Neutral blazer: worth the splurge

It’s really easy to get swept away by trends and brand names when you’re shopping. The stuff is just so pretty! Not pretty, though, is a closet full of overpriced clothes that are torn, tattered or out of style six months later. Before you hit the mall and load up on all that Spring cuteness, take a moment to assess the difference between an investment and an indulgence.

Which is which?

Let’s break it all down.

Worth it: Black pencil skirt
Not Worth it: Sequin mini-skirt
Why: While sequins are a hot trend this season, they are just that – a trend – and who knows if they will still be popular next season? On the other hand, a black pencil skirt is a classic; it works for multiple occasions, will last you for years, and will never go out of style.

Worth it: Good pair of comfortable pumps
Not Worth it: Flats
Why: No matter what flats cost, they are still very…flat. That means they wear out easily, so it doesn’t pay to fork over $100 for a pair; they’re still going to be beat up by the end of the year.

Worth it: A versatile purse
Not Worth it: A clutch that you take to the bar
Why: Fact – The more you drink, the higher your chances of losing things. If you splurge on a clutch and you lose it, it will be heartbreaking, not to mention a HUGE waste of money. On the other hand, a versatile purse that you can use as a school bag, for everyday use or for job interviews is well worth the investment.

Worth it: A bra in the right size
Not Worth it: Underwear
Why: Though not often considered, your bra is one of the most important things you put on everyday. A quality bra (that fits right!) not only keeps your girls in place, but it makes your clothing fit and look better. Underwear, on the other hand, is all the same. It doesn’t matter if you spend $10 for a thong at VS or $2 for a thong at Target, it all looks the same under those pants… and it’s all going to wear down quickly in those dorm dryers.

Worth it: Pair of well-fitting jeans
Not Worth it: Leggings
Why: Why anyone would spend more than $20 on a pair of leggings I’ll never understand. Especially when there are so many cheap options out there! They are leggings! They will wear out quickly no matter where you buy them. If you want to make a sound investment, save up some cash and buy a quality pair of jeans. They will last you forever (even if you wear them every day!) and, unlike leggings, there is a distinct difference between the look, feel and fit, of premium denim and the cheap stuff.

Worth it: An LBD or LGD (little grey dress!)
Not Worth it: A trendy mini dress
Why: A classic LBD or LGD is versatile – its appearance can be changed with different shoes or accessories. It also happens to be completely timeless. A trendy mini, however, is likely a one-look outfit that you’ll wear once or twice before retiring to the back of your closet with those other overpriced trendy pieces you wasted money on.

Worth it: A classic, neutral blazer
Not Worth it: A sequined blazer
Why: Same as the pencil skirt/sequin mini, you don’t want to spend the big bucks on something that is clearly a trend. Put that money towards a neutral blazer that works for everything: over jeans for the day, over a mini for the bar, or over a pencil skirt for an interview.

Worth it: A black cardigan
Not Worth it: A C&C California cotton cardigan
Why: If there is one thing I can say it’s this: stop spending money on low quality products just because they have a fancy brand name. $80 for a cotton cardigan that will be torn up and pilling in three months is not worth it. Even if they sell it at Bloomingdales.

Worth it: A warm winter coat
Not Worth it: A cute raincoat
Why: Clearly you need to stay warm in the winter.  A versatile, neutral colored winter coat won’t go out of style, and if you buy a good quality one, it also will last you for years.  A cute raincoat is something you’re likely to get sick of after a season or two, so if you save your money on it you don’t have to love it forever.

Worth it: Dress pants for interviews
Not Worth it: Sweats for lounging around
Why: This one is pretty obvious. Dress pants for interviews should drape well, and be hemmed to wear with your nice, interview appropriate shoes.  If you’re just wearing your sweats around the house (and you should just wear them around the house) it doesn’t really matter what they look like or what brand name is plastered across the butt.

I will be more daring with my fashion choices.

Every year we make countless resolutions: lose weight, study harder, be more organized, be nicer to our family, not drink so much.

And usually, we don’t keep, well, any of them. Especially that last one, unless if by “not drink so much” you mean “throw up in the actual toilet more.” If that’s the case, then we get better and better every year!

But what about fashion? Sure, from the surface it doesn’t seem obvious that we should make fashion resolutions, but why not? Fashion is an extension of who we are. It’s the first thing people see when they meet us, therefore judging us by whatever fashion mishaps we might happen to be dealing with. And with a decade closing its doors, not only will it hopefully be leaving some of the fashion trends behind (uh, harem pants?!), but it’s the perfect time (a new year and a new decade) to think about what your fashion choices say about you.

So take a moment and think about what you want to look like in 2010. Here are just a few fashion resolutions for all of us.

1) I Will Be Original. We all love trends but do we need to walk around as cloned Urban Outfitters mannequins? This year, don’t let the trends wear you. You can be fashionable and trendy if you want to, but put your own unique touch into your wardrobe, be it a certain accessory, a pop of color, or a signature piece. Find your own personal style – that signature look that your friends will see and say “that is so (insert your name here).”

