Alterations Needed

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Memorial Day Sales Picks

AlterationsNeeded — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:49 +0000

The Memorial Day weekend sales have begun! Just for starters, we have Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly Sale for women and kids, new markdowns taken to Shopbop’s sale, and at Saks Fifth Avenue, with I’m sure more to come as the weekend gets closer.

Happy shopping!

Developing Personal Style – Wardrobe Upgrades

AlterationsNeeded — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:29 +0000

{A recent wardrobe upgrade}

This post is thanks to a great comment from Judy on this post that got me thinking…

Here’s a question for you: as you started defining your [menswear-inspired] style, did you get rid of your old clothes that didn’t fit into that look? I think I’ve finally found a style that will really work for me and my current stage in life, and I’m tempted to skinny down my closet because there are just too many things, but I have a hard time letting go of old favorites. (Or being guilty of keeping something around just in case I might change my mind a few years from now.)

The people we were five years ago* isn’t necessarily the people we are today. We grow older, our bodies change, our interests change, and our experiences mold us in different ways. Running parallel to our own personal changes are developments that occur in the world around us, like the general change in taste of what’s considered stylish and on trend. Often times, it just takes time to zero-in on who we are and what makes us tick, which can also be said of defining our personal style.

So it should come as no surprise that some items in our wardrobes we loved five years ago, may no longer be in line with our current personal style, tastes, or place in life. One thing to do with these items is to purge them from our closets through donating or reselling, making room for new favorites to take their place. But like Judy said, what to do about those things that we just can’t seem to let go of? Those items that aren’t really “our thing” anymore.

The process I’ve been taking with these items is what I call “wardrobe upgrades”. It is quite simply:

Identifying what it is about an item that makes it hard to let go.
Finding that characteristic in an item that’s more “you”.

I want to state here that “upgrade” merely means replacing with an item that better fits into your current personal style. That item does not necessarily need to be more expensive in any way. Just better suited for who you are today.

{Ann Taylor shell (old) & Banana Republic dress shirt (color may still be in stores)}

The case of the lavender shell (left photo) is a great example. It’s been well-loved for several years, but recently, I’ve largely ignored it in my closet. Despite a lack of wear, I just couldn’t let it go. It took some time and thought, but I finally realized why. I love the color!

The style isn’t quite me anymore, and the fabric is worse for wear (a bit pilled), but I realized I loved how the color looked against some of my favorites like navy, grey tweed, and even seersucker. Once I realized this, it was time to figure out how to incorporate that color into my wardrobe again, but in a way that’s more in line with my current style. My answer…a dress shirt (worn here).

Another way I’ve been thinking about upgrading items is as little sisters and big sisters. Some items, as you own them long enough, start to look a little too youthful. I call these “little sisters”. I catch myself wanting to replace these little sisters with something similar, but a little more sophisticated. I call these “big sisters”. A great example is below:

{Cole Haan Carma pumps (old) & Kate Spade Licorice pumps (also at Saks & Zappos) (similar from J.Crew)}

I’ve had the grey suede Cole Haan pumps (top photo) in my closet for almost five years now. As you can see, they’ve taken a beating and were very well loved, but I’ve only worn them once in the last year. Why? Because recently, when I put them on, they feel a little too “innocent” compared to the direction my style has taken. They just don’t feel right anymore, and I pass them over for other shoes. A mental note to replace these has crossed my mind more than once.

Metallic silver pumps have been on my radar but I wasn’t really interested until recently. Jean piqued my interest, Wendy sealed the deal, and I was soon really curious if there was room in my closet for a pair. When they arrived (bottom photo), I had an epiphany. The silver metallic pumps are what happens when the grey suede pumps “grow up”. They’re the sophisticated ”older sister”.

While the grey suede is a bit sweet and safe, the silver metallic pump is daring and demands attention. The colors are similar ideas, and it’s likely that any occasion I could find to wear the grey, the metallic could easily step in, and turn up the volume while it’s at it.

Voilà…wardrobe upgrade.

Questions to ask yourself:

Why aren’t you wearing this item?

My answers:

Lavender shell: In this case, the design didn’t represent how I like to dress anymore, and the fabric was looking a little pilled after so many years of wear. These reasons made me pass it over in lieu of other items.

Grey suede pumps: I still liked the idea of grey suede pumps, but something about the style of these wasn’t working for me any longer. At this point in my personal style, I want my pumps to “pop”, and these were a snore-fest.

Why are you still hanging onto this item?

