I must blog about how much I dearly love sample sales. There is nothing so exhilarating as getting a 90% discount on coat, a pair of $500 boots for $45, or a t-shirt that should have originally been $10 anyway but had a retail mark up of 1500% for no good reason.

There are of course the traditional brick and mortar sample sales as well. In New York, we’re blessed because they happen daily, sometimes top secret and sometimes highly publicized.  But they’re there if you want to find them. These warehouses are packed tightly with racks upon racks of the season’s over-stock from some of the world’s most sought after designers.  I will go. And if I can’t go, I will send a friend, who I trust, with impeccable taste (i.e. my friend Teresa), to shop for me.

You can check out sites like Racked.com or TopButton.com to find out when and where sales happen (again, mostly in NY and LA but sometimes other big cities). You can also scour NYMag.com for sale information as well. I tend to walk a lot in Manhattan and sometimes I walk right into one identified only by an 8 1/2 x 11″ sheet of paper that says, “Marc Jacobs sample sale, 2nd floor” in blue sharpie.

If you don’t have access to the real-life versions, there are a few signature sites that offer truly amazing online sample sales (and I literally have an order a week coming into my office). My favorites: GiltGroup.com, HauteLook.com and RueLaLa.com.  Everyday at 11 am and 12 pm ET, the sales start showcasing a new designer, and a countdown clock that details just how few precious minutes I have to throw things into my virtual cart before some other obsessed-maniacal-fashionista-turned-monster gets my cashmere wrap sweater in royal purple with sequins at the collar ticks back the seconds. It’s insanity I tell you. The only glitch, you have to either be invited by a current member or sign up for a wait list. But if you can access them, you’re golden! Brands like Ella Moss, Beyond Yoga, Marc Jacobs, Free People, Alice + Olivia, Citizens, True Religion, and Walter. Then the heavy hitters: Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Judith Ripka, Botkier, Prada, and Hermes…oh, the list continues and my head spins.

Is the economy bad? Hell yes. This is why sample sales are so crucial. You’re getting a realistic price for the clothes you love. I say take advantage of this. Get online. Get to the sales. Shop the samples and look good even when the state of our country’s economy sucks.  It can’t all be doom and gloom.

I got a question yesterday:  Any suggestions for workout wear for those of us on a budget?

Absolutely!

But I will first say this…I have a pair of Adidas running pants that I bought over six years ago. They were about $75.  They still fit, still wick away sweat, still run along with me in every and any workout. It’s worth the investment – from both a function and fashion point of view.

Now that I’ve said my peace…

Old Navy has great workout gear for super inexpensive. I have sports bras from Old Navy in an array of colors and they hold, lift, and support with no problems. They also carry cropped and long foldover yoga pants in tons of colors.

Champion is another great brand that is mid-priced and is great for gym workouts and yoga. These are available at most multi-brand stores (i.e. Modell’s, Big 5 Sports, etc.

And of course, scouring sites like Zappos or Amazon, Footlocker.com, and even Nike or Adidas.com for sales is a great way to get expensive items on super-duper sale.

Hope this helps!

I have been thinking a lot about all of the different messages a woman can send via her image (clothes, accessories, hair, and make-up) and was just recently having this conversation over the weekend.  It is possible for a woman to get in her own way by being too hot.  

I’m speaking specifically about our professional lives.  It’s possible to be too sexy at work:

You know that I believe we all should be as stylish and “of the moment” as possible. But there is a balance between stylish and over-the-line-sexy-that-could-hinder-others-taking-us-seriously.  It’s hard enough for women in this world…I do believe that we have to work just that much harder to prove our worth in business. 

A side note: I was asked once what I thought the most challenging part of being a woman was. My answer was something reminiscent of, “That I have to be tough enough without being a bitch, that I have to be attractive enough without being too hot, that I have to be smart enough without being intimidating…that I’m proving myself all day, everyday.”

I work in media/publishing and my office dress code is at the more lenient end of the continuum. I tend to err on the side of trendy in many of my clothes and my wardrobe often doubles for both in and out of work. But I know that for meetings, client presentations, interviews and situations in which I am truly representing my colleagues and my company, I will streamline myself, leave the leggings at home,  and select a more traditional style. 

I’ve noticed that casual Friday has bled into casual everyday. Again, for some lines of work, this is acceptable.  But in banking, finance, law, and other such industries with a history based on male-dominance and tradition, a woman can’t walk in with a brightly colored dress and platform heels.  It won’t fly.

I will most certainly take this into account with my clients.

What kind of business is she in?  Does she work at all? Is she a teacher where a nice pair of khakis and a sweater set would be appropriate?  Perhaps, she spends her days behind a camera and needs jeans and a blazer that aren’t restrictive but are still fitted and tailored.  Maybe she’s reviewing contracts and stands in court…this would require an appropriate colored suit and classic heels (they can still be Christian Louboutin, no one has to know!).

The bottom line is, we need to be aware that even though we may work in more lax surroudings,  presenting ourselves as professionals is the number one priority. And often times, sexy skinny jeans and form-fitting sweaters (though they may look curvalicious) aren’t always the best choice.

Soundbites to remember: Beauty doesn’t always equal appropriate.  Casual doesn’t always mean sexy.  Trendy should still be tasteful.

Just check the mirror once before you leave the house and ask yourself, “Would I wear this on a date?”  If the answer is yes, consider changing.

I came across this site this morning (due to a feature on my Lucky magazine widget); www.francescascollections.com;  that has a ton of well-priced, trendy, feminine clothes and accessories.

Being that I can smell, touch, and visualize summer (we don’t get spring here in New York, it just goes right to deadly heat), I couldn’t stop myself from obsessive browsing.

I’m dreadfully bored with my sweaters, trousers, and boots. My toes are begging for a bright pedicure. My arms are thirsty for sun. I’m ready. And, the clothes on this site have only made me more eager. 

Warning: These are ultra-girly, flirty looks.  

Some of my faves:

This piece doubles as a top and a skirt. It would look fabulous with light-colored denim or as a skirt with a white tank top or simple white v-neck T-shirt.

This dress’s color speaks for itself.  The gorgeous teal is so bright and would sing against sunkissed skin.  Imagine how fabulous a red-head would look with this color draping her decolletage. But, no matter your hair color, the rouching around the bustline will add a some much needed fullness for women with small chests.

Enjoy!

Back in the spotlight is Teresa.  This is a great example of how layers can make very simple colors interesting. The pale sage green pants act as a neutral so we’re working with a blank canvas.  On top is a tank (olive green), a white button down, and a classic style menswear inspired vest.  All of these colors are neutral which leaves the door open to bring in fun accessories.

While Teresa is typically lean on jewelry, she chose to embellish with her shoes – black and white snakeskin pumps (launching her to nearly 6′ tall!).  Some other options could have been easily added brightly colored bangel bracelets or a punchy colored kerchief tied around the neck. 

Recently got this question:  Wide belts & petite women, okay?

Answer: Most of the time, I would say no.  While a belt cinched around the waist adds curves and a fun dimension to your outfit, the width of a belt could take it from “fabulous accessory” to “corset”.  I don’t like to give hard and fast rules for anyone only because I want everyone to feel stylish and empower them to make daring choices in their clothing.

So I would suggest that if you have a long torso, you could get away with a wide belt more easily. However, if you’re under 5′ tall, perhaps using a belt that is 1-1 1/2″ inches in width is best.  It won’t overwhelm your frame.  The focal point of any outfit should always be your face. If you strap yourself with a wide leather belt, people will look to your torso and forget everything else.  So go with a more slender belt around your tummy to create some fun curves. And if you like, you can find a slender belt that wraps around your waist twice, just for an added dimension to an otherwise ordinary accessory.

But, if you love wide belts, my suggestion would be to wear one color from top to bottom, and add a low slung belt in another color (i.e. wearing black with a caramel colored belt and cool antique metal buckle, or a chain belt that sits low on the waist) to break up the color.  If you wear it low, you create a directional pull down your body and won’t sacrifice your torso by cutting it off in the middle.

 Here are some great examples:

Double Wrap Belt

Available at Nordstrom

Chain Belt

Available at Nordstrom

Low-slung leather belt

Available at Lucky Jeans

Hope that helps!

It never stops amazing me just how much “stuff” we can cram into our closets.  Sure, it can be piles and piles of clothes, but hidden within those stacks of t-shirts, mountains of sweaters, and dozens of folded pairs of denim also lay secrets, memories, sentiments, scars, war wounds, and scents that captivate us and compell us to hold on to them for dear life.

Eh-hem.  No more.

As I have helped some fellow lovely ladies purge their closets, I have found more and more how much emotion lies within those closet doors. 

“Those were my favorite jeans in high school.” “I bought that at an art sale. It’s art!”  “Those are my hostess pants for when people come over and I host.” “My grandmother knit that for me. She’s gone now.” “I’ll get back into those.”

And the beat goes on.

It’s clear to me that holding onto things (which we never even see or think about unless forced to by an ambush closet cleanout) isn’t helping us any. It’s just excess baggage.  That shirt we didn’t even know we had until we pulled it out has suddenly become super important. 

Think about what happens to us emotionally when we don’t let emotions go.  We harbor guilt or anger, we hang onto regrets and ‘what ifs’ only to keep us from moving forward.  Like extra pounds on the body, we’re weighed down. Emotionally, our heads get caught in the past and dwell on the shoulda, coulda, wouldas.  Sometimes it takes an intervention to remind us that when we look back, we’re missing what’s right in front of us.

Clothes are the same way. Those memories and sentiments seep into the fabric and keep a firm grip making us believe that we need to keep them around for reasons we’re not even quite sure.  The boyfriend or parent that gave you that {fill in the blank} are either gone or probably don’t even remember. And my guess is that we are a completely different person now than when we acquired these garments.

That said, let’s embrace what we are now and not look back but look forward.  Rid ourselves of the extra weight physically, metaphorically, and literally.  Ask yourself the key question: “Do I get any use out of this item now?”  If the answer is no, bag it, tag it, and write it off on your ‘08 tax return.

It’s extra weight. It’s superfluous.  Clean out the closet, clear out your mind…and move on!

Simply titled because they are simply so.  Shirt dresses are my personal favorites in the summertime. They are effortless, universally flattering. They morph from work to fun.  With the flick of a couple of buttons they can be sexy or tidy.  The best part, there are limitless options for fabrics, colors, and patterns.  

Similar to my opinion on the wrap dress, the shirt dress is the woman’s answer to “I have nothing to wear.” They give a waist where there is none, they float away from your lower-half to provide ample coverage and mystify others about your body proportions. They are comfortable, washable, and seasonless.

My favorites:

Isaac Mizrahi for Target: Pleated shirtwaist dress, navy. $44.99. Casual enough to be a Sunday brunch or shopping throw on with some brown leather flip flops.  But if you want to wear it to work, simply put on some heeled sandals or wedges,  and add a neck scarf and you’ve transformed yourself to summertime, office casual (as long as you’re not a banker!).

Banana Republic: Silk Paisley Shirt Dress, $130 (but you know it’ll be on sale in a month). Fabulous for those of us who want to create some fun drama with a pattern. It’s silk, so it’s upscale enough for work and can easily be worn to a weekend affair.

Club Monaco: Sleeveless trench dress. $189.  Certainly, this one is a splurge for a day dress, however, the color and iconic shape of the trench is timeless. This will never go out of style. Caution to busty ladies, however. Double-breasted tops can add bulk without adding much of anything else. This is “sit in a convertible with sunglasses and scarf in your hair” chic, “first date hot”, and “Get compliments at the coffee machine at work” perfect.

Vive la shirtdress!

A book was brought to my attention called, “Not Quite What I was Planning”.  It’s a book filled with six-word memoirs by known and obscure writers as well as some celebs.  The challenge is to write your memoir in only six words.  That said, I came up with a ton that describe my life from probably a dozen different angles.  

I thought I’d share some descriptive ones about myself that are in fact significant in the arena of my image, my style, my body, and my life as it relates to them.

Personal or not, it’s my style.

Funky, professional, playful…run the gamut. 

Change your clothes, accomplish your goals.

You live once, please look good.

Eat too much, clothes don’t fit.

Ate too much? Wear different clothes!

Where’s my money? On wooden hangers.

Black or pink? Always choose both.

Nothing to wear? Buy something new.

Buy something new, trash something old.

Feeling down, fake it and smile.

Fashion isn’t shallow…if you’re not.

Speak volumes by not saying anything.

Life is like dress-up…play!

I invite you to contribute. If you comment and give me your own I’ll put them in my next post.  Tell me about your personal image and style and how it plays a role in your life–using only six words.

I got a question today…

“How does a 5′5″ woman with a short torso appear to be longer and leaner?”

Answer:

Create the optical illusion of a long, lean, vertical line through length and color.

Option I:

Tops should hit her between her waistband and her hip to create length where there isn’t any in reality.  If the top hits her at her waist band, she’s now created a horizontal line, cutting her body in half and thus, emphasizing her short torso. But, if the top extends further down and is a smooth, clean fabric, she’s created a longer, leaner torso.

Example:

Option II:

Further, if she wants to tuck the top into her pants, a low-rise trouser is best for this. More of the shirt will show when tucked into a low-rise pant, again, creating the longer line.

Example:

 Option III:

Wear a longer top with a wrap feature or create a waist with a belt that hits at her high-waist (just under the bust line) or with empire seaming.

Example:

Option IV:

Lastly, (and easiest of the options) is to wear the same color from top to bottom. This alleviates any interruption between the top and the bottom; it starts at her neck and ends at her feet creating one, long line. A dress or a top/pants combination is the best wait to do this.

Example: