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TAGStyle! Inside Tanya’s Closet… VINTAGE CHIC!

Written on July 17, 2010 at 10:36 pm, by ShopTags!

This is the blog that almost wasn’t!  Between work, family and a very magical Harry Potter birthday party, I almost bailed on this one.. but in true TAGS style we managed to pull it together in the end!

Last time we delved into Sandy’s closet, looking at how to do retro right!  Now we’re moving on to vintage, whether it be true vintage or inspired.. Tanya does it fantastically.   I’m always waiting for her to consign her pieces so I can snatch them up.. she’s one of those ladies you want to copy.  Vintage is a hard look to pull off without the right eye.. just going into a thrift or second hand shop doesn’t mean you have vintage chic… you could just end up looking a little hodgepodge.  But with a little knowledge, YOU can be a vintage chic diva too!

When I think of vintage, I instantly think of Jackie O, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and other ladies with impeccable style and grace.  Attaining vintage style is all about being feminine and still strong.. unique pieces with texture and soft colors.  These clothes not only look great, but feel wonderful too!

Tanya’s closet is just as put together as her clothes..

A well organized closet is the first step in looking great.. because we all know if it is easy, we will do it more often!  I love the bright green pitcher.. just there to be cheerful and say “Good morning.”  Tanya has bags for different occasions..  the beach, with all the necessities ready to go quick… swimwear, sunscreen, towels and a good book.. great idea!

Here is one of Tanya’s favorite tops.. it’s a gorgeous charcoal gray.. a color that looks great on most skin types by the way.  A modern flowy cut, with victorian sleeves it has a lovely defined waist.  Beautiful on it’s own, but of course we’ll accessorize it!

We’ve added a beautiful vintage enamel necklace and black zip up cummerbund and black rose petal handbag.. still simple but very chic.

Next up is a top I love on Tanya.. a vintage inspired knit tank, notice the main point with ‘vintage’ is the details.  Most vintage pieces have lace, or buttons with tons of simple delicate details.  This top with its lace rusching is so flattering and feminine.

When layering a piece like this.. keep it delicate also.. something too structured would take away the feminine appeal.  We’ve added a soft collared shirt, that also has some ruffled details.  A gorgeous belt to define the waist, very important!  And a huge vintage beaded necklace.  With all the detail, keep your accessories a simple color.

I love this next one.. a quirky vintage blouse.. I wanted to put this one in my bag…

Nothing says style like a great hat.. this one looks like it is vintage Russian!  It adds another texture to this outfit.. soft silky blouse, textured knit sweater vest and a huge cameo style pendant.. the contrast between the lighter yellows and browns with the black pendant draws your eyes to the center.  Especially good if you are pear shaped.. I like to have the attention upwards.. you could wear a simple dark pant or jean with this.. if you have an all over petite frame, you could go one step further and wear a chic textured brown pant.

Vintage Style is all in the details!  Ruffles, vintage inspired pendants, buttons, soft materials and lace.  If done right, you can channel your inner Audrey Hepburn or Sophia Loren.. feminine and lovely.  If you need more style advice.. stop by TAGS.. we’d LOVE to help you find your style!

Next week: Alicia’s closet… Pop culture fun!  She’s our resident Hello Kitty girl.. stay tuned to see what she’s got to share!

High heels were invented by a woman who had been kissed on the forehead.

~Christopher Morley

TAGStyle! Sneak Peek.. This week: Sandy’s Closet!

Written on July 10, 2010 at 12:39 am, by ShopTags!

Talk about a totally fun project!  Getting to go through your bosses and co-workers closets isn’t something you find at any old job!  Tags is, of course, not just any old shop!

This week Sandy is up.. I shop for Sandy all the time (my partner in crime as I refer to her), so this one was cake for me.  Sandy has a very classic style with a cool funky retro flair.  Always a kick back to the 80’s, minus the blue eye shadow.  Sandy has a fun laid back vibe for daily life and working at TAGS, then a more professional side for her other job.

We decided to pull one of Sandy’s (MANY) white collared tops, and make it fresh and new.. white collared shirts can be the base of some stellar creations… we were quite successful!

For a simple quick upgrade.. belt it and add some bling.. this would work for a casual work setting.

Your office a little more heels and jackets?  Another easy add on.. one of my favorites.. the Jackie O style jacket..retro and fun but still a classic.

Tap into your preppy side (which Sandy also has) and switch out the jacket for some totally chic argyle… same necklace.  Loosen up the feeling by rolling up your sleeves.  This outfit could go from office to anywhere, just throw on some jeans instead of the slacks!

So how do you do retro right?  It is a little tricky.  Clearly you are on the wrong path if there are shoulder pads or bustiers involved!  Retro can be done if it is an updated look, which on a side note, vintage is a lot harder to pull off.. Tanya does it great and we’ll look at her closet next week!

Up next is one of Sandy’s favorite purchases.. if you’ve been to TAGS when she’s workin’ you’ve probably seen her in it!  A unique Pac Man tee… this is so much fun.. we’re going to spice it up a bit.

ACCESSORIZE!  Found a cool madonna inspired belt, white circles with a little bling in the silver of the chain.. then a quirky necklace.. chunky chain with a lock pendant.  Still really comfortable,  just a little more put together and polished.. let’s add one more thing…

What?  Yep, you guessed it.. the little jacket!  This one is Calvin Klein.. so lovely.. but you can see how it makes it a complete finished outfit!  So easy.. all these pieces could be interchanged with so much in your closet.. if it’s easy, it will work out every time!

One last white collar idea..

Pull a cami over the top.. brings it all in for a more defined waistline.. that everyone needs.. a hint of sexy.  Careful.. no HR nightmares!  Just a HINT..

Ready to push your style a little out of the dreaded ‘comfort zone’?  Here’s a fun retro idea for Sandy.. find a cool vintage-y print, pair it with an updated necklace and belt.. voila!  Stunning!  Add a mod vintage bag and you’re an instant fashionista.

Join me again next week to get a peek in Tanya’s closet… her vintage classic style is something we all try for.. but few ever succeed in!  Maybe we can get some tips for choosing vintage pieces that won’t make you look like you’ve had it for 80 years!

Have fun with your style!

Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.  ~Epictetus

Lemons! Right for White!

Written on July 7, 2010 at 8:47 am, by ShopTags!

Melissa recent entry on the not so basic white tee… Was truly inspiring.  Truly, inspired the question: How do I keep that white ohhhh  soooo white?

Well, according to ehow:  Lemons can freshen white! 
Frustrated by Underarm stains, ehow suggest that  you do the following:

***To remove underarm stains on white shirts, cut a lemon in half, lightly wet the underarm of the shirt with plain water, sprinkle the underarm with salt and scrub the salt in with the half of a lemon. Let the shirt sit in the sun for 2 to 3 hours. Wash as usual.

***For tough underarm stains, dip the underarm of the shirt in isopropyl alcohol. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, soak the entire shirt in an oxygen bleach such as oxy-clean for 2 to 3 hours

According to Linda Cobb from her book: ” The Queen of Clean’s cleaning guide”:  Lemon juice will take spots out of white clothing, apply lemon juice and lay in the sun.

 Watch for more tips from your TAG TEAM!  Wonderful ways to extend your wardrobe… making every day a TAGStyle day!

 

Need to consign? It’s easy.. Bring in your Clean, Ready to wear condition clothing  between the hours of 10:00am -3:00pm  Tuesday thru Saturday.

 

Love Re-Style!!!  We have it Shop Tuesday thru Friday 10:00am -6:00pm and Saturday 10:ooam -4:00pm

Need to be in the know?  Several way:  Click on our Calendar here at the blog, check out our facebook page: TAGS CONSIGNMENT  or sign-up for our emails… button upper left hand corner.

Read more: How to Remove Underarm Stains From Clothes | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5341873_remove-underarm-stains-clothes.html#ixzz0t0jEnGdQ

TAGStyle! What’s in Mel’s closet? Sneak Peek!

Written on July 3, 2010 at 11:53 pm, by ShopTags!

Did you ever wonder, “What’s in HER closet?”  Well, WE HAVE!  And we thought it would be fun to get a sneak peek into every TAGS Team Members closet.. So I’ll be getting knee deep into everyone’s closet.. starting with mine!

I was in dire need of some organizing.. and this provided some fantastic motivation!  My closet generally has three color ranges, white, black and gray.  Then a few sparse colors to brighten my basics..

This might sound totally boring.. but if you’ve ever been into TAGS when I am working.. you know it’s not.. I love accessories.. and it is much easier to add large necklaces and bracelets to black or white..

You just can’t go wrong with black and white.. it really looks great on everyone.

(The color section)

I do have a couple absolute favorite finds, from TAGS of course.  My all time favorite blouse I knew I had to have the moment I saw it.  Mostly white, it has a vintage flair that I adore and is so comfy too, double bonus!  I always feel beautiful when I wear it.. every girl should have an ‘I feel lovely’ shirt!

My second favorite thing in my closet?  Yep a pair of jeans.. I’m a total jeans girl, I wear them ALL YEAR LONG.  Plus, they go perfectly with my favorite shirt.  These jeans were one of my first purchases at TAGS, so there’s some sentimental value too.

American Eagle, the only kind of jeans that fit my toosh!

Jeans shopping can be grueling.. so when I find a pair I stick to them.  And when I find a brand, I buy as many as I can!  Good jeans are like good men, HARD TO FIND!

