Sundresses for a Steal!

Posted on May 18, 2013 by admin


As I mentioning in the anti-polyester rant that was my last blog entry, I have been disillusioned by online dress shopping. I had a very tight budget, and was willing to blow it all on one dress, provided I FIND THE RIGHT ONE. This Cinderella approach did not work: my expectations went sky-high for the over $100 dress set, and I was really set on 3 specific criteria for my “dream dress”:
1. Has tapering at the waist
2. Has a cute print that’s ultra feminine and playful, without being predictably floral (for me, this tends to be tribal or graphic prints)
3. Is made out of a high quality, feel-good fabric
I combed through the usual online go-to’s: Nordstrom, Gilt, Piperlime and more, all with the same frustrating results: crappy fabrics, expensive pieces, and waaaay too many empire waisted styles. I gave up and resumed my uniform of skinny jeans and tank tops layered under various zip and button-down sweater tops. Zzzzzzzzz….
On a different evening, I was online researching designer collaborations for a different blog entry (like the much-anticipated 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target — will keep you posted!), when I stumbled upon dresses at Kohl’s. Yes, Kohl’s, where your grandmother stocks up on towels and picture frames.
Now, I am certainly not a snob, and love few things more than a good bargain, but up until now, I have been much more comfortable in the Runway section of TJ Maxx than at stores like Kohl’s, JC Penney and Sears. I’ve run into Kohl’s before and felt uninspired: so much stuff, so mass-produced. For some reason, coming at it from the designer collaboration angle and shopping online, did the trick. I was excited about a number of styles, the prices were great, and the fabrics I found were better than expected.
So here are the results:
$ spent: just under $100, with an online coupon code I googled
dresses bought: 4 (yes, math whizzes, that’s $25 per dress!), 3 printed, 1 solid, all 4 adorable
lines shopped: Apt. 9, LC Lauren Conrad, ELLE (like the magazine)
fabrics acquired: super soft modal, breezy rayon, and 1 polyester nylon (but bought for a steal!)
added bonus: the day after my online purchase, I got a $20 “Kohl’s cash” gift certificate by email, which I promptly used to make the useful, practical purchase of a bath mat and toothbrush holder. Your grandmother would be proud.
Here are links for 3 of the 4 dresses I bought (the 4th is a berry-purple modal number that feels like air next to the skin):

Dress 1  (I got it in dark blue – loved the blue and yellow together!)

Dress 2  (I got the light blue color)

Dress 3

Lesson learned: keep an open mind about the ever-changing retailer options!

– Maria

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The Polyester Invasion

Posted on May 18, 2013 by admin


I have recently been on a hunt for a few cute summer dresses, and since I regularly OD on brick and mortar shopping through my client work, I have been doing quite a lot of online scouring. After combing through Gilt, Piperlime, ModCloth, HauteLook, and even online selection at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, I have one thing to say to the buyers of these fine institutions: 1975 called, and it wants its staple fabric back!! I have learned to read the fine print, and I meticulously check what a garment is made out of when shopping, and when I clicked into each dress description, I saw varying percentages of polyester listed as the fabric for the dresses I liked. This would not burn my britches as much if the dresses in question were bargains, but I find it appalling that dresses that retail for $60 – $150 are indeed polyester.
Why does polyester suck? Well, as a fabric, it does not breathe well, causing the wearer to sweat more than he or she would normally. It also clings to the skin, and does not drape as well as cotton, silk or rayon. It often has a sheen to it that looks cheap, even if you were one of the suckers to shell out $100+ for a polyester sundress because you fell in love with the pattern. If you sweat on polyester, the sweat penetrates the fabric, and washing will not get the smell out completely (this is my #1 pet peeve). Aside from wearability, polyester production can release toxic emissions and deplete nonrenewable resources, meaning that it’s fairly earth-unfriendly. Polyester’s few redeeming qualities include being wrinkle-free and easy to wash, so occasionally I am ok with an inexpensive shirt or dress made out of a polyester brand for casual use, particularly for moms of young kids, or anyone that exists in messy environments.
So what do you do if you’re hunting down some lightweight summer dress or blouse options?
1. Read the labels – a small % polyester is fine if blended with cotton, rayon, silk or modal, but 100% polyester is only ok for ultra casual wear and should not cost more than $30 for a blouse and $40 for a dress.
2. Visit bargain websites and stores like JC Penney, Kohl’s, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack so that even if you do end up grabbing anything with polyester, you’ll be getting a deal (stay tuned for my next blog on the dresses that I did end up buying, at a great deal!)
3. Never assume that any stores or brands carry only high quality fabrics – I spotted 100% polyester blouses at Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Anthropologie and all the online retailers mentioned above.
4. If you get frustrated at the fabric choices in stores or websites, comment about it to sales staff and, more importantly, vote with your dollar by not buying low-quality fabrics.
– Maria

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The Band-Aid to Beat all Band-Aids

Posted on May 6, 2013 by admin

The weather is getting warmer and your feet are yearning for fresh air. You happily oblige
as you are sick and tired of the boots you have been wearing for the past 9 months.
But, then a blister appears and your fashion euphoria is ruined. Sound familiar?

