Diary of a Fashion Apps Junkie

Photo Courtesy of Refinery 29

Do you have a constant need to know which boutique has that sweater or bag on your wish list at the lowest price? There are apps for that. Are you interested in viewing as many runway-show preparations, as possible, during Fashion Weeks? There are apps for that too. If this describes you then it is possible you are a fashion app junkie. You are not alone. I recognize the signs because I was a fashion apps’ junkie too. Be grateful if this does not describe you. Keeping track of the daily activities on the fashion apps installed on my mobile devices was exhausting. I came to the realization that as much as I love fashion it was best to limit the number of apps I referenced on a daily basis.

I love that fashion apps keep me abreast of the latest fashion news, the best sample sales and that they give me instant access to astounding runway footage but there is just so much information I can absorb in a day. My solution was to determine which fashion apps are the best fit for me based on my fashion priorities. I concluded, after much consideration that I only needed instant access to a couple of fashion publication apps, a few shopping apps and one or two fashion community apps.

I read consumer reviews for a variety of fashion apps that met my guidelines and finally whittled the list down to quality apps that met my priorities. My resolve resulted in a more manageable compilation of apps than I previously possessed and the retention of my sanity.

I initially missed the rush I previously felt as a result of checking a larger number of fashion apps throughout the day; however, after a few weeks I had adjusted to my new routine. Ironically, I peruse my roster of fashion publication apps to keep myself apprised of the latest and greatest sample sale apps. I am also a fan of multiple blogs that include features on fashion technology. I, periodically, revise my rotation of fashion apps based on blogger reviews of the newest apps.

Below, and in no particular order, are several favorite fashion sites with apps that I composed a few days ago. I have now compiled the list in its entirety. I invite you to please add your own favorites to my Listly list by clicking on the fashion apps link. I am always looking to explore new sites and others, including myself, could benefit from your personal experience with additional sites.

1. Rue La La
2. My Habit
3. Haute Look
4. Gilt Groupe

Related Stories:

Fashionista, Victoria Beckham Gets Sewing, L'Wren Scott Launches App

The Guardian, How Fashion Apps Are Looking Forward on iPhone, iPad and Android

Please follow me on Google Plus at http://www.plus.google.com/SharonPate or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/farfetchedbysp for fashion tips or to submit your fashion questions.

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A Wake-Up Call for Fashion

Pieces from Isabel Marant's H & M Collection; Photo Courtesy of Refinery 29

I experienced déjà vu when I learned that Isabel Marant’s collection for H & M had sold out within a few hours of the store opening. This occurred in spite of the store’s policy to limit buyers to no more than four articles of clothing and/or accessories. The collaboration between luxury fashion designers and discount stores is a golden partnership for both but how beneficial is it for consumers? There continues to be high demand for and extreme anticipation for fashion collaborations of this nature. The media frenzy that results from the announced collaborations and the subsequent buyout of all of the clothes and accessories on the launch date certainly proves this type of partnership has staying power; however, I get the feeling that the excitement is wearing off for many fashion enthusiasts such as myself. What has caused the enthusiasm to deflate?

The clothes and accessories sell out usually within a few hours of the time the merchandise makes it on the sales floor. It is similar to what happens soon after Apple stores open their doors for customers to purchase the newest gadget. It is also reminiscent of what happens on Black Friday at major department stores when the first 500 customers receive a free necklace or gift card. Stand in line and you may still miss out. Get up at 5:00 a.m. just to be the first in line for something I may miss out on anyway? I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong; if this is how you roll you have all of my felicitations. I may be somewhat jaded because I have been there and done that without much success. It all started a few years ago when Zac Posen and Target announced their collaboration. I was super-energized and prepared to be the first to get a certain Zac Posen blue tuxedo jacket I had my eye on; however, it was not meant to be. None of the pieces were left at the store by the time I arrived. I summoned up the energy after my major disappointment to go online but my size was sold out. This resulted in a double dose of disappointment.

If I had been successful at being truly amongst the first customers to receive an article of clothing from Zac Posen’s collection for Target maybe I would still be consistently fired up to make the trek to the store or to power up my computer. It wasn’t meant to be and that is fine with me now. After all, I can still shop eBay or Vaunte in the hope that a few of the pieces will end up on what I call the cyber rack. Oh wait, as I type the eBay and Vaunte racks are already empty.

Do you still get excited upon the announcement of designer and store collaborations? What is your strategy for scoring items before they sell out?

I would love to hear from you.

Please follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/farfetchedbysp or on Google Plus at www.plus.google.com/SharonPate for fashion tips.

