Underwear: The Wrap Up

So, we've gone over how to know you're wearing the right (or the wrong) bra. We've talked about VPL's, why cotton is best, and the fact that everything but black and nude is just "sprinkles." I want to leave you a few final thoughts to close underwear week.

-Turn off the headlights. You know how when you catch a chill, the twins get that "turkey's done" look? Let's all make a commitment to avoid that look. I know, sometimes it's THAT cold, and it's inescapable. But for the most part, you can keep it under wraps. Wear a bra that's lightly to moderately lined. A slightly molded cup is great. Another option: Those silicon pasties I mentioned the other day? Stick 'em on under your bra. They work like a charm. Or try regular old band aids. Stick them right over the offending pop-o-matic in an X shape. Not too tight or they'll show.

-White under white is a HUGE no-no. Just don't do it, or I'll haunt your dreams. I promise you.

-Show-through colors is trashy. It's not cute, it's not funky, it's not fun and interesting. Fun and interesting is adding a pop of unexpected color like a scarf, handbag, or even tights. NOT a bra!

-Shop around for great accommodation pieces. There's all kinds of cool stuff out there- plastic clips that turn your regular bras into racerbacks and add lift, silicone cups that stick to your boobs so you can go backless, and tons of other things. Keep your eyes open for great deals!






I hope you've all enjoyed underwear week and learned a few things! Remember- Friends don't let friends show panty lines!

Stay tuned, next week we're looking at all the best spring trends and the worst things we've seen in fashion!

UnderWHAT?! Putting It All Together

Build yourself a mini wardrobe in your underwear drawer. It should include:

-Several nude colored bras in a smooth fabric (“nude” should be just a bit lighter than your own skin tone so it will disappear under a white shirt). Mix up the styles of your nude bras- you want a full coverage, a demi or balconette for lower cut tops, a plunge style if you wear tops that have a very low front, and possibly a racer back style for certain tops or dresses. Basically, be aware of your wardrobe and buy your bras accordingly. NEVER EVER: wear white underwear under white clothing. This never was, is not now, and never will be a good look. It is trashy, inappropriate on all levels, and frankly, makes you look like you don't own a mirror. (You do, right? A full length one, where you can do the booty check? Good.)

-One or two black bras, for wearing under some tops that nude might actually look bright under or under black tanks that the straps may poke out of. Bra straps hanging out isn't a good look, and if they're not the same color as either your skin or your shirt, it's just trashy. Oh, and those clear straps you can buy to put on your convertible strapless? Skip them. They shine, and dig into your skin- we see them, you're not hiding anything by wearing them, and they look cheesy. NEVER EVER: Wear a dark or brightly colored bra under light clothing. Also, don't wear a hot pink bra under a black shirt. If I can get our readers to do one thing, it's going to be to "stay classy."

-At least one sports bra- that actually supports you- for any kind of active thing you might have occasion to do. Really, unless you just sit on the couch all day every day (which is a positively terrible waste), you need a sports bra for even light activity. The more supported your breasts are when you're active, the longer they'll remain perky and sag-free. They'll also be less sore and give you less back trouble (especially if you're a little more well endowed) if you get a good sports bra to strap 'em down. I love Under Armour, but any athletic bra that fits you well will do- just give it the jump test in the fitting room. Jump up and down and make sure that bounce is at a minimum.

-A strapless bra or two. I try to keep my strapless bra in a nude tone so it’s universally workable in my closet; you might get one in black if you really wouldn’t wear it with anything light colored. Some readers will want to get both black and nude to accommodate their tank and strapless-top heavy wardrobes. NEVER EVER: Buy a strapless bra that doesn't fit you right! You'll be futzing with it all night and if you've had a few cocktails, you might do what I did once in Key West: Decide that it's just not working for you as a belt and as it slides down your body for the 43rd time that night, go to the ladies' room, remove it, and throw it in the trash...Girls in the bathroom both cheered and jeered me that night, but what was I to do?

-A variety of underpants: You want a mix of briefs, thongs, and boyshorts to accommodate your wardrobe. For example, I try to avoid thongs with skirts in case of wind- I go for boyshorts whenever possible, for modesty’s sake. Thongs are great with snug pants that show lines, and I find them very comfortable. Again, fun colors are just that- fun- but it’s the nudes, blacks, and browns that will get you through the week. NEVER EVER: Let your panty lines show! Friends don't let friends have VPL's! Do me a favor and don't let your thong hang out of the back of your pants either. No one wants to see that.

