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Monthly Archives: August 2018

Style Clinic, How to Run an a Swap and Shop Party, Ann Reinten, Image Innovators. Fashion Tips, Image Consultant Tools, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Online Training,

HOW TO ORGANIZE & RUN A SWAP & SHOP PARTY

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

We all have clothes sitting in our closets that we more than likely will never wear again. With trends always evolving, that polka dot dress you used to love and is now a closet orphan can be turned into someone else’s new favorite! While we seldom need an excuse to invite the besties over there’s never a better one than a Shop, Swap Party.

Send out the word and get everyone cracking cleaning out their closets and finding long lost style treasures to bring along.

Here’s my tips on how to organize and run a clothing swap party.

Invites

The first thing to start the process of your clothing swap party are invitations. Sending out invites at least two weeks prior to the date will give enough overhead time to prepare, a month before is also appropriate. It’ll give everyone time to clean out their closets and go through their goods. Limit the numbers to 5 to 10 people will help in not creating an overwhelming number of items plus it’ll keep everything organized. Creating a theme is also a fun alternative to just calling it a clothing swap party. Sip and Swap, Ladies Shop Swap Night, Swap and Sangria, there’s tons of unique names you can come up with!

Style Clinic, How to Run an a Swap and Shop Party, Ann Reinten, Image Innovators. Fashion Tips, Image Consultant Tools, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Online Training,

Set-up

Set-up and organization is key to show off a cool shopping environment. If you have garment racks and coat racks that’ll be a huge plus. They’ll enable you to be able to hang and group items together. Have a table display to neatly lay out jewelry and accessories. This will give your guests easy access and room to place the items they bring. Eliminating clutter is always the best way to throw a successful clothing swap party.

Create a fitting room area also helps and is great for our more inverted girlfriends. This stays with being organized and gives your party a fun shopping environment. Try to organize at least two full length mirrors to help when more than one person is trying on clothes.

You could even go the extra mile and set up a photo backdrop. This is easy, fun, and is always a hit with guests. There are many ways to create a back drop that fits the theme of your invitation. Think colors, balloons if needed, streamers, and anything else that comes to mind for your designated photo area.

Style Clinic, How to Run an a Swap and Shop Party, Ann Reinten, Image Innovators. Fashion Tips, Image Consultant Tools, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Online Training, Source

Food and Drink

When it comes to what food and beverages to serve, consider the clothes and accessories first, because you never want anything ruined from spills. Finger foods work best as well as non-greasy items. Be careful about liquids and types of alcohol, red wine is never a fun stain to remove. Keep your food area and clothes well away from each other. You can also make your party pot luck style which will make it easy on you with others bringing appetizers and drinks.

Style Clinic, How to Run an a Swap and Shop Party, Ann Reinten, Image Innovators. Fashion Tips, Image Consultant Tools, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Online Training, The Rules

Limit the number of items someone can bring. A minimum and maximum number of items helps maintain the chaos of stuff being all over the place. This also goes along with the shopping process to ensure everyone gets the right number of picks that are quality finds.

All items should be in good to great condition. Be sure to not that the items your guest are bringing are still of good quality. Nothing should be faded, tattered, or basically unwearable. Vintage is always great but to a certain extent.

Take turns shopping. To avoid craziness, draw names and distinguish an order of shoppers. Having someone pick one item at a time, this will help keep things moving in a timely manner. Have this flow going for a couple of rounds then move on to fittings. Fittings will determine if you’ll keep what you’ve picked, if the item doesn’t work then simply have it put back for others to shop.

Everything not swapped needs to be either taken home or you can opt to have a donation box handy which you can volunteer to take to the Op Shop.

Style Clinic, How to Run an a Swap and Shop Party, Ann Reinten, Image Innovators. Fashion Tips, Image Consultant Tools, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Online Training, Source

Shop, Swap, Donate

Once shopping and swapping is complete, gather up the items not claimed and donate them to local charity. Not only have you thrown a successful clothing swap party, but you also are doing it for a good cause!

