Fashion Advice: Dressing in Dallas

June 23, 2006 08:52 AM | Comments (1) | Posted in undergarments, fashion advice, tj_maxx, outlet_malls, tahari, isaac mizrahi, workwear, wardrobe, nylons, loehmann's

Q: OK…so I just moved from L.A. to Dallas,  I am at a loss for a) where to shop fashionable and affordable for suits for a conservative office job and b) How does one wear “hose” and not look like your grandmother!  They are strangling and sweaty during the hot summer, and I keep slipping out of my Stephane Kelian slingbacks.

Target.com

A: a) Shop at stores like Ann Taylor, TJ Maxx, Loehmanns, and even certain pieces from the Isaac Mizrahi line at Target for clothes for a conservative office environment. Also try Talbots online clearance section for surprising stylish pieces. If you have a moment to head to your nearest outlet mall—take a peak in the Neiman Marcus Outlet for discounted pieces from higher designers like Ellen Tracy and Tahari. Last but not least, don’t go so conservative that you loose your individuality—conservative doesn’t equal dowdy. Spice the basic suits up a bit with colorful (but simple) jewelry like a single strand coral necklace or silver chain link necklace.

And about your second question . . .

I never wear hose in the summer. Period. Just too hot. So you have some options—a) keep you legs shaved and use Jergens bronzing lotion (around $5 at your local drugstore), b) only wear hose when your actually in your air conditioned office, c) look for silk stockings, which are pricey but a little more comfortable than nylons, and d) try thigh-high stocking with either an elastic band or garter.

Budget Shopping Tips for Men: Looking Great for Less

March 14, 2006 08:44 AM | Comments (1) | Posted in old_navy, fashion advice, tj_maxx, menswear, filene's_basement, nordstrom_rack, marshall's, style.com, loehmann's

Men. The final budget shopping frontier.

Most men have no idea how to shop, yet alone budget shop for less. Men have been taught that they can’t be both frugal and stylish at the same time and their choices have been limited to either a pair of $5 Wranglers from K-Mart or a $2,000 jacket from Hugo Boss.
So what’s a frugal, fashionable fella to do? Stores like Target, Loehmann’s, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, and Marshall’s, offer fashionable men plenty of options without breaking the bank, you just need to know what and how to buy items from these stores.  In an effort to provide a little guidance to my lost budget shopping brothers, here’s ten quick budget shopping tips for men:

Target.com

• Fit is King.  Focus on finding garments that fit your body, not just your budget. Avoid high water pants (guys—your pants should break/fold about mid-foot), shirt/jackets that swamp your body, and shirts with sleeves that are either too long or too short (below your wrist joint).


• Bring a Friend. A second eye can be a fashion lifesaver.


• Know Your Designers. Head to style.com, Vogue’s website, and browse their listing of the world’s top designers, so you can recognize a designer brand when you see it. Additionally, “expensive” looking shirt tags may indicate that an item is a designer piece.


• Dress Monochromatically. Wearing one color like black from head to toe is an easy way to dress in style and it’s also very slimming.


• Quality Over Price. Cheap clothes look cheap. Focus on finding quality garments for less. If a garment has patterns check to make sure they’re matched up through out the garment, look for lining in slacks and jackets, make sure the fabric feels good against your skin, and look for natural fabrics like wool/gabardine, cotton.


• Add a Higher-End Accessory. Adding a higher end accessory from a major designer is a surefire way to up the ante on any outfit, especially if the accessory has a visible logo. Wearing a Gucci belt with your Dockers will instantly make the Dockers look more expensive or adding a high-end watch with your Old Navy shirt will make the short look like it’s hot off the racks of your Saks Fifth Avenue. For men, adding a great pair of shoes from designer brands like Kenneth Cole or Cole Haan, that are ALWAYS shined, is another great way to increase the style quotient of your wardrobe. Find these shoes on sale at your Nordstrom Rack, Filene’s Basement or, yes, TJ Maxx.


• Technology as an Accessory. After paying $200+ bucks for the latest gadget, why not get extra use out of your iPod, blackberry, as a fashion accessory.


• Don’t be a Walking Billboard. Avoid clothing with the brand name advertised largely across your chest.
• Always Buy a Complete Outfit. Buying the complete outfit will save you both time and money. Go a step further and hang the complete outfit together in your closet.


• and if all else fails—Bet on Black. Black looks instantly more expensive than other colors like brown and light blue.