Ha! I have stated that I will "never" wear the following: leggings, anything yellow, sequins, stirrup pants, fur--fake or real. . . the list goes on. One of the items on my list was skinny jeans. When this style emerged a couple of years ago, I looked at my sturdy, somewhat short legs and thought, "Now there is a style I will never wear!"
Yet there I was last week, looking for skinny jeans at Paseo Nuevo Mall in Santa Barbara. How did I get to this place? At first I thought the skinny look would be gone after a season, and I did not like it on anyone. Then I thought it looked okay on young, tall women--but the look was still not for me. Then it seemed to make sense with ballet flats. Finally, after trying to cram my bootcut jeans into my boots on more than one occasion, I saw the value and sense of skinny jeans.
Not ready to fully embrace them since I still thought they were a short-lived look, I decided to purchase an inexpensive pair of skinny jeans. When they fit poorly, I looked short and stumpy. But I persevered and finally found a great pair at Express for only $32!!! These jeans tuck right into my boots without creating any bagginess at the knee.
So, the moral of the story is: Give a trend a chance, if it is a look you like (or is a look you grow to like) and even then, don't spend a vast sum of money on a fashion fad.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Where I Want to Shop
When asked where I buy clothing for my Wardrobe Wisdom clients and myself, my answer is that I like to shop where I am treated well. By that I mean the people working in the store greet me politely, ask if I would like help finding anything, and then they leave me alone for a bit. To me, treating a customer well also means honest feedback and a lack of pushiness.
At Lucia loves Luigi, a charming store on Brinkerhoff and Haley in Santa Barbara, every person in the store has been friendly and sincere during my visits. The merchandise is just beautiful, ranging from casual, SB wear to unusual gorgeous dresses and accessories. A lot of stores in Santa Barbara carry great things, but the people working there are often disinterested, snooty, or are busy with other things such as talking on their cell phones or chatting with their pals who have stopped by.
I would love to hear about stores that you feel provide great custmer service in our town. That is where I want to shop, for myself and for my clients.
At Lucia loves Luigi, a charming store on Brinkerhoff and Haley in Santa Barbara, every person in the store has been friendly and sincere during my visits. The merchandise is just beautiful, ranging from casual, SB wear to unusual gorgeous dresses and accessories. A lot of stores in Santa Barbara carry great things, but the people working there are often disinterested, snooty, or are busy with other things such as talking on their cell phones or chatting with their pals who have stopped by.
I would love to hear about stores that you feel provide great custmer service in our town. That is where I want to shop, for myself and for my clients.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Considerate Borrower
A client who recently borrowed some clothing from me returned it cleaned and pressed. I was pleased, but was reminded of another not so pleasant lending experience.
Once a friend borrowed a beautiful velvet jacket from me. She returned it reeking of perfume and smoke. I was so upset and offended!
Any time you borrow clothing from someone return it promptly, cleaned and pressed or dry-cleaned if needed. This shows you are a responsible borrower and the lender will be happy to loan you something from her closet again.
Once a friend borrowed a beautiful velvet jacket from me. She returned it reeking of perfume and smoke. I was so upset and offended!
Any time you borrow clothing from someone return it promptly, cleaned and pressed or dry-cleaned if needed. This shows you are a responsible borrower and the lender will be happy to loan you something from her closet again.
Petite Does Not Mean Skinny
I was working with one of my Wardrobe Wisdom clients the other day who was complaining about the sleeve length on her new blouse. I asked if the blouse was a petite and she looked at me with a shocked expression: "Petite! I am a size 14!" This is a common misunderstanding of the term petite.
In the clothing world, petite does not mean the tiny, emaciated bodies of the Olsen twins. Instead petite means a woman is 5' 4" or less; clothing for petite women is proportioned for those shorter bodies. The sleeves are shorter as are the torsos. In pants, the rise is shorter as is the inseam.
One of the most helpful resources I have found for petite women is the site for the book, The Petite Handbook.
I am right on the border of petite at exactly 5' 4" so sometimes petite clothing is too short for me when I want to wear heels. Like regular clothing, sizing is not consistent in the petite world so always try things on, even if they should fit your shorter body perfectly.
In the clothing world, petite does not mean the tiny, emaciated bodies of the Olsen twins. Instead petite means a woman is 5' 4" or less; clothing for petite women is proportioned for those shorter bodies. The sleeves are shorter as are the torsos. In pants, the rise is shorter as is the inseam.
One of the most helpful resources I have found for petite women is the site for the book, The Petite Handbook.
I am right on the border of petite at exactly 5' 4" so sometimes petite clothing is too short for me when I want to wear heels. Like regular clothing, sizing is not consistent in the petite world so always try things on, even if they should fit your shorter body perfectly.
Customer Service
Today Carter, from Samy's Camera in Santa Barbara, called to tell me my camera had arrived in the store and would be on hold until I could pick it up. I have been crazy busy lately and had forgotten that I had even ordered a camera.
Carter exemplifies outstanding customer service. He helped me navigate my way through the dozens of digital cameras, steering me away from ones that would not serve my purpose, and telling me honestly what the camera I liked best would and would not do well. He described the kind of camera I may want to invest in in the future, and why it would work great for taking photos of my girls dancing. He never pushed me into buying anything and let me take my time deciding. Not once did he seem impatient answering all of my questions or seem irritated by my concerns. He also spoke in simple, non-technical terms about the different aspects of the cameras.
I was very happy to purchase a camera from Carter and only wish all salespeople in Santa Barbara could be like him. Why can't they?
Carter exemplifies outstanding customer service. He helped me navigate my way through the dozens of digital cameras, steering me away from ones that would not serve my purpose, and telling me honestly what the camera I liked best would and would not do well. He described the kind of camera I may want to invest in in the future, and why it would work great for taking photos of my girls dancing. He never pushed me into buying anything and let me take my time deciding. Not once did he seem impatient answering all of my questions or seem irritated by my concerns. He also spoke in simple, non-technical terms about the different aspects of the cameras.
I was very happy to purchase a camera from Carter and only wish all salespeople in Santa Barbara could be like him. Why can't they?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Enough
I often get asked by my Santa Barbara wardrobe clients--as well as by friends--"How many clothes are enough?"
Enough is being able to look put-together and polished on a daily basis, for any occasion, without having to paw through mounds of clothing in your closet. You do not need 10 pairs of jeans, 10 pairs of black pants, or 10 white blouses, even if each one is just a little different. 3 of each of these staples is enough. And if you do purchase one of these items new, then get rid of an old one.
When I was 16 I got my first job in retail. For two years I worked at various department stores during school breaks and on weekends so I could buy clothes and save money for a trip when I graduated high school. At 18 I went to France to visit my mom's family. I packed two enormous duffle bags, not imagining that I could duplicate my outfits for a month.
When my cousin met me at the airport, she expressed some shock at the size of my two bags. After a week in which I wore a different outfit every day, I noticed that my cousin, who was my age, wore the same clothes every day. She always looked cute and appropriate. I felt ridiculous and excessive.
Over time I have learned that there is a balance to be found. Yes, I am in stores constantly and do like to buy new clothes. But I do not need much each season--none of us do. I look at what I have, make a list of what items would update my look and what items need replacing, and go from there. This saves me from making silly impulse buys and from having way more than "enough."
Enough is being able to look put-together and polished on a daily basis, for any occasion, without having to paw through mounds of clothing in your closet. You do not need 10 pairs of jeans, 10 pairs of black pants, or 10 white blouses, even if each one is just a little different. 3 of each of these staples is enough. And if you do purchase one of these items new, then get rid of an old one.
When I was 16 I got my first job in retail. For two years I worked at various department stores during school breaks and on weekends so I could buy clothes and save money for a trip when I graduated high school. At 18 I went to France to visit my mom's family. I packed two enormous duffle bags, not imagining that I could duplicate my outfits for a month.
When my cousin met me at the airport, she expressed some shock at the size of my two bags. After a week in which I wore a different outfit every day, I noticed that my cousin, who was my age, wore the same clothes every day. She always looked cute and appropriate. I felt ridiculous and excessive.
Over time I have learned that there is a balance to be found. Yes, I am in stores constantly and do like to buy new clothes. But I do not need much each season--none of us do. I look at what I have, make a list of what items would update my look and what items need replacing, and go from there. This saves me from making silly impulse buys and from having way more than "enough."
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Lift
I was determined to get a new bra so I headed for Nordstrom where the saleswomen know how to measure and fit properly. Little did I know what a free gift I would receive that day.
I am partial to Wacoal and Chantelle bras since they offer both beauty and support. New bras are a critical purchase, and I buy at least two a year, tossing out my old ones. The Wacoal I thought needed replacing was less than a year old but was not doing the trick. I had begun to feel sort of saggy and sad by the end of the day.
In stepped the Nordstrom expert, who took one look at me, tightened my straps, and voila: I was a perky woman once again! It was a little anticlimactic as I had planned on buying an exquisite new bra and had found one that fit well. Yet it was nice to save my money for something else.
So ladies, before you get that new bra--and I am a huge proponent of getting fitted and outfitted at least once a year--adjust your straps first and see if it makes a difference. However, if this minor adjustment simply results in pulling the band up higher in the back and/or cutting into your shoulders, it is time to get a new bra.
I am partial to Wacoal and Chantelle bras since they offer both beauty and support. New bras are a critical purchase, and I buy at least two a year, tossing out my old ones. The Wacoal I thought needed replacing was less than a year old but was not doing the trick. I had begun to feel sort of saggy and sad by the end of the day.
In stepped the Nordstrom expert, who took one look at me, tightened my straps, and voila: I was a perky woman once again! It was a little anticlimactic as I had planned on buying an exquisite new bra and had found one that fit well. Yet it was nice to save my money for something else.
So ladies, before you get that new bra--and I am a huge proponent of getting fitted and outfitted at least once a year--adjust your straps first and see if it makes a difference. However, if this minor adjustment simply results in pulling the band up higher in the back and/or cutting into your shoulders, it is time to get a new bra.
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