I'm back. See what happens when I promise to do something? My little friend "Stubborn Procrastination" visits. But to tell you the truth, I was utterly uninspired to write, since things occupying my mind right now are not to be made public. But alas, today I'm back with a neutral topic, full of inspiration and creative juices!
Over the weekend I've been blessed with a visit from a close friend from Portland, with whom we were supposed to shop for stuff to make my apartment cozier. Instead, we spent the time shopping for clothes. Typical girlish behavior. But while helping her decide on stuff, I realized that I would make a very good personal shopper. As we all know, I excel at opinion, and constructive criticism (when asked.) Selling that would be a PERFECT job for me! This said, I will save all you faithful readers some money on my services and give out a few tips on how to buy things that won't end up in the back of your closet collecting dust. To score a good deal, ask yourself these questions before buying. Be HONEST. You probably hate when people lie to you. Why lie to yourself?!
1. Do I already own this?
Of course you don't already own exactly what you're holding in your hand, you're not stupid, right? But think about it hard. Is there a VERY close version of it in your closet? If it's the same style in a similar color palette, put it down! You really don't need two pale yellow pencil skirts with silver buttons in the front. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. But you really don't need two grey pencil skirts. One's enough. If the answer to this question is "yes," don't even bother taking an item into the fitting room. Save yourself some time.
2. Do I need this?
True, $7.99 might be a heck of a deal on an H&M t-shirt. But how many t-shirts do you already own? A penny saved is a penny earned. For $7.99 you can eat a nice lunch, buy two cups of coffee, or feed a kid somewhere abroad for a month. Or you can start a savings account. Gotta start with something, right? Why not this $7.99? If all of a sudden you realize that you already do own 15 turquoise t-shirts, put this one down and don't take it to the fitting room either.
3. Where would I wear this?
If you don't have an answer to this question you shouldn't be in the store in the first place. I'm going to assume that you are being good to your bank account and shopping for some specific place or event instead of just for the heck of it. "Just for the heck of it" shopping never leads to anything good... Trust me.
4. Does it fit me?
This question is tricky. Because technically anyone can squeeze themselves into a stretchy pair of leggings. "Can I squeeze myself into this" does not necessarily answer the question of fit. If you look like European sausage instead of a person, most likely the item on you does not FIT. Get a bigger size. Conversely, if you feel inspired to pretend you're a ghost and scare your kids... the item does not FIT. Get a smaller size.
5. Does it fit EVERYWHERE?
I'm sorry to disappoint you, but if the sweater you're trying on is an XS and your hands end halfway before the sleeve does, you are in the wrong store to buy sweaters. There being no smaller/bigger size is no excuse to purchase an item that doesn't fit perfect. Yes, there are tailors and all glamour magazines advise you to get one. But seriously, are you gonna? I have yet to find a person who was unable to find a store where things fit their body type. Whether it's Guess, H&M, or Fred Meyer, is a different case. But hey, to each his own!
6. Does the color look good on you?
This one is self-explanatory, but might require a second opinion. And please, please don't trust the sales-person on this. They are called that for a reason -- they're there to SELL you stuff. Ask a person trying stuff on next to you. Or the person you're with, who hopefully is a trusted friend who won't lie to you, and also possesses a great taste in clothing! You probably already know some colors that go well with your look. But don't be afraid to try new ones. It can cheer you up, if nothing else.
7. Does the style look good on you?
If you have no clue, seriously do consider hiring me... But assuming you are at least somewhat dressing-yourself conscious, be honest on this one. You might love A-line skirts, but if they make your legs look half the size they should be, A-line is probably not the style for you. If high-waste short skirts make you look like a giant baby who is only missing a binkie, avoid the trend!
8. Does it go with a lot of things you already own?
If you are having trouble putting the ornamented cardigan that hits your hips and has three buttons in the middle together with anything in the store... chances are there are only two things in the entire universe that you can wear it with. Even more likely is that those two things aren't in your closet. Save yourself the headache, and don't buy stuff that requires extra effort to match up with anything.
