CREATIVE STYLING: Once Upon a Time…3 Dresses, 1 Skirt

Remember on my last post how I changed the above dress into a top?

How creative are you with your style? If you’re finding that your wardrobe is lacking a bit of spunk or that it’s always same old, same old- then now’s the time to do something different!

Diy’s are always fun to do, especially when we really can’t wear the piece anymore (example: it doesn’t fit). But there are some diy’s that require No Change at all! It’s called: Creative Styling.

Creative styling just requires you to use your imagination to start wearing an item in a completely different way than it was originally intended- WITHOUT altering the piece.

Here are some examples of creative styling:

using a scarf as a belt
Wearing tops front to back
Wearing a jacket as a top
Wearing a cardigan as a wrap-around top
Wearing a dress as a top
Wearing a house duster as an evening top or dress (You’ve seen lots of this happening on this post)
Turning a short dress into a long dress…

The possibilities are endless. Today, I’m gonna do Number 7! See how I turned 3 short dresses into midi looks- just with one skirt!

Here are two of the dresses I creatively styled-up.

This is the way the dress is originally intended to be worn

Wear the dress over the long sheer skirt, plus a belt: Here is Look No. 1

And there you have it! Seriously…How easy was that?

Wanna see the process? Please watch here:

I strongly encourage you to play in your closet and do some Creative Styling of your own! If and when you do- please share and link back to me! I’d love to see what you come up with and will share in my insta stories as well. Enjoy!

In other news…This week my article was featured in Links a la Mode!

Wanna Kick-up Your Style a Notch? Start Wearing your Wanna- be- Kimonos.

This post was featured on Links à la Mode fashion roundup by Independent Fashion Bloggers.

FF#4: Shop-Free Styling Diet: Who am I really doing this for?

FRIDAY FASHIONPHILE #4

#Confessionoftheday: I am seriously addicted to clothing, footwear and accessories. In that order.

Now, how do I deal with this. So, a big part of accumulating these loves of mine has to do with shopping. I’ve worked on refraining this part quite a bit. In fact, since before Christmas, I’ve been on a serious shopping hiatus.

The real reason for this though has become deeper than just to keep my shopping addiction at bay. I’m seriously- and have been for awhile- considering the tragic effects that fast fashion is costing our planet. As a fashion teacher, I definitely have to set some sort of example as I am teaching the designers and students of the future how to create more sustainably!

Last week was the anniversary of 2013’s catastrophic industrial and historical event that happened in Bangladesh. To sum it up, I copied this quote from the Take Action page of Fashion Revolution.org link here

“Fashion Revolution Week happens every year in the week surrounding the 24th of April. This date is the anniversary of the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse. Rana Plaza, a building in Bangladesh, housed a number of garment factories, employing around 5,000 people.The people in this building were manufacturing clothing for many of the biggest global fashion brands.Over 1,100 people died in the collapse and another 2,500 were injured, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. The victims were mostly young women. Thats when Fashion Revolution started.”

I participated by choosing my mom’s gorgeous top which was part of the gown she wore as Mother-of the Bride. It has such a special meaning to me- and that’s what Love Story is about. You pick a garment that has sentimental value to you and make a Love Story around it.

This is how my Beautiful Mamma wore it 34 years ago on my wedding day. It was worn with a beautiful long satin golden-amber skirt.

**If you watch my youtube video (scroll down)- I explain the whole story behind this top…as well as my mom’s own contribution and love for fashion and design.**

Here is how I styled this beautifully tailor-made- top that means the world to me!

See that you don’t have to wear it all dressed up for a special occasion anymore!

I’ve created my own Love Story video for Fashion Revolution 2020 – and its #haulternative. Watch it here:

If you want to create your own Love Story video, or letter, or haul…Check out Fashion Revolution and download the How-to section and use the hashtag: #haulternative

If you do go to their site, you can download all sorts of guides to be part of the movement to make fashion more sustainable and raise awareness. I encourage you to go check it out. Yes, the event is passed but the movement must never stop!!

Linking time!

MONDAY LINKS

Glass of Glam

Mutton Style

A Pocket Full of Polka Dots

Sharing a Journey

TUESDAY LINKS:

Links a la Mode

I Do De Claire

Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Walking in Memphis in High Heels

The Fashion Canvas

Shelbee on the Edge

Style Splash

WEDNESDAY LINKS:

Jersey Girl Texan Heart

Living on Cloud Nine

Rosy Outlook

Seeking Sunshine

Straight A Style Blog

This Blonde Shopping Bag

THURSDAY LINKS:

Doused in Pink

FRIDAY Links:

Nancy’s Fashion Style

Lizzie in Lace

May 1, 2020 18

Shop Your Closet- Or -These Thrill-of-The- Hunt Places!

Turns out that the perfect jacket I was shopping for, was actually the one I was wearing!

I’ve been rooting for the ‘shop your closet’ concept for a while now over on my Instagram account- and for good reason; it’s an-all-around good thing!

