photo credit: www.jossandmain.com

I'm not sure when exactly it occurred... The addition of nonsensical symbols into popular culture (other than logos); fashion, home decor, you name it, it's all been branded with ever changing symbols that signify the beginning or end of a trend.

And it's GENIUS for the manufacturers and re-sellers and every little person down the line, because it means that once you buy your stag-head: pillows, throws, t-shirt, earrings, & candle holders,

photo credit: catherinelansfield.com

you have exactly 3-6 months before they powers-that-be turn and swap out the outdoorsy and proud stag motif, to something like... CHEVRONS!

photo credit: BuzzFeed

Screw you deer face pillow, we've moved onto graphic, symmetrical, and on trend inane chevrons! Now we will aaall notice who still is clutching onto the 2013 arrow trend,

photo credit: www.worldmarket.com

and make sure we shame them into buying the latest symbol of the on-trend shopper.

*Sigh* 
 
As someone who pays attention to the world around me, I am sensitive to trends and when to participate in them, but I certainly don't live and die by what's widely marketed in any particular moment.

Trends or the idea of being trendy, to me feels a little bit like old school playground dynamics rearing their ugly head in the adult world.



When you're choosing your own style, I feel like you should ask yourself if you like it because you've been told it's on trend, or if it actually represents who you are.

If you feel like you're a wide-leg trouser kinda girl with a plaid collared shirt tucked in and it happens to be skinny-jean and swampy-droopy knits mania; wear the trousers. If you really like how a cross-body bag looks on your frame, do it. It doesn't matter if it's on trend.

I think real style is the ability to have confidence in who you are and what you're wearing. 

Oooh, let's make confidence the next trend... Or, you can hop right into, what? Where are we now?

...Feathers?

photo credit: www.accessoriesmagazine.com

Ha.

Well then, wear whatcha like.

Xo.C.

In my 'About' page, I mention that I want to inspire women (or men!), to lovingly put together a wardrobe or style that you love. Inspire you to live a creative life that incorporates a style that is uniquely you.

There are many ways to do this and I will be rolling out a series of posts about how to figure out your personal style, if this is an area where you feel lost. But to start, I think I'd like to strip the idea down to your skivvies.

Whaaaat?!?

No, I don't want your naked pictures, it's a metaphor, stay with me guys...

Body image is such a fundamental part of how we dress and how we see ourselves in (and out) of our clothes. When you look in the mirror do you see sags, bumps, muffin-tops, and general imperfections? Or do you see a shape that has been hard won? A body that has maybe had kids, or been in an accident, or lines from years of stress & laughter?

Are you telling yourself that you shouldn't wear a sleeveless top because you have waggly underarms? Or you won't put on a stylin' hat because now you're standing out in a crowd when you'd rather blend in? 

Before we even put on one stitch of actual clothing we already have some serious ideas about what our bodies are or aren't allowed to be/do/look like/or project.

I have an issue with this.

We can't get dressed and expect to dig what we're doing in the world if our first thoughts of the day are gut-punches telling us we're not worthy to look a certain way.

Laaaaaaaame!

It is my loud opinion that we need to make friends with our bodies. Our bodies change, yes. We have kids and our tummies pooch out, get marked up, and maybe sag. Our metabolisms fluctuate. We have health concerns, like thyroid disease, that affect our weight. We used to work out, now we don't because we're too busy. We're old! We just got older. It happens.

This all doesn't mean we can't be cool with ourselves.

If you're happy with yourself, just as you are in this moment, you'll eat healthier, you'll get out and move more, you will want to shave those legs, wax that upper lip, and put on a smoking hot outfit juuuust because you are someone worth putting effort into.

A healthy lifestyle built on self-acceptance and not guilt or shame.

Who Knew?

Xo.C.  

Now, I'm assuming you read my last post about secondhand shopping, went right out, and had complete success! Right?!?

No?

Well, in the spirit of baby steps, I intentionally left out some lil' tidbits that are for the fierce secondhand shopper, so as not to overwhelm the newbie with too much information upfront. But that's not you, you like aaaaaall of the info. before conquering a new venture. So I bring you:



1. Save even more money! It's not being cheap, it's just plain ol' money savvy

There are actually three ways to save money at places like The Salvation Army and Value Village, they are as follows:

a) Bring a donation and receive a coupon for money or a percentage off of your next purchase
b) Ask the manager for a reduced price if you feel like the ticked price is too high

There really is no rhyme or reason to the pricing scheme at secondhand stores. If the pricing guy in the back room recognizes the brand, it's going to be far more expensive than if he/she has no idea of the value. I've seen used Tommy Hilfiger pants for $19.99 and a Betsey Johnson for $3.99. Which meeeeeans, there's some killer designer stuff for dirt cheap- treasure hunting, I'm tellin' ya!

c) Sign up for the store's promotional e-mails

Each store will inform you when their sales are going on, just make sure you get there early before it's been picked over. I recently did some shopping for a friend and found her a Banana Republic blazer on sale for $2. I had noted the same blazer the week before for $12.99. Score!

