Tag: Tamika Maria Price

My Shopping trip with Tamika Maria Price, Wardrobe Consultant!

My new favorite jacket

My new favorite jacket

Thursday morning, 9 am:  I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am really excited to go shopping with Tamika Maria Price (http://www.tamikamariaprice.com/  and http://www.alinechicago.com/) at Macy’s!  I’m never excited to shop, but I am today!

9:45 am:  Driving out to meet Tamika, I realize the unfamiliar feeling in my stomach is Fear. About shopping!  Silly right?  Every day, I do things that frighten others.  Public speaking, singing in public for hundreds?  Bring it on.  Bugs, spiders, wild animals – eh, no biggies.  Leading groups, starting a business, parenting sons and teenagers?  Tough some days, but not scary.  Shopping for clothes for me?  Terrifying.

Why?  My fears include spending too much money; not finding what I want and wasting time; not knowing if I’m buying the right clothes or styles or colors or sizes; being frivolous, spending time and money on me instead of others.

12:30 pm:  I had nothing to fear!  It was great to shop with someone who knows what she is doing!  Tamika worked the sales, came with coupons, helped me find my style, knew my colors and took care of me!  I have 17 awesome items plus accessories, and here is what I learned:

1.  Try Multiple Sizes.  I tried on 3 different sizes of clothes, depending on the type of item and the designer.   Thankfully, my shopping consultant planned for this, because I would not have.  And it’s not just because I am a petite on the bottom, and regular sized on top, it’s because each designer is just a little different.  The pair of jeans I bought – I tried on 3 pair, in two different colors.  I liked the indigo in one color, but the same size in a maroon was too big.  Go figure.Hmmmm, which fabulous new sweater to wear today?

2.  Break Your Own Rules.  I operate under certain rules when it comes to clothes and shopping, and I am not even aware of those rules most days.  What colors go with other colors, what shoe color or accessories go with certain items, etc.  Tamika helped me examine those rules while we worked together, and stretch my comfort zone just a little. 

3.  Go ahead and shop once in a while.  And shop multiple stores.   As we walked to our second stop, Tamika asked me where I usually go to shop.  I looked at her blankly, because there is no “usually go to shop”.  I shop when I have to, and I shop on-line with a few retailers whose sizing I can rely on, like Eddie Bauer and Coldwater Creek.  The problem with that?  All my clothes come from the same two stores, which gets a little predictable and boring.   I will still rely on my favorites, but I will also go in person to shop at least once a season, to try stuff on and see what’s available.

New shirt, earrings and necklace.

4.  Buy a few new things every season to keep your wardrobe and style fresh.  I wore an ensemble this past Sunday: my new favorite white-with-black-stripe shirt and new statement necklace with a slim black skirt, black cami and sandals I already had.  A couple of new pieces updated the whole look.  Looking great doesn’t have to break the bank.

5.  Stay focused, and shop with a list.  Go with a plan and a list.  You never know what you may end up with otherwise!  But of course, when a really great sweater presents itself, fabulous and on sale, consider going off the list just a little, and try it on!

And for the best shopping trip ever, take Tamika with you!!!

I Learned New Things In My Closet This Week!

I like my clothes, but come Spring I always get the urge to purge old items, put away my winter stuff and buy a few things to green dress with accessories update my closet. I have a few challenges:  I like to look good, but often get stuck in ruts when it comes to daily dressing.  I have great accessories but forget to use them.  And historically, I dislike shopping.  I don’t know what to buy, what fits my body type or what the current styles are. I have gotten better in recent years, but I still find shopping for myself a challenge.

I met with Tamika Price, Wardrobe Coach, last Wednesday doing a “closet audit”.  (www.tamikamariaprice.com , or Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/tamikamartellprice).  I spend a lot of time in other people’s closets, but this is the first time I spent time with someone else working on mine!  As we set up our appointment, Tamika was conscientious and punctual, always plusses in my book.  Plus she is very pleasant to spend time with, and looks great all the time.  I know I’m receiving sound style advice from a stylish person!

In preparation for our appointment, I collected everything, even outerwear and my really dressy items, and brought it all togetherdonate pile for review.  Since the dressy items were out, we looked at those first.  A few items went to the “donate” pile immediately; an old dreary suit, and a full length formal black skirt that I have no business, at 5’2”, wearing … ever.  Everything else stayed, but she recommended getting my favorite formal dress shortened to a more flattering length.  Brilliant!  So I started the “to be altered” pile.

We reviewed tops and jackets next.  Since I shaved my head, I am even more drawn to bold colors.  Pastels wash me out now that there’s no hair to soften the look!  A few weeks ago, I pulled out some light-colored items I no longer find flattering, but I waited to hear from Tamika before I let them go completely.  She showed me how to better accessorize one of them, and the others went to the “donate” pile.  I repurposed a favorite but underutilized jacket as outerwear, and now I leave it and another stylish jacket at the back door to grab as I run out in the morning. And all the while we are reviewing my clothes, Tamika was suggesting ways to wear the items I already have, new and different combinations I had not imagined on my own.  And the suggestions were all awesome!to be altered pile

On to skirts and pants. I have a lot of skirts.  I like them, I look good in them, and I wear them often.  Tamika is very diplomatic and focused.  I lobbied to keep a skirt that she suggested I donate.  Respecting my desire to keep it, she suggested a shorter length and some accessories to improve the look. I also mentioned how much I hate boot-cut pants, and my need for a stylish pair of jeans.  She kept notes on all of my preferences, offered suggestions and noted everything on her checklist / shopping list of essential haves and need- to- buys.

Since our appointment, I have used my wardrobe much better.  I have dug a little deeper in my closet and been more imaginative with my ensembles, using both neglected items and regular items in new ways.  I have put together pieces I would not have thought to before, I wear my accent pieces daily, and I have dressed up a little more for client meetings.skirt with yellow tee

To sum up what I learned this week, or what I already knew but needed reminded of:

  1. Be willing to alter your current clothing items to update a look or better suit your style.
  2. Re-imagine what you have in your closet in new and interesting ways.  Tamika paired a skirt that came as a set with a totally different top for a totally different look.
  3. You probably already have really great items in your closet, you just need to      remember and refresh what you have and use it better.
  4. There are some things you just can’t fix.  Itchy or ill-fitting, items that are stretched out or just not my color, yep – let them go.dressed up gray and green henley

Most surprisingly, at least to me, is that I am really looking forward to shopping soon with Tamika!  I know the basic pieces she has suggested will stretch my clothing choices, and that the new items on the list will give me more options and more shine to my everyday work image.  And instead of dreading my shopping trip, I am optimistic that it will be successful, which is a big change!  I’ll update you after our shopping trip!