April 24th, 2009 Tags: alterations, clothing, customise
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
When a friend told me she’d thrown a pair of trousers away because the hem came un-stitched, I was shocked. So few people know how to do very basic sewing tasks, let alone make their own clothes, but actually, it’s very simple once you get the hang of it and you can dramatically lengthen the life of any garment with a few tricks!
Easy customising doesn’t even need a sewing machine. T-shirt fabrics, for example, can be cut up without fraying, so you can hack away at tees and jersey skirts as much as you like. Try changing the neckline or cutting the hem for this season’s cropped look. Roll up the offcuts into a spiral and you’ve got a rose corsage to pop on the front with a safety pin, or thread them with chunky beads for a Marni-esque necklace. Ad ribbons or straps or use old ties as belts. Just remember that the edges of jersey fabric will roll slightly so always be sparing with your cuts.
Read the rest of this entry »
April 17th, 2009 Tags: bags, hot accessory trends for summer, jewellery, shoes, tribal accessories
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
Editing a bags and accessory website means I have to keep a close eye on what is happening in the world of accessories from season to season (tough life huh?). As we leave behind winter once and for all and head into spring/summer, it is worth noting the trends you will be seeing so you can decide whether or not you want to incorporate these into your own wardrobe.
There is a definite tribal influence coming through and this will extend from footwear to bags to jewellery and even belts. Exotic skins or metallic fabrics were adorned with feathers, beads and fringed leather, giving these accessories a very tribal luxe feel.
While I imagine the exotic skin designer bags with fur trim are out of most of our grasps price-wise, the high street is definitely following suit on the beads, feathers and fringing. If you’re scared of getting this trend wrong, you shouldn’t be. You can easily incorporate it into your everyday wear by simply adding a pair of feather earrings or a chunky, beaded arm cuff.
Otherwise, if you’re feeling particularly energetic, head to a local craft store and stock up on beads and other bits and bobs so you can get creative making your own unique jewellery. An obi belt is also a fairly basic thing to make (you can get some more info on making one here but bring it into ’09 by wrapping skinny lengths of leather around the belt and adding a few beads onto the ends. Belts for the season are still mostly waist-cinching styles but we’re seeing more and more of the skinny width these days.
Read the rest of this entry »
April 17th, 2009 Tags: buying clothes on the internet, guide to online shopping, online retailers
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
Working at Catwalk Queen and The Bag Lady scouting out the best clothes, bags and accessories on offer, means I would consider myself something of an expert when it comes to online shopping. That, and the fact I do a lot of it in my spare time!
Online shopping (and online window shopping) is an extremely fun pastime, but also has its scary points too. You can’t physically pick up a garment, see the fabric up close, check whether the colour suits you or see what it looks like on your body. However, there is a lot to be said for shopping in the comfort of your own home and with the delivery and returns policies put in place by most retailers, you can rest assured you will be able to try and buy or try and return almost as easily as you would if you were actually in store. We’ve come up with a few things you should look out for when you’re shopping online, to ensure you get the best possible shopping experience all the while safeguarding your privacy.
Read the rest of this entry »
April 17th, 2009 Tags: accessories, bags, prolonging the life of your bags and shoes, shoes
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
Your accessories are the items in your wardrobe which generally get the most wear – and therefore, the most tear. Your handbag gets the shove-into-the-person-next-to-you treatment on the tube on the way to work every morning and I don’t even want to think about what your poor shoes go through on a day-to-day basis! Whether you spend a lot on ‘investment accessories’ (read: expensive ones) or stay true to the high street, looking after your bags and shoes will prolong their life and keep your overall appearance slick and tidy.
Read the rest of this entry »
April 16th, 2009 Tags: updating your look, wardrobe inspiration
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
You’ve spring cleaned your wardrobe and you’re getting excited for summer, yet you keep on wearing the same five things in your wardrobe over and over and feel like you’ve hit a slump. If you’re feeling unexcited by the clothes you own and are finding getting up and getting dressed every day feels like a chore, then it’s time to get yourself some wardrobe inspiration and kick-start a brand new you.
The best way to start is to form an ‘inspiration board’ like the top fashion designers do when they’re creating a new collection. Dig out old magazines, art books and travel brochures (or head to your local magazine outlet to purchase a few new ones) and cut out any pictures which catch your eye. Think about colours, shapes and textures that appeal to you, along with obvious things such as favourite outfits, hairstyles, makeup, style icons and so forth. Some of the best inspirational images come from street style bloggers online – have a look at a site like The Sartorialist for a start. Something as simple as a red flower in a scenery shot could challenge you to incorporate more red into your wardrobe or try a new lippie colour. Don’t think too much about this process, just go with your gut and rip, rip, rip (or print)!
