Fashion Primer @fashionprimer - Tumblr Blog

OH SO TRENDY: 3-Quarter Sleeve Moto Jackets (Lucky April 2015)

We're still at the point in the year where warm days turn into chilly nights, which makes 3-Quarter sleeve jackets a great idea!

"A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" by Fergie

Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.

Yves Saint Laurent

I'm just being myself. There is not an ounce of me that believes any of that crap that they say. We can't be feminine and be feminists and be successful? I want to be a f-ing feminist and wear a f-ing Peter Pan collar. So f-ing what?

Zooey Deschanel

"Talking Body" by Tove Lo

OH SO TRENDY: Messenger Bags (Lucky April 2015)

I personally carry a lot of junk with me (important junk!) so I love big bags like this. I'm normally more of a tote girl, but I'm tempted to get back to my messenger bag roots.

A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.

Sophia Loren

LISTICLE RUNDOWN: The last of the lists!

As I sign off this site, here's a few more great lists for you to peruse.

46 Life-Changing Style Tips Every Woman Should Know

This Is How To Dress For Your Favorite Body Feature

24 Life-Changing Style Lessons We Learnt From Our Mums (Happy Mother's Day!)

15 Must-Watch Fashion Films I've seen almost all of these (the rest are on my Netflix queue!) and they are all excellent. May I also recommend "Lagerfeld Confidential," "Picture Me," "Girl Model" and "Advanced Style." model docs

"Style" by Taylor Swift

OH SO TRENDY: Glittery Pink (Lucky April 2015)

Girly-girls, rejoice, for glittery pink is back in!

Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.

Marilyn Monroe

I don't believe in fashion. I believe in costume. Life is too short to be same person every day.

Stephanie Perkins

BURNING QUESTIONS: Tell me your cheap shopping secrets!

I love a good deal, and even better than that is an UNBELIEVABLE deal. Here are my secrets for shopping on the super-cheap.

1. No snobbery allowed. Gotta get this out of the way first. Give up your attachment to labels and to stores. The goal is to get a stylish look for as little impact on your bank account as possible. 2. Walk out of the mall and to the affordable stores. You'll have to do some research to figure out what is near you. Marshall's and TJ Maxx are good places to start. I personally prefer Ross. Some people may be able to find really good second-hand and resale shops (no luck here for me, the local ones are picked clean). 3. Walk to the back of those stores. Don't even look at the full-price stuff and fall in love with something there, if you haven't given the clearance racks a chance first. Yes, this includes the super-discount places. 4. Go in without anything specific in mind. You simply can't walk in thinking "I need black pants with a straight leg and a mid-rise waist." Instead, you have to think "I need work pants, let's see what they have that will do." 5. Don't buy anything that needs repair unless you already know how to fix it and intend to do so as soon as you get home. A button is easily replaced if they provide an extra one, but if they don't beware trying to match the rest of the item. Seams can be more difficult than they appear. Makeup and dirt stains can often (but not always) be removed; a set-in pen mark is almost always forever, but possibly acceptable if it's not an obvious location. 6. Be picky about cut and material. A $5 shirt you never wear is a wasted $5. Cut and material are how the rich people judge things - they have brands you've never heard of (they don't print their logo all over the place) that they buy because of the construcion and fabric. Aspire to look like them, for a steal.

A few more tips for your shopping trip: 1. Try everything on at the store, unless you know their return policy and would be able to get it back in time to meet it. And always ALWAYS try on before you cut the tags and toss the receipt, even if you are buying a familiar label or item. You might've gotten the one that's not cut or sewn right, and they may have changed the styling or have inconsistent sizing without you being aware of it. 2. Dress to strip down. Wear shoes and clothes that are easy to pull off and on. (The flip side of this is true: wear annoyingly difficult stuff if want to make sure you really really want it bad enough to try it on!) Also wear nude (to your skin color) underwear or whatever you own that you plan to wear so you can make sure it won't be visible. You know, unless you are Carrie from SaTC and want everyone to see. 3. If you think you'll regret not getting something (within reason for you and your finances), get it. It may not be there when you come back! 4. Review your closet for what you need, and always be on the lookout for those items when you're out and about. Sometimes you'll randomly happen upon just the right thing, often out of season, so it's great to keep a mental list all year long. 5. Don't focus on size. First of all, there's no universal sizing, so one label's 8 may be a 6 or a 10 elsewhere. I know a certain number may make you sad, but if the fit is perfect the only one to know what size it is would be you - no one else can see that tiny label sewn inside! And if it's that upsetting, cut the darn thing out when you get it home so you don't have to think about it again.

"Doing It" by Charli XCX

Building a proper wardrobe is like building a home. Indeed, you should think of it like a home, because it is something you're going to live in. It must be comfortable and suit all your needs.

Edith Head

OH SO TRENDY: Off-The-Shoulder (Lucky April 2015)

It's Spring, so let your shoulders breathe!

FASHION ICON: Grace Coddington

In 2009, Vogue documentary "The September Issue" was released, depicting the months-long effort that goes into the production of the biggest issue of the year. Anna Wintour was, of course, at the center of it all, but the breakout star was Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington with her witty, brutally honest commentary and amazing photoshoot styling the highlight of the film.

Grace didn't start out as a stylist - she was a successful model in the 1960s in the UK before a car accident tragically cut her career short.

When Anna Wintour took over Vogue she brought Grace to New York with her, and she's been creating photoshoots ever since:

The shoots above (so many, but I couldn't narrow it down!) span about twenty years, btw, but they are so timeless that I dare you to sort out the 90's ones from the 2010's!

In 2012, Grace published her autobiography, which you can pick up on Amazon.

"American Horror Story" fans may find Grace's look familiar - she's the basis for Season 3's amazing Myrtle Snow!

When Myrtle (spoiler!) was burned at the stake, she exclaimed one word: Balenciaga. Obviously a reference to the fashion house, it another reference to Grace, who designed a fashion line for them inspired by one of her beloved cats.

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Fashion Primer