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  • Style Tips for a Fashionable Winter

    Style Tips for a Fashionable Winter

    As you head out to brave the cold this winter, keep in mind that you don’t have to sacrifice style for warmth. There are several tricks you can use to keep yourself looking chic, even with temperatures plunging downwards.

    1. Invest in a Statement Coat

    Even if you find yourself stuck with boring sweats, you can still give your outfit a bit of life with an awesome coat. You can play around with pops of colors instead of resorting to the neutral tones that are often worn during the winter. The material of your coat can also give your outfit a bit of spice. Materials like faux fur and leather can take your otherwise bland outfit to the next level with a bit of mixing and matching.

    2. Play it up with Your Bottoms

    Consider using your bottom pieces to make a splash this season. There’s no need to stuff yourself in a pair of bland jeans everyday. You can turn heads with a funky pair of patterned leggings or your favourite bright trousers. The trick is to use unconventional colors, patterns, and materials to give your audience something to look at. Even if the rest of your outfit is plain, your statement bottom piece will provide a bit of flavour.

    3. Layer it up

    One of the easiest ways to add complexity to your winter attire is to mix and match some of your pieces and layer them on top of one another. Besides keeping you warm, this technique allows you to create unique combinations that are unlikely to be seen on anyone else. The key to layering is to use contrasting colors and materials that still complement one another. It may be difficult to get a working combination at first so it’s important to keep blending until you find something that works well. As a general rule of thumb, you should try to avoid mixing more than 3 colors and 3 materials. Although a variety is nice, you don’t want something that’s too chaotic.

    Bonus Tip: If it’s not too cold out, consider wearing your coat open or unzipped so that you can see the complexity of the layers beneath. You can throw on a scarf and a funky hat in case there’s a bit of a cool breeze.

    4. Strap on Some Funky Boots

    With winter boots being offered in hundreds of colors, shapes and styles, you can easily make a splash this winter with eye-catching boots.  Your feet are almost always visible so even if you’re bundled up from head to toe, you can still indulge your style cravings with something that demands appreciation. Don’t be afraid to try experimenting with something on the wilder side. If this is the one place you decide to make a statement, make it loud! 

  • Fashion at Second-Hand Shops

    Fashion at Second-Hand Shops

    When people meet each other on the street or at school, they notice different things about each other. They might notice the other person’s hair or their face, but they often notice the clothes. What people wear can say a lot about who they are, what they value and even how creative they are. Clothes can be expensive, but you can still look good without spending a lot of money. Finding fashion at second-hand shops can be challenging, but it’s possible to look good on a very small budget.

    Most cities have different types of second-hand clothing stores. Consignment shops are places where the previous owners of the clothes or other items get money back for whatever the store staff can sell. If no one buys an item, it eventually goes back to the owner. Much of the time, however, people donate used clothing or other items to organizations that use the money to help some kind of program, such as income support for the poor. Thrift stores that cater to the poor are some of the most common of these types of shops.

    Shopping for second-hand clothes can be rewarding but time-consuming. It can be hard to find nice outfits in the jumble of used clothes, with limited choices of size or colour. However, patience, persistence, and a sense of fashion can help. For people who know how to sew, shopping at second-hand stores can present many options for altering clothing to fit new styles. The final result can often be worth the extra time spent in shopping.

    If shopping at second-hand stores is so time-consuming, why does anyone do it? Money is probably the biggest reason. New clothes can be very expensive, especially for anyone on a low income. Buying used clothes allows them to have a variety of outfits without spending more than they can afford. For some people, shopping for used clothes might also be an exciting challenge that allows them to create their own style. If they choose clothes that fit well with different outfits, they can have a lot of variety without having a closet full of clothes.

    For many second-hand shoppers, buying used clothes is a social or environmental choice. Most of the clothes people buy in North America are made far away in countries like Bangladesh or China, where many workers experience low pay and unsafe conditions. Buying these clothes makes customers feel that they support the exploitation of workers. Another reason for buying second-hand clothing is that transporting the finished clothes from the factories to the North American stores uses a lot of fuel and pollutes the environment. Meanwhile, unwanted clothes often end up in the landfills here in Canada, contributing to the mountains of garbage people produce. Buying second-hand clothes means that people are trying to get the greatest possible use out of the world’s resources.

    For all of these reasons and more, second-hand clothing shopping is growing in North America at shops, flea markets, garage sales. Will you join the trend?

  • Frugally Fashionable

    Frugally Fashionable

    One of the hardest parts about being a student – especially a fashionable one – is budgeting. Some students are not always privy to the deals and steals of the trade. Just because it’s an expensive article of clothing doesn’t mean that  you automatically have style. The key to being stylish and keeping some pocket money is to pay attention to what is around you. Look at fashion and style news and look through “look books” of your favourite stores online. You will see that there are some things you can recreate for a lot less.

    For example, I took a look at my favourite fashion bloggers – yes, they wear Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Dolce & Gabbana – all things that I certainly cannot afford. However, I also took note of a lot of the pieces I liked the most – then went on a thrift shop day!  The biggest trend I have been noticing this winter season is over-sized wool and cashmere coats, and on my outing to Salvation Army I found the most beautiful, Italian-made, cashmere and wool coat in my size for only $7.99!

    Not stopping there, I also left with a wonderful oversized winter coat (durable, water resistant, fleece removable insulation) for $19.99 and a blue knitted sweater (originally from H&M) for $7.99. To top it off, the cashier also notified me that every Friday is half-off everything in the entire store – imagine all the savings!

    It is not hard to find frugal ways to stay fashionable, as long as you are able to recreate what you like from the runways and what suits you best. You can even find DIY fashion blogs that help you add some kick to an old thrift shop garment. You will be surprised of the results you get!

    Remember – the best way to be fashionable is to be true to yourself. No matter what you wear, you will look stylish because you are uniquely you!

  • The Wonders of Thrift Shopping

    The Wonders of Thrift Shopping

    Ever since Macklemore came out with that catchy song (you know, the one that plays on the radio every 30 seconds), thrift shopping has topped the list of Cool Things To Do. Even celebrities like Janelle Monae and One Republic’s Ryan Tedder have jumped in on the craze. If you’re a fashion junkie such as myself, you’ll agree with me when I say that second hand clothing stores are glorious.

    For those suffering from a lack of variety in their closet, thrifting is the way to go. The clothing at thrift stores are always rich with an odd assortment of colors, fabrics, and prints. It’s the best way to diversify your outfits without spending a fortune. Shopaholics in particular can benefit from taking a trip down to the nearest Goodwill. Buying second-hand clothing is a great way to satisfy your cravings without feeling incredibly guilty afterwards.

    A lot of students go the extra mile (or pay the extra mile) to ensure that they have clothes no one else is rocking. However, the easiest and most economically-friendly way to do this is to go thrifting! Second-hand stores are bursting with things that you can’t find anywhere else. There is literally something for everyone, no matter what style you’re currently into. Vintage-lovers, especially, may find themselves salivating at all the cool, old-school articles they have lying around.

    There are legions of people who are skeptical about purchasing used-clothing but I urge you to break away from that mindset for the sake of your wardrobe. Who cares if those high-waisted jeans have been worn before? Are you afraid that the previous owner of your gorgeous, tweed blazer is going to bump into you on the street and demand their stuff back?

    If you’re still a bit self-conscious, no one has to know that you bought your items second hand. However, you should embrace the fact that you scored an awesome new wardrobe with a handful of change. You’re fabulous and resourceful; learn to love it.

    For those who are still a bit unsure about the wonders of thrifting, take a look at what I managed to snag last week at a second-hand store for only $40:

    • 4 Blazers
    • 2 Winter Cardigans
    • 2 Vests
    • 2 Tunic Sweaters
    • A navy blue dress shirt
    • A cute belt
    • A floral skirt

    I’m still congratulating myself on such a great haul.

    With winter coming, this is the perfect time to take your first trip to the local second-hand store. For all the sweater lovers out there, you should know that almost every thrift store you go to will have a ton of lovely grandpa-sweaters in all sorts of colors and patterns. You can pair them with your favourite pair of skinny jeans or neutral tights and some killer combat boots. The possibilities are nearly endless.

    So when in doubt, just remember that thrift rhymes with gift. Thrifting is a gift from the higher powers so take advantage of it! Just grab a twenty-dollar bill and prepare yourself for the biggest shopping-high you’ll ever experience.

  • Career Profile: Fashion Buyer

    Career Profile: Fashion Buyer

    You might have heard of the term “buyer” referenced on TV or in movies. He or she is usually fashionable dressed and always in a rush to find the next big thing clothing designers have to offer. Admittedly, in this case, fiction is not that far off from the truth. Fashion buyers are usually employed by clothing retailers, both big and small, to stock their shelves with products that are most likely to keep the customers walking through the front door. Though the term isn’t exclusively used with the fashion industry, the fashion buyer is the most popular incarnation of the job.

    Where does a buyer work and who do they work with?
    Oftentimes, a buyer will find him or herself attending runway shows, wholesale markets and special showcases put on by designers to present new products lines. Buyers are expected to take notes and keep a look out for the next trend destined to hit the market. Every buyer’s ultimate goal is to have the retailer they work for be one of the first retailers on the market to promote the next trend in time to scoop up the majority of the sales.

    Along with designers, buyers work closely with sales department representatives and clothing suppliers to ensure the products stocked are marketed in the best way and that they are no discrepancies with the products received. The majority of a buyer’s job involves negotiating the terms of a stock order with the supplier.

    Specializing
    Depending on the size of retailer, which varies from large department chain to privately owned boutique, there may be individual buyers responsible for specific products – like women’s shoes or men’s pants. Larger retailers will also have multiple levels of seniority determined by experience and responsibility given. Securing a position as an assistant buyer, for example, will allow new graduates and those who have been around for less time in the industry to gain experience and exposure under the wing of a senior employee.

    Certification
    Colleges focused on fashion education will offer certification for students interested in buying and merchandising. Some community colleges will also offer similar programs, but for those seeking opportunities right out of school, attending a program known for its fashion centric education might be a better option – particularly for networking and gaining contacts.