Accessories! Where should I spend my money??

Accessories are that special detail to an outfit that can set it off perfectly. I have many customers who want to know where to spend their money and what is reasonable. I always start off this conversation explaining that accessories, like all components to your wardrobe, should stand up well to the "cost per wear" analysis. Make sure that you are willing to pay that item its hourly rate...is it worth it? Only you can answer that! What I will tell you is that there are some staples that I think EVERY woman should have in her wardrobe.
#1: Great Day to Day Purse
#2: Pearls

#3: Head Band

#4: 4-5 sets of Earrings

Lets look at some examples!

Day to Day Purse: This purse should be durable and meet all your primary needs. It should be big enough to hold all your needful day to day items. Look for good construction, such as seaming and straps, along with high end materials such as strong canvas or leather.

This is from a designer called Tanneicasey on Etsy.com

This Purse is from Anthroplogie and is a nice soft leather

Another possibility is a designer purse. Dooney and Burke has an AMAZING guarantee on their bags, you can ALWAYS send in your bag for repairs and if they can't repair it they will send you a certificate for 1/2 off a new bag.

Pearl Necklace: Every girl needs a pearl necklace. They are classic, elegant, and they go with everything!

They don't always have to be the standard strand. Look for special details like this strand from Stella & Dot.

Head Bands: Everyone who knows me knows that I own a MILLION head bands! I love them and I am making them #3 on the MUST HAVE accessories! I like to look for local or small designers for head bands.

Shea Bay makes this neato head band

This one is by 123 Trinitroxy

This one is at Anthroplogie

Earrings: Earrings are a must have for women and I think you need at least 4 pairs of good earrings.

I like to have earrings that look vintage and special. These earrings come from Stella & Dot.

Express has a lot of classic earrings that go with EVERYTHING!

Looking for accessories is fun! Make sure and take time to do a cost per wear analysis and don't be afraid to invest in some lovely items.

Change your shoes, change your life

Shoes glorious shoes!!!! I love shoes, they can make or break an outfit. They are built for beauty, comfort, protection and so on. They are wonderful and yet it is one of the most difficult items of clothing for most. What is so hard about shoes? Well, there is sizing not just on length but also width. Next there is function to consider, comfort and of course style...so much to consider it can really cause some turmoil. Here are some tips:

Sizing: I have found that most of my clients are wearing the wrong size shoe...you may find that odd but it is true. Proper fit on a shoe is CRITICAL, there is much to consider. Deseriee Stimpert wrote a step by step guide to measuring your foot.

• Trace your foot.



• Mark the outermost points both length and width of your foot.



• Measure the length of your foot with a measuring tape rounding to the nearest 16th mark.



• Measure the width of the foot



• Measure both feet and take the largest of the two.



• Here is the link to the conversion from inches to shoe size



• Here is the link for width
  

Or you can go to Nordstroms and have your feet measured for free.

Function: What do you need the shoes for? Are they work out shoes, work shoes, date shoes, running around shoes....the list goes on. I say people need at least 5 pairs of shoes to meet the following categories: church, work, workout, date, and comfort shoes. I shoes are just that they are SHOES, not sandals, or flip flops they are SHOES. I say this because many people want their comfort shoes to count as flip flops...I am sorry that does not count. Each of your shoes should serve their purpose well. Work shoes, work out shoes, and comfort shoes should all be comfortable and versatile. Also understand that the shoes you are in the most should be reflected in cost. Don't hesitate to spend a little more money on work shoes that you will wear everyday and all day to ensure that they are comfortable and look good. The function of the shoe will determine the style in many ways. If you are a nurse you are not going to choose 4 inch pumps you are going to choose a specialty comfort shoe, and if you are a banker you are not going to choose crocs you are going to choose a pump or dress shoe.

Use these guides when looking for shoes and you will soon find that you will be able to build a functional and comfortable shoe wardrobe.