The fact of the matter is that blisters are unavoidable this time of year as you break out
last summer’s footwear and treat yourself to new sandals, ballet flats and open-toed heels.
The sensitive skin on your feet is being rubbed in new places and there is very little that
you can do about it. Sure, you could slap a band-aid on the afflicted area, but they are no
match for the moisture of your feet or for the incredible amount of friction created while
walking. In little to no time at all, they slip off and the pain returns.

Until now…

I recently discovered Activ-Flex, Premium Adhesive Bandages by Band-Aid, and have been spreading  the word ever since. They use “advanced medical technology” that ”outperforms, outflexes and  outlasts ordinary bandages.”

Translation? I had blisters from a new pair of shoes both at the back of my heel and on the
knuckle of my big toe (read: two high intensity points of flex and friction) and these
band-aids hung on all day while I worked on my feet and allowed me to wear a pair of shoes  that otherwise would have been shelved for 2-3 weeks while my feet heeled.

They’re a bit pricey, but given the fact that I am not replacing them every hour on the hour, I would say that they are worth every penny.

Here’s to a pain-free spring season for your feet!
–Marisa

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Ultimate Outlet of the Ultimate Bargainista!

Posted on April 29, 2013 by admin

   

Anyone that has shopped with me knows I love a good deal! While shopping bargain stores and sales requires a certain degree of endurance and patience, online outlet shopping can be a much more relaxing experience, yielding the same (if not better!) results.

This week, I discovered Ultimate Outlet (www.ultimateoutlet.com) and this hidden gem is definitely worth a weeknight browse, wine glass in hand. The site offers a variety of clothing, footwear and accessory options, many from the Spiegel and ShapeFX brands. The categories that particularly appealed to me on the site were swimwear and underpinnings. ShapeFX offers a slimming compression in most of its garments, and I was wowed by the $29 price point on their one-piece swimsuit dresses. These come in two different styles and a myriad of colors and patterns, and the concept is nothing short of genius: the style covers one’s bum and thigh area, which is a hot zone for many. This is also a seriously awesome way to tackle an occasion where you have to wear a bathing suit, but really don’t want to, such as a team-building afternoon with your company’s entire sales department, or a child’s birthday pool party. I also loved the crochet trim one-piece bathing suit as well as the necklace print one-piece which is only $10 – it’s like they’re giving it away!

On the lingerie / layering piece end, I was impressed by the options of bras, camisoles and shaping garments and their prices. The Secret Sculptor tunic by ShapeFX was a favorite, with its longer shape and sexy lace trim and priced at just $24. The Lace Bra by ShapeFX is also a stylist’s darling since it has a lace panel in the front that doubles as a camisole for low-cut necklines and sells for just $5! There were also other long camisoles for layering, and I tend to recommend those to clients quite a bit.

Happy shopping and saving!

- Maria

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Spring 2013 Trends Report – Volume IV

Posted on April 16, 2013 by admin

Welcome to the fourth and final installment of the Spring 2013 Trends Report.

Marc Jacobs

Black and White and Stylish All Over
The high-contrast combination of black and white is a minimalist aesthetic with maximum impact. Stick to a strict palette of the two opposite ends of the color spectrum and don’t muddy it with the addition of another color.
Examples:
Michael Kors
Narciso Rodriguez
Oscar de la Renta

Balenciaga

Righteous Ruffles
These ain’t no girly ruffles. These are sculptural, architectural, in-your-face ruffles. Much like the “Deluxe Details” from Volume I, these ruffles should be the main focus of your ensemble, paired with minimal jewlery and low-key hair and makeup.
Examples:
Gucci
Chloe
Givenchy

Etro

Asian Influence
The Far East continues to be a source of inspiration for Spring 2013. But, this time, instead of the fabrics, the iconic silhouettes and shapes of the region are the stars. Try a kimono-inspired top or dress if this trend speaks to you.
Examples:
Prada
Emilio Pucci
Dries van Noten

And, with that, I conclude the Spring 2013 installment of our bi-annual Spring Trends Report. We at Stilista are looking forward to working with you to decide which of these trends work best for your body type, lifestyle and fashion goals and to helping you shop for them, no matter your budget!
–Marisa

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My Spring Fantasy: A Snuggly Sweater Coat

Posted on April 7, 2013 by admin

When I was a little girl growing up in Soviet Latvia, I noticed one constant with all the adult women I knew: they all owned a big, warm, very textured “kofta”, a.k.a. a sweater coat. This was an extremely practical item: it could be thrown on at the office, or over a casual at-home ensemble, or as a coat for a quick trip to the [very sparse] grocery store. I observed a curious correlation between the thickness and coarseness of the sweater coat and the woman’s age: the older the woman, the more heavy and coarse the garment. It was as if Soviet life had toughened each of these ladies so much over the years, that no degree of itchiness brought on by a mohair or alpaca knit could phase the woman in question. In short: these ladies did not screw around when it came to their top layer. Everyone owned this garment for years, and it was not uncommon to recognize neighborhood moms and grandmothers by their “koftas”.

Today, I am pleased to live in a warmer climate, with much more sweater coat options! I have been coveting this look for quite some time, and Spring is a great time to realize the dream, since this look can be so useful for transitional weather. Wear it open on warm afternoons, button it up and top with a scarf for chilly mornings or evenings and lounge on the couch in a sweater coat after you’ve stubbornly turned off the heat and turning it back on would be nothing short of an act of defeat.

My ideal sweater coat would have a neutral-colored bohemian print, such as an Aztec or Ikat motif, be free of mohair and other coarser wools to avoid itch (a surprising amount of people are sensitive to wool, I’ve learned from my client work), be long enough to cover the butt, and have buttons. I also really need a slim fit and a v-neck or shawl-collar since I am tall and broad-shouldred. So far, I haven’t found the one, and I periodically scour online stores to keep the sweater coat dream alive. Good places to start are stores that carry bohemian-style lines like Free People, BB Dakota and stores like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and even Nordstrom. This is more of an online endeavor because brick and mortar stores have already moved on into the direction of sundresses, white jeans and pastel-colored shorts.

Have some sweater coat ideas for me? Please share!

– Maria

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Spring 2013 Trends Report – Volume III

Posted on April 6, 2013 by admin

Hello readers! Glad to have you back! Let’s check out another batch of trends…

Victoria Beckham

A is for A-line
This classic skirt silhouette is back at the forefront of fashion, shown in lengths from mini to midi. Ever-appropriate and always flattering, this trend is sure to be a fan favorite. Keep it short, full and flirty for nighttime and weekends, and knee-length or longer for the office.
Examples:
Michael Kors
Dolce & Gabbana
Lanvin

Prada

Fierce Florals
Florals remain relevant but take a turn towards the dark side. When shopping for them, select brooding and futuristic blooms and you’ll be right on-trend. Finally, a floral for those of us with edgier fashion tendencies!
Examples:
3.1 Phillip Lim
Valentino
Bottega Veneta

Alice & Olivia

New Age Lace
Strike a balance between naughty and nice in lace dresses in eye-catching hues. One of these dresses will take you everywhere you need to go this spring. Whether it’s to Sunday mass, a bridal or baby shower, a wedding or even a fancy date-night or trip to the club with the girls, you will be going in style.
Examples:
Burberry Prorsum
Vera Wang
Roberto Cavalli

One more week of trends to go! Don’t miss it! See you on the flip side…
–Marisa

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Indochino Custom Suits – a Stylist’s Take

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

Last week, I attended a great evening event at the Indochino pop-up store at 234 Clarendon street, right off Newbury. I do my best to go to these things with an open mind and zero expectations, and though I have a few very solid resources for my male clients who need custom or made-to-measure options, I am always curious about new offerings in the area.
Indochino was a pleasant surprise – their fabrics were sumptuous and luxurious, and the color and style options for suiting and shirts abundant. I spotted a very cool vintage-inspired vest style that was part of a displayed 3-piece suit that had a u-neckline that I could easily picture on a dapper modern-day version of Don Draper (this look also inspired me to fill in my companion about the latest online gossip about Jon Hamm’s um, male parts, but I digress..)
I chatted with Crystal Walton, a Product Marketing Manager for the brand, and she shared helpful pricing info, which was also a pleasant surprise: custom suiting options range between the mid-$300′s and $500′s, making them very competitive with great custom and off-the-rack suiting options.
The pop-up is only open until April 15th, and one can go there and get fitted for their suit and all measurements are documented for future orders, making repeat orders a snap. The first order also comes with an alterations credit and a list of tailors in the area for small-yet-necessary tweaks. The only downside to the whole thing? Once the pop-up is gone, orderers will need to measure themselves with Indochino’s helpful instructions or head to a participating independent tailor to get measured — something I fear my clients are either too busy to do, or will be intimidated by. Still, a wonderful option in the world of custom suiting.

– Maria

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Ladies, this is How You Try On Pants (and Jeans!)

Posted on April 1, 2013 by admin

       

Though we all put our pants on one leg at a time, I have come to realize in my almost 6 years as a personal stylist that most of the Boston-area female population is wearing their pants at least tad too loose. This inspired me to write a how-to blog entry about the correct way to audition jeans and pants so that you’re getting the best fit, every time. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

- Browse jeans / pants styles, selecting ones that appeal to you. Of the ones you like, notice which ones have some spandex in the fabric, and what % of the fabric is spandex. The higher the percentage, the stretchier the pant, and therefore, the more it will stretch out as you wear it, so this is important to pay attention to. If a pant style has no spandex, it will likely not be great at hugging your curves, and could even flatten your derriere.
- Go to a fitting room and as you put on each pair, really take the time to squeeze into each one, even if it’s a tight fit up the leg. Too often, folks disqualify a pant based on this, but it’s often a non-issue after a couple of wears and stretching.
- Once the pair is all the way up, work hard to close the top button. If you need to, lean back against the wall or even lie down on a bench (yes, I have done this, both personally and with a client!) until it closes. If it closes very easily and there is no struggle to get into the pants, it is very likely that after 1-2 wears the pants will become loose or slouchy. Ask for a smaller size if it was easy to get the pants buttoned, or if you notice any pockets of extra fabric anywhere around the thighs or butt.
- Once the pants are buttoned, take a careful look in the mirror, including the front view, the side view and the back view (if possible). The side view will be most telling, as you’ll see extra fabric bunching under the butt if the pant is too big. Avoid pants that create a horizontal line pulls in the front as this means that the pant is too small or not the right cut for your body type.
- Keep in mind that minor alterations can help you achieve a better fit with pants. If you have a hard-time with pants, keep in mind that hemming, taking in pants at the back of the waistband (very common issue for the larger butt / smaller waist body type) and sewing slash pockets shut are easy and inexpensive alterations and can make a huge improvement in the fit of your pants.
- If the pants / jeans you are trying on are feeling very tight on, keep in mind that they will stretch. Try to sit down and walk around in them to feel them out. If you are currently wearing pants looser, this will take some getting used to, but I recommend you try to keep an open mind. I would never advise anyone to buy anything that pinches or feels like it’s cutting into the skin, but I do think that going tighter at the trying-on stage can really give you that perfect fit.
- Ask the store what their return policy is, and make sure you bring the pants / jeans back if they end up stretching more than expected or if they end up too tight.
Happy Shopping! And if you hear sharp intakes of air and the occasional groan in the fitting room next to you, that’s probably me, and I have some awesome jeans and pants to show for it!

- Maria

PS – the exception to the rule is, of course, the looser boyfriend jean, but that’s a whole other topic, as that remains to be a very tricky style to wear!

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Spring 2013 Trends Report – Volume II

Posted on March 28, 2013 by admin

Welcome back for the second installment of the Spring 2013 Trends Report.

Marni

Ladylike Leather
New techniques allow designers to treat leather like fabric, softening its hard edge and making it increasingly relevant and wearable – even in warm weather. If you are a girly-girl who prefers feminine and romantic ensembles, there is finally a leather look for you.
Examples:
Salvatore Ferragamo
Hermes
Jason Wu

Donna Karan

Pretty Pastels
Calming hues appeared in fabrics to match – fluid and flowy silks, chiffons and satins – to create effortless and feminine looks. Perhaps no other trend captures the essence of the season better than this one. It is an almost literal translation of what it means to transition from winter to spring – the colors are soft and fresh, evoking all things new and innocent, and the fabrics allow the wearer to enjoy the warmth of the weather.
Examples:
Carolina Herrara
J. Mendel
Blumarine

Derek Lam

A Sheer Pleasure
Transparent panels, cut-outs and see-through textiles stomped down many a Spring 2013 runway. Though this trend is not for everyone and for everywhere, this is the ultimate in dare-to-wear fashion for the style lover.
Examples:
Louis Vuitton
Akris
Alexander Wang

 

Yet to find a trend that revs your fashion engine? Check back next week for 3 more! Blog you then…
–Marisa

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