How to: Tie a Scarf, Take 2

This lovely little video comes to you courtesy of YouTube via Wendy's Lookbook Channel. If you don't Wendy then you should. She's got a huge online following and presence and has tons of videos with neat tips and tricks for all your fashion and makeup needs.

While this video certainly has some overlap with the one posted previously, I like that hers allows you to click on individual thumbnails of particular looks at the end of the video. Plus, she offers more ways than a handful of styles.

Hopefully you take some time and learn a few of these new styles to freshen up your own look.

Image(s) courtesy of YouTube.com

How to: Tie a Scarf, Take 1

This video comes to you via YouTube and via ModCloth's channel. It's a slower pace video with a nice collection of different ways to tie your scarf. The movements are clear and precise and shouldn't leave you guessing. Stay tuned for ANOTHER video in a day or two with even more ways to tie your scarf. Hopefully this helps set you up for the chilly days that are most certainly still in our future.

Image(s) courtesy of YouTube.com

How-To Series: Stay Stylish When Your Weight Fluctuates

There is a never-ending war being waged between women and food. As a result, we bounce between 5 to 10 pound weight gains and loses all the time. Our constant yo-yoing forces us to scold the pastries for being so delicious while we begrudgingly attempt to eat all our greens. Why can't vegetables taste more like cake? I don't think I'm asking too much here!
...but I digress.

Amen Cookie Monster.

With our eternal cycle of being up and down in weight, getting dressed in the morning can be a bit tricky. "Tight" is rarely flattering and jeans are usually the first sign you've added some bulk when you find yourself on your back, lying on the bed armed with pliers so you can get the button buttoned and zipper up. (note for the fellas: there's a reason your girlfriend/wife has a pair of "fat pants" in the closet. We all do! They're our "in case of serious weight gain" emergency pants. Get over it). Just because things are feeling a bit small doesn't mean you need to suffer back-fat and muffin tops. There's not even a need to buy a whole new wardrobe. You probably already own a few of the items that work best (aka still fit) when you seesaw in size.

The Blazer. The structure of the jacket will hide your sides and front (when buttoned) while the overall style keeps you looking sharp and put together. Look for a two-button design whose lowest button meets just underneath your natural waistline. It will bring in your waist to help create an hourglass shape.

Stylist Tip: wear a flowy top underneath. The extra volume will hide your midsection.

The Shirtdress. Always a classic and a wardrobe staple. The length should be at a universally flattering length (at the knee, just above the knee, or just below the knee) and you should be able to create a loose or tight hourglass shape by belting at the waist.

Stylist Tip: don't be afraid to switch out the belt that comes with the dress for one with texture or color or both!

The Legging. The elastic waistband and stretchy materials will conform to your body when you're at your lightest and heaviest but always be super comfy. Keep your upper half in business-appropriate tops and jackets and you're good for work.

Stylist Tip: look for leggings with the construction details of pants (back pockets, fly front, and scoop pockets) and in thicker fabrics- they look more polished than those that you just pull on.

The Jersey Knit Dress. Designer Rachel Pally is known for her high quality fabrics, and beautiful, easy cuts. For our purposes, I choose a printed, empire waist dress because prints are distracting and will keep the eye moving. The empire waist will drape in a way to hide any belly bulge. Both are key elements to derision when you're feeling a little inflated.

Stylist Tip: when it gets colder, throw on your leggings, boots, and a jacket as long as the dress and you're golden!

The Tunic. A perfect topper to complete a look made from leggings and a blazer. The length should hide your bum to keep you decent and the stomach should either be hidden underneath the folds of fabric (like the example below) or be billowy enough to do the same thing. For a voluminous top, use a blazer to control the volume so you don't lose your shape entirely and wind up looking bigger on top than you are. That would be counter productive.

Stylist Tip: avoid tunics in materials that cling to your body instead of drape a/o skim. This example clings in the hips but has enough fabric to create bulge-hiding folds. The folds stack up on top of each other to create the illusion of a flat tummy. 

All these items should be in your closet. If they're not, start a shopping list. Having them means you're prepared (and well armed) should you wake up tomorrow morning feeling...not your best. And on your thinner days, use them as concealers for when you want to really chow down and enjoy some good food. A little visual manipulation goes a long way in war. Now if only someone could force broccoli to surrender and let the desserts take over...