Lavender shell: In this case, it was really the color. I loved how the color looked when worn under lots of items from my seersucker blazer, to navy cardigans. I kept it around because I thought I may want to wear that beautiful color again.

Grey suede pumps: With so many of my shoes dark in color, I though the light neutral grey would be nice to have around.

What item would you wear, if it had the characteristics described above (the reason you’re still holding on)?

Lavender shell: When I realized it was the color of this shell that I really loved, it was an easy connection for me to make that I needed to look for this color in another style of top that would fit into my current personal style and taste. For me, a lavender dress shirt was the answer.

Grey suede pumps: At first, I thought grey suede point-toe pumps would be a nice replacement, but when my eye started to get distracted by silver metallic pumps, I realized those were going to do a similar (and more stylish) job.

* I chose “five years” as an example in this post because this blog is coming up on it’s five year anniversary. In that time, I’ve seen a distinct shift in myself and my own personal style, so it felt appropriate.

Weekend…

AlterationsNeeded — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:08:39 +0000

Just a quick snap before heading out to dinner with some of my favorite people. Most of my family and friends are in Los Angeles, so every time I’m back in town my weekend fills with brunches and dinners catching up with my LA peeps. This particular evening was spent with two of the most brilliant ladies I’ve met through blogging. Dinners spent with these girls are filled with laughs, good food, and amazing conversation. I hope you all had a great weekend!

Details - J.Crew (Crewcuts) blazer :: Banana Republic shirt :: Koral jeans :: Banana Republic belt :: Manolo Blahnik shoes :: Kate Spade watch :: Stella & Dot bracelet (c/o) :: Valentino handbag (in patent red & green)

Altered – Manolo Blahnik shoes have ball-of-foot and heel pads added :: Kate Spade watch has had the strap replaced

Weekend Links – 5/17/13

AlterationsNeeded — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:34:51 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! Sale of note, J.Crew has 20% off women’s apparel items.

Ann Taylor – 30% off full-priced shoes.

Banana Republic – Up to 40% off select styles (thru 5/19) which includes these polka dot pants (link to buy). 40% off full-priced shorts, tees, tanks, flip flops, and more (in stores only) (thru 5/22).

Banana Republic Factory - Summer sale: up to 60% off select styles (thru 5/21). Extra 10% off $100+ with this coupon (thru 5/21).

J.Crew – 20% off full-price women’s apparel with code LOOK20 (thru 5/21).

Last Call (Neiman Marcus) - Extra 30% off women’s clothing.

LOFT – Extra 40% off sale styles. Special prices on select shorts, crops and skirts with code GONOW.

Revolve - New items added to sale.

The Outnet - Extra 25% off “Perfect Prints“.

Happy shopping!

Disclosure - Purchasing through the links in this post may yield commissions for AlterationsNeeded.com. See the Alterations Needed Disclosure for more details.

In-Vest-Ment

AlterationsNeeded — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:55 +0000

This vest is one of the first clothing items I felt a strong need to posses. At the time, I didn’t have a very focused idea of what my style was, but as soon as I saw it (on the cover of Lucky Magazine), I had to have it. Fast forward to today, and I find it interesting that before I lasered in on a menswear-inspired wardrobe, I had already started collecting items that would fit right into the personal style that would take me years to figure out.

Hunting for distressed denim, I wanted to avoid any that had a distinct knee, since being so short means the placement of faux scuffed knees on a pair of jeans is unlikely to end up at my natural knee. I also tried many pairs from cheaper/fast fashion brands thinking it was smarter to spend less on a pair of jeans that already had holes in them, right? Well, it’s only after trying on many pairs of scratchy, weird fitting fast fashion denim that you really appreciate pulling on a nice, comfy pair of jeans. You win again, premium denim!

These jeans will eventually get hemmed (which they’ll get after a few washes to account for shrinkage), but in the meantime they’re incredibly comfy and the thick rolled cuff can pass as a boyfriend jean.

Outfit details – Banana Republic vest :: Equipment blouse :: Koral jeans :: Manolo Blahnik shoes (also at Neiman Marcus):: Banana Republic belt :: Chanel handbag :: Kate Spade watch :: Stella & Dot bracelet (c/o) :: Vintage brooch

Altered – Equipment blouse has been slimmed :: Manolo Blahnik shoes have ball-of-foot pads & heel liners added :: Kate Spade watch has had the strap replaced

Black, White & Burgundy

AlterationsNeeded — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:15 +0000

Just a little more of my favorite color, burgundy. I hope everyone has a great week!

