Saturday, May 26, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Fashion Behind the Scenes
First of all, I'M BACK! And I have four whole months to report the latest trends and fashion news to all of you. Over the past few weeks, University robbed me of my fashion sense, and left me in sweatpants, hoodies, and yoga pants. (*Cringe.*) Now that it is summer vacation and I have a job at a cute new clothing store though, my fashion sense is back on track. Promise.
Segue into what I want to blog about today. I'm working at a new store for tween girls, and it opened last week. It was a lot of work setting up the store, but so much fun (especially since one of my best friends is a co-worker). A store doesn't put itself together magically (if only we were all witches and wizards and could wave a wand so that everything would be set up in a day); it takes long hours filled with unpacking, sensoring, folding or hanging, and arranging merchandise to look perfect. The store is filled with everything girly, cute, pink, sparkly, and neon.
I guess it must be the band geek in me, but something about putting together the store was so exciting, just like practicing and setting up for a performance was fun. I felt as though I was part of something big, and by the time the store was ready to open I could not wait to see the girls faces as they try on and squeal over cute clothes (as I had already done); and on my first shift, that's exactly what happened. The store also has a ton of accessories, from headbands to makeup, bags to pillows and other cool things for your room. I won't say the name of the store just to keep private, but it is US based and has only ten other locations in Canada, if I'm not mistaken. I've wanted to work at a clothing store for as long as I can remember, so I was so excited when I got this job!
Now that I know all the work and hours that are put into the set up and maintenance of a store, I'm going to take extra precautions when shopping myself, and here are my tips for you.
First of all, if you don't like something, don't just throw it back on the table. It ruins the display that took longer than you may think to arrange. :P Next, be nice to the salespeople. I know sometimes they are in your face, asking what you need and what you're looking for when all you want to do is browse, but it's their job to help you, so if you do have a question, ask, and if you don't, they will be happy to let you browse until you do need something. And lastly (this ties into the second point) if you do have a question about sizes, sales, or which clothes go together, don't be shy to ask. The salespeople know their stuff about what the store carries (because they stocked it!) and will be happy to help you make an outfit because it's more exciting than just standing around.
Stay stylish! :)
Segue into what I want to blog about today. I'm working at a new store for tween girls, and it opened last week. It was a lot of work setting up the store, but so much fun (especially since one of my best friends is a co-worker). A store doesn't put itself together magically (if only we were all witches and wizards and could wave a wand so that everything would be set up in a day); it takes long hours filled with unpacking, sensoring, folding or hanging, and arranging merchandise to look perfect. The store is filled with everything girly, cute, pink, sparkly, and neon.
I guess it must be the band geek in me, but something about putting together the store was so exciting, just like practicing and setting up for a performance was fun. I felt as though I was part of something big, and by the time the store was ready to open I could not wait to see the girls faces as they try on and squeal over cute clothes (as I had already done); and on my first shift, that's exactly what happened. The store also has a ton of accessories, from headbands to makeup, bags to pillows and other cool things for your room. I won't say the name of the store just to keep private, but it is US based and has only ten other locations in Canada, if I'm not mistaken. I've wanted to work at a clothing store for as long as I can remember, so I was so excited when I got this job!
Now that I know all the work and hours that are put into the set up and maintenance of a store, I'm going to take extra precautions when shopping myself, and here are my tips for you.
First of all, if you don't like something, don't just throw it back on the table. It ruins the display that took longer than you may think to arrange. :P Next, be nice to the salespeople. I know sometimes they are in your face, asking what you need and what you're looking for when all you want to do is browse, but it's their job to help you, so if you do have a question, ask, and if you don't, they will be happy to let you browse until you do need something. And lastly (this ties into the second point) if you do have a question about sizes, sales, or which clothes go together, don't be shy to ask. The salespeople know their stuff about what the store carries (because they stocked it!) and will be happy to help you make an outfit because it's more exciting than just standing around.
Stay stylish! :)
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Fiction about Fashion
First of all, sorry for the lack of posts, though this one will probably be the last until the end of April, after exams. I thought I'd post something a little different this time: some books where fashion is one of the key or underlying themes (well, maybe not themes, but basically, they're always talking about who's wearing what).
Pretty Little Liars
...started off as books! Yes, they did, and just as much as style is commented on in the show, so too with the books. Spencer Hastings was the preppy one, Hanna Marin was the girly girl, Emily Fields was the athlete, and Aria Montgomery was a mix of vintage / eclectic. Clearly they reinforced this with the show, putting Spencer in pleated skirts and plaid, Hanna in floral dresses and floaty tops, Emily in jeans and t-shirts, and Aria in leather jackets and feather earrings.
The Clique Series
Please do not groan. I know the series is corny and totally not realistic, but Lisi Harrison wrapped up the series with a really good lesson. I actually wanted to know what would have happened if there was another book! This series is about a group of spoiled seventh graders who take a new girl under their wing who doesn't care about fashion at all, just about making friends. The girls wear all the big labels like Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Juicy Couture, Ron Herman...the list goes on. They always need to have the latest trends and go shopping at least once a week. This series made me more aware of the biggest fashion designers and labels.
How to be Popular
This has got to be one of my all-time favourite books, though fashion is really only mentioned at the beginning, where social outcast Steph Landry wants to turn things around in her junior year of high school. The rest of the book describes her rise to the top (well, I guess you could say that); and contrary to what you may think, she does this solely by being nice and outgoing to everyone (even though they have tortured her for years).
