Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

Shopping Safari Day One: Forever21

Today we begin an epic week of adventure for budget priced pretties. We will be entering new territories, previously uncharted on Cardigan Empire. Not everything in these locations should be approached. Many of the items are constructed specifically for the primitive figures of adolescence. The racks will be lush with strange and foreign fashions, please obey the rules we’ve discussed for the safety of your own esteem and personal style. Our first stop is Forever21: a fresh, trend savvy home of economically conscious fashion.




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Fitting Room Friday: Shopping Value Computations

To answer the ponderous question: should I buy it? We must enter into a series of complex computations outlined below. (actually it’s simple addition, but why miss out on an opportunity to feel grandiose)

The elegant answer is, if you are able to accumulate a sum greater than 10, the item can come home with you.

1-3 pts How do I feel when I put it on?
Do you feel an irrepressible urge to twirl a bit. A full 360 degree pirouette is worthy of a 3. A 45 degree swishy deems a 2. A static glance garners a 1. But a 180 pausing grimace earns a well deserved 0.

1-3 pts How well is it going to hold up?

Here’s a hint. Items on the sales floor wear similarly to items in your closet. If the cloth is snagged, or the buttons are hanging weakly, or the zipper is missing teeth, take caution. There’s a reason why “cut from the same cloth” is a popular cliche. It doesn’t matter if your item is flawless, if its friends are suffering, it won’t be long before the item in your closet reaches the same state.

1-3 pts How many times am I going to wear it?

Is this item a hero in your core wardrobe (3)? Or a peripheral character making a cameo appearance (1)? Or is this item already fairly represented in your closet? Buying multiple closet stars leads to angst, jealousy, and possible mutiny. If it’s a repeat, it better be a replacement.

1-3 pts How much does it cost?

Even though this category has a number associated with it, it is still one of the most subjective. In truth we’re not evaluating straight forward cost, we’re assessing value. A few hints: invest in things that have a complex function and buy simple services as cheaply as possible. Comfortable 4 inch heels have a complex function; comfortable flip flops have a simple function. Well fitted trousers – complex; stretchy camisole-simple. If something gets a low value value ranking (less than 2 pts) wait until it goes on sale and see if the item can redeem itself.

This strategy allows for trendy items that you only plan to wear for a season. And it allows for core pieces that require more of an investment. Buying items that are 10 ensure that your look will always rank in the double digits.

1 hundred 98 cents = your own Shopping Strategies fashion look book cheat sheet.

Procure your own empire constitution. Your personalized fashion look book can include your own shopping strategies and much more.

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