The Formula For Shopping Success

Achieving style on a budget is a simple formula that boils down to two principles. You have to know when to shop and how to shop. If you can master those two techniques, then you are well on your way to red carpet style on a shoestring budget.

When to Shop

Like any other business, retail has seasons and cycles that dictate what happens when. If you follow those cycles, then you can score major finds on the cheap. For example, January is all about clearance in retail and stores are taking major markdowns as they prepare for the onslaught of spring goods that are about to arrive. Now is the time to stock up on coats and boots that can be tucked away for next year. If you stick with basic colors, then they will look fresh and new when you break them out next year. January is also the time when the older models for electronics are discounted to make the showroom ready for the latest and greatest that vendors have to offer. Next month look for deals on jewelry just in time for Valentine’s Day. If you are looking to score a new swimsuit, then hit your favorite retailer in August, they will be having one final clearance sale before returning items to the vendor for pennies on the dollar. The best time to buy that great pair of jeans is in October once the babies have gone back to school.  Each month has its own item that is headed out the door and is now a major deal. If you know when to shop, then you have won half the battle and you will never pay retail again. For me that just means that I can get twice as much.

How to Shop

The other part of the style equation is about knowing how to shop, which is my favorite part of the quest. When it comes to knowing how to shop, that means that you never leave home without a coupon or a stash of rewards points. When you combine a great sale and a coupon or a bundle of rewards points, then for the most part things are almost free. Just last week, I used the $20 in rewards points that I earned Christmas shopping for the family and combined them with a spring preview sale where I paid $4 for two pairs of shorts that I will wear this spring and summer. The trick is to sign up for email alerts from the stores that you frequent most often. There is not a day that goes by where there is not some type of coupon available. If you do leave home without one then just ask, most retailers have extras. Almost all of those coupons can also be combined with sales to get an even better deal. For example, with the jacket featured here, it retailed at $130 and was on sale for ½ off. Then, I used a coupon where I got another $30 off and only paid $35 for a $130 jacket. That’s a grand slam if I do say so myself. Finally, if you are on Pinterest then sign up for Lyst.com, this site will notify you when anything that you have pinned on Pinterest goes on sale. It takes the guess work out of shopping…just plan, pin and save.

Shopping is my sport of choice and scoring the big deal is my version of a grand slam. I hope this helps in your quest to achieve your own version of style on a budget. Thanks for taking the time to visit the place where budget and style meet and feel free to leave a shout out to the great deals you were able to find on your own shopping adventure.

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Katherines CornerPenniless Socialite
A complete waste of makeup

Top Ten Fashion Rules to Follow From 2012

1. Every Women Needs A Great Pair of Jeans

2.Every Woman Needs to Own One Piece of Faux Fur

3.Casual Friday Has Rules Follow Them

4.Even Gold Lame’ Has A Purpose

5.The Cape Has Made a Comeback

6.All Pieces in Your Wardrobe Should Stretch Your Dollar

7.Everyone Should Have One Piece of Menswear Inspiration

8.Outerwear Is an Extension of Your Style Choose Wisely

9.The Wrap Top is Universally Flattering

10.Red Has an Expiration Date if Not Styled Correctly

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My Turn For Us

Aloha Friday

I love my Post
Friday Blog Hop
Sunday Social w/rreagan
This Gal Cooks
Year End Review
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Fall into Outerwear

Where would your fall wardrobe be without a fashion forward fall outerwear collection? In the first episode of our fall outerwear series, we explored the art of the trench. Today we will continue to build our outerwear wardrobe by exploring the how to behind choosing a stylish jacket for everyday wear.

Fit

The most important aspect of selecting the best fall outerwear is to choose a great fit. Outerwear can be bulky and can add volume to your frame if you are not careful. Look for jackets that are tailored at the waist or provide an option to cinch a belt at the waistline. That will help to decrease some of the volume and add shape. Then, consider the length of the jacket. In this example, the jacket sits at my natural waistline which helps elongate my legs. Anything longer than that will actually make me appear shorter.

Fabric

Choose the fabric of your jacket carefully, because it is something that you will need to live with on a daily basis. Some of the best options are wool and faux leather. Wool is the perfect option if your climate tends to be wetter during the winter because it will perform the best in increment weather.