Image(s) courtesy of google image search, nordstrom.com, chicos.com, and nordstrom.com

How to Dress Well When You're Feeling Fat

You can't sit there and tell me you've never felt fat. You just can't. Guys, same thing. We ALL have felt fat at one point or another, regardless if it's true or not. Considering I have been in this bloated bubble myself the last few days I figured I would do myself- and you- a favor and discuss easy ways to dress stylishly when your figure feels fuller than usual. It's times like these that I'm thankful for being a stylist in the bay area as we're still in the trend of drape-y tops, skinny bottoms, and soft sweaters- key pieces to solving this particular gut-busting problem.

It's hard to work around your own fatheaded funk and see your closet as an area with potential to make you feel great when all you see is your gut. Ladies, here are a few looks to prevent the plump from showing:

The interesting use of draping in this otherwise simple tank skims the body without hugging it and also hangs perfectly around the middle, hiding any bulges below.

A dress with interesting details (like the wrapping detail on the bodice) distracts the eye from any "problem areas". Plus, the sewn-in waist gives you shape with the soft folds in the skirt providing additional tummy security.

A shirtwaist dress is never a bad idea. The A-line draws the eye out along the hips making your waist look that much slimmer. (Think Kate Middleton at her wedding...her hips were padded!)

Don't forget, a standard go-to outfit for any fat day is leggings and a tunic. You've got the best of both worlds: comfort and coverage.

Guys, you're a little bit trickier. You don't have fun flowy tops or dresses available to help you with any belly bloat that can appear. So, how do we fix that? Easy! Use what you (more than likely) already have and, as a general rule, stay away form hoodies. There are more stylish ways to hide the chub:

Start with a simple T. If it's a little big, that's ok! It should hug you in the shoulders and across your chest and drape in the middle.

Don't be afraid of sweaters. The vertical closure in the front brings in your shape while at the time hiding any bulge and visually cutting your torso in half, making you appear slimmer.

Another sweater option if you really just can't get into cardigans. The key with any sweater is body SKIMMING, not body HUGGING. The structured shirt underneath in this example also adds a touch of volume to hide your own personal bulk.

Hopefully I've given you a little more confidence the next time you face your closet feeling like you need to "trim the fat" (and it doesn't relate to an over abundance of clothes).

Image(s) courtesy of google image search

How To Series: How to Prevent Hanger "Bumps"

9You know, in the shoulder!

Have you ever woken up in the morning, excited to wear that new sweater only to pull it off the hanger and see that it sprouted wings over night? And some days if it isn't a flying sweater it's a pointy blouse? Solving clothing conundrums should be in a stylists' bag of tricks and Beyond Black has got a solution up our sleeves. There are actually a couple of ways to help keep your clothing grounded and more appropriately rounded to your shoulder.

No-Pucks, nifty hanger attachments available for both wire and plastic hangers.

If you've got a closet filled with traditional plastic hangers, or even a stack of dry cleaning wire ones, these little "hanger accessories" are available to slope your hangers into an appropriate shape. Snapping them on essentially helps shape your hanger into a softer, curved angle meant to mirror the natural slope of your shoulders. Hangers with the more abrupt and angular shape make for more profound angel wings. 

How No-Pucks looks once attached to a wire hanger

The best way to capitalize on what you already own would be to buy an accessory that improves it, much like the No-Pucks. Then again, if you want your hanger to work for you, all the time, without an attachment, a thicker hanger will also work.

You should remember to match the weight of the item to the thickness of the hanger. If you have more coats and jackets, make sure your biggest hangers are reserved for them. The smaller strapped tops will do just fine on thinner hangers.

Of course, there is a back-end issue here as well: once you've fixed the hanger problem, how do you keep the shirt on? Those nice wooden hangers are quite slippery and unless you're hanging a crew neck, everything else is going to fall right off. The good news, The Container Store has you covered. (and on a totally separate side note, I LOVE the Container Store! Go visit one and you'll find out why).

Fuzzy strips keep shirts from slipping off

Only $1.99, these hanger strips are self-adhesive and will not only keep the shirt from slipping, it will also help hold it in place over the slope, thus further ensuring your shirts remains the proper shape.

Whichever direction you decide to go, each offers a perfectly good solution. Your clothes shouldn't be flying away anytime soon.

