BACK 2 SCHOOL – BACK 2 BUDGET

Whether you are going to be a senior in high school or a senior in college, you might be wondering what the best outfit is to debut your new look for a new academic year, without breaking the bank. Summer is over and you can’t willy nilly drop $50 at the movies again and that pimped-out laptop with the retro psychedelic skin you just bought might make filling your closet a chore, especially with the economy nowadays.

My favorite trend for the 2008 fall season: layering. You can’t go wrong with layering.

Reason #1 – The classrooms are always cold. It could be 80 degrees outside and somehow it’s 60 inside the classroom and one of the only good times to start stripping.

Reason #2 – If you make a fashion faux-pas such as pairing a blue snakeskin belt with that hunter green crew neck sweater, make sure you can take off that sweater and go crazy with the belt and a simple black shift dress.

Reason #3 – You can create more looks with 4 pieces for under $150.00. Now who needs that finance degree again?

Below are the basics for your closet that you can use interchangeably.

Lightweight Jacket

If you want a bolder version of the jacket, try a cotton bolero that is appropriate for daytime or a jacket that sits right at the waist. (Check out Good Girlz seersucker cardigan! http://ggirlz.com/store/tops.htm)


Good Girlz ($45)

Solid Tees

Whether it be crewneck or v neck, stick to solid tees. That way, you can roll out of bed and go to your 8 AM Chinese class without someone asking “Hey, didn’t you wear that “Girls rule” shirt yesterday?”

Urban Outfitters ($9.00)

Jeans

You can’t go wrong. Right now, wide leg pants are the way to go and I love them! BTW, Good Girlz will be starting to focus on denim and you’ll see jeans in the upcoming months!

Judi Rosen Wide-Leg Jeans ($67.00)

Black Pants

A staple. You can dress them down or dress them up with a tunic. Throw on a solid tee, a cardigan, and call it a day! Now, if you decided to go with wide leg jeans, then go with skinny black pants or tailored black pants (no cuffs on the bottom).

Larry Levines Career Pants ($25.99)

Avoid trendy garments that you can’t envision yourself wearing in the next decade. Whatever you do, do not buy those high-waisted pants. Beware the Mischa Bartons of the world.

Remember, when you go back to school shopping, leave your credit cards at home and take cash. If you’re lucky, take your parents!

COME BACK ACCESSORY?

We’ve been lucky to have a mild summer in Washington D.C. Same amount of heat, less humidity. Of course, April who is from San Diego, might beg to differ on the mildness of humidity. While driving around Washington Circle in Foggy Bottom the other day, I noticed a group of umbrella-clad people who happened to be Japanese tourists. Go figure.

I promised a second and last blog on my Japanese vacation I took in June and it is about the second coming of the parasol accessory. In Japan, I noticed that it was not humid but the sun would drive up the temperatures and many people used parasols to keep cool. I was in a Kyoto Metro shopping arcade and came upon an accessories store. There were thousands of parasols for sale and the price tags ranged from 400 yen (USD $4.00) to 15,000 yen (USD $150). They had designer parasols such as those produced by Nina Ricci. Below are examples of the more elaborate parasols that you might see the new-age Geishas sporting.

I was amazed at the different styles, weights, thickness and thinness of the parasols. There was one that could have been the size of a business card. Honestly.

I bought five parasols. One had a handle that imaged Keropi and the others I bought as presents. My favorite is one I plan to debut on Derby Day or Gold Cup in Spring 2009.

I come back to the States to show off my ware and notice that there are other people flouncing about with parasols. On a hot July day, I went to see the Nationals play the Orioles. It was so darn hot that I saw at least twenty plus people clad with parasols and the guy sitting behind me used my parasol to shade his beer. I don’t know why I was excited but I was (see picture below).

I believe it was confirmation that parasols are coming back in style in the states… or… maybe it is the mild summer in D.C. that has people breaking out their parasols in an attempt to ward off the sun. The parasol has become an utilitarian accessory more than it has kept its factor of making a lady look dainty.

If you want more information on parasols, check out the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_
fashion_design.

Harajuku Girls

In one of our Good Girlz meetings, we discussed what might be next on our blog. I (Thar) planned a vacation in Japan in June and we decided to include a little international flair as a Good Girl has always got to be in style whenever and wherever she goes. We hope you enjoy!

Earlier this month I vacationed in Japan for approximately a week. I roamed the central part of Japan, Osaka, Kyoto and Kanazawa before trekking to Tokyo for the final leg of my trip. I decided I had to make one major stop before coming back home to the states: Tateshima Street in Tokyo’s Harajuku District. As some may know, Gwen Stefani sang about Harajuku Girls on her album “Love. Angle. Music. Baby.” and the Harajuku Girls have appeared on numerous Stefani videos including “Hollaback Girl”.

A prime example of a Harajuku Girl are the two girls featured in the picture to the right.