Style

The final thing to consider when selecting fall outerwear is to find a jacket that will be a reflection of your own personal style. For me the jacket that does that for me is the double-breasted faux fur and leather jacket featured here. I always like to choose a darker colored jacket for everyday wear because it will cover all the little imperfections that may accumulate with daily wear. You can accomplish that with a black jacket, but I think black can sometimes be an overused color, and it is only when you opt for an alternate color that people tend to take notice. This is also a favorite option of mine because the faux fur color actually detaches and creates an entirely different look.

Fall is the time to make your statement with outerwear flair. Achieving that fashion forward look that you desire is simple when you follow these suggested guidelines. Now, its time to fall away.

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The Place For Lace is Everywhere

In our Fashion Friday Series we explored the rules behind wearing lace in the office. Today it’s all about wearing lace in our everyday life. For a long time I avoided lace for fear that I would end up on the wrong end of the style spectrum. I have found recently thought that I am developing a more adventurous side and trying things I have avoided up until this point. My first adventure was in the arena of faux fur and I consider that a success, which gave me the confidence to venture into the world of lace for everyday. I found this particular top at Express and was able to pick it up for only $19 by using a birthday gift card that I received from them. There were two options at the store, one in red and one in black. The black option would have been the safer bet, but I chose to opt for the red by telling myself that this was supposed to about adventure and red was adventure. The following outfit is what I came up with and I am a little proud if I do say so myself.

The short jacket is one of the gems that I picked up at an end of the season sale a few years back. Remember the key to building a cool leather collection is to shop off-season and stock up for next year. So mark your calendars, January is almost here and that means there will be cool leather to be had by all. When you style a short jacket or cardigan for that matter, it’s all about achieving balance. Pair your short jacket with a longer tank or shirt that hits you just below the hip bone.  Be careful of choosing a top that is too short because you will appear shorter. If you choose a tank that it too long, then you appear more sloppy than polished. As for jeans I wore this with a high knee-boot for a biker chick feel, but you could just have easily worn it with a bootcut jean and a black heel that will be a little dressier. The morale of the story is that sometimes an effort to get outside the box will actually make your box bigger, mine did.

With Puff Vests It Is All About Selection and Styling

If you walk into any fashion retailer these days, odds are you are going to run straight into a mannequin in a puffy vest. This layering option emerges each fall in some variation or another so it is important to understand how to select and style these fall staples. First, in order to select a vest worthy of landing you on the best dressed list, then you must understand the challenges of the vest and how those challenges impact your shape. The biggest challenge in selecting a puffy vest is the actual fabric itself. The fabric lends itself to adding bulk to even the most petite frame, so it is important to look for a vest with details that will add shape. Look for vests that gather at the waist or have a belted detail that will create shape at the waistline. Avoid vests that do not button or zip as they will hang open and add volume to your frame. Once you have found a vest with all the appropriate details, then its time to select color. Fall is the time to make bold selections with color. There are fabulous jewel tones like silvers and golds available, or there are some great vibrant options like fuchsia or turquoise. As long as you style it well, any color would be appropriate so you can choose a color that will provide insight into your own personality. Next, comes the task of styling.

In the outfit featured above, I chose a charcoal grey version of the vest so that it would serve me over many seasons. Choosing a neutral option means that I can liven up my wardrobe each season by pairing the neutral vest with the must have color for that season and always remain in style. The vest itself will provide the volume for the outfit so it is important to choose a fitted top and a bottom to counteract that weight. In this case the top is a long sleeve fitted top with a swirl pattern and embellishment at the chest. By wearing the vest unzipped and tying the belt that is on the back I am able to create shape and highlight the tops best feature. The bottom I chose was a khaki cord, but you could have just  as easily have selected a dark skinny jean to finish off the look. I chose to wear minimal jewelry just a watch and a bracelet so I did not overpower the embellishment on the top. This is an outfit that I would wear shopping or on a casual lunch date with girl friends.

Just as with any other trend of the season, it is all about selection and styling, the puff vest is no different.  If you can nail that combination then you will be a candidate for best dressed every time.

If you are new to our blog here are a few more style sessions you may enjoy:

Fur As Style Friend or Foe

Blazing A Trail With Piping Detail

Hold Onto Your Emmy Gold Lame’ is Coming Back

Stretching The Dollar And the Dress

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