A Case for Alterations.

Mom, Ruth, and I used to be obsessed with the show ‘What Not To Wear’. Stacy London’s voice is a little like nails on a chalk board for me but I will say she usually has valid points! One of the lessons she’s always preaching is not to be afraid to use a tailor. Your clothes should fit YOU, I mean, that’s who you bought them for after all, right? Settling for ill fitting clothes not only doesn’t do your body any favors but it misses the chance to give you a real self-esteem boost.

I grew up spoiled rotten because my Mom is an incredible seamstress which I believe I’d shared before and being only 5’3 I’ve needed her skills for a lifetime of hemming. Absolutely everything is too long for me but I never seem to find petite clothes I like. And honestly, I don’t even like to think of myself as petite, just me. So a problem as created when I moved 17 hours away and it got a little harder to mooch my alterations from my Mama. I still take an extra suitcase with clothes for her to hem from time to time on my frequent fall trips to Indy for work and games but that left the need for someone in the spring when I don’t want to wait 6 months to wear my clothes.

The trick with things like a dermatologist or a tailor is knowing who to ask for a recommendation. Lucky for me, one of my best friends, Auburn, works in fashion so she’s a great reference for such things. I shot her an e-mail a while back seeking her alterations advice and she gave me the name of a tailor close to her work (which is a little ways from me) but she does a great job and she’s VERY reasonable. If you like in Tampa check them out: Express Alterations on Gunn Hwy. Just don’t keep her so busy she can’t find time to get my jeans done like the speed of light.

I see why London’s always harping on tailoring, it really does make a world of difference. My jeans literally look like they were made for me and for 10 bucks, you really can’t beat that, can you? Jeans to me are an investment. You know when you find a pair you love you’ll practically live in them. If you’re like me and you like to cheat the system a bit I have some thoughts for you as well. For all my cheapskates out there this tailoring thing can actually step up your bargain game. See, I now buy great brands of jeans when I find them on super clearance and then run to the tailor to have them made to look like the fit me (see my post earlier this week about Joe’s Jeans). Jeans aren’t the only thing this works well with. If you have a great tailor you can trust she can turn an ill-fitting but fabulous vintage dress into a one-of-a-kind-made-for-you vintage dress. Plus it seems to be most good dresses need a nip or tuck here and there to be just right for you.

Don’t be afraid to find a reasonable tailor and spend a few extra bucks to make your clothes work for you. Especially if you get them at a great deal (158 dollar jeans for 33 bucks plus 10 dollars of altering = success). Don’t go crazy and think you need to have your tee’s altered (or ironed!) but for great pieces you know you’ll wear again and again, it’s worth the trouble and the small price you pay.

Love,
B

Lookie what I Found...on Sale!

The Honey - [n:booty fit] Curvy, Voluptuous and sexy are just a few ways to describe this silhouette's show-stopping effect. Fitted at the waist and contoured for the ultra feminine physique. Voluptuous never had it so good.

I am OBSESSED with Joe's Jeans ever since finding a pair in Indy over Christmas I convinced my Mom to buy me. Well, I went to Macy's the other night to return a dress with a broken zipper that caused a serious wardrobe malfunction just as I was walking out the door to work (it was bad, but it could have been worse if I made it to work first - ACK!). After returning them I decided to grant myself a few minutes to cruise the sale racks when I found on a clearance rack a pair of Joe's 'Honey' jeans (pictured above) on the 'extra 40% off rack. Ohemgee.

I quickly snatched them up and ran into the dressing room singing 'please fit please fit' in my head. They did! According to the tag they should have run up about 50 bucks, which marked down from 158 was still a great deal. I walked up to the register and asked her to double check for me that they weren't just misplaced (Joe's Jeans are hard to find on sale). She rang them up at....are you ready for this? $33! Um, done and done. I swipped my debt card so fast that sale clerk could feel the breeze. These suckers are mine.

I will have to revisit the alterations place (I just picked up my Paige Premium Denim jeans I found for a steal at Nordstrom Rack on Tuesday) because they're freakishly long on my 5'3 self BUT even with 9 dollars worth of alterations, they're a steal!

You all already know my theory about great jeans and fabulous dresses - when you find them for a deal, always buy them.

Love,
B

In December.

1.  Try red lipstick (ladies)

2.  Find jeans that fit

3. And buy shoes with zippers

These are the top 3 things In Style suggested this month.  Well, actually in the Jan. magazine.

I did try red lipstick in November and now I love it.  Not for every day...but it makes me feel glamorous.  It is the perfect touch for a night out, a Christmas party, or the like.

Also, if you have 3 bucks and 5 minutes, grab a copy of the Jan. In Style when it hits the shelves if for no other reason than to catch the feature 'A month of Easy Outfits: Your Calender for Go-to Chic'.  I love articles that give full outfit suggestions of how to work with a wardrobe you already have.  It's full of fresh ideas for paring pieces I never would have put together myself.  It's on page 114.

Also featured:

- Your new perfect haircut, color, and style

- 15 best new makeup tricks

- Eat your way to gorgeous 

More tips to come soon, I'd bet on it.

Love,

B