Kiss & Blog, Art Geeks and Prom Queens
Two books by Alyson Noel that I absolutely love, plot-wise and fashion-wise. Kiss & Blog is about two girls deciding that this year (sophomore year) will be their time to shine. They've spent the summer reading fashion magazines, learning how to put on makeup, and buying new clothes. Unfortunately, Winter is not as willing to be fake and phony to get in with the popular crowd as her friend Sloane, who ditches her as soon as she makes it on the cheer-leading squad. Unlike Sloane, Winter has a more artsy fashion sense and prefers leather jackets, studs, tunics, and leggings to the pastel colours of the popular crowd. I only liked Art Geeks and Prom Queens because of the fashion at the beginning; the rest was along the lines of drinking, partying, and boyfriend drama, but it did have a good ending. The story line is similar to that of Kiss & Blog, except it's the new girl trying to fit in.
Frenemies
Another corny book about two best friends entering seventh grade (I know what you're thinking- "Maria, why on earth do you read tween novels?"). This book is all about fashion. The two girls take on writing an online fashion column for their school's paper. They have really good taste in fashion, and lots of advice on what to wear (and what not to wear). But the story takes a turn as the girls' tastes in clothes start to veer apart. Apparently there's a sequel, but I haven't read it (yet).
On another note, I finally made a Polyvore account! See my creations at http://mariathefashionista.polyvore.com/.
Stay stylish this month, as I won't be around to update you on doing so!
Pretty Little Liars
...started off as books! Yes, they did, and just as much as style is commented on in the show, so too with the books. Spencer Hastings was the preppy one, Hanna Marin was the girly girl, Emily Fields was the athlete, and Aria Montgomery was a mix of vintage / eclectic. Clearly they reinforced this with the show, putting Spencer in pleated skirts and plaid, Hanna in floral dresses and floaty tops, Emily in jeans and t-shirts, and Aria in leather jackets and feather earrings.
The Clique Series
Please do not groan. I know the series is corny and totally not realistic, but Lisi Harrison wrapped up the series with a really good lesson. I actually wanted to know what would have happened if there was another book! This series is about a group of spoiled seventh graders who take a new girl under their wing who doesn't care about fashion at all, just about making friends. The girls wear all the big labels like Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Juicy Couture, Ron Herman...the list goes on. They always need to have the latest trends and go shopping at least once a week. This series made me more aware of the biggest fashion designers and labels.
How to be Popular
This has got to be one of my all-time favourite books, though fashion is really only mentioned at the beginning, where social outcast Steph Landry wants to turn things around in her junior year of high school. The rest of the book describes her rise to the top (well, I guess you could say that); and contrary to what you may think, she does this solely by being nice and outgoing to everyone (even though they have tortured her for years).
Kiss & Blog, Art Geeks and Prom Queens
Two books by Alyson Noel that I absolutely love, plot-wise and fashion-wise. Kiss & Blog is about two girls deciding that this year (sophomore year) will be their time to shine. They've spent the summer reading fashion magazines, learning how to put on makeup, and buying new clothes. Unfortunately, Winter is not as willing to be fake and phony to get in with the popular crowd as her friend Sloane, who ditches her as soon as she makes it on the cheer-leading squad. Unlike Sloane, Winter has a more artsy fashion sense and prefers leather jackets, studs, tunics, and leggings to the pastel colours of the popular crowd. I only liked Art Geeks and Prom Queens because of the fashion at the beginning; the rest was along the lines of drinking, partying, and boyfriend drama, but it did have a good ending. The story line is similar to that of Kiss & Blog, except it's the new girl trying to fit in.
Frenemies
Another corny book about two best friends entering seventh grade (I know what you're thinking- "Maria, why on earth do you read tween novels?"). This book is all about fashion. The two girls take on writing an online fashion column for their school's paper. They have really good taste in fashion, and lots of advice on what to wear (and what not to wear). But the story takes a turn as the girls' tastes in clothes start to veer apart. Apparently there's a sequel, but I haven't read it (yet).
On another note, I finally made a Polyvore account! See my creations at http://mariathefashionista.polyvore.com/.
Stay stylish this month, as I won't be around to update you on doing so!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Spring Ahead!
I've been back creating sets on Polyvore, so you know what that means...
For this look I came across a picture of Jessica Simpson and I really liked her outfit so I recreated it here. Again, it's another casual-chic outfit- a loose top tucked into jean shorts will keep you cool on those hot summer days (okay, it's not summer yet, but it's always good to dream...). A brown belt and sandals add a bohemian edge to this look.
You can tell what trend I had in mind when creating this set. Pastels come back every spring, and it's no surprise why. Banish the black, grey, and other dark colours that you lived in all winter and replace them with pastel pinks, purples, greens, blues, and yellows for a look that screams spring!
I touched on these colours in my last post, and since then they have gained popularity in the fashion world. Referred to as 'water colours,' these shades of turquoise, aqua, cobalt blue, and lilac not only go perfectly together, but also have an exotic feel to them, as if you just took a trip to the Caribbean. Make a splash in your wardrobe this spring break even if you're staying at home!
This look combines the pastel trend with something I've been meaning to try- denim shirts. They look very comfortable and laid-back, but still stylish tucked into fitted skinny jeans. Paired with some gold jewellery, cute ballet flats, and your favourite sunglasses, this look is casual-chic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)