to project a
positive attitude, a
professional image and a willingness to learn so they are more likely to
succeed!"
Image Credit: unityshoppe.org
Dropping off a number of bags at the Assistance League in Santa Barbara the other day filled me with joy. I'd been putting in donation bags all summer and was so happy to get them out of my garage. Since I had time to kill, I did a quick perusal of the clothing racks and tried on a couple of darling dresses (from Ann Taylor and White House/Black Market) and a cute top. Six dollars (yes-$6!!!) later, I walked out with a plaid, silk, sleeveless top that I just love. Clothing surprises are everywhere if you just take a bit of time to look.
I just discovered a terrific website for men's clothing and style advice: valetmag.com. Go here to learn how to iron a shirt, how pants should fit, what kinds of hangers work best, and about dozens of other topics. I just want to make a big pot of tea and read from this site all day!
Last week I gave a talk to a group of women at Renaissance Fine Consignment Store in Santa Barbara. I let them in on my consignment store shopping secrets, and along with the shop's expert staff and super owner, Joann Younger, offered advice and guidance. I purchased a chic coat at a fraction of its original price. We all had a great evening.
Here's the scoop on an upcoming sale at the store, located at 1118 State Street in Santa Barbara, near the art museum.
Photo Image: Creative Commons
Let's see a show of hands for how many of you love shopping for bathing suits? Just as I thought: close to zero. Still, there are more bathing suit styles available than ever, and no matter your size or shape, there is a swimsuit out there for you. But who is to say that a bathing suit is any different than any other garment bought off the rack? A little tailoring handiwork by an expert can change your bathing suit into something mediocre into something fabulous!
At the end of the summer last year I purchased a bikini I'd been eyeing for months but was too cheap to buy. When I finally decided to purchase it on sale, it was not my size but sort of fit. I wore it once or twice, but did not feel all that great in it.
Then my friend told me about the remarkable Stacey Brown, a Santa Barbara swimwear virtuoso. I picked up my altered suit on Friday and it fits PERFECTLY. Nothing pulls or sags, nothing pokes or makes me look weird. I learned that Stacey makes custom suits which seems like a very worthwhile indulgence. I am thrilled with her and her work and want to pass on her contact information:
sbbikini@cox.net
805-452-3267
Image credit: sanddollarthrift.com
I am sorry for the difficulties readers have experienced while trying to read my monthly Coastal View News column. This time I offer some tips on thrift store shopping. Here is how read my piece online: click here and then click the blue button on the site. Follow the arrow to page 26. Finally, click the magnifying glass icon to get a larger font. Phew! I will try to put the PDF version up next week.
Sandals shown are from Indian Summers in Summerland, California
(These are for women and are not the ones my husband finally purchased for himself!)
My husband offered some great Wardrobe Wisdom today. We were recalling the long time it took for him to find the ideal shoes for our trip to Europe 3 years ago. He must have tried on 25 pairs over several weeks, before settling on a pair that worked out beautifully and that he continues to wear today. He told me that if people took as much time and care in trying on clothing as most do when trying on shoes, they would make fewer regrettable purchases. I have to agree.
Think about the way you try on shoes: You may have your foot measured, you walk around the store in them, sometimes on various surfaces, you envision them with different outfits, and you insist that they look good and feel good before taking them home. Having the same exacting standards will serve you well when you try on clothing. Ask yourself if the clothing feels good on your body. Does it fit just right (or will it after some tailoring)? And will it complement other pieces in your wardrobe? Move around in the clothing, sitting down, stretching, and taking a walk around the store. How do you move in it? Do you have to adjust the clothing, pulling it here or tugging it down there? If so, leave it in the dressing room.
Careful shopping means fewer shopper's regrets. So take your time when you are trying on anything, from shoes to clothing.
Image credit: www.girlscoutcsa.org
Before you hit the stores, make sure you have your updated shopping list and whatever you may need to try on clothes. This can include the shoes you are planning to wear with the pants, skirt, or dress you are looking for. How about undergarments? If you are looking for a special occasion outfit, bring along any Spanx or convertible bras or panties to wear with them. If you are looking for something to coordinate with a top or bottom part of an outfit, bring the part you have with you to make sure it will look great with the other half. Snacks and water will keep you going while you shop since going from store to store can be exhausting. Do bring a friend who understands your budget and your taste, gives you honest and helpful feedback, and has a great sense of humor. Do not bring a friend who tires or bores easily, does not like to shop, or whose taste you do not understand or like.
