Why I (rarely) wear pants

It was brought to my attention by a coworker recently that I rarely wear pants to work. Yep, I'm that girl that was wearing skirts and dresses in the dead of winter with doubled up tights and knee boots. I don't personally have anything against wearing pants for religious or political reasons. So, why don't I wear pants on most days?

Cheaper. I don't wear pants all that often because it's cheaper for me not to wear them. As a vertically challenged lady (aka short), I can rarely go into a store and purchase pants without getting them shortened. Because I lack sewing skills, those alteration costs can add up. I mentally tack on $15+ to a pair of pants when I try them on in the store. Unless I have a specific occasion to dress up for, that extra cost is just usually not worth it for me. I have bought skirts in recent months, but I believe the last pair of pants I purchased was when I had a part time job at a retail store in 2008. I've made denim purchases fairly recently. I've bought two pairs of jeans in the last two years, one pair of which were purchased in the late winter.

My personal style is less casual as I get older. I do have to admit that as I get older, my style has changed a a bit; in college I felt way more comfortable in jeans, I now feel more comfortable in a skirt or a dress. I don't feel as much social pressure to dress a certain way, and I really wear what I like and what suits my style aesthetic. During the week, I like to dress up and don't usually have to worry about being under dressed when I go to any functions I attend after work because I've never been a fan of really short, tight skirts or dresses. I do wear jeans on the weekends and that really is enough for me.

Pants styles change frequently. Pants styles change in minor ways from season to season, but most of the skirts and dresses I wear are at least a season or two old. Hemlines rise and fall on pants. Wide legged styles go in and out of style and I usually see slight moderations when styles 'come back around' such as less pockets on cargo pants or cropped pants in jeans instead of regular lengths. Skirt styles like a black pencil skirt or A-line skirt depending on your figure type are closet staples that won't look out of place from year to year. I have a penchant for prints and florals and they have been in style for the last few seasons as well. My skirts rarely need any alterations that simply putting on a belt can't fix. Dresses are a bit trickier, but they still usually require no alteration unless they were purchased from thrift or vintage stores. I have purchased dresses that were larger than my normal size in the past from thrift stores and got them altered to fit me because I saw the potential in the dress and felt I'd wear it for several years and for different types of occasions. My petite girl trick when I do have to purchase clothing that I want to fit my smaller proportions, is to shop in the junior's and even the kids section of my favorite stores.

I know taller folk face a whole other set of clothing (and maybe shoe) shopping problems, and overall, I like being a small lady. Making minor adjustments in how I choose my clothing isn't really a big deal. But in the future, I will take the time to learn some basic sewing skills and maybe even take a class, but for now, I'll stick to skirts and dresses and just wear the pants I already own.

Anyone else face pants shopping woes? What other factors affect your clothing preferences?

Colorful Clothes As An Economic Indicator

According to a recent New York Times article, the resurgence of multihued designs can be interpreted as an indicator of recovery:

"The profusion of hothouse colors and patterns popping up on New York streets this month suggests a new buoyancy, as women shake off the constraints of a lingering recession and stock up on fashions more lively and vivid than they’ve seen in years."

"People are sick of not shopping," said Beth Buccini, an owner of Kirna Zabete, a SoHo outpost of vanguard design, where splashy florals and abstract designs are providing a bracing antidote to months of self-imposed sobriety. After such a miserable winter, and an even more miserable economy," she said, "people want a little joy in their lives."

I don't think the down economy has necessarily changed my spending habits. While I didn't stop spending money on non-essentials completely, I've gotten into the habit of saving (no matter how small the amount) for a 'rainy' day and try to keep my spending in check in general. If I'm able to pay all of my bills, save, and make progress toward my financial goals I'm happy. Building discretionary spending on non-essentials into my budget like clothing works for me but others feel very comfortable with cutting it out entirely.

I see a minor evolution of my personal style to being more comfortable in a more diverse range of color and prints rather than neutral colors. But I'm not sure if this change can be attributed to the economy making moderate improvements or outside style influences combined with the development of my personal taste. The article goes on to say that though there has been gradual increases in consumer spending: "consumption is not expected to rise to the levels of 2006, when apparel sales rose on average by 6 percent."

