Make it a Quality Investment

After I graduated college and stared working, I began to appreciate the quality of the clothing that I purchased. I began to realize that a more quality item would last longer. A higher quality item won’t fade in color, keeps it shape, looks the same after multiple cleanings and may flatter you more based on proper fit. These types of items that come at a higher price tag are often referred to as “investment items”.

Does your wardrobe contain real investment items? These would be high quality pieces that last multiple seasons. Depending on your lifestyle, an investment piece could be casual, formal, or somewhere in between. The idea behind purchasing this type of piece is that it becomes a staple in your wardrobe. Maybe it’s your “go to” dress. Or perhaps it’s your favorite pair of jeans.

For me, I prefer to splurge on a statement piece. Whether it’s an accessory, a dress, or a shoe, I’m willing to spend a little extra on a piece that I know will be a go to in my closet. Most recently I purchased this dress for my cousin’s wedding which appeared in my previous blog post. This dress is a perfect summer staple. Not an everyday dress but rather an occasion piece. Not overly dressy such that it couldn’t be worn to a number of occasions. Versatility is key. The navy color of this dress is a perfect neutral and its style is figure flattering.

Keep in mind that just because an investment item is priced a bit higher, doesn’t mean that you have to pay sky high prices. All retailers have coupons and discounts throughout the year. Many high end retailers have outlet stores that carry many of the same labels as their more expensive counterpart. If you find a high end “investment” item that you love, shop around to find the best deal!

Derek Lam 10 Crosby One Shoulder Dress

Reflections on 2018 from Beacon Style

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!

Mendini Twill Shirred Sleeve Top

Bond Stretch Knit Split Neck Top

Striped Oxford Drape Neck Top

V-neck Draped Back Sweatshirt

Bond Stretch Knit Split Neck Dress

Drape Twill Wrap Dress

Structured Crepe Ruffle Sleeve Shift Dress

Savanna Crepe Gibson Tie Dress

Inspiration Overload

I ran into a friend on Saturday morning at my son’s karate class and we started chatting. She said “do you have any plans tonight?” and I said “actually I’m heading to New York this afternoon to attend an event for New York Fashion Week”. She stopped dead in her tracks and I watched her eyes bug open. She looked at me, smiled and said “your head must be ready to explode”. And she was right.

I only found out a few weeks before that I was going to have this opportunity. But what an opportunity it was. It was my first NYFW event and I have to say it was definitely memorable. I learned a lot that I am excited to share with my clients and my blog. I saw so many inspiring styles, not just on the runway but in the audience too! The crowd really does dress to impress and I was overwhelmed with the amazing styles and fashion risks.

I saw outfits that looked amazing on the person wearing them even if they were something I would never wear. I saw outfits that pushed against the edges of over the top yet totally worked for that individual. I saw so many women using accessories to make statements and bold colors to draw the eye. In all of these cases, I saw women walking tall and exuding an air of confidence that I found intoxicating. In all of their looks, the key was how they worked it. What they wore reflected their personal style and as a result, enhanced their beauty. My take away from this? As much as looking good is about dressing for your body, beauty is truly about how you feel inside and how you carry yourself. I stress this with my clients and will continue to impress it on those I work with. The key is to feel strong and confident about the person you are.

So I might look at these high fashion outfits and think “that’s not for me” but that doesn’t mean there isn’t inspiration to be drawn from the crowd. How colors, fabrics and textures are combined can give you ideas about your own wardrobe. A white dress with gold booties. A leopard print faux fur coat over a white jumpsuit. Neon used to accentuate and highlight. I have to say that I walked away inspired by the uniqueness of the looks I saw. Each woman was speaking very genuinely to her own style. That alone is inspiring!

I have so much more to share about this past weekend… stay tuned for an upcoming post on my new favorite brand Tibi and their Spring 2019 runway show!

For now see some of the amazing outfits from the audience at the Tibi Spring 2019 Fashion Show from NYFW: