How To Most Effectively Shop For Clothing Online

In this new normal lots of us are finding ourselves scrolling through online boutiques and wishing we could be in the store to try these items out. Have you been one of those gals that fills your online cart and just can’t pull the trigger because you are worried if you got the right size and are dreading the return process. Fear no more! I’m here for you to give some helpful Online Shopping Tips that will make online shopping EASY and FUN!

ONLINE SHOPPING TIPS

Know your measurements ladies!

• Bust, Waist, Hip and Inseam (most importantly waist)

  • The most important tip I can give you while measuring yourself is to be sure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor. If not you might have a mishap with selecting your size.

  • Check out my IG TV Series: Shopping with Theodora @therealchachaolivia on Instagram to watch a tutorial on getting the perfect measurements

• OK are you ready to be blown away- SIZE CHARTER TOOL

  • Use www.sizecharter.com to help you find your size in all brands!

  • This is a helpful tool that will guide your online shopping experience. It’s important to take all your measurements and just enter them into Size Charter and let it do it’s magic. Some of the most popular brands will be listed there.

  • A good reminder is Trendier/Less Expensive lines (Zara or H&M) run smaller and American brands tend to have vanity sizing and run larger (Ann Taylor or Loft)

• Take a look at the model in the description

  • Most often the brand will list the model’s measurements and the size the model is wearing in the picture. This is a great gauge for you to have visually so you can see how the item looks on by what the model is wearing.

• To size up or to size down, that is the real question??

  • Take a look at the amount of stretch 1-5% of elastane, lycra or spandex you may want to size down. (Especially in denim)

  • If it’s a cotton or woven item you may want to size up because you will not have any kind stretch or give.

• Order two sizes! Very Helpful

  • This will give you an opportunity to compare and contrast the fit that is most comfortable for you. Plus it will save you a little bit of time of waiting for the exchange process, making a new purchase, and waiting on shipping.

  • Plus you are assured you don’t lose the size!

GETTING THE BEST DEAL

Who doesn’t like a good deal?! Free Shipping is like music to my ears!

• Create an Account-Sign up for emails -Some brands usually offer a discount in exchange for email and you can always unsubscribe later down the road.

• Look for free shipping and free returns. (I pretty much only shop where they offer this especially now)

• Use Google shopping, Honey, Retail Me Not, or Rakuten for help finding stores with the lowest prices.

• Department Stores usually mark down items before Designer’s Websites. Check out Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom to see if they have already started dropping the price. (It’s doesn’t hurt to take a peak and do a little research to get the best deal)

YAY! Your package has arrived! Let’s have some fun

Now what to do once it arrives… Have some fun in your closet!

• Keep the tags on! This is the first tip on this list, because you don’t want to snip them away and then are stuck in a bind with the items because the return policy won’t let you send them back or get full credit.

• Be aware of return policy- Some stores are offering longer periods for return policies. (Read the fine print)

• Try it on in daylight and when you aren’t tired- The right energy will make the experience worth while.

• Wear the right undergarments to make sure you can get the right fit.

• Save the box/bag it was delivered in. This will be helpful if you are making a return/exchange later. Last thing you want to do is run around the house looking for a box to send back your items.

• Have a roll of packing tape available- This is a small investment but definitely worth it!

• Let’s take some steps to make sure you really like your purchase

  • Bring it into your closet and pick 3 other things to wear with it. Check out the shoes and accessories and make sure it looks good with other pieces in your closet.

  • Make sure you love the way it looks. I always suggest taking a picture of yourself to get a real perspective of the fit and style. Snap a picture of the front, side, and back to get a 360 view. It’s always easier to look at a picture to make the decision. Plus you can easily share the pic with a friend to get the thumbs up or thumbs down.

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

This new normal can be challenging but we know we can overcome any challenge especially if style is involved. Get creative and have some virtual online shopping try on hauls with your close girlfriends! I hope these online shopping tips give you the confidence to enjoy the experience and start to fill your closet with some great items.

Fashionably Yours,

Remember if you have any questions or would like to learn more about working with me you can easily book a call with me. I offer free, no obligation 30 minute calls for those who want to learn more. This is a chance to chat with me about any questions, your fashion and styling needs.

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Style Roadblocks-What Is Keeping You From Wearing What You'd Really Like To Wear?

Just recently I was told to make this my year of “yes!” 

Of course, right after starting my year of “yes,” I was asked to do a couple of things out of my comfort zone! Paddle boarding with the family was one and the other was a request from one of my favorite boutiques asking me to do a “ IG try on session.”

The Year of YES! Ms. Chacha is getting a big kick out of me actually standing!

I’m not really comfortable doing these videos.  I’m not an influencer.

