Fashion Show in Santa Barbara

Yesterday my younger daughter and I stopped by De Marcos Fashion Academy, at 120 West Mission Street in Santa Barbara. We were captivated by the original full-length gowns in the store window, and were curious to see what was going on in the Academy. (I'd been in and met Ms. De Marcos once before; go here to read a past blog post.)

This time we learned about the upcoming fashion show in Santa Barbara, on September 5, 2015.  I'm looking forward to Santa Barbara Fashion week, and am eager to see the designs by De Marcos' students. I know De Marcos is looking for local businesses to help sponsor this exciting event.  For more information, go here.

Baring Arms

Journalist K.C. Cole wrote a very thoughtful piece about clothing and feminism in Sunday's Los Angeles Times. Like so many women, Cole wonders if it's okay to go sleeveless if one has less than perfectly toned arms. She asks, "Is bare arms one of those feminist dilemmas? Or is it more a matter of simple vanity versus sweltering heat?" This leads to her thinking that covering up for the rest of one's life is "unacceptable." She lets readers know that fashion's and society's rules are not simple to interpret as a feminist, and that "Feminists want to look good too." I strongly urge you to read the entire column; Cole makes a lot of good points.

Ebay Shopping Tips

 Image credit:eBay.com

I gleefully opened the package from eBay the other day, eager to see my purchase in person. Before trying on the lovely, red silk Joie blouse, I inspected it closely. There were no stains or imperfections; it looked like new. When I found that it fit me perfectly, I felt very smug in the knowledge that Joie blouses start at $150.00 retail. I paid less than $30.00!!!

Have I always been an eBay shopper? Decidedly, no. It was only when I began working with an eBay devotee that I began visiting the site regularly. In the past couple of years, I have purchased shoes, running attire for my daughter,  and clothing for myself. Only one item did not work out, and I was able to send it back and receive a full refund. But without my co-worker's guidance and tips, I would have floundered.

Here is how to shop like a pro on eBay for clothing and accessories:

1. Search for items using specific words. For example, include the brand name, the style, the size, and the color you are looking for. When I wanted a Joie blouse, I searched under "Joie, blouse, silk, XS." The more specific you are, the better chance of learning whether it exists on eBay.

2. Check the seller's return policy. Make sure that you can return the item for a full refund if it does not fit you well or if it is not the item described by the seller. Some sellers are happy to provide refunds; others are not.

3. If you are serious about bidding on an item, you must check on it often. I am not always diligent and have lost out on certain garments. I like to "watch" items I am interested in but am not ready to bid on. I've also done well simply deciding to "Buy it Now" when the item is something I've really wanted but did not want to play the bidding game for.

4. The old adage, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is"  holds true on eBay. If you notice someone is selling a designer handbag you have been coveting forever, and the price is significantly lower than one you have ever seen, it is most likely a counterfeit. I'm not a huge fan of designer labels so don't spend a lot of time looking for them on eBay. What I do know is that there are many tell-tale signs when something is a fake. Go here to learn about them, and shop wisely with this information.

5. Shop often. I have written before about consignment store shopping and the importance of going often. The same is true for eBay. If someone is not selling something you want today, someone may be next week.

Worn Stories

Somehow, in the midst of all the hype surrounding the book Women in Clothes last year,
I missed reading Worn Stories, by Emily Spivak. You can read what the New York Times had to say about it here.

Worn Stories describes itself as a collection of "sartorial memoirs." I found myself flipping through it, choosing what to read by the clothing pictured. I wondered what someone would have to say about a canary yellow Hermes coat; why a person would hold onto a bright blue hoodie sweatshirt; and who wore the little hat with the feather and striped band. I'm so glad I happened to read what Susan Orlean had to say about the dress and pants ensemble that accompanied her memoir. She describes her quest for the perfect uniform, and how over the years, she thinks she has found it, only to start her quest all over again. I think a lot of us can relate to her musings:

"It's a temporary delusion that comes over me with regularity--a belief that by wearing this perfect thing, I will look right and feel good no matter what. When I'm in it, I totally believe I have found my look, my personal style. I understand that fashion, by definition, is a changing thing, and so is one's body. " (My bold font added for emphasis.)

 

Beauty and Usefulness

Beauty in Bouzy, France

One simple way to make a decision about a purchase or whether to get rid of something already owned is to ask yourself if it is useful and/or do you find it beautiful? If the answer to either of these questions is no, the decision has been made: Don't buy it or get rid of it.

Do I always follow this advice? No, but I try to. Today I put on my exercise bra--one I have had for years. I used to say that it was unattractive, but it did the job. However, it is no longer doing the job.  When my daughter announced that I looked "saggy on top," I realized the bra had to go. Give your wardrobe the once over and ask yourself about your clothing's usefulness and attractiveness. And have a donation bag nearby!

P.S. By far, the best sports bras I have were purchased via Title9. This website offers a variety of bras,workout clothing, and casual clothing. Title9's customer service is superb!

Missing the Boat

Photo credit: Violeta.com

I'm not sure how long it is going to take for major designers to make plus-size clothing for women.  "The industry has done a disservice to themselves by not offering some of those great choices for the plus-size consumer," says Marshal Cohen, NPD retail analyst. For now, the industry is foolishly missing the boat, and plus-size women are not pleased. There is hope, however, since some celebrities are making their displeasure known and are getting into the design business.

Go here to listen or read more about this topic on NPR. Included in this piece are some suggestions of where to shop for fashionable clothing in sizes 14 and up. I also think Mango's Violeta line is pretty great.

Dressing with a Tummy

Photo Credit: Clintonkelly.com

As usual, Clinton Kelly offers expert advice on dressing for your body shape on his website. Go here to learn how to dress your best if you have a round belly; it's one of the body issues I hear about most from my Wardrobe Wisdom clients.

Suits that Fit

One thing I appreciated about men on the street I observed during my trip was how well their suits fit (not that I was staring!). I so appreciate the time and thought these men took in getting dressed; it's not that hard, guys!

Packing and Weeding

 Laurence, Gina, and me in the gardens of Giverny, France.

In this month's Coastal View News column, I describe how packing for a trip can often lead to weeding out one's wardrobe. Go here to read "Packing and Weeding", on page 21.

I Spy

I snapped quite a few photos of people on the streets of Paris during my recent trip. What I like about this young woman's outfit is the way her coat hits her just right at the waist and looks so chic with her simple flats. Sure, the sleeves need to be hemmed, but nobody's perfect!