How To Shop Smart for Women's Clothing

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How many clothing items are hanging in your closet or languishing in a dresser drawer that you hate?  What percentage of your clothes are things that you pass by in favor of ANYTHING else and haven’t even considered wearing in more than a year?  If you’re like most people, you have an unseemly number of clothing items that should probably have been a) never bought in the first place; b) donated to a thrift store a long time ago; or c) set on fire.  Get rid of what doesn’t fit, what’s torn or dirty, what just never looked right on you.  Clean the slates before you get started on restocking your clothing bank.

MAKE LISTS!  Take an inventory of what you have and what you need more of.  Include shoes, jewelry, coats, sweaters…everything.New Kaelyn Max at Openstock ApparelNew Kaelyn Max at Openstock Apparel

The smart thing to do, the frugal and self-respecting thing to do is learn how to shop smart for women’s clothing in the first place.

Start off by knowing what size you ACTUALLY ARE.  Find a measurement chart online and take your measurements to learn your standardized sizes.  You’ll need to take your measurements for bra size, shoe size, waist, hips, inseam length and even head size (if you’re going to buy hats).  Even know what size you really need for rings.  Next, find out what type of body you have.  Are you long-waisted?  Do you have a great chest?  Is your waist thick?  Do you have chunky thighs or a less-than-stellar butt?  You’ll need to know what you want to accentuate or de-emphasize before you head for the stores.

There are several things you’ll really need to nail down before shopping including WHICH of the clothes you love and why.  Is your look consistently casual?  Are you more of a button-down type?  Are you trying to bust out of a rut?  Then look through magazines and find what you’d love to try.  Consider whether you’re really happy with a color you consistently go to, or if you’d like to try something different.  Make sure your current color or one you’re considering is even flattering by holding it up to your face and looking in a mirror.  Do you look washed out, or tired in that color?  Do you have enough clothes for different occasions?  For instance, can you go to the beach and to a church outing on the same weekend?

New Kaelyn Max in 4 colors

New Kaelyn Max in 4 colors

The most important step to learning to shop smart for women’s clothing is to go to stores and try on every clothing item you’re considering.  Consider bringing along someone whose opinion you value, or learn to be realistic and critical on your own.  Is the item flattering, both in fit and color?  Is it comfortable?  Is it affordable? Will you be able to find shoes to go with it?  Do you already have seven of the same item sitting at home?  Can you afford your look, or do you need to learn how to be a little more sensible?


The best dresses for spring and summer

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Ahh dresses— what better way to feel flirty, fun and free? If you think about it, dresses are the fashion equivalent to the seasons of spring and summer, giving a sense of awakening, freedom, adventure, and confidence that almost makes you feel like an enhanced version of yourself. So what more appropriate combo than the spring and summer seasons and dresses to make you feel alive? Plus, it you choose the right one, a dress will beat out a pants/blouse outfit any day on the comfort-scale.

We all have our favorite dresses, you know, the default dress for a birthday dinner or a fancier Sunday brunch. But if you’re looking for something new to really ring in the warm weather seasons, here are a few styles to consider.

The little WHITE dress : Little white cocktail styles are going to be huge this spring and summer, as girls don them for graduations, bridal rehearsals, cool nights out, and hot summer days. Whether sleek and satiny, or cotton and full, the little white dress is a must have.

Denim: Denim is huge this year, with denim and denim/cotton dresses coming back in a big way. Denim is a great casual look that’s comfortable and sturdy, and so it will likely never completely go out of style. Look for full denim skirts with cotton tops, or button-up denim shirt dresses.

Wishes Halter Maxi Dress

Wishes Halter Maxi Dress

Maxi: While this style became huge last summer, it has stuck around as a great spring and summer staple. By nature, these dresses are flowy and free, so they add a lot to the overall spring/summer feel of your outfits. Wear a printed or even tie-dyed maxi for a great outside shopping day outfit (can also double as a cover-up by the pool!) or choose a solid-colored style for a night time outing.

Tiered: These dresses are a great choice for an after-5 dress that still has a summery feel to it. They are very flirty (how could they not be when they can literally flow in the breeze) and great at hiding those 5 extra pounds you didn’t quite loose in time for swimsuit season.

One-shouldered: Not to be confused with the toga, which can be worn to a whole different type of party (if you’re looking to pick up a frat boy or two), the one-shouldered dress allows for the same sex-appeal as a strapless while adding a little extra comfort to the mix. Go with a loose-fitting version and tie it up with a belt (gold-colored if you want to play on the Greek theme) or sport a form-fitting version to show off what you work so hard to maintain.

Anything Neon: Let your imagination run wild with this one. If you’re doing neon, do it right. If you couldn’t tell, neon is the hot thing (unfortunately, pun intended) for this season, which gives you the freedom to pick any style you want—from short, long, tailored, poofy, tight or flowy—just wear it in neon and you’re good to go. I dare you to tell us these highlighter hues don’t make you feel more confident—even if only for one night.