I recently mentioned the avante guard painters shirt as an item for fearless fashionistas this season, and you might be wearing one sooner than you thought! An interesting giveaway opportunity came our way and I’m excited to share it with you: the “one size fits most” painters shirt by boutique brand Zina of Beverly Hills. It retails for $245 at Neiman Marcus and looks quite haute couture.

The painters shirt is not for everyone because it takes courage to surrender your waistline to this extent. We’re talking major deconstruction if you wear it as is. But you’ve also got the option of pairing it with a waist-cinching or low slung belt if you’d prefer to rein in some of the volume.

There is definitely a place in fashion for eclectic pieces. I adore voluminous items and feel that they can look stunning when worn in the right way. What are your thoughts on this particular painters shirt? Would you wear it? How would you wear it?

To be eligible for the giveaway, please reply to this post and be sure to write “I would wear it” somewhere in your comment. We will choose the lucky recipient using a random number generator and get in touch using the email address you provide.

Entries for the giveaway will close on September 18 at 5pm (PST).

The Zina Painters Shirt. With this model’s proportions I would have belted the shirt a little higher in the waist, or on the natural waist, to avoid looking long waisted.

There are some great online sales happening over the next few days:

• Dillard’s is taking an additional 40% off all clearance items (until 29 August)
• Bloomingdale’s is taking 20-40% off select styles during the Black & White sale (until 30 August)
• Lane Bryant is taking 30% off your entire purchase during the Friends & Family sale (until 30 August)
• Liz Claiborne will give you the 3rd item free if you buy two sale items (until 31 August)

It must be a sign of the times that Labor Day sales are starting early. Most of the bargains are on Summer merchandise so it’s a good time to stock up if Summer is your dominant season. Remember this season’s list of “must haves” and fill in those remaining wardrobe gaps. Happy shopping!

It is past midnight Pacific Standard Time and that means the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is officially underway. For those of us in the United States, this is the sale event of the season. And I’ve found the merchandise particularly good this year, so be sure to check it out.

Mark your calendars! This year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS) starts on Friday, July 17th. For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it’s when Nordstrom previews their brand new Autumn and Winter collections and offers them at insane prices for two weeks only (usually between 40 – 60% off). Prices are marked up again after the sale period. This is my favourite sale of the year because the merchandise is hot off the fashion press. It’s much more fun getting items at reduced prices at the start of a new retail season as opposed to waiting for end of season sales.

I was particularly interested to see what would be on offer this year in the light of our tough economic climate. After preselecting sale items last week I’m thrilled to say that this has been the best NAS that I have seen in my six years of living in the US. For the most part, the collections are a great combination of excellent tried-and-tested wardrobe basics with new design twists, AND brand new “it” fashion items. There is ample choice for both classic and trendy customers.

Navigating the sale requires some strategic planning and forethought. Here are some guidelines that might make it easier:

• Concentrate on the good stuff: This is your time to splurge on one, or a few, high end or big ticket items. Retail sales are common in the US and you’ll be able to get more ordinary items anywhere at excellent prices as soon as the new retail season hits stores. If Nordstrom clothing is not your cup of tea, hit the handbags, footwear and accessory departments instead. You are bound to come home with treasures.
• Do not judge the collection based on the catalogue alone: The catalogue is a small representation of what is available and you have to physically go to stores or shop online for the best assortment of product.
• Shop in stores and online: The merchandise varies from store to store and it is possible that your Nordstrom is not as well stocked as others, so be sure to shop online as well.
• Preselect if the opportunity arises: As a Nordstrom cardholder, you’re automatically invited to preselect merchandise a week or two before the sale is open to the masses. I thoroughly recommend this option as the best merchandise goes fast, especially in sizes 0, 2 , 12 and 14. I have known people to preselect without an official invitation, but this really depends on the specific Nordstrom (some stores are stricter than others).
• Shop online at midnight on 17th July: Doors open at 7am on the first official day of the sale. But the online store opens seven hours before that Pacific Time. I wasn’t able to make it to presale selections last year so I shopped online at midnight which was very worthwhile.
• You’re not married to anything: Don’t worry if you found it hard to be selective during sale time. You can return anything at any time once you’ve retried the look in the most important dressing room of all – your own.
• Don’t give up on your size: Be sure to ask for your size if they’ve run out of it in stores or online. Nordstrom sales staff is extremely helpful and chances are high that they’ll track down your size eventually.