2. Don't give up on the ordinary because you're looking for brilliance

There are some seriously well made clothes out there that go unnoticed because some of us are passing them by in search of the holy grail of used clothing (perfectly preserved vintage wear, of course...). If you can keep an eye out for quality fabrics, you can find under-the-radar everyday staples made of 100% merino wool, cashmere, or linen, to name a few. Keep your eyes peeled, as my mom would say (eeew, right?!).

3. Don't be afraid to be creative

Re-envisioning used goods.This is a thrift store advanced skill. Maybe you find a killer cardigan that has a missing button, put it back? Nope! Ask for a discount and then take it home and buy new buttons. Done.What about a perfectly preserved vintage wool coat that is starting to disintegrate at the seams? Leave 'er behind? Nope again! Take it to your local seamstress and have them rebuild the seam work. Investing in used clothing requires the buyer to have an eye for potential as well as the knowledge of whether or not your investment in the garment is going to be worth the time and hassle. Like I said, an advanced skill.

And finally...!

3. Live a bug free life

Alright, bedbugs freak me out. Like, really freak me out. Nasty yes, but also incredibly hard to get rid of... So, isn't secondhand shopping risky?!?

The answer is yes and no. Lemme explain.

It's common sense for someone NOT to donate their clothing, bedding, or furniture while they are infested with bed-bugs, but that's not to say that someone wouldn't. So here's what I do to get around the issue:

I tie the plastic bag up tightly when I purchase clothes and immediately put them in the washer and dryer when I get home. It's the high-heat that kills off the little bastards, so wash and dry on hot. For items that cannot be put in the dryer, I've purchased a handheld steam cleaner ($45 at Sears) and I steam all clothes thoroughly the day they come into the house. I won't lie to you, I am super reluctant to purchase furniture, toss cushions, or bedding, it just seems unwise. And when I feel extra paranoid, I remind myself that the used clothing business is a huge industry, if bedbugs were a big deal and causing large scale grief, we would've heard about it.

On that happy and crawly note, I set you adrift in the vast and mighty ocean of used clothing. If you happen to get stuck knee deep in the sweat pants aisle, send out an S.O.S and I'll lovingly tow you back to the knit wear where you belong.

*smmmooch*

Xo.C.

                                                   (photo credit: Ryan McGuire)

1. Figure out how much time you have to spend looking and then prioritize your search

This is key to not getting overwhelmed by rack after rack of old clothing. If you have an hour, target the items you know you need. Like: jeans and work shirts, or Blazers and kids clothes. Pick two to three things you know you need and then go directly to those sections. Be a ninja shopper; go in for jeans, look at the jeans, walk out with jeans.

2.  Boldly put items in your cart to try on

Seriously, be bold!!! I think a lot of people go off the tracks when they hum & haw over a shirt or a dress; uuuuummm do I like it? Will it fit or look weird?? Is this purple or plum... hmmmm??? Ya. Just try it on. Zero to loose, everything to gain. Aisle contemplations are a huge time waster and you're denying yourself the absolute pleasure of a massive clothing failure. The next best thing to finding a total second-hand score, is trying on a colossal failure.

3. Try to stay focused on quality materials

This is harder than it sounds. When faced with row upon row of miscellaneous clothing gathered from decades of wear, there's bound to be some serious duds. Glittery and bedazzled fuzzy sweaters from the 80's, endless polyester pant suits, slinky and elastic-y 90's street wear, all piled high for your viewing pleasure; it's hard to stay focused on your shopping objective. Hell, I find myself pulling out some real treats thinking, "whaaaaaaat is this?!?". It's distracting and it pulls your attention away from the clothes that you would actually find interesting. And no, you will not wear the Alpaca-fur sweater with pearls tenderly sown onto the front in little star bursts, you just won't, so put back and find something awesome.

4. If you're easily intimidated while shopping try looking at the scarves, bags, coats, and shoes

Hop in the kiddie pool! These items are all very easy to navigate, unlike the densely packed jersey t-shirt aisle. Plus: coats, bags, and shoes are big ticket items, so you will feel extra warm and fuzzy when you nab a score. Scarves on the flip side, are the second-hand no brainer- easy to rifle through, cheap, and instantly upgrade an outfit.

5. If it doesn't look fresh in the store, you sure as hell won't wear it at home

Take a close look at the clothes you're buying when you're in the store. Are they nubly from too many washes? Are there pulls or tears in the fabric (that can't be easily fixed)? Does it smell weird (yes, when in doubt, I'm totally a garment sniffer)? Even if you find the most be-a-u-t-iful designer garment, if it's on the old looking side or smells like someone else's B.O, you're not going to wear it dude, leave it there. 

So friend, relax! Grab a latte and a good friend and cruise for some clothes. And don't forget to tell me about all about it!

Xo.C.