How to search for unique items

Do you ever think your clothes look too much like the ones on the woman next to you? It may be hard to stand out or be unique when we all buy our clothes at the same places. Granted, we have personal style to set us apart from each other so we're wearing slightly diferent things in slightly different ways.

But do you wish for even more uniqueness? It seems that whenever we see a great outfit/look, at least one of the pieces (usually the statement one) isn't easily shopable and we can't just go out an buy it. Why? What do those people have that you don't? They know where to shop for their unique items and only buy their basics at the mall!

But if you have no idea where else to buy things, how can you even get started?

Hand-me-downs

Tell your friends and family you're open to any hand-me-downs. Soon you'll be flooded with clothes and accessories that no longer fit or are in style.
Those you think are beyond saving can be donated to your local charity but with some "training" you'll start to see potential in things and even score some perfect finds with no need to alterations!
Other than that, you can improve worthy pieces with a trip to the tailor or to a craft store!


DIY

The bigger and better source for unique items will require some training before you start crafting good items. Start easy with accessories or by googling "easy diys". After that, you can advance to more difficult and hence even more unique projects!
This is a great source of things completely true to your personal style as you can tailor absolutely every aspect of it to your tastes. I'm particularly fond of a pair of chandelier earrings I made. They are quite dressy, look quite professional and I keep getting compliments on them. It takes some crummy DIYs to get to the good stuff but it's worth it when someone asks where you bought it and hears back "I made it"


Alter what you have

After a big closet purge, you're left with a pile of "losers". Think about whether you can bring them back from the "fashion dead" with some clever altering, as you did with hand-me-downs. Or just donate them and think about perking up tour existing closet. Some beads along the neckline or a crop in tired old pants can make a world of difference!


Shop

If you actually want to shop for your unique aditions to your wardrobe, you may have to step out of your confort zone. The obvious tip here is not to shop at the usual stores and try a different strategy

Odd stores
Don't dismiss any store because it's not "you", you'll often find the best things in those. I have a favorite teal tunic I bought at a shop aimed at old ladies, a some cute tees I bought at a "goth" shop and a great pair of wedges I got at the supermarket. Search children's departments, men's stores, sporting goods sellers and other stores you wouldn't go in at first sight. At best, you'll find hidden gems or great DIY ideas. At worst you get a better picture of what you don't like

Thrift stores
This wouldn't be a post about unique clothes without thrift shops. Search your area for second hand stores, flea markets and charity shops. Just remember that if you find something wrong with whatever you'd like to buy (like a stain or pulled thread), it's not going to come off, so you'd best leave it behind. Other than that, this is a diamond in the rough, waiting to be polished. The right pairing of first and secondhand pieces can make a whole outfit look super expensive and designer

Tourist areas
The best unique gems are bought while travelling but you don't need to travel to a far off place to find these! Try your town (or the next town over)'s tourist-y area and check out the shops there. They'll likely be very different from the mall and you'll often find handmade and made-for-you accessories. Of course, if you travel further, check out the local shops (not the chains) for some truly offbeat things


Do you have any more ideas on where to find statement pieces? Where do your wardrobe gems come from? Share your moves in the comments below!

How to dress for mourning

It's not a pleasant subject for anyone but one that needs discussion. Whether you're family, friend or casual aquaintance, the last thing you want is to fret about what to wear or worrying if you'll hurt anyone's feelings with your outfit.

The serious don'ts are obvious. Unless there was a specific request from the deceased or the family, refrain from

• too casual wear like blue jeans, sneakers or graphic tees
• Bright cheery colors or prints
• Trendy outfits
• Short hemlines. Keep things modest, this is in no way about you, dress as such!

Just remember the ceremony is not only about celebrating the deceased's life but also to bring confort to the family. Try to keep your outfit tame, modest and your attitude to match. You should be discreet and conforting to the family/friends. 

Sometimes people try to sound conforting and end up saying the wrong thing. Phrases like "he's in a better place now" can often hurt more than confort. One way to never go wrong is to express how sorry you feel for the loss and offer to do anything you can. Most people won't take you up on it, but it's just the right thing to do: hug, express sorrow, offer help.

Somtimes people will feel unconfortable thinking they need to wera head to toe black but you don't. If you want to, go ahead but if you don't just make sure to keep it somber and simple. If there is a certain level of formality, try to heed it and not be the person who showed up in jeans when everyone else is in dresses.

I've got a couple suggestions for different degrees of formality. For the top formal, try the somberest simplest dress you own, likely a solid black one. Unless it's too short, you can make it more modest with a cardigan and plain dark shoes.

