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Wardrobe Essentials: Delias

Back-to-school goodies have struck again! We're going crazy with them over at Coupon Winner. I'm not sure if it's just the time of year or if I'm in a juniors frame of mind, but I'm l-o-v-i-n-g all these colorful pieces that are out. Summer has me soaking up bright purples, while denim minis and the like are just right for pairing with all the other primary-colored, sunsoaked items that you're sure to love.

Check out some fantastic pieces for both during and after class!

(Sunglasses Tee)

This purple tee could look awesome with little vests and skinny jeans, and you'll be so happy with all the options it ends up giving you. T-shirts are so not for the gym anymore, especially not when they look this good. This top can also catch that guy's eye you've been thinking about over the summer.

**If you have to wear a uniform to class, slip this on for after-school activities, sports practices, and hanging out with friends.**

(Fuzzy Flats)

Moccasins are my dream shoes, and now I can't even wear these lovely ones because I'm somewhere sub-tropical! Boo. Let me live vicariously through your Delias selection: after all, every girl needs at least a few pairs of casual flats to slip on post-gym or pre-dance. Heels might be fun, but flats are perfect for day-to-day.

(Ava Halter Dress)

Just because you're headed back to school doesn't mean that you can't party a little! Soak up the post-class vibes in a dress that's pretty and vibrant-- and don't forget that you can always toss on a cardigan if you need to look more dressed-down and classic in school.

**Try this dress with a colored skinny belt and flats if you're the daring type!**

(Wide-Legged Vintage Style Denim)

Big, fat bellbottoms-- I just adore them. When you're in bootcuts and skinnies all week long, having one day as a style break is a great plan. Pull on a pair of jeans with a neat retro sweatshirt and sneakers for slouchy style-- and take a look a these cool Etsy ones to start you off.

(Free Press Sunglasses)

Do you go to school in a warmer climate? Hate seeing all those sweaters on parade when you're stuck in shorts and skirts? Feel better almost instantly when you pull on these purple-n-clear shades in a teen-friendly size and a no-nonsense design. Don't you hate it when those amazing ones from the thrift store are falling off your face?

(Helena Skirt)

Denim skirt meets amazing pockets for carrying lip gloss, pens, and your iPhone. If you hate carrying around purses, this is a good compromise that won't leave your favorite lippy at home. Thanks goodness for trendy designs complete with oversized pockets. Not everyone wants to carry a backpack.

(Ashlee Cropped Jacket)

Fun and simple, you can still wear that "back to school" style even if you are somewhere warm. A short-sleeved little coat or shirt is just what you need to stay cozy when the leaves start to fall-- or when the tropical storm rains hit!

(Kensington Cardigan)

Lastly, a long-line cardigan is a good choice for those of us who have ever-so-slightly creeping-down trousers? Give your low-lying trousers a break with a top that's sure to conceal any creepage. Add a belt for shape!

The Perfect Summer Garden Party Outfit

Looking for some new togs for a garden party? I've got what you're looking for!

(Jill Stuart Gloria Dress) Sweet Dress

A perfect dress for a garden party is an absolute must. If you usually wear casual pieces, this can be a big change, even just for a few hours. Aim for florals and pale colors to be sure to make an impact. Your most successful dresses will be ones that are just halfway down the line-- with medium-thick straps and a buttoned bodice, a full skirt, and a mid-length skirt. If you're not quite sure about what others will be wearing, this is a perfect option to ensure that you blend in just so.

Slim strapped dresses can be camouflaged with a lightweight chiffon wrap or shrug, or even a silk knit cardi.

(Fendi Satin Ruffle Flat) Get Your Low Heels or Flats On

Instead of getting mucked down in soggy grass and earth, plan ahead. I love little rubber shoe-wellies, but those don't fly at a fancy affair. Instead, hunt down a very low (like kitten) heel or a perfect, rubber-soled flat for your next party. You won't get trapped in the turf and you'll look perfectly accectable for the level of the event. If you suspect that things could get dressier still, just look for beaded and embroidery flats in a sumptuous leather. You'll be pleased.

(Charm Necklace in Gold) Accessorize With Care

The French follow a fantastic accessorization tool, and many of us should follow suit. Before you leave the house each day, take off a single accessory to make the ones that you are wearing really stand out. Try a single strad of beautifully cultured pearls, a long, danging pair of chandelier earrings, or an exquisite tennis watch-- but not all three!

(Versace Quilted Couture East/West) Handbags: Think Kate Spade Style

Kate Spade, to me, epitomizes New England garden party accessories. From simple lines to clean colors, these purses are perfect to pair with your more conservative togs. If you choose a one-color clutch, you can pump up the volume secretly by using colors like bright raspberry or juicy orange.

