I don’t believe in waiting before wearing. The reason you bought the item in the first place was to wear it, not to stare at it. When you’re considering a new purchase, ask yourself: “if I buy this today, can I wear it in the next few weeks?” If you can, it’s bonus points for the item. 

Of course, it’s not essential to wear a new piece within weeks of purchasing it. And sometimes it’s a great idea to purchase items well in advance. Here are five reasons for doing that.

1. Off-Season Bargain Shopping

End-of-season sales yield the best bargains, but the suitability of the item might be past its window at the time of purchase. In most cases it’s a good idea to pass on the item and wait till next season. But if you’re sure it’s a really good piece, a wardrobe essential, or a potential wardrobe workhorse, you might reconsider.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale sells hot-off-the press Fall and Winter merchandise in the middle of Summer as a fun prelude to the next shopping season. It’s usually months before we can wear the items so we have to hang tight. In my experience, NAS items can become wardrobe workhorses and treasures so it’s worth participating in the sale. And when it’s unseasonably cool in Summer, you have fun new stuff to wear right away.

2. Shopping for an Event

It’s tricky finding a fabulous formal outfit for a wedding or event. Starting the shopping process early so that you can take your time finding something that’s right is a great idea. Also, you bump into the best formal outfits when you’re not looking for them. Sometimes it’s worth purchasing them in advance so that you’re ready to go when the event pops up.

3. Swimwear

The best time to buy swimwear is in the dead of Winter, which can be months before you actually wear the piece. By the time Summer rolls around, size ranges and collections are very picked over. You might bump into a gorgeous bathing costume when you least expect it. I vote buy it and save it to wear for the right setting.

4. Early Season Shopping

The early bird gets the worm. The best items are stocked at the start of the new retail season, and across a full range of sizes. Purchase the best items when you see them so that you don’t settle for second best. You’ll also have something fresh and new to wear when the weather is in line with your seasonal purchases.

I’ve learned to do this for Spring and Summer especially because my size sells out fast, and usually so do the items that tickle my fancy. Nothing that I bought to refresh my look for Spring and Summer this year is available in my size at this point.

5. Finding a HEWI

A HEWI is a highly elusive wardrobe item. Needless to say, grab it when you see it if you’re still looking for the item and it works for the current leg of your style journey. Put it away until you need it, and remember that you bought it.

I bat for Team Wear and can leave a store wearing the item I just purchased. But I also purchase items before I can actually wear them. I enjoy the NAS enormously and have been participating in the off-season sale for thirteen years. I have a good capsule of dressy and formal attire so there’s little need for me to shop ahead for those types of occasions. I bought my new swimwear capsule in February and will use it for the first time in June. I’m a huge early season shopper and happily allow items to hang for months before the weather is right to wear them. And when I see a HEWI that has not passed its expiry date, I buy it.

Over to you. Do you purchase items only if you know you can wear them in a couple of weeks, or do you also purchase items in advance?

The snow and ice is gone, the sun is out, and temperatures are up. That means showcasing your feet in sandals, mules, slides, and pumps with open heels. Or wearing closed Summer shoes — like ballet flats, loafers and oxfords — without socks. 

The transition from wearing socks and boots to open footwear and footwear without socks requires some foot prep. Here are six tips that will help you to have happy Summer feet.

1. Pedicure

Well-groomed feet make open footwear shine, and add polish to your look. They also make your feet feel healthy and extra clean. Get a professional pedicure, or take time to give yourself one. Paint your toes if that’s your thing.

2. Moisturize

If pedicures aren’t your thing, give yourself a couple of minutes to moisturize your feet. Slather those heels if you’re a mules wearer. Moisturizing feet twice a day is effective with countless lotions and potions at your disposal. I’m going to try Gold Bond Softening Foot Cream after hearing good things about the goo.

3. Blister Balm

Use some sort of anti-chafing balm like Body Glide, Foot Glide, or Blister Block to prevent blisters and sore red spots from forming in blister prone areas on the feet. All my footwear is comfortable, but when I know I’m going to be walking for longer during the day, I rub the balm liberally on the areas of my feet that are blister prone and pop on my shoes as usual. You can’t feel the balm on the skin and it’s not sticky. If necessary, I reapply after four or five hours of walking.

4. Break in the Sandals

Sometimes, your feet need to get used to wearing naked sandals – new or old – after wearing covered boots and socks for half the year. Break in the process by wearing sandals, mules, slides and the like for a couple of hours on the first first few days of wear. Build up to wearing open shoes with the help of a blister balm.

5. Silicone Toe Protectors

Blister balm helps, but might not be enough protection for the very blister prone spots on your feet despite the enormous comfort of the rest of the shoe. I’m trying silicone protectors for my pinky toes that seem to rub after a while in any shoe that I wear with bare feet. You can feel the protector on your toes, but it’s not an uncomfortable feeling. So far it’s helping. Of course, you can only wear the protectors when your toes are covered in Summer shoes like loafers, ballet flats, mules, pumps and sneakers.

6. No-Show Socks

No-show socks are a great solution for loafers, oxfords, sneakers and pumps if they stay on your feet. Stance’s invisible socks are popular with clients and our forum members because they’re thin, comfortable, and tend to stay on your feet.

Amazon

Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm

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3

Amazon

PurSources Urea 40% Foot Cream 4 oz - Best Callus Remover - Moisturizes & Rehydrates Thick, Cracked, Rough, Dead & Dry Skin - For Feet, Elbows and Hands +...