I am a personal stylist. I’m super happy if you like my style and want to know what I’m wearing because you would like it for yourself.  But, I’d prefer to get to know you first. I want to make sure you are purchasing  what appeals to you and what you would want to wear. 

However, this is the year of “yes!” so... I said “YES!” 

I picked up the clothes from the local boutique and brought them home to “try on” and video for my instagram stories. There were shorts in one of the bags. “Awe man, I don’t really wear shorts!” I am never really cool in them. I dislike when my legs stick to things. And, to be honest, I have never felt 100% about my legs. But, I committed to the session. I had to try them. 

They are in fact really nice shorts. I liked the fabric and the quality. I was actually a little surprised. I “kind of” liked them on me and yet I wasn’t sure if I would wear them. I wasn’t sure if I could commit.

Little segway here...I have been rereading “Girl, Wash Your Face:  Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be” by Rachel Hollis. I have heard a lot of people talking about it recently and decided I should read it again, especially seeing that this is my year of “Yes.” In a nutshell, Rachel discusses how the lies we tell ourselves hold us back.

I was not been able to find any lies.  Really? I guess I wasn’t digging deep enough because all of a sudden I heard the voice. I don’t remember when I heard these words, or who said it...

“Theo Thunder Thighs” 

Wow….how could I forget that!? 

Maybe I didn’t forget it. Maybe I just chose not to think about it. Instead, I just said “I don’t wear shorts.” 

Maybe it’s not a lie I told myself but it’s something someone said and I believed it. 

There is so much more to defining your style than picking out clothes that appeal to you.

Style doesn’t begin and end with an outfit.

Most importantly it begins in our minds. 

There are many things that happen during our lifetime that may block our ability to find our real style or try something new. Many of the reasons we dress the way we do is based on emotion and memory.

*Maybe someone called you chubby as a child? Or maybe someone said you were too thin?        *Too tall? Too short?

*Did someone make fun of the way you dressed? 

*Maybe there is just a little fear about making a style change? What will people think? Will it look like I’m trying to be something I’m not? Will I look like I’m not dressing my age? Am I wearing the clothes I’m wearing because my friends are convincing me that this is “where it’s at?”

*Why do I avoid sleeveless? Short skirts? Or turtlenecks?

Can you think of any instances that would have caused you to have a “Style Roadblock?” There’s a very big chance you already did and you remembered when you read the questions above.  Maybe you need to think a little bit more about it?

I often encourage my clients to try new things.  My mom always told me…”You never know until you try!” She was right, sometimes I did know and it was horrific and other times, like with the shorts, I was pleasantly surprised. Once you realize what might be holding you back from trying something, you might just be ready to commit to it. 

So, be open, say yes, just try it.

I am so glad I was told to make this the “year of yes.”

I’m so glad Blessed Boutique asked me to do the try on session.

I’m really glad I reread the book and  I made the effort to dig deep. 

“You never know how it’s going to look unless you try”

Fashionably yours,

PS I bought the shorts!

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My "Safer At Home" Discoveries and Life Savers!

Here we are at Week V of “Safer At Home.” I’m not sure how that looks for you, but my nails are growing out, my brows are coming in, I’m in desperate need of a pedicure and I didn’t realize I had that much grey!!!

I found a few things that are helping me and Alex (Ms Chacha) do some DIY at home temporary “fixes.” We thought we’d share them with you, explain why we like them and then we attached a catalog if you are interested in purchasing for yourself!

For our peace of mind…

A gratitude journal makes me think of what is going well and helps me remember there is a lot to be grateful for. When we journal about those positive things and acknowledge them, our perspective and mindset change!

This one particular Oprah and Deepak meditation series has been particularly helpful and so relevant to what we are all going through. If you have never tried meditating (and I’m no pro!) your mind will wander and it’s an exercise in bringing you back to the mantra and living in the present! Highly recommend this one and I think it’s still up for free on the app!!

Some beauty tips, tricks and treatments to get us through…

1 & 2 A new tube of lipstick (great neutral for WFH) and a red nail polish is always a great pick me up!

3 & 4 The only facial masks I have tried with instant results. The eye mask offers “ An intense, fast-acting under eye treatment that quickly delivers a brighter, rested eye appearance.” and the full face mask is “A waterless dry sheet mask that will give skin an immediate moisture surge, delivering dramatic results in just 15 minutes.” These are definitely worth a try!

5 Alex and I discovered this Dyson Hair Dryer with all the attachments right before moving “Safer At Home.” It comes with a heavy price tag but cuts down on drying time and each tool does everything it tells you it will! It curls, waves, straightens and it also comes with a lifetime guarantee. If you don’t want to purchase it for yourself it could land on your wishlist for Mother’s Day!! (Wink, Wink!)

