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The
Clothing Chronicles
September
23, 2004 #151
FashionForRealWomen.com
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In This Issue:
Message
From Diana
Feature
Article: Your Best Bets for Fall 2004
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MESSAGE FROM DIANA
What should
you be wearing this fall?
If you've been
flipping through your favorite fashion magazines or strolling through
a mall of late, you've seen lots of pretty things that are going to
hit the "must have" lists this year. But before you whip
out your credit cards and send your budget into a tailspin, try this exercise:
Look at all
the pretty clothes. Finger the fabric and toy with all the details.
Think about where you might wear it. Consider how it will fit into
your wardrobe.
Then, replace
the words "must have" with the word "mileage."
How much
mileage can you get out of it?
If the answer
is "not much," leave it on the rack, regardless of what the
"must have" lists are saying. Your money is better spent elsewhere.
But where?
This issue
points you in the right direction.
Enjoy!
Diana
diana@fashionforrealwomen.com
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|
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FEATURED ARTICLE
The Best
Buys For Fall 2004
Love all the
cool clothes you're seeing in the malls, online, and in the catalogs
being delivered to your doorstep? There are lots and lots of pretty
things being shown for this season, that's for sure.
But if you're
trying to figure out where best to spend your money, let me say that
it's NOT on all the "must haves" that will be out of date
by New Year's. Yes, there are some cute trends out there and yes, you
may find them hard to resist.
But remember:
trends date quickly.
If you can
afford to buy a new wardrobe every season, this probably doesn't mean
much to you. But if you're like most of my clients and readers and
tend to wear your clothes for several years, trends are NOT the way
to go.
Instead, add
pieces that are current but that also give you mileage, meaning that
you can wear them for several seasons - or in a variety of ways --
without looking dated. Simple lines in sturdy fabrics often wear the
best, so keep the details to a minimum and buy the best fabrics you
can afford AND properly maintain. Your budget will thank you for it.
Without
further ado, here are, in my opinion, the best bets for Fall 2004:
|
Pencil Skirt
This classic
has returned as part of the "girlie girl" trend, but it's a
great wardrobe additional any time and for any season. Wear it as
part of a suit, under a twin set or pretty sweater, or pair it with a
beaded top and put it to work as eveningwear. Pencil skirts look best
on bodies with trim hips, flat tummies, and firm derrieres.
|
Newport-
News |
Michael Kors
Bluefly |
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A-Line Skirt
Another
perennial favorite, the A-line skirt can be a real workhorse since it
works well with jackets, twinsets, vests, etc. Another plus? It looks
good on many body types, including those with ample hips, tummy, or
derriere. Buy in a dark color for a slimming effect and wear it often.
|
Roamans |
Bluefly |
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Brooches
Want to
instantly update a jacket, sweater, or coat? Add a brooch or a pin.
Yep - just like Grandma used to wear. In fact, if you still have some
of dear Granny's jewelry lying around, pull it out and wear it. Or
pick up an inexpensive bauble at your favorite costume jewelry store.
This is one of those rare looks that offers a lot of "bang for
the buck," so add some sparkle to your old favorites and update
your look with a minimum of fuss.
|
Newport-
News |
Spiegel |
|
Feminine Blouses
Have a bland
suit in need of an update? Add a flirty, feminine blouse that means
business. It will soften even the most severe of suits, give you an
edge in male-dominated business interactions yet take you to after
five functions with ease. All that, and it looks great too!
|
Newport-
News |
Smart
Bargains |
|
Boots
Boots continue
to be a smart cold-weather choice, even if your typical winter
weather isn't that cold. Boots can visually elongate, add impact, and
even update old favorites. For maximum versatility, opt for a pair
that is knee length, a dark color, has a simple line and few embellishments.
|
Newport-
News |
Spiegel |
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Great Outerwear
Just because
it's cold outside doesn't mean you have to hide beneath a shapeless,
boring coat. There are tons of great styles out there for any weather
you have to endure. Look great in transit AND at your destination.
With styles like these, it's easy to do both.
|
Newport-
News |
Anne Klein
Smart
Bargains |
|
Suits
A simple suit
is a thing of beauty. It can take you to work, dinner out, weddings,
funerals, and just about any place else in elegance. No wonder
designers have "rediscovered" this staple for fall - it's
as versatile today as it has been for generations. Opt for a simple
style in a neutral color and wear it for years to come.
|
Chadwicks |
Albert Nipon
Smart
Bargains |
|
|
 |
Loehmann's
now sells online!
That right!
Same designer overstocks, same quality, same great prices. Only now,
you can try clothes on at home AND return anything that doesn't fit! Yee-haw!
Shop Loehmann's
right now! |
|
|
Jacket
Like a great
suit, a good-looking jacket is a fabulous wardrobe addition. It can
instantly upgrade any outfit, including jeans and a t-shirt, and lend
you a sense of authority whenever you need it. You'll find tons of
cute jackets available this year, so grab a few in styles that
flatter your figure and wear them again and again.
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Coldwater
Creek |
Patti
LaBelle
Home
Shopping
Network |
|
Sweaters
Sweater season
is just around the corner, and oh, the sweaters you'll see! This
perennial favorite is back in a big way this year, in amazing fabrics
that are lovely to look at and feel. If you get the "urge to
splurge" on a sweater, opt for a cashmere or a handmade Irish
knit in a style that will last for years. Otherwise, keep it simple
and inexpensive - and wear it with jeans, skirts, and suits all
season long.
|
Blair |
Spiegel |
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Straight
Leg, Flat Front Pants
Want a pant
style that looks good on a variety of bodies? Here it is: straight
leg, flat front. This style visually elongates the leg, and because
there's no pockets or pleats to add bulk around the abdomen, it also
offers a slimming effect, particularly when done in dark, muted
colors. Nice! Nothing like looking taller and thinner just by getting
dressed, eh? |
Old
Navy |
Randolph Duke
Home
Shopping
Network |
So what does
this all boil down to?
You're going
to see lots of cute clothes this season, many of which you may be
tempted to impulse buy. But if you think about your potential
purchases in terms of wearability and mileage instead of just how
cute they look right now, you'll quickly see that all pieces are not
created equal. Opt for the styles you can wear the most that allow
you to look great with a minimum of fuss.
And, as
always, invest in classic basics and go cheap on trends. It's the
only way to get your money's worth out of them.
**************
Until next time,
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Diana
Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of
"Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women how to
transform their unruly closets into workable, wearable wardrobes.
Visit her online at:
http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com |
 |
Diana's
Sites:
http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com
http://www.FashionSavvy.com
http://www.WardrobeMagic.com
http://www.FashionJobReview.com
------------------------
Published by:
Top Drawer
Publications, LLC
256 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE
19711 USA
Copyright
© 2004 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. |
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your wardrobe together in a flash? Try our
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