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1

Amazon

5Pair Foot Hydrating Gel Moisturizer Moisturizing Socks for Women,Girls,Men (Shea Butter & Aloe Vera Extract)

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1

Amazon

Body Glide Foot Anti Blister Balm, 0.80 oz (USA Sale Only)

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Amazon

Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Foot Cream with Shea Butter, 4 Ounce

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3

Amazon

Ruby's Lube All Natural Anti-Chafe, Anti-Blister Balm | Made in USA | Water and Sweat Resistant | Formulated and Tested by an 7 Time Ironman Winner - 3 oz Tube plus Mini Tube

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1

Amazon

Toe Protectors, Toe Sleeves Silicone Small Gel Corn Protectors for Runners,Blisters,Shoes,Heels,Sandal Purple Pinky Toe Pain Relief 5 Pairs

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Zappos

Stance Invisible 3-Pack

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I don’t enjoy pedicures, but LOVE the visual results, so I get those fairly regularly. I’m still on Team Naked Nails and use a clear nail strengthener instead of polish. I moisturize my feet twice a day, use a blister blocker most days, and I’m testing the silicone protectors. I’ve given up on no-show socks, because I don’t have the foot volume to fill them out and they keep falling off. I have yet to wear my sandals this year, but will be diligent about breaking them in.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Feel free to share your Summer feet prep strategies in the comments section.

• Target has a new private label in the works: Original Use, a low-cost, streetwear-inspired men’s line which will debut this Summer.
• Grace Coddington is getting her own, six-episode, talk show on IMG’s streaming fashion channel.
• New T-shirt brand For Days is using a membership model to minimize waste.
• The “A Life in Pattern” exhibition at the London Fashion and Textiles Museum is the first exhibit dedicated to designer Orla Kiely.
• Uniqlo has teamed up with Tomas Maier for a one-time-only resort-focussed collection.
• The new documentary “The Gospel According to André” explores the life and career of fashion journalist André Leon Talley.
• J.Crew is undergoing a relaunch in September with initiatives like a new loyalty programme.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that, according to an old tale from Brittany, the iconic Breton shirt originally had 21 stripes to celebrate each of Napoleon’s naval victories against the British.

Black is traditionally a heavy, Winter colour, but here are three ways to wear a column of black in Summer and still look Summery. First, showcase skin to break up the expanse of black clothing on the body. Second, choose non-black footwear and accessories. Third, choose lightweight, sheer and dainty fabrics. 

Here are some combinations to get you started. If black is not your thing, feel free to substitute it with ink blue, navy or charcoal grey.

1. Tunic, Crops & Metallic

A tunic is more of a concept, than a length. A long top that is worn over pants or jeans is a tunic. Tunic lengths vary from mid-thigh to well below the knee. Longer tunics like the one shown here look elegant and fresh to my eye. Tunics with diagonal hems create structure and are extra flattering. Wearing a dress as a tunic is very effective.

Combine a sleeveless or short-sleeved black tunic/dress with black cropped straights or flares. The skin comes through by sporting a sleeveless tunic and cropped pants. Finish off the look with metallic footwear, bag and jewellery.

2. Black-Lite

Combine a black top with dark blue bottoms. Finish off the outfit with white footwear. Or swap things around with a dark blue top and black bottoms. Make sure the sleeves are short or sleeveless, and showcase some leg. I like the fashion-forward voluminous proportions shown here, although it’s not conventionally flattering.

3. Casual Dress & Flats

This is the easiest of the lot. Choose a casual black frock, and some sort of jersey knit is a good way to go. Make sure you show skin on the arms and legs. Finish of the look with white flats like slides or mules and a bag to match. Feel free to throw in cognac or red footwear and bag instead of white.

4. Shorts, Silk & Straw

Last, combine black shorts with a silky black top. Black harem pants are another way to go. Scrunch the sleeves to showcase skin if the sleeves are long. Finish off the vibe with tan footwear and bag, or a straw bag. Blush shoes and bag work well too.

The black in my wardrobe is minimal, which is just the way I want it since I favour other neutrals and non-neutrals. That said, I enjoy a smattering of black in very specific wardrobe items. My versions of this outfit formula are threefold.

1. I combine a casual black Summer dress with a micro polka dot with a red or white support act.
2. I combine black cropped flares with an embroidered black silk dress that I sport as a tunic. I finish off the vibe with a white support act.
3. I wear silk black harem pants with a cropped black lace top. Black lace is another effective way to break up the expanse of black.

Here are the exact items from my wardrobe. White pearls accompany every outfit.

Nordstrom

Topshop Polka Dot Asymmetrical Midi Dress

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Zara

Frilled Dress With Floral Patch

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Neiman Marcus

Cropped Flare Trousers, Midnight

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16

Custom Find

by Angie

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Custom Find

by Angie

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Nordstrom

Naturalizer Simonette Mule

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23

Nordstrom

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

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Nordstrom

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer (Women)

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38

Zappos

Calvin Klein Georgette

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Boden

Lyla Midi Bag

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17

L.K.Bennett

Rosie Leather Small Bag

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26

Amsterdam Bag Company

BRADLY – RED

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18

Custom Find

by Angie

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Custom Find

by Angie

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Over to you. Do you like to wear black-on-black in warm and hot weather?