This week I typically avoid stores and malls. What I have found over the years is that people are crazy stressed and desperate to buy what they need. Fashion statements tend not to be made during this time, so I bow out, ever so gracefully.
I have a humorous fashion tale to tell as we wind down 2010, though! So here goes....
My true friends know that once my day is over I put my work face and fashion mind to rest and enjoy the many other aspects of my full life. I have a relatively new friend that I met about 8 months ago at hot yoga. We met one day at class when I realized her car's license plate read SHOPPER 2 and I asked her about it. She works full time to support her love for shopping. Oh my!
She is the ultimate queen of discount bargain shopping. Over the past several months, she has often mentioned her great steals and deals at a local large department and discount store chain. She refuses to pay full retail and will hold out until it is a true bargain! Finally she divulged to me how she accomplishes this successful plan. She takes a full price item from the rack and stashes it on another rack, well away from the original rack. Since we all know that clean up in department stores is not always done, she is able to keep tabs on the item over a several week period. Her bargain this week was a $59 blouse for $8!
Happy Holidays!
From my closet to yours, Suzanne
P.S. Did I mention that she owns over 300 pairs of shoes?
I frequent local consignment stores to consign client's goods, or searching for that little gem that may be hiding amongst the racks. This year I have found a few gems - like the great Kay Unger gold raw silk dress that makes me feel like Joan Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver! Every time I wear it I feel somewhat magical, and oh, so lovely. It is a true departure from my usual attire, but confirms my love for clothing of old.
This week I traveled to Villa Consegna at Five Points in Raleigh. The owners, John and Margo, have been doing the consignment thing for probably longer than I have been a stylist. Obviously, their competition has stiffened in the past 5 years as other stores have made their way into the area. I thought I would do a segment on My Carolina Today on getting the most bang for your buck when purchasing holiday wear at a local consignment store. This is what I have come up with and wanted to share if you. Be sure to catch the video segment Friday (12/17) on My Carolina Today - 11am on NBC17 in Raleigh.
Evaluate what holiday parties and functions you may need festive clothing for.
Check your closet and see what you have that may work or what you may need to add.
Set a budget and plan to stick to it.
Visit the consignment store with a friend to get her opinion on possible selections.
Check for accessories at the consignment store that may complete the outfits.
Ask the shop owner if they can do any better on the price of any garments you want to purchase. I expect they would rather move the goods out the door than to hang onto them for the new year!
Next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is a big shopping day!
If you are going to shop - have a plan. Know what the store offers - whether it is early bird specials, discounted pricing, no shopping fees or a special code for additional discounts.
Do your homework and be prepared. Call or email ahead if there is something specific you are looking for.
Recently I met with a new client - mother of two, recently unemployed, has gained weight over the past years, and struggled when shopping for clothes. We met for coffee and talked about her lifestyle, how shopping was a chore, and that she was truly tired of not looking or feeling good in her clothes.
So much of what I do is look at each client from within themselves and work with their best features. Features can be beautiful eyes, high cheekbones, a great brow line, nice firm calves or delicate hands.
After 4 hours in a department store, starting with getting fitted with the proper undergarments, my client emerged as a woman with a new purpose! She was armed with the knowledge needed to shop on her own.
What is most gratifying for me is to see how my clients grow as individuals and begin to feel and look the best they can be!
Savvy Stylist Suzanne Libfraind shows Sharon and Page four modern takes on a closet staple: the basic white button-up.
Tips on fit: -The blouse may be too big if you are able grab a handful of fabric in the body of the blouse -Confirm that the neckline of the blouse lays flat on your neck -Be certain that the button line doesn’t pull across your chest and gap open -If you are unable to roll up the sleeves, it is probably too tight
Great look offered by Express. Pair the outfit with textured tights in a smaller herringbone pattern in a medium gray and open toe ankle boots. A cropped structure blazer will finish this fabulous festive look!
As winter approaches it is time for men to stock up on a few new wardrobe essentials. Emphasis as always should be for comfort, warmth, value and style! Remember that fashion trends come and go, but classic styles last forever. Men's classic items are generally include a suit, sports jacket, a white shirt and tie, a great pair of jeans and lastly a loafer or sorts.
1. Sweaters, also known as knits can be worn for warmth or looking polished. Choose basic colors with either a v-neck or crew neck that has a circular opening. Knits can be purchased in cashmere, cotton or warm fleece.
