Monday Morning Coffee Tips with Amy - It Doesn't Have to be Expensive
That's right ladies, you don't have to buy all of your clothes at Neiman in order to look and feel on trend. In fact, I personally think it is better if you don't. Sure, Neiman is fabulous and luxurious, which has its place. But for everyday style, don't you love putting together a stunning outfit that looks expensive but really isn't?!?
And I love blowing people's minds with comments like, "Oh, I picked this up at Target." or "Thanks, the whole outfit was less than $100."
Thus, the birth of A Velvet Window! So, to bring you up to speed on a few things (I will try not to bore you while giving you a little background):
#1. I DON'T LOVE TO SHOP...there, I said it. And it is true! Shopping is NOT fun for me. Which always makes people question my decision to launch an online boutique.
#2. I am a total tightwad. Yep, also true. I love a great deal and absolutely HATE overspending on everyday pieces. Unless we are talking about denim. Then I do believe in really spending money on good denim.
#3. Brand does not equal style. I cannot emphasize this enough. To expand on this, my husband and I were just at the Galleria Mall in Dallas this weekend. Always wonderful people watching and lots to observe. Especially around the holidays. Being in fashion, I am fascinated by what people wear and how they put together outfits. We saw a lady decked out in Louis Vuitton, and not to be rude or judgmental, she looked terrible. Expensive, yes. Stylish, no. Don't fall for the brand trap.
So here are a few tips:
~Know or learn what looks good on your body type.
~Think about your outfit and lay it out together before putting it on. Including jewelry, shoes, handbag, etc. The flatlay creation was genius for this step. Then ask yourself:
a. Does it look good?
b. Do I need to change anything? or can I improve it?
If you love it, chances are you will love it on and wear it more confidently. AND, it will look like you thought about your outfit. Don't cheat yourself and skip this step. It really is critical.
~Seek out style inspiration. Instagram and Pinterest are filled with fashion ideas. You don't have to copycat with the exact same pieces but use them for visual tools to see what you like together and how you can incorporate items from your own wardrobe. They are also very helpful tools for learning the staple pieces you need in your wardrobe.
~Pair expensive pieces with less expensive pieces. This is by far one of my favorite fashion hacks. Whether it is a luxury handbag, high end denim, or shoes, these items, when paired correctly (KEY point here) automatically add value to every other piece of your outfit. People automatically assume everything you are wearing is expensive.
See, I believe the key is to look expensive without spending a fortunate. It really boils down to how you pull yourself together. Really taking time to think about your outfits and then, get rid of what isn't working. If it is old, toss it. If it is dated, toss it. If it is, well just plain ugly, TOSS it.
And most importantly, remember, the brand alone will not create a stellar outfit. Style is something we create with specific pieces, not brands.
~Amy
Here are a couple of great outfits under $100!
Total Outfit Cost $98.00 Reg. Price (Check Website for Sales)
- White Distressed Skinny Jeans $44.00
- Black Off the Shoulder Bell Sleeve Top $36.00
- Snake Print Cuff $18.00
Total Outfit Cost $70.00 Reg. Price (Check Website for Sales)
- Navy Halter Maxi Dress $38.00
- Antique Gold Beaded Tassel Earrings $18.00
- White & Gold Leaf Bracelet $14.00