So there it is.. my perfect FEEL GOOD outfit.. I threw in my GO TO shoes.. brown t-strap Hush Puppies.. also bought at TAGS!

What’s your favorite outfit?  Or the shoes you throw on that works with just about anything?  Get it out and put it on.. go have coffee or sit in a cafe and just feel fantastic!  You deserve it!  If you don’t have an absolute favorite.. Stop by TAGS and we’d LOVE to help you find your new favorites!

Stay tuned, next week we’ll be peeking into Sandy’s closet.. We’ll take one item and make it new again at TAGS!

“When in doubt, wear red.” ~ Bill Blass

The LBD… if you don’t have one, get one!

Written on June 25, 2010 at 12:10 am, by ShopTags!

What is the one ‘Go To’ item every girl MUST HAVE??  It’s the Little Black Dress…

Versatile PLUS chic.. the little black dress.. aka LBD is an asset to any stylish girls closet!  Wear it to work, out on a date, to a wedding, cocktail hour, Christmas party.. your best friends birthday, dancing with the girls or a job interview.  The LBD just might be the best piece of clothing in your entire wardrobe.

As a self confessed shopaholic, I must say I have a few LBD’s.. and you should too.  I’m going to show you how to take the simple & chic LBD from work,  to dancing and more… And as always, you can find everything pictured at my favorite consignment shop, TAGS!

Let’s start out with the most simple LBD shape, a shift.

When you’re headed to work, just throw on a blazer to make it office appropriate.  An organic looking beaded necklace, and a light blue linen jacket give this look a soft summery feel.  Patent wedges will glide seamlessly from day to night…

Stash a lacy wrap in your bag, and change it out on your way to dinner or the movies… still light and airy but a hint of sexy chic… for an added punch of twilight style, keep some metallic strappy heels in your trunk, they go with everything and change your look instantly!

The LBD is UBER fabulous for a wedding or special occasion, with a unique scarf and vintage inspired cropped jacket.  Peep toe pumps, in a fun pattern add interest without chaos.  Remember, if you are wearing a monochromatic look, please add a vibrant colored bag, it’s like a cherry on top of the sundae…

To travel from your special event, to cocktail hour simply ditch the jacket!

The dreaded job interview!  We all despise them, but they are a necessary evil, if you like money at all.  It is a proven fact, that if you feel like you look good, you do better at everything and exude confidence.. something you need in this job market!  Go get your trusty LBD, a conservative, yet stylish, blazer… and some fabulous heels.. not so high you’ll be teetering around.  For a splash of color near your face, bring out that lovely scarf, just a little peering through is all you need.  Dress for the job you want.. not necessarily the one you’re applying for

Meeting your BFF at the cafe for some java?  Simple fix.. loose the blazer, arrange your scarf over your shoulders as a wrap, fasten it on the side with a brooch.. you can find vintage inspired pins at most stores for under $5, another must have!  (and easily stored in your purse, or just wear it on the jacket to the interview).

A colorful scarf and vintage inspired brooch are two other priceless pieces, if you don’t have these, stop by and we’ll help you find something special!

Bonus outfit… a go anywhere and turn many heads… simply lovely!   The animal print heels take this one from chic to CRAZY beautiful!

The LBD will look great on any body type, you can choose straight fits, A-line, or fit and flare styles.  Another note, if you are very petite keep your hemline a few inches above the knee.. not too short!  For fuller figures, just past the knee works best and if you are pear shaped, keep the hem slightly above or just at the knee.  The LBD should never go to long, it actually breaks up the line of your body.

Accessories pull everything together and you can use them to add pops of saturated color or bright shiny metallics.. here are some ideas for bags to carry with ANY of the above looks..  your bag does NOT have to match anything in your outfit.. and NEVER needs to match your shoes.. ever.. not ever!

First, the amazing Cherry Red purse… enough said.  Get one

Vintage metallic bag… adds sparkle and shine.. goes with ANYTHING! Even silver.. yes I said it.. mix your metals!!  Throw out those old rules.. wear white all year.. really, no one will notice except to say how lovely you look!

Last, but not least.. a fun bronze clutch and SO BRIGHT glittery gold heels.. for over the top glitz and glam.. you can even leave out the jewelry with this combo.. simple stud earrings would work well.  Hollywood style all the way!  Movie premier anyone??

So remember.. the LBD.. it doesn’t have to be boring.. and with a few slight changes, it can look like a NEW outfit everyday.. sometimes more than once a day!  If you don’t have one yet.. pop into TAGS or your local boutique and ask for one.. we’d love to help you find your perfect match!

Shop happy.

A dress makes no sense unless it inspires men to want to take it off you.  ~Françoise Sagan