Would You Go On A Shopping Diet?

Dahlings, I recently came back from a short getaway with the family and one of the most talked about subjects when the women gathered was dieting and eating right. Everyone had their theories on how to achieve the perfect state of slimness. Ironically the three ladies that were the most slim ( including myself), said very little on the subject and really just listened to the others and their never ending stories about dieting. I realized that those of us who refrained from the conversation were not battling a complicated relationship with food; instead we were battling a complicated relationship with clothes.  And I began to wonder if I should go on a diet myself: A shopping diet.

At least three times a month I stand in front of my closet and say to myself that I have nothing to wear. I know it’s not true. It’s the consumer monster inside me asking to be fed. And it appears there are other fashion feigns out there like me who are looking for a permanent fix to this problem. Recently a group of people from California to Dubai participated in a self-imposed exercise in frugality challenge called Six Items or Less. The challenge asked folks to spend an entire month wearing only “six items already found in your closet (not counting shoes, underwear or accessories).” Many signed up because they want to cut back on spending and some saw the challenge as a rejection of fashion and others were concerned that the mass production and global transportation of increasingly cheap clothing was damaging the environment. The challenged which began  on June 21st, recently wrapped but you can see how the participants put their looks together here.  More mind boggling than wearing six items for a month is the Uniform Project launched in 2009 by New York native Sheena Matheiken. For 365 days, Sheena sported a simple, tunic-style dress to raise money for the The Akanksha Foundation, a nonprofit helping children in India's slums attend schools. She raised enough money to send 233 children to school for a year. How inspiring is that! Fashion can make a difference! Check out her yearlong journey below.

http://www.blogger.com/Uniform from http://www.blogger.com/The on Vimeo.

Another similar challenge, the Great American Apparel Diet, asks that participants completely eliminate “new apparel” for one year. The project began last September and will end on Sept. 2, 2010. The site also features fashionable brands that are eco-friendly and made in the US or fairly traded. Needless to say, I’m really intrigued by the less is more concept and scaling back my consumerism practices. I'm looking forward to the self-help guide, “The Shopping Diet,” by the red-carpet stylist Phillip Bloch (ignore the funny looking faces he makes).  I'll keep you posted on what I think of the book and if there are worthy tips to adopt for your ongoing personal and style evolution.

Shades: Do Name Brands Protect Your Eyes Better?

Dahlings, I just heard something terribly shocking: costly sunglasses do not protect your eyes better. Gasp! I had a convo with a friend about this at an outdoor festival a couple of months back. We were perusing a booth of sunglasses and having a ball trying each and every one of them on. The vendor told us they were $5 each. We both turned our nose up and thought oh, well these cheapie things won't do. Both of us agreed that because they were so cheap, they probably didn't offer the necessary protection needed from the sun. This week while getting ready for work I had the Today Show on in the background.They featured a report on costly designer sunglasses and whether they offered better protection over non-designer shades. And it turns out as long as you have UVA/UVB protection, that's all you need. In fact most sunglasses ( Oakley, Ray-Ban, Chanel etc.)  are made in the same factories. So what are you paying for when you buy an exorbitantly over priced pair of sunglasses? You got it; the marketing and branding of course. So don't feel bad about your cheapies as long as you got that UVA/UVB protection label, you're solid. Check out the video below for much more on how we have been bamboozled!

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Dolce Vita Coming to a Tarjay Near You

So Dahlings, the fashion blogoshere is buzzing with the newest Target collab with Dolce Vita. The brand has created  a shoe collection to launch first at the East Harlem Target when it opens this Sunday in New York, followed by a rollout to more stores much later on August 22. There are two obvious differences between the regular Dolce Vita shoes and these for Target: price and materials. Typical Dolce Vitas would be at least triple the Target prices, so they're more than a steal. At the Target price don't expect real leather. But first look at the selection leaves me unimpressesed. The shoes are very manish ( oxfords, lace-up boots) and I don't really go for that look. But these look promising and would look good with tights and a skirt. But thick ankle gals beware, this style can make you legs look stumpy because of where they end, right above the ankle. In reality most of the items in this line don't favor short and thick legged gals like myself. While this line is not for me, the prices are ridiculous ranging from $29.99 for the Gray Studded Oxford to $34.99 for the black lace-up boot. Another great target collab? We'll see when the line is release.

The Ugly Truth About Fashion

Dahlings, so you know I’m in the documentary biz and as a result I try really hard not to watch docs during my free time. But I was recently given a dvd of a doc called Schmatta: From Rags to Riches to Rags from a co-worker,which aired last year on HBOs documentary series. Anyway the documentary reveals why in the last 40 years, the percentage of American clothing made in America has plummeted from 95 to 5. I’m aware that most of the clothes I buy are not made in the USA but I honestly didn’t know the number was so low. I mean if I wanted to buy a piece of clothing made in the US, could I and where?
The doc also reveals how corporate takeovers ended many independent lines, iconic department stores merged and vanished, which further increased reliance on factories overseas. Which of course meant that the skilled laborers lost their jobs. It’s all really sad and not anything I hadn’t heard before but I wondered what one could do about it? And let’s talk about the deplorable conditions that go on in the sweatshops.



