3 Simple Guidelines

Photo Credit: The Curvy Fashionista

What follows are the shopping tips I have on the back of my business card. I hope they will save you from making unwise purchases and will lead you to make splendid ones.


1. Make sure the item will go with 3 things you already have.

2. If it's on sale, mentally double the price. Do you still love it?

3. Will it reflect your desired image?


By the way, the site where I found the image above is full of informative and insightful blog posts.

Public Speaking

When I was in high school, I took a speech class, hoping it would help me overcome my shyness about speaking in public. Nope! Years later,  before I entered the teaching profession, I took an acting class at Orange Coast College, in Costa Mesa, California. Boy did that push me to leave my comfort zone. By the end of the semester, I felt a lot more comfortable about standing in front of students.

Today one of my favorite aspects of Wardrobe Wisdom is public speaking.  Sometimes I am hired by a company's human resource department to remind employees of the dress code and what professional clothing means. Other times I talk about the season's trends, how to edit a closet, how to shop more wisely, and how to get out of a clothing rut. I have also spoken at clothing swap parties, advising women about what to swap and what to pass on.  These talks always include lively discussions, and I invariably learn something important.

Last month I spoke with Vickie (pictured above), from Renaissance Fine Consignment, about holiday wear. We were at the University Club in downtown Santa Barbara and brought along some lovely clothing to display and use as examples. On November 15 I will be speaking about dressing for different body shapes at Encanto in Santa Barbara from 2-6 pm. I will share more details this week. You can contact the store at 722-4338.

Please contact me if your club or organization is looking for a speaker. I can honestly say that I love it and do it well!

Levi's Jeans

Photo Credit: Levi's website

I am a bit of a skeptic. When I see the young women at Victoria's Secret approaching me with measuring tape around their necks like stethoscopes, I question their ability to accurately measure me for a bra. Is it because the measuring tape seems so flimsy, tissue paper thin? In any event, except for my favorite tailor, Kim at ZipKleen, I don't put much stock in people's measuring skills.

What a welcome surprise it was then to have my skepticism challenged and obliterated at the Levi's store on State Street in Santa Barbara. I had been hearing about Levi's "Curve ID" jeans and noticed their ads throughout my fall fashion magazines. Growing up, Levi's had never fit me and I sort of gave up on trying to wear them. But this recent campaign piqued my interest in Levi's denim.

Upon entering the Levi's store, a young woman asked if I needed help. I told her I was interested in finding my Curve ID, and she asked another young woman to measure me. "Oh, boy", I thought, "Here comes the smoke and mirrors." Once I was measured, I was given two pairs of jeans to try on, the Slight and Demi Curve styles. The first pair seemed custom made--just for me! They (pictured above) were an absolute dream, hugging me where I wanted a closer fit and skimming over other parts of my legs. PERFECTION! The Demi style also fit well but could not compare to the Slight Curves.

I noted the style number and color, and then told the salesperson that my husband needed new jeans more than I did. I asked if they measured men and had the same system for determining what jeans would best suit them. No, they did not offer this service for men, but I was assured that my husband would be steered  in the  right direction. I am very eager to return to the Levi's store--for him and in the future, for me!

Very Useful Shopping Advice

One of my favorite blogs, PutThisOn, recently posted a very good piece on shopping. The writer suggests shoppers go to high end stores:  "This is useful even if you can’t afford such things, because by handling the best of what’s out there, you’ll get a better sense of how other items compare. When you’re out doing your real shopping, you’ll have a better eye for how to spot quality and know what things you value."

I have done this before, when I tried on an exquisite jacket at Saks Fifth Avenue in Santa Barbara. You can read about my experience here. I think about that jacket and its fit and feel whenever I try on other jackets. And I remind myself of what true quality is by heading to Saks or other high end stores on a regular basis. This has saved me from making unwise purchases.

While combing the internet to find a vintage photo of a Saks department store, I made a very exciting discovery! There is a department store museum. Who knew? Go here to learn more but note that the site is being renovated.

That's a Closet?

Photo Credit: LA Closet Design

I was intrigued to read about "closets as boutiques," a concept that has become more common recently, according to this article in Forbes magazine. The photo gallery of huge, insanely organized closets made my jaw drop. I can only imagine what the bathrooms look like in such houses!

Naturally I am all for organized closets, containing only items you love to wear. But I find the closets in Forbes to be a wee bit over the top. I would like to know what you think.

A Bargain?

 I recently posted on Facebook that my friend Katherine and I found a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps at Goleta's Alpha Thrift Store for $9.99. Katherine wondered why I was nearly apoplectic and I mentioned that Louboutin's shoes retail for hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. She just thought they were cute, and since they were her size, I insisted she buy them.

Clearly the shoes were an incredible deal, but were they a bargain? Yes! I am reminded of Nina Garcia's following definitions:

Cheap: The characteristics of the garment rather than the price defines the quality of clothing. A cheap garment makes people wonder how little you spent on it if it is poorly made, looks too risque, or the material looks too synthetic. Avoid anything that looks cheap.

Inexpensive: This means well-made but low-cost clothing in wearable fabrics.

Bargain: Well-made, expensive clothing. . . found at a fantastic discount.

Editing and Shopping Tips

Last weekend I shared a number of tips in Sara Caputo's continuing education class. (She has another class coming up on October 20 on time management. Go here for more information.) People were eager to hear how they could have a wardrobe they truly loved and how to be more savvy shoppers.

Here are my top tips for helping you edit your closet:

1. Write down your image goals. How do you want to look and be perceived by others? Do this exercise and reflect upon your goals at least once a year. Do not wear or purchase items that do not match your image goals.

2. Get rid of anything stained, outdated (that you no longer feel comfortable wearing), ill-fitting, torn, and those garments or accessories that simply do not suit your current lifestyle.

And here are my 5 tips for helping you update your wardrobe and shop wisely:

1. Get a new, updated pair of jeans. You may have to try on several so make sure you do this on a day you  have a lot of energy and plenty of time.

2. Don't limit yourself to sale or outlet shopping. Shop for things you truly love, not simply things that seem like a bargain. Ask yourself if you would still want to buy an article in question if were twice or three times its listed price.

3. Try shopping somewhere new. We all get in ruts. Though it is helpful to know what shops you can always count on to find something you like, branch out a bit. You may find new styles and colors that suit who you are today.

4. Alterations. If you purchase something you love but that needs a bit of tailoring, take it to a tailor! Do not let it languish in your closet. And if you have garments in your closet that you like but don't wear because they need some fine tuning here and there, take them to a tailor!

5. Make a list. Always, always shop with a list, and make sure anything you are considering buying will go with at least 3 things you already own. Keep your list in your wallet, along with your image goals.

Give me a call if you would like some personal Wardrobe Wisdom. I would be delighted to help you achieve your image goals.

Image Goals--Write Them Down

Photo Credit: Flickr, The Commons

I was honored to be a guest speaker in Sara Caputo's adult education class last weekend. She expertly covered the topic of organizing one's home and office, giving useful, clear advice on how to become more productive.

Then it was my turn to talk about wardrobe organization. I told the class that thinking about one's clothing is more than just a superficial exercise. Since we all must get dressed everyday, why not look our best, and make sure our clothing reflects who we want to be and how we want the world to see us? Therefore,  I spent a few minutes talking about image goals--how we want to be perceived. I then asked them to think about their personal image goals and to write down a few descriptive words for them.

Sara got the sharing started and revealed that she was a bit surprised by her word: polished. We talked about what that meant to her and how to achieve a more polished look. Then I asked for others to share their image goals and we discussed the deeper nature of this kind of exercise. It was an illuminating session for people.

I recommend that you give some serious thought at least once a year to your own image goals. Does your wardrobe reflect how you want to be seen? How can you make this happen? I would be interested in your results so please let me know if you want to share!

Nina Garcia's Wardrobe Wisdom

 I learn something each time I re-read my fashion and style books. Lately I have been looking over Nina Garcia's Style Strategy. Here are some of her tips that I find particularly useful:

1. Any [clothing] you know that accentuates your best physical trait also accentuates your self confidence.

2. A great shoe can make a $20 outfit look like couture, and a poorly constructed shoe can make couture look like a cheap knockoff.

3. When you love what you are wearing, it shows.

4. Splurge on tailored classics; indulge in inexpensive trends.

5. Comfort in your own skin is the core of style.

6. The belief held by most nutritionists--that if you deprive yourself, you will fall off the wagon and binge--holds true for shopping, too. Shop smart!

7. Playfulness and humor are just as vital to fashion as good taste.

I applaud Garcia's inclusion of this quote from Tim Gunn: "Fit is the most neglected aspect of how we dress: that is, most people wear clothes that are too big or too small or a combination of both."

Teacher Fashion

Photo Credit: Never Been Kissed movie still

Admittedly, I do mental makeovers all the time. At my girls' back to school nights, I saw some well-dressed teachers and several who looked pretty sloppy. I could not have been the only parent who paid the latter group less attention than the former ones who looked like they took their jobs seriously. Clothing does send a strong message.

Natalie Smith, from Foothill Technology High School in Ventura, sent me this super article about the way teachers at her school dress. I think the video is also great.

Let me add that I have nothing but respect for teachers, having been one and having grown up in a family of educators. I simply think there is value in dressing well, regardless of one's profession. And I realize that while Michael Vartan, pictured above, is not exhibiting notable fashion sense as a teacher here, he is handsome.

More about Shoes

 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!

Shoes--Fall 2012

Photo Credit: StyleBakery website

StyleBakery does a great job of breaking down this season's shoe trends. Go here to read about them and to see great examples.  I do not understand the wedge sneaker category (above) but I really like the T-strap style.  Are there some shoes that you are coveting right now?