adenaDesigns Style Bulletin
STYLE BULLETIN
July 2014
 
Caution: Sale Ahead!  


 

Even while we're right in the middle of summer, I suspect that many of you have already been to some pre-Fall sales, or perhaps some summer blowout sales, and are girding yourselves for the back-to-school sale onslaught.  Truthfully, I think it's almost impossible to walk into a clothing store today that doesn't have some sort of sale going on. We're getting conditioned to expect a discount all the time - not that there's anything wrong with that - but the 'sale mentality' can wreak havoc with your closet and your budget if you're not careful. You may find yourself with a lot of 'great deals' and still have trouble putting outfits together.

This month's Style Bulletin has a few tips for negotiating the sale racks, and some for just your shopping health in general. Of course one of the better ways to manage your shopping instincts is to call on your wardrobe consultant for a little guidance.  If you find yourself in need of some tough love, please give me a call or an email.  I'm offering a Summer Special for any of your wardrobe needs, including purging, organizing and shopping: one half-hour free with every hour purchased.

Happy styling!

My first tip: "Pretend shop" on Pinterest, in catalogs or on-line stores. Leave it alone for a day or two until you've thought it through.

   
It might be a good idea if the above sign was posted at the entrance to every store with a sale in progress - at least you would be alerted to engage your best intentions before you entered the danger zone.  Whether you're shopping the sales or heading in to begin your seasonal shopping, here are a few tips to keep you on your toes so that you can minimize those shopping mistakes and only purchase those items that will truly work hard in your wardrobe.

The sales person is not your ally (usually).  This is not to disparage all sales people, because there are those rare persons who will actually be honest with you.  But let's face it - they are there to sell the merchandise.  Don't let yourself be sucked in by the enthusiasm of the store employee. You must be honest with yourself  - does it really fit properly and/or can it truly be altered to fit?  Does it flatter?  Will it work and play well with other items in my closet?  Sometimes it's helpful to take a friend with you, but again, she must be someone who will be brutally honest.  (Or as I mentioned above, enlist the help of your wardrobe consultant is someone whose vested interest is in making you look your very best. Shopping for clients is my business.)

Photo: Pinterest The sale racks should especially put you on alert. If an item didn't sell well initially, there's probably a good reason. Maybe there's something a bit off in how it's made - the armholes are a bit too small, or the other proportions aren't working well. Treat all sale items with suspicion. If it was such a great piece, how come there are so many left over?  That being said, you can sometimes find that particular item you've had your eye on and been waiting to go on sale. Likewise, the pre-season sales are all brand new merchandise. But, in any case, you must be armed with your shopping list to keep yourself focused and stay on track.

 

The tailor is your friend, but he/she's not a magician.

On the other hand, if you find a special item that you absolutely love, that will work well with the rest of your wardrobe but just needs a little tweak, your tailor may be able to help. Just remember that because of garment proportions, not everything can be successfully altered. A size up or down (depending on selvages and seaming) isn't usually too big of an issue. Trying to take a size 10 garment and fit it to a size 4 body, on the other hand, is pretty risky. 

 

Shop with intent.

The smartest shoppers check out retailers offerings on-line first, comparing pricing and availability with their shopping list (the most important thing to take with you when you hit the stores.) When you know a certain label fits you well, make a note of it so you can check them out first. Likewise, if you consistently have trouble with another label, don't even bother with it. Regardless of the price, it's not going to be worth your money or time.

 

Shopping wisely can take time and research. 
 

As always, if you'd like a little help,

I'm here! 

 

This N'That
I wrote a recent blog post called "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall", and talked about the ways that the mirror can be our friend, and also the ways the mirror is not our friend.  You can read the post here.  Tying in with those thoughts, a video by singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat recently made the rounds on social media  She was tired of always being photoshopped on her album covers and pressured to look 'perfect', so she wrote and sang a song about it. To me, she looks pretty both with and without makeup, but I think the over-riding point here is that all of the photoshopping that's done these days is putting pressure on young (and even not-so-young) women to try to achieve that 'perfect', virtually non-attainable, image. Nice job, Colbie!  "Take your make up off, Let your hair down. Take a breath, Look into the mirror, at yourself.Don't you like you? Cause I like you."  Click on the image to watch.


There are so many great 'lifehacks' out there today, and if you're on Pinterest you've probably got a lot of great ideas saved up for just the perfect time you need them.  I recently came across this great article on PopSugar that had 41 great organizational hacks, some related to wardrobe/closet, but many that were useful for other areas in our homes.  Take a look - you'll probably be so busy organizing yourself that you'll soon need someone to help you with your time-management. Lol!
Love this one: paint your keys with nail polish to distinguish what they go to.  Photo: Sarah Lipoff

This is great for those small items like earrings, plus ice cube trays stack so easily. Photo: Emily Co.


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I love helping out a good cause - the month of July you can donate your gently used men's and women's business attire to The National Suit Drive through Men's Wearhouse.  They'll even give you a $50 coupon to use on your next purchase, just for donating.  I'll make it a little easier for you - if you'd like me to come pick up your items and handle all the 'schlepping', I'm happy to do it and mail you your $50 coupon.  (This is for my local/Peninsula readers.) Just give me a call or an email.  
 
All my best to all of you!

Adena
 

 

Adena DiTonno 
415-729-1008 
 
www.adenadesigns.net


VP Marketing, Social Media & Website, 2014-2015
      AICI SFBA


Member Redwood City Chamber of Commerce
 


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WARDROBE SERVICES
*Wardrobe Consultation  *Closet Organization   *Special Occasion & Seasonal Shopping 
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*Speaker for your club, business or organization

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Office and general closet organization

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