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Buying on a Budget
Shopping on a Budget Confession time… I don’t really have a budget. Well I do but it’s pretty loose and very flexible because it’s difficult to maintain the same spending patterns every week or month. $hit comes up, right? Earlier this year, I had to replace my all-season tires and buy a new washer & dryer in the same month! Plus I had booked a vacation in that month too. Talk about going over budget! I shop all over and buy from a varying array of brands, from low to high (ok, medium-high). I don’t worry about the label because no one sees it on the inside of my clothes.…
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Closet Cleaning
Closet Cleaning I set aside pretty much a whole morning or afternoon (3-4 hours) to do this. It seems like a long time but I try on almost everything, plus I use this time to put together new looks and consider new items that I may want to purchase to make or complete a look. And I have a lot of closets… It’s important to be organized. I have 3 piles on my bed to categorize my clothes: keep, toss, donate. But how do I decide what goes in each pile? Basic guidelines: If I haven’t worn it in a year or more, I consider getting rid of it. Alternatively,…
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Vacation Style
Vacation Style Previous Next Day Time For day time sight-seeing, I tend to stick to jean shorts with a tee or tank, or a light sun dress, paired with comfortable walking shoes (I’m a walker when I’m not at home). I’m generally not a sneakers girl (unless it’s raining or there is uneven terrain involved) so my walking shoes are usually Birkenstocks. Jeans shorts are a staple in any wardrobe and they are great for vacations. They can be matched with almost anything in terms of colour or print so get a little crazy with tops here! Plus they are generally inexpensive. I recommend a few pairs in varying shades…
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Fit & Alterations
Fit & Alterations For me personally, my size ranges from 12 to 16 (L to XL) depending on the garment, style and brand. But I don’t get too fussed about it. My goal is to find flattering classic styles. Fun fact: the difference in the measurement between waist size and hip size is approximately 12”. Meaning a 24” waist will have a 36” hip, give or take. I know this because I have a 14” difference from my waist to my hips so pretty much every pair of pants I own (jeans included), and even some skirts, needs to be cinched at the waist. My sister, instead, has the opposite…
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Dress with the Season
Dress With The Season Dress with the season refers to many things. Seasonality of fabrics: linen is strictly reserved for summer, while leather is usually a winter fabric. Seasonality of style: no cutoff sleeves in January unless layered under/over another garment. And one of my most sacred rules: pantyhose must be worn in the winter (October through March)! Dry goosebump-y legs are just not a cute look when it’s -20 degrees. Seasonality also applies to footwear, meaning no sandals during winter and no boots during summer. Why would you want to trap your feet and legs in socks and boots at +30 degrees? Spring/Summer Everyone’s favourite season! Myself included. Of…
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Shoes
Previous Next Shoes! Pumps. Key to a fashionista wardrobe. In as many colours as you can afford. I would suggest a minimum of a couple black and a couple nude for each season, so you can mix up the styles, as certain styles look better with pants (for example, pointed toe) and others with skirts or dresses (such as almond toe). Heel height is up to you – whatever is comfortable for you, or whatever level of discomfort you are willing to sustain. But please no kitten heels. They are currently making a comeback but they are just not my cup of tea. Seasonality: none. Pumps really can be worn year…
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Body Type & Size
Pear Narrower in the shoulders and wider in the hips and thighs, and often smaller in the chest. A-line skirts and dresses are your friend. So are straight-leg pants. Try to avoid skinny jeans/pants – they will create an ice-cream cone shape and accentuate the width of the hip. Another one to avoid: long sweaters, as they create a tent-like shape. Curvy Hour glass shaped – very defined waistline with wider hips and chest (booty and boobs to match). The good news here is that curvy seems to be “in style” as of late, and many brands tend to be friendlier to this figure. The bad news is that you…
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Basic Pieces
White Shirts & T-shirts White shirts & t-shirts are a staple in any wardrobe. I cannot tell you how many times I have struggled with an outfit and The White Tee came to the rescue. Because white is, well, white, you should have multiple options of varying styles/cuts for each season: long sleeve, short sleeve, mid-lengths, v-neck, embellished. I recommend the same for black tees, and then fill in with a few colours that complement your wardrobe. White shirts and t-shirts should be replaced often (at least annually) to avoid yellowing. Jeans The best and worst item in a wardrobe. Best because the right pair can make you feel like…