Although I try to learn something new everyday, I haven’t been “back to school” for a while now. I do have two daughters (14 and 11) who were anxious about starting high school and middle school this year. Of course, they survived their first day/week back (school started on 8/13…early!) and now are well on their way to mastering the tricky travails of public school academia and teen/tween angst. As for me, this time of year always makes me nostalgic for the days when all I worried about is if they’re getting their naps in every day….sigh, miss those days! They grow up way too fast.
What does all this have to do with fashion? Well, nothing really..except it got me thinking about the basics of school. As I struggle to help my youngest with her math homework (math is not my strong suit) and I’m corrected about the “new math” way of solving equations, I thought about how I can actually apply the simple math I learned a long time ago. Finally…a practical application for math that I can appreciate!
On my previous post, I shared my Fall Classics and talked about how adding a few items that can be enjoyed year after year is a great way to update our wardrobe. Here’s one example of how I plan on incorporating the new items I picked up and voila! A new-ish outfit! This simple equation of [New Items + Old Items = Updated Outfit] is a winning formula in my book!
Here are a few tips on how to make this equation work for you:
1. If you’re a seasonal shopper, take a visual inventory of your closet before making any purchases. Make a note of “holes” in your wardrobe.
2. Take a look at social media sources (blogs, Instagram, Pinterest) that correspond to your style. Make a note of items that spark joy or catch your fancy and classic pieces that stand the test of trends.
3. If you’re on a budget (and who can’t use a good bargain?) and a US resident, wait for the Labor Day sales; they have some great sales during that holiday weekend.
4. Make a list of items that you can add to your closet to easily inject new life to outfits. Use visual aids via social media (Pinterest board) or fashion apps (Polyvore). It’s easier to stick to a list if you can see exactly what you’re planning on picking up…plus it’s fun! While shopping, it’s easy to pull up the apps on your phone to check your list.
5. Peruse online shops to compare prices and check for availability. For example, some stores don’t carry Petite sizes in store but have plenty online.
6. When done shopping (first…happy dance!), check options for creating outfits (new + old) with your new purchases. If you find anything that isn’t working, return or exchange it. Don’t hesitate…better than having it sit in your closet unused.
Lastly, have fun with it! We have daily stresses and responsibilities that, let’s face it, are more important than shopping for new clothes but we can also take the time to enjoy our passions…for me apparently, that now includes math! Who knew?
Dear Boo and Lulu 
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