-Shapewear as needed. Clingy dress? Your best bet is the knee or mid-thigh length shorts that have a waistband at bra level- no weird waistband line for you! Or try a body shaping slip- I have one in nude for under a somewhat sheer dress I wore for New Years, and it's great- it's a very supportive bra, and a body smoothing minidress all in one. Shop around and see what might work for you. Is your tush just not looking the way it used to in your favorite pants? Try a tush-pushing pair of undershorts. They lift and tighten and make the flab look fab. NEVER EVER: Wear shapewear that's longer than your skirt. It's supposed to be your secret!

-Keep in mind that cotton underwear is best for your girl parts- you need air down there! Otherwise, bacteria can multiply and then we get into stuff that just doesn’t belong on the Wink Spot! If you must wear synthetics, look for those with a cotton gusset (that's that little scrap of fabric that sits right against your business), try to keep your synthetic wearing time brief (bad pun entirely intended), and take ‘em off as soon as you can.

Underwear week wraps up tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Next week we're lightening things up with some of our biggest fashion no-no's and our favorite spring trends, so keep checking back.

All photos from Google Images.

Time For A Panty Raid- On Yourself!!!

If you can see panty lines, you should be wearing shapewear, boyshorts, or a thong. Visible Panty Lines (or “VPLs”) are a HUGE fashion no-no, and your girlfriends should flag you if you have them. Thongs are sexy and the ultimate in avoiding panty line disasters, but if you’re wearing light colored or clingy fabric, beware of sneaky cellulite. Underwear has come a long way since the dark ages, and we don’t want all that work to have been for nothing, do we? There are boyshorts, thongs, and even high waisted, knee length body smoothers (such as from the Assets brand I mentioned a few days ago). Just to make sure we’re clear: There is no excuse, EVER, to have visible panty lines. Check your jeans, your capris, your pencil skirt, even your yoga pants (especially your yoga pants!). Be aware of what you can get away with briefs in and what will require a different style.

-Gap Body makes some outstanding seamless boyshorts, panties, and thongs, and their prices aren’t bad! You can find similar styles at Target, all the department stores, or if you want a higher end brand, check those bargain basements!

-Make sure your panties fit in the waistband- I love seamless and stretch lace that doesn’t dig into my hips and leave that awful cut-in line if I’m wearing clingy fabric, like jersey.
Hanky Panky has gotten lots of press in the last few years- and for good reason- they’re cute, comfortable, and the stretch lace doesn’t cut into your hips. The downer: they’re about $18 a pair! The compromise? Buy on sale, at a bargain store, or better yet, buy the versions Gap body and other retailers have started making. Trust me, they’re everywhere if you keep your eyes open.

-Think shapewear. Assets by Sara Blakely is the less expensive version of Spanx, as I’ve mentioned before. Spanx, you’ve definitely heard about by now, unless you’re living under a rock, in which case, you should thank whoever told you about the Wink Spot! Oprah talks about her Spanx and how she doesn’t know how she lived without them. Tyra Banks has lifted up her skirt and shown hers off. Nearly every starlet on the red carpet wears them, even if she’s in incredible shape, for just a little extra smoothing and control under those clingy dresses. There are all different cuts for various uses: slips, knee length shorts (no panty lines!), footless tights, footed tights, even a no wire bra (this was a Spanx thing that I’ve never tried but was supposedly incredibly comfy and great for all-day wear. Consider that wearing shapewear doesn’t make you old or frumpy- it makes you conscious of your fashion choices and it makes the your friends see your sleek figure and wonder how you were blessed with it and they weren’t! I’m 5’9’’ and a size 4/6, and I wear Spanx with some of my dresses- they just make them hang better! My Spanx were a freebie at an old job, but remember, you can get the less costly Assets line at Target or invest in some Spanx at most major department stores.

Some Undie-Care Tips:

-Throw away all those baggy granny panties. Baggy panties that are sagging in the tush and go up past your pants’ waistband are doing you zero good!

-Keep a scented sachet or even a bar of glycerin-free soap (the kind with glycerin will make a big mess) in your underwear drawer- whatever you like- lilac, vanilla, peony…it’s just nice to open up your drawer in the morning and start with a freshly scented base when you’re getting dressed!

-Always, always always: wash your bras and underwear in cold water, on a delicate cycle. Bras have hooks- hook them. The hooks will tangle with lacy edges or other delicate fabrics if you don’t, or they can get bent out of shape. A lingerie bag is a cheap and well worth it investment. Stockpile those Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons!

-Don’t put your delicate underthings in the dryer. Your dryer is a monster. It will morph your underwires, shrink your underpants, and pill the fabric on your camisoles. So, by using a drying rack, you’re saving money two ways: less frequent replacement purchases on your underwhatsits, AND your energy bill. And who doesn’t love to live at least a little bit green?

