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Monthly Archives: December 2014

after christmas shopping sales

GUIDE TO POST CHRISTMAS SALES & RETURNS

By | How To..., Shopping | 2 Comments

Christmas is both a fun, busy, and hectic season for everyone. All the gift shopping, holiday parties, and family reunions are all enough to make your head spin. Thankfully, the great company and quality time with your loved ones more than make up for all the holiday-induced stress. The other light at the end of the tunnel of the busy holidays are all the crazy deals and massive sales that start on Boxing day.

These sales for some an annual can’t miss activity with some even holding all-night vigils to ensure they are first in the door.  For others the sales can be overwhelming, intimidating and hard to navigate.  No problem – here’s a cheat sheet just for you. Use this as your guide for what to do and what not to do to be successful at scoring those deals and keeping your head cool and sane during the post Christmas sales season.

Avoid the crush

Timing

Save your beauty sleep. Lining up in the dark and the cold, it’s really only worth it if you want to get things like TVs and fridges, where they have limited quantities on sale.

It’s true there are masses of amazing sales on Boxing Day, but savvy shoppers can avoid the crush. Big stores have sale strategies to keep people in store, and they don’t put all the stock out on day one – so you can rely on offers right through January.

Online shopping keeps you sane and has the merit of allowing you to find garments easily, in your size and have them shipped to you.  

Shopping online for post Christmas sales can make you privy to special discounts retailers only offer on their websites. These online-only sales can often save you extensive amounts of money on certain products, and some retailers even offer free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount, which can result in even more savings. In addition, some deals may allow you to obtain a discount on a certain product when you purchase another product, which is perfect if you want to purchase several different items.

Make a Game Plan

  • Know what elements of style and color suit you best. This will prevent mistakes and disappointment and will definitely save you time during the Christmas sales . The best way to do this is to invest in a personal image consultation which will give you a sound platform of knowledge based on your size, shape and age. If you don’t have the money to spend on a professional My Private Stylist will ensure you purchase the right purchase and PretaStyler will find them for you.
  • Evaluate your current wardrobe. This will help you in knowing if there are any basic pieces you need, or any basics that are worn and need replacing. Knowing what you have and knowing what your upgrades you can make to your personal style is extremely important when shopping the sales.
  • Create list and set a budget. Determine what you want and how much you have to spend before you shop. Making a list will help keep you on track and prevent you buying something you’ll later regret.
  • Find all your loyalty cards. Especially if you’re buying up big, you wont want to miss out on any credits toward future purchases. 

Shopping

On the Day

  • Wear shopping friendly clothes. Avoid high heels, heavy coats, umbrellas, lots of layers, lots of buttons, zippers and belts and anything difficult to get on and off. Separates are by far and away the most efficient way to dress for quick changes.  
  • Wear attractive, well fitting underwear. We all feel self-conscious in those little rooms sometimes, with bright lights and big mirrors and with salespeople sticking their head in every few minutes without also seeing ourselves in ugly underwear. Also, wearing seamless underwear will make you look better when trying on clothes.
  • Take a notepad and smart phone. A note pad to write down the items you have placed on hold and what store there were in, you’ll be amazed how quickly you will forget where you left things on hold. This notepad will also come in handy if you’re on a budget and needing to compare prices between items and/or stores. Water to keep hydrated – shopping is hard work!
  • If you’re hitting offline stores use your smart phone to take photos of yourself in different outfits to better see and evaluate the styles and colors that look good on you.
  • Maintain your energy level. Drink plenty of water and remember to have lunch.
  • Keep your cool and polite. If you choose to go shopping at peak bargain times be prepared for long waits; be it for a parking spot, a fitting room or to purchase an item. Others are just as frustrated as you so this is the perfect time to exhibit some style in the way of courtesy and friendliness to other shoppers and retail staff.
  • Think of others.  Especially when it comes to how you leave the fitting room.  Pick those clothes up off the floor, place them back on the hangers and take them out with you – no one wants to step into a fitting room filled with clothes from the last occupant. 
  • Check the laundry instructions. A bargain can quickly turn into a dud if you can’t afford to clean a ‘dry clean only‘ item?
  • Ask yourself, should I spend that much? Consider the value of the item in terms of how much you will wear it. Garments/outfits such as basic pieces and everyday suits deserve more of your wardrobe dollars than high fashion or trendier items and things you will seldom wear.
  • Can it be dressed up and down? Will it co-ordinate with at least three other garments or outfits already in your wardrobe? Can it go from day to night? Consider the versatility of the item and weight that against its price and quality.
  • Think ‘outfit’ not ‘garment’. Buy all your accessories and coordinating pieces at the one time if at all possible or put them on hold. Waiting to come back later to purchase them is taking a big risk that they will still be there.
  • Organize for any alterations to be done immediately. In-store alterations are usually great value and good quality. Fit is the most important thing when it comes to style, so necessary alteration are an investment that will definitely pay off in dividends.

Be civil

13 Things to Yourself Before Handing Over Your Money.

  1. Does it fill a need in my wardrobe?Checking details
  2. Do I really love it and does it make me feel great?
  3. Does it fit my lifestyle?
  4. It is a classic piece (will last you for years)?
  5. It is well made and a good fabric?
  6. Does it go with at least three other items in my wardrobe?
  7. Is the quality consistent with the other things in my wardrobe?
  8. Do I now have to buy other items such as shoes so that I can wear it?
  9. Is good workmanship evident? Look at the seams, buttonholes and hemline.
  10. Can I look after it in the way that the label recommends?
  11. Do I like the style more than it likes me?
  12. Is this a long-life classic item, a medium-term fashionable garment or a short-lived fashion fad?
  13. Ask yourself: ‘do I love it madly or need it badly’ if the answer is no – put it back.’

Returning Gifts to Stores?

Here’s a great feature on how to go about it the best way.

fashion victim - how not to become one

FASHION VICTIM or FASHION FABULOUS

By | Fashion, Personal Style | No Comments

The term ‘fashion victim’ was coined by Oscar de la Renta to describe someone who is unable to identify commonly recognized boundaries of style. Giorgio Armani referred to it as “When a woman alters her look too much from season to season.

For anyone who loves fashion what accompanies the love is the potential to become a fashion victim. I love the constantly changing fashion scene and being presented with new and interesting looks which allow me to evolve my personal style while expanding and experimenting with my wardrobe choices.

Becoming a fashion victim is not something that will happen to you if, you take only from fashion what suits your personality and figure and wear things your way.

So in the spirit of being fashionably fabulous, here’s my take on what’s important to know:

To Thine Self Be True

Possessing a great look is first and foremost about feeling good when you look in the mirror. If you’ve ever had a friend cajole you into into wearing something that wasn’t ‘you’, you’d have experienced the discomfort it brings. Even if it looked great on your body, if the style did not gel with who you are (your style personality) it felt awkward and disconnected. In fact wearing any thing that isn’t you literally drains you of energy.

So, regardless if an item is the hottest must-have ever, if it’s not ‘you’ pass on it. There are always plenty of other trends to choose items from.

Also, You Personal Style is ever evolving and as you explore and discover your authentic style you’ll discover what an awesome journey it is, and the more original, fresh and happy you’ll be in your clothes.

Dodge Fashion Time Warps Personal style

It may have been ‘totally you’ and it’s served you well over the years, having paid for itself many times over but it’s 15 years old and when you wear, it you and it looks outdated. “But it’s retro – that’s in” I hear you say. That maybe true, but retro on the young looks cool but on those who have lived through the era it often looks dowdy and outdated. A style mantra to remember is ‘if you were young enough to wear it the first time you’re probably too old to wear it the second time round.Foundation garments

Strive to always wear clothes that are current they will show you are current and have a love of today.

Nail the Basics

These are the building blocks that create a stylish wardrobe and presence that will create the image you wish to portray to the world. If you skip over building a solid foundation, then your presence will be all flash and no substance.

Your foundation pieces are the real work horses of your wardrobe. So much so, that if you lost them it would severely debilitate your ability to create outfits that fit your lifestyle and aesthetic ideals. Foundation garments are primarily classic in nature and simply in design. Nailing these means ensuring you have the right quantity, in the best style for your figure and in the best quality you can afford.

Focus on Style, Not Price

Regardless of the designer name on the label, the price you paid or how ‘in’ the item is, if the style does not suit or fit, or the color is unflattering don’t go there. Fashion victims snap up the latest trends and wear them proudly, showing everyone that they know what’s in style. Meanwhile, those around them are thinking, “So you know what’s in style. But do you have a mirror?”

Conspicuous consumption isn’t stylish either, and raises questions regarding your sensibilities of what’s important. It shows social insecurity and turns more people off than it impresses. By focusing on what suits your personal style, figure, coloring and lifestyle you’ll be streets ahead in the style stakes.

Fight Fashion Frenzy

Wearing too much of anything is never a good idea, no matter what it is, but especially when it comes to fashion. Keep statement or trend pieces to one or two per outfit lest you be seen as a try-hard. Likewise buying garments that don’t go with anything just because they are ‘in’ begs the question why? You can get into a vicious circle of throwing good money after bad trying to make a bad purchase or an orphan item work.

Avoid Pinch, Pull, Tug

There’s nothing worse than knickers up your butt. It’s irritating, distracting and looks bad.

Your undergarments affect your overall appearance, and wearing the correct size will give you the level support and coverage you need. Badly fitting underwear causes unsightly bulges and the embarrassment of being caught in the act of liberating your knickers out of your butt . So throw away anything that is stretched or too tight, and have regular bra fittings. Unlike clothing, that is often vanity sized, lingerie is usually correctly sized and as a result will need to be larger than you expect. If the size on the label distresses you cut it off - I won’t tell.best_of_visible_pantylines-147

 Be Mindful of Your Age Limitations

You may still have a great body, but what age does your face say you are? A well dressed woman wears clothes that match her face. There are many trends that can easily be adapted to many ages and then there are some that should be left to the young. Thirtysomething designer Veronica Swanson Beard has got it right when she says “Dressing your age means feeling comfortable in your own skin and working with what you’ve got.” Working with what you’ve got, not what you had – is the key.

Obviously age inappropriate clothes worn by mature age women proclaim to the world that they are not coping well with aging, are gullible or lack self awareness. Dress to old and may you may be mistaken for an old maid or door mouse.

34201_conchitaYou’re Not Toothpaste

So don’t go squeezing yourself into, or out of anything that’s too small for you. Sizes were invented for the sole reason of identifying and fitting various body sizes, not as an ego boost so you can prove to yourself you’re still a size 10.

The simple truth is, if you wear clothes that are too small for you, you’ll end up looking heavier than you actually are, and that’s not stylish, attractive or comfortable. You’ll look much slimmer and appealing if you wear the right size for your figure. Blessed is Shapewear If your body is not as firm as it was but you wish to wear fitted garments, shapewear is the only way to go. Without it the sight is one of shake, wobble and roll.

Long gone are the days of iron and whalebone corsets or latex girdles. Today’s body shapers are comfortable, effective, and give a natural-looking shape and if you need any more convincing, know that over 80% of female celebrities wear them.

muffin-top-surgery

Want More? 15 of the worst street-style looks from Fashion Week 2014