Spring/ Summer 2013 Trends: Black & White Stripes

I am in love with the black and white stripes trend for spring and summer. It creates a fresh look by playing with two neutral classics.  For summer, all black can be harsh for a nice sunny day and all white is too typical of summer, but the combination of both creates a harmonious union for the perfect look! This trend can be seen in various styles. Take a look!

Thin stripes, thick stripes, lighter stripes, different direction stripes. Pool side? Beach? Yes, please! ;)

 Bring this awesome trend to a pool side or the beach. This pattern will bring a feminine and flirtatious look to any kind of bathing suit you choose. Search for something that flatters your figure; add a little confidence, and you will look radiant!

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Peace&Love
@AlvidGCouture

1, 2, 3 Outerwear Must Haves

Outerwear is essential for a fabulous outfit and keeping you looking gorgeous. The functionality of outerwear, keeping us cozy, often leads us to underestimate the aesthetic value it brings to an outfit.

The 3 Outerwear Must Haves:  

1. The Blazer- Perfect item to transform almost any outfit into a sophisticated professional look.

2. The Cardigan- Excellent for putting together a business casual outfit.

3. The Jacket- Great transitional item to take your look from bland to chic and exciting.

These three outwear must haves allow you to maintain a feminine figure as opposed to sacrificing your shape with wearing a big, clunky, unflattering sweater or coat.

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Peace&Love
@AlvidGCouture

But It's Special!

You might be wondering: What is a sentimental item? Let me give you an example of my experience.

As you may already know, I have gained some experience throughout the years on organizing my closet. Well let me tell you, my first few clean outs were not so easy for me due to my sentimentally valued items. I told myself I’m keeping this and that because “it’s special”

This is the story of one of many items I had labeled “sentimental”.

 I had been out of high school for a number of years and I was still holding on to my cap and gown. During the first cleanout, I saved my cap and gown because I felt it was a “sentimental” item. During my second clean out, I decided it wasn’t a real sentimental item for me. I was NEVER going to wear it again, it did not hold up well so it was not in the best condition. Why was I keeping it? I was relating the actual achievement with that piece of clothing. The gown did not get me my high school diploma, it was my effort. The gown was only worn for a couple of hours for the graduation commencement ceremony. Plus, I had tons of pictures in the gown. I finally decided this is not a truly sentimental item. I kept the cap because it was in a better condition, and it can fit perfectly in a bookshelf without taking up much space. I keep it as a temporary souvenir ;)

At the end of the day, only you can decide what is truly sentimental for you.

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Peace&Love
Alvid G. Couture

9 Rules to Cleaning Out Your Closet

Although cleaning out your closet may seem like an easy task, we all know that it can become very difficult. My experience has taught me a thing or two about cleaning/organizing a full closet.

Changing my style was the trigger for my first major closet clean out. Now I do it regularly to keep myself organized as well as keep my style current to my needs.

Rules for the initial cleanup:

1. Throw away everything that is really old.
By this I mean items in your closet that are not wearable for anyone. Do not keep a garment for back up wear or “emergency” wear such as faded clothes and/or ripped.

2. Donate clothes/shoes/ accessories you haven’t worn in a year or more.
Donate items that no longer suit your style and items you no longer enjoy wearing. Donating can be extremely rewarding because you know someone else will enjoy them.

3. If you have items that hold “sentimental value” keep them all for now.
But be honest with yourself, do not label all your clothes “sentimental” just because it’s scary to let go.

4. Organize your closet after you only have the items you truly want.
There will be more room to organize and make everything nice and neat. It will be pretty to look at! And will make you feel good, trust me! :)

Once you do your first full clean out, you will feel comfortable with the process. And you will be ready to do maintenance clean outs every 6 to 9 month. I strongly suggest 6 month clean outs at the beginning.

Next 5 rules are for the following/ future cleanups:

5. Whatever you did not wear during the six months at least once, donate.
If you saved an item because you felt you liked it or it fit your style but did not wear it at all and didn’t even consider wearing it, get rid of it. If you did not wear an item but you truly, truly feel you will in the next 6 months keep only until the next clean out.

6. Get rid of items labeled “sentimental” if they really aren’t – you know!
You might be afraid to get rid of these items but a lot of things we consider “sentimental” are not. Sometimes we want to hold on to things because we feel they’re a part of us. Who you really are is inside of you not in what you wear. Style is only to display your creativity. It’s an accessory to your physical self but not who you are.
(Are you labeling everything sentimental? See blog named “But It’s Special!”)

7. Keep anything that is truly sentimental.
You can always label something sentimental but if ever you decide something is no longer “sentimental”, just take it out of your closet and either donate it or throw it out.

8. Keep your closet neat.
A neatly organized closet makes you feel good- try it! :)

9. Enjoy the process.
Follow the rules as far as you feel comfortable, like everything, you will feel more comfortable once you gain experience. Don’t do anything that makes you nervous or anxious – save it for the next clean out. Go at your pace; start slowly or start drastically – your choice!

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Peace&Love
Alvid G. Couture

Updating Your Closet / Style

There are various steps you can take to update your closet or to change your style all together. Although there is no “right” way to do it, here are some helpful tips that will help you get started.

Determine what style you want to achieve.
Deciding on the style you want for yourself is probably the first step to updating your closet.  Let’s place an emphasis to, the style YOU want for YOURSELF. Your outfits, although not the most important representation of you, are the cover of your body and you should always feel comfortable with what you wear. Now, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experiment with different styles, getting out of your comfort zone can be fun! So, what style do you want to try out?

Save if necessary. 
Being on a budget does not mean you can’t update your style. Whether you’re interested in adding trendy designer pieces to your wardrobe that might be at a higher price range, or whether you just want to stock an entire new wardrobe, the best thing to do is save a few bucks a week/ a month (whatever is more convenient) in order to achieve your goal.

Buy a few pieces at a time.
When you start buying items for your new wardrobe, purchase one piece you have been eyeing first. Then maybe two to a few pieces because your style may evolve as you go along (which is ok). Sometimes as you shop you find an awesome piece that may cause the style you want to shift slightly or drastically. You don’t want to buy a whole wardrobe in one day and decide later that it’s not exactly the style you wanted.

Make room for the new.
Clean out your closet to make room for new items and so you know exactly what you would like to keep that will be functional with you new wardrobe. Get rid of pieces you no longer wear (including clothes, accessories, handbags, and shoes). A good indication of an item you no longer wear is an item that you have not worn or used in 6 to 12 months. Chances are if you haven’t worn or used it in the last six months, you are not going to wear it any time soon. Clothes that are torn, faded, and/or too tight or too loose are not flattering and it would be a good move to get rid of them.  If the item is in good condition, donate it, it’ll make someone else very happy. Items in bad conditions, throw away! This may be scary but necessary. (For tips on cleaning out your closet see blog on 9 Rules to Cleaning Out Your Closet).

Be patient.
Updating an entire new wardrobe or style will take time. If it’s going to be done correctly, it will take patience and care. It could take a few months to a year. Maybe after a year, you will want to do it all over again. It’s a fun process that evolves and brings out your creativity. Personal growth comes gradually and your style should too.

Have fun!
Now you’re all ready to begin your exciting journey to creating your new style. Have fun doing it! Don’t be too hard on yourself and remember nothing is set in stone. Have fun!!

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Peace&Love
Alvid G. Couture