Image(s) courtesy of containerstore.com and hangerproducts.com

"Thou Shalt Not Endure Mom Butt"- Our SF Indie Fashion Interview

When popular online resource SF Indie Fashion contacted us to help put together a denim buying guide, I thought YES! Now there's a tool I know most women would definitely benefit from. How many of us have looked at those neatly stacked squares of jeans and found them threatening? Digging for your size alone is an act of futility as no matter how hard you try those darn things tumble off and wind up in a mess on the floor. Plus, who knows if you even get the right style or fit and have to go back in for round two.

Needless to say I was thrilled (I'm even doing a little jig right now) to put some of our experiences onto paper as our heads are practically bursting with clandestine clothing knowledge from years spent as personal shoppers and wardrobe stylists.  It felt great to get that information out there, in a readily available and formidable fashion resource like SFIF*.

There's nothing like working with other people in the fashion industry who equally share your enthusiasm for sartorial problem solving.  They came armed with a list of queries ranging from how to pick the right pair of skinnies- now considered a staple in your closet- to butt pocket adornments and affordable denim options. Hopefully this guide with help everyone assuage any future denim debacles. Even in a city as seemingly laissez-faire as San Francisco, thou shalt not endure "mom butt", muffin top, or butt cracks.

To read the full article and check out SF Indie Fashion, click here.

*If you're not already, get acquainted with SF Indie Fashion. I've been following their tweets now for sometime and if you ever want up-to-the-minute San Francisco Indie Fashion information, start following their sartorial shout-outs immediately. They offer an insight into the independent fashion scene of SF, an area we in the industry value as it's what sets us apart from LA and NY.

How To Series: How to Keep Your Blue Jeans Blue

Whenever I'm on the sales floor working as a personal shopper I hear various women reiterating the same questions and concerns about clothing. How is this supposed to fit? Where was this made? How do I hide my tummy/legs/arms/bust? Truth be told, even we humble stylists ask ourselves those same questions when we shop. Before even considering something for the dressing room my next question is inevitably, "What are the care instructions?". Okay, first it might be "How much is this thing anyway?" but the other is a close second! One of the perks about having someone like me in your pocket is we are filled with useful information that is otherwise not so readily available online. Years in school and walking the floor has prepped us for anything. So here's a blog dedicated to answering the number one question I still get today: how do I wash my jeans? Actually, it's a blog to answer the small caveat often attached to that question: How do I keep the color from fading?

some faded blues and greys at jawn.mikevitoroulis.net

(To be clear, I do know how to properly wash jeans and you can click here for a full article I did with SF Indie Fashion. It not only goes into the care of denim but also how to shop for that perfect pair.)

So how DO you keep jeans from fading? The answer is actually quite simple and easily found online: vinegar. However, what I know, and what isn't so accessible on the internet, is WHY you need to use vinegar to help set the dye. As a resource on fabric properties or "home made" cleaning remedies I continually use Fabric Reference, Fourth Edition, by Mary Humphries. Quite possibly the fabric bible short of a swatch kit. It provided all the information about the dye used in jeans, how the jeans are dyed and what that means. How vinegar is involved will be understood in a sec.
 

No fancy vinegars needed. A plain, white one will do the trick.

First things first, the dye used to color jeans is called "indigo". Traditionally used to make blue jeans that familiar blue, indigo is a vat dye. A vat dye is a dye that is insoluble in water, meaning it won't bleed in water. However, in order to be applied to cellulose fibers (like the cotton in denim and most natural fibers which are porous) indigo must first be made soluble in an alkaline bath. Once in the bath, the dye is taken in by the fibers. When it is removed from the bath, the dye oxidizes and sets in the fiber as an insoluble color.

textilelibrary.blogspot.com

Why then would it fade with several washings if the dye is set? Because the dye is always weaker and susceptible to coming off (crocking) in any washing machine with base, or alkaline, conditions. Vinegar is an acid, the opposite of alkaline, and a good combatant at preventing color-loss with vat dyed products. Using a little bit in your machine prevents the water from becoming alkaline and further removing the color from your jeans. It's just an extra precaution you can take to ensure your true blues stay saturated.

a lot of jeans at zcolyer.blogspot.com

How much vinegar you should use varies on the blogs and internet from a 1/4 of a cup to a full cup. My best suggestion is take Vinegarbook.net's advice and do a 50/50 solution of a water and vinegar bath for 10-15 minutes before washing. Afterwards, proceed to wash your jeans as per my instructions in the SF Indie Fashion blog. You can also try adding a quarter cup to a full cup of vinegar to your machine before laundering with regular detergent. The main idea I gather is that the vinegar needs to be added before any other product is introduced. And though I have yet to try this solution out myself, the process should help keep our jeans dark and our rumps practically pickled to perfection in a nice, dark denim.

Image(s) courtesy of Google Image Search

How To Series: How to Care for A Wool Suit

This one goes out to all the guys in the audience. I'm sure most of you, if not all of you, own a nice wool suit. (If you don't, go out and get one immediately because it's a staple to your closet!) The one thing I'm guessing is that not one of you knows how to properly care for it. If you've been throwing it in the wash* or dry-cleaning it regularly, you're doing a great disservice to your clothes.

shop.com

Rule number one, and the one you might find most surprising, your suit only needs to be dry-cleaned about twice a year. Extensive cleaning, on any garment not just suits, wears the fibers down reducing their strength and luster.

Rule 2: After wearing, dust the suit off and remove food stains with a stiff, wool bristle brush. There are great websites offering menswear accessories that are both functional and attractive.

3-for-1! Great for traveling. vavraitaly.com

Rule 3: Be sure to brush the suit lengthwise. This is in tune with the direction (weave) of the threads and won't break them. It's similar to shaving in the direction of your facial hair to avoid ingrown hairs.

Rule 4: Hang your suit on a contoured hanger to maintain the shape of the shoulders. Make sure it's also thick enough to hold the weight of both pieces of your suit. Use the clamp hanger for your pants, which should be hung upside down to hold the crease through the center of the leg.

Look for cedar hangers, another 2-for-1: cedar is the best wood to keep closets/clothes fresh and free of moths

Rule 5: Always store suits uncovered (more breathable) and away from direct heat (this one's fairly obvious, no?)

Rule 6: Try to let your suit "hang out" for at least 24 hours before and after wearing. This allows the wrinkles time to fall out and helps the suit keep its shape. 

I kinda want one of these! A great idea: suit valet

If you want a more detailed account of how to care for your suit, go here or here. Either site is an excellent resource for information. There's even an entire section devoted to shoe care!

--Happy cleaning guys!--

 
* As a general rule, your suit should never be submerged in water.


hanger image(s) courtesy of google product search

How To Series: How to Waterproof Your Shoes

One of the greatest lessons I've learned since being a personal shopper and stylist is to take care of the shoes you wear. I am constantly on my feet, moving from the city streets to the store floor so my shoes- and for that matter my feet- can take a real beating. It helps to make sure that my footwear is well taken care of. One trick is to prevent them from taking on unnecessary damage from the elements, such as water.

fashion.elle.com

I should probably mention first that water doesn't actually "damage" leather, per say. Mostly it just stains it. The damage comes when your leather item, like shoes, has been submerged in water and allowed to dry by an open heat source. The stresses from the shoe-making process are weakened and the leather tries to return to its natural shape. Thus, warping becomes another issue to keep in mind when stepping out for a rainy day. Saving your shoes from staining and warping takes a little extra TLC.

a creative way to dry your shoes

Calling on my trusty leather expert, I found out that the best you can hope for with any waterproofing product is to make your items water resistant. Unless your shoes are made from vinyl, they'll need some kind of treatment to keep the water out. The spray stuff sits on top of the leather and helps water bead up and run/fall off your shoes when there's enough water to do so.

$6.99

Mink oil is actually a better product to consider. You rub it into the top layers of the leather to provide a deeper protection. It causes the water to bead and roll off but more reliably than the sprays. Plus, the oil also acts a conditioner for your leather, keeping it soft and crack free.

$4.99

These types of products usually only work on leather that is flat, not napped like nubuck or suede. For those types of items, you can use specific spray products. This way most of the product is captured in the rough surface of the leather and creates a better seal.

$5.99

All in all, these products are more than affordable and will save you tons on repairing and purchasing shoes in the long-run. If you just take the time to treat your shoes, they'll carry you farther.

Here are a few last tips to improve your footwear: as a general rule you should look into rotating your shoes out every day to give them a break, again increasing their longevity. Also, invest in some shoe trees. They'll maintain the shape of your shoes (preventing warping) and if they're cedar, keep the moths away. Plus, some are adjustable, allowing you to stretch your own shoes in your own time instead of taking them to a cobbler.