Dereon Dresses Things Up

I went over to Dereon on one of my usual clothes shopping sprees, and I was surprised at what I found- new pieces with an extra bit of style, and in plus sizes, too! If you wear a larger size jeans or tops, you won't need to go to another location just to find a full-figured option--it's all right there. I like larger tops that a roomy, swingier shape, and those can be found at Dereon along with skinny jeans and low-cut trousers.

But you know what really helped me out over there? Their featured Style Mixer. If you're looking for a way to mix and match cool pieces that you've run into over at Dereon, you can slide the Collection button to find full looks and reduce your personal coordination time.

Dereon Jeans: My Top Pick
My favorite jeans surprised me over at Dereon: I ended up adoring the Heavy Metal pair despite my usually classic style. With stitching and charm details, they're certainly not for the faint-of-heart, but they're just what you need when you're having one of those I-need-a-makeover-and-fast kind of days. It has silver stitching along the rear and above the pockets, as well as some heavy metal accessories that are interesting and tastefully added.

Tip: Imagine this with a black smock top complete with sash as well as killer heels.

Amazing Blouse Alert!
Are you on the search for your best feature-- or your skinniest? This Gold Rope Top hows off a peek of skin on the side, under your bust, for an unusual little view that's both sexy and unexpected. It's available in both white and pink--I'm partial to the white myself for matching purposes.

Featured Design: Band Fresh Hoody
I was surprised at the design elements going on with this Dereon sweat top. It's certainly unlike any of my other gym pieces, and it could make for a great present for teens, too.

Metallic elements jazz up an already cool sweatshirt that has logo engraved buttons and a peplum flounce. If pink isn't your style, you can try black instead. I can even imagine this top with a comfy woolen skirt.

Plus Piece: Jumpsuits!
I can't say that I've seen many jumpsuits designed for full-figured women, but I like that we have that option, thanks to Dereon's Ds Zipper Chain Jumpsuit. A hood and a square neckline frame your face-- and you can't beat a kangaroo pocket with Lurex details.

Let me know what you find over at Dereon. These may be my top picks, but I'd love to know what catches your eye.

Jazz Up Your Work Gear with Ease

Do you have a new job? Are you looking for a way to dress up your current wardrobe and make it just right for spring? Thankfully, even in the most understated and professional work environments, you’ll find that there are ways to jazz up your look with simple accessories and smart styling elements.

1. Choose unusually colored pearls. Pearls may be a common accessory at your place of work, but you can get pearls that are natural and irregularly-shaped, or tiny, clustered seed pearls instead. I personally like this unusual Louis Vuitton Two-Pearl Monogram Charm in Yellow Gold, which you'll have for years and years to come.


2. Splurge on statement heels. If there’s one place where you can find an opportunity for expression, it’s your heels. Even if you wear suits, be sure to find pumps and stilettos with interesting design details, even if they must be all black.



3. Toss on a tote. Do you have to carry a lot on our way into the office? Take this opportunity to grab a tote with some style, or at least decorate a basic black one with a tied-on scarf and a few brooches. The Prada Signature Tote has a soft shape, but in basic black, it blends in with anything you have in that closet.

4. Get good post-work shoes. If you must wear heels during the day, your arches can hurt terribly. If you like to slip on comfortable shoes when you left work, get a pair that looks great so you won’t need to change back when you do errands.

5. Find white blouses with delicate details. There’s no reason why you can’t wear a blouse with fun, feminine details, especially if you cover it up with a blazer or a suit jacket all day. Find ruffled or lacy blouses that you actually enjoy wearing, and relish the opportunity to try something a little sexy under your work clothes. Mint Jodi Tanks from Shopbop are just one example of what you can wear underneath a blazer for work: they're simple, but add interest to an otherwise "blah" look.


6. Bank on the best lingerie. If you’re a lawyer or have a similarly restrictive job, wardrobe-wide, shop for lacey camisoles and garters to give you more confidence and add some bounce to your step. Stockings are the same—don’t wear pantyhose when you can wear something that’s three times as sexy and more comfortable.



7. Hair tricks and tips. If your hair is longer, you probably tie it back into a bun or a French twist for work. Instead of using the same old tired hair combs, get ones that are slightly more ornate but still offered in “safe” work colors. This Jeweled hair Clip from Forever 21, shown, is a great compromise that's well within any budget.

Top 5 Ways to Take Advantage of Sale-Time

You can save a lot on the sales right now, or you can save even more by shopping smart! Read on for a 5 tips on making the most of all the 50% percent off, buy-one-get-one, and free shipping deals we've been seeing online.