Tomorrow: Building your Underwear Wardrobe

and Friday: The Final Tips and The Never EVER List

Stay Tuned!

Keep The Girls Under Control!

There are TONS of different styles of bras. You’ll need a few styles to manage your wardrobe, which we'll get to later on, but certain styles work better for some body types than others. No-wire bras are comfy, and demi cups are sassy and revealing, but both tend to work best for smaller cup sizes, while larger cup sizes might require full coverage or minimizer styles. A balconette style offers lots of lift and fantastic décolletage, but may be too much push-up for our more modest readers. Also keep in mind that a 34B is not a 34B is not a 34B. Did I confuse you? DKNY’s bra sizing will not exactly match Gap Body’s line or Target’s Xhileration line. Just like with regular clothing, where a small at the Gap is very different from a small at Forever 21, bra sizing varies from one brand to another, and there are a lot more factors to consider- the length, degree of curve and rigidity of the underwire, the amount of padding or structure to the cup, how wide and tall the cup is versus how deep it is, how stretchy the band is…all these things vary from one bra to another and will change the fit entirely. A few tips on proper bra fitting:


















-The band should be level around your whole body- if it rides up in back, the straps should be loosened or the band should be tighter. The band should never show bulges of flesh oozing out of it in back- that’s never cute, and wearing a smaller size ANYTHING just because you can squish yourself into it will ALWAYS make you look larger and flabbier. Get the size that fits- Please.

-The underwires and center front of the bra should lay flat against you, and your breasts should be fully surrounded by the underwire. The wire should follow the natural curve along the bottom of your breast- any spillover toward your armpit means you’re wearing the wrong size.
Likewise, your breast should fit in the bra cup- if it spills out the top, you’ll need a larger cup size and possibly a larger band; if there is gapping in the cup, go down a cup size.

-Buy your bra so that it fits snugly against you on the loosest setting. This way, as the bra wears and stretches out, you can set it to the next tighter hook and get more life out of it.
Let the straps hang down. Does the band support your breasts? If not, try again- you may be in the wrong size, or maybe just the wrong style, but the straps should be doing very little of the work here.

-Once you put the straps over your shoulders, they should never dig into your shoulders- if they do, try loosening them. If they still dig in, switch to a different size or style, because this one isn’t working for you!

-Smaller chested girls rejoice: The silver lining for you is that you can stick on some silicone pasties and go braless with a backless top, and you have a much cuter selection of styles to choose from. Those of us who are a bit more well endowed up top may catch stares from the “boob guys” out there, but think of all the glorious clothes we look slutty in that just look sexy on your so-called "boyish" figure!

-To the fuller figured ladies: Face it, you’ve got a hot rack. I know, you’re sick of having to say, “Hey, eyes up here!” to guys you’re talking to. There are so many great dresses and tops that the A and B cups will never fill out- so remember, there’s a lot of great fashion to go around! Make sure you're wearing the right size bra- a fuller chest needs to be controlled by the right underthings or you'll get that quadriboob look which, in the end, just makes you look chunky. The right coverage and lift helps to define your waist and balance your curves- ooh la la!

Up Next-

Tomorrow: Panty Raid!

Thursday: Putting it together and building your underwear arsenal!

So, What Kind of Panties Are You Wearing?

Oh, I’m sorry, was I being too forward? Did you ever consider that you might be putting a lot more out there for everyone to see than you ever intended? If you’re wearing the wrong underwear, it’s likely you’re sharing a lot more than anyone wants to know. There are some basics that you need- and none of them are the hot pink, lacy, beaded number from Frederick’s of Hollywood. Remember what Megan wrote about “ice cream” and “sprinkles”? That one is like those sprinkles that come out once a year at Valentine’s Day, all pink, red, and white, with sugar hearts mixed in so that you have to spend $6 for the teeny bottle. Let’s move on to the part you actually need: the ice cream. This week will be devoted to the basics of unmentionables: what you need, where you can find it, and what’s a total splurge with no purpose besides making you feel like a sassy little vixen. Remember, a truly well fitting bra may cost up to $60, so look for sales, coupons, etc., but don’t be afraid to spend a little more on your basics. Take good care of them and they’ll last a long time, and your clothes will look FAR better over well-fitting undergarments. I’ll be covering the basics: bras, undies, and one that a lot of you might think is for old ladies or just don’t know enough about: shapewear. You may hold your applause. Each day this week, you’ll get a tidbit or a snippet on some of the general rules to follow when shopping and caring for your unmentionables- where to go, what to look for, how it should fit- and remember how you organized your closet? It’s time for a panty raid. On yourself.