Style Clinic, How to Run an a Swap and Shop Party, Ann Reinten, Image Innovators. Fashion Tips, Image Consultant Tools, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Online Training, source

Ann2015Blue

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Ann Reinten AICI CIP
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How to Manage Fashion Mishaps and Malfunctions, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

SNAP, CRACK, CRINGE: Fashion Emergency Kit

By | Fashion, How To..., Style Clinic, Wardrobe Savvy | 4 Comments


Ever been derailed by a fashion emergency or wardrobe malfunction at the most inopportune time?

I have and it’s a cringe-worthy experience. It even happened to me again this week when someone pointed out that the hanger strap of my top was peeping out of my neckline.

Perfect I thought! Inspiration from above to create a Style Clinic feature about fashion emergencies and what you need to tackle them head-on when they happen.  I’m creating two this weekend, one for my car and another for the office.

I’ve covered the most common wardrobe malfunctions which can be managed if we have the right tools handy. An emergency fashion kit would make a great gift for the person who has everything.

If you know of any I’ve left our please add them in the comments below.

Snagged

You’ve worn your beautiful fine wool sweater or linen pants for the first time and snagged it against a rough wall or caught it on something sharp. The result is an ugly thread hanging unceremoniously for all to see.

This is a quick and easy fix for this emergency if you have a Snag needle handy. I’ve had one of these in my bathroom draw for years and it’s going straight into my kit.

Snag needle, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Creeping Hems and Clingy Clothes

This is one of my all-time irritations. You leave the house looking great and by the time you arrive to the destination your outfit is full of static and creeping up and clinging to you like ivy. There are two solutions for this one; either use Statique Spray or hand cream.

Statique spray can be sprayed up under your dress or you can rub some hand cream over your hands and then rub it into your legs and or bare stomach. Both work a treat. Oh, and the most convenient hand cream will be a travel size sample you get from airlines or hotels.

Static Cling Fix, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Caught Underfoot

You’ve checked your outfit in the full-length mirror before you left home and given it the ‘A’ OK, in fact you think your pant outfit is pretty darn good and your new slingback sandals are cute as hell.  The day ahead looks bright until, something feels a little weird underfoot and you discover the hem of your pant is stuck under your foot. You pull it out, but it just keeps reoccurring. The day ahead is ruined with you forever being distracted by how you look and pulling your pant hem out of your show.

Google this issue and you’ll find thousands of people chatting about it but few good solutions. I also couldn’t find any good explanation to why it happens just lots of conjecture. I did however, find Slingbackers and they look promising. They come in black and clear. I’m ordering a pair today.

Slingbackers, how to fix the hem of pants getting caught underfoot, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Loopy Lou

Your big presentation is just about to start. You’re standing behind your host while he introduces in you. Your clients and colleagues are sitting there looking at you expectantly. Some are smiling, and others are looking a little weird, is that a smirk or maybe amusement? Is something wrong? You try to check yourself without looking to obvious – no, nothing you can see so you carry on.

Later the problem is revealed and worse still it’s in all the photos. Your hanger strap was hanging out of your dress armhole for all the world to see.

This one is easy to solve. You can cut if off but that may cause a problem when you hang the outfit if it has an usual neckline. The best strategy is to pin the loop down, inside your dress with a tiny gold safety pin.

Hanger Straps Hack, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Peek-a-Boo

If you’ve been blessed with ample breasts I’m sure they’re admired by many. But your girls may sometimes have an uncanny ability to make themselves seen at inopportune times, such as when bending over, peaking out between blouse button holes or escaping when you’re braless in a knock’em dead dress,

These issues all have a quick fix-it.

To cover your cleavage, you can use items like mock camisoles available from amazon and eBay in many colors and styles. For blouses which gape you can use Hollywood tape or breast buttons. And Hollywood tape can also be used to prevent nipple escapes when going braless in low cut necklines.

How to hide a bust, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Twist and Shout

Some straight skirts have an uncanny ability to twist around your body as you walk and if you’ve had the experienced it can definitely make you want to shout in frustration. Searching Google, I can’t find a clear answer for why this happens, but most believe it’s either carrying a bag at your side and/or a poor fitting waistband.