9. Will the material stay the same after washing/wearing?
Some items tend to come out of the washer... deformed. Don't buy a sweater that will shrink or get those little balls of wool on it after its first night out. That shouldn't happen if you're taking care of the item the right way. Most of the time you can tell just by looking at the item in the store, or reading the content label.
10. Is the item easy to care for?
Did it wrinkle just from traveling from the hanger to the fitting room? There is nothing that looks less put together than a wrinkled skirt. Investing in a better quality material is probably well worth the embarrassment of looking like a mess. Is the item dry-clean only? That's not the worst scenario if its one of those that will only need a couple visits to the dry cleaner a year. A worse scenario would be a "wash separately with like colors on warm on the night that the full moon coincides with Friday the 13th on years that end with a 7." O.K., I get carried away again. But seriously. If the color of a skirt is bright orange with blue flowers, picking out "like colors" might be a problem. Check that tag.
11. Is the item worth the price?
A black dress that can be worn to church, work, date, or dinner is probably well worth the money. But a grey t-shirt shouldn't cost any more than $10.00. Trust me on this. I'm no cheapskate in clothes (we all know I've recently almost shelled out bank for a pair of Lanvin flats.) And I did go through my phase of $80.00 t-shirts, realizing at the end that they fade/stretch/wear out just as fast, if not sooner, than the ones from Ross I've purchased for $5.99.
12. Do I have the money?
If there's a toss-up between rent and a pair of Prada boots, I say go with rent. But seriously, don't buy it if you can't afford it. No matter how well it fits, how good it looks, or how much it's worth. You lived fine without this item up until this point, right? You'll do fine without it later as well.
13. If you bought the item, don't take the tags off!
I've said this before and I'll keep repeating it again and again. Sleep on it. Don't take the tag off until you're ready to wear the item. Unless it's your wedding dress, return the item if it's close to the return deadline and it still has the tag attached to it. If you haven't worn it within 30 days, you'll NEVER wear it.
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fashion. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Faith Revived
A miracle has happened. Or I really REALLY want to believe that it happened. I am now an owner of comfortable flats. Just like "fashion in Seattle," that notion has been a paradox for me for many years. I am a lucky owner of a few pairs of heels that I can wear comfortably for days at a time. (Ok, that's a slight exhageration... but I can at least get through a day in the office in them without major pain.) Comfortable flats on the other hand.... I have almost stopped believing in the notion. But my friend Nordstrom revived the faith.
My first experience with flats happened about five years ago, when after searching far and wide I finally settled on a pretty pair of brockaded Nine Wests. They were made of hard leather, which didn't stop me from getting them, because my hope was that they'd expand, just like the pumps that I got from Nine West did. Those 6 1/2 stillettos (I'm a solid 8 in pretty much all other brands) were the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned. And I absolutely killed them to a point of no repair. Another reason to get those flats were my favorite sandals. Also made by Nine West, those babies have served me faithfully for seven years. That's right. I've owned only one pair of black sandals for seven years, and I do not wish to part with them anytime soon. Granted, I've spent more on repairs than on the shoes themselves, but they are worth every penny. No surprise then that Nine West was a promising investment for flats as well. But I was mistaken. The leather was so hard that only an elephant would've expanded it, and probably only after twenty years of wearing them on a daily basis. The shoes have collected dust on my rack for three years. (Would anyone like to buy a pair of beautiful brockade Nine West flats?)
Next up -- a pretty black pair purchased for a good price in a boutique in Riga, Latvia. They were comfortable enough. More so than the elephant brockades. And I've absolutely worn them out, despite the fact that the sole was made out of wood, which gave me calluses, and the leather was man-made, to which my feet did not react in a good way. They were great, but not to the point of wearing them day in and day out without damage to my poor toes and the area which the "expandable" top hit. My feet looked like they had round zippers on them after I took the shoes off. Needless to say, I kept up the search.
My next attempt at comfort was also a pair from my friend Nordstrom. (One that today I'll attempt to return.) Hypothetically so comfortable that I was gonna get them in three different colors, they were a hidden torture. Hidden because the pain was caused by nothing predictable. Their shape just didnt mesh with my foot. The tracktion of my knuckles against the leather caused scrapes both on the knuckles and the shoe! It was the kind of pain that you can't bear -- the annoying, burn-like sensation that was made only worse with an addition of a bandaid. I couldn't SIT in the shoes, much less walk around. They were kept in the office for emergencies only -- like unexpected meetings with the public. The rest of the time I lived in flip-flops (I mean.... Sandals with a strap....)
Well, my trip to Latvia is coming up, and low and behold I realized that the aforementioned flip flops might not due there in the beginning of fall. Walking is the primary means of commute back in the mother country. And even though a lot of girls bravely trott about in four-inch heels, I'm just not up to par to handle that on the streets of old town paved with hand-made brick. (Did I mention the city's 800 years old?) So out I went again yesterday in search of comfortable flats.
I almost hit a jackpot with a pair of gold Seychelles on sale at Nordstrom Rack for $30.00 (wouldn't that have been nice...) But upon acquisition of the second shoe, it became apparent that only one foot feels comfortable in them. And not comfortable enough for long-term walking either. Another attempt was made at Ross, where, I thought it was a sure thing, a pair of burgundy flats with a buckle would satisfy my lust for comfort for a mere $21.99. But comfort is elusive, and upon return to my office and clearing of my head (and walking around for 20 minutes) it was evident that those shoes were not it.
After some research online, I found a blog on comfortable flats that raved about the ones from Lanvin. Not quite being at that point in the morning, by the end of the night I was just about ready to hand over $550.00 for comfort and design. But low and behold, Barneys did not carry my size in the magic color that went with everything. (Literally. I'm not kidding. Go check them out. The color seriously goes with EVERYTHING.) My friend Nordstrom, on the other hand, did not have the magic color. But to see my size I still tried the Lanvins on. Were they comfortable? No.
Knowing his product, and ready to wipe desperation off my face, the wonderful "Daniel" next opened a box with THEM. He claimed there is no flat that gets more comfortable than the beautiful creation he held so gently in his hands. After a day of trying on footwear that felt like chains, slipping into these felt like slipping into slippers at the end of a long, difficult day. The chemistry was there from the get-go. The price was less than half of the promising but non-delivering Lanvins. It was meant to be. I got them.
And I'm happy. Granted, I wasn't planning to spend that much on flats. But if these babies hold up and deliver what they promise, I will never regret the investment. So far I've walked up the hill to the bus stop in them (twice... forgot the coffee at home), and have not taken them off in the office for almost three hours. I'm still trying to feel out where they hurt. But the fact that it's difficult to determine leaves me with hope. My faith in a comfortable flat has been revived! And if I live through my trip in them... Well, i just might have to get a second pair!
My first experience with flats happened about five years ago, when after searching far and wide I finally settled on a pretty pair of brockaded Nine Wests. They were made of hard leather, which didn't stop me from getting them, because my hope was that they'd expand, just like the pumps that I got from Nine West did. Those 6 1/2 stillettos (I'm a solid 8 in pretty much all other brands) were the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned. And I absolutely killed them to a point of no repair. Another reason to get those flats were my favorite sandals. Also made by Nine West, those babies have served me faithfully for seven years. That's right. I've owned only one pair of black sandals for seven years, and I do not wish to part with them anytime soon. Granted, I've spent more on repairs than on the shoes themselves, but they are worth every penny. No surprise then that Nine West was a promising investment for flats as well. But I was mistaken. The leather was so hard that only an elephant would've expanded it, and probably only after twenty years of wearing them on a daily basis. The shoes have collected dust on my rack for three years. (Would anyone like to buy a pair of beautiful brockade Nine West flats?)
Next up -- a pretty black pair purchased for a good price in a boutique in Riga, Latvia. They were comfortable enough. More so than the elephant brockades. And I've absolutely worn them out, despite the fact that the sole was made out of wood, which gave me calluses, and the leather was man-made, to which my feet did not react in a good way. They were great, but not to the point of wearing them day in and day out without damage to my poor toes and the area which the "expandable" top hit. My feet looked like they had round zippers on them after I took the shoes off. Needless to say, I kept up the search.
My next attempt at comfort was also a pair from my friend Nordstrom. (One that today I'll attempt to return.) Hypothetically so comfortable that I was gonna get them in three different colors, they were a hidden torture. Hidden because the pain was caused by nothing predictable. Their shape just didnt mesh with my foot. The tracktion of my knuckles against the leather caused scrapes both on the knuckles and the shoe! It was the kind of pain that you can't bear -- the annoying, burn-like sensation that was made only worse with an addition of a bandaid. I couldn't SIT in the shoes, much less walk around. They were kept in the office for emergencies only -- like unexpected meetings with the public. The rest of the time I lived in flip-flops (I mean.... Sandals with a strap....)
Well, my trip to Latvia is coming up, and low and behold I realized that the aforementioned flip flops might not due there in the beginning of fall. Walking is the primary means of commute back in the mother country. And even though a lot of girls bravely trott about in four-inch heels, I'm just not up to par to handle that on the streets of old town paved with hand-made brick. (Did I mention the city's 800 years old?) So out I went again yesterday in search of comfortable flats.
I almost hit a jackpot with a pair of gold Seychelles on sale at Nordstrom Rack for $30.00 (wouldn't that have been nice...) But upon acquisition of the second shoe, it became apparent that only one foot feels comfortable in them. And not comfortable enough for long-term walking either. Another attempt was made at Ross, where, I thought it was a sure thing, a pair of burgundy flats with a buckle would satisfy my lust for comfort for a mere $21.99. But comfort is elusive, and upon return to my office and clearing of my head (and walking around for 20 minutes) it was evident that those shoes were not it.
After some research online, I found a blog on comfortable flats that raved about the ones from Lanvin. Not quite being at that point in the morning, by the end of the night I was just about ready to hand over $550.00 for comfort and design. But low and behold, Barneys did not carry my size in the magic color that went with everything. (Literally. I'm not kidding. Go check them out. The color seriously goes with EVERYTHING.) My friend Nordstrom, on the other hand, did not have the magic color. But to see my size I still tried the Lanvins on. Were they comfortable? No.
Knowing his product, and ready to wipe desperation off my face, the wonderful "Daniel" next opened a box with THEM. He claimed there is no flat that gets more comfortable than the beautiful creation he held so gently in his hands. After a day of trying on footwear that felt like chains, slipping into these felt like slipping into slippers at the end of a long, difficult day. The chemistry was there from the get-go. The price was less than half of the promising but non-delivering Lanvins. It was meant to be. I got them.
And I'm happy. Granted, I wasn't planning to spend that much on flats. But if these babies hold up and deliver what they promise, I will never regret the investment. So far I've walked up the hill to the bus stop in them (twice... forgot the coffee at home), and have not taken them off in the office for almost three hours. I'm still trying to feel out where they hurt. But the fact that it's difficult to determine leaves me with hope. My faith in a comfortable flat has been revived! And if I live through my trip in them... Well, i just might have to get a second pair!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I'm BACK!
After a weeks' worth of silence, I'm finally back! This long absence is due to my stupid habit of procrastination -- don't get me wrong, not procrastination to write on here. This blog is probably the highlight of my day every time I steal a minute to write. What I was procrastinating on is a project at work. But I made the mistake of promising myself that I won't write on any personal sites until I'm done with that project. Well, today I finally get my long awaited reward!
I always thought that if I begin posting, most of it is going to be on fashion. But it's been two months and a fashion post is amiss. Maybe it's because "Fashion in Seattle" is still a paradox, despite the dedicated efforts of the three design schools in the city and a small chapter of Fashion Group International. Yes, fashionable specimens can still be sighted on the streets of this energetic city. But they are few and far between. And usually not from Seattle.
But I get carried away. This is supposed to be yet another rant about something that is not going right in my life. Namely, it's been two years since I've started trying to find a basic tan (but I'll settle for brown) trenchish jacket, all in vain. I have an extreme necessity for it, especially during times of travel (my departure date is this Sunday.) What I'm looking for is so simple, that nobody makes it! It has to work both with dresses and jeans, so it can't be too long. It has to be made out of a material that's rain proof. And it has to fit.
So far I've found the stores in Seattle to carry the following:
#1.
My perfect coat in numerous colors other than tan or brown. You'd think that the merchandisers would have enough common sense to get a coat in grey, green, AND tan. But no. We've got yellow, red, purple, turquoise, indescribable... just no tan or brown.
#2.
A tan coat that's structured to fit a person with no curves in the chest area, but a large curve in the abdominal area. And no, I was not in the maternity section. Along the same lines, I've found many coats constructed to fit a board. So far the luck has been that if it fits in the waist I can't zip it up, but if it fits in the chest, I look like I'm about to give birth (NOT the case!). Similarly, I've found many coats for people whose hands apparently end at their upper hips. And once again... no, I was not trying coats on in the petite section
#3.
A tan coat that fits perfectly. And is made out of suede. (Seriously? in SEATTLE?)
#4. A tan coat that fits perfectly and is made out of rain-proof material. But is either a little long, (as in hits midway between hip and knee) or a little short (as in ends right below your chest.)
So here's a free business idea for all aspiring and established designers. Get some common sense and make a simple, versatile, tan, water-proof, normal length half-trench that fits! You'll be a millionaire!
http://www.imeem.com/sinna/music/zfrHMi6H/tony-dize-quizas-salsa-version/
I always thought that if I begin posting, most of it is going to be on fashion. But it's been two months and a fashion post is amiss. Maybe it's because "Fashion in Seattle" is still a paradox, despite the dedicated efforts of the three design schools in the city and a small chapter of Fashion Group International. Yes, fashionable specimens can still be sighted on the streets of this energetic city. But they are few and far between. And usually not from Seattle.
But I get carried away. This is supposed to be yet another rant about something that is not going right in my life. Namely, it's been two years since I've started trying to find a basic tan (but I'll settle for brown) trenchish jacket, all in vain. I have an extreme necessity for it, especially during times of travel (my departure date is this Sunday.) What I'm looking for is so simple, that nobody makes it! It has to work both with dresses and jeans, so it can't be too long. It has to be made out of a material that's rain proof. And it has to fit.
So far I've found the stores in Seattle to carry the following:
#1.
My perfect coat in numerous colors other than tan or brown. You'd think that the merchandisers would have enough common sense to get a coat in grey, green, AND tan. But no. We've got yellow, red, purple, turquoise, indescribable... just no tan or brown.
#2.
A tan coat that's structured to fit a person with no curves in the chest area, but a large curve in the abdominal area. And no, I was not in the maternity section. Along the same lines, I've found many coats constructed to fit a board. So far the luck has been that if it fits in the waist I can't zip it up, but if it fits in the chest, I look like I'm about to give birth (NOT the case!). Similarly, I've found many coats for people whose hands apparently end at their upper hips. And once again... no, I was not trying coats on in the petite section
#3.
A tan coat that fits perfectly. And is made out of suede. (Seriously? in SEATTLE?)
#4. A tan coat that fits perfectly and is made out of rain-proof material. But is either a little long, (as in hits midway between hip and knee) or a little short (as in ends right below your chest.)
So here's a free business idea for all aspiring and established designers. Get some common sense and make a simple, versatile, tan, water-proof, normal length half-trench that fits! You'll be a millionaire!
http://www.imeem.com/sinna/music/zfrHMi6H/tony-dize-quizas-salsa-version/
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