STYLEnosh

CLEAN YOUR CLOSET!: EASY STEPS TO A BETTER WARDROBE PT. 2

I know. Not exactly what you want to hear. My first suggestion in this series on a better wardrobe was buy a mirror. Pretty simple, right? And now I'm merely suggesting that you clean up your closet. Not clear it out. So what do I mean by clean it up?

Pick up anything thrown on the floor.

Hang clothes that should be hanging on the rack instead of strewn across a chair.

Get rid of the lingering clothing mounds on your shelves. Fold all sweaters, jeans, and t-shirts neatly.

WEARING COLOR ON COLOR WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE GARANIMALS

I'm typically not a big fan of wearing accessories in the same color. It's just a little too matchy-matchy for my tastes. But when a transitional hair situation arose last week, basically I took down all of the braids on the top of my head so they could be re-braided, I found myself wearing this yellow hat that I hadn't worn in years. And I needed a scarf (you know those moments when you need a scarf to complete your look). I found the only one that fit just right was this yellow one with red peace signs on it. And that's how you end up in a kinda matching outfit. 

Why does it work? The simple white shirt and blue denim keep the overall palette clean and basic, which allows the yellow to pop. I even received a few compliments. And to think, I almost didn't wear the scarf because I thought it looked too 1994.

BUY A MIRROR!: AND 4 OTHER EASY STEPS TO A BETTER WARDROBE PT. 1

People, for the sake of all things associated with looking put together when you leave the house, buy a mirror!

I used to have one of those full-length mirrors that you're supposed to hang on the back of your door but I always just propped mine up against the wall in my bedroom. Well the last time I moved, most of my belongings survived the trip unscathed but sadly, my full-length mirror did not. And I never replaced it. Until this past weekend.

Now you may be thinking, I have a mirror. It came with my bathroom. Yes, I have one of those too. But if you have to stand on a step stool to see your entire body in that mirror, it's not working for you. No, it's really not.

Why a full length mirror?

2 DAYS ONLY: TAKE 30% OFF AT BANANA REPUBLIC, GAP, & OLD NAVY

ONLINE ONLY

Offer good through Tuesday, July 27th. Get free shipping on purchases of $100 or more. Use promo code SAVE30. Browse/shop away!

BANANA REPUBLIC

GAP

OLD NAVY

THIS WEEK'S SALES - SAKS, URBAN OUTFITTERS, & MORE

SAKS   The Women's Sale boasts discounts up to 70% off. Fantastic deals to be found. Sizes are limited.

URBAN OUTFITTERS   Discover cute tanks, tees, and a few dresses priced just under $5! And if you broaden your sale shopping, you find awesome deals under $9.99 and at $14.99.

DSW    Spend more, save more. Take $10 off $49, $25 off $99, and $50 off $199. Offer good online only through July 26th. Use promo code TOPTIER.

NEIMAN MARCUS   Still offering up to 65% off designer merch. I'll just say three words: discounted designer handbags. That's all.

LOOKS + WORK= ONE BIG DIFFERENCE

Ah, I love when survey results state the very thing that no one wants to admit. Newsweek has tackled one such topic. Your physical attractiveness is a factor in the workplace! As the saying goes, it ain't right but it's real.

Here's a link to all of the Newsweek stories on The Beauty Advantage. If you look at the poll results on, "How much is beauty worth at work?", you'll see what hiring managers are looking for and thinking about when you show up for an interview. Note the top three rated character attributes were 1-experience, 2-confidence, and 3-looks.  How you look is more important than where you went to school. Wow.

But before you get you whip out your credit card and schedule cosmetic surgery, consider the number 2 ranked character attribute from the survey: confidence. Boosting your confidence, the belief in yourself and your abilities, will positively impact your success at work. Surgery aside, what you wear to the office can dramatically improve that confidence. Here are three things to keep in mind:

Wear clothes that look good on you.   Don't schlep around in the same khaki pants with that coffee stain on the leg or that go-to dress that cuts a little to tight across the hips. It's simple. When you look bad, you feel bad. And that feeling is derailing your confidence.

THIS WEEK'S SALES!

Ah, there's nothing like a good sale. And thankfully, we can count on a constant set of discounts from retailers big and small each week. Ready to indulge? Here are this week's sales!

MACY'S   The One Day Sale is tomorrow, Saturday, July 17th, but the preview is today. Click here for the sale catalog. 

THE LIMITED   Take 30% off regular and sale prices this weekend. Use promo code 196 for online shopping.