Have you seen any changes in your clothing spending over the past few years because of the economy? Do you think the economy influences your personal style color choices as the article suggests?

Image: New York Times

Keep Cost Per Wear In Mind When Doing Summer Shopping

If you live somewhere along the East coast like I do, you have probably experienced some nice (but hot weather!) for the past few days. A change in seasons (or drastic temperature fluctuations) usually make me think of what gaps exist in my closet that I'd like to fill, I'm sure others can relate. But before you go out and make a summer appropriate purchase on your next pay day, keep in mind how much wear you will actually get out of the item you'd like to purchase. I'm not a 'math person,' but even I can remember this relatively simple formula:

Item cost /Times worn = Cost per wear

I don't really NEED any clothing and I'm an accessories girl anyway, so it's easiest for me to think of something I'd actually want: a cognac colored bag is currently on the top of my wish list. But I've only seen inexpensive versions from big box retailers that I am pretty certain won't last beyond a season or two, so my wish is still indeed just a wish. So if I purchase a bag for $100 and wear it 100 times over the year, then the cost per wear for the shoes would be around $1.00. You can use the cost per wear concept for other purchases, but for me, it applies most to clothing/accessories. I do afterall have a strong interest in style and strive to spend less than I earn. I also implement the 'remix rule' which I've mentioned before on this blog. If I can't think of at least 3-4 ways to 'remix' an item before purchasing it, then I usually put it back on the shelf (or virtual shopping cart). Your closet should be filled with 'work horses' that will stand the test of time and can be worn in multiple ways. If I can't create ways to wear an item without other supporting purchases (shirt to match pants, shoes to match belt, etc), then I don't buy it.

What are some of your shopping rules?

If you can't 'remix' it, don't buy it

'Remix' is a term that fashion/style bloggers use to show they are wearing a piece of clothing in a different way than it's original intent. This could mean wearing a skirt as a shirt or simply wearing a piece of clothing with different tops or accessories than you do normally. I have as many fashion/style blogs in my Google Reader as I do personal finance blogs; I love fashion/style and personal finance equally. But going out and spending money on new clothing all the time does not fit my budget contraints, and I know I'm not the only one! My new clothing purchase rule is that: If I can't 'remix' an item at least four ways, I won't be purchasing it. This can also be a budget-friendly way of shopping, because it forces you to really think about your purchases and how they fit into your wardrobe. Shopping in thrift stores or clothing exchanges (like Buffalo Exchange if they are in your area) for big ticket clothing items can make your clothing budget stretch even further.

I've found several instances over the course of the summer just when I've thought I don't have anything to wear, I've been to inspired to wear something I already own in a new way by looking at how other people on the web create their outfits. This was especially helpful when I banned myself from buying new clothing in July.

Here are a few stylish ladies I've stumbled upon in my web surfing that are great at wardrobe 'remixing' and inspire me all the time:

• My Style Pill
• What I Wore
• Academichic
• The Uniform Project

And if you like taking pics of your outfits (like me) to show how you 'remix', here are a few style/fashion communities:

• Wardrobe remix via Flickr
• Weardrobe
• Lucky Style Spotter

Here's to looking stylish on a budget!

Being petite can be a good thing when clothing shopping

I don't really like shopping, but I do love clothing and style. I always feel more confident when I like what I'm wearing. This does not always mean buying something new, but wearing a favorite clothing item that makes me feel good. I focus more on quality rather than quality because of budget contraints, but I do add a few things to my wardrobe every season. And I never invest too much in trends; I love floral prints as much of the next person, but how many floral printed dresses or skirts does one person need? I suspect less than fashion magazines would lead you to think.

Being short and on the petite side, I have a hard time buying certain items I like because of fit. Coats, jackets and pants are particularly difficult. It's why I wear pants that are three, four and five years old because it's such a pain to find pants that fit well without any alteration. I am a dress or skirt-wearing person unless it's cold outside for this same reason. I am a stickler for fit because I hate nothing more than looking like I'm drowning in my clothes because they are too large or fit incorrectly. Learning to sew which is a long-term goal will help me to spend less for tailoring, but until this happens I have one short cut. I shop in the kids section for coats, jackets and blazers to ensure they fit well.