6 & 7 Two more Trish McEvoy products. This face towel takes off everything. I still use it with my facial cleanser - it is super soft and is gentle on the skin. The beauty Balm is “an all-in-one skin perfector that instantly primes, brightens, evens, hydrates, controls oil, rejuvenates and protects skin.” It acts as a light foundation so the coverage is perfect for working from home.

8 My favorite root concealer, although I am fast approaching needing the entire can. Hence, 9…there are plenty of hats out there but I have always been partial to the Burberry plaid and bucket style.

10 Finally, for the brows…The Brow Buddy kit. This tool is fool proof. It is a great guide for in between visits to your brow gal. I would keep this on hand for any brow emergency.

Finally…to wear!

1 My favorite athleisure pant from Nancy Rose performance. I love EVERYTHING from Nancy Rose and these full leg “sweatpants” are at the top of my list right now. They are comfy enough to call sweatpants but look like a great palazzo pant. I love to pair them with the Veja sneakers (8) and if I’m out walking the dogs or running to buy tp I’m comfy and chic.

2, 3 &4 are some of my favorite Athleta pieces. I’m doing a lot of walking and the weather is starting to heat up in FL. These items keep me cool. I’m not a big “shorts” fan and love skorts for that reason. Check them out!

5 I’m not carrying a purse anywhere and the less I have to touch the better. Keys, cell phone, cash and credit card…so this waist bag is perfect.

7 This visor is pretty chic for those walks…don’t you think?

8 I never got over the “Ugly Shoe” trend and I love the updated Birks this Spring Season. The exaggerated buckle definitely adds some flair.

I hope this post finds you and your family healthy and at peace. We have a ways ahead of us but I’m hopeful (especially because of that meditation!) that we will slowly get back to normal…even if it’s a new normal.

If you’d like to check out the above products you can find them here…My "Safer At Home" Discoveries and Life Savers!

or here…https://hueandstripe.com/catalog/672H&S2uzU

Be well, be safe and stay home!

Fashionably yours,

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I'm Going On A Clothes-Shopping Diet. Do You Want To Join Me on the "Shop Your Closet Challenge?"

It’s that time of year. Truth be told it happened a lot earlier this year than any other year. I’m shopped out. I’m spent out. I feel overwhelmed with the offers, deals and bargains in my inbox. I am craving simplicity and calm. The New Year almost always starts with resolutions and I’d like to start mine with my closet. Do you feel the same way? Would you like to join me?

I have to credit my good friend Kimmy Lipka for this “dietetic approach” to shopping. Kim and I managed a store together in Massachusetts for over 10 years. Not only were we good friends but “thicker than thieves” shopping partners. We often ended our work days with a “Want to make a Bloomingdale’s run?” We also had a “shopping hotline.”  We would call each other when we were out shopping…”I found this fabulous tote and it’s all about the airport… do you want me to get you one too?” And then one day, I called Kim about an item… I don’t remember what it was now, but I was disappointed and confused when she said…”I can’t - I’m on gas and groceries.”

How I’m feeling at the moment. Overwhelmed by what’s in my closet.

She went on to explain that she was only going to buy “gas and groceries” (just the necessities) for the month. As much as I was disappointed in losing my shopping buddy to this new “diet” I thought it was brilliant! I hopped on the “gas and groceries” diet! I have shared this with clients and friends throughout the years. They love it too. Sometimes it happens twice a year but ALWAYS in January. 

Are you with me? 

All month long on social media, I will be offering tips on how to make the most of what is in your closet. You’ll hear tips on how to style what is in your closet and how to get more out of things you don’t wear often. I’ll offer advice on what to keep and what to toss when it comes to weeding through your clothes. I’ll even offer ideas on how to stick to the budget when it comes to filling in items that you need to round out your wardrobe.

Now, I have been on enough “diets” to know that if I deprive myself of too much I’m setting myself up for failure. So, here’s “my clothes-shopping diet goal” for the month of January.

My goal is to buy only what I need. I will look away from all those tempting items I tend to buy because they stop me in my tracks! I also want to wear the things in my closet that I don’t wear often.

What is your goal?

Keep it simple. Try not to give yourself too many things to do. Perusing through your closet and not shopping might be exactly what you need. Maybe your closet is already paired down and you would like to wear the things in your wardrobe in different ways?

Whatever it is I’m here to help! All month long, I will have tips to help you get the most out of your wardrobe you already own. I’ll also be there to help keep you on track by offering a private facebook group to those who want more support than I can give on posting on social media.

If you are up for the challenge, join me! It’s easy:

1. Follow me on https://www.facebook.com/chachaolivias/.

2. I’ll invite you to join the private Facebook group, Shop Your Closet Challenge.

3. Watch for an email from me with an invitation to join.

4. If you have any questions about joining the challenge, feel free to email me.

I hope you enjoy the next couple of weeks with family and friends!

Fashionably yours,

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