CALVIN KLEIN   The Semi Annual Sale is in its final days. Some merchandise marked Up to 75% off. Plenty of wardrobe building pieces to choose from.

NORDSTORM  It's time for the Anniversary Sale. This annual event always gets me psyched for fall. Regular prices resume on August 2nd.

BANANA REPUBLIC   Take 30% off BR's favorite summer pieces. Here are their picks for the sale.

SHOPPING FOR STATEMENT MAKING FLATS

Nicole, this post is for you! Thanks for leaving a comment about the shoes worn in my 1 Outfit, 3 Ways, 1 Day post. It shows a pic of me wearing a pair of striped black and white flats by French Sole. I purchased these shoes a couple of years ago at the Belk store located at Phipps Plaza, which is one of the best places in Atlanta to snag an outrageous deal on designer brands.

Can't make it to Phipps? No problem! There are plenty of statement making shoes online. Below you'll find a sampling that goes across style and price range.

KENNETH COLE REACTION   These slip-ons are simple, stylish, and cheap! I love the leopard sequin print. Certain colors are on sale. The prices range from a super cheap $29.99 - $59 at piperlime.com.

FRENCH SOLE   I picked this picture of the Yacht shoe but check the entire sale section for a phenomenal selection of pretty flats at a discounted price.

1 OUTFIT, 3 WAYS, 1 DAY

This may sound strange to some of you but I typically wear variations of the same outfit throughout the course of the day. Especially during the summer months because I have to account for the arctic temps courtesy of the office air conditioning. These pictures show an example of my workday, wardrobe metamorphosis.

The original outfit includes a geometric print, camp-style shirt in black, gray, and white. It's paired with skinny jeans and striped black and white flats. I liked the mixed print look but it definitely needed an accessory to give it a little more flavor.

In comes the lavender pashmina. It's easy and simple and gives a little protection from the vent blasting cold air directly over my head.

And when the AC really cranks up, I reach for the cardigan sweater. I also add a belt to define my waist and present a more polished look. 

Oh, and yes, I do take all of these additional pieces to the office. For me, it's just a normal part of my daily wardrobe flow.

FINALLY! A WEBSITE REDO: THE NEW LIMITED.COM

Image:The Limited

Thank you Limited! You listened to the feedback and took action. (And I know that couldn't have been easy because some of the feedback was not very favorable. As indicated in the blog post I wrote when the online store first launched.)

WHY THE FUSS  The new site shows models actually wearing the clothing! I sincerely feel the urge to go, "ooha, ooha" and dance a little jig. Wait, you can write reviews on items too! Okay, now I know someone is paying attention. 

This site looks like The Limited I know. The place I've gone to for 15 years for cute, affordable, trend-worthy clothes.

DON"T MISS  Take an additional 40% off sale items right now. (Note: The prices listed reflect the sale.) Nothing like a big discount to celebrate a fantastic launch. 

WEARABLE TREND: SAFARI-INSPIRED

Clothing based on the rugged outdoors (think comfortable shirts, jackets and pants in a neutral palette, with of pockets) never goes out of style for me. They seem to always look of the moment in whatever moment is currently happening in fashion.

I bought this dress last year and didn't wear it until nine months later. I kept thinking I should wear it out with friends. I treated this basic dress/shirt as though it was relegated to one specific function. Bad fashion blogger! I did finally wear it out for a friend's birthday. But it can be used for so much more.

   

In the larger pic, I paired this versatile item with jeans for work. It would also blend nicely with leggings too (despite my personal moratorium on leggings). Or how about using it as a stylish swimsuit cover-up. (You could could flow from the beach to lunch with little effort.) The point is, this seemingly generic trend has infinite outfit making possibilities. And that's how you build a wonderfully diverse wardrobe. Choose clothing that can be used in multiple ways.

Looking for safari-inspired pieces? Check out this knit jacket on sale at Gap. Or visit shopbop.com for a page full of safari based shirts, dresses, and more.

PUFFY SLEEVE SHIRTS: TREND TO KEEP OR TREND TO TRASH?

Even if you don't plan on wearing one, you have to admit, these shirts are definite conversation starters.

Here's my take on the trend. I found this shirt at H&M for $14.95. The sleeves are actually three different parts that intertwine into one another. It's pretty cool once you realize that there's no wrong way to style it. The stripes and pop of orange color also add to its appeal. 

Overall, it's a keeper. It pairs easily with a simple skirt or skinny jeans.

Now these puffy sleeve blouses I came across at Marshall's the other day may be another story.