Related Stories:

Fashionista, How Isabel Marant's H & M Collaboration Raised the Designer's Profile

Refinery 29, Shop Isabel Marant X H & M Without the 4 A.M. Wake-up Call

Because I'm Addicted, Isabel Marant Pour H & M 4 Ways

A Collar-ful Shirt

Iconic Actress Rita Hayworth in Gilda, 1946

Once women began wearing oxford shirts with collars in the 1940s there was no turning back; especially, once film stars such as the great Bette Davis and Rita Hayworth, began wearing them in such earnest. I believe shirts with collars remain just as popular today because of the fantastic way they are able to pair so effortlessly with most other garments. Fashion designers have taken the oxford shirt to the next level by covering the collar with all types of bling.

Shirts with collars embellished with sequins, studs, crystals and an abundance of other fabulous baubles are everywhere these days. It is effortless to incorporate shirts with embellished collars into your existing wardrobe. This type of shirt can be worn to the office and to any after-work event which makes it so versatile. An embellished-collar shirt worn with a classic-style gray, navy or black blazer and straight-leg trousers can add pizzazz to a routine outfit. This type of shirt adds an element of elegance to an outfit that would otherwise be considered humdrum. This makes it a superb article of clothing to pair with a simple crew-neck or v-neck sweater and trousers or a skirt. An embellished-collar shirt is also the perfect fit for days where you struggle to find the right outfit for work because you hit the snooze button on your alarm too many times. You don't even have to search for a necklace or earrings to wear with your outfit. This type of shirt is a statement piece.

Often wearing articles of clothing that represent more than one trend is considered a fashion don't; however, the marriage of peter-pan and embellished collars is a match made in heaven. Shirts with peter-pan collars consistently have a consistent level of recycled popularity in the fashion industry; however, embellished-collar shirts have never been more popular then they are now. Designers have cleverly combined the two collar styles to create a fashion gold mine. A shirt with a peter-pan collar suddenly becomes more visually interesting when it is embellished with lace, gems, studs or sequins.

Tips:

Do:

• Limit the addition of jewelry to your outfit. Earrings can be complimentary, depending upon the style, but a necklace is overkill.

•  Pair the shirt with a sweater, cardigan or jacket to get the most use out of this investment piece.

Interested In Doing It Yourself? Please reference the sources below for do it yourself tips:

Coast to Coast Central DIY: Embellished Collars
It's Always Autumn The Easy Tee: DIY Peter Pan Collar with Free Pattern

What do you think about embellished-collar shirts? Comments are always welcome.

Shop the Trend:

Dark Dancer Crop Blouse, Nastygal

BCX Sheer Blouse, Macys

Vince Camuto Blouse, Nordstrom

The Top Half

Photo Courtesy of a17n6awi

I am not a fan of crop tops but I have come to appreciate their appeal. I know that seems like a misnomer but I truly understand the attraction. Maybe I have just been worn down by the constant stream of crop tops I see in fashion magazines, on the sites of online boutiques and worn by hipster celebrities such as Rihanna. I have been defeated by the crop top mentality that currently exists and that’s alright with me. I have come to appreciate that they can look totally glam if paired with the right pieces and, of course, worn at the appropriate venue. I have a few regrets about statements I made about crop tops in the past which consisted of the reason anyone would willingly bare their midriff outside of the pool, beach or gym. I have now come to realize that my initial dislike for crop tops was based on the thought of how vulnerable I would feel if I bared my midriff in public. I have come to understand that just because I am weary of exposing that particular body part in public, I don’t have to make my level of discomfort with the crop top prevent me from celebrating it for what it is: An example of feminine liberation. It represents to me the freedom we now have as women to wear what we choose without the restrictions that women who came before us had to endure.

I originally believed crop tops were a fad that would disappear just as quickly as they rose to popularity. I perceived crop tops as a 1980s retread that would quickly fade away in popularity as new fashion trends came on the horizon. Imagine my disappointment when I was proven wrong. Perhaps, that disappointment is another reason I was so resistant to the endurance of crop tops. I believe crop tops continue to remain culturally relevant because there is a fondness associated with them that evolved from their 1980s debut. The lead character in 1983’s Flashdance, Alexander Owens, danced her heart out in her leotard and tights but crop tops were frequently her garment of choice. Madonna also routinely rocked her crop tops during the same time frame. Check out or revisit a few of her 1980s music videos or concert footage.

Tips:

• Pair crop tops with high-waist pants and skirts to highlight your figure at its best. An added benefit is that your legs will appear to be longer. This is particularly important if you are petite.

•   A crop top is a great layering piece. If you don’t want to bare your midriff but you enjoy the look of crop-tops try layering your crop top over a tank or t-shirt in a contrasting, yet complementary, color or print. Try pairing a solid-colored crop-top over a sequined tank for example or over an animal or polka dot print tank or-shirt.

Shop the Trend:

Olivia Crop Top, Alloy Apparel

Lights Out Crop Top, Living Royal

Rapture Crop top, Nastygal

Related Stories:
Manrepeller: Dissecting the Crop Top
Why of Fashion: How to Wear Crop Tops 

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