Despite my love of a good bargain,  I try to  practice good consumerism when I can. I host clothing swaps, donate clothes frequently and really try to use my local tailor to re-purpose my clothes as much as possible. And I often stop by a second hand or vintage clothing to pick-up an interesting piece here and there. I know that’s not enough but it’s something. But I really wanted to learn more and to do more. Here are some tips that I found:

-Purchase clothing and accessories second-hand, from vintage clothing stores, consignment stores (online or near where you live), thrift stores, garage sales, and ebay.
-Sell, consign, or donate the clothes, toys, shoes, and athletic supplies you aren't wearing anymore. This will keep items in good condition in circulation rather than sitting in your closet or on your shelf unused. Thus the market for sweat-shop-produced items decreases.
-Only buy what you need. If you do happen to be shopping somewhere and do not know the origin of the items, make it a point not to buy anything beyond what you really need.
-Select clothing and accessories from manufacturers and retailers who guarantee sweatshop-free conditions. Look for descriptors such as fair trade, fair wage, socially responsible, sweatshop-free, union-made.
-Make your own clothing, hire someone locally to make your clothing, or buy clothing from craft fairs. This may be easier said then done. But if you’ve got the skills, time and patience, this would be a great way to go.

Anyway, I’m certain many of the places I shop at have shady business practices and are a part of the problem not the solution. I'm on a path to ween myself off them...slowly. In the meantime, check out this site which offers up good tid bits on  how to shop more responsibly.

Fast Fashion for the Preggers Set

Dahlings, so I'm at that stage in my life when all my friends now have babies or are preggers. And those in the midst of spawning new life find themselves in a fashion dilemma; what to wear as you can continue to balloon to the size of whale? I recently heard that fast fashion behemoth Forever 21 is now offering a maternity line through its Love 21 line, which features more contemporary styles geared towards young women rather than young teens.



Available only in five states: Arizona, Alaska, California, Utah, and Texas, the line offers super long tees to aptly cover that baby bump, fold over waist band yoga pants, layering camis and stylish tunics that are hugely affordable especially compared to typical prices for maternity clothes. Affordable is key when shopping for maternity clothes according to my preggers friends. I mean unless you plan on making a career out of being pregnant who wants to spend a lot of money on buying clothes for an ever changing body?

Apparently some folks have their panties in a bunch because of Forever21's decision to create a maternity line in states that have been flagged as having the highest teen pregnancy rates. But according to the retailer more than 80-percent of their customers are over the age of 18, and 35-percent are over 24. I often pick-up a top here and there from Forever 21 when I need a fashion fix. I especially like buying summer clothes from their Love 21 line. I don’t go in the store though to buy ( prefer online) because I’m always so overwhelmed but I’ve accompanied my 16 year old niece there I see women of all ages shopping at the store. I would definitely say that the name no longer reflects the clientele.I think it's a great idea that stores like Forever 21 and now even H&M are offering clothes for every stage in a woman's life. Because let's face it, everyone loves a good deal and it's insanely smart that these fast fashion retailers are adopting their business practices to meet that need. And we all know that the real expense starts after the baby comes, so why not save your money where you can.

One Click Away From An Honest Opinion

Dahlings, ever wanted immediate advice on an outfit before you walk out the door and there's no one to be found? Of course you have. Some of us are lucky enough to have a significant other or roommate to weigh in. But sometimes you need an real honest opinion that can only be given by a complete stranger. Well look no further. The New York Times recently featured two sites Fashism and Go Try It On, which allow you do just that. So you upload a picture of you wearing the outfit you're fretting over and then you allow the crowd-source or the sites regulars to weigh in on your look.  Users then rate your outfit by clicking “I like it” or “I hate it” on Fashism or or “Wear It” or “Change It” on Go Try It On. Very clevah. As more and more of these sites crop up there is now no excuse for anyone leaving the house looking less than smashing. Okay Dahlings would you give it go? I've signed up for both. I like Go Try It On a little bit better, it just looks more sophisticated. Anyway now you know where to go when you need a real honest opinion.

Three Casual Summer Bottoms from Old Navy

Dahlings, I'm off to yet another getaway, this time to South Lake Tahoe for the long 4th of July Weekend.  This trip is a lot more low key than Vegas obviously and calls for a more relaxed wardrobe as there will be some hiking, frolicking at the lake etc. As I noted in an earlier post, I have a really hard time shopping for super casual clothes. I just find it so uninteresting but I realized the last time I brought casual bottoms was 5 years ago. So it's time to stock up. I recently stumbled into Old Navy and snatched up three really cute bottoms that make for easy laid back cool this summer. Check out my finds.