There was an excellent selection of leather and pleather jackets at all price points this season. Long, cropped, retro, modern, ruffled, biker, classic, sporty, you name it and I saw it in a whole slew of colours. Impeccable pencil skirts, fabulous dresses, cute cascading cardigans and cheeky jackets in beautiful and affordable fabrications were also top notch. The handbags, sunglasses, costume jewelry, watches and hosiery areas were brilliant. I’m delirious with excitement. You have to take a look!

Unfortunately, the footwear and coat areas were disappointing. Petites was a little poor too, particularly after excellent NAS selections in these areas in previous years. I guess the sale can’t be everything to everyone each year.

I really hope you score at this year’s sale. My clients and I have collected wonderful NAS treasures over the years piece by piece. The presales are loads of fun too and it’s fab to go with a friend. There has been lots of NAS excitement (and a little footwear frustration), on the YLF forum. Feel free to ask for help about the NAS by posting questions on our forum. Happy shopping everyone!

Boden is by far the most popular affiliate link on YLF, so there must be quite a few readers who are big fans of this British mail order label. Boden has no physical stores, but for those of us who are shopping online from the US, this is hardly an issue.

Their latest sale is offering up to 50% off, and is running from now until July 15.

Lucky’s twice yearly 50% off sale started yesterday. They are offering 50% off select items. Their jeans, belts and handbags are great casual options. If hippie chic is your thing, then don’t miss it.

There are several father’s day sales that are worth a look:

• Boden: 20% off plus Free Shipping and Free Returns through June 21.
• Macy’s: Save 20-50% through June 17.
• Saks Fifth Avenue: Up to 55% off until early July.
• Lucky Brand Jeans: $10 off Mens tops until June 21. And 15% off online on June 17 only.

Another one to note for the blokes is the Nordstrom Men’s Half Yearly Sale, which starts this Friday, June 19.

This weekend Macy’s is knocking an additional 25% of the prices of clearance items. I know people find Macy’s overwhelming, but I take all my clients there because the prices are good and they have a better selection of dresses than any other department store in the United States. If someone needs a dress, it’s the first place we go.

Of course, you can just shop online to avoid the crowds.

The Lucky Brand Jeans affiliate team just let us know that they will be offering 20% off (online only) all day long on 28 May. There will also be free ground shipping for purchases of $125.

I have found that the fit of Lucky Jeans is particularly great for pear shapes and curvier bottoms. They also have a good selection of accessories. Not exactly my own fashion persona, but a nice bohemian casual look nonetheless.

And for those of you who were inspired to stock up on shorts after the vigorous debate last week, all women’s shorts are $49.50 (also May 28 only).

It’s a big sale weekend. Here are some great bargains from our affiliates:

• Macy’s: Memorial Day Sale, Free Shipping with $99 Purchase (until May 25)
• Nordstrom: 33% Off during the Half-Yearly Sale
• Boden: 15% Off Plus Free Shipping and Returns (until July 2)
• Saks Fifth Avenue: Free Shipping with code SHIPSPR9 (until May 27)
• Lucky Brand: Swimsuits 30% Off
• Piperlime: 30% Off Select Items, Free Shipping and Returns (until May 31)
• Esprit: 10% Off
• Armani Exchange: Additional 20% off Women’s Sale Items
• Bebe: Up to 30% Off Sale Merchandise

Note that many retailers now maintain a permanent range of clearance sale items in their online stores. Boden, for example, has items for up to 70% off in their clearance area.