As I look back on 2018 both personally and professionally, it has been a big year. Besides the amazing people that I’ve met this year through this business, Beacon Style debuted on Instagram and went to New York Fashion Week. Instagram has presented an amazing opportunity to reach a new audience and play on a new platform. NYFW was a spectacular opportunity to be a part of the world I love to admire from the outskirts.

I attended the TIbi fashion show and was blown away. Tibi expresses a classic, chic, effortless style that speaks to me. These clothes are a slightly unique spin on classics with just the right amount of trendy thrown in for good measure. The quality of these items is on par with the price point. The fabrics are enticing and durable. These are definitely investment pieces. They will last in your closet, one season to the next.

One of my goals in 2019, is to be more thoughtful about the items I add to my wardrobe. Often we get caught shopping last minute for an event that we may have forgotten about. For which, we probably purchase something that isn’t quite right for us (due to time constraints). Wouldn’t it be great if you had that perfect go to outfit for any occasion already sitting in your wardrobe? That’s the goal. Build up a quality wardrobe that answers any invite. Tibi is a great place to start. And lucky for you…. it’s sale time.

So during my trip to New York this fall, I had the opportunity to pop into the Tibi shop and try things on. You can see a few of the outfits I tried on below, many of which are now on sale.

So if you’re interested in building up that basic “go to” investment wardrobe, now is a great time to start. Invest a little extra in yourself this coming year. Take a little time for yourself. Invest in things that are going to make your life easier. Take the time to clean out your closet and take inventory of what you have. Shop smart. Let go of items you no longer use. Do a little something to pamper yourself.

Here are some of my favorites from the Tibi end of season sale. What an amazing year it has been. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2019!

Structured Crepe Ruffle Sleeve Shift Dress

You can buy the basics for you wardrobe just about anywhere. The key is finding the brand that has the right fit for you. Most brands offer multiple “fits” for different body types. That’s the only way for them to appeal to a larger audience. But even so, they are not all created equal. A curvy fit at the Gap will be different from a curvy hit at Ann Taylor, and this is true across the board.

Do not underestimate the importance of fit. Fit is everything. When you have a basic that fits like it was made just for you, you automatically look 10x more polished than you would in an item that doesn’t fit you perfectly. You can compare an expensive item that doesn’t fit your body type to a less expensive item that fits you perfectly and the one that fits will look more attractive hands down.

In order to find the fit that works best for you, start trying on clothes. If you try on multiple fits at one brand and find that none work for you, don’t get frustrated. It’s simply time to find a different brand. And I hate to tell you this but as you may have already realized, brands tend to change their fits from time to time. So you’ll fall in love with one, only to find that the brand has stopped making it and now offers something they market as improved, but that doesn’t fit you the way your old favorite did.

(Isn’t this the most frustrating thing? It happens with my beauty products all the time! I hate that they are constantly switching on me. Okay, enough complaining…)

If you are struggling with fit, make friends with a seamstress. You can have a variety of items tailor to fit you specifically. A good seamstress will know exactly how to tailor an item to you. Once you start having items tailored you will start to learn what items of clothing can or cannot be tailored to you. You will also quickly learn (if you haven’t already) which styles are most flattering on you. Pay close attention. A good seamstress can teach you a lot about clothes, styles and fit!

In my last post on basics, I suggested a few items including jeans, a blazer and t-shirts. Neutral colors work best for basics as they can be the most versatile. But simple prints and patterns can also work as basics. When shopping for these items, look for classic pieces. You want items that will work with any trend in multiple seasons. You want these basics to lay the foundation for your wardrobe.

In case you're looking for a little inspiration, I have highlighted a few basics from two great brands. Madewell and Lucky Brand have a variety of basic style that are worth your consideration. These two brands have a reputation for a more timeless classic look which makes for great basics.

Here are few Madewell pieces that are perfect examples of great basics:

Below find a few highlights from the current Lucky Brand offering. To make it easy for you within the Featured Shops they have a Back to Basics curation that is simply on point.

Reflections on 2018 from Beacon Style

Basics and Fit