Hopefully all these tricks have you singing in the rain with some happy feet!

Image(s) courtesy of shoecaresupplies.com, greenmeatballs.com, and fashion.elle.com
 

How To Series: How to Fold a T-Shirt in Two Seconds!

Because everyone can use a little help in their lives, here's an excellent video* to show you how to quickly and perfectly fold all your T-shirts. The method doesn't require a folding board and it's rather counter-intuitive; which is the fun thing about it. It gives your brain a break; some fun in a clothing riddle.
As someone whose tested it, it's an awesome way to fold your shirts but it's a skill you'll lose if you don't practice.

Even if you think you'll never really use this way, it's still just cool, right?!

*(If you weren't aware,  "Japanese" way to fold T-shirts is the original video that went viral, which was then remade several times into videos like the one above.) 

Image(s) courtesy of youtube.com

How To Series: How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

And thus begins my "How To" series to kick us all off in the right direction as the new year continues!
The goal is to tackle as many enigmatic issues in our sartorial lives as I can. From folding T-shirts to weather proofing your shoes, there are certain answers that seem to elude us. To throw another bone in the mix, why is it sales people can't agree on the right method either? Instead all you hear is that old saying: "I don't know. I just work here".

urbanblah.com

One of the greatest mysteries in life- at least to me- has been how to properly fold a fitted sheet. I always think, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO FOLD THESE THINGS?! Perpetual laziness and no enthusiasm for laundry has me dumping my sheets in a crumpled mess in the closet. What drove me to answer this question today is because my wonderful but geriatric cat has vomited on my bed for the fourth time this week. I am getting more and more acquainted with fitted sheets than I ever thought possible.

The best thing about technology, particularly the internet, is that any question you might have has already been answered and usually comes with a handy video to give you the blow by blow. After watching this, I felt ready to properly fold any fitted bed sheet. Any size, any fabric, bring it on! I got so excited I even asked my BF if he'd like to practice. (He looked at me like I was crazy...rightfully so I think) Good thing I have some sheets washing right now to get my folding on. This of course also means that my cat has a fresh place to puke. Not that it matters much to him, I'm sure.

Image(s) courtesy of youtube.com & urbanblah.com

Holiday Parties with Ugly Sweaters and Ties

It's officially December. I can't believe it. The turkey and stuffing and ham and mashed potatoes are still fresh on my tongue! But, December has its moments. One of the best- and possibly worst- reasons why this month can be fun is it's the official start to holiday parties. Sometimes the prospect of what to wear can be daunting. Is it office appropriate? Where do I find an "ugly" Christmas sweater? Should I wear a suit? It's like you've just come from seeing all your family, which can be overwhelming enough, and now you have to figure out how to dress for all the parties you'll have to attend. Luckily, you have me- perpetual shopper!

A great online source, if you've got time to wait for a package, is uglyxmasparty.com. The name says it all. There are so many cute and yet somehow still ugly sweaters, you're bound to find one you (secretly) like. Plus, they're also an Etsy store!

Uglyxmassweater.com, $24

If you need something now, hit up the always reliable Nordstrom. A cute cardigan with a festive theme will suffice for most Christmas sweater parties. You don't always have to go ugly.

Fair Isle cardi, $38.

Guys, if you have that hipster-style, then include this sweater in your daily rotation for winter. If not, just wear it as a gag. Either way, it passes as a holiday sweater. And if you have a girl like me, she's probably going to steal it from you when you're done anyway.

Urban Outfitters, $74

Last but not least guys, if you have to wear a suit this year do so with a novelty tie. The suit makes you look good but the tie shows you're fun. I could show you where to go to find a tie but you know where they are. Any clothing store worth its sand is going to have festive ties this time of year. Instead, I'll show you how to TIE that fabulous tie once you've purchased one. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Isn't that what this time of year is all about?

ABCNeckties is the go-to resource for anything you ever wanted to know about neckties, including a history of them! Over 15 different types of tie knots exist (who knew!?) with great names like Balthus Knot, Cavendish Knot, and Half Windsor knot. There's also a video accompanying each type with a step-by-step process for how to get the job done. Gentlemen, prepare to be fit to be tied.

abcneckties.com, $10

 











Image(s) courtesy of Google Image Search