I could not resist saying “Sumemasen” (Excuse Me) to the girls I saw at the sock store (yes, a store just for socks). As you can see, Miyako (left of picture) is clad in a dress reminiscient of a cross between a French maid and Minnie Mouse. Yuka is dressed in the funny “holds no bar” mix-matched knee highs. I love it!

These ladies were two of the tamest in the Harajuku District. I attach Exhibit A: Where can we find a wedding dress or a pimp outfit nowadays?

If you stroll around most of Japan, young girls and some as old as 30 look like they’ve just purchased their clothes from the extreme rack of Hot Topic.

The most important aspect of Japanese fashion, no matter how outrageous some outfits are, is that of modesty. I noticed that modesty shapes Japanese Fashion; no one showed cleavage and there were no bare bellies. I believe this is one of the many reasons why we have the Harajuku fashion because you have to be outrageous in one way or another if you can’t bare skin. Speaking of skin, I had to brave going commando on my first day in Japan as my luggage was delayed in Chicago, so I was a bit uncomfortable as Japan is quite cool at night and in the morning, but once the sun comes out, so do the parasols!

Stay tuned for my next and final travel blog. Learn more about parasols, one of the favorite accessories in Japan that is sure to make a comeback soon here in America!

The Past is the Future

Looking back at fashion as a whole over the last decade, 1 thing is evident: most popular fashion had a preexisting origin. It reminds me of when the music artists sample beats and lyrics from other artists and use that to create hits of their own. MC Hammer’s “Can’t touch this” used the popular Rick James “Super freak” sample. The list goes on and on. In fashion many of the popular styles we enjoy today are remixes of popular styles of previous decades. Here’s a look at some Good Girlz favorite fashion comebacks.

The Sweater Dress
The sweater dress really became popular in the 60’s when new synthetic yarns were introduced and youth were grooving to the Locomotion, The Shake and the Twist.

Hip Huggers

Reinvented as “Low Rise”, the Hip Hugger first made its appearance in the 60’s, but was made popular in the 70’s and 80’s when updated versions of the pant appeared.

The Stiletto
Thank you Ferragamo. 1950 is when this fashion icon first introduced the shoe. It’s like a great pair of Jeans; the Stiletto will never go out of style.

Speaking of shoes, here is one we learned to live without...the SADDLE SHOE :(

Kick Off The New Year In Style!

So you’re facing a dilemma! You have a great New Years Eve party to attend and you have NO IDEA what to wear. Have no fear! This is the Girl Talk you need to hear! Whether it’s dressy, casual, outdoors or cozy, we’ve compiled a list of possible outfits to get you through the night in style!

New York - Times Square
So you’re going to see the ball drop with about 1 million other people in New York at Times Square! Well this requires special wardrobe advice as you will be doing A LOT of waiting and standing. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30’s this year so bundle up! We suggest starting with a long sleeved, jewel neck tee and topping that with a ¾ zip fleece pullover. Put these with your hottest boot cut jean and a flat boot or fitted Puma sneaker and you are ready to bring in 2008!







New Years Eve Party - Dressy
So you’re going to a swanky party! This season Sequin, metallic, and reds are very popular at dressy affairs. Try pairing a hot sequin top with a fitted black skirt or a hot sequin mini with a crisp white button down if you’ve got legs! Put on a pair of pointed toe boots or a classic pump if you go with the mini option and take 2007 out with a bang!











New Years Eve Party - Casual
So you’re going out with your beau and a few close friends! This year “The sweater dress” has made a comeback. It’s the perfect way to be not too dressed up, but not too dressed down. If you’re a little curvy, get one with a high waist so it will compliment your shape. Dress it up with a big metallic belt and knee boots, or dress it down with a cute pair of patterned flats. Either way your ready to shout HAPPY NEW YEAR! In Style!






As Always You Know Good Girlz Come In All Sizes! Check us out and find out how to

Find Your Style.

Find Your Size.

Good Girlz.



http://www.ggirlz.com/

Chunky Knits a Chunky Trend

This fall Chunky Knits are all over the fashion super highway! Calvin Klein, Malandrino, JeanPaul Gaultier and Ralph Lauren are all in the fast lane with this fall trend. If you’re measurements aren’t 36-24-36 you may be inclined to let this one pass you by as the perception is “Chunky Knits make you look Chunky”. Well mama told me “Its not about what you’ve got…Its how you WORK it!” Lets take a quick look at a few classic shapes and see how you can Work with what you’ve got and sport this hot trend.

If you have a classic pear shape or Hourglass figure you might think a Chunky Knit would hide your best asset…your waist. Try pairing your sweater with a fitted short denim jacket to accentuate your waist; or choose a sweater with a dramatic neckline. Try it with skinny straight jeans and a flat furry boot for that snow bunny look! If you’re more of a v shape or oval, try an open or cardigan style sweater that you can put a fitted tank under. This way you can hide the “love handles” but still look shapely. Throw on some boot cut or flare jeans with a pair of pointed toe pumps and you’ll be ready to leave them all in the dust!

Remember GoodGirlz come in all sizes! Check out the online store for some hot Fall/Winter pieces to accent your wardrobe!