Prom Queen Dream

A gown I designed and created earlier this month

This one's for all you teen queens out there... 

Another busy week it’s been thus far for this gal.  Fortunately for me, exciting things have been happening in my life, and I have more adrenaline running through these veins than Tim Tebow on game day.  Anyway, I know this is an exciting time for all you high schoolers out there, picking out your prom dresses as if you were being photographed by the paparazzi at the Academy Awards.  But what makes a good prom dress and how difficult is it to find?  There are so many options out there now, with drastic price differences, styles, and colors to choose from, so where do you start?

Finding a perfect dress for any occasion is always a challenge.  We as females are faced with a ton of issues, such as distorted body images and so much more (like bad cuticles, how horrible?!). While I may not be able to give you the perfect body, I may be able to ease the pain in finding that dress that will make your high school sweetheart swoon.

• Get prepared!  First things first, so do a little leg work.  While you can’t possibly know what style of dress is best suited for your body type until you try it on, looking in magazines and online is always a good idea.  Checking out what celebrities are wearing to awards shows is always a great idea to be on trend.  Just make sure the celebrity you’re trying to imitate was on the best dressed list, not worst.  Exclusively You in Bloomsburg carries Faviana, which specializes in red carpet inspired dresses!   Bring photos of things that inspire you to a dress appointment and show your sales associate ideas of what you like and what you may be looking for in a prom dress.  Beware, though:  try to stay away from getting your heart set on one specific dress before you head out to shop.  This can be discouraging for you and the salesperson and really ruin the fun!  

• Schedule an appointment in advance.  Dress shops and specialty stores love it when you call in advance and set up an appointment.  They are better equipped to help you that way and can dedicate a solid hour to solely you on most occasions.  Be sure to ask for an opinion from the salesperson!  They see tons of dresses on a daily basis and know what’s flattering on different body types and skin tones.  Plus they usually love it when a client takes their advice!

• Dress like you mean it.  Always try to wear similar undergarments to those you would be wearing with the actual dress.  Another idea would be to bring along some extra options so that you can try them on with the dresses if necessary.  For instance, if you plan on wearing a slimming undergarment with the dress, definitely bring it.  It can seriously affect the way a dress looks and feels!  

• Try on some heels.  A special occasion dress always looks better with the right shoes.  Even if you plan on purchasing shoes elsewhere, try shoes on with the dress.  Or bring a pair of basic heels from home.  You’ll look taller, stand straighter, and feel better!

• Go Couture!  Well sort of.  If you want to be totally different and have a hand in designing your own dress, schedule a consult with a seamstress such as myself.  I love doing custom dresses for people and always have a fun time creating someone’s dream dress.  It’s not any more expensive than buying one off the rack and tons of fun!

The layers that the bodice of the gown was constructed of

• Ask to purchase the floor sample.  If it fits you perfectly and it’s already in stock, why order?  Yes, it may have been tried on a few times, but you can usually ask for a discount and possibly walk out with it the same day.  


• Do A LOT of research before buying online.  Yes, you may be able to find a dress cheaper online, but if you haven’t tried it on you could be making a huge mistake!  It’s hard to know what size to order and so much more when ordering online.  Save the shipping cost (which may add up to the cost of the dress in a store anyway) and alteration nightmares by heading to a physical store.

Have fun with your dress shopping and don’t be too serious with it.  Let’s face it, every dress doesn’t look perfect on everybody, so be open to suggestions and bring a trusted confidant with you for their input.  Just don’t bring an entourage.   Things could get ugly.

High Class... Thrifter?

I’ve never been one to pass up a good deal.  Let’s face it, times are relatively tough for many of us and our budgets are tight.  But who says that we need to sacrifice our style just because we don’t have thousands to spend on a killer new wardrobe?  I know that I’ve alluded to my knack for sifting through the used clothing racks at places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill before, but for those of you for whom this is uncharted territory, it may all seem a bit…well…crazy, perhaps? Well you’re right, sort of. 

There are many different reasons people tend to do some, most, or all of their shopping at thrift stores, which can range from being environmentally conscious, to being financially savvy, to a love for vintage styles or a hankering for quality apparel.  Unfortunately, due to our country’s greed (this is obviously a severe generalization), we currently only manufacture approximately 2% of what we’re wearing, which is drastically different from the 98% that our country once proudly produced. Along with that greed, came a drastic decline in the quality of materials and construction of the garments that are now sold in most of the mass market stores across the globe.  Quality control has taken a backseat to fast turn around and inexpensive foreign labor, forcing us to shop more frequently and fill the pockets of seemingly every else but ourselves.  Think about it.  Do you really think your brand new top would even make it to a thrift store in 20 or 30 years?  Doubtful, considering if may possibly have a few pulls or holes after the first washing, even on a gentle cycle.

Although I do love vintage silhouettes and fabrics, the main reason I shop at thrift stores is the adventure of the hunt and the quality of a hand crafted Made in the USA garment or a famous Italian Designer name.  It’s like searching for a hidden gem that’s just waiting to be plucked out from the surrounding imposters.  If you’re not a seasoned thrift store vet like moi, however, here are some tips and tricks that can help you fake it ‘til you make it.

