8 Essential Items for your Wardrobe!

Many women don't know wear to begin when building a wardrobe. The best thing you can do is start with the basics. Here is a little guide of the 8 things every woman needs in their closet..and some examples at FiFi's:

 1)The White Tee Shirt Every man can tell you they love a woman in a white tee shirt and jeans. We don't know why it gets them going, but add some heels to the mix and you have them drooling.

 The white tee shirt is a blank canvas. Throw on a cute jacket for a date. Wear a colorful cardigan for work. Layer with a scarf or statement necklace. You cannot go wrong with the white tee.

2)The Little Black Dress. Yes, still a classic. This one below from Loft has some cute stones on top to make it a little more than just your plain LBD, but its still a classic shape. The LBD should be figure flattering and simple. You can find one to flatter any shape of your body. They are so easy to dress up or down, which makes it necessary to have in your closet.

3) The Classic Pump. You can do this in any color, but the classic pump will always have room in your closet. There is something so chic about a 3" heel (even high for those with a send of adventure and tolerance to pain) It's just enough height to elongate your legs and give you lift, but low enough to still be comfortable. This will always be the beloved heel of fashion.

 4) The ballet flat. This little shoe has become a staple to any girl's closet. So much cuter than a sneaker, but more comfortable than a heel, the ballet flat offers the working girl or mom a chic option that is easy to get around in. They give any outfit with jeans a feminine edge. A must have for anyone on the go or just for a date night around the city. These gold Antonio Melanis are a perfect example of a chic option, but these Black Jessica Simpson's give a little bit of edge to the soft shape of flats.

 5) Dark Denim. This wash will never go away. Dark fabrics always have a slimming effect. Dark wash denim make a great base for any outfit. Pair them with a nice blouse or a classic tee, and the dark denim look amazing no matter what. Find yourself a classic fit that is not the "in" trend. You want them to last you a couple of seasons. If you take care of jeans they can last for a long time. Do remember to update them every so often though, you don't want to get stuck wearing ultra low rise when you should be wearing mid-rise or vice versa! These are a nice pair of Ralph Lauren jeans.

 

6) The classic Black Pant. These are Ann Taylor black pants. Always a class fit. Find a pair of black pants that fits you well. These will last you a long time. Do not get a trendy waist line or one with many buttons, just a simple black pant. This will work for many occasions, just pair with a nice blouse and you are ready to take on the world. J Crew and Banana Republic make great black pants with a variety of fit.

 7) The White Blouse. Now this is a little different than the white tee. Everyone needs a white blouse again to use as a base for the times you may need to look a little more professional, or even to dress up a casual days. White blouses look great with jeans, belted, with riding boots, With black pants, under vests, under sweaters; the white blouse is an important staple. This one here is from Foxcroft, but we have great blouses from The Loft, White House Black Market and J Crew.

 8) The black cardigan. Simple and easy, the black cardigan will shine in your closet. Put this over your white tee or blouse with dark denim and you are good to go. Just add accessories. Or wear it button up. Cardigans make an outfit complete. They are great to wear to work on a day you want to wear a dress, or even a tank top. They work over tee shirts paired with a great necklace. They go with anything! You must, must have a black cardigan. This one below is from Talbots and still has the price tags on it. It does have a little addition with polka dot ribbon, but it is still simple enough to work. We always have black cardigans in from Banana Republic, J Crew, Talbots, Ann Taylor and more.

 And there you have it, the 8 things every woman should own. You can find them all right here at FiFi's for the fraction of what you pay at the mall. Ask any of your sales associates to help you in finding your outfit today!

Orange Crush

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having in the Carolinas and it has inspired your spring wardrobe. This week's post is on trend with the color orange and falls into bright color family, so if you were a little afraid of wearing yellow or if it just isn't your color...no worries I have some pieces that just may inspire you. I am not just going to show you orange but also some great color combinations (that way you can work the color blocking trend we talked about last week).

I went the the Bobcats game tonight so I am really feeling the orange and blue combo but there are plenty of combinations you can do with orange this spring.

Navy & Orange

If you loved the yellow post and really want be bright and bold I would dare you to try pairing yellow and orange together to make a bright statement. And the below are two totally different looks but you will see that the color scheme is the same and though the pieces  are extreme, it is all about making it your own. I will say this - I am not a fan of matchy-matchy. So please mix it up.

Bright & Fun! 

The final orange color combo for today's post is my personal favorite and one that I plan to wear a lot this season is pink and orange. I am in love with this combo and you are about to see why...and I hope you will fall in love with it just as much as I am. If not, well you can pick another color combo to love! ::wink::wink::

The perfect girly combo!

I hope these three combinations helped you see ways to use orange in your everyday spring wardrobe. Just in case you are just aching for a bit more orange and don't know what kind of pieces to pick up, I leave you with a collage of orange to crush on.

Til next time my fashionistas,
-Jennifer

Brighter Than Sunshine

Along with floral prints for spring comes along bright colors and yellow is a big hit this spring. Now ladies, not everyone can wear yellow...so don't force yourself if your skin tone just doesn't allow it, we don't want you walking around looking ill in that bright yellow dress. Always remember to dress for you and not for the trends. If one trend doesn't work for you then go to the next there is an array of colors on trend this season, we are just starting this one (there are more to come, like blue and mint!). Just like last week, I am just going to show you some lovely examples that will make your fashion heart pitter patter like you are falling in love all over again. You will think that you are falling in love with summertime.

