Quality and Thrift Storing

 A note on what to look for when shopping:

     Through my many scavangings of thrift stores, garage sales, and garbage bins (yes really) I have had to learn the good from the bad. And quick. The options we are given (and that are affordable) are from stores that provide us with a variety of clothing, but all cheaply made and made out of cheap materials. After a year of a crash sewing course and having grown up around well made saddles and boots, I have an appreciation for leather, well tailored pieces and good materials. When I shop I look  a little deranged; I feel the material many times over ( I  even sniff it, cloth can hold odor ) read the labels for washing instruction, fibre content etc. Though this may seems over the top it really comes down to your bang- for- your-buck. 

things to look for:
-brand name (yes this sounds silly because some people will sell their soul just to have the Louis Vuitton symbol on their faces, but the brand (if authentic) and if from a good company, will be well made or from good materials
-ALWAYS and I mean always check the care instructions (washing, ironing etc.) this will tell you a lot about your clothes. It as well should tell you the fibre content:
go for things such as wool, satin, silk,  and cotton. Try to stay away from poly blends, tehy will not look as nice nor will they live as long
-look at the seams and the stitching, if it is sloppy and not straight you can see that it is made poorly and from cheap materials usually.

For example in my closet my favorite pieces tend to be my less expensive (they are the ones I have had to dig for, but are always made out of good material and well made)
-My navy wool blazer (it's virgin wool, the stitches are tight and strait, seams lined up and the lining is a good quality satin) it cost me 5$, original value would have been around 80$ maybe
-My tall Leather riding boots (Italian leather, the stitches are hand sewn and the leather is soft made in Canada) cost me 3$
- My 1990's Dooney & Bourke Purse (authentic, all-weather leather, hand stitched, etc.) cost me 40$
-My Liberty London purple scarf (Made in England, 100% silk, the hem hand rolled and stitched) 1$ out of a thrift store bin

The point I am trying to make is that you just have to dig,  the quality items are there. Pieces that are well made and made out of good quality with the proper care can last a lifetime. But an end to shirts that get holes from going through the wash and purses that only live through one year, go to your local thrift store and see for yourself. 

P.S. wear gloves, ever so vintage yet allows you not to get too creeped out by what you might or might not be touching....

The Basics

        The basics-
 something that should be in every woman's closet. They are the building blocks to 'outfit success', which for many is a daily struggle. And it does not have to be drudgery,  it should be a fun, creative, and enjoyable experiance. Basics (as I said above) are how we are going to make the transgression into 'fashion ease'; the ability to put something on and know that it is amazing and that you yourself are amazing. Furthermore have the confidence to be proud.

The most important basic above all however is Confidence.

And no one put it better than Karl Lagerfeld,
“The elegance is as physical, as moral quality that has nothing common with the clothing. You can see a countrywoman more elegant than one so called elegant woman.”



When it comes to your closet however, there are basics that are needed:
   (some of these will not work in certain seasons, but most you will be able to do all year)
Tops:
-Black cashmere long sleeve (turtleneck, scoop neck which ever) it's classic and to boot sliming
- Black t-shirt &White t-shirt (perfect for layering or for summer) plus so many things to wear with it
- Striped sailor shirt (loose fitting or tight, it is a classic basic, it gives pattern and visual interest) as well you will instantly feel like Coco Chanel or just a touch of Paris
Bottoms:
-a good pair of denim (jeans) they can be dressed up or dressed down, but the goal is to find the right one for you and your butt. Get a girlfriend's second opinion for that one if unsure
-black cigarette pants (they are the Joan Jett of the pants world, but honestly that is why we love them even more. They are slimming and have so many options to be paired with)
-black dress pants (so many options; wide cuff, no cuff, slim leg etc.) but no matter what they will be a staple to your life proffesional or otherwise
Dress:
-LBD (little black dress):this one is key, because you should have one for each season. Personally I have a black wool long sleeved dress that skims over my curves, but it is strictly a fall/winter dress.
summer: in fabrics such as chiffon, cotton, satin just anything light weight. The best part of this dress is you can dress it up for a date or dress it down for a summer party
spring: anything that's breezy or something you can at least put on a jacket or go sans jacket. Spring is exciting, it's when you can start to show off legs and start on that tan.
fall/winter: (see above) Wool, cashmere blends preferably, again the secret to the LBD is the dress up or dress down factor, it's like having Jon Hamm as a boyfriend; perfection.
Shoes:
-ballet flats (any color will do, this is up to you being the classic I am I usually go for a light pink) but the great thing about ballet flats is that beyond being oh-too-cute, they go with so many things: jeans, dress, skirts, etc.
-a pair of boots( riding, skater, angry 90's child- what have you) so many styles to choose from yet which ever is more your style they can be worn with jeans, skirts in the fall and winter. And maybe those really cold Spring days.
-The classic black pump (I'm not saying you have to wear scary tall heels, go kitten if that is you, but they are important) just avoid anything too pointy, too square that will become outdated fast.
Outerwear:
-Classic black and or Navy blazer ( tailored preferably, but this is a great piece as you can wear it to a job interview, out shopping, or to a party) it pulls together an outfit perfectly but it also creates structure to an outfit. It's sort of the fat pants of the fashion world: comfortable, dependable, and ever so wonderful.

-Trench coat (I mean Audrey Hepburn and Humprhey Bogart worn them, how many more reasons do you need? But in all seriousness it can be the any add on to a formal or casual outfit, it's classic and pulls together your outfit and is as well a great layer piece.
-Leather coat (I have a girlfriend of mine who wears her dad's university leather jacket and rocks it in either beaten up jeans or a floral dresss, key example of versitality) whatever your preffered color or style, it will work with formal or casual. It also adds a touch of badass