Make a list-- even before you shop online. While you might write an in-depth list before you go to the mall and hit the sales, online shopping can get a little more haphazard. Instead of randomly whizzing around the internet and hitting up sales as you find them, try to get a plan of attack to best take advantage of sales. Make a list of basics that you need to stock up on, like plain white a-shirts and t-shirts, jeans, and cute sneakers from pounding the pavement post-work.

(Old Navy's Drop-Needle Hoodie, $14.70, was one basic that I needed to get, and it was on sale!)

Eschew seasonality. While buying things out of season is a perfect way to save, it can be also be a way to restrict your attire to half the year. Who wants to switch their entire closet back and forth as the weather changes, when you can keep a closet of essentials year round, and save on them, too? Look for medium-weight trousers in cotton or a natural blend, cotton wrap tops, and slip-on shoes that you can wear any time with the right accessories.

Tip: Aim for colors like navy, cream, green, medium blue, and some reds for a “season neutral” appeal.

(This Cotton Leaf-Print Scarf, $38, from Banana Republic, is a fresh piece that can be worn year-round.)

Know your size in the brand you're buying. This is often overlooked, but it's super important. When you're taking advantage of major sales and the like, you'll find that return and exchange rules can differ pretty significantly and might not allow you to exchange your deeply discounted pieces with ease. As boring as it can be for hardcore internet shoppers, get yourself to a department store, mall, or an outlet shop to note how each brand fits before you buy. If you've ever ordered Calvin Klein lingerie, you'll know what I mean!

Buy out of season for the basics. Yes-- I know I told you to ignore seasonal pieces, but if you live in the Northeast, travel to Europe, or spend time in the Caribbean, you know that you'll need a few pairs of Bermuda shorts, a fuzzy cashmere scarf, or a pair of snowboots. If you can possibly buy out of season, you will save. My tip? If you have trouble shopping for summer things in the winter, or vice versa, aim to buy pieces for next year at the end of each season when they go on sale.

Don't get frantic. There are so many sales to take advantage of, and there's no need to get everything in one day. Shop around and compare to find the right deal for you.

Meieli Sawyer Detoni

Wardrobe Fast Fix

Sick of having your clothes fit a bit oddly? Stumped on how to fix a drooping strap, a saggy hem, or a creeping neckline? I've got some solutions for you, so you can still wear your favorite dress and your best shirt without having to constantly adjust your outfit.

Tools of the Trade
If you want to get your outfit looking good fast, you'll need to have a small collection of gadgets and tricks to solve wardrobe problems.

•Safety pins: What can't you fix with these? Pin up a drooping hem, clip an escaping bra strap, and even keep a broken fly's zipper closed with just a single safety pin.
•Steam: Don't have time to iron? Simply grab your shirt off the hanger and lay it out while you shower. Give the wrinkled areas a slight tug after you shower, and you will be ready to go. While this only works for some knits (and doesn't really fix the accordion-pleat wrinkles), you can appreciate its effect on more subtly-wrinkled pieces.
•Hairspray: Spray a little on your stockings and slip to get rid of static cling.
•Tape: Use tape or a sticky label as a lint remover in a pinch.
•Nail polish: While it can heal a run in a pair of stockings, you can also fix a catch in one of your knits. Pull the snag to the back of the sweater and affix it with the tiniest drop of clear nail polish.

Lastly, check out this summer checklist to make sure everything you own is in tip-top shape for the heat.

1.Repair all of your shoes from the summer. Check out heels, toes and soles and make sure that everything has been repaired. It's amazing what a professional shine will do.

2.Get basic tops in tanks and shells. You'll still layer for work and play, especially if you wear a suit or blazer during the week, and sleeveless layers underneath are a necessity. Get a lot in your favorite colors as well as muted tones like putty and light gray.

3.Stop hanging on to “over” items. Still have those darn boho skirts? Out they go!

4.Check out your bags. Busted handles or small holes? Bring your bag to a cobbler to have handles repaired quickly. Never through away a broken bag unless your cobbler and your tailor tell you it can't be fixed!

5.Whiten up your tops the best you can. Grab some bleach and work on tees that could have gotten yellow during storage.

6.Examine all your clothes for holes and spots. You may have missed something when you were packing everything up last fall, and it's important to collect damaged goods now for a trip to the tailors.

7.Get fun trendy pieces like necklaces, rings and scarves to dress up the basics that you love to hang onto.

8.Don't just pay attention to your outer layers! Get new nude bras that will give you support and hide under summer whites.