Here’s an interesting project L2 Style recently worked on with Blush Magazine. L2 Style is always so excited to work with brides to help find them the perfect dress for their special day! Finding the perfect dress for your big day can be an exciting yet overwhelming task. Here’s a question (and tip) that I always ask of a new bridal client: When you’re friends and family watch you walk down the aisle, what do you want them to be thinking? Sounds like an easy question but it’s not always the easiest one to answer…. L2 Style was honoured to have worked with so many talented people for the bridal fashion spread in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Blush Magazine. It was a pleasure!
Shopping the End of Season Sales…. Do you have Buyer’s Remorse?
It’s that time of year – end of season clearance at most retail stores. Shopping during sales is tons of fun but heading out for a big shopping day during end-of-season clearance time can be VERY tempting and usually results in MANY impulse purchases – not to mention buyer’s remorse! Here are some sure-fire tips to “shop the sales” and feel good about what you’ve purchased: Do you really need it? We’ve all done it – purchased a new garment, taken it home, left it to hang in the closet, and thrown it out 2 years later. It seems we never learn. Instead of repeating this vicious cycle, try this. Make a list of things you are looking for and then prioritize what you think you really need (not such an easy task). Think about this: if you only had a certain number of dollars to spend, what would you look for first? This will help you stay focused so that you only looking for certain items rather than let yourself go a little haywire. Don’t let that be you! Look for at least 2-3 options in a similar style. Let’s pretend that you’re looking for a new silk blouse with an interesting pattern throughout. Rather than grab the first one that seems to be a good deal, try shopping around for 2-3 options. You’ll be able to compare prices, colours/patterns, material, etc. This will enable you to choose a piece that you REALLY like (and not just in the spur of the moment kind of “like”) and will actually wear. What a novel concept huh? Is it classic or trendy? People often think that sales are a great time to pick up trendy pieces because of the deep-discounts. However, if a garment is too trendy and very season-specific, chances are it’ll probably be out of style the next year when you’re ready to wear it. Instead, use end of season sales to find those classic pieces that’ll last for many seasons to come. That’s how you stretch your $$ babe! But hey, if you find a cute trendy piece that is such a good deal and you’ll be able to transition into the next season, go for it. We all love those trendy additions to our wardrobe right? Happy shopping!
Plus size vs. “Straight” size…. is it time for change?
By now you may have heard about the article in PLUS Model Magazine that many people are calling “controversial.” Take a read through the article as well as some of the responses that have popped up in popular publications over the past week or so. You can see that through the viral response that has taken place with this article that it is a topic that is of interest to many people. I thought I’d share some of my thoughts: Are we getting close to accepting broader concepts of positive body image and beauty? With awareness on this topic, like we’ve read in this article, as well as the growth of the plus-size fashion industry, we are now being exposed to broader concepts of beauty and fashion. No longer are we only shown images of overly thin models and told that this is what we should aspire to. While the images in the article have gone viral, let’s not overstate the importance of one article in changing the views of society. I’d say that there are many previous examples that have helped get us closer to social change around body image and beauty. Think about the Dove campaign for Real Beauty or the stance that some high-profile celebrities have publicly taken with regards to postiive body image and image enhancement. Monique, Adele, Queen Latifah I’d even say that the popularity of reality TV shows – highlighting plus size fashion – and plus size Hollywood celebrities have had an impact on breaking down barriers of past norms. These past initiatives, this new article, and future awareness and education campaigns are now providing a more complete picture of beauty, fashion and style. I’d like to believe that we are getting closer to social change… hopefully, I’m not being overly optimistic. The editor’s comment that “there is nothing wrong with our bodies” is something that has NOT been a traditional message in the media. It is rather refreshing to see a woman with an average, normal body type being portrayed as beautiful. We all have different body types, with different metabolism and this is not something that we should be hiding. I do firmly believe that each of us has a personal responsibility – to our bodies and minds – to eat moderately, get outside and exercise, and build/maintain positive mental health. After doing all of these things, some of us are going to have a thin body frame, some of us will be more muscular, and some of us will carry extra pounds (and everything in between). The more progressive message that we are starting to hear is that woman of all body types are normal and beautiful. All I can say is that I certainly hope that this is not the trendy topic of the day but real, fundamental change that is starting to take place. I guess we’ll have to wait and see… I firmly believe that retailers have dragged their feet in meeting the demand from the plus-sized market. Let’s