Photo Credit: BodenUSA website
Photo Credit: BodenUSA website
Photo Credit: L.K. Bennett website
Photo Credit: AnyiLu website
I like this post from Diana Pemberton-Sikes about colorful shoes. The ones pictured above are ones I fancy though I realize the sparkly ones are not super practical. However, I can imagine wearing the leopard print flats all the time. Think of shoes in a color or pattern that could jazz up your wardrobe. Then hit the stores!
 Getty Images
I am not proud to say that my 7th grade daughter looks to me last for help in math. Fortunately, she and my younger daughter seem to have an aptitude for a subject that gave me no shortage of headaches and tears.
There is one type of math I am quite good at though, clothing math. There are two types: one that calculates what an item will cost per wear, and the kind that you can use to rationalize a pricey purchase.
For the first one, think of something you wear often. For me, an orchid, merino wool cardigan comes to mind. I purchased it from Boden for $70, 2 years ago. I wear it at least twice a week in cool weather and once a week in warmer weather. Therefore, I have worn this sweater 140 times. When I divide the price of the sweater by the number of times I have worn it, the sweater comes out to .50 per wear. What a deal! Think about this when you are contemplating buying a one-wear-only or a special occasion garment. The fewer times you wear something, the higher price per wear it is.
Now we come to rationalizing purchases, something I did just last weekend. At one of my favorite stores, Indian Summers in Summerland, I bought a unique, interesting cotton knit skirt for $84. Yes, it was a splurge. However, at The Rack, the fabulous consignment store located at the Music Academy of the West, I purchased a Cynthia Steffe skirt for $19. Here is where the math rationalization comes in: Each skirt cost $51.50, a reasonable price for a skirt. Ah, that feels much better.
Sorry about that ghost post!
On Friday a good friend and I strolled State Street. We had finished our holiday shopping and were happy to go in and out of stores at our leisure. I was delighted to discover a fairly new shop tucked into La Arcada court: Coast 2 Coast Collection.
This store was filled with sparkly treasures. What caught my eye were the incredibly ornate and dressy clutches. Each one showcased beautiful beadwork or embroidery, the next one even more gorgeous than the last. I cannot imagine a better source for a one-of-a-kind evening bag to wear to a special event. Perhaps a New Year's Eve party!
Every time a college buddy or visiter is in town, we end up roaming around UCSB. My husband works there and relishes his role as campus tour guide (that is his hobby, not his job!).
I took my girls to UCSB's bookstore the other day, looking for new school lunch boxes. We were distracted by many enticing things en route to the bag section. When I was a student many moons ago, there were about 3 sweatshirt and T-shirt designs available which featured UCSB letters. Now there is a mind-boggling number of logo wear, from baby shoes to workout bras. Truly, there is something for every member of the family who wants to wear something Gaucho.
We were close to the backpack section when my daughter detoured into the boutique area. Here are darling bags and accessories by Vera Bradley, stationery, scarves, jewelry, and all sorts of gift items. I picked up a pretty little makeup bag for friend's upcoming birthday present.
Finally we reached the desired lunchbox area. What a selection! I found a roomy one for myself in a cute design, and my daughter found a simple blue one that folded down like a paper bag. Once we made our selections, we continued to shop.
If you need an iPad case, a case for your cell phone, a good-looking tote bag, a leather bag, a purse. . . In short, if you need any sort of vessel to carry your stuff in, you should check out UCSB's bookstore.
My daughter and I were heading home after a trip to the Apple store on State Street the other day. En route to the car, we decided to pop into Plum Goods. Oh, I could have stayed there for hours! This charming store bills itself as carrying items that are "handcrafted, fair trade, upcycled, and eco-chic." I was in love!
We saw beautiful, sparkly jewelry and dainty gold and silver rings and bracelets, lovely recycled glassware, whimsical lighting, cool driftwood wreaths and framed mirrors, wonderful, quirky items made from bicycle chains, original goods made by Fabian Ojeda, and many more treats. Lucky for us, Fabain was in the store and we chatted with him for quite awhile about the store's inventory and where he gets his inspiration.
