Mad Men Style Sweeps the Nation: Are you a Betty or a Joan? A Pete or a Don?

With the 4th season of AMC's hit TV show Mad Men airing soon, they're doing a recap of all of the previous episodes to catch people up.  It's one of those shows my husband and I were never interested in until everyone starting raving about it, then we never started because we were behind.  Even if the show turned out to be crap (which it isn't), I would have loved it anyway due to the set and costume designs.

Now I've officially jumped on the Mad Men bandwagon.  (1) In my house- mid century modern is the one design style my husband and I can agree upon- and (2) in my closet because my curves love 1940-1950's era styles.  And I know I'm not the only one....

Banana Republic is showing their love by releasing a limited edition Mad Men collection in time for the fall season.  August 11th at 6:00PM (in select stores) you can shop the collection and drink a free "Mad-tini".  Receive a gift with purchase if you use your Banana Republic card.

Guys, they didn't forget about you...  "Are you MAD enough?"


Want something a little more literal?  Check out this Etsy shop for curvaceous creations that look like they came straight out of the show.

Image(s) courtesy of Google search. Quote from Banana Republic marketing.

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

Gilt Groupe Invites You to The Wedding Shop

If you're going to the chapel and gonna get married but haven't started the process yet, save the date for April 14-17 and get thee to a computer for the event of a lifetime.

Your golden Gilt ticket

Starting at 9am PST, flash-sale giant Gilt is once again launching their successful wedding shop for all of you about to tie the knot. A promise to shop, save, and stay stress-free, Gilt is bringing all brides & Co. unparalleled access to products and services that might otherwise be financially unobtainable. Just like your fiance, Gilt is the total package. Bridesmaid dresses, honeymoon deals, gift ideas, invitation services, and wedding gowns are just a few of the types of discounted bridal swag you can score.

Though if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with laying out the details, I know someone who can help, especially with the most important piece of the entire process- the dress. Beyond Black is here to assist you on your big day and take this sartorial burden off your shoulders. We've got lists upon lists of resources available to you with the insider knowledge of where to buy, when to buy, and how to get it cheaper. We'll help you narrow down your options based on the most flattering silhouette, fit, and style for your body type, personality, and should you wish it, your venue. Not to mention, we also have hair & makeup services to complete your look to make sure you're ready, head to toe. We'll be like your stylists-in-waiting. To us, happily ever after begins with the beautiful blushing bride, confident in her wedding dress. After that, your new husband will understand and sing the praises of the more contemporary wedding adage:
 

Image(s) courtesy of Gilt.com & waltsense.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 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
 

*Update* Stores That Shop For You, Part 2

I'm sure you're all anxiously waiting to hear what the Just Fabulous store picked out for me the second time around. As you'll remember from my previous post that the first options shown to me weren't thrilling under any circumstances. After all the questions I answered, and images I saw, I thought for sure they'd find some items that fit my idea of my own style. Well, the new options have come in and I'm feeling underwhelmed...again. Check it out:

The boots from the new selection

It's not that I'm against these boots. In fact, they have some characteristics that I do actually like. The one on the left has an interesting design detail around the top of the shoe but the low heel and cheap looking leather give the shoe a juvenile appearance. The one on the right has a nice flat sole and I like the wrap-around buckles at the top. But the color is drab and I'm not a fan of shoes that have a "suede" finish, unless of course they're real suede. Sorry to say, these boots were nixed. Next up:

Pretty pumps for sale

What I like about these shoes are the lower heels and simple shape. Ever the minimalist, I enjoy the less cumbersome side of design. However, the left shoe is so boring I'm practically asleep looking at it and the right shoe is darn near perfect except for that awful peep toe. And though they both have that suede finish, it works here because not as much material is used. As you might have guessed, these shoes were also nixed. Last but not least, a winner!

I know, this shoe (almost) goes against what I've said like

This was listed under the options that have sold out in my size (an issue that comes with having an average sized foot I suppose). If I was in the market for a cool pump, this would be it! I love the shape, I love the texture, and I love the juxtaposition of the studs in the platform against an otherwise simple silhouette. Now, the heel height still gives me some anxiety but having the platform there is a blessing.

All in all, I'm not totally sold but I'm not ready to walk away just yet. How about one more chance? Let's see what I get in another 3 to 5 days...

Image(s) courtesy of justfab.com

New Online Trend: Stores That Shop For You

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: being a personal shopper/stylist in the Bay Area is awesome. There's so much style everywhere it's inspiring! Plus I'm a confessed shopaholic, whether it's online or out on the street, so my eye never settles as I'm constantly on the hunt for the next best thing. Imagine my surprise when I started coming across websites designed to do what I do; shop for you! I feel a little like Captain Picard on the USS Enterprise facing the final frontier. Except this time, the ship can steer itself.

I can sense your apprehension, Captain

The concept is relatively simple: you go to said site, set up an account- which is just like adding yourself to a mailing list- answer a few questions as to whether or not you find some items and people in different images "more my style" or "not my style", and sit back and let the website do the shopping for you. You'll receive email updates when your "boutique" has new items in it to entice you to shop and viola! you've just established your own virtual personal shopper and boutique all rolled into one. It's all a little weird, isn't it?

So many options, so little time

Sites like the much hyped boutiques.com (owned and operated by Google) and justfab.com boast that they've cut out the middle man (ahem!) to make our shopping lives easier. The "tastemakers" used at boutiques direct the recognition software used within the site to add various items to your store while justfab relies on their style experts, Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr (aka founders of whowhatwear.com), to choose the best pieces for you. With both sites backed by huge internet power players, you can expect to see more websites following suit. At least, that's my prediction.
(You can read more about a boutiques.com here. It's a fantastic article.)

This could be me and you, finding fabulousness together

But speaking as a personal shopper, I'd like to offer a rebuttal to this seemingly amazing new break through. I read recently in InStyle magazine that based on a poll of readers, over 94% had never used a personal shopper. I was shocked but not blown away. I know that the prices revolving around these types of services can be steep. It is after all considered a "luxury" service and we are in a recession. However, the pay off and benefits are more than worth the money. The one thing we do that no online site ever will is make a personal connection to our clients. We are physically there with you, working through the emotions your closet has held onto, and we're there holding your hand as we help you find that new you in the dressing room. That sort of process can be life changing. What website can claim to do that? Without us, these websites are nothing more than cold, flat images on a screen assuming they're your taste. With us, you have a sounding board and hopefully, a friend. 

Image(s) courtesy of callcenterguy.wordpress.com,  fashionweektampabayblog.com, thsstyling.com.au

Problematic Pit Stains Perished Permanently

2010 ended on a client high note with Maureen (not her real name).  One of her big concerns were pit stains.  It's not that she gets hot all the time, she just sweats a lot.  Which, unfortunately, I can relate to.  My weapon of choice, armpit guards.

Behind the Seams Pretty Underarm Protection

I love drugstore.com because they have everything.  One check into their inventory turned up two armpit guard options.

The first, from the same company that brought you "fashion tape" made famous by Jennifer Lopez's Grammy dress.  For $10.99 the Behind the Seams Pretty Underarm Protection pads keep underarm wetness and odor off your clothes.

The second, My Dry Antiperspirant Pads for $7.99. Having this barrier between your clothes and your armpit will prevent not just the wet stains under your arms, but also those annoying white stains on your darks and yellow stains on your whites.  While not cheap to purchase on a regular basis, they will help you save on your dry cleaning.

For more delicate fabrics that you won't want to put adhesive on, purchase an undershirt with moisture wicking properties like this Spanx cami.

"A-Little Obsessed" with fellow blogger

I couldn't help it. I slipped on a search and tumbled into love. The other day, I was doing a Google Image Search looking for a military-inspired jacket for my post on SJP when I came upon this fabulous Fall story.

This is such a cozy mood board and I still want everything.

I swear each one of those items has been on my "Need" list at least once before. But to see them all together, just hanging out like the effortlessly cool girl this collection so perfectly embodies, was just too much. My eyes came to a screeching halt and for a moment, I was lost to the endless possibilities between these must-haves and my closet. It was torture! Immediately my "Need" list upgraded to include each and every one of those items. So many options, so little time. When? When would I have the time to find these things!? I distracted myself from the question and contacted the blogger instead, happy to gush to her about how in love I was with her collection of Fall pieces. Interesting Fact: a-littleobsessed is a blogger based in London! Either she needs to move here or I need to more there. Something's gotta give. Her name is Sabrina and I foresee myself 'obsessing' about her blog on a daily basis. Hello RSS feed! :)

I must say that being a personal shopper and stylist has it's advantages. I'm out in the stores A LOT and I also shop a lot online. I get to see what's current in that moment. The good news is that Aldo has a similar platform wedge

and personal online favorite, ModCloth.com, has TONS of chunky knit sweaters- like this one

right now. Two things I look forward to checking off the list, Christmas or "Need".

 











Image(s) courtesy of a-littleobsessed.blogspot.com

H&M + Lanvin = Designer Collaboration L-O-V-E

Lanvin for H&M dress

Who doesn't love designer clothing for cheap?  To get a Lanvin dress for under $300, usually means it's either a knockoff or second hand... until now.  On November 20th, be ready to get in line (because they're going to be long) at your local H&M store for the latest (and greatest) designer collaboration ever!

As a stylist and personal shopper in San Francisco, this time of year is always busy helping clients dress to impress at all of their holiday parties.  You can't go wrong with a little black dress, but why go black when this yellow dress is so amazing!?

So if you're looking for the perfect little holiday dress, look no further than you local H&M store.  See the rest of the collection here.

Image(s) courtesy of http://www.signature9.com/fashion/lanvin-for-hm-collab-is-the-only-thing-fashion-people-are-talking-about