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Style Tip Of The Month: Athleisure Wear

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Athleisure Wear Flat

 

Hey again, it’s your friend Jen here!! This week I feel the need to discuss a little something I like to call Athleisure Wear… and dig a little deeper into how it can go so right, and oh so wrong.

We all have those days where putting on a dressy dress and your highest heels just isn’t an option. Your feet are going to ache and your slip might ride, and it is the last thing you can handle. So what do we do? Grab those yoga pants and a ratty old tee. WRONG! I want to challenge you to NOT make your first thought be the easiest thought.

The new phrase “Athleisure Wear” isn’t hard to pull off, and thankfully it doesn’t have to be unfashionable for it to qualify as comfort wear!

Bomber Jacket

Feel the need to cover up in a comfy sweater {dare I say from college?} What about a bomber jacket instead? They are perfect for everyday wear and look fabulous when paired with a simple tank or tee. A rose pink or cream color keeps the look feminine, and dressing it up with an embroidered design is right on point with this spring’s trend report.

 

Here is the way I styled my fun animal print outfit bomber I got from Marshall’s recently. I added strappy heels and a layered necklace and clutch to take my look for a night on the town, but you could easily switch it out with funky tennis shoes to dress the look down.

 

Athleisure Wear Bomber Up Close

Athleisure Wear Bomber Full

 

 

Track Pants

 

When it comes to work out wear, bottoms might be the trickiest part of all. You have all heard it before, leggings are not pants! Let me repeat myself in a different way, “tights are also not pants.” That statement just couldn’t be more true especially when I see exposed hail damage peeking through on the backside or a few whale tails in sight. Cover it up people!

As nice as it is to slip on those Lulu’s, we all know there are more flattering things. Try a pair of track pants. You can go the traditional route, or even a sweat pant material. Having an elastic ankle allows for a structured look with a relaxed feel. Pair with a kitten heel as I mentioned above and you are all set.

Sneakers

From top to bottom, we can’t forget about the shoes. I have been on a sneakers kick lately, and my feet have never been so happy! We all remember going shopping for shoes before the first day of school. Having a new pair of pearly white sneakers was a great way to start the new year. With the latest in old school Adidas and New Balance you can feel the nostalgia all over again, only this time with a little more style!

Hope these quick tips will help you feel fabulous even when you head to the store or relax after a hard day’s work.

Styled and Smiling,

Jen Young

Cost Saving Tips For Shopping

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Hey Bargain Hunters!

Can you believe that Americans spend an average of $1,700 per year on clothing and accessories alone. Here are some of my cost saving tips as you pursue the mall and shop online!

Simple Ways to Save:

1.) Sell what you don’t wear: Your ROI {return on investment} increases when you put money back in your own pocket after you are finished with your garment.  Consider using online or in-store consignment options like Poshmark or The Real Real or host a swap party.

2.) Use coupons: Always search for coupon codes online {Coupon Closet, Coupon Sherpa, Shooger, and Retail Me Not are my faves} and organize the ones you get in the mail for daily use when you are out and about. Subscribe to your favorite retailers online—especially for basics, to get regular sale information to your inbox. Some of my favorite discount sales sites include: Guilt, Haute Look and Shop it to me.

3.} Read tags: Read the label before you buy. If you purchase a “dry-clean-only silk skirt,” you’ll keep paying for it every time you take it to the cleaners. Stick to machine-washables and save.

4.) Take care of your clothes: Invest in good hangers. Remember that “machine-washable” doesn’t equal “indestructible.” Wash your clothes on the gentle cycle in cool water and even line dry them; they’ll last longer this way. For delicate items or clothes that might shrink, hand wash. Take care of your clothes and you’ll get years of use out of them.

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5.) Don’t buy it because it’s on sale: Don’t buy clothes unless you really need them – even if they’re on sale. Thirty percent off isn’t a good deal if you don’t wear it 99 percent of the time.

6.) Buy basics from generic brands: Your basics don’t need a designer label. Buy T-shirts, tank tops, and lounge wear from cheaper stores. I buy all my layering tank tops at Old Navy. The track pants I wear for errands came from Target. Simple cuts and solid colors don’t require a high-end designer.

7.) Proceed with caution at Outlet Malls: Outlet malls do have deals. They also have scams. Some outlet store clothing isn’t store overstock. The pieces can be actually made for the outlet mall, meaning they’re lower quality. And those “75% off!” deals – they’re not actually 75% off. Read the fine print and you’ll see that is the discount on the suggested price, not the actual retail price. It’s more a marketing gimmick than a deal.

Girlfriends window shopping

8.) Stick to simple garments—spend less of trendy stuff: Trendy clothes cost more and have a shorter shelf life. You could spend hundreds trying to keep up with the fashion magazines, only to realize you no longer adore those flared capris {ugh– hate those}  six months later.

9.) Shop discount stores: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross are fabulous resources to find name brands if you are willing to dig for them. These stores have overstock items that are often first quality at lower prices.

10.) Borrow what you only need once: If you only need to wear something once, borrow it from a friend or family member. You’ll save 100 % and won’t have a useless dress or suit filling up space in your closet. OR… check out Rent the Runway for amazing options to rent and send back! However, don’t rent what you’ll wear more than once over time.Tuxedo rentals, for example, can cost $85 to $100 on average. Rent three tuxedos and you could spend $300. Buy from a discount store or resale site like Craigslist, and you could spend much less and own the tux outright.

11.) Don’t skim on a swimsuit: When it comes to swimsuit shopping, it doesn’t pay to buy cheap knock-offs. A well-designed swimsuit will cost more upfront, but can last years.

12.) Shop the men’s and kids’ section: Women’s clothing is often priced higher than men’s and kids’ clothing. If you’re a woman looking for something universal, like a T-shirt or hoodie, check the racks in the men’s and kids’ sections first.

13.) Treat clothes shopping like grocery shopping: Make a List! I won’t go to the grocery store without making a list first, but I’ll blindly charge into the mall credit card in hand. That is the wrong way to go about it. The next time you shop for clothes, make a list of what you actually need and stick to it. Buy what you need—not what you want.

14.) Buy clothes that fit now: Only buy something if you can wear it today. Buying something a few sizes too small because you think you’ll lose weight later is a gamble. Even if you do, you may realize you don’t like the way that shirt looks on you are perhaps it isn’t suitable for your body type. Either way, you’ve wasted money.

15.) Shop out of season: Look for more pricey “essentials” at the end of the season or pre-season. Often times the best deals are found in those windows of time.

Hope these shopping tips help you reduce your overwhelm and the amount that comes out of your pocket!! What are your cost saving strategies? Do tell…

Stylishly Yours,

Jen Young