Fashion Forward
Educated Spring Shopping
Springtime is my favorite time of year. Everything is super colorful and bright, the air is cleaner and the weather is a perfect blend of cool and warm. With the change of season, we often experience the “spring cleaning” mentality. This should be applied to your wardrobe as well.
Finding clothing that fits correctly will take some work. I feel fortunate that it’s my job to go to multiple designers/stores/outlets to find new and unique items. The average person doesn’t have that luxury – but we can all benefit from the stylist’s mentality. You will have to visit multiple stores and try many different clothes to figure out what you look best in. If you don’t, you’re just doomed to wearing the same ill-fitting clothes year after year.
1st – Look:
Take a look at what you already have in your wardrobe. I don’t believe in buying anything that you don’t necessarily need. Take into account your job, your activities, and whether your wardrobe reflects them appropriately. Be realistic with yourself. Having one pair of skinny jeans for workout inspiration is fine – having 5 pairs is too much. For those who live in a four season climate, anything you have not worn since April 2004 needs to be given away. Make sure you examine every shirt/sweater. If your white button down shirt looks grey and has sweat stains, throw it away. It’s a rag. Also, it’s a good way to check if light sweaters have been snagged or gotten holes since the last time you wore them.
2nd – Try:
Try on ALL your button down shirts and sweaters. They may be tighter than you remember. If you know you can lose the winter weight, keep them around. If the shirt is a SM and you’re an XL – don’t fool yourself.
Also, try on EVERY pair of pants/skirts currently in your wardrobe. If anything is too tight, give it away. If anything is too loose, take it to a tailor (every dry cleaner can do basic tailoring) for them to take it in. For an adjustment you’ll be spending a fraction of what a new article of clothing would cost. Any pants that are too short should be given away or taken to a tailor to be converted into capris/culottes.
3rd – Color Assessment:
If you own plenty of clothes in one color (black is a usual suspect), make sure to purchase NOTHING of that color when you go shopping. Try a color you’d never consider. Until two years ago, I didn’t even wear yellow or orange (don’t ask why, I have no clue).
4th – Budget:
While you may need a whole new wardrobe, most people can’t realistically afford to replace the entire thing. Remember, you didn’t buy your current wardrobe in one shot. It took years of collecting to get to the size it is. My advice is to shop piece by piece. When I first started working my mother taught me to purchase one work related article of clothing with each paycheck. By the end of my first year I had a decent wardrobe for work. Buy what you can afford, don’t go crazy and buy everything in one shot.
Hopefully this will help guide you on your 2006 spring shopping. Look out for my Spring 06 Trend and Style analysis – coming soon!
Arlene Shadesnyc
Arlene is a fashion stylist, event planner, and advertising executive. Contact her at shadesnyc@yahoo.com for all your editorial, advertising, and album packaging needs.
Message Arlene Shadesnyc and tell her what you think
By Arlene Shadesnyc on 3/13/2006
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[27 comments]
The 2-Way
27 comments
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posted by: acevac the don on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
do the damn thing Arlene….no more seein u in the A
posted by: tarheelnny on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
great, concise read.
valuable info! keep it up lil’ mama.
posted by: QT in da CHI on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Great info Shades!! You need to make this into a flyer and add this to our campaign literature!!VOTE FOR _______ dress for success!!
Keep schoolin’ them, hun…
posted by: Brooklychicalette2 on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Great job!!
Keep up the good work!
posted by: shadesnyc on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Thanks y’all!!!
posted by: WIN on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
I want you to style me when I get my bonus at work.. Always need more clothes, shoes and style (smile)
posted by: 770Princess on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Love it Mama… Now I need to make a trip to the tailor!
posted by: Quel on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Nice read. Anyone wear a size 6 gots lots of ‘hopefully I will fit these again jeans’ that I need to be giving away.
posted by: Deka Don on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
good advice luv. wait till you see this fela jacket I’m working on for the spring. the chics are gonna be after me muahahahhahaah
posted by: Jerry Barrow on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
YAY! go girl.
posted by: ab on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
arlene were you just shopping at ann taylor and macy’s tonight, monday march 13? i think i saw you!
posted by: arlene Pitterson on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
naw doll. that was not me lol
posted by: Kool on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
im sayin… i gets a style makeover when you come to my show?
:)
posted by: SeeLaH on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
I’m kinda mad that I didn’t read this sooner…I had an idea of how to clean out my closet but you’ve made my job easier. Good looking out…keep up all the good works.
posted by: RaeRae on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Great Read!!..
I am currently cleaning out my closets/drawers… True point on adding color!! (I have too many Black and White items)
Question??: I have a white leather “Wife Beater” style tank top - .. I found at a consignment shop!!! I have never worn it (had since 1998)..it is so cute and YES it still fits.. any suggestions!!!
posted by: arlene on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
wear the leather “wife beater” tank with either a pink, light blue/lavender, or white fitted turtleneck. if you are looking for something a bit more fashion forward, try a solid colored button down shirt with a decent sized shirttail so you can leave it untucked.
:-D
posted by: Bree on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Girl, you know since High School you have been my personal stylist. I’m so proud of you… Keep schooling them (that means me too)
Always,
Bree
posted by: Kimmie on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
YOU GO GIRL….
You been trying to diva-fy me for years and i’ve just been deaf…but i’m learning…me & my tailor are becoming really good friends!
miss you much!
MUAH
posted by: Lorrayne on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
ORANGE!!! YAY!!!
posted by: Quel on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Can you refer a good but inexpensive tailor (for my jeans)?
posted by: Quel on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Can you refer a good but inexpensive tailor (for my jeans)?
posted by: Jenn on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
I followed your advice and tossed all of my “grandma” sweaters. I am ready for Spring!!
posted by: Joy Tribble on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Just what I needed!
posted by: SocialButterfly on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Arlene…I know I am so dramatic but I almost cried when I read this. I am so proud of it and you know the editor in me has to comment on how wonderfully written it is! Keep it up honey…2006 is the year! Luv ya!
posted by: SELF PROCLAIMED SWAMPMONKEY BILL COSBY on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
ARLENE THAT WAS A NICE READ. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE ONE ABOUT DUDES TRYING TO FIT A XL STOMACH WITH MAN TITIES IN A SIZE SMALL. THANKS FOR SAVING THE WINTER FOR THE DUDES WITH MAN BOOBS.
JELLY SAY ‘THANK YOU’!!
posted by: Sweet G on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Great tips! BIG UP TO MS. SHADESNYC!
I need my own personal stylist.
hmmmmm…
(I’m hoping to shed a couple of pounds before tossing some stuff.)
posted by: KIM on 03/13/2006 at 9:54 am
Nice read mama..
i see you are invading the broadcasting age hard!
saw you on the silver screen.. ala Bloc Party!
big up!