First thing’s first:

PLEASE go to a professional and get bra-sized. In my opinion, the girls at a certain worldwide lingerie giant have no idea what they’re doing. They love to tell me about “sister sizing” - that my 32D is also a 34C. It’s not. I have a very small ribcage: a 34” anything doesn’t work for me. The band slides up and down. And me, in a C cup? Laughable at best- quadriboob (when you see boob spilling out of someone's bra through her shirt) is NOT a good look-for anyone! They tell me about the sister sizing because they want to trick me into buying something since I wear a vaguely unusual size which they don’t carry much (if any) of in their stores. Frankly, I blame those pink ladies for the positively vast number of women walking around in the wrong bra size today. I could tell you how to measure yourself, but I won’t, because I think it’s very important for you to all go and get sized. Some thoughts:

I love Nordstrom for bra sizing- they know what they’re doing and have an extensive array of sizes, colors, brands, and styles. Plus, if you go during their annual Anniversary Sale, you can get some great basic bras and panties for reasonable prices. Or, you can rack up some good Karma and go during their “Fit for the Cure” event, (usually in late September or October) during which Nordstrom and Wacoal team up to bra-fit lots of women and make huge donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Donations are made by Wacoal for every woman who gets sized, regardless of whether she purchases, as well as for purchases made.

Another great way to go is a private lingerie boutique- typically, the women working in these shops know what they’re doing and are trained exceptionally well to handle all types of issues like unusual or uneven sizes. And don’t worry about it being awkward- the women who work in these stores are knowledgeable, well trained, and usually incredibly nice. They’re very helpful and will make you feel at ease, so don’t sweat it.

Once you’ve been professionally sized and know how your bra should fit and feel, it’s ok to shop on your own- but please understand that your bra size changes all the time! Hormones, weight gain and loss, pregnancy, and simple aging can all affect your bra size. Get resized every year or two, even if you don’t think you need to, just to be sure. When shopping on your own, all the bargain basement stores are GREAT for finding lower priced, higher end lingerie- Century 21, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s have great finds at clearance prices, and usually have a good selection of sizes and colors. There are also some great websites, like http://www.figleaves.com/, that have great information and truckloads of styles and sizes. Always check the sale sections first!

Stay tuned-

Tomorrow: Tips on how a well-fitting bra should look and feel, bra types and styles.

Wednesday: Panty raid!

Sorry, Girls, I’m Staying Home and Organizing My Closet!

Ok, so we get that the whole getting organized thing doesn’t exactly sound like as much fun as lunch with your girlfriends, a fun day date, checking out the new Yankee Stadium, or a host of other ways to spend a day off. But, Megan didn’t put all that work into providing you with fabulous ways to make your closet work harder for you for nothing! I promise you, getting organized will save you time AND money. By getting organized, you’ll know what you have- as in, no random forgotten works-with-everything tops getting lost in that heap of clothes you really did mean to hang up (don’t act like that pile isn’t lurking in your closet or under your bed somewhere). You’ll know what fits, what needs replacing, and what’s missing, so you can keep your shopping list short and sweet. No more asking yourself, “what happened to that top?” and feeling like you need to go buy a replacement. And finally, as Megan said, an organized closet can bring back the glory of the beloved snooze button.

I know, it’s still a daunting chore and you’d rather go to south Jersey and plant-sit for your friend’s Chia herb garden for the weekend. So let’s make it more fun. Here’s how:

-I’ll Help Your Closet if You’ll Help Mine. You know that one friend who will tell you, “That top makes you look like you have 4 chins,” or, “You’re muffin-topping out of your jeans- buy a bigger size!”? Call her, and have her work her brutal honesty on your closet for Megan’s Step 1. She’ll tell you if it’s flattering or not, and she’ll save you a ton of mirror time that you’d otherwise spend debating over a threadbare top you bought in college because it was smokin’ hot back then and haven’t worn since (but you totally would if you had another fraternity kegger to hit up!). So whip up some margaritas, turn up the RuPaul (to inspire the inner supermodel) and get to work! Then let Ms. Pulls-No-Punches flip the script and borrow you to edit her closet another day.

-Dress Up, Anyone? One more point when clearing out your closet- if you’re one to dress up for Halloween, you may be able to use some of your throwaways for future costumes. If any of them inspire you, throw them into a crate or basket that will be specifically for costume pieces. This will save you time and money (and maybe win you a few free drinks in costume contest winnings!) for future costume parties. Think gauchos and vests for pirates, denim, plaid, and gingham for cowgirls or farm girls, or anything sparkly for a fairy look. But remember- ONLY keep the pieces that would actually work in a costume- this isn’t an excuse to keep things you’re attached to but don’t wear and can’t use!