This only works when clothing doesn't have juvenile embelishments like embroidery or anything too shiny; but it works for me most of the time. My latest aquisition that was a blazer from the boys section of Macy's which looks a bit like this one, but mine is navy. So there goes my shopping budget for the month, but a blazer will carry me through the frigid air conditioning that leaves me shivering in almost all public places this time of year to the fall and winter months. I've learned to make my size work for me and still maintain my own sense of personal style. I also spend a little less money on my clothes than people expect because children's clothing is usually cheaper!

Do you have any shopping tricks to use your size to your advantage?

Why I ignore trends when I go clothing shopping

I don't think you have to completely abando your style to meet financial goals, but I tend to ignore trends when I actually buy clothing for myself and here are the reasons why:

• I don’t have the budget to keep up. I love fashion and style, but I’m a girl on a budget. I believe it’s possible to look stylish whatever your price-point, so my shopping excursions are normally relegated to stores like H&M, Zara, Target, and occasional trips to vintage stores for statement pieces. While I think certain trends looke fantastic on other people, I wouldn't necessarily purchase them myself. I mainly look at magazines for inspiration, and not with the idea that I will actually buy the triple strap ‘Iman’ Gucci sandals I’ve seen in several magazines this spring. Or the Prada clutch or Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt I admired on one of my favorite fashion blogs (I read an equal number of PF blogs and Fashion/Style blogs). Magazines in many ways give you an unattainable standard to live up to. Even celebrities wouldn’t actually buy all of the clothing they wear and promote; they get a lot of freebies. I’m learning to embrace quality over quantity though I have a long way to go to the classy minimalism that bloggers like Fabulously Broke in the City embrace.
• Many trends don’t work on my body type and height. I am short, curvy and have a petite frame, therefore, MANY trends I see on fashion models that are several inches taller than me and have body proportions very different from my own simply won’t work. In fact, they’d probably look down right silly. You won’t catch me with any ‘harem pants’ on or leggings worn as pants (unless I’m around the house or running quick weekend errands). ‘Boyfriend’ jeans, and longish blazers are also items you can guarantee I won’t be purchasing. I am learning what works on my body and plan to stick to it when buying items. My favorite clothing items are dresses and skirts; mainly because they normally require very little alteration. This is a big factor for me because paying for clothing to be tailored can add up. For this reason learning how to sew is a definite goal for the near-future for me.
• I don’t always want to look like everyone else. My growing love for vintage and thrift stores stems from being tired of looking like everyone else. There is definitely a place for “fast fashion” in my wardrobe (i.e. H&M) but if I take the time to hunt down a unique find in a thrift store or vintage store, I will be guaranteed that the girl sitting near me at a restaurant or bar won’t be wearing what I have on. My vintage items or ‘hand-me-downs’ often get me more complements than the latest item I bought from H&M anyway.
  
  Do you ignore trends or embrace them when you shop for yourself?
  

Secondhand stores reap benefits of recession

According to this recent USA Today article:

"There have been many euphemistic labels applied to secondhand goods, including "gently used," "pre-owned" and "like new." But in the current economy, they have a new and candid label: "hot sellers."

As Americans look for ways to cut spending, they are scooping up bargain clothes, accessories, toys and furniture once owned by someone else. "

Buying items second hand is definitely good for the wallet in most cases, but it can also be good for the environment. I like looking unique and that is another plus to shopping second hand. I will be on the lookout for thrift stores in the DC area...that is after my shopping moratorium next year.

Photo: USA Today

Which Dress Should I Choose?

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

I am attending a conference at the end of November and there is a formal event that is apart of it that I'd like to go to for the opportunity to network and also becuase I love any opportunity to dress up. I will allocate $50 in total for an outfit. I will most likely carry a bag and wear shoes I already have. I'd like to keep it simple and not too trendy so I can wear the dress for other occasions. Here are a few dress options I can afford. I am pretty petite and short, so I can get away with a cocktail length at a formal event because everything is always longer on me. I better enjoy these last few opportunities to shop, because my 6-month shopping moratorium will be in effect starting January 1, 2009.

So, any suggestions on which one I should choose or suggestions of options?

For the love of boots

And that was a nice break from your regularly scheduled personal finance-related post. I love fall shoes, boots in particular, are my favorites. I really like the booty style (short ankle boot) that are fashionable this season, but was afraid to purchase them because they are somewhat trendy. I tend to go for classic clothing and shoes because I hate spending the money (and time) updating items that look woefully out of date by the next season. But seeing these pretty inexpensive pairs at Payless has me reconsidering my no short ankle boot decision....we'll see.

Fall Is Coming...Is Your Wardrobe Ready?

When you are just starting to purchase clothing for work, quality is more important that quantity. You can wear items several ways for different looks and accessories like scarves and jewelry really make an outfit pop. Here are a few items I would suggest you add to your wardrobe if you are a young professional or just in need of updates:

~3 piece suit in a dark color ~Trench coat/Wool Coat ~Cardigan set ~White button down shirt ~1 all purpose dress (for work and play) ~Cotton long sleeve shirts ~Pants/Skirts (black, brown, tan) ~Understated jewelry ~Trouser Jeans ~black heels and flats

In my opinion, accessories make (or break an outfit), but I advise people with budget limits to purchase classic items and stay away from the trendy stuff that will be in the back of your closet next year. For example, I love the short boots that are now in style but have been hesitent to buy any for fear that it's a trend that won't stick around for me to get my money's worth out of them.

Here is a list of items I plan to add to my wardrobe this fall as long as they fit in the budget:

• Coat. I only plan to purchase a coat if I can find one that fits in either yellow or purple. I can't see myself spending as much as the one costs above, but I'm sure I can find a cheaper version elsewhere. Since your coat is what people see you in the most in your daily travels once the weather hits a certain level, I think you should have a nice one that will look just as nice under a suit as it would under jeans and a t-shirt.


• Boots. Every year, I wait around until the end of the season to try to catch boots on sale and can never find my size because it's sold out! Good boots should last several seasons, so this year, I might start boot shopping sooner before the pickings are slim and get some boots that look similar to these.


• All-purpose dress. I love dresses because I don’t have to think about a whole outfit which makes the process of getting ready in the morning much faster. A dress like this one can be made work-appropriate with a cardigan and after work appropriate by just taking off the cardigan and adding more dramatic jewelry and a clutch bag.


• Cardigan (in a bright color). A light weight cardigan be worn under neutral colored shirts because I like to wear layers as the fall weather sets in.


• Shirts in bright colors (purple, blue, mustard yellow, prints). I normally find reasonably priced shirts at H&M, so I will most likely look for my shirts there. I will also look for accessories like tights and inexpensive jewelry at this store.
  

I don't anticipate getting everything off my list, but I'll get some boots at a minimum. What fall clothing purchases do you plan to make?

Giving Up on My Quest For the Perfect (Reasonably Priced) Sandal

Why is it that when I finally decide to purchase a pair of sandals that I can't find any that I like that are a reasonable price? I saw the cutest ones in a mall in Northern Virginia yesterday, but they were almost $60 and they were just simple flat thong-style sandal (pictured to the right). It doesn't help the matter that stores don't always carry my shoe size (5 1/2). I can't bring myself to pay more than $40 for sandals when they may be dated by next summer. I guess it's just not meant to be for me to buy more summer shoes which may not be a bad thing. Oh well. Maybe the pickings were better earlier in the season.


Image: Nordtrom.com

Summer Wardrobe Additions That Fit My Budget

Though it is a pretty dreary day here in DC, the warm summer weather will soon be here for good. In a perfect world, I would be able to shop until my heart’s content and have no regard for things like budgeting and living within my means. After all, I do want to be as fabulous as Kimora Lee Simmons when I ‘grow-up.’ But alas, I am not independently wealthy or heir to a minor principality, so I have to be very choosey with my summer wardrobe additions so I won't bust my budget.
Before I tell you what I will spend my money on in preparation for the sunny weather, I’ll tell you what I won’t be buying because these items are already sitting in my closet in good condition:

