Dreaming of warmer weather

If  you live anywhere in the mid-atlantic, you probably are really wishing it was summer about now (like I am).  Well here come the sandals! Check out these cute ones from Target for $24.99.  They have great ratings and this color will go with a lot this spring and summer.  Once the warm weather hits, wear them with jeans and a lightweight knit top.    What do you think? Are you ready for spring weather??

Splurge!

Ok, so you’ve been good right? You deserve a little treat.  Maybe you’ve gotten a tax refund and you don’t want to put it ALL in savings.  If you are looking for a great splurge,  think about investing in a nice handbag.  Check out this gorgeous leather handbag by MICHAEL Michael Kors, $348 from Nordstrom.  It comes in 4 colors, but I think this Luggage color is great for a year round bag–it matches everything!

What have you splurged on recently?  Will you spend part of your tax refund on part of your new Spring wardrobe? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Spring Trend to Wear Now: Bright Colored Cardigans

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been itching for some warm weather.  Well, too bad for us, it’s still awhile away.  However, you can preview all the new Spring clothes popping up in the stores right now.   One trend I am loving this spring is brightly colored cardigans. The best part about this trend is that you can wear them now!

Here’s how to wear it:

Casual–over a ribbed tank with your favorite jeans and boots.

Business Casual–over a thin tee and khaki pants, paired with casual flats.

Business–over a button down with some slacks, with pumps.

Out–Over a sequined tank with skinny jeans and patent pumps.

Here are some bright colored cardigans already out in stores.  What do you think? Do you have one already? Will you be buying a new one this spring?

1.  Old Navy, $26.50, on sale for $20.00. Available in 6 solids and 10 patterns.

2. Ann Taylor Loft, $39.50. Available in 7 solid colors.

3. Target, $19.99. Available in 6 solid colors.

4. Nordstrom, $39.00. Available in 10 solid colors.

Black Friday Shopping

Hello Fashionistas!

I want to tell you a little bit about my favorite holiday–BLACK FRIDAY! It’s called “Black Friday” because it is typically the day the retailers move from the red into the black with their profits.  What does this mean for us? SALES SALES AND MORE SALES!

If it’s your first time, be sure you are prepared.  The black friday shoppers are crazy!  Make sure you have a game plan going in, and I guarantee you it is much more enjoyable with a friend or family member.  Here are some tips:

1.  Make a list of items you want to get on Black Friday.

2. On Thanksgiving, get the paper.  It’s full of all the ads.  Also, check out black friday websites, such as http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com, who already has a lot of the ads posted.

3.  Look through the ads for things on your list at the best deals.  Write down the stores you want to go to, what time they open, and what part of town they are in.  Group together stores that are close to each other.

4.  If the item you want most is on a ridiculous deal somewhere, make that the store you goto first.  Then, list the stores you want to goto in order based on proximity to each other and how many things you want to get from each store.

5. Get gifts for people, but get stuff for yourself, too!!

If you are looking for clothes, I’ve scouted out a few deals thanks to http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/

1. Mossimo Ultrasoft Sweaters for $8.99.  I scoped these out at the store to see if they are worth the deal, and they ARE!  If you are looking for sweaters, I’d definitely check these out.

2. Entire stock of jeans at Old Navy for $15.

3. Kohl’s will have Apt 9 Cashmere sweaters for just $34.99.

 

There will be plenty of other great deals, so have fun and take advantage of them. Post in the comments if you plan on going shopping that day, and if so, what do you plan on buying?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Fall Find of The Week

It’s finally getting cold out,  so every girl needs a great chic jacket in their wardrobe.  Target has this jacket in this indigo blue color, as well as light blue, white, and black.  It’s a cotton blend coat, so just enough to keep you warm in brisk fall weather, but not too heavy at all.  The belt will help define your waist, and the color (if you get the indigo) will really help brighten any outfit.  And at $39.99…you can’t go wrong!

Shop the Basics: V Neck Sweaters

Now that the fall fashions are out in full force, it’s time to make sure your basics are completely stocked up.  I talked here about the important of good basics, and V-neck sweaters are on my list.

I love V Neck sweaters because you can wear them so many different ways!

-Under a blazer

-Over a button down

-With Jeans or Cords

-With Slacks

-With skirts

What’s better, is that a v-neck elongates your body, making you look taller and leaner.  With so many different colors and styles out there, its hard to decide what is best.  My recommendation is to go with a light weight fabric, so you can layer it different ways and wear it more year-round.

Here are some of my favorites, all under $40 each!

Clockwise from top left (all available in multiple colors, click link for more colors):

1. Pima cotton v-neck sweater, Ann Taylor Loft, $39.50, sale $24.50

2. Luxe sweater (nylon, acrylic and angora), Gap, $39.50

3.  Cotton V, Oldnavy, $25, Sale $20

4. Ultrasoft Nylon/Rayon Vneck, Target, $17.99

5. Cotton/Rayon/Nylon blend Vneck sweater, JCPenney, $30, Sale $17.99

6. Merino V Neck, The Limited, $39.50

You’re So Vain

Have you ever gone into a specialty store, and when you go into the dressing room, get excited when you had to go DOWN a size?  And what about if you have to go up one? I bet most of you all reading this REFUSE, and won’t even try the next size up on!

Well I’m going to let you in on a little retailing secret.  Most retailers use something called “vanity sizing”.  The concept is simple: make everything bigger than the standard, and women will come back because they are one or two sizes smaller in your store.  And if they shop at a store afterwards that has standard sizing, they will have a negative view of that store because they are “fatter” in it.  It’s a sad, manipulative game that some retailers play…but it works.  There has been some discussion about standardizing the sizing in the women’s industry (much like men’s clothes), but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

So here’s the deal ladies…..you are going to be a different size in every store.  But here are some guidlelines to make the overwhelming guessing game a little easier:

1.  First, make a list of what size you are in each brand and keep it with you.  This will take some of the guesswork out of it when you go shopping.

2.  Remember that each CUT of clothing is going to fit slightly different…same goes for different fabrics.  A general rule is that you should take in one size up and down into the dressing room with you, especially when trying on pants.

3.  Understanding juniors clothes versus misses clothes is crucial to avoiding a fitting room meltdown.  If the sizes are odd sizes (1, 3, 5, etc) or are half sizes (1/2, 3/4, 5/6) they are juniors clothes, and are designed to fit a teenager’s body.  This means that if you are past puberty and have curves, you will more than likely not fit into the clothes the way you want.  This is true unless you are one of these women, and then, I just can’t help you.  Misses sizes are even sizes, (2, 4, 6, 8).  Stick with these and you’ll suffer less in the fitting room.

4.  Lastly, don’t get mad at a store because you are a bigger size there.  Just remember, that store isn’t trying to “trick” you into buying their clothes.  And also, you didn’t gain 20 lbs when you walked into that store.  And if it really bothers you…cut the size tag out.

What stores do you shop in where the size scale frustrates you?  Did you know about “vanity sizing”? Do you think they should standardize sizing in women’s wear, just like they did in men’s?

Rip off VS Knock Off

I was at the mall yesterday and saw these at Banana Republic for $98:

Look familiar?  They look almost exactly like my new favorite pair of flats I picked up at Payless and posted about here, which I got for $22.99.  That’s a savings of $75!!!

Also, if you like this flat but would rather have it in leather, Bakers has a similar shoe in leather for $29.99.

I am just thrilled that I got such a good deal on these shoes.  Nothing feels better than knowing you saved money!

Here’s the skinny

Skinny belts are a great basic item to have in your closet.  Not only can they be functional by wearing them with pants, but they are a great way to add some interest to your outfit when worn over a jacket, blousey top, dress, cardigan, or sweater.

Also, ladies who are top-heavy: belting a billowy top is a great way to accomodate your assets while still showing off your waist.

One tip to all ladies: don’t tighten the belt too much, or else you risk having belt induced muffin-top!!

Here are some cheap skinny belts for your shopping pleasure…all under $6!!

Do you wear skinny belts? Tell me how or send me photos at smartstyletips@gmail.com.

Amazon.com, $4.95

Forever 21, $4.80

Tabeez.com, $5.40

Smart Style Tip: Denim in the Office

Lucky for us, it is now acceptable to wear denim to the office, if not every day, then usually at least Fridays.  However, it is important to dress appropriately, even if denim is deemed “okay” in your office.  There are a few general rules to follow that applies to both men and women:

1.  Stick with dark denim–it’s dressier.

2.  The cut is important.  A well fitting pair of jeans is key—bagginess or jeans that are skin tight do not look professional.

3. Keep the look simple, don’t do distressed or embellished denim.

4.  Wear with a dressier top (no tanks or tees unless under a blazer) and dressy casual shoes (no athletic shoes).

I’ve matched up a couple of outfits below.  The most important thing is to look professional, but still be comfortable!  Most of your tops you wear to the office during the week can easily be transitioned into your casual Friday look.

Are you allowed to wear denim to the office? If so, how do you usually wear it?  Leave a comment and let me know!

For women:

1.  A cute knit top with some interesting details.  City Stretch Ruffle Top, $29.95, New York and Company.

2.  Trouser cut, dark wash jeans.  Flirt Trouser Jeans in Rinse, $34.50, Old Navy.

3.  Cute heels. Mossimo Vonnie Pumps in Caramel, $29.95 (and BOGO!), Target.

For Men:

3. Casual button down shirt.  Twill Button-Pocket Shirt, $20, Old Navy.

4.  Dark Rinse, Boot Cut Jeans. Unionbay Boulder Slim Bootcut Jeans, $29.99, Khol’s.

5. Casual and comfortable slip-on shoes.  RSVP Kirk in Black, $38.81, 6pm.com.