Fashion Profile: Forever XX1

As you walk through the fabulous glass doors of Forever 21, you walk into a world that can not be described as anything other than ‘fashion utopia’.  This cheap chic fashion destination carries a piece for every taste ranging from vintage, eclectic, simple, classic and flirty.  These stores feature enough for EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE – kids, plus size, men, and maternity! All affordable, up-to-date, easy-to-wear fashions. 

You will also find everything from accessories, lingerie, jackets, shoes and makeup such as: rings, earrings, chunky necklaces, oversized handbags, stockings, bras, pyjamas, high heels, flats, mascara and nailpolish.  A  must see if anything in this store is the accessory section.  Meant to look like a personal wardrobe, pleasantly displays hats on solo mannequin heads, headbands, rings and bracelets showcased in bowls and trays.  Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Having opened their flagship location in June 2007 at Yonge and Dundas in Toronto, they have since expanded.  You will find Forever 21 at Fairview Mall, Vaughn Mills, Upper Canada Mall and Burlington’s Mapleview Shopping Centre. 

When shopping on the weekends be prepared for people galore, lineups as long as Yonge Street and independant shopping.  You will want to bring a friend, or two, to hold your place in line and to help you make your final purchasing decisions.  During the week is a much better time (if you like to shop solo) to find those fashion bargains and actually get a BIT of help when you need it.  Don't want to head out into the big crowds? Not a problem! Shop online at http://canada.forever21.com/

Overall this shopping experience is definitely worth all the amazing pieces you will find!

Would love to hear all about your shopping experiences here and the great pieces you have found!

Any Questions? Comments? Any fashion topic you'd like me to blog about? Contact me how.to.wear.red@gmail.com I'm here for YOU!

XO

Lindsay

How to Get the Most From Your Shopping Experience

Today you decide that you want to go shopping, you're absolutely excited thinking of all the great things that you'll find. But, you get to the mall only to run into some problems . . .  

First stop has to be into your absolute favourite jean store.  As you browse around you lay your eyes upon the most amazing pair of ripped up low rise bootleg denim.  You look through the pile twice but cannot find your size. Before you start to look like this guy, here are a few simple solutions:

1) Ask an available associate to check the stock room. Sometimes items sell down faster before they can be replenished.

2) IF possible, ask the associate if there is the possibility of calling to hold or transfer the item from another store.

3) If both of these options are not available record the sku number of the item and call the store every other day as most stores generally receive stock daily Monday to Friday OR have them call you IF POSSIBLE when the item comes in.

You decide your next stop will be the trendy new shoe store that offers only the finest, sexiest footwear.  As you walk through the doors you are greeted with a store full of customers.  You feel a little overwhelmed and are worried you won't get the help you need but want so badly to try on those fab knee high, black leather, pointed toe boots. You bite your lip and consider walking out but ... WAIT!

1) You can always Walk out and leave those wonderful boots behind (but they'd look oh so great with that new sweater dress)

OR

2) Grab an associates attention.  When a store is busy, generally all communication gets lost because it's so hectic. Take a moment to engage in contact when an associate has a free moment, smile and say something like "My goodness it's like a zoo in here! I understand you're busy but I cannot leave without trying on these boots! Aren't they great?" Get the associate to engage with you. 

Most customers are generally not concerned with taking the time to get to know the associate. Guaranteed by taking the time to engage the associate, he or she will take care of you if you just talk to them. If you find that you don't like anything after all is said and done, do not forget to thank him/her for their help and how much you appreciated it.  With your consideration guaranteed they will appreciate it.

There are many more possible scenarios that can happen so get creative and find ways to get through those challenging shopping situations.  On second thought, why not hire a fun, affordable and hip shopping buddy who can handle all of these situations for you? ;)

Until Next Time . . .

Any Questions? Comments? Any fashion topic you'd like me to blog about? Contact me how.to.wear.red@gmail.com I'm here for YOU!

XO
Lindsay

How to: Accessorize With Colour

Colour is an amazing medium to use when building your daily outfits or adding to your existing wardrobe.  Using colour invokes emotion and can be worn to execute fun, happiness, sassiness, sexiness, or mystery, the emotions are endless!

Colour when worn can compliment how you are feeling or change your mood. It also invokes emotions upon the observer ie. your date ;) - if you sport red on a date it invokes feelings of passion or in other words, sexual excitement, thus making you more of a desirable item ;)

This is quite a wide topic and can go in many different directions so I'm going to keep it simple and light. I find I use colour to add to an outfit when I want to create a sexy or fun look. Balance, emphasis, unity, and/or focal point are key when implementing colour. This is something I want you to keep in mind when building your outfit. You don't need to follow exactly my steps below but let them inspire you or guide you when using colour. So here are a few tips that I use when accessorizing with this exciting element:

1. First step you should always be asking: Where am I going? Is it dressy casual, formal or casual? From this you can decide what pieces will work for the occassion. I have chosen ivory palazzo pants and a black short sleeved turtleneck. I'm going out to dinner with friends and it's dressy casual attire.

2. Now this is when you want to figure out which colours work for your hair and skintone and put together the next pieces of the outfit. I've selected purple faux gem earrings with matching bracelet trio and costume jewellery ring. When selecting jewellery remember that you don't always have to match exactly although it can help depending on what you're working with. An example would be a pink necklace and green earrings. You're still matching it's just not all pieces are the same colour.