Outfit details – J.Crew cardigan :: Banana Republic shirt :: Rachel Zoe skirt (also at Piperlime) :: Rachel Roy shoes :: Chanel handbag :: Banana Republic belt :: Kate Spade watch :: Stella & Dot necklace (c/o) & bracelet (c/o)

Altered – Banana Republic shirt has had darts added :: Rachel Roy shoes have ball of foot and heel liners added :: Kate Spade watch has had the strap replaced

Weekend Links – 5/10/13

AlterationsNeeded — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:26:43 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! And happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there! Sales of note, ASOS has 50% off 50 key summer pieces, and J.Crew has 30% off sale items.

Ann Taylor – 30% off your entire purchase with code MAYCHIC.

ASOS – 50% off 50 key summer pieces.

Banana Republic – 30% off your purchase with code BRMOMDAY (thru 5/12). 35% off your purchase with a BR/Gap/ON card and code BRMOMDAY (thru 5/12).

Banana Republic Factory - 50% off women’s styles (excludes clearance) (thru 5/12). Additional 10% off $100+ with this coupon (thru 5/12).

Bergdorf Goodman - 5F sale: up to 40% off.

Bloomingdales - 25% – 40% off selected merchandise. Extra 15% off select regular & sale-priced items with a Bloomingdales card (thru 5/12).

Cusp - First cuts: 40% – 65% off.

J.Crew – 30% off sale items with code SUNSHINE (thru 5/12).

Last Call (Neiman Marcus) - 30% off accessories (handbags, shoes, jewelry).

LOFT – Teachers receive 25% off any full-price purchase in stores only with a valid Teacher ID (thru 5/12). 40% off select full-price styles. 40% off select “Mother’s Day Must-Haves” with code LOVEMOM.

Neiman Marcus - First call: up to 40% off.

Nordstrom – New markdowns added to sale.

Piperlime – Designer sale: up to 40% off.

Saks Fifth Avenue - Up to 40% off designer selections (thru today, 5/10).

Shopbop - New items added to sale.

The Outnet - Further reductions have been taken on select items.

Happy shopping!

Disclosure - Purchasing through the links in this post may yield commissions for AlterationsNeeded.com. See the Alterations Needed Disclosure for more details.

May Merlot

AlterationsNeeded — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:43 +0000

A drizzly day is a perfect excuse to bust out the trench coat. Ever since discovering that I could fold over and then button each side of the trench to itself, it’s my favorite way to wear it open on a day where the full protection or warmth of a buttoned up trench coat isn’t necessary. And tightening the wrist straps help keep the sleeves where I like them…scrunched up to the elbow.

I really love the idea of “opulent lounge”, which I believe is where my love of smoking slippers also stems. Blouses that resemble pajama tops fit right into that concept, hence my love for these silk tipped blouses from J.Crew (extra 30% off with code SUNSHINE through 5/10), of which I now have two (see the blue version here and here). The contrast piping adds the perfect amount of interest to what would otherwise be a pretty basic pairing. I’ve found myself reaching for this blouse quite often since it arrived.

Outfit details – Burberry trench (similar from Burberry & J.Crew) :: J.Crew shirt :: Koral jeans :: J.Crew belt :: Kate Spade shoes :: Valentino handbag :: Kate Spade watch :: Stella & Dot bracelet (c/o)

Altered – Burberry trench has been slimmed & the sleeves shortened :: Koral jeans have been hemmed & the ankle narrowed :: Kate Spade watch has had the strap replaced

Wearing Black and Brown

AlterationsNeeded — Sun, 05 May 2013 13:00:26 +0000

Have you ever looked at something and couldn’t quite tell if it was very dark brown or black? If so, then you know why the old fashion rule exists that “you should never wear black with brown”. When trying to match black with black, a very dark shade of brown could trick you into thinking it’s black, and then you’d look like you “got dressed in the dark”. The same can be said of very dark navy.

So, how do you pair black with brown? I like to make sure the tones are different enough that they aren’t easily mistaken for each other. I love pairing tan and other light browns with black, as well as reddish-brown tones like cognac.

Yet another great discovery by Jean, these shorts are Zara kids, and were an absolute steal during the Zara fall sale. The rich tweed texture in varying shades of brown made a beautiful pairing with the flat textured black shirt. I brought brown back into the top of the outfit with the brass tones of the necklace, and kept the rest of the accessories black.

Outfit details – Banana Republic shirt :: Zara shorts :: Kate Spade shoes :: Chanel handbag :: Stella & Dot necklace & bracelet (c/o) :: Kate Spade watch

Altered – Kate Spade watch has had the strap replaced