How fashiorexics balance their budget

An article in the October issue of fashion magazine Grazia was food for thought. A recent survey conducted in Britain’s tough economic climate revealed that “one in three women forgo food to spend cash on clothes and make-up”. The term “fashiorexic” was used to describe a fashionista who would rather cut her food budget – eating out less frequently, physically eating less and purchasing at inexpensive grocery stores – than her fashion allowance.

Forgoing nutrition for fashion is scary and certainly not acceptable, but the article does raise an interesting question about the lengths to which people will go to keep their existing shopping habits alive. Eating out at restaurants as a couple or family can be expensive. Once you’ve slapped on a tip, paid for parking and possibly a babysitter, you’re out of pocket the same amount of money you could have spent on a premium pair of jeans. A restaurant experience is short lived, whereas an item for your wardrobe is not.

I’d love to hear how you feel. Would you give up your food lifestyle to keep the fashion dollars flowing? Would you happily curb spending on other luxuries like vacations, spa treatments, gym memberships and entertainment to fund your fashion fix? How far would you go balance your style budget?

Change your look with skinny belts

I’m giving wide waist-cinching belts a rest and wearing my skinny belt collection more frequently at the moment (I needed a change). Skinny belts are less bulky to wear under jackets and coats at this time of year, and easy to adjust if the length is too long.

Adding a skinny belt to an outfit creates texture, layering interest, added waist-definition and if you like, a pop of colour. They are particularly effective when worn over the following items:

  • cardigan (both short and longer lengths)
  • jacket, or coat
  • soft, silky knit or woven blouse
  • tailored button-down shirt
  • dress, or tunic
  • high-waisted pants and skirts

I’ve found that positioning the belt fairly high on the natural waist is key. This prevents the “blouson effect” thereby keeping the torso streamlined (few women get away with blouson-ing their tops with a skinny belt). The silhouette is flop proof if you keep the look sleek on top.

Wearing a skinny belt a little lower and looser when you’re short-waisted is in theory the right thing to do. But I haven’t minded short-waisted gals wearing skinny belts on their natural waist. It resembles an empire cut, which looks adorable. Bustier gals should try skinny belts too, because they are usually a better option than wider waist belts. The look can work with the right top or dress (low neck, ample length and tailored torso).

You’ll find skinny belts everywhere and at every price. They are a creative and cost-effective way of adding variety to your existing ensemble mix. Trust me, you don’t need to be skinny to wear a skinny belt.

Via Spiga Metal Harness Croc Embossed Leather BeltCashmere Classic Crewneck CardiganNordstrom Metallic Studded Wrap BeltContrast Trim Bow BeltChiffon-Florette CardiganSolid Cotton-Silk Gianna BlouseUltra Skinny Braided Leather BeltSkinny Braided Leather Belt

(1) Boyfriend cardigan worn closed with skinny belt, (2) Cropped cardigan worn open with skinny belt, (3) Knitted top with double skinny belt, (4) Knitwear with bowed skinny belt (nice for fancier occasions), (5) Skirt and tucked-in top, (6) Pants and tucked-in blouse, (7) Dress and skinny belt, (8) Tunic and skinny belt.

Match footwear and hair colour to frame your look

Have you ever wondered why black shoes can look blah when you don’t have black hair? Or why cream shoes look fab when you have blonde, blonde hair. It may sound silly, but in some situations it is very effective to “book-end” your look by matching the colours of your footwear and your hair.

A repeated ensemble colour pulls an outfit together. Similarly, matching one of your natural colours can complement your look. This is why people suggest wearing a shade that brings out the colour in your eyes. The effect is especially powerful when the top and bottom part of “the whole of you” are a similar colour. It creates balance and frames your outfit.

Sometimes the matching is subtle. Here are a few examples:

Nude Dark Blonde
Chestnut Brown Redhead
Grey or Silver Grey
Gold Golden Blonde
Chocolate Brown Dark Brunette
Bronze Auburn Brunette

Obviously, a pair of yellow, green, pink or cobalt shoes adds flair to an outfit because bright shoes are a statement (and hopefully you don’t have green or pink hair).

This is by no means a hard and fast rule, but it might come in handy if you get stuck with an outfit that doesn’t quite pop. It’s the reason I own several pairs of cream shoes and boots. They always seem to be my personal answer to a boring outfit.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Junior sweats for grownups

Sweats get a lot of wear in my lifestyle because I pop them on in the morning and at night instead of a robe. I love, love, love cute and comfy loungewear and it’s important that I feel as good in my sweats as I do in daily outfits. I therefore take considerable care in selecting this part of my wardrobe so that I’m not caught off guard when someone unexpectedly knocks on our door.

I prefer extremely soft, roomy, cozy, stretchy loungewear in vibrant colours. I am not a fan of yoga wear or active wear as a lounging option. I personally find that type of gear less comfortable and not as cheerful. Year after year, American Eagle is my go-to place for sweats. I’ve also purchased sweats at Victoria Secret, but American Eagle remains a favourite. I know that I should not be shopping at a teenage store but I can’t help it. They have exactly what I’m after, the price is right and I fancy the collegiate sweat suit look.

Every season, I try to find a more refined and age appropriate sweat suit option, but still no luck. Alternatives are either less soft, ill-fitting, boring in style and gloomy in colour selection. So my loungewear is unsophisticated and high-school. Rightly or wrongly, I feel put together in my juvenile sweats. That’s okay. I don’t have teenagers or babysitters wearing the same look at home. I’m happy hanging onto this youthful look in my late 30’s.

Eagle Heritage Full Zip FleeceEagle Heritage Full Zip FleeceAE Athletic PantAE Athletic Pant

These are the sweats I purchased a few days ago. They are as soft as a baby’s bottom. The hoodies are on special (buy one and get half off the second one).

Jazzy flat oxford shoes

Flat oxford shoes, or “brogues”, are a fringe trend in ladies footwear this season. These peds remind me of roaring jazz 20’s and the good old 80’s.

Flat oxfords are supposed to be worn with jeans (any hem width), dress pants or slouchy wide legged-slacks as a dressier alternative to the fashion sneaker. I’ve even seen taller gals wear them with walk shorts, skirts and dresses. Both slip-on and lace-up versions are available in various colours, leather treatments and stitch interests.

This trend appealed to me because I like flats and oxford shoe styling. I had a pair of chestnut brogues 18 years ago, so I set out to give the funky jazz shoe another go. But I couldn’t get them to work with my style this time around. I tried them with different outfit options, but felt they made me look masculine, short limbed and flat-footed. Right now, I prefer the look of a ballet flat, bootie or heeled oxford for my style.

It’s a shame because I actually found a sassy pair that was comfortable. Oh well, at least I tried. Do you like the look of boyish flat oxford shoes and have you managed to successfully incorporate the trend into your look?

Stuart Weitzman TomboyPaul SmithPaul Smith Starr SKU #7454330Circa Joan & David 'Beauchamp' OxfordCirca Joan & David 'Beauchamp' Oxford Matisse 'Ducky' Oxford

An assortment of masculine, flat oxford shoes for ladies. I wouldn’t be surprised if the look becomes mainstream next season. If I haven’t figured out how to wear them by then, I’ll be bypassing the trend.