-Throw a “Your Trash, My Treasure” Party. Inspire your friends to get their closet editing done and invite them over for a little trading action. Have everyone bring a few things from their “no” or “donate” piles that are still in good shape. You’re getting rid of it anyway, so why not give your girlfriends dibs on it first?

-It’s Time for your Photo Shoot. Take turns with your friends visiting each other and helping create new outfits with what’s already there- and photograph the ones that work for the Wardrobe Album that Megan discussed. It helps tremendously to get a second opinion or a fresh pair of eyes on your threads. For example, you might see a sundress as just a sundress. One friend might like it layered over a basic tee, another might suggest pairing it with a denim jacket, belting it, adding boots to the mix…the possibilities are endless. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to play stylist and photographer with your friends- it’s like dress-up, but for big girls with purpose ;-). What’s great about this game is that it doesn’t even need to be a scheduled event- a half hour to kill here and there will start multiplying your wardrobe options in no time.

Wardrobe Survival Kit

To wrap up my (Megan) week of the closet edit series, I thought it might be useful to give a list of items everyone should have to take care of their wardrobe. To maintain longevity out of your clothing, taking care of them is important.

1. Lint roller: Removes lint, dust, and hair from garments.
2. Pill Shaver: A battery powered lifesaver to get rid of pills caused by friction and wear on
sweaters. They will instantly look new again.
3. Shoeshine: Great for fixing scuffs.
4. Small sewing kit: To sew that button back on.
5. Iron/steamer: Be careful when steaming silks, as they can sometimes leak a little water
and cause water stains on the fabric - a big "no no" for silk.
6. Woolite: A mild fabric wash perfect for hand washing your delicates.
7. Double stick fashion tape: First known as toupee tape - not the scotch brand double
sided stuff, it’s not strong enough. It's good for keeping "the ladies" in place when wearing a
low cut dress or mending a hem quickly on the go. Go to hollywoodfashiontape.com to buy
the kind I like online. They have tons of other great products to help prevent wardrobe
malfunctions!
8. Stain remover: Shout wipes or Tide To-Go is good for spot treatments too.

Wardrobe Photo Album

To help save time in the future putting looks together (because let’s be honest, you can’t be creative ALL of the time), take photos of yourself in outfits that work. Whenever you get dressed and just feel great, or get tons of compliments, take a picture of yourself to remember the combo for future wears. It’s hard to remember every outfit combination you can make out of your closet. So, when you’re feeling like you have nothing to wear, refer to your photo album. For quicker reference, create categories your different outfits fit best under, such as work, evening, weekend, date night, etc. Since we are in more of a digital age, you could just upload your photos into a folder you create on your computer. That way you don't have to worry about printing each photo out each time and spending money on a scrapbook.

CLOSET EDIT - Part 3

You want your closet to feel like your own personal boutique, so treat it like one by keeping it clutter free and easy to view. By keeping your closet organized, putting looks together everyday will be easier and quicker. Which means you can afford to hit the snooze button one more time. Hooray!



Step 2 in Editng: Organize!
If you have a two level closet, put all of your dress pants and skirts on the lower rung, and your dresses and tops along the top. Never ever hang your sweaters. Fold them and place them on shelves. If you don’t have shelves in your closet, you can buy crates or bins at places like The Container Store, Target, and Ikea. Another way to create more space is to recognize which garments don't necessarily need to be hung and can go into your dresser; such as t-shirts, jeans, camisoles, and sweatpants.

Color coding: Organize your closet by style of garment/season and then by color. For example, working from left to right your closet could look like this: winter dresses, summer dresses, tank tops/spaghetti straps, short sleeves, and then long sleeves. If you have a lot of one category, that’s when it’s easier to then group by color. Working from dark to light, organizing by color will help you when getting dressed each morning. Living in LA now, I have a ton of sleeveless and short sleeve tops, so I organize them by color so it’s easier to find what I want. I know, you’re thinking, “this is a lot of work!” But trust me, once everything is organized using this system, you’ll feel less overwhelmed in the long run.

Shoes: A quick note about shoes, since I didn’t mention them in my first posting. If you have a favorite pair that’s getting a little worn, don’t throw them out. Take them to a shoemaker for resoling, new heel, a good shine, etc. We’ll discuss later shoes every woman should avoid because they’re just plain ugly. As for storing them, place them either in their own boxes (which you don’t have to spend extra money on), on a shoe rack, or in a hanging shoe cubby. To save space in your closet, get the cubby kind that go over a door. For your more expensive shoes you want to protect extra well, buy individual clear boxes. The Container store sells these for $1.99 each (picture on the right). These will save them from discoloring, dust, and pesky enemies like bugs, moths, and other “ewies”.


picture courtesy of www.thecontainerstore.com

CLOSET EDIT - Part 2

Now that you’ve categorized your wardrobe, you should be left with only the “yes” pile to now put back in your closet and organize.

