Posts Tagged ‘style’

I admit it, I routinely stand in front of my closets and claim I have nothing to wear. And yes, closet was meant to be plural. That’s why swap parties have always been fun. It’s a great chance to socialize with your gal pals and turn your barely worn, no longer loved items into another gals “new” wardrobe treasure.

After moving to LA, I was in search of a “greener” shopping experience. Consignment was lacking and thrift stores were disorganized. There had to be a better way and then lo and behold this adorable gal, Dora Copperthite, came up with a truly innovative business plan.

She created Give + Take. It’s an alternative way to shop called a “swap boutique.” The system is basically a trade system. You bring in designer (or semi-designer) clothes, shoes, accessories you don’t want and trade for stuff other girls no longer want. It’s recycling on a simple and stylish, “I get it and don’t need to compost to make a difference level.” On other words you to get revamp your wardrobe as oft4en as you want.

If you bring in, say, a pair of $150 J Brand jeans, you get 150 points to spend on something else. Or, you can do a “one-for-one” swap (one H&M dress for one Forever 21 dress). Her boutique is organized by rooms; there’s the high end designers to contemporary, then the one-for-one room and then she’s even created the room of freebies—yes a rack of various pieces you can just take, no questions asked. There is a small catch, you pay a $25 monthly membership fee for unlimited swapping. If that doesn’t faze you, hell, drop off your entire wardrobe and exchange it for a whole new one. It’s worth it even if you just join for a few months.

Since being turned onto this boutique, I’ve handed over several bags of designer brands including Jill Sander, Marc Jacobs, Tori Burch, Tibi, Juicy Couture, Cole Haan, DVF, BCBG, Theory, … and in return I accumulated about 1,000 points to shop the racks of other swap items. So far I’ve added to my closet a dress from Foley & Corrina that I wore last weekend in Palm Springs that my husband still cannot believe that I got for free, totally hip navy pants from Peter Som, a fabulous black top from See by Chloe and a dress from Corey Lynn Calter. Can you tell I’m gushing? And I still have plenty of points. And Dora updates on Give + Take’s Facebook page so everyone can learn what’s new in the shop.

These are two of my recent swap finds.

It’s a chance to have your own revolving closet for a pittance of what you’d pay retail or even on sale just by recycling your pieces with other girls. And you’ll no longer be bored with your wardrobe or try to convince yourself that a certain top is cute when it’s just not cute on you. Or you could just do what I’ve done in the past and set up your own swap at home with your gal pals.

Check it out at: www.giveplustake.com

Also check out my contribution to, www.mommygreenest.com

Q. I am 5’6″ and weigh 135. I have had two children with one being a c-section and I have a small “pouch” left from the surgery. I do not like the way it looks in the current clothing I have. Do you have any advice on cute tops and shorts/pants that will cover the pouch and not make me look like I am pregnant again? I wear about a size 8.
-Belly Banish

Alison: You want to look for pants and shorts that aren’t on the down low, meaning: skip low-rise styles. Jeans and pants that sit on your waist will give you a slimmer appearance. Look for bottoms that have a little Lycra to give you room to breathe while helping to slim. Check out Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, they have an endless variety that will slim your tummy. Don’t let the name throw you, these are not “mom jeans ”, these are stylish bottoms that will give you good tummy tuck control.

Don’t forget about the infinite intimate apparel options that can help flatten your tummy so you can still wear what you want on the outside. Look at choices from Spanx, Barely There and Donna Karan The Body Perfect Collection which you can find at barenecessities.com and figleaves.com . Also, check out our style recipe Underneath It All for more slimming ideas.

As for tops, empire-waisted tops can hide a tummy, but be aware that too much extra fabric can also billow out and make you look pregnant. Look for tops that have a bit of stretch again and be sure the tops are long enough to cover your stomach fully without rising up.

Here’s the video from my latest appearance on ABC’s The View, showing Sherri and Elisabeth how to get amazing designer looks for less at T.J.Maxx and Marshall’s! What a fantastic time, and the four girlfriends we dressed were super terrific. I love The View, and I love me some T.J.Maxx and Marshall’s!!

Q. How to know what color clothing is best for you? And what colors to stay
away from?

Alison: This largely depends on skin tone and hair color. This can be figured out a bit through trial and error. A person with very pale skin should avoid pastels. I find that many blondes look great in a range of blues and pinks while dark and olive skin tones look enhanced in jewel tones like purple, burgundy and deep greens and generally don’t look washed out in browns like some of us.

Save time shopping by “bracketing”-take an item a size smaller and higher into the dressing room with you.

You walk around the department store to test drive shoes, why not do the same for clothes? Sit, twist, bend, reach up-test the fit and comfort of clothes you’re considering buying, if it doesn’t pass the test, put it back on the hanger.