A behind the scenes look at the apparel market

I wanted to share a little behind the scenes action with you about how we buy clothes for our website. Previously, we showed our members outfits pulled together from various retailers. But, we were frustrated at the way the clothes actually fit as opposed to what we saw on the models on the retailers websites. So, we decided to increase our level of service and go straight to the source for the clothes that we show.

As you know, we are mostly concerned about what looks great on real women's shapes. We are also concerned about clothing fitting the peronality of our members. With all of this in mind Donna and I visited the Dallas and Las Vegas apparel markets in search of just the right items. Armed with our chart of what we were looking for, tape measures, camera and American Express....off we went.

Dallas was our first market. The women's apparel show is located in the Dallas Market Center. Many of the showrooms are permanent and you can visit them once a month. Therefore, you get maps with showroom names and the brands they carry. Of coure, there are some temporary booths there for the show. But all in all this is a very organized and easy experience. We would visit a showroom, lay things out to measure them, ask the models to try things on, try things on ourselves and make decisions based first on fit and then on style. We came home feeling elated with our purchases. Once we filled in the spaces on our chart we discovered how little we really bought. But we were there for 3 whole days and spend 12 hours a day buying clothes! How could we have gotten so little?

We quickly made reservations for Las Vegas. When we got the information about the shows in Vegas, we found out that they were spread all over the city. If you wanted lower priced clothes you had to go to the Sand's, contemporary sportswear and accessories at the Convention Center, better sportswear at the Rio, and the designer show at the World Market Center. There were other shows, but they weren't related to women's apparel (thank God!). We sat down over a stiff drink and made a plan. We had four days to get everything we needed to fill the gaps from Dallas and to help our members dress their shape and style.



We hit the Off Price Market the first day looking for bargain accessories. We saw some of the same items at this show as we had seen in Dallas. But, it was kind of like sample sale shopping. People were grabbing up great deals and negotiating like it was the floor of the stock exchange. You had to be quick or lose your chance at the awesome deals available. We thought about a couple of pieces and they were sold out before we could make our minds up. Don't fret though....we got a lot of fabulous steals at this show. Then we were off to the MagicShow.

I don't mean that we were off to see David Copperfield (darn it). Magic is the big women's apparel show at the Convention Center. We changed direction at this show and decided to just make the purchases when we saw the items. We didn't want to risk losing the opportunity for great finds again. We made some big discoveries quickly...and ones that could impact the ability to show you how things would work together for your shape and style.

1. You really have to watch the delivery dates or you will have things being delivered at way different times and they won't be available to make an outfit



2. You have to ask if the piece you are looking at is just a sample or not. Some things will actually have big changes that cannot be anticipated. If the piece is a sample...we just walk away so that our members aren't disappointed.



3. Finally, you have to make sure that what you are seeing comes in the same exact fabric. At market, the showrooms will often use one piece to show shape and several others to show fabric. It is imperative that you pay attention to these kinds of details when ordering.

This may sound like a lot goes into getting items into a store, but, it is even bigger than that. At each show there may be anywhere from 600-4000 showrooms. Each showroom may rep several designers. By the time market is over a buyer has seen thousands and thousands of items.

No matter how many items there may be, Donna and I are dedicated to bringing you clothes that work for your individual shape and personal style.

Out of the Office

Donna and I are in Las Vegas shopping for fabulous looks just for the real woman. We will be back on our regular schedule of posting next week.

Have a fanatastic week and come back on Monday!

Travel Clothes

Donna and I are in Las Vegas for the Magic Market. This is where buyers from all over the world come to shop for department stores, boutiques, specialty shops...really the whole gammet. There are actually over 8 different markets going on right now. It is the biggest shopping venue I have ever seen!

The reason that I tell you this is that Donna and I spend 12-16 hours a day on our feet walking miles and miles and digging through tons of clothing, handbags and accessories. It is a physically gruelling day, no way around it. But, by the same token, it is a fashion mecca. So, when you travel, then spend your time walking a bunch, how do you stay looking cute?

I thought I would share a couple of our travel tips. I know that when you travel you probably think comfort first. That is fine...I do the same thing. However, you don't want to end up in sweats all the time. I always pack a great pair of knit pants in black. You just can't go wrong with black pants and at least the knit won't wrinkle and it will feel like sweats!

You can get great knits at any price point. If you don't want to invest a lot, try Newport News in their FX line. If you want to spend a little more for something that is great looking and washable try Misook. If you have a lot more to spend, there is always St. John (go for the Sport line). You can wear virtually any top with black pants and look polished.

Okay, so your dressed, now the big question, "What do I wear for shoes?" At market we see everything from tennis shoes to Danko clogs. Truth is that everyone has a different tolerance for walking in shoes all day long. Cute shoes lose their appeal when you see a woman limping around in them. If you can wear a flat all day, there are some fabulous, fashion tennis shoes that are dressy enough to wear with black knit pants. Look for Sketchers, Puma or RocketDog. I like mules in plain black. I found a pair of Nickels that are comfortable to walk all day in. Donna is wearing a pair of Bear Traps mules. Let your feet be your guide, just avoid white, workout tennis shoes with your black pants.

Well, we are off to shop for all of you. We will be back on our regular schedule of posting next week!!

Hurt Feelings

This morning as I sit down to write my blog it is a little harder than usual. You see, I got my feelings hurt this morning and I am honestly having a hard time letting it go. I think it hurt so much because someone commented on an outfit that I wore that they didnt' think was good for someone in my position. I don't know who said it because the comment came to me third hand. I really liked that outfit and I don't know that I agree with the comment, but it still had an impact on my confidence.

What I will say is that no matter what a person wears, someone is always going to find fault in it. You can never please all of the people all of the time. You have to dress for you. When you look in the mirror, you have to be pleased by what you see. The reason for this is that confidence comes from that place inside. And, no matter how many people tell you that you look great, unless you believe it, you just won't show confidence. Bottom line, confidence is what makes a woman beautiful.

So, why do I tell you that someone else was able to hurt me and rock my confidence today? It's honest. I try and share with you observations and opinions that I think will help you. I want you to know that every one of us are vulnerable about our appearance. I have met very few women who don't feel self conscious about some part of the way they look. The point of what anatomyofstyle.com does is to help you love what you see in the mirror so that you can feel your best and project confidence. For me, our methods work 95% of the time. But, and this is important, NO ONE has perfect looks all the time.

Unfortunately, other people's opinions often do make a difference in how we feel. Therefore, I want to ask you to do something (if you aren't already doing it)....unless someone asks, don't share your thoughts about their appearance. It isn't fair to us, as women, to be torn down by someone's good intentions. Of course there is always an exception. If you see another woman who hasn't noticed that her top has come down below her breasts, by all means, give her a heads up. But, if what you want to say is just an opinion about not liking what she is wearing....keep it to yourself.

Who are you?

Many of you know that we are posting the "Secrets of Mastering Personal Style" on our member site. As each segment is completed, we are giving our members the unique opportunity to go through the segment, review it and tell us their stories. In order to get the segments out there in a timely manner, I have started dedicating one day a week to do nothing but write.

Yesterday, as I was working on the segment, "Know Thyself", I really had the chance to reflect on the evolution of women. In today's society, more than ever before, women are wearing numerous hats. Many of us have roles that number in the teens and twenties. We are daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, friends, employees, caregivers, coaches, parishoners, teammates...the list goes on and on. So, does that give you any idea as to why women are feeling confused about their personal style?

It's natural for someone to feel that they are one person one minute and another person ten minutes later when that really is the case. Imagine if you work in a corporate atmosphere. Maybe you wear a conservative suit to the office. At 5:30 you find yourself dashing to your child's school to coach their soccer team. By 7:00 you are whipping up a healthy meal for you family. And, finally by 9:00 you are sitting down with you husband to hear about his day and try and connect. You have your corporate conservative style, your sporty, soccer mom style (which luckily works in the kitchen too) and finally you have a sexier, softer style for connecting with you husband. Well, in theory that's how this works.

