Chic-Commerce

While we're waiting for the glamour and excess that define the Oscars, I'd like to have a conversation about a Hollywood awards ceremony opposite - BARGAIN SHOPPING. Clothes these days can put a serious dent in a girl's (or guy's!) pocket book. With designer denim inching closer and closer to $300 a pair and anything that won't fall apart in a couple of wears being more investment than impulse-priced, how's a girl to put together a high quality, fashion forward wardrobe that she feels great in?

We all want to appear a certain way to the rest of the world, and one of the quickest ways to make that happen is through what we choose to wear. Even those who don't make their clothing choices based on designer, or who could care less about what was shown on the fall/winter runways at fashion week, choose clothes that define them as an artist, a professional, a student, or as belonging to a specific group or subculture. (Yes, even those who "don't care" about fashion participate in this! See Meryl Streep's monologue in The Devil Wears Prada about the cerulean sweater - it's harsh, but she makes an excellent point.) Pair that with fickle and ever-changing trends and options, and the idea of having a closetful of clothes we're excited to wear at a price we can afford can seem utterly impossible. I'm here to tell you it's not...with a little bit of time, commitment, and an internet connection all of us can have a wardrobe to die for!

First, know what looks good on you. Try on your clothes. What do you feel the most you in? Do you whistle while you work when you're wearing flirty floral print dresses and 50's housewife heels? Or do you gush goodness from the inside out in your favorite jeans and oh-so-comfy flips? Take the time to try things on in stores - even if you can't afford them or think you would never wear the style (you'll be surprised at how often something you've resisted for ages really does look great on you!) Take note of colors, silhouettes, and brands that really get you going. And make sure to utilize store employees - that's what they're there for! They might not always seem happy to help, but it's their job. Ask them how to wear things and what to pair with them. (And look forward to a Seattle Shop Girl blog about the demise of customer service standards!)

Next, hop online. There are a virtually limitless number of discount designer websites at your fingertips. These sites sell designer merchandise for a fraction of the retail price. For example, my I-don't-know-how-I-lived-without-it Hobo ran me $50 and retails for $108! Become a "member" of whichever sites you choose (which is free - if a site wants you to pay for membership, run!) and watch as your inbox fills to bursting with bargains! (My current favorites are Rue La La, Beyond the Rack, Editor's Closet, HauteLook & Ideeli, but do some research - there are TONS out there!) Join as many as you can to start off with - you can keep an eye on which ones offer brands that resonate with you and pare down if you start to feel overwhelmed. Also, I use a secondary email address for this so I don't feel like I'm being inundated with junk in my business and personal email accounts. Open a new one, just for this purpose - that way you can pay attention only when you want to.

Now, keep your eyes open and be patient. This is not an instant gratification game - it's about building your dream wardrobe one piece at a time. Most of these websites send a daily email letting you know which brands and items are on sale and which are coming up. This is where the personal style information we discussed above comes into play. Scan the emails you receive for brands that you like and that you have discovered fit your body well. Also check out brands that you haven't heard of. If you like what you see online keep an eye out for them  in the real world. Once you know you like how they look, how they feel, and how they fit, you're in business!!

The one thing to watch out for is impulse buying - it's rarely a good idea when you're at the mall and NEVER a good idea online. If you haven't done real-life research on a particular line or style, having one shipped directly to your front door is not the way to find out about quality and fit. You may have success from time to time, but more often than not you'll shell out the bucks returning things that just don't work. Now, I realize all of this can seem like a lot of work...but the payoff  is huge! Feeling confident about what you're wearing frees you up to focus on all of the other important things in your life. And you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're building a fabulous wardrobe without crippling your bank account!

And if you really don't think you have the time to take on another project? Schedule a consultation with yours truly. Your closet couldn't be in better hands! :)