Wear Your Wine

Actually no lady wants to look like a sloppy wine drinker, not classy! But why not wear the color of your wine this fall. Sounds much better, doesn't it? According to the all-knowing and all fabulous Nina Garcia the It Color this fall is burgundy.

Two things: 1. You cannot go wrong listening to Nina Garcia, as I said she is all knowing and all fabulous. 2. Burgundy is a beautiful and deeply rich color, who wouldn't want to wear it? You know what, I am going to break the rules and throw a third point in. 3. What a great way to buck the neon colors in fall than with wearing such a deep beautiful color than burgundy.

When getting ready this fall, I am still in love with layering. I suggest looking for something similar to this cowl blouse. It is easy but beautifully comfortable.

To continue the trend of colored pants instead of opting for the pastels of spring or the neon colors of summer, try a wine colored pair of skinnies.

When it comes to dresses be on the look out for a great dress that you can wear with some killer boots.

And as always if you don't feel like you can pull of this color trend as a piece of your wardrobe then accessorize with it.

Until next time my fashionistas! I will see you at Fifi's.

Line Up!

Did you hear the news? That Fifi's will be moving into a bigger location in August! I am just thrilled, and I am sure you are as well.

This week's trend we are going to explore is stripes. I know that stripes can tend to be a bit of gray area for some since it can lean towards making one look wider on certain body types...and plus no one wants to look like they are an escaped convict. So let's see how we can take a scary trend and make it look chic.

I think the important thing about stripes to remember is try not to look too patriotic. You don't want to walk around looking like a relic of the American flag. Not a good everyday look, nautical is great (take the red striped top in the left hand corner) but no one wants to look as though they are celebrating the 4th of July everyday. The great thing about a striped top it is not an all over graphic look and you can control how and where it hits your body. Keep that in mind when purchasing your next striped item.

I am going to repeat myself a lot in this post. Especially when it comes to body types and how to wear the stripes. The thing to keep in mind with stripes and dresses is the width of the stripe and trying ton dresses in which the stripes go in different directions so your eyes do not go to one section of the body (ie the hips). Also, choosing a dress that has just one strip of stripes will still incorporate the trend without it being overwhelming. If you like the dress don't fear the stripes just try it on! You may end up loving it on!

And for those of you not ready to line up, here are a few great accessories you can wear instead. This way you can be bold with your stripes and colors and work up the courage to wear a fabulous striped item by the end of the season. You won't regret it!

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

Mint Isn't Just For Girl Scouts

I missed writing for you all last week. I hope you were able to find some fabulous things at Fifi's while I was gone. This week's spring trend is the color mint, a light pastel green. It is an absolutely beautiful color that I would encourage everyone to try. It isn't a color you usually find in everyone's closet and that is why I am loving it this season. Here are a few celeb and runway looks showing of the mint trend.

A refreshing color isn't it? I hope that the above provided for some inspiration, but if you need a little bit more help here are a few more suggestions to let you find your way in the mint trend. One of my favorite ways to add a little flash to an outfit is with a blazer.

I have an addiction to dresses. It's bad. Even if I don't know when I will wear the dress, but I fall in love with it...I can't help but buy it. Addicted. Here are a few mint dresses for you to fall in love with this season.

Since we cannot wear dresses all the time. Though I kind of wish I could even if it was extremely overdressed for the occasion. See, I told you addicted. Here are a few options besides wearing a dress.

Finally if you aren't ready to fully embrace the mint look, maybe you can start small with a few accessories.

There are always ways to make a trend work. Remember, to make it your own. Once you do that you have to own it and work it.

Until next time Fifi 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

Flower Power

While New York Fashion Week is going on, strutting the trends for fall 2012, Fifi's is stocking the store with everything you need for your spring wardrobe. When it comes to spring it is easy to want to just throw on open toed shoes, shorter sleeves, and to be relieved to be wear dresses and skirts without having to wear tights and boots. The beautiful thing about spring is more than just shedding the heavy layers of winter...it is the blooming of bright colors and the revival of blooming floral prints. Don't fall into a rut this spring, here is one way to brighten up your wardrobe with one of the many trends for spring.

The classic floral print the perfect way to usher in spring, except now you don't have to do the typical or the expected...you can mix it up. Or if you would like you can keep it classic. That is the wonderful thing about floral print and it being a classic trend, it is the way you mix it that makes it this year's trend.

I am about to show you some great examples of the floral print trend, but remember the rules of consignment shopping and use them as inspiration the next time you are in Fifi's.

Let's start with floral print pants (and though printed pants are a trend in themselves we will start slow) get the bold pieces out there. You have to be brave to wear a floral pant. You have to be bold. You have to remember you look good even if people don't understand the trend.

Runway DKNY

Or maybe a pant is just a little bit too much print for you to sport, there is always the option of a pair of shorts with the floral print. That gives you the option to wear the trend without it being so overwhelming.

Cacharel Floral Shorts 

 Of course what is a spring wardrobe without a selection of floral print dresses? From casual to dressy this trend will take you from the backyard BBQ to the spring weddings. Find your voice among the options make it your own.

Keep your fashion eyes open for beautiful floral prints. Until next week my fashion lovers.

-Jennifer from My Fashionable Affair 

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!