3. Last step I decide on is outerwear - This is the step to decide what shoes, jacket, handbag, scarves or any other accessories you have to add that will close the look. My focus is going to be on shoes, jacket and handbag. I picked a faux snake skin flat with a pointed toe (I selected these because they're ivory and black and animal print always looks amazing with colour), a red trench coat and a mini black clutch. Picturing the outfit I now have a balanced outfit with the right amount of colour. I always try to stick to a minimum of 3 colours and use 1 colour as a focal point ie. Red trench coat. 2 colours is great but if I'm taking a piece off I like it to be of another colour to add more dramatic flare.

4. Last step is makeup and hair. This should tie the outfit together nicely. Being that it's a dressy casual evening I'll do a bit of a smokey eye and make it casual and playful with some purple accents to compliment the accessories and a bright red lip to add a second colour and a focal point. Hair I'll wear straight and simple with bangs swept to the side.

There are endless ways to add colour and I hope that this helped to give you a picture of what to look for when building with colour. Usually if I use colour as a focal point ie. Red top I'll wear a pair of jeans a simple heel and a neutral jacket with some coloured makeup to keep the look simple but strong in its statement.

XOXO Ladies!

Any questions? Need Assistance? I'm here for you! Message me with your fashion Q's or feedback :)

Breaking the Myth About Red

Many of us absolutely adore the colour red, but many of us also don't know that everyone can wear it. Well luckily for you, I'm equipped with the knowledge to help you find that powerful and seductive colour! 

Red is one of the more difficult colours to follow and takes a bit of practice when finding the right one.  First off, everyone has a distinct skin undertone and this is what is used in 'customizing' the right shade. It is VERY important to decipher correctly which undertone you possess before selecting the right red for you. 

There are 3 types of skin undertones and they are: Warm, Cool, and Natural (Or Autumn, Winter and Spring). Each category has a range of colours associated with it and one of those colours is what will determine which category you belong to.  Warm colours generally consist of orange, olive, and gold. Cool consists of blues and violets and Naturals can wear any colour. An easy way to determine if you fall into the natural folder is if you look good in both silver and gold jewellery.  Choosing the right category will take a bit of practice to find and will more than likely require some assistance unless you have a natural eye for detail. When you have found the correct colour now you can select your show-stopping rouge!

Now that you're equipped with the knowledge in selecting the right shade of red - Go out and knock 'em dead!

Any questions?  Need some assistance?  I'm here for you!  Send me a message!

Back To Basics ... The A,B,C's of a Great Wardrobe

Most of you have probably already started at least THINKING about what you are going to start buying or what is in style for the coming Fall Season. Well I'd like you to take a step back and have a browse through your closet before starting on any shopping attempts. There are a few simple basic things that us women ALL need in our wardrobes: Let me address these very important pieces:

1) A trench coat - This is a classic piece and is ALWAYS in Fashion. Being a moderately warm piece it is great for the fall season keeping you warm when the weather is cool. There are many different lengths and you can wear it with jeans and a tee or an evening dress.

2) A little Black Dress - Another important piece, this can be worn with a blazer, a trench, or a shrug. Pay attention to the particular cut and how it fits your body. This can be used as a very strong piece for occasions including work and evening.

3) A Jacket - This should be selected carefully - pay close attention to the tailoring, it should be a fitted body complimenting cut. This is a diverse piece allowing you to wear it dressy with a dress shirt and skirt or (dressy) casual with jeans and a tee.

4) Basic/Classic White Shirt - This should be with sleeves and pay attention to cut. This again should be a form fit but not to snug. This can be worn with a skirt, jeans or dress pants again making this a diverse piece.

5) Dress Pants - These should be black and again pay close attention to cut so that the style compliments not shows your flaws. IE. Taller woman would look fantastic in a trouser style

6) Skirt - Many of us women over look a skirt but this is a very important piece to making us feel like the wonderful women we are! It can be flirty or worn for business but again the options are endless if you find the right colour, style and fit.

7) Jeans - ALWAYS important! It is very important that when selecting jeans you should select from a designer label. This will ensure a great fit and less trips back to the store due to rips and tears that so often occur with cheaper brands.

8) Day Dress - Most women are intimidated pulling off a dress because we feel its 'too dressy.' A lot of us opt to wear dresses when the time is appropriate. It's okay to wear a day dress that is flattering and makes you feel feminine. If you find that it's too dressy dress it down with a blazer or a dressy sweater. Going into Fall you will see that 50's is a very strong theme so try something with a 50's edge to keep you looking current.

9) A Top to Wear Anywhere - Always important to have a top that you can wear with jeans, skirt, shorts or dress pants. Make sure that it can work nicely under a jacket/blazer so that you can wear it for work. This should be easy to wear for day time or evening.

10) A Great Casual Outfit - This is an endless option. The look should be casual yet dressy. Something easy to wear but still fashionable. Anything but Jeans when it comes to this look. Absolutely NO sweat pants.

So going into your fall shopping make sure that the majority of these pieces remain classic. If you buy any of these pieces right you will be able to wear them again and again instead of having to replace them season to season. 

Any questions? Need Help? I'm here for you!

Happy Fall Shopping!!!

All We Need Is A Little Help ...

When looking through your closet do you often say you have absolutely nothing to wear? When out shopping do you say to yourself you have absolutely no idea what you're looking for?

Both of these questions can be simply solved by learning and applying simple tips and tricks to building a satisfying, easy to wear and fashionable wardrobe. 

Virgochic Fashion and Shopping Consulting understands the importance of educating yourself to assist in achieving an easy-to-wear closet and to-the-point shopping skills. All it takes is some dedicated time and an ability to learn and apply your new found knowledge; So that you can defy, define or customize fashion because with great skills it's easy to bend the rules of fashion in your favour ...