If it is too short do yourself a favor and wear pants. Dark pants, shoes and a simple top (blouses are a good choice) and if modesty requires, a cardigan, are ideal. This fits all kinds of formality, unless you've been told about a very specific dress code. If you have, heed it, out of respect.

Otherwise if it's a more casual thing you're looking for like for mourning outside of ceremonies, you can even go with dark jeans, as long as everything else is "right", you'll be fine. Dark patterned blouses, solid tops in navy, chocolate or dark gray can all be worn without reserve. 

If you have any aversion to black, try another somber neutral like the ones specified before. In a pinch or during a particularly hot summer, even light gray can work. I've even seen light blue and white work! 

The main rules are the plainest accessories possible (or consider not wearing any), keep shoulders and knees covered and everything else about you extra discreet. This includes shoes, hair and makeup. And don't forget your nails! This kind of thing usually catches you off guard but you don't want to show up anywhere with neon nails!

Black is not mandatory, respectful is.

What about you? Do you have any advice for other people in the same situation?

Personal Uniform Makeovers: Part 5

With the temperatures rising, we tend to default to a personal uniform that is both cool and confortable. Unfortunately, that can leave us lacking in the style department if we're not careful! Today's post will help you tweak your daily outfit so it'll be the coolest both in temperature and fashion-wise!

Again, please please please stop defaulting to acid wash mom jeans and flipflops. Not even for the weekend, not even for loungewear. Pants will make your legs hot and the rubber in the flipflops will have your feet swimming in their own sweat in a short time. Sorry for being so gross but maybe that'll discourage you from wearing them!

Personal Uniform Makeovers: Part 4

Today we'll talk about the uniform of students everywhere trying to look more polished than the tee-and-jeans wearing crowd (among others). Many people think they are upgrading their personal uniform by changung their tees to polos and while they are (a little bit) there is a lot more you can do for your image with just as little effort.

Personal Uniform Makeovers: Part 3

Today we'll talk about how to get dress for occasions with no effort or planning needed.

What do you do when a dressier occasion comes by unnanounced? You likely have a dressy fall-back outfit so you can just get dressed and walk out the door. But wouldn't it be great if, after doing just that, you arrived and were the best dressed at the scene?

You'd be wrong to think that can't happen with a personal uniform, you just need some teaks in yous!

Most dressy fall-backs include dressy pants and a flowy top. However, this is seldom the best look you can manage. And no matter how much of a hurry you are in, there is no way you'll be best dressed in flipflops, no matter how shiny.

I'll help you create the perfect personal uniform for any special occasion!

Personal Uniform Makeovers: Part 2

Do you work or study in a business casual setting? Do you feel your personal uniform sometimes doesn't rise to the occasion? Then today's segment is for you! 

We're going to learn how to make a casual work uniform that's polished and poised so you'll look like you're in full control, even if it just took you five minutes getting dressed!

Take the personal uniform on the left. Would you hire this person? Send them to meet an important client? Just because it's a casual setting, doesn't mean you should look like a slob. This also applies to people working at home, students, interns or volunteers. There is no downside in making yourself look good!

• We've talked about top shapes before. Step away from boxy shirts, droopy patterns and colors that aren't the best for your skin.

• You probably think you look more professional in khakis than jeans. And you're right, as long at they fit! Tailored clothing looks more expensive and makes you look better. Baggy pants and ratty colors just make you look lazy and clueless

• If you're trying to look anything a step up from ultra ultra casual, ditch the flip flops. Also, there is no such thing as "fancy" flip flops. No wedges, glitter, leather, etc.

Now, after we got that out of the way, let's rebuild an uniform that you'll be excited to wear in the morning!

Personal Uniform Makeovers: Part 1

Even if you don't realize it, you have a personal uniform. A sort of fall-back combination for when you can't be bothered to come up with a "real" outfit. This month we will identify some personal uniforms that lack style and turn them upside their heads, creating flattering outfit formulas that are just as easy to wear!

Today we'll approach a common personal uniform for people working in casual offices or studying: jeans, a "fancy" shirt and flats. These people (and I include myself there too) think a shirt is a big improvement from a tee, so we're in the clear, fashionably speaking. Not really, though. Has it ever happened that you came across a mirror in your "uniform" and didn't think it was quite right? Or, in going about your day, wish you had better fall-back outifts?

Here is the answer to your prayers! Every element of your formula can be improved and the final outfit will remain just as easy to throw on and go about in, except you'll look so much better! Take a look below