All posts by Heather Stachowiak

Heather Stachowiak is a copywriter and fashion blogger born and raised in NYC. She lives in Jersey City with her husband and two rescue muts, Olive and Goose. She picked up her grit from a teaching career and has applied it to her creative adventures in copywriting and social media navigation working for a tech brand in NYC. She prides herself on being a style poet and sisterhood activist.

5 Thrifted Items you MUST Own

Take a look around. What do you see? Bell bottoms? Fringe? Moto Jackets? All are being sold in stores in 2015. And are we to be daft enough to believe that this is the first time these styles have graced store windows? No!  We, my friends, are the style gifted! And if you’re not, you will be after today. That is to say, not only do we know that these styles have come and gone and come again, but we also happen to be filled with the wisdom of where to snag these boomerang style items for much, much less.

So where does our sartorial treasure map lead?

The Thrift Shop!

Much like Macklemore aptly reminds us, we sometimes find ourselves “being tricked by a business.” Sure, sometimes there are items that we just want, and, doggone it, we deserve them solely because of our desire to have them. But other times, we are blinded by brand names and the popularity of the item. The bottom line is that the exact same item exists elsewhere, possibly even a better quality version and certainly with a better story. There is a way to enjoy both the feeling of starting your own style story and continuing someone else’s. Here is a list of vintage thrift shop items that you can add to your clothing repertoire while adding a unique spin to your look.

 

Fedoras

A well-made hat can cost a pretty penny. If you’re looking to add to your hat collection, a thrift shop is the frugal way to go. You’ll find that a vintage fedora originally sold by a hatter will last much longer than a hat that has been made by a machine. These old school fedoras have been made with love by a milliner whose aesthetic calling is to fashion a hat that will look good and last.  And don’t be deterred by a slightly beaten up fedora, this can add character to your look.

 

Photo Credit: R/DV Flossy’s Suitcase, Highland Park MI

 

Bags

Boy, has the fashion industry outdone themselves with such a diverse array of bags. So many of these bags are colorful, bold and can add just the right touch of historical meaning and beauty to your outfit. These days a bag’s job is twofold. On one hand, it acts a vessel to transport items like phones, keys and money. But on the other–much more fashion forward–hand, it acts as an additional element with which to tell your personal story. Bag thrift shopping gives you a chance to take some style risks by allowing you to mix and match from different fashion eras with more current pieces.

 

Photo Credit: Feathers Boutique Vintage 

 

Oversized Sweaters

An oversized sweater is a wardrobe staple. Any thrift store in a place that experiences winter will have rows and rows of women’s and men’s sweaters for a fraction of the price that retailers are selling them for today. Mohair, wool, cashmere are typically all available for the taking and usually with a sub ten-dollar price tag. Give yourself some time to try each sweater on. Give it a good once over to check for fading, missing buttons and irreversible damage. All it takes is one or two trips to the thrift store to rack up on light and heavy sweaters for the fall and winter seasons.

 

 

 Photo Credit: Sarah Collins Photography for Highway Robbery Vintage

 

Denim

Even the fashion inept understand that denim will never go out of style. And it is for this very reason that thrift stores provide an inordinate amount of value where denim is involved. Styles come and go, but denim sticks around like a stalwart sartorial soldier. A really good thrift shop will offer up racks upon racks of denim from the 70s, 80s and 90s all riddled with a host of distressed features. Give yourself an hour and go home with a denim piece from every decade.

 

A photo posted by Pink Suede (@pink_._suede) on

Photo Credit: pink_._suede

 

T-Shirts

Oversized and over-worn are the two characteristics to look for when you pick out your t-shirts. A funny saying or an old school band is always preferable to plain, but the feel and versatility of the t-shirt is just as important. In order to be a successful vintage tee shopper, flip through the t-shirt rack relentlessly asking yourself if you can see yourself wearing the t-shirt with everything. Would you be cool with wearing this t-shirt with your favorite pair of jeans? How about that black tulle skirt you own? And those overalls? If you can say yes to pairing this t-shirt with most items in your wardrobe, it’s a keeper. Move on to the next t-shirt in line and repeat. You’re sure to acquire a hefty collection of vintage tees in no time.  

Photo Credit: Penny Lane Vintage

 

So, get out there and start thrifting! Once you’ve acquired pieces that you absolutely love, you can begin pairing them with the rest of your wardrobe. Then take your thrift store fashion to the streets. And when a stranger taps you on the shoulder, compliments your distressed Levis and asks you where you got them, you can respond apologetically, “Oh these old things? They’re thrifted!”

 

Dressing “Outside of the Box” When You Work in One

Many of us work in a stale, dank, bordering on depressing, office. Every day, we drag ourselves into work hoping for a glimpse of excitement, an ounce of dynamism, a tidbit of color. But instead, we’re met with a cubicle that feels more like solitary confinement and an underwhelming outfit that fits right in with the dull surroundings. It’s easy to feel like you have to act and, ultimately, dress like the people you work with in order to be taken seriously.

It’s actually the opposite. Expressing yourself differently in an environment where the majority dresses the same can be a great way to start a conversation and break the ice. It’s even possible that, through your style bravery, you may be giving someone else the courage to express themselves as well.

Here are some ways to liven up your wardrobe and feel confident in your work environment:

Get Lippie

Maybe you’re not quite ready to wow your colleagues with your pattern mixing abilities, so instead opt for a neon-colored lipstick. There’s no need to showcase a full face of make-up if that’s just not for you. A simple touch of mascara and a bright lip color is more than enough to add some color into your wardrobe for the day. In the winter, instead of a dark red lip color, grab a dark green, or a dark gold color. These lip colors will keep your colleagues guessing and give you a reason to talk more at meetings.

Get Lippy blue lipstick

Shun the Boring Shoe

There is no better conversation piece than a funky shoe! Shoes have been known to start lasting friendships and spark newfound obsessions. Slipping on a pair of fun and attention-getting shoes will immediately give you a pep in your step. Just make sure you feel good in them. Wearing a pair of six-inch stiletto heels that you can’t walk in may be attention-getting, but it won’t act as a confidence booster and will absolutely become fodder for the naysayers.

fun and funky shoes
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Dress to Shock

For those of you that just want to blow your colleagues out of the water, this is the phase for you! No more beating around the bush. You love turquoise lipstick, patterns, feathers, fringe, lace, and emoji shaped purses. And you’ll be damned if any workplace inhibits you from shouting it from the rooftops. If you fall comfortably into this category, then you know about the naysayers and couldn’t give a flying Fendi monster baguette about them. But for those of you who have just gained free admission to the “Express Yourself” cruise, sailing daily you should know that there are petty, passive-aggressive piranhas in your midst…

Dress to shock
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Beware of The Naysayers

Most people are too afraid to represent themselves honestly because they are worried about the repercussions, and rightly so. It’s scary to show yourself so openly, to then receive what feels like a vicious verbal attack solely because you chose to express yourself. Just be aware that these reactions are inevitable and have nothing to do with you. Any snide, passive-aggressive, or blatantly obnoxious remark flung your way is really just the flinger’s way of repositioning their understanding of the “normative.” In other words, you’ve just blown their minds and they’re trying to make sense of it all. Unfortunately, something as simple as a neon pink lipstick can lead to demeaning comments being hurled your way. My advice is to come up with a sound bite that you use in these situations like,” I can see that my [insert fashion-forward item here] makes you feel a bit uncomfortable, but when I wear it, I feel like a million bucks! “ Then execute your best catwalk strut back to your cubicle. They’ll get the point. And you’ll be standing up for what you believe in– freedom of style!

Beware of naysayers
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Encourage the Style Curious Colleague

Although you may hear some negative responses, you may also hear some that exhibit an eagerness to follow in your footsteps. These feelings can be disguised in comments like, “I love that on you, but I could NEVER pull it off.” These are the moments when you can help your colleagues build their own style confidence. Recommend some items they may feel comfortable trying and if they are brave enough to try them, shower them with compliments as soon as you see them. Your workplace, although maybe not your happy place, should at least be a place where you can be yourself and feel happy doing so.

Style and Fashion

Maybe Ombré Just Isn’t for You, And That’s OK

If you walked down the street in the West Village or perused the feeds of style bloggers on Instagram Pinterest or Tumblr, you would notice one, inarguable thing: the ombré hair color trend. It’s everywhere. Your best friend is sporting this look, your sister is about to sport this look and your coworkers are deciding if they want to take the plunge. This is one of the “it” hair color trends of the year.

Young girl with ombre hair

For the more daring lady, the lavender gray color trend has been gracing the boxes of instagram. Every other selfie displays long billows of silvery purple hair with a caption like “yay or nay?” Well it’s clear that the answer is a resounding “Yaaaas!” from the throngs of other IGers sporting the exact same hair color.  So, you ask yourself, am I next? Do I like these looks? Are they me? And the answer is, strangely, unclear, simply because you’ve seen the look on so many women that even if you originally believed it to be the ugliest trend you’d ever laid eyes upon, the mere frequency of it has allowed it to grow on you.

Kelly Osbourne Hair

Now, rather than professing your opinions about how downright ugly this trend is, you begin to hear yourself saying, “it’s not so bad,” and then “it’s pretty fashion-forward, actually,” and then there you are sitting in the salon requesting, “One ombré hairstyle, please!” Somehow the most intelligent of us, gets pulled into letting trends make style decisions for us. These “everybody’s doing it” moments conjure up the age-old question that a parent used to put to you when you had already made a terrible decision that had been influenced by a friend’s: “if she jumps off a bridge would you do it too?”

Unfortunately (or fortunately), their wisdom has followed you into adulthood and how appropriate this universal question still is.

So how do you stay true to what you truly love and get rid of all the trend-crazy noise?

Listen to your gut, ladies and gentlemen.

Get in tune with yourself and ask yourself some soul-seeking hair trend questions:

1. Would I feel proud with this haircut/hair color?
2. Do I feel “un-chic” if I am not sporting this hair color trend?
3. Do I enjoy having the same hairstyle as everyone and their mothers?
4. Would I make this decision if I hadn’t seen thousands of pictures of the same look on thousands of other women?
5. Is this look even a possibility for my hair?

Sometimes checking in with yourself is a great way to learn what works for you and what truly doesn’t. And don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with following a trend. Trends can provide structure and ease for the person that loves style, but doesn’t know where to begin. A trend can act as a much needed starting point in a world where there are an absurdly large number of style choices.

So what will it be? Ombré? Or a jet black pixie cut? The beauty of it all is that nothing is forever in the word of hair. You can choose emerald green today, and don an auburn bowl-cut tomorrow.

4 Ways to Layer Like a Style Boss

All the gals with style know-how understand the importance of how to layer clothes.

Layering not only gives you temperature agility during these transitional months, but it also doubles the use of almost every item in your closet. Poof! You have a larger wardrobe. Okay, maybe not more clothing, but more options. You buy an item, wear it once and then, more often than not, it is left to live the rest of its days in the bowels of your closet.

closet
Photo Credit: Laura Bustelo

Of course, the next event or dinner approaches, so you contemplate re-wearing said item, but in the end you decide to buy an entirely new piece.  Why, you ask yourself, have you become such a wasteful wardrobe wearer?  Because it’s really hard to wear a nice piece of clothing on repeat and for people not to notice. Heck, maybe even you feel like that article of clothing you had to have is now old news.

But there is a solution that many of us do not see because of the way we have been taught to dress. Most of us have been brought up to believe pants and skirts are ALWAYS paired with a top, and a dress is a standalone piece of clothing, not to be mixed with anything besides maybe a shawl, blazer or cardigan. What if we questioned our very sheltered view of the way clothing works together and humored, if just for a moment, a “what if” style mentality? What if, for example, I could pair a dress with a skirt?

The possibilities would then be endless, and so would your closet. So, let’s play dress up and see what layering strategies we can begin to explore.

1. Dress + Skirt

You could get really bold with your skirt dress pairings, layering a patterned skirt over an equally as eye-catching patterned dress, or a patterned skirt over a solid colored dress, or heck, even a mini skirt over a long maxi dress. Yes, this can be done. Believe it or not, there are people out there who might even call this kind of layering old hat. It’s your turn to turn a blind eye to your style rules and see what you come up with!

 

layering clothes skirt and dress
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

2. Sweater + Dress

Yet another way to re-style a dress, only this time, you can transform a spring or summer dress into a fall fashion trend that you usually tuck away during the summer months. Try leaving your shirt, shift, or even sun dresses out. If you have a trapeze dress loose enough to fit a chunky sweater underneath it, try it and see how you feel. Lightweight turtlenecks can easily fit under a shift dress. Layering an oversized boyfriend sweater over a super girly dress can be just the right amount of both to create an entirely new look. Play around with patterns. Sometimes finding a hue or color that the two pieces share is an easy way to create a cohesive look.

 

layering clothes, sweater and dress
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

 

3. Collared Buttondown + Everything

A buttondown is that beautiful item that can be added to literally any outfit: under, over, in- between. You name it. The trick is always making it known that you are, indeed, wearing one. If you’re layering a buttondown under a chunky sweater (which is highly recommended) then allow it to peek out in some way. Roll your sweater sleeves up and share your plaid, pinstriped or stark white sleeves that you have so intentionally added to your look.

 

collared buttondown fashion
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

 

4. Pants + Skirt

Layering a skirt over pants can really position you as a style leader. Flip through a J. Crew catalogue or click through your run-of-the-mill online retailer’s website. You will most likely NOT see these style choices being made. This is where the ultimate style influencer feels most comfortable. Testing the style waters before anyone else has even thought to try. Although it seems like this pairing would be hard, it’s actually quite simple. There are so many different types of pants out there from cut to color to texture to length. The first trick is finding a skirt that will allow you to showcase the complementary composition of both pants and skirt. Trick number two is matching a top that pulls it all together. Sure, that may seem like a lot of pressure for one little top, but that’s what trial and error is for. You don’t have to get it right the first, second, or even third time. Layering clothes is a skill that can be practiced and improved.

Now, doesn’t your mini closet look just a little bigger than it did this morning?

5 Ways to Impress Your Fellow Fashionista

We all know that wearing a crop-top with low-rise jeans is sure to get you a whole lot of attention from the opposite sex. But, the best kind of attention is the neck-breaking double take a woman receives from her fellow style maven. So, what kind of fashion philosophy gets attention from your sister stylistas? Here are 5 ways that will ensure a look back from the other stylish girl on the block.

 

Wear Menswear

There’s nothing sexier and more awe-inspiring than a woman, woman enough to wear menswear-inspired duds. This style exudes a strength and knowledge of one’s own femininity; an understanding that a menswear look doesn’t mean an absence of the feminine flair. A well-structured blazer and a pair of well-crafted brogues is all you need to receive a double take from the unsuspecting style lover.

 

wear menswear
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

 

Funky Shades

I think we all know that a well-styled pair of cheeky sunnies can certainly spark some interest from those who are less prone to taking such risks. When shopping for sunnies, try saying “yes” to the funkiest pair you can find. Challenge yourself to concoct an appropriate ensemble to go with them. Anyone can just throw on an interesting pair with any old thing. Exhibit your effortless style prowess by crafting a look that begs for the sunglasses as the missing piece.

 

Funky Shades
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

 

Mix Kicks with Formal Wear

Although this happens to be a trend right now, it’s not as prevalent as one might think. Add some serious shock value by dialing the formality of the garment way up and pairing it with a pair of bold colored sneakers. This style remix works well with minis, maxis, and midis. Pair a voluminous tulle skirt with some running shoes. Or a floral flowy feminine maxi with a pair of old school Adidas. Not to mention, your feet will love you.
 

Mix Kicks with Formal Wear
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak
 

Jolie Laide

That’s French for “pretty ugly.” This philosophy is all about questioning style norms and trends. Adopting a pretty ugly philosophy is your surefire way to showcase the next trend no one knew would be popular. Rule breaking is key, as well as a fierce indifference to stumbling upon the next fashion faux pas in the process. Besides, one woman’s fashion faux pas is another one’s pretty ugly breakthrough look!

 

Jolie Laide

 

Walk with Confidence

No matter the style you choose to showcase, tell yourself to strut and strut hard. When you exude confidence, it’s tangible. People can sense it. The saying, “fake it until you make it” holds true in this scenario. You may be trying a new bold pair of sunglasses or experimenting with menswear; no matter what insecurity may be bubbling up inside, push it down, hold your head up, and tell yourself, “with a change of perspective comes risk-taking and even a little bit of discomfort”. Just remember discomfort can be your pathway to new and exciting ways of expressing yourself.

 

Walk with Confidence
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak