following the trends just because...

so...are you wondering what the golden gate bridge has to do with my post? really...there is a connection... =)

today's fashion cycles are getting shorter and shorter...faster and faster...within every price range...there are more choices...more fads...and trends...that will come and go long before you can even redeem those membership reward points...women who get carried away by the constant "newness" in stores usually resort to bingeing...with little regard for what looks good on their bodies...or what styles go with the other pieces in their closets...

so what am i trying to say? don't be moved by such fashion distractions...don't let sales clerks dupe you into a garment that doesn't suit your taste...and more importantly...your figure...this means...you need to be crtain of what works on your body...you need to know what styles look terrific on you...and what type of pieces will show off those features whenever possible...by being brutally honest about what really works on your figure (remember...salespeople often work on commission)...you'll reflexively reject flash-in-the-pan fashion...

at any age...you'll want to acknowledge a fun or important seasonal look...just don't immerse yourself in the trend...seeing entire rafts of young and not-so-young women falling over themselves to catch the next trend...pink everything...cargo pants...bare midriffs...is just...well...too much...

instead...pick one or two current pieces that make sense within the context of what you already own...any faddish items you choose to own should pass a crucial price tag test...six-hundred dollar beaded flip-flops and two-thousand dollar floral bags may look swell...but such indulgences are likely to stay on your credit card bill far longer than they linger in the magazines...go for a less expensive non-designer rendition instead...spending the real money on items such as coats...dresses...jackets...or other pices that can be pressed into service every day...and are less likely to turn heads as "last year's" look...

so...the beautiful golden gate bridge...one of the the most beautiful sites to behold in our lovely city...when i was younger...and i was coveting something...there was always something...right? the words that would come out of my mouth...to my mamacita...would be..."but so-and so has it"...(believe me...my negotiating & debate skills are much better now)...to which she would "always"...yes always...reply..."if so-and-so jumped off the bridge...would you follow them?"

now...seriously...mamacita...of course not...but i have to laugh...because...it was really through that...that i started on my journey of becoming...and being my unique self...and not wearing what "so-and-so was wearing" but creating something that was "my own"...

fashion accounting 101...

as i was shopping with a girlfriend the other day...we got on the subject of a "good investment"...she was undecided on buying a dress that she absolutely loved...that was not on sale...so there i was...asking away the questions...to help her get to the answer of...was it a good buy for her to make?

when we got to her end result...she was more impressed with how we got there...then the actual answer...which then got me to thinking...there may be others that don't understand the easy fashion formula that should be used on purchases...

so...yes...i saw a blog post coming on...

i come across some clients who have a very limited budget when it comes to shopping...nothing wrong with that...i also have some that have no budget...that would not be me... =)

that being said...there are certain things i never skimp on...shoes...handbags...and the classic pieces that i know i won't be buying often...but need in the wardrobe...an example would be a black suit...or the perfect lbd (little black dress)...

so what don't i splurge on? very trendy pieces come to mind...something that i know i won't be wearing for years and years...

so based on all that information...here is the not so secret fashion formula...

take for example...you are eyeing a pair of shoes...good quality leather shoes...you can think of many occasions that you will wear them...and they are $250...at first glance...it seems the price is a bit steep...so...if you wear them two days a week for seven months out of the year...for three years...you are going to wear them 168 times...and let's say you get them resoled two times in that three year period for $50...the cost of the shoes is now $300

easy fashion formula: $300 divided by 168 wearings equals $1.79 per wearing...now that's a number that is doable...

keep in mind...the most expensive item in your closet is the one that hangs with the tags still on it...so whether you buy something on sale or full price...buy it knowing that you will be wearing it over and over...otherwise...it is best to pass it by...

men's corner: what style say you?

men...are you modern, trendy or updated traditional?

modern = your taste is current, but not flashy. your clothing makes a statement, but a subtle one. you always look polished, even when you don’t have to...

updated traditional = you like to look good, but don't let clothes get in your way. you appreciate quality, value and function. you take the basics and make them your own...

trendy = you like fashion, and you're not afraid to admit it. you see clothing as another visual medium — like art, architecture or film. so why not get creative?

i came across this lovely quiz from nordstrom.com to help you out!

tom julian who wrote a lovely book entitled "nordstrom guide to men's style" says the following...

"it's probably not hard to get you talking about your car, your phone, your home, or your golf clubs...for some reason though, many men have difficulty articulating when asked to describe their style...style is like fingerprints - no two people's are the same..

style can be hard to discuss and define, probably because great style involves a certain degree of effortlessness...but think of it this way: style is everywhere - in the cars we drive, in the music we listen to, in the phones we use...so when thought of as a series of design choices, not fashion for fashion's sake, style isn't intimidating at all...in fact, many of us derive pleasure from the latest new thing, whether it's an HDTV or a new pair of sneakers - and you can get that same kick from building your wardrobe...

it may be easier to think of style as lifestyle - not just the way you approach your clothes, but also the way you approach everything else...applying your life philosophy to the way you dress integrates your personality into your clothing and enables you to effortlessly adapt the contents of your closet from work to play to weekend."

well said tom julian!

so...do you know what style you are? take the quiz...and let me know...and as always...if you need help getting outfits together...i am here to help... =) it is what i do!



styles as listed in "nordstrom guide to men's style"

luxury = you enjoy being well put together. you appreciate the tradition, skill, and craftmanship involved in making and wearing tailored clothing. quality is important to you - you want to build a head-to-toe wardrobe that will last. you want to look good without your clothes shouting "look at me!" your clothing choices portray a quiet confidence...

classic = your wardrobe is a collection of great staples. you think about clothes in terms of what they can do for you. you don't want your clothing to get in your way. you appreciate quality, value, and function. you take the basics and make them your own...

contemporary = you have a modern approach to fashion, expressing your own personal style through your wardrobe - but you never say anything too off-the-wall. you want to be current but not flashy...

trend = you like fashion and you're not afraid to admit it. fashion is just another visual medium - like art or architecture or film - so why not stay on top of things? you are able to make edgy fashion choices look easy, hip, and cool. you're skilled at translating the runway into real life...