In reality, you are dressing down at work so that you can just slip your jacket off and walk onto the soccer field. And, odds are at 9:00 you are wearing one of your husband's big, old tshirts. How does that affect your life? You may not think that it does, but research shows that there is a tremendous impact to your psychi which impacts your life.

That's why it is important to us to share the research with you and to show you what a difference your appearance can make in your life. Something as simple as knowing what makes you feel your absolute best can increase your confidence and productivity.

If you are a member and are going through the "Secrets of Mastering Personal Style" program, we are anxious to hear about your personal challenges and how you have been able to improve the way you feel by applying our principles.

If you are not a member, "Secrets of Mastering Personal Style" will be available for purchase later this year. The only way to get it now is to become a member!!

Who doesn't love a compliment?

I was going into the grocery store in late December when a lovely woman dressed in an animal print jacket and black slacks walked out. As I went by I told her that she looked fabulous! She was so cute...she was standing there waiting for her husband to pick her up. She took me over to the car and introduced me and told her husband what I said. She said that she hadn't received a compliment from a stranger in ages.

It ocurred to me that her reaction gave me as much pleasure as I hope my compliment gave her. It made me want to give compliments more often. It is at that point that I started to consciously look around and comment whenever I saw a woman who was wearing something "wow" or just looked great. I've always commented...it just hasn't always been out loud. I can't even begin to tell you how fun this has become.

My husband and I were having our ritual, late weekend breakfast this past Sunday when a woman walked by with a lovely scarf. I told her how beautiful it was as she passed by. She looked surprised, then she looked down to see what she was wearing and finally she broke into a huge grin and thanked me profusely. What do you think happened? I felt good all morning long! I kept thinking that maybe it was just what she needed that morning too.

You know, it doesn't cost us anything to compliment another woman. The women that we see around us don't have to be tall, thin, young, sexy or even completely pulled together to find something attractive about them. Imagine if you had the power to build someone up every day and make her day a little bit better. Well, YOU DO!

I want to issue a challenge to everyone who reads this. Take notice. Look around and see the beautiful handbags, scarves, shoes, jewelry, hairstyles, outfits or even personal features. When you see them, just make a short, nice comment about how lovely they are. Try doing this at least once a day. Watch the pleasure that spreads across the recipients face when she receives that compliment. Notice the warmth that spreads through your heart when you give that compliment.

Have a wonderful and beautiful week. Let us know what you experience.

Girlfriends

I have lived in St. Louis for almost 6 years. It is the longest that I have ever lived anywhere in one stretch (when from college to Mom and Dad's several times). The reason I tell you this is that it takes awhile to integrate into a community and figure out where you fit in. I have a few close girlfriends from high school and college. But, as an adult, I have not had a lot of girlfriends until now.

Today I went to an EWomen Network lunch (as I do every month) and after the meeting a few girls came up to see where we were going afterwards. It has just become our habit to hang out after and catch up. I was so touched that I was included in the circle of girlfriends...I just haven't been anywhere long enough to automatically be part of a group.

As we were sitting around the table, chatting, laughing and really connecting I sat back and reflected on how beautiful all of these women were. Every single one of them are different. They have different jobs, different ages, different personalities....the list goes on and on. But, as I watched them, sometimes laughing until they cried, I thought how this moment is one of those moments that makes a woman beautiful. The moment that she is enjoying, embracing and connecting with other women.

Another woman, who I hope becomes a girlfriend, told me recently that she met a woman in France that had such grace and elegance. She shared with me a story about how she studied this woman to see what it was that was so attractive and made her so elegant. At the end of the trip, the women from America decided that the French woman's grace came from her ability to savor and enjoy the moment. She wasn't rushed or putting on airs. She does the things that she does because she understands the value of the journey.

I tell you this because that is what I saw today. Beautiful, graceful women who for the moment were "in the moment". My wish for you is that you can take the time to laugh with your girlfriends and not worry about what comes next.