 Oh, belts. The trickiest of the tricky. That sometimes necessary evil that we know will make our look more polished, but will require tucking in our shirt. Like many women out there, I have a love/hate relationship with belts. First of all, I always feel that when I tuck in my shirt and add a belt, not only do I get more uncomfortable, but I feel like it showcases my stomach, my least favorite body part. Secondly, tucking in a shirt is just more work! But belts can, and do, serve a purpose. So here are my belt tips!
1. The waist-cinching belt. This type of belt can be wide or thin, and is usually worn over a garment like a sheath dress to define the waist. This can be tricky, especially if you're short-waisted or busty. If this is the case, keep your belt on the thinner side and just put it over one garment, versus layering. For example, if you are a wearing a camisole, a sweater, and then a belt on top, it can get to be a bit much, so use your best judgment. Done properly, the waist-cinching belt can add polish to a simple sheath and be a great way to make an outfit pop.
2. The accessory belt. This type of belt may not do a whole lot to hold up your pants, but it looks good! This is the case with the silver belt in the photo (third down from top). This belt always gets compliments! The silver color looks great with black pants. The straw looking belt (top of the photo) is another one that I consider a hybrid accessory/waist belt, because it's not a cinching belt. Purchased at Goodwill in 2010, this belt goes over my summer dresses for that little something extra. It's definitely a summer-only belt, but since I only paid about $2.00, it's worth it.
3. The "I want to hold up my pants" belt. Sometimes you just gotta grin and bear it! There are a few reasons to wear this type of belt. First of all, if your pants are low-slung or loose, you run the risk of the dreaded muffin top. In my case, it usually rears its ugly head on the form of my backside spilling out over the top of my pants. A belt can help hold up my pants to ensure they stay over my hips, where they need to be. If you're not a huge of tucking in your shirt, then try the amazing front-tuck! Basically, you just tuck in the front of your shirt, but leave the back out. It's a nice compromise to the whole belt/shirt dilemma. Even celebrities rock the front tuck!
This waist-cinching belt adds a touch of style to a plain black sheath dress, plus it goes well with the boots.
 Today I am kicking off my "26 Days of Alphabet Style" and, of course, A is for accessories. These are a few of my favorite accessories, with the oldest (the watch) being from 2003. All of these accessories each cost $20 or less (with the exception of the watch, but I'd say since it's 10 years old, I've gotten my money's worth), proving that style doesn't have to cost a fortune. So what other advice do I have about accessories?
1. Keep them easily accessible. How many women buy accessories and then stuff them in the back of a drawer somewhere? Keep them organized and visible, and you will be more likely to wear them.
2. Keep them organized. Pin your earrings together (or link hoops to each other) to avoid losing earrings. Buy a drawer divider (similar to a silverware organizer) to keep each type of jewelry in a separate compartment.
3. Treat them with love...and they can last a long time. As I said, I don't pay a lot for my accessories because I like them as accent pieces and, in this case, I prefer quantity over quality (for MOST items, not all items). Take them off as soon as you get home and don't wear them around the house, so they last longer and stay cleaner.
4. Plan them with your outfits in advance. Know which accessories go with specific outfits. For example, if you're wearing a lot of black, then make your outfit "pop" with a burst of color- I love cobalt with black and orange with gray (avoid orange and black together or people will think you're celebrating Halloween year-round). Set them out on your dresser the night before so you remember to put them on in the morning. If it's a pair of earrings in which you can sleep, put them on the night before, when you go to bed. How many of us never even change our earrings, simply because we are too busy or tired? A little bit of effort can really change up your look.
5. Bigger is better (in my opinion). I love big, bold, chunky jewelry. Sure, there's a time and place for dainty jewelry (maybe church or a somber event), but honestly I think something bright and bold makes a statement and really brings your whole outfit together. Your jewelry can really send a message (just make sure it's the right one). Big hoops? You're ready for fun and parties (so work is not the best place for these). Diamond studs (fake, of course. It's the only way to go because no one will ever know the difference)- you're classic and polished. Bold chunky necklace? You love Pinterest (haha) and fashion. I am a huge fan of the big, chunky cocktail ring. My friend Cassie always noticed that I loved to wear them, and I never really noticed it was my "thing" until she pointed it out. After she did, I realized how much I loved them and I always look for them when I'm out shopping, The thing is, I will buy cheap rings because, even when they fade, most people won't ever notice and I can have more rings for different styles. No matter what your taste in accessories is, be sure to "rock" them everyday! People really will notice when you put forth the effort and your accessories wil
It's a frugal fashion girl's dream: brand names at affordable prices, all neatly organized into perfect rows, accented with designer handbags, shoes, and scarves. Can such a mecca exist? Well, it does- in the form of a store named Clothes Mentor, located in various locations around the United States. In our area, there are currently two locations- one in Newport News off Oyster Point and one in Virginia Beach. First let me describe the shopping experience at Clothes Mentor. When you walk in, the first thing you notice is just how many clothes there are. The whole length of the store on one side is filled with purses (the designer bags are toward the back). There are adorable clutches, cases filled with cute jewelry, and shoes sit atop the clothes racks, organized by size. My favorite feature of the shopping experience is the ease in which the store is organized. Clothes Mentor does the work for you- each section is organized by type of clothing, size, and then color. The BEST part?? There are separate sections for petites included right with each size. So, let's say you're looking for jeans. It's starts with the 0s, then 0 petite, then 2, the 2 petite, etc up to size 24. There are jackets/blazers, coats, suits, pants, jeans, skirts, dresses, all kinds of shirts, and even maternity! Scarves and activewear also have a small representation inside the store. The prices are extremely reasonable- most of the clothes ranged from $12-$16, with the exception of "designer" labels (Joe's Jean, Citizens of Humanity) that were upwards of $35. They had a ton of Coach bags, with the largest and prettiest (in my opinion), costing $100. Suits and blazers were around $28-$35. Shoes ranged from $14-$16- and they were in great condition. As soon as I walked in, I spotted the most adorable gray wool cropped jacket with a ruffled front. I immediately picked it up, tried it on in front of a mirror, and I was sold. The brand is Elevens, with which I am not familiar. The best thing is that I haven't seen a jacket like this one anywhere- so I am avoiding the whole "cookie cutter" look that sometimes happens when you shop at big chains. I picked out the gray jacket, a pair of black work pants from the Loft, a Limited sweater, a J. Crew button up shirt, and a pair of jeans. Because everything was easily accessible, it didn't take me long to find what I liked and head to the fitting room (a plus if you're in a bit of a hurry). Because Clothes Mentor only accepts clothes from the past 1-2 years, everything is fairly current and in good condition; however, I promised I would be brutally honest, so here's my one negative. After trying on the Loft jeans (which I LOVED), I noticed there was a tell-tale stain in the crotch. It was faded, but there. I'm guessing the buyer didn't notice the stain, and it looked like the pants had been washed a few times since. But that was a complete deal breaker for me; I've shopped every thrift store imaginable and I've even snagged a jacket off the "locker reject" pile at school, but I have never, ever bought a piece of clothing with an obvious blood stain. YUCK! I felt way too awkward to mention it to the workers, and maybe I should have, but I just put the pants on the no purchase rack. Anyway, to end on a positive note, I purchased the jacket (the pants were a definite maybe, but I decided to wait) for $28, and with my teacher discount it came to $25. I was thrilled, and I have a super cute jacket that no one else will have! Now for the "retail resale" section of my review. Clothes Mentor accepts gently worn clothing from brand name stores like Loft, J. Crew, Express, The Limited, and so forth. The clothes must be current (within 1-2 years old) and in good condition. When you bring in items, you get the entire spiel of their "retail resale" policy- in fact, I pretty much got the drift when she was about 1/2 way through. The bottom line: you will never be a millionaire selling clothes to Clothes Mentor. You get cash after they evaluate your items (it can take up to an hour, so be prepared) and use a computer program to generate a price (if you've ever been to Once Upon a Child or Plato's Closet, they're owned by the same parent company). I brought in a J. Crew Factory blazer from last winter that I realized was too large for me- after the return policy for J. Crew had expired. I made half-hearted attempts to sell the blazer on Craig's List and Ebay with no luck (probably because I asked too much). I paid over $100 for the blazer. I got $7.00 from Clothes Mentor. In all honestly, I should have said no thanks and continued my search to sell it for at least $25 or have it altered. But I just didn't feel like dealing with it, so I took my $7 and applied it toward the cost of my new jacket (I completely realize this was not a logical or financially sound decision, but I'm okay with that). I give Clothes Mentor an overall grade of A-. I will absolutely shop there again, and I will more than likely bring in my gently used clothes, although if you itemize your taxes and give to Goodwill, the receipts can actually be worth more come tax time. In retrospect, I wish I had told the associates about the stained jeans, and perhaps I will even call to kindly let them know, because it would have been easy to miss. The highlight of the store is its attractive displays and ease of shopping- it's obvious they edit their purchases to reflect what the modern woman wants to wear. The store had a lot of traffic from women of all ages- and that's what they want: to sell to post- Plato's Closet women all the way up to well, as long as you want to be stylish!
 Today's Look of the Day is about neutrals jazzed up with accessories.
The sweater is J. Crew Factory- lightweight merino wool (and with their sales and my teacher discount, it only cost me $30).
While both are work appropriate, there are a few differences.
The look on the left features black cropped pants (a staple in any woman's closet), and wedge sandals for those late summer days (substitute heels or booties when it's too cold for sandals). I anchored the look with gold jewelry- a faux leather/gold cuff bracelet I've had for years from Forever 21, and a chain link necklace from J. Crew Factory.
The look on the right is classic casual. First, I've paired denim-on-denim with a chambray shirt (you MUST own of these) and wide-leg trousers (these are a few years old from the Limited- purchased on clearance for only $12!). I layered the camel sweater over it, and to make the outfit pop, I've added leopard print loafers (extremely comfortable, purchased at Dillards 2 years ago for only $25) and a tortoise necklace and earrings that I got at the Van Heusen outlet for $8 combined. The shirt I also got on clearance at NY and Co for only $12 as well.
The main lesson to take from this look? Use what you already have in your closet. Don't have a chunky or beaded necklace? Try a cool scarf! Both of these outfits are extremely comfortable but still an upgrade from the basics.
While working on my fashion blog, I've been going through my closet and coordinating different looks that I think are stylish. After I've achieved a certain look, I take a photo using my tripod and timer. I got inspired to photograph my looks after looking at Pinterest, where I found a young lady who took a "selfie" photo of herself every single day for a year, showcasing her very stylish looks. In looking at photos of myself, I've discovered an extremely valuable tool- the mirror might lie, but the camera DOES NOT. Some of the outfits I always assumed were fashionable turned out to be ho hum. The biggest reason? FIT, FIT, FIT. So here are my suggestions for your own style journey and how to increase your fashion potential by cleaning out your closet (I recommend twice a year- March and August, as the seasons change).
1. Keep What Works What do I mean by "clean out your closet"? First of all, NEVER put a time limit on clothes, especially if they fit you well. I have a suit from the Limited that I purchased in 2003, and I still wear it to work. In fact, it's so comfortable, that some days I wear it as my "I'm too tired to care" look. I had a student one time laugh and say, "Ms. Kanehl, you're the only person I know who would wear a suit on a dress down day!" and it's true. But the suit FITS, and as long it continues to do so (and doesn't get moths), I will keep wearing it.
2. Donate What Doesn't So what SHOULD you toss? Anything that doesn't fit AND you don't want to tailor or cannot be tailored. For example, if you have a pair of pants that are too long, but otherwise fit great, consider having them hemmed if you can still wear them. I recently tried on two blazers, and when I saw the photos, I immediately realized the blazers were just too big, so instead of trying to make them work, I listed one of Ebay (we will see how that goes) and put one in the Goodwill pile. I also tried on my puffy vest. Now, for some reason, the puffy vest came back in style last year- and some versions are SUPER cute. Mine? Target, 10 years old, and apparently NOT so cute. When I saw the photo, I realized that my vest was way too shapeless, and I looked like a tissue box with zero figure. Because it was so old, I put it in the Goodwill pile. You should also get rid of anything that makes you feel less than fabulous. You know what I mean! Those pants that have always been a bit snug (manufacturing error, definitely not you)! The bulky, ugly sweater you're saving in case it snows (I have a puffy vest I can lend you instead!). Either way, if you feel less than fabulous, why keep it? Wear the clothes that make you smile, not the ones that make you want to cry.
3. Take Photos of Yourself It's scary, but it's honest. Grab any camera (not a cell phone), figure out how to use the timer, set it on a counter, and take pics. It might not be "America's Next Top Model," but you will get a good feel for how an outfit looks. Be prepared for a dose of reality, but you will feel better when you're done. Consider filing the pics in an easy accessible place, so that when you need fashion inspiration, you can quickly access them. Don't forget the accessories! How many of us have jewelry that we never wear? Don't let it sit around- pull it out, find an outfit for it, and get to work! (Alternate idea: ask your kid. They don't lie. I've avoided a few fashion errors when my daughter has told me the honest truth. On the flip side, she will be the first to tell me if an outfit looks good).
4. Give Yourself Plenty of Time When going through your closet, give yourself plenty of time (I would say 2-3 hours, first thing in the morning when you're fresh). Personally, if I'm going to try on clothes and take pics (remember, the camera doesn't lie), I go ahead and do my make-up.
5. Get inspired I am constantly perusing Pinterest, InStyle, People Style Watch, Lucky Magazine, and the J. Crew catalog for fashion inspiration. Often times, others will put together an outfit or color combination that I wouldn't have considered. Many times, I already own similar pieces to the ones featured, so it's not like I'm going out and purchasing new stuff. Just yesterday, I saw a Pinterest look that was based on a summer dress I own, but this look was styled for fall. I copied the look, took a pic (and got a compliment from my daughter in the process), and figured out a way to extend an $11 Gap Outlet dress into the fall that I would have normally packed away in a couple of weeks.
Good luck on your
When I was younger, I wore my hair in a ponytail straight on top of my head with scrunchies (think the forerunner to the uber-trendy top knot). I also wore two pairs of scrunch socks over my jeans, and fake Keds. I may have looked silly, but had anyone told me I was less than fashionable, I wouldn't have believed it- to me, I looked great and I felt great. Then middle school came, along with the girl-bullying that accompanies it. "Lisa" (obviously not her real name) had a silk shirt; mine was only rayon- it wasn't "good enough"- and she let me know it. I must have come home crying because, bless my mom, she took me straight to the Williamsburg shopping outlets and not only bought me a real silk shirt, but a silk coat, too (take that, Lisa!). But the sad part is, for the first time in my life, I experienced what most women do- the idea that something about us or our clothes isn't good enough, as if another person's opinion should matter. When I was in Florida last month, I saw a girl with a shirt that read, "It's not how you look, it's what you see," and it stopped me dead in my tracks. Woah. What if, for once, we women could look at ourselves in the mirror, in a photograph, in a video, and be happy with what we see? When I see a photo of myself, I immediately look at two things: my stomach (too poochy? would anyone ever mistake me for being pregnant? if so, the pic gets deleted immediately) and my hair (too flat?? can you see my scalp?). Somewhere along the way, I decided that my stomach and my hair were my flaws, and I've conditioned myself that what I see isn't good enough, just like Lisa in 6th grade convinced me my rayon shirt wasn't good enough. Well, I say it's time we learn to embrace ourselves the way we are! We are women and our bodies are beautiful. Our clothes should be a reflection of that beauty as we celebrate our curves, our "flaws," our skin, our hair- all of it. What we see, when seen with confidence, will be reflected in how we look. Take Adele, the popular British singer, for instance. She is beautiful, and she's not a stick figure. But she has confidence, and she works it. Let's strive to be the Adeles in the world, and not the "Lisas." Not only should we work on our own self-confidence, we should strive to build the confidence of our fellow
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