The first step to a better closet is putting all of your clothes back on the right hangers. Never use wire hangers; they are your enemy. If you have them now, throw them out! They cause heavier clothes to sag, causing the garment to become distorted or even leaving wire marks! Ew! Many of you may keep those wire hangers that you get when you pick up your dry cleaning, because hey! Free hangers! But just say no, and throw them away! If you slowly want to change your hangers out, you’d be surprised at how many department stores will let you keep your hangers when you checkout. Just remember to ask to keep them!

Clear plastic ones are best for all types of clothing. You can buy boxes of these at places like The Container Store, Target, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Wooden hangers are nice, but can be expensive and end up taking up too much space. Target even sells thin velveteen coated hangers that I love! Nothing ever slips off of them, and they don’t take up much room; which equals more clothes! They are called “huggable hangers”. It is the black one in the picture on the right.

CLOSET EDIT - Part 1

It is important to go through your closet periodically (about once a year) and edit its content. Doing this will keep your closet more organized and up-to-date. Keeping your closet clutter-free will also shorten your decision process each morning and keep you from staring at your closet and thinking “I have nothing to wear!”. Let me just warn you before we get started, that editing your closet can take a full day, so be sure to set aside time to do so.

Since this is also a lengthy process in terms of description, I have made this a several part series, so be sure to check back again tomorrow for the continuation of this discussion.

Step 1 in Editing: Categorize!

Working from left to right in your closet, pull out one item at a time and put it into one of 4 piles designated, “yes”, “no”, “maybe”, and “storage”.

You should only put something in the “yes” pile if it answers these 3 questions:

Is it flattering?

Do I love it?

Is it in style?

If it doesn’t answer all 3 questions, then put it in your “no” pile. If it isn’t flattering, then toss it unless it’s something that can be tailored to make it more flattering. If the style in general doesn’t flatter your body type (we’ll get into dressing for your body type another day), then you need to get rid of it! Only use the “maybe” pile as a last resort if you can’t decide what to do with it. Come back to it at the end, or try it on and get someone else’s opinion. Everything in your “no” pile should be bagged and donated to a place like Good Will. Organizations such as American Veterans and Purple Heart will come and pick up your unwanted goods. Another way to know if something belongs in the “no” pile is if you haven’t worn it in over a year.

As for your “storage” pile: this is for something that has sentimental value that you would never wear again, and yet you can’t seem to part with it. Examples would be an old prom dress, the shirt you wore when your husband proposed, or an old cheerleading/band/or varsity jacket. These are also things you could hold on to for your kids to wear as dress up one day. You will never wear these things again, but it’s ok to keep them. Just don’t have it taking up valuable space in your everyday closet. Box them and put them in a storage closet or attic.

Lastly, if you have something in your “yes” pile, but it is no longer current or fresh, you can demote it to be used as your lounging wardrobe, or something you wear to bed or to the gym. I like to use my old sorority t-shirts as nightwear or to work out in. They’re still perfectly nice t-shirts, but it’s not something I’d wear out and about anymore, like I did in college. So, just use them for a different purpose!

Tomorrow, I’ll talk about organizing your closet, now that you’ve weeded out the unusable items. Stay tuned!

Celebrating V-Day With My Love of Shoes

So, we've already discussed how I adore shoes. I have what I call a shoe collection and what some of my friends call a problem. However, that is exactly what qualifies me to discuss with all of you the following:

There are shoes that are to be invested in and there are shoes that will be your favorites for a short time, before disappearing into the abyss of trends gone by. For the trend shoes, I can't tell you enough how much I love the designers for Payless. I bought a pair of gray suede booties with a high wedge heel and a sweater-knit cuff there over the winter- Alice + Olivia for Payless, on sale for less than $30. And I have been complimented on them by people who buy designer everything. Check out Payless.com for a fresh crop of spring styles from Alice + Olivia, Abaete', and Lela Rose. I love the white Alice + Olivia wedges shown here! There are some great basics in there too, just to freshen up the rotation.

Megan and I had a chat the other day about shoes- which ones can't you live without? For me, it goes like this:

• knee high boots, black and brown (I wear them with jeans, leggings, dresses, fall through spring)
• black pumps (work, special events, even for a dressed up jeans look, these are a great standby- if you own one pair of heels, make it a black pump)
• neutral flats (black, nude, or even a metallic, they're a perfect everyday shoe)
• athletic sneakers (for all the working out that I say I'm going to do and never get around to)
• dress sandals (flats or heels, whatever works for your evening wardrobe. I'm a heels girl myself, and I'd shoot for either a metallic or a black satin here. Maybe some beading if you want to get really crazy.)
• my Converse sneakers (I know for most of you these might not make the must-have list, but I know for a fact that I couldn't get through the week without them.)

Megan, on the other hand, manages to survive without the boots. And probably without the Cons, but she's a little bit girlier than I am.

More on McQ and Then Some...

So, for the record, I (Lindsay) am rejoicing like crazy! I'm a giant McQueen fan, although until now the only thing McQueen that I could work into my budget was Kingdom (a perfume released under the McQueen label a few years ago. I still love it.) Oddly enough, I was in Manhattan tonight for a gallery opening and on the way home, we drove through the meatpacking district and right past the entrance to the McQ show! Even though we obviously couldn't sneak in, which was tempting, it was a thrill to see the entrance. I know, I'm a geek.

Anyway, while you're at Target checking out this collection of Alexander McQueen's flights of fancy for the fashion forward masses, pick up a few underpinnings on the cheap. Target is a great spot to pick up all the basics that need replacing every so often: the ubiquitous white tee (and a few other colors to add some pop to your wardrobe!), lace trimmed cami's, even seamless underwear. Here's a secret you might not know about: Spanx, which I'm sure you've heard about on Oprah, E!, and just about any fashion mag, makes a line for Target. It's called Assets by Sara Blakely, and ranges in price from $10-$26. It's ok, you don't have to thank me. Other stuff we love the bullseye for: cheap fashion jewelry, tights and leggings, sunglasses (you can finally afford the spares to leave in your glove box, beach bag, suitcase...), scarves, and all kinds of other adorable accessories.

In closing, I wanted to invite all our readers to leave us comments and email us at wnkspot@gmail.com. We want to field all your questions, address your issues, and know what's going on in your heads! Make sure to let us know what you want so we can give you lots of it!

Alexander McQueen for Target!

Women around the world rejoice! Alexander McQueen is opening up a brand new line with Target starting March 4th nationwide. This British legend will bring a rocker-chic line (think rocker tees and skinny jeans) to the bullseye discount store. While I'm not always a fan of his eccentric point of view, he toned down the line a bit and it's pretty decent!

New Yorkers living in Lindsay's neck of the woods will luck out with an early launch on the west side tomorrow! The collection starts at just $19.99. Happy Shopping!

Ice Cream and Sprinkles!

Here is just a quick example of using your basics/staples for a great work look. Add a little something extra with accessories, such as this great necklace! Thanks for victoriassecret.com for this image.

We are here to help you become your best self. Many of us let our busy lives take focus off of caring for ourselves. How you look reflects on how you are perceived by others. It’s easy to get disconnected between the way someone wishes to be perceived by others and how he/she actually looks. Here’s a list of common reasons that this can happen:

-entering college

- starting a new job/career

-marriage or divorce

-having children

Especially for moms, priorities shift and you have less and less time to spend on yourselves. If you find that you are in a fashion rut, you owe it to yourself to make time, and make a change!

The first step to this is to build a foundation in your wardrobe of staple items. Refer to our previous posting showcasing a list of basic pieces every woman should own. We understand that you may not be able to afford to buy all of these pieces that you don’t currently own, so just keep the list around and cross of each item and you can afford to buy these quality, must-have items. After you have built your foundation, or “ice cream” pieces, you can add on accessories, or trendy, stylish pieces, aka “sprinkles” that express your defined style. Too much of either can still lead to frustration when looking into your closet each day. You either feel dowdy and boring (too much “ice cream”), or nothing matches to make an outfit and feel un-put together (too much “sprinkles”). So make sure you find a balance of both in order to have the perfect wardrobe!

A final thought from the brilliant Coco Chanel: “When there is an incompatibility between style and a certain state of mind, it is never style that triumphs.”

