It's ok to wear white

It's past Memorial Day. I'm not breaking any rules. Do I look like Freida Pinto? P.S. I love her. My inspiration for this outfit came from Freida in her Chanel dress (and maybe Barry Manilow). I thought that if I draped some black strands over a crisp white shirt and jacket that it would create a very interesting, Chanel-esque look. I sometimes wear this jacket with a pink tank top, and I think it would look even better with my black skinny jeans.

Consumer spending

Have you ever wondered why society is obsessed with labels, brand names, and ivy league colleges? These things give us the feeling that our peers, friends, and potential mates will treat us differently or find us more appealing. It stems from the thought that other people care about what we buy. Researcher Geoffrey Miller has found, however, that other people's perceptions of us are much more profoundly affected by the personality traits that we display. So, when you are reaching for that purse with the large, impressive price tag, ask yourself, is anyone really going to like me more? Or should I just take up singing lessons? Read the full article here. 

Photo via the New York Times. 

Geoffrey Miller's book: Spent: Sex, Evolution, and Consumer Behavior

Boyfriend jacket

This may look like a properly tailored and packaged boyfriend jacket, but I promise you it is not. It is the jacket that goes with my black suit. Ya know, that interview suit we all have? The one that I sometimes wear with a black skinny tie and nothing else—sometimes.

I thought this might be the perfect fix for the boyfriend jacket look this spring. This will work if you have a nice suit (not one from fashion bug) because they generally make women's professional suits to look a little more boxy to achieve that androgynous look that will hopefully put you on the same playing field as your male counterparts and out of view of the dirty old men.

To make it a little more dressy I would suggest wearing a dress or skirt with it.

Belt it out, ladies

Back in the day, I was really into belts. I was always looking for new shapes, styles and colors to add visual interest to my outfits. Then, grad school happened and put my belt obsession on hold for a while. But just the other day, I realized "I have a bag full of belts in my closet just begging to accentuate my waist!"

Now, I still don't wear belts that often (thought my two posts seem to contradict that statement), but as a big-boobied girl, it is a good idea to squelch any muumuu action before it starts. That's why a thick belt around the waist is always a good call, especially on a loose-fitting dress.

This belt I've had since college, and actually looks cute with this newer Forever 21 dress, and these berry suede shoes add a pop of color. I would typically wear it with leggings or jeans, so please ignore the fact that it looks like I'm just wearing a shirt. When I get home from work, the first thing I want to do is take off my pants...Who's with me?!...Anyone?......Bueller?

It's a match: Lace blouse and boyfriend jeans

This is a truly great shop my closet find. I purchased this lace floral blouse from Express in 2004, if I had to guess, when I was still in college. I was at the verge of throwing this away because I hadn't worn it in a long time. So, this morning when I was looking for something different to wear with my maroon jacket (a consignment shop purchase $15), I came upon this blouse.

For work I wore this top combination with a pair of black dress pants, but to modernize it a little bit I would suggest wearing it with a pair of boyfriend jeans (American Eagle jeans that I rolled differently to create the look) and a cute pair of heels (Target $22).

Ode to Carrie Bradshaw

The inspiration for this little number popped into my head, I believe, because I am a huge fan of the tu-tu wearing Carrie Bradshaw. The short skirt that poofs out and the tight tank top, I think, is the ultimate way to flatter long and sometimes gangly legs. I also think the scoop neck elongates my neck.

And this look is updated from the tu-tu and pink tank top that Carrie wears. It is cute and girly, but the black makes it a little edgier. I suggest pairing this with an ultra bright tank top for the ultimate spring look or a bright pair of shoes. Oh and as far as saving money, you can buy that tank top or a bright one like it at H&M for around $7 and the skirt from Forever 21 for around $20.

Strap-defying!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a busty girl. Though I've come a long way (emotionally) since they first appeared in 4th grade, I still envy women who can wear a strapless dress without feeling like a walking motorboating invitation. So, when spring and summer roll around, and I want to wear cute, strapless dresses like my fabulous -- less chesty -- friends, I throw a t-shirt underneath to feel less...booby.

I suggest pairing a pattern t-shirt with sexy neckline (Club Monaco, $25), with a bright colored dress (Forever 21, $12), and if you're feeling extra chic, throw on a thin, patent belt for a waist-defining touch (Forever 21, free with a different dress!). And don't shy away from that short hem line. Just because we're de-vulgarizing our bust, doesn't mean we can't play up a little leg!

Wilderness girl

Plaid is making an appearance this season in the form of long button downs, dresses, and skirts. I realize that the Urban Outfitters shirt on the left might look a little nicer than my plaid shirt from Guess, two seasons old, but it costs close to $60. So, I put together a little lumberjack/state trooper outfit adding my own pieces such as my Ray Ban aviators and wine colored boots from Nordstroms, which have proven to be one of the best purchases I have ever made as they reappear in my outfits time after time. Also, I rarely stand like that. I don't know what I am doing.

Closet Grand Opening!

(Photo via Sex and the City-the movie)
The closet is open! Shop My Closet, the blog, is making its grand entrance on the information highway and becoming part of the noise that is the Internet.

The idea for this blog came along because unless you have been living under a rock this year, you know that the economy has been better.

Although it is starting to look up, according to those in the know, it is to be followed by a not so predictable future.

Many are saying that this will change the way that consumers spend, the same way people of the depression era were changed. 

So, we thought now might be a good time to start getting thrifty and stop making so many needless purchases—beginning with our closets. The term "shop your closet" has been used in countless consumer magazines and news sources so we can't coin it as our own.

But, essentially, it is the quick fix for the fashionista gone broke. It involves creating a new outfit, never worn before, right from your own closet to achieve the same rush you get when carrying a shiny new bag out of Saks (choose your poison).

It's like an experiment. It will tell us if we can actually go for long periods of time without making those impulse buys that get poorly paid editors like ourselves in trouble. It also will show us that maybe we didn't need to buy a whole new outfit for Friday night because maybe there was one waiting for us in our closet. 

Join us in our adventure to learn values such as saving money and conserving the amount of waste we produce, while trying to look amazing.

-Allison & Christina