• ‘Dressy’ dresses, skirts, halter tops. I recently purchased two dresses from Zara that I wore to graduations I attended this spring that will carry me through any occasions that require more than just casual attire. I also tend to gravitate toward skirts and halters in warm weather, so there is no need to buy those either because I already have several.
• Bathing suits. I have three bathing suits from previous summers that are in good condition that will carry me through any outings that require them. I rarely go swimming thats even more reason why I have no reason to purchase swimwear.
• Sunglasses. I have a pair I purchased from H&M a while ago that are still in pretty good condition. I will only replace them if they break somehow between now and the end of the summer.
• Handbags and clutches. I have several bags in varying sizes and color, so no bags for me.
  

Now here are the items that are on my wish list:

• Casual summer dress: This dress can be worn to cook-outs, walks along the National Mall to Museums (I live in DC), dinner with friends or movie date with your special someone. Simple dresses in bright colors like these can be dressed up or dressed down depending on accessory choices.
• Long Shorts (City Shorts): I like a longer pair of shorts can be worn on a casual Friday at work and may be a good choice if you are in a heavily air conditioned restaurant or other in-door activity. This style of shorts is also universally flattering on tall and short figures. Even short petite people like me can wear them and not look like juvenile like some shorter shorts can look if not accessorized the right way. I had a really cute pair of longer shorts in white, but while at club last summer some ‘nice’ gentleman bumped into me and spilled a beer all over the front of them, the stain never did come up…so they will have to be replaced. The guy was apologetic and I did get a free drink out of it, but I’d rather have my shorts back…
• Shorter Shorts. A pair of shorts in a solid neutral color such as white, khaki will also take you many summer beach trips and other outings. A cute black pair can even be worn to the club with some nice heels and a halter. Other short options include a madras print or denim. Shorts are on my list because I haven’t bought a pair in years as I normally stick to skirts and dresses, but I’d like to change it up this summer.
• Neutral Colored wedge. A wedge in a neutral color is more useful and will get more wear than a cute pair in a really distinctive color that will only work with a few outfits.
• Cute flats in a bright color: These come in handy when you regularly do a lot of walking like I do. I’d also get a pair of black shoes like the ones below to wear to work. Gas prices are so high these days, I’m sure I’ll see other people taking advantage of warmer weather and walking and using public transportation instead of driving.
• Colorful Tanks: Colorful tanks can be worn with jeans, shorts or skirts. I always tend to have more bottoms, that summer tops, so a couple of tanks are the last item on my list.
  

A wish list is just that: wishful thinking. I won’t necessarily get everything on my wish list (I could go on and on)…but I can daydream about the items I don’t purchase. Sometimes striving to be a fiscally responsible grow-up sucks. Okay, I’ll stop wishing for new clothing and do something more productive now.

Is Steve & Barry's the Answer to Fashionable Outfits on a Budget?

In the Style section of the New York Times, the article,:Is This the World’s Cheapest Dress? stated that:

"Steve & Barry’s, for the uninitiated, is to fashion what Tower once was to music. Steve & Barry’s is manna, a store that sells stylish celebrity-branded clothes at prices that are absurdly inexpensive, lower than those at Old Navy, H & M or Forever 21, undercutting even Wal-Mart by as much as half."

I will definitely check out the closest Steve & Barry's to inexpensively add to my summer wardrobe. This trench coat from Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line is cute and very affordable.

(Photos from the Steven & Barry's and Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten websites)

What is Your Budget Buster?

Spring time is here, and I am so tired of winter clothing and shoes. It is taking all of my willpower to avoid buying one of my top budget busters: Shoes... like the ones pictured to the left from Nine West.

Everyone has a budget buster. My top budget busters are:
1. Shoes.
2. Hand bags.
3. Books (What can I say, I'm a nerd).
4. CD's (my iPod is broken so I am going old school until I save the money to replace it).
5. H&M, Ann Taylor Loft, Forever 21, Banana Republic and other stores that sell reasonably priced but cute clothing.
6. Comcast On Demand movies (a good cure for weekend boredom).

I am steering clear of all of my budget busters for a while and will have to just be content with looking at pictures of cute shoes and not actually purchasing them...sigh.