Top Ten Basics

To kick things off, I wanted to start a little dialog about basics. Megan and I have a strong belief that looking fantastic should not cost you a truckload of money. That said, there are the things you should never, ever spend the money for the designer version of (such as candy colored denim, and it's probably safe to include anything with fringe in this category) and there are things you can consider an investment. For example, I love shoes. I typically buy moderately priced shoes (my most expensive pair were black boots that ran me a little over $200). I think that buying shoes that fit comfortably is more important than buying shoes that look similar and are cheaper because in the long run, I'll get more use out of them. The point is, a smart fashionista knows what makes a fashion investment and what will be hot one season and hidden in the back of her closet with her clogs, ponchos, and leather pants the next. Girls, open your closets. Hopefully you have most of these already. For what you're missing, make a shopping list and as you can afford each item, invest, and check it off the list. I give you the top ten pieces of clothing every girl needs:

1. Jeans. I'm cheating here by making this item a 2-for-1: you probably need 2 pairs. One hemmed for flat shoes and one hemmed for heels. Go for a clean, medium to dark wash- no whiskers, holes, fading, dirty wash, special finishes or fancy embellishments. Mid-rise, boot cut. This will be flattering and withstand the test of time. And don't buy the hot new brand just because they're trendy- if you spend $200 on trendy jeans that gap tremendously in the waist and the seams are being tested in the thighs...you have wasted your money. So: dark wash, proper size, great tailor.

2. The LBD. Ladies, the little black dress is a major wardrobe must. Wear it with diamond studs and a pretty necklace for weddings. It's perfect for a fancy date or a night out with the girls. If you're smart and buy a clean, simple dress, you can even get creative with some of the other items on this list and use it for work! My advice: choose straps that will hide your bra, because who wants to fight a strapless (and gravity) all night? Go with no more than 4 inches above the knee. We want to see a little leg, but do us a favor and leave something to the imagination.

3. The Classic Suit. Pair it with a crisp button down for interviews. Wear it to work. Slip into a silky camisole and you've got a great look for drinks. Go with a dark color (I like black), and a classic 3 or 4 button jacket for the most versatility. And call your tailor! Remember- some department stores include hemming at no charge, and most basic alterations are fairly reasonable in price. A good tailor will make a $150 suit fit like a $10,000 suit for next to nothing.

4. The Crisp White Shirt. It buttons down the front, has a collar and cuffs, and it's bright white. Keep it clean and pressed and you'll be amazed how much you'll get out of it. Wear it with jeans for a casual look, obviously with your suit, even put it over your LBD and tie a scarf around your neck for a fresh look for the office- the possibilities are endless. I like one with a bit of stretch, and for my fuller figured readers- please buy the next size up if the buttons are stressed and gapping around your chest. Have it tailored down to fit you- you'll look thinner AND way more appropriate!

5. The Go-To Skirt. Go with a classic A-line or pencil style- we'll discuss body types and what will work best for you another time. This will add to your work, date, and maybe even your "event" wardrobe if you do it right! Just remember: skirts that fall below the knee are rarely flattering. You want a style that hits a few (understand that "a few" means less than four) inches above the knee.

6. The Fitted Blazer. Fitted blazers are not skin tight. They are fitted, meaning they are more feminine than, say, if you stole your little brother's sport coat. This is a great option with your dark jeans for casual friday. It works with your skirt. It might work with your LBD, who knows? Go for a twill or a funky tweed in a neutral color or pattern for the most versatility.

7. The Black Pant. Go for a boot cut, mid-rise style. You want something that really flatters and shows your shape. You'll get a ton of mileage out of these at work, out with your friends, and you can even pair them with a glitzy top for special events. I have several pairs, but if you're only buying one pair, hem them for either flats or heels: whatever you're going to wear them with most.

8. The All-Weather Coat. I like a trench, but what's important is that you choose a classic style that will block the elements (like a trench!). A longer wool coat will do in a cold climate, but just becomes too heavy during the warmer months. Go for a trench.

9. The Daytime Dress. Maybe a bit of a misnomer, considering how much wear you'll actually get out of this one. Personally, I love shirtdresses and wrap dresses. Diane von Furstenberg is one of my heroes. Wrap dresses are flattering on most bodies, and you can find them at a variety of price points in a ton of colors and patterns. Wear it with flats for day, change into some sassy heels for evening.

10. The Sweater. Cotton or cashmere, crewneck or cardigan: Invest in one sweater that looks and feels fantastic- and invest in the dry cleaning to keep it that way! It will add color to your suit, skirt, black pants, or jeans when you layer it with your white shirt, and has the added bonus of keeping you warm! Stay away from the reindeer sweater or anything with too much embellishment- you want to be able to get a lot of mileage out of this.

Welcome to Wink Spot! (hosted by close friends Megan and Lindsay)

Want to know a secret?

You can look fabulous without spending money on couture pieces! We are introducing our site/blog to anyone out there who loves fashion, looking good, and feeling great! The key is to have all of these things without breaking the bank.

We'd like to use this spot as a way to share our style tips, sale updates, and our overall love of everything fashion related! We'll make daily posts of anything we find helpful and hope you'll stay tuned!

-Lindsay and Megan :)