2) I Will Not Buy Crap I Don’t Need. Buyer’s remorse is the worst feeling, ever. Okay, so maybe a really bad hangover is worse, but we all know how much it sucks when we think we have NOTHING to wear (even though we have a closet jam packed with clothes) and run out to buy a top for tonight’s party… This year be realistic about what you really NEED. Before you run out to buy yet another low cut black top, think about how to reinvent the ones already in your closet (add a fun necklace, a bold bag or throw a blazer over it). You can even make a fashion fund – any time you are tempted to go spend frivolously, put the $30 in a jar and in a few months you will have enough saved up to splurge on something expensive (like that Marc Jacobs bag you’ve been eying and dying for).

3) I Will Buy the Uber Trends on the Cheap. We all know that in a year from now we will be SO over sequins and feathers and fringe, so why shell out the big bucks for the trends that aren’t here to stay? Lord knows how much money we wasted on cowboy boots and prairie skirts back in 2005 and on butterfly clips, Abercrombie tee’s and platform gym shoes in 1998… Buy your classics at quality stores – invest in a good pair of jeans, a nice pair of boots, a nice sweater, black pants – but the super trends can be left to Forever 21 so that by next year you don’t feel guilty looking at some $150 sequin top collecting dust in your closet.

4) I Will Put In a Little More Effort. I know I sound like my mother when I say it only takes 5 minutes to put yourself together and you never know who you are going to meet. But really, it only takes 5 minutes to put yourself together and you never know who you are going to meet! Fact is, I don’t have enough hands to count the times I’ve seen cute boys, ran into bitches from my past or important people that could be in my future and looked like absolute crap. Maybe even worse. You’ve got a closet full of clothes so there is no reason to be rocking the sweats and sweatshirt every day. Make a conscious effort this year to care about your appearance, because when you feel good about how you look, you exude that feeling (confidence, sexiness, etc) to others. And the cute boy in the coffee shop may not look away (in fear/disgust) anymore!

5) I Will Understand that Sometimes Less is More. I’m talking to me and I’m talking to you on this one: for some reason college is not only the best four years of our lives, it’s the sluttiest dressed years, too. Shirts cut so low in the front that you can practically see your belly button, skirts so short that everyone’s Britney (read: crotch) is hanging out… It’s not pretty. Let’s all take a moment and say the following out loud: sometimes less is more. (And I’m not referring to material!) Ask yourself why you feel it’s so necessary to wear such revealing clothes and this year – even when media is getting sexier and clothes are getting tighter – reevaluate the look you want to give off to the world, and to men. There is nothing wrong with feeling sexy and dressing sexy, but you can dress sexy and be sexy (and in my opinion, sexier) without being of obvious about it!

6) I Will Buy Clothes That Fit Me. No one sees the number or letter sewn into the back of your clothes, so stop trying to hard to squeeze into a size that does not fit. You’ll look a whole lot thinner and sexier rocking a large dress that fits you than rocking a medium dress that makes you look like a tasty piece of sausage. Have you ever heard anyone say the words, “Wow, her muffin top is hot?!” No? Well there’s a reason for that. Be honest with yourself and what size/trends work with your body and you will look and feel better than you ever have before.

You got any other fashion resolutions? Share them below!

Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!

There are some trends that last season after season: leggings, floral prints, gladiator sandals, etc. Then there are those that fade away: baby doll tops, harem pants. How are you supposed to know which trends to trash and which to invest in? Luckily, fashion is already way ahead of you. Fall 2009 and Resort 2010 collections have already been released, and Spring/Summer 2010 is in the works. For most designers, Resort is a preview of what’s coming next. Therefore, the collections provide great insight into what will be hot and what will be not for summer 2010.

We scoured the Resort looks of all the top designers – from Stella McCartney to Brian Reyes to Prada – and compiled a list of summer fashion trends that aren’t going anywhere:

One shoulder tops and dresses are chic without being too revealing. Don’t wear too much jewelry with this look as it makes a statement on its own.

(Ella Moss “Odessa” Top, $87 at Nordstrom; Leila Teired Dress, $237 at Bluefly; Juicy Couture Print Ruffle Dress, $180.60 at ShopBop).

Exposed zippers are edgy, but a favorite of designers such as Phillip Lim and Brian Reyes. This trend definitely has a future.

(Mink Pink Kansas Dress, $93 at Chickdowntown; Brian Reyes Sleeveless Dress, $510 at ShopBop; Charlotte Russe Zipper Ruffle Top, $19.99).

Statement necklaces can glam up any basic outfit, from jeans and a tee to a silk dress.

(Kenneth Jay Lane Flat Zebra Pendant, $99 at My-Wardrobe; Banana Republic Party Bib Necklace, $79; Lauren by Ralph Lauren Multi Bead Bib Necklace, $58 at Nordstrom).

Even though Jenny’s first order of business as queen on the TV series Gossip Girl was to nix her clique’s signature headbands, their influence remains. Bow details will still be in for summer 2010.

(French Connection Flash Bow Dress, $89.99; Newport News Bow Necklace, $29; Felix Rey “Emma” Wristlet, $156 at Bluefly; Forever 21 Pamela Satin Bow Headband, $4.80).

Other looks to shop for include both skinny and wide leg pants, cardigans, high-waisted pants and skirts, fitted blazers, belted waists, ruffles, tribal prints, sheer fabrics, and long tunics.

Which short-lived trends should you buy at cheap-chic retailers? There’s no way to be sure, but it doesn’t look like neon brights, fringe details, studs, or harem pants will be hanging around much longer.