Plum Goods is where you want to go to get a gift for someone, to find something unique and beautiful for your home, to get inspired!
  
Today I spent some time trying on darling clothes at Talbots. (I promise to hit a locally owned, small boutique next time.) You know that I do not receive free clothing or payments from any store I write about, so you may wonder why I bring up Talbots rather often. Here is a little secret: Talbots is hip now, making cute, current clothing. And here is the best part of Talbots: exceptional service.
Right now Talbots is carrying some great-looking dresses and sweaters. These photos sho just a sampling of some of the things I tried on. The clothing is well-made, the layout of the store is open and bright, there are moderately priced accessories which are also hip, and it is easy to see how easily the clothing coordinates with other pieces.
I was going to list the saleswomen who have been particularly helpful, but as my list grew, I realized that every women who works for Talbots is helpful. There is no other store comes close. So get in there ladies! Your mothers' Talbots is a thing of the past.
Locals and tourists want to know about the best places to shop in Santa Barbara. For the next few weeks, I will be sharing information about my local shopping forays. I will let you know where I went, who was helpful, what I found, and why you should go there. I welcome your shopping experiences via comments on this blog or on my Wardrobe Wisdom Facebook page. And if there is a store you'd like me to visit, please let me know.
My first place is not one of Santa Barbara's (few remaining) local boutiques, but Saks Fifth Avenue, at 101 State Street. Many, many women have told me over the years that they never go to Saks. They think it is "too snooty" "too expensive" or "too old ladyish." I think a lot of people are intimidated by Saks Fifth Avenue's reputation an upscale East Coast institution that has not kept up with the times. Are the prices high? Some are. But most of Saks clothing is no more higher priced than what you will find at (the now defuct) Blue Bee, Wendy Foster, or Diani. Comparable items are actually a bit less, which always surprises people.
Here is what I like about Saks: helpful salespeople such as Patricia Elswick upstairs. She helped me find items for a client and did not seem to care whether or not I purchased anything. I also like that there is an experienced seamstress on site to show me how something can be altered. I like how there is a large department on the first floor devoted to jeans and current labels, and that there is always a small sale rack there. I LOVE the Theory, Diane von Furstenberg, Milly, and Sinclaire lines featured on the second floor. Today I purchased a divine DVF dress for $169 (originally $425!).
It is worthwhile to pop into Saks, even if it is just to gaze at its remarkable selection of shoes.
Today I hit the shops, mostly on State Street. As a wardrobe consultant in Santa Barbara, California, I need to know what the stores are carrying, what is current, and what is selling or not. It's fun to snoop and try things on, but I had been reluctant to shop in January.
This is an awkward time of year, retail-wise. The shops are recovering from the holidays and are often trying to come up with new merchandising strategies. Store owners and managers tend to order little at the first of the year so the shops are a bit bare and sad-looking. However, this year seems different.
When I headed to Nordstrom last week, I noticed how full the racks and shelves were. This sent my heart beating more quickly, and I had fun looking around. Today was a day I set time aside to visit the smaller stores and to try things on. Sadly, it was a day I came home empty handed.
There isn't much on my wish list right now, but I would like a pair of lightweight jeans and I am always in the market for cute knit tops and sweaters. My first stop was Diani on upper State Street. I saw several dresses and belts for a couple of my clients, yet nothing that suited my current needs and lifestyle. Diani Shoes sells absolutely stunning footwear, but the flats I tried on today pinched my bunion and squished my toes. Phooey!
My next stop was Indian Summers in Summerland. This store strikes me as just about perfect: It is small, contains a carefully selected inventory, offers very friendly service, and sells quality clothing, shoes, and accessories. Alas, the jeans I tried on were not perfect. One pair hit me at an unflattering place in the middle of my calf. This length makes me look stumpy. The other pair were tight across my thighs in the back. Not pretty. Sure, they didn't look terrible, but they would have languished in my closet while I continued to wear my other, great-fitting jeans.
Consignment stores were my final destination. I have learned to make several tours around these places, as treasures can be found lurking in dark corners and on obscure shelves. I tried on a tunic that was too big in the shoulders, a beautiful black silk blouse that I did not need, and a skirt that slipped down from my waist to barely hang on my hips. All of these garments were darling, but none were so wonderful on me.
Think about Goldilocks and her quest for "just right" when you shop. It's easy to settle for things we like even though they don't fit us well. While I am a big proponent of tailoring, sometimes you know from the start that a garment will not be perfect no matter how you alter it. Being selective will save you money in the end.
 One day while reading our local paper, my mom let out a groan. A reporter had written about "her" short cut to work and she worried that now everyone would be using her same secret route. Deciding whether or not to expose something unknown by the masses should be given serious thought. Then again, the more people know about something, a new consignment store in SB, for example, the more great clothes will be taken there. So, I am letting the word out: Lola, at 1221 State Street, #13 (formerly the SB Basket Company space) has come to town. First there was Lola, in a hard to find spot in Carpinteria (871 Yucca Lane). Now we have our own Lola, and it is a lovely spot. The store is light and airy and the clothing is carefully chosen and displayed. There are a number of great jeans, super cool shoes and boots, pretty original jewelry, luxury brands (Marni, DVF, Elizabeth and James), as well as relaxed Santa Barbara staples such as cozy sweaters and chic knit tops. If you take good care of your clothing and accessories but have tired of some current pieces, bring them to Lola. You will get a percentage of what your items sell for, and you can then purchase new clothing. Or you can put your money in the bank!
 It was so easy not to buy a purse earlier this week. I had a clear picture in my mind of what I wanted. Well, what I really wanted was the purse I foolishly did not buy in France this summer. Aside from that, what I was looking for was a leather purse in a blue between navy and royal, small to medium in size, with not too much silver-toned hardware, pebble grain, with no logos, and for a moderate price. Really, was I asking too much? When I went shopping for my purse I gave the saleswomen the above description, and though I could sense their eyes rolling behind my back, I stuck to my vision. They showed me a number of lovely purses, but none were just right. So, I saved myself money by not purchasing one. . . until the next day when I found the perfect purse (if only the straps were thicker). Jeez I am picky! Seriously though, I could have bought another bag during these 3 months I've been looking, but I would not have loved it. I would have longed for the bag and would have continued to troll the handbag departments of stores. It is like when you order something in a restaurant and then, thinking you could have ordered something better, you look at all the food passing by your table and then covet your dining partner's meal when it arrives. Maybe I am the only one who does that. My point is that by being particular and specific about what you want, you do not settle for less, and in the end, you are very content with your purchase.
Today I returned some gym/walking shoes to Outfooters, at La Cumbre Mall. Last week I was very happy to purchase these shoes since my old ones were very worn out. The minute I put the new ones on, I felt a spring in my step. However, when I wore them on a long walk, they slipped up and down in the back, rubbed my inner ankles, and left me with a sore knee. That last description sounds random, but I've learned that when my knees hurt, my shoes do not fit well. I had clearly bought the wrong size. Having worked in small retail stores over the years, I understand their strict return policies. Unlike large chain stores, small businesses operate with limited capital and it is not feasible for them to have liberal return policies. So when I spoke to the Outfitters owner, Jay, I let him know that I was just calling to see if there was anything he could do about my shoe dilemma. Not only had I worn them outside, but I could not locate my receipt (this is very unlike me!). He graciously offered to order me the shoes in a smaller size and did not give me grief for wearing them. Today Jay called and said he had my shoes. When I went to pick them up, he was polite and understanding. He truly seemed to care about my comfort and the critical importance of a good fit. Jay's excellent customer service has solidified my loyalty to his store and when I need a new pair of tennis shoes (whose day is coming soon), I know where I will go.
What a great discovery! Today I took my young daughters to a new store in town, My Sweet Pineapple. Proprietor Sarah Anticouni was there to talk about her new and used children's clothing boutique. She is happy to offer Santa Barbarans a place to shop for clothing that is not crazy-expensive. The store is darling, with a tiki/Hawaiin theme. My girls browsed the racks and found a lot of cute things to try on. Camille came away with a number of great pieces, all very reasonably priced. Since the concept is similar to that of a consignment store, it will pay to frequent My Sweet Pineapple. Sarah says she gets new things in every day!
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