And with all that’s happening in the world today…I feel it’s time we take a closer look at how we live our lives, and put things in perspective…even, (if not more) when it comes to fashion.

Shopping your closet will inspire you to not only feed your creativity, but also entice you to become more caring for our environment. And need I mention how soothing this will be for your pocket?

There is a strong movement towards sustainability, and this includes up and coming, as well as, well established Fashion Designers. Slowly everyone is getting on board- and shopping your closet is a way to start! So my very first suggestion would be to check what you have and get creative. First on my list would be to alter your clothes of course! See my article on that here: Fashionable DIY Styling- A Must!

Yet, there are always some additional pieces that we may have to add to our wardrobe, and purchasing is necessary…However, it can still be done conscientiously. Second-hand rentals or consignment shops are constantly sprouting such as The Real Real for example. Still on the higher end, we also have LXR, which is a concession now available online in the larger department stores. Then there are your swap meets, where ladies meet and swap clothing. There are your local non-profit charities that have set up shop to raise funds for a certain cause; for example here in Montreal we have the Nova shops

And of course, there is always the Salvation Army and Village des Valeurs, to name a few.

I personally love Vintage clothes and those can be found in numerous treasure shops on St. Denis Street and Boul. St. Laurent- One such gem is Boutique 1861. Another that comes to mind if you are on the West Island is La Friperie du village (he has gorgeous designer bags!!!). Montreal, like New York, is filled with these gems- all you need is the thrill of the hunt- and you’ll find what you want! Check out: The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Shopping in Montreal.

Bottom line: Create designer looks that you want, but that also fit your budget.

Here’s another idea: Why not set up a closet dress-up day with some friends? You can arrange to have a swap-time. Or, why not have a good friend come over for some ideas? She could show you how she would style up some of your clothes. Sometimes we might need a fresh pair of eyes to open up or view!

Lastly, here’s how this Montreal Diva re-vamps her looks…just by shopping my closet!

Gucci vibes- just right for a special birthday supper.

Or maybe a chic velvet moment…just look at those sleeves!

And for when work prescribes black- I’ve had this chain little sweater for years and still loving it.

Probably one of my favourite looks for this winter- especially the arm warmers- love!

Cozy sweaters for a dressed-down Saturday look

Speaking of burgundy…My love of jumpsuits had me shopping my daughter’s closet that time!!

Am I the only one crazy for bell-bottoms? Another Saturday look.

This one: Just because mixing prints is my passion. How can I not love this?!

There’s just something about a good coat. Statement piece.

Speaking of Statement pieces: This one is the piece de resistance…My mom’s 1950’s coat

And another pic- just because I can’t resist this delicious coat!

These fabulous, and easy styles are all from my closet. Take the time to play dress-up from your wardrobes, Ladies…You never know what you’re gonna find!

#Confessionoftheday: you’re never too old to walk your own runway!

March 14, 2020 2

Are You Dopamine Styling? (Part 1)

A few years ago I stumbled upon this amazing article on Dopamine dressing. But it wasn’t until recently that I was reminded of it after seeing an article on this topic (can’t remember where now!).

So here I am wanting to share this with you ladies as well! Basically, dopamine dressing or styling is all about how clothes make you feel- and in this case- mostly in a happy way. There’s a lot of research on how wearing color can boost your mood and why it is that we choose certain colors over others.

In the case of dopamine dressing, it’s all about how good, lucky, hopeful (you get the gist) you feel when you wear a certain outfit (hence the superstitious wear of the lucky this-or that). But there’s clear evidence that the clothes you wear can have a certain effect on your mood. I wouldn’t limit this happy feeling to only wearing colorful clothing though…as some of us can be flying high just by wearing black!

So it’s really about yourself and the importance you place on particular pieces from your closet. In fact, it may also be the reaction you get from others when seeing you dressed in a certain attire. Take for instance some feisty logo on a tee you love to wear…when you’re walking around you don’t necessarily focus on that logo, right? But it can be the smile that lights up the person who crosses your path that has you smiling right back at them. And, there’s nothing like a smile to change your mood.

Which leads me to asking; who doesn’t want a feel good hormone in their life? If it’s as easy as just getting dressed up for happiness, then why not give this a try? Take a good look at what’s in your closet- guaranteed you’ll find special moment outfits (good or bad); lucky sweaters; first date shoes; promotion dress…

Lastly, when you’re out shopping, let this be a new determining factor for purchase. Ask yourself not only how good you look in it- but also, how does it make you feel? Do you feel comfortable? Does it make you feel glamorous, artistic, young (fill in the blanks for what you aspire)…and ultimately- does it make you feel happy?

Sometimes it’s good not to over-analyze and just go with the feel. It may probably turn out that these are the pieces that will live the longest in your closet (and in your life!). #dopaminestyling !!

#Confessionoftheday: Was my all-time dreary mood all of January’s fault? Come to think of it…I did very little dopamine dressing. Hmm, time to change things up for February!

For more outfit ideas and inspiration, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @lucybertoldi

February 6, 2020 11

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