Read the rest of this entry »
April 16th, 2009 Tags: fashion, spring clean your wardrobe
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
Spring has sprung and though you’ve probably heard this a hundred times before, there really has never been a more perfect time for a thorough wardrobe cleanout. Being in between seasons, it’s not hard to fathom wearing some of the, shall we say, skimpier items of clothing in your closet in a few months’ time, yet we bet you’re still giving your coats and woollies the occasional workout too.
The key to a successful wardrobe cleanout is to be brutal. No umm-ing and aah-ing allowed! Just get in, get out and be as ruthless as possible. If you can’t actually remember the last time you wore something, chances are you will probably not miss it if it’s no longer there.
Did you know most women wear only 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? One way to prepare for your big spring clean is to start hanging the clothes you’ve just worn (and washed) back up on one side of the rail – you’ll soon see what portion of your wardrobe is part of that 20%! As you go through the rest of the rail (and drawers), ask yourself honestly: “Will I ever wear this garment again?” If the answer is no, it can instantly go in the ‘off to the charity shop’ pile. You might also want to consider hosting a clothes swap party for you and your friends – pilfering great things from their wardrobes is a great way to keep you inspired about yours.
Read the rest of this entry »
April 9th, 2009 Tags: bathing suit, perfect swimsuit, swimsuit
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
Like jeans, swimsuits aren’t often going to be the favourite thing on your shopping list. Sometimes it feels like there could be nothing worse than squeezing your winter body into a bit of stretchy fabric and making a decision about whether or not it’s going to be a suitable choice in which to parade around in public! Learning the ins and outs of styles and fabrics definitely helps you in your quest for the perfect swimwear, as does learning which of these styles will suit your body type best.
Read the rest of this entry »
April 9th, 2009 Tags: Backpacking, carry-on luggage, Holidays, luggage, Overnight vacationers, travel, Weekender travellers
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
Picking luggage should really be a very easy process – head to a shopping centre or department store, select a colour to tickle your fancy, fork out a small fortune for a suitcase and – success! - the job is done. But we often forget to consider many factors which will make this little exercise a long-term investment rather than one you will just have to repeat again for your next holiday. Some of the things you may wish to consider are as follows:
How often do you travel? Once a year? Once a week?
Obviously, the more frequently you travel, the more resilient and sturdy your luggage will need to be to last the distance. Unfortunately, in the case of luggage, better quality usually – but not always - equals spending more. Better-made bags will have quality zips, sturdy wheels (look for rubber, recessed ones) and a durable yet lightweight frame (fibreglass is particularly good). The general rule here is spend as much as you can afford and you should get luggage that will be good to you in return. Make sure you get a warranty thrown in, too.
When you do go away, what is your most common holiday type? Overnight breaks in the country? Long weekends in European cities? Backpacking and adventure-seeking jaunts for weeks at a time?
Read the rest of this entry »
April 6th, 2009 Tags: clothes alteration, clothes mending
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
As little as thirty or forty years ago, girls would be taught the basics of sewing in school, or it would be passed down by their mothers and grandmothers. Now, with the onslaught of throwaway fashion, but also as a knock-on effect of the feminist movement, you’ll be lucky to learn how to sew on a button in home economics!
It’s a shame, as the best way to get clothes altered is to do it yourself. Simple jobs like hemming, taking in darts, adding new zips or letting out seams aren’t as difficult as you’d imagine, and it’s a real shame most of us have no idea how to begin.
But I’ll talk to you about sewing later! For now, you want to know how to get things altered, so here are some tips….
Read the rest of this entry »
April 6th, 2009 Tags: second-hand clothes, vintage clothes shopping
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »
Vintage shopping can be a bit of a minefield. For instance, when does something stop being second hand and start being vintage?! With some shops selling clothes from only a few years ago as ‘vintage’, it’s hard to know where to start.
That said, once you’ve delved into the world of second-hand chic, you’ll find it difficult to go back. But where to look, and what to buy?
If you’re really unsure, visit some specialist vintage shops first. These stores choose their collections really well, filtering out the tat to bring you a range of really good vintage pieces. However, you will pay a bit more for those ‘editing’ services, with most pieces costing the equivalent of a high street buy (more for vintage designer).
Once you’re more used to what’s out there and what works, it’s time to hit the charity shops. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just the big city shops that hold the gems – in fact smaller shops in tiny towns are far more likely to have bargains because the volunteers don’t recognise the labels. Great things to look for include hand-knit pieces (check if there’s a label), leather handbags, 1960s coats and items from reliably long-lasting brands. Avoid nylon, polyester and cheap fabrics, unless you are happy to get them dry-cleaned. Remember it’s easy enough to change buttons, hem trousers or polish leather, but not so easy to fix runs, sew on missing sequins or get rid of stains / smells!
Read the rest of this entry »
