Hasta La Ideas

At first glance, shopping like a French woman doesn’t exactly seem like the most economically sensible thing to be doing right now. But give me a chance and hear me out. These days, we’ve been shopping based on the lowest price tags and highest discounts we can find. I admit I’ve purchased things that didn’t fit or wasn’t my style just because it was 75% off. Staring into a closet full of clothes I don’t care to wear, I’ve started taking tips from the French! The first thing to do is go shopping with a plan. Much like making a grocery list before you go to the supermarket, make a list of what you need before you go to the mall. That way, you won’t get sidetracked and go home with a bunch of clothes and accessories you don’t need. Another suggestion is to figure out the cost-per-wear for what you’re buying. A $500 high quality trench coat you wear three times a week for a year makes the cost per wear to be about $3. A trench coat made of a lesser quality may cost less at the beginning, but it could mean you have to buy a new one every few months. Also consider and assess every purchase you make. A neon dress may be an of the moment trend, but may not be something you want to wear 5 years down the line. Follow these rules and you’ll be surprised at how much you can get out of a few simple pieces of clothing. Here’s my list of essential items every French woman has in her closet, and you should too! Be sure to check out the slideshow to see where you can get the goods.

1. Don’t be afraid to spend the big bucks on well-fitting suit! You can wear the whole thing together at business meetings or just wear the jacket with jeans for a semi-casual night out.
2. Ballet flats is a stylish and comfortable shoe choice for low-key days.
3. A trench coat is utilitarian, but slap on some red lipstick and suddenly you’re a film noir star!

Tresor de Vintage is a premier vintage fashion boutique that is taking the fashion world by storm. Adored by fashionistas worldwide who love to stand out from the crowd, TDV specializes in offering one-of-a-kind finds from glamorous cocktail dresses to decadent cashmere coats. With a keen eye for craftsmanship and style, TDV is your fashion destination for custom and couture vintage clothing. The TDV collection concentrates on designs from the late 1920s to the early 1970s, and includes a stunning range of vintage handbags and accessories. Add a touch of glamour to your white tee and jeans with a handcrafted necklace from TDV or why not make a statement at your next big event in a curve hugging vintage sheath? You can rest assured knowing that your outfit is unique, charming and fabulous. Want to learn more about Tresor De Vintage? Click over to HauteMimi for the rest!

Remember when they told us that horizontal stripes made you look fat? By all means, stay AWAY from horizontal stripes! That golden fashion rule was ingrained into our style-psyche for years and years until large black and white horizontal stripes became the next big trend and everyone couldn’t wait to walk around looking like pseudo-Parisians everyday, causing cravings for berets and lattes in all innocent on-lookers. The new stripe trend to hit is that of the vertical black and white stripe! Scientists are now saying that vertical stripes can be a frenemy in the “looking fat” department, but runway giants like Gucci, Herve Leger by Max Azria, and Ann Demeulemeester have all embraced the trend. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather take fashion advice from the fashion experts! Black and white is a classic contrast combination and is only punched up more by the visually exciting look of vertical stripes. The pattern is versatile and looks great in a lightweight wool for a structured blazer, or a gauzy chiffon for a flirty yet sophisticated day-to-night dress. Vertical stripes are also great for elongating the figure and can make legs look like they go on forever! The trick is to not wear super thin vertical stripes close together. This will cause a visual sensory overload and you run the risk of looking like a wobbly optical illusion. Stripes in varying widths is the most flattering such as wide black stripes and thin white ones for example, or look for stripes that have a slight diagonal tilt to it. If you like what you see but want to take it for a test-drive first, opt for accessories like bags, scarves or hats that feature the vertical stripe pattern. Really be a trendsetter and try vertical stripes with this spring’s pop citrus colors!

Sunscreen? Check. Towel? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Now all you need is something to keep it all in while you’re at or on your way to catch some fun in the sun. A bag for all things beach can be just about anything you think can brave the sand, water and sun. You can play it safe by getting a bag that is water resistant, or perhaps one on the cheap that you wouldn’t mind subjecting to a little summer lovin’, but the ultimate beach tote should really just compliment your cute self! These picks will help you get on your way to packing yourself full of beach goodies and bound to satisfy any summer tote craving. Click the slideshow to see them all!

I’m a girl who believes in wearing a fabulous leather jacket in all transitional seasons. Sure, it may seem like leather jackets should be reserved for fall and winter, but with 3/4 sleeve options and cute details, why not bust them out in the spring? They’ll protect you from the elements and bring a little bit of city chic to any outfit. Think cute details, swing styles, and above all, wearability! I love the look of Donna Karan’s asymmetrical zip jacket– it has just the perfect balance of feminine and flirtacious. For the girl who brings the sunshine, I think this Soca St. John ruffle leather jacket is just the ticket. Check out my slideshow for some cute leather jackets for spring!