MAKE LISTS!  Take an inventory of what you have and what you need more of.  Include shoes, jewelry, coats, sweaters…everything.New Kaelyn Max at Openstock Apparel

The smart thing to do, the frugal and self-respecting thing to do is learn how to shop smart for women’s clothing in the first place.

Start off by knowing what size you ACTUALLY ARE.  Find a measurement chart online and take your measurements to learn your standardized sizes.  You’ll need to take your measurements for bra size, shoe size, waist, hips, inseam length and even head size (if you’re going to buy hats).  Even know what size you really need for rings.  Next, find out what type of body you have.  Are you long-waisted?  Do you have a great chest?  Is your waist thick?  Do you have chunky thighs or a less-than-stellar butt?  You’ll need to know what you want to accentuate or de-emphasize before you head for the stores.

There are several things you’ll really need to nail down before shopping including WHICH of the clothes you love and why.  Is your look consistently casual?  Are you more of a button-down type?  Are you trying to bust out of a rut?  Then look through magazines and find what you’d love to try.  Consider whether you’re really happy with a color you consistently go to, or if you’d like to try something different.  Make sure your current color or one you’re considering is even flattering by holding it up to your face and looking in a mirror.  Do you look washed out, or tired in that color?  Do you have enough clothes for different occasions?  For instance, can you go to the beach and to a church outing on the same weekend?

The most important step to learning to shop smart for women’s clothing is to go to stores and try on every clothing item you’re considering.  Consider bringing along someone whose opinion you value, or learn to be realistic and critical on your own.  Is the item flattering, both in fit and color?  Is it comfortable?  Is it affordable? Will you be able to find shoes to go with it?  Do you already have seven of the same item sitting at home?  Can you afford your look, or do you need to learn how to be a little more sensible?

Stylish new dresses from Wishes.

Let’s face it – as women, our clothing often makes a statement about us long before we speak for ourselves. Fashion trends come and go, but there are certain wardrobe pieces no women should be without. Stocking your wardrobe with these ten timeless items will mean that unheard statement is always positive.
1.  Little Black Dress: No women should be without one. Stylish enough for a cocktail party, flirty enough for a special date and appropriate for almost any social gathering, the little black dress is the backbone of every wardrobe
2. Fitted Jeans: A solid pair of fitted jeans will see you through many occasions. Dress them down or dress them up, jeans are the everyday pant. Be sure yours are properly fitted for maximum impact.
3. Tailored Slacks: A pair of tailored slacks is ideal for almost any occasion that requires business attire. By pairing them with a tailored shirt or matching jacket, your tailored pants will see you through more than just business meetings.
4. Buttoned Blouse: a classic button blouse in white can be paired with anything from fitted jeans to skirts. An easy way to dress up your look, added stylish and classic jewelry will make this piece go even further.
5. Maxi Dress: fun and flirty, the maxi dress isn’t just for formal occasions. Select a color and cut that you feel comfortable in and you will find more and more occasions suited for your maxi dress.

Wishes block style maxi dress.

6. Trench: A classic coat is just as important. Many women turn to the tailored trench, but any lightweight coat cut in a classic line will work. Keep the coat simple by selecting a black one. Your classic black coat will work for any occasion and can be paired with any item in your wardrobe.
7. Tailored Skirt: No wardrobe is complete without at least one tailored skirt. You may decide to select several skirts in varying lengths, but if you only purchase one, be sure it is knee length and tailored.
8. Suit: Worn primarily for business, a suit is an excellent addition to any wardrobe. Keep the color simple to allow for variations. Pairing a black suit with a pink shell, baby blue blouse or a simple white button blouse will allow you to get more use out of the piece.

Nubiano Special Occasion Suit

9. Every Occasion Top: Select one top that is versatile enough to be worn with a variety of bottoms. Select a neutral color that can be used under your suit or paired with fitted jeans. Ideally the piece can be dressed up or dressed down.
10. Black Pumps: No outfit is complete without a pair of black pumps. Purchase a pair of classic black pumps. Perfect with the little black dress, they can also be paired with slacks, a suit or even jeans.
Once you have your wardrobe basics down, use current fashion trends to flesh out your wardrobe. Have fun with it and you will soon see it is possible to go from day time business attire to night time fun by simply changing one part of your outfit.

We all have our favorite dresses, you know, the default dress for a birthday dinner or a fancier Sunday brunch. But if you’re looking for something new to really ring in the warm weather seasons, here are a few styles to consider.

The little WHITE dress : Little white cocktail styles are going to be huge this spring and summer, as girls don them for graduations, bridal rehearsals, cool nights out, and hot summer days. Whether sleek and satiny, or cotton and full, the little white dress is a must have.

Denim: Denim is huge this year, with denim and denim/cotton dresses coming back in a big way. Denim is a great casual look that’s comfortable and sturdy, and so it will likely never completely go out of style. Look for full denim skirts with cotton tops, or button-up denim shirt dresses.

Wishes Halter Maxi Dress

Maxi: While this style became huge last summer, it has stuck around as a great spring and summer staple. By nature, these dresses are flowy and free, so they add a lot to the overall spring/summer feel of your outfits. Wear a printed or even tie-dyed maxi for a great outside shopping day outfit (can also double as a cover-up by the pool!) or choose a solid-colored style for a night time outing.

Tiered: These dresses are a great choice for an after-5 dress that still has a summery feel to it. They are very flirty (how could they not be when they can literally flow in the breeze) and great at hiding those 5 extra pounds you didn’t quite loose in time for swimsuit season.