1. Determine if thrifting is even something that you would enjoy.  Let’s face it.  Many of you could care less about finding one perfect piece and would rather do your shopping online.  So do that!  Thrifting can be a hassle and quite annoying, in fact, for someone who doesn’t love the challenge of a bargain and the hunt for the gem.  Just remember, in order to find the diamonds, one must sift through a lot of rocks.
2. Allow yourself plenty of time.  I’m talking 1 hour at the absolute minimum.  I can kill hours upon hours without even realizing it, especially if I’m with my mother.  Never, ever, take my mother or myself up on an offer to tag along.  You will likely be laying down on one of the bed bug filled sofas before we have gotten through the pants.
3. Pick a section and see it through.  If you have something in mind you are in search of, say the perfect pair of dress pants, head to that section immediately and narrow that section down further to a general size range.  Remember, sizing has changed dramatically in the past 10 years or so, so you may be able to go up a size or two (or even three), depending on the designer and year of the garment.  Oh yes, we as Americans like to sugarcoat the fact that our hips are ever expanding.  Ah, yes, what was once considered a standard sizing in the 1940’s and 1950’s has somehow gone to the wayside and we’ve added some “padding” per se.  Haven’t you ever wondered if Marilyn Monroe was really a size 12?  She had a 23 inch waist according to her dress maker, which is not even in the same ballpark as a size 12 by today’s standards. 
4. Pick a good day to shop.  If you’re looking for the best possible deals and cheapest prices, it would probably be best to hit the racks on sale days.  Wednesdays are family day at Salvation Army, and most items are 50% off.  If you’re looking for the biggest selection, Tuesday may be the best bet.  On average, most donations come in over the weekend and take a day or two to be processed and put out for sale, making Tuesday the optimum day to shop.
5. Bring a smart phone.  Seriously.  If I find a gorgeous piece that I can’t live without I could care less who the designer is.  But if you’re looking for pieces that may have resale value, it may be valuable to Google a tag that is less familiar to see if the item may have vintage value.  You may end up wanting the cash more than wanting the clothes!
6. Check carefully for holes, stains, tears, etc.  Even if you find a quality garment with a small imperfection, still consider it.  Is it a stain that can likely be removed?  Do you have a tailor who is capable of fixing a small hole or a missing button?  I’d never turn down a killer look for a slight imperfection.  In fact, I sometimes buy pieces just because they have cool buttons or another element that I may want to use for something else.
7. Don’t be afraid to try things on.  It may skeeve you out a little, but don’t be afraid to try things on.  I typically try to wear a pair of black leggings and a tight fitting black tank so I can easily slip things on over them.  I can still get the general idea of fit and not leave the store feeling the need to shower immediately. 
8. Wash before wearing.  Basically all thrift store finds have a unique “scent” of sorts (more like a strange odor of mothballs and musky feet).  Always wash or dry clean your new finds before wearing to rid them from any odors or stains left behind from the previous owner.  You can also use home remedies like vinegar to get out tough odors like cigarette smoke.
9. Wear your items and do as those before you have done- Donate!  I go through my closet at least twice a year and sell and donate things that I have not worn at least twice within the last year.  Sometimes I kick myself a few years down the road for the things that I purge, but you can’t keep it all!  Plus you need to make space for your new thrifty finds.

I'm Bringing Pretty Back

Cynthia Skirt. 
This one’s named after my Momma because
she’s similar to a lovely bouquet of flowers…
delicate, admirable and beautiful. 
She has also been known to cause quite
 the allergic reaction at times.
 Love you, Mom!  

I think I’ve plagued you long enough by continuously ranting on my love of below-freezing temperatures and fluffy fur coats.  Clearly the big man upstairs didn’t feel like blessing us with a ski season this year, so I’m dubiously throwing in my puffy down filled parka and am on to more colorful things, such as Spring Fashion!  Since I can barely remember to water myself, I’m obviously not much of a flower girl, unless we’re speaking of a floor length floral print frock, of course.  I must admit, each year when Spring starts to show her warm sunny face I get super excited just like the rest of you, regardless of how little snow I got to shovel this year (and the realization that I need to start running 15 miles per day for the next 3 months straight if I plan on wearing any of my shorts from last year).

For those of you who don’t know a whole lot about the world of fashion, it can be quite confusing.  New York Fashion Week took place February 9-16, but designers were showing their Fall 2012 Collections (designers show their lines for next season, then buyers from around the globe determine what lines they want to carry for next season, which then determines the production of the actual lines themselves).  To make a long story short, as much as I love seeing the latest collections, my brain can only hold so much information at once (which seems to be increasingly less and less with each birthday) so I could really care less about next fall right now.  I was fortunate enough to attend Spring 2012 Fashion Week, which took place in September of 2011.  So confusing, right?  Well it’s even more confusing for me to sift through 5 months of information to uncover Springs most pertinent and wearable trends, but there are a few standouts that have left an indelible impression in my mind.

From washed out neons (think pastel meets 80’s color) to the beloved peplum silhouette (if you aren’t familiar with a peplum, Google it immediately- I love the false illusion of curves it creates), spring fashion is full of feminine, structured sportswear, if you will.  My absolutely favorite trend this spring, however, is the influx of bold prints that are beginning to line the shelves and racks from store to store.  Floral prints seem to be a staple for just about every spring, but this season the prints are exaggerated and quite a bit of fun.  I’m talking full on floral print pant suits, tropic thunder maxi dresses, and bold neon floral prints mixed with stark white elements.  If you’re not quite sure of how to pull this look off without looking like a flower child on Halloween, start small and work your way up.  The most important element in this to keep things fresh is to stick with a modern print.  Buying vintage and thrift store shopping can certainly be fun, but it’s also an easy way to look like you went thrift store shopping (have no fear… a thrift store tutorial is on its way for next week).  To ensure you’re on trend, stick with a floral that is this season, and don’t try anything too dainty.  This spring is all about having fun and being a little bold.  Think bright pops of color and in your face prints!  Here’s one of my most recent floral additions in my store: