The Puzzling Game of Style

How is it possible to have so many clothes and nothing to wear?

I have asked myself this question countless times, and with much thought I have found my answer.

The problem is not with the clothes "individually", but in their abilities to match with other pieces in my wardrobe. I would simply buy a beautiful blouse one day, and then a skirt another, and neither match each other,  nor anything else in my closet. It was as if I was collecting a wardrobe full of left shoes. Individually gorgeous but quite useless in combining a complete look.

This made me realize, my shopping approach had been totally wrong. 

A wardrobe is actually like a puzzle, and therefore, blindly buying whatever you like will never boost your closet style. 

Style is all about finding the missing pieces and linking them together. A wardrobe like a puzzle, should be strategic. 

For example, take a Fashion Week runway show. Back stage, the clothes are carefully organized on racks, with the entire individual outfit, completely pre-styled. From outfit, shoe, bag, accessories, and even make up.  High style is a "complete" outfit. If you look at the entire collection you will notice almost all the pieces are interchangeable. One jacket matches nearly all the pieces of the collection and a certain shoe is versatility matched  to every look as well. More matches, means more possibilities to be worn. 

This does not mean in anyway, that you should go buy a head to toe look each time you shop. However, it does mean to always keep in mind what you already own and what items will help "complete" a look. 

xo,

Maya

Are You Shopping Smart? : 5 Tips on Knowing The Value of What You Buy

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   Just as living in a city requires you to become street smart, fashion requires you to become shopping smart. 

   I decided to write this article today, because I realized the way I shop is significantly different to the way I use to shop. When I was younger, I can remember being seduced by beautiful window displays, and entering a shop scouring for an 'unknown' item that would some how 'change my life'.

   Fashion is ambiguously hypnotic like that. It is easy to lose one's "street savvy"  ways, and get lost in this rather seductive scent.  Buying without thinking, results in purchases you do not need and a lot of wasted money. 

   Not to lose hope guys, my 5 Basic Tips will have you beating the hypnosis of fluorescent lights and get you thinking Shopping Smart.

   
   

   1.) Price is Just a Number

   
   

   

   
   

   The first misconception  that needs to be broken is, price is NOT the indicator of value. Do not trust that the higher the price, the better the quality. As you can see above, a $288 garment is sold for $8.99 at Goodwill. Price is determined by the seller, and situation of their purchase. One should always keep an open mind, and price value on other factors besides what the number is marked as.

   I cannot tell you how many times I have been in an ultra chic boutique that looked absolutely adorable, but with low quality garments priced at luxury prices. 

    How did I know that? Keep on reading. 

   
   
   
   
   2.) Stitch Work
   
   
   

   
   

   The main reason my shopping skills have changed, is due to the fact that I now design clothes and make them myself. 

   The very first thing I do when I find a garment I like, is to check the inner bones of the piece. 

   The "inner bones" are the way the garment is stitched together, and a good sign of the quality can easily be detected. 

   Cheaper quality pieces, can easily be spotted in places that cannot be seen. Craftsmanship and fabric are the two main places to cut corners and level of craftsmanship is revealed inside more than out.For example, single stitched, crooked lines are quick to rip, cause holes and unflattering on the body. Other signs are frayed edges, and sloppy stitch work. Garments made this way do not last and not worth a higher price tag.
   
   
   
   
   3.) Understanding Fabric Value
   
   
   

   
   

   Fabrics Types: Synthetic and Natural

   
   

   Synthetic fabrics: 

   polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, etc. are man made and produced  entirely from chemicals.

   Synthetic fabrics are commonly used because it is durable, man made, easier to obtain and cheaper in cost.

   
   

   Natural fabrics: 

   cotton, silk, wool, cashmere, etc. are made from plants and animals. 

   Natural fabrics are more expensive, and harder to get your hands on.

   
   

   Personally, my preference is always natural fabrics. If a garment contains cashmere, silk, wool, or cotton, chances are you have your hands on a luxury piece and worth the higher price.

   Natural fabrics are generally more fragile, and harder to care for, but they are worth every penny.  

   The beauty is unsurpassed, and the breathability of the fabric is undeniable. 
   
   
   4.) Embroidery or Beading

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   Embroidery and Beadwork is a good sign that the garment was hand crafted, especially if it is vintage. Hand made, always calls for a higher price due to its labor. If you can get such a piece on sale or ridiculously discounted you have an amazing deal. Even just purchasing the beads itself, cost a pretty penny these days.

   
   

   *Caution* Beware of worthless beaded garments. The easiest way to detect an unworthy beaded garment is if the retail value of a piece is extremely low. 

   
   

   I once bought a fancy, pale pink top at H&M for 39 euros and was impressed by the cheap price. However, within a couple of washes, the beads washed out all their silver elements and instead of quality glass beads I realized they were plastic.

   
   

   
   

   5.)Designer labels and Brands

   
   

   

   
   

   The greatest thing about designer labels and brands is they "usually" guarantee the highest level of craftsmanship. If you look inside a Chanel piece, you are guaranteed an impeccable work of art, made to last forever.

   However, with that (unfortunately), comes the ridiculous price! Yes, I understand a designer price tag includes extra costs of runway, advertisements, media, campaign, models, etc. but who can really afford $10,000 for a dress? 

   The best alternative is finding these brands at thrift stores, vintage stores, or online. Don't give up guys, where there is a will there is a way!

   
   

   Other brands such as Zara, Mango, or Massimo Dutti provide good quality at reasonable prices. 

   
   

   
   

   6.) Artistic Design

   
   

   

   
   

   Do you love it?

   
   

   Often the value of a garment is not found in your wallet but your heart. How much does the garment speak to you? For me, when I find a garment I love there is no doubt. All factors go out the window and all I see is me, the garment and our future.

    Often the moment is phrased as, "If I were a _____ I would look like this." 

   Just be careful the price is rather lower, than higher. For example, I once bought a gorgeous top for $5 and fixed the bad stitch work, and rearranged some mistakes. 

   Cheap fabrics or bad craftsmanship is forgivable if the price is low but cringe worthy if you pay a high price. 

   
   

   Happy Smart Shopping!

   
   

   xo,

   Maya

How To Shop Like a Fashion Pro

Summer is here and it's time to revamp that wardrobe. However, before you go mindlessly shopping for something you might regret, why not shop this season like a fashion pro? 

                                DON'T BREAK THE BANK

BUDGET. The first thing you need to do is have some kind of budget. It doesn't matter whether you are a millionaire or a student, having a budget organizes your mind. Knowing clearly where you stand financially before  you shop, will avoid impulse shopping, and purchases you may later regret.  

                                  WARDROBE CHECK

Right before you go shopping, do a quick wardrobe refresh. This means, do a visual check of what you own and refresh your memory. This will prevent you from buying items that you naturally gravitate to. You can't imagine how common it is for people to collect pieces that look exactly the same, over and over again. Try to figure out what items would enhance the pieces you already own, and what fashion pieces would most benefit your collection. Keep a mental note of these items, and shop with the intention to find them.

                                          BODY SIZE

This is never fun, but trust me, it's better to figure out your size at home than in a dressing room with awful lighting. The key is to try your most form fitting outfit, and get an idea of whether you have gained weight or lost it. From here you can decide whether to postpone shopping till you are back to your normal weight or to go anyway but step up or down a size. Pre sizing yourself will prevent those depressing, "nothing fits me" moments. 

                       SCAN THE PLAYGROUND

The first thing you should do when you enter a store is to scan the entire store. Literally stand in a good spot and visually summarizes the whole shop. If you like nothing, and the vibe feels wrong, then don't waste your time. Some stores, organize sections by type or style and scanning will allow you to directly go to the spot that fits you. 

                                              SALES!

SALES are the first place I always go. After all, this is where you can find the best deals, and get so much more for your money. However, be careful! Sometimes shops use the word "sale" to make you impulse buy. If you really don't need it, then don't buy it. I especially am careful on gimmics like "buy 1 get 1 1/2 off" this is just a fancy way of saying 25% off. Stores always do math tricks like this, to make you believe it is a bigger deal than it really is. Clearance racks are usually the best place to find great deals, but usually not in the best shape. If you are not good at fixing up clothes or love to sew and craft like me, then perhaps pass on a fixer upper.

                          IMPULSE SHOPPING BEWARE

I don't know what happens to our brains when we shop, but you cannot imagine the weird stuff I have come home with. For some reason at the store it seems so amazing. Then as you return home and your brain re-enters your body you awaken to a ridiculous purchase you cannot believe you made. The only way to prevent crazy purchases is to have a strong grip on what you need and what you are looking for.

 Don't let the glamour of shopping centers pull you into the abyss of clothing you don't need and will never wear. 

Have fun.

x