One-shouldered: Not to be confused with the toga, which can be worn to a whole different type of party (if you’re looking to pick up a frat boy or two), the one-shouldered dress allows for the same sex-appeal as a strapless while adding a little extra comfort to the mix. Go with a loose-fitting version and tie it up with a belt (gold-colored if you want to play on the Greek theme) or sport a form-fitting version to show off what you work so hard to maintain.

Anything Neon: Let your imagination run wild with this one. If you’re doing neon, do it right. If you couldn’t tell, neon is the hot thing (unfortunately, pun intended) for this season, which gives you the freedom to pick any style you want—from short, long, tailored, poofy, tight or flowy—just wear it in neon and you’re good to go. I dare you to tell us these highlighter hues don’t make you feel more confident—even if only for one night.

A big trend next season for women’s apparel clothing is in textures: either patterns woven directly into the fabrics, or textures created by draping or folding. This look is good with not just the fabrics, but in the designs of the dresses, shirts and pants. Find styles that utilize these textures to help your clients bring balance to their figures. Ruching on shirts and tanks can create hourglass figures for those who need help on top, and draping can cover hips in flattering ways.

JFW Tangerine Embroider Dress

In style this year will be beads, studs and bright colored sequins. Pastels and bright colors will all be in vogue. Coral is emerging as one of the most popular colors. It looks great on most women, and compliments this seasons colors as well as the very popular black and white.

Dresses will once again be big this year, so keep a variety in stock that include maxi dresses in solids, florals and patterns, . The classic shift is back as well as styles that lean towards the 50s. These styles can be both office oriented and used in casual settings and situations. The summer shifts will allow for catering to all body shapes and sizes. While minis will never go out of style for those with the legs to wear them, this year’s hemlines are holding just above the knee.

Don’t forget that “little black dress” which is always in style. Look for styles that suit your figure. If you want to show off you shoulders, strapless styles look the best. If you like a looser, more comfortable look, go for a dress with an empire waist, and last but not least, if you want to conceal your hips, look for a dress that has a cinched waistband or has a sash at the waist.

Use colorful accessories, to create your own clothing style as well as changing up an outfit so you can wear any dress for many different occasions. Wide studded belts, scarfs, and patterned tights are very popular.

Pencil skirts will be all the rage, especially for those who are looking for work attire. But to transition to a more casual look, keep a stock of A-lines on hand as well, which can work well for both work and casual.

When considering shirts, include a variety of styles in crisp white. This classic look will allow customers to easily mix and match outfits so don’t be afraid to go all out in stocking many designs of this fashion favorite. If white is not your color, bold solid color or fun geometrical patterns also dress up business and casual attire.

This year, with many shoppers will be recycling older fashions, so make sure to carry a unique and intriguing collection from your wholesale women’s clothing vendor, using a variety of colors, texture, styles and trends to keep your customers coming back for more.

]]> http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/public/item/what-to-buy-this-summer/feed/ 0 http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/public/item/top-new-spring-colors-for-2010/ http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/public/item/top-new-spring-colors-for-2010/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:19:02 +0000 MGarcia http://www.blog.julie-ann.com/?p=1746 Anyone following the color trends of 2009 knows Spring brought an array of bright pop shades meant to inspire a breakout from the winter doldrums. But the vibrant and over the top blues, yellows and greens that were the highlights of last year make way for a much subtler more serene color sense in 2010. Designers, aware of the economic challenges of today’s economy, intend to help compliment existing styles rather than replacing them entirely.

So this Spring will take a natural turn, featuring a more subdued range of purples, pinks, grays, and browns. Many of these will also include underlying colors that complement and enhance the richness of the primary shade. This will create a more tranquil look and will refresh an existing palette.

Grays, for example will have purple or blue undertones, while pinks and brown will accent teals. For those who found

the pop pink of last season too much, this year’s trend of a soft renaissance pink will be much more pleasing, with its soft and feminine appeal.

The purples this year will have much more reds that blues. This makes a great statement for an afternoon tea dress or for early evening cocktails. A new ashy gray will be touched with a lavender undertone, allowing this color, not normally included in the season, to be perfect for Spring.

Teal replaces the shocking “vert tonic” of last season, making way for a more sober and classy alternative. The richness of this bejeweled color will lend itself well to the textured fabrics, such as jacquard. Always a great choice for the more dressy occasions, this blue-green will be stunning in formal wear and floor length gowns.

Take a cue from the top designers, and prepare yourself with these top five selections favored by New York Designers

golden colors 2010

this year:

• Violet. The undertones will provide more warmth to this cool color and moves it to number one on the list.
• Golden Yellow: It started as a highlight in accessories and handbag, but this season designers have moved it to a number two spot on most popular.
• Turquoise: This year’s soften varieties will bring to mind ocean breezes and tranquil settings and pairs nicely with the understated grays and navies.
• Coral: Designers consider this to be an extremely mellow version of orange and is appropriately flattering to a wide variety of skin tones.
• Tomato: In keeping with the subtle themes of 2010, this subdued red retains the passion without going over the top.

Whatever your preference, this year’s colors are sure to bring out the soft and feminine side of any wardrobe. Be ready to indulge in timeless basics, in colors that are appropriate not only to the season, but in these changing and challenging times. So check out what’s currently in your closet, and grab the garments you already have in these shades for the upcoming season. They can be easily matched to put together great new looks that will remain stylish throughout any changing trend.