If you find this happening grab a medium sized safety pin or two and pin your skirt waistband on the inside to your knickers. It works like a dream.

Stop your skirt twisting, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Tatts be Gone

You’re out and suddenly must meet someone who won’t approve of your visible tattoo. No problem, Wundercover will hide your tattoo in seconds. Emergency avoided!

Hide Your Tattoo, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Whoops a Daisy

That darn bra strap keeps falling down your upper arm; it’s annoying and unsightly. There can be a few causes: your straps are too long and need shortening, the elasticity has gone, and you need to replace the bra, or your shoulders are very slopped.

In the first case simple stop by the ladies’ powder room and shorten the strap. For the other two again stop by the powder room and swap the straps so they lay diagonal over your back. This will instantly stop the problem – no tools required.

Stop Bra Straps Falling Down Arms, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Earring Droop and Lost Lugs

Our face is the central focus of our daily communication and as such our messages should come in clear and free from distraction. A missing earring or one that is hanging limply from your ear and looking as though it may fall out can have people concentrating more on what’s going on with your earring that what you’re saying.

Heavy earrings with tiny backs can cause earrings to drop on the ear rather than sit up in the correct position. Replacing a small clip with one with a large back will instantly improve your look and have the focus firmly back on your message.

Fix Earring Droop, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Dribble Draws

There’s a reason why royalty won’t eat certain foods in public and most of us will have been recipients of the results of food stains on our clothes. Not only is it an embarrassment at the time; we also risky a permanent stain the longer we leave it untreated. For this reason, an emergency kit should have a small pack of baby wipes. You can go the more expensive stain removal pads, but baby wipes are usually just as good and cheaper, I always carry a pack in my handbag.

Remove Stains on the go, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

You Pointing at Me?

It was warm when you left, and you have a light bra on, but the weather turned chilly and now your chest is the center of attention. Or, maybe like Miranda you though nothing could happen to expose your breasts? Consider yourself forewarned.

Nipple shields to the rescue, pop these little treasures on and your head lights will be turn off and any embarrassment from mishaps will be minimized.

Hide your nipples, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Dam that Desk

The underside of desks and cane chairs are among the worst offenders but there are many treacherous hazards in your day waiting to tear or ladder your hosiery. With a goal to get you at the worst possible time it’s best you’re ready with a spare pair of hose if the damage is visible and some clear nail polish to stop a ladder that’s above your hemline.

Hosiery Ladders and Snags, How to hide a bust, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

Blistering Hell

No kit is complete without sticking plaster for when the rub starts and blister pads for when a blister appears. Wearing new heels for the first time? Pop one in your bag – just in case. I always have these on hand when I go on vacation. My husband and I love to find trails and walk for hours on end and blisters can appear when you least expect them.

Blister pads

My Aching Feet

Last on my list is a pair of foldable flat slip-ons. There’s probably not a woman alive who has not hobbled home on feet screaming in agony. I’ve even resorted once to walking bare feet when I’d parked my car ten blocks away after entering the wrong inner-city carpark. Thankfully it was very late and those who spotted me were too drunk on alcohol or love to care.

Foldable footwear can be purchased online through many retailers.

Help for aching feet, How to hide a bust, Fashion fixes, emergency fashion kit, Ann Reinten, Style Clinic, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training, Image Consultant Resources

The Complete Kit

The kit contains the following:

  1. Snag needle - $5
  2. Statique spray or travel size tube of hand cream – $11
  3. Slingbackers - $10
  4. Safety pins (supermarket) -.20
  5. Hollywood tape - $8
  6. Mock camisoles - $4
  7. Blouse button pins - $17 
  8. Wundercover shields - $26 
  9. Large earring backs - $2.50
  10. Baby wipes (supermarket) – $2.50
  11. Nipple covers - $6
  12. Spare hosiery (Department store) – Approx $15
  13. Clear nail varnish (supermarket) – Approx $5
  14. Blister pads – $9
  15. Foldable flats - $15

Well, that’s about it.

I’m certain you’ll not want every item on the list and there’ll be other items you’ll think of and I’m looking forward to hearing about them. Oh and, please include a link as well for us.

Ann2015Blue

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author