Since yellow doesn't work on everyone, lets start with a few accessories that will be your POC (pop of color) in your outfit. It is important to have a contrasting coloring in your look, even if it is your handbag....or even your earrings. That pop!

If you are planing on wearing a yellow dress, then you need to own it. Yellow is bright. Yellow is bold. You are going to get attend in a yellow dress, so make sure you feel amazing in the dress. Or in any piece that grabs attention, because people will be lookin'.

Here are a few top choices in yellow, I would suggest wearing them with anything from white to navy. Mix it up. Be brave. Be bold. You are wearing yellow, remember.

And remember the best accessory this spring is to smile bright!

-Jennifer

5 Rules of Consignment Shopping

I was trained from a young age to shop for a bargain and though I may not have appreciated at the time; it has made me a pro shopper as an adult. Many people find consignment shopping overwhelming, intimidating, or they simply don't know where to start. Now that Fifi's is accepting and selling spring items there is no better time to start stocking up for the new season.

Here are some tips when it comes to consignment shopping:

1. Give yourself plenty of time
   This is essential especially if you are a first time consignment shopper or even visiting a new store. As I mentioned most people can find consignment shops overwhelming. The great thing about Fifi's is that they take the time to not only organize by size but by color as well. It cuts down on the frustration.
2. Try It On
   If you find something that you like and it is one size smaller or bigger than you normally wear - try it on! Because consignment shops take in many different brands and styles, you maybe surprised at what fits. So don't be afraid to take it into the dressing room. My rule of thumb is this: What is the harm in trying it on?
3. Shop Often
   Don't get discouraged if you don't find something the first time you shop. Go back! The great thing about consignment shopping, is that the merchandise is changing daily...literally daily. Also, you may have missed a great item the first time - trust me this has happened to me.
4. If You Love It...Buy It  Simple as that. Buyer's remorse runs deep with consignment shopping because there is not a duplicate of that perfect dress. I am guilty of breaking this rule. It stings when you lose that perfect dress or pair of shoes. Only thing you can do is learn your lesson for next time. 
5. Think Outside of the Box
   This rule should really apply to shopping in general. I get a lot of fashion magazines in the mail...a lot! And I am always drooling at the items in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar that I cannot afford - so I have learned to use those runway and designer pieces as inspiration for ready-to-wear (in my closet). If you see something you love in a magazine, cut it out and put it on an inspiration board. Or if you find it online, pin it on Pinterest. Remember this: its not going to look exactly like it is pictured in the magazine and that is okay; make it your own and work it! 

Once you become comfortable you will make your own rules and become your own shopping pro! The wonderful thing about Fifi's is the ladies there are always willing and helpful. Looking for something particular? They will be more than happy to help you put that perfect look together. 

Buckle up ladies because next week we begin looking at all the spring trends. 

-Jen from My Fashionable Affair

Where Are You Winter?

It has been an unusually warm in the Queen City this winter and we all know it makes us stand in our closet with a question mark above our heads of how to dress appropriately for the season. I am a firm believer in wearing a dress with boot and a coat in the cool of the morning. Once you get to the office, the coat comes off and you are appropriately dressed for the rest of the day as it warms up. Here are some great weather appropriate dresses to carry through are spring like winter.

Left: Molly (XS) $40    Middle: Micheal Kors (M) $40 (50%)    Right: Banana Republic (8) $28

Left: Sigred Olsen (L) $28  (50%) Right: Banana Republic (S) $28 (50%)

All of these dresses have great arm lengths and are perfect for wearing boots. Though Fifi's is closed on 1/31/12 get in on 2/1/12 for the first day of the Winter Sale! The first day of February is also the first day Fifi's will begin taking your spring items. So gather them up, drop them off, and shop shop shop! 

Looks of the Week: Touch of Pink

I personally am a lover of pink, but to be honest I have not always been and I realize that not all women are. I wanted to show a few looks with a pop of pink while mixing it with a pattern and darker colors (other than black). That way those who may not be comfortable wearing a pink dress or fully floral outfit of pinks and reds this may help you ease into that. This also may give girls who love pink just a little too much (you know who you are) mix it up a little bit.

I paired this Ann Taylor Loft (size 8) floral skirt that has green, navy and cream tones with a pink top also by Ann Taylor (size 12). The great  thing thing about pair pink with this skirt is the not only the unexpected factor, most people would be gravitated toward the same color scheme as the skirt but this skirt screams the need to have a contrasting color. So give it what it wants! Please. If your office is chilly, like mine is...like most are...I would suggest a cream color cardigan to bring that the cream in the skirt.

My fave combination of colors is navy and bright pink and when I saw this cardigan by Pretty Good (size medium) with the lazy and the nautical inspired button, I just knew I had to find something pink to put it with. Red is always the classic combination and it is a great combination, you cannot go wrong. Except just like the outfit before why do the expected? When doing the unexpected is so adorable and fun! 

I have to say that even though I put together both of these looks, I am in love with all of these pieces! And they are both ADORABLE! So go and buy.  

I know I said we would exploring spring trends this week, but we will be putting that off one more week. However, get your consignments ready because Fifi's will start taking spring consignments on February 1. I am going to fulfill my promise and show you my find two weeks ago to add to my spring closet. EEK!

This sheer Diane Von Furstenburg is amazing and I just fell in love with it when I set my eyes on it. It fits perfectly and it looks great with the pair of purple shorts I bought last year. There are all sorts of amazing pieces in Fifi's so come in today and find yours! 

Until next time Fifi shoppers!

-Jennifer of My Fashionable Affair