2.Duffle coats or better known as toggle coats offer an updated look. If your looking for a less trendy purchase stick to the classic double breasted coat in either camel, black or brown.
3 Jeans or khakis can be worn as a classic look, but also trendy. A well altered pair of dark jeans can be used for many wardrobe needs. Paired with a tweed or leather sport jacket and a suede shoe or boot offers diversity for most any occasion.
4. Button-down shirt is a dress shirt. Dress shirts can be dressed up with a suit and silk tie and dressed down with a pair of khakis or jeans. Button-down shirts are most versatile since it can be worn for work or social settings
5. Hats can be worn two ways fashionably through winter. The first should be the 1940's fedora with a brim or a cloth cap as a stylish alternative to keep off the rain. The other style provides warmth and protection from wind or snow. The most fashionable trend is knit cap or driving cap.
* Pair with black or other dark neutral like charcoal. A purple blouse under a dark suit looks great for work. * Punch up purple by wearing with eye-popping brights like grass green or lime. A purple sweater with a bright green scarf radiates personality. * Complement purple tones with purple eyeshadow, just keep the shadow very sheer and light (to-dark purple eyeshadow sometimes gives you a black eye look). * Play purple off of equally strong prints. A bright purple dress with zebra (black and white) print shoes is fun and funky.
1. Choose darker colors as the basis of your wardrobe: navy, black, charcoal gray. 2. Use undergarment foundations: from all-in-one shapers to control top pantyhose. 3. Focus on playing up your best features, for example showing off shapely legs with a knee-length skirt. 4. Choose fabrics that don't cling, avoiding stiff or bulky textures. 5. Use accessories to draw attention to your face: scarves, earrings, etc. 6. Avoid anything too tight or clingy. 7. Make sure you scale your accessories to your size -- from your handbag to your earrings. 8. Choose clean-lined clothing without big embellishment or buttons.
Here's how to add a bit of glitz without overdosing on the trend.
1. Start by incorporating small embellished items, such as a handbag into your wardrobe. 2. Make sure the embellishment is scaled to your figure. 3. Embellished jewelry looks best with streamlined, simple clothing. 4. In general, embellishment such as sequins, embroidery, trims and studs look classier on basic colors like black or white. 5. Make sure embellishment is used on or near a body part you want to call attention to: it draws the eye to it. 6. For maximum impact, wear just one embellished item at a time.
Tips:
1. Like most things in fashion, this is a fad. If you hate it, skip it. 2. Embellished items look dressier than plain ones, so save them for special occasions. 3. Embellishment makes items more difficult to care for -- beaded fringe fall off, embroidery gets pulls, etc. -- so account for high maintenance.
Wardrobe Consulting Partners With SRI Shoe Warehouse To Reward Facebook Fans Triangle’s Savvy Stylist To Offer Free Socks To Fans
Aug 02, 2010 – RALEIGH, N.C. – Suzanne Libfraind, president of Wardrobe Consulting (http://www.wardrobeconsulting.biz) and the Triangle’s savvy stylist, has announced that Wardrobe Consulting will award a free pair of socks from SRI Shoe Warehouse (http://www.srishoes.com) to the first 100 people who become a fan of Wardrobe Consulting on Facebook starting Monday, Aug. 2. Fans just need to visit the page and click “Like,” they will then receive a Facebook message confirmation instructing them to present photo identification at the SRI store at 6031 Oak Forest Drive in Raleigh to pick up their socks.
QUOTES: “I am excited about being able to educate and keep people updated through Facebook,” said Libfraind. “This promotion will encourage people to check out our page and learn more about the latest fashion tips and trends from Wardrobe Consulting.”
ABOUT WARDROBE CONSULTING: Wardrobe Consulting provides personalized image enhancement services for individuals and groups, including closet consultations, personal shopping, comprehensive style consulting, corporate image consulting and media consulting. Suzanne Libfraind, president of the firm, has more than 24 years of experience in the fashion industry and has worked with large corporations, small businesses, public figures, musicians and private individuals of all ages and professions. A sought after fashion expert, Libfraind has appeared as a featured style consultant and fashion commentator for numerous media outlets and currently appears as the weekly fashion contributor for “My Carolina Today,” a local, lifestyle show airing Monday through Friday on Media General’s WNCN-TV/NBC 17. For more information, visit http://www.wardrobeconsulting.biz.
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