Shopping tips after losing weight

Losing weight is usually a happy time for a Fashionista, until one realizes everything in the closet is way too big! Although this is a good problem to have, most peoples’ wallets are not too pleased about the problem. Aside from the expected expense of buying an entire new wardrobe, the tiresome task of doing some major shopping can not only seem time-consuming on paper, it can seem downright daunting.

Since buying a new, smaller size wardrobe is supposed to be fun, here is a checklist for making the most of your time and money while shopping for the new, small you!

Plan of attack: Before you hit the mall, you will need a plan of attack. 

1)      Check your budget. The last thing you want to do is go crazy at the mall and exceed your budget. Look at your monthly income and expenses and calculate your disposable income. If you fear it may not be enough, it is OK to take a small amount from your savings-as long as you do not “blow the wad” on your shopping trip. Just remember, the last thing you want to do is run up credit card debt.

2)      Take a day off work: Week-ends and evenings are the worst times to shop. The best time to shop is on a Tuesday or Wednesday when the stores open. So treat yourself to a day off from work and arrive at the mall when they unlock the doors. Not only will the mall be fairly empty, the sale associates will be well-rested and be able to give you individual attention since they will not be juggling week-end crowds.

3)      Wear comfortable shoes. As fabulous as wearing a new pair of dress shoes (men) or a pair of hot new Louboutin’s may seem, your feet will hurt and your shopping trip will be cut short. Go for flatter shoes that you could walk for miles in; literally.

4)      Wear clothing that is easy to take on and off. If you wear several layers that involve buttons, zippers and ties, you will get annoyed taking them on and off every time you want to try on clothes. Wear something light and easy to take on and off.

5)      To bring a friend or to not bring a friend, that is the question. This is an individual preference. Do you have a friend who will focus on YOU and not her boyfriend who is cheating on her? Pick your shopping buddy carefully. This day is all about YOU, so if you bring a friend, make sure s/he will concentrate on you and give you an honest opinion about what you try on. Do not bring more than one person with you if you decide to buddy up. Too many cooks. . .well, you know the saying!

6)      Get help! Sales Associates are more than happy to help you out. Make sure you explain that you have recently lost weight and are looking for a new wardrobe. Also, let him or her know about your budget so that s/he will suggest items you can actually afford. A Sales Associate will also help you get new sizes when you are half-dressed in the fitting room. So luxurious!

7)      Try everything on! Do not buy something because you think it is cute and you may be able to fit into it. Try everything on, especially since you may not know your current size. Also, take several sizes into the fitting room with you and do not be afraid to ask the sales associate to bring you new sizes. They will be more than happy to help you and trying on several sizes will help you discover your new “tag number range.”

8)      Do not concern yourself with the number on the tag. Every designer, brand, cut and style will fit differently. You might find yourself wearing size 10 Gap jeans, size 12 Bebe trousers and size 6 Ann Taylor khaki pants. The size means nothing; it is all about the fit.

9)      The Shopping List: This is the most important part of your trip. You need a skeleton wardrobe to start off your new small you, so make sure you do not impulse buy while you shop! Make a shopping list of items you know you live in and will need the most. Stick to buying basics the first time around such as jeans, black pants, a navy suit (men), little black dress (women) etc.

10)   Have fun! This is the new you and this shopping excursion is a celebration of how hard you worked to lose weight and how fabulous you are inside and out. Cheers and enjoy your new wardrobe!

Milan Fashion Week fall winter 2011/2012 recap

Milan Fashion Week ended today and has left Fashionistas everywhere with a glimpse of what may end up on store shelves for fall. The trends on the Milan runways differed slightly from what was seen on the New York runway a week ago. While New York showed a heavy vintage influence from the 1970’s and art deco periods, Milan delved into the 1980’s, 1970’s, 1960’s and Gothic eras.

The 1980’s popped up on several of the Milan runways with Dolce & Gabbana creating the most reminiscent collection of them all. Designers showed leggings under large tee-shirts, bright colors mixed together, slim menswear and baggy over tight. Disco worthy dresses also pranced down the runways at shows such as Gucci.

Milan continued the 1970’s trend which was a large part of the spring collections for fall 2011. There were wide leg trousers, long shoulder strap on handbags (Gucci and Roberto Cavalli) and long hemlines that nearly touched the floor.

Blumarine and Gianfranco Ferre both had different takes on the 1960’s trend. Bluemarine showed brightly colored and tonal ensembles while Gianfranco Ferre showed the softer side of the decade.

Roberto Cavalli brought the Gothic era to the Milan Fashion Week runways with dark and textured ensembles mixed with dark eye-makeup and a whimsical yet dark way of integrating leopard print into the fabrics.

To view the Prada fashion show please click here.

To highlights from the Gucci show, please click here.

It should be interesting to see which trends hit store shelves in the fall. Will the Cavalli bring back goth? The 1970’s are here to stay, at least for 2011; will they continue into spring 2012? Paris Fashion Week started on March 1, 2011. Let’s see what the city of Haute Couture brings to the runways. . .

New York Fashion Week fall winter 2011/2012 recap

New York Fashion Week ended yesterday and London begins today, but before London calls, New York Fashion Week has left us quite a bit to talk about. The week kicked off with a charitable red dress fashion show as part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign. The red dresses were modeled by celebrities and signaled more than just heart disease awareness; the red dresses gave the fashion world a glimpse of what was about to appear on the runways.

Red was everywhere. It did not seem to matter what type of collection a designer created. Whether the collection was art deco, vintage 1970’s or new-age 1980’s, there were splashes of red. Red was paired with everything from shades of brown, blended in with deep oranges and showed off on black/white ensembles. Fashionistas found that a single pair of red shoes or a red handbag could easily update a minimalism outfit from last year; with the addition of bold jewels of course. 

The decade of the week was the 1970’s. Everyone from Diesel Black Gold to MARC by Marc Jacobs showed 1970’s silhouettes on the runway. There were long hemlines, earth tone colors, long shoulder strap handbags, tassels, fringe, natural fabrics and floppy hats.

The art deco period and early 1900’s appeared on select runways including Marc Jacobs. There were vintage inspired column dresses, flapper fringe and the ever-popular Lady Bag.

Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein stayed true to their roots and went with minimalism. Ralph Lauren gave the fashion world a luxurious version with black ensembles made from decadent fabrics with hand stitched details. Calvin Klein fused space-age and new-age with minimalism lines. The Calvin Klein collection appeared rather bland at the end of the week when compared with the vibrant collections other designers showed on the runways.

It should be interesting to see which trends continue on the London, Paris and Milan catwalks. Will there be more red? Will the 1970’s continue with a vengeance? Will we start sneaking into speakeasies? Will the platform ever come back to earth? We shall see as the most important fashion weeks continue. . .