In My Fashion Blog: READing Your Style: The Big Buy Theory (The Trend Spotter)

Being that these next two months is about The Secrets of Stylists, I was so fortunate to come across InStyle Magazine’s feature, “The Big Buy Theory”. I found this feature useful because it offers a classification system for the types of ways to approach buying ones clothes. In my fashion, if you are out shopping and finding it hard to find an outfit for a particular event, or just looking for clothes that suit your style, I thought this was an accurate theory of which to base ones decisions off of. Styling the mannequins at Forever 21 this past month, I find I have to put myself in the mindset of the customers who are looking to buy from the store. Forever 21 has a huge selection, and is a treasure trove of clothes for any look, and what I have heard from customers is that they have a bit of trouble sifting through all the merchandise. If you are familiar with Forever 21, you will know that Forever tries to make it easy by coordinating different rooms for different types of girls (i.e. Girly Girl, Grungy Girl, Now Girl, Bohemian Girl, etc.). Based on the selection of clothes each room has, I have to think about what each particular girl would want to wear and present an innovative and inspiring look that entices customers to consider particular pieces to buy. I enjoy showing the ways in which to wear pieces that one might not think to combine together, and in my fashion, no matter what type of girl you happen to classify yourself as, “The Big Buy Theory” applies to each girl and how to approach selecting one’s clothes at the store.

Now, as we all know, the Fall 2014 collections were shown last month, and I have reviewed the collections! This season I wanted to approach reviewing the collections with “The Big Buy Theory” in mind. For those of you looking for inspiration on your next shopping excursion, what I have done here on #IMFblog is chosen designers that I find exemplify each classification of “The Big Buy Theory” and presented my picks of looks worth imitating if you are looking to create a modern, innovative look for yourself the next time you are out shopping. Along with my runway choices, I have reprinted each of “The Big Buy Theory” classification descriptions and InStyle’s suggestions for how to shop based on what you classify yourself as. In my fashion, I find that there maybe a little of each of the four classifications in all of us, but there is probably one of which we tend to gravitate towards the most which make us feel most comfortable in our sartorial journey. If you find that you are a generally a “Trend Spotter”, and want to appear more “Minimalist” use InStyle’s guide to help you put yourself in the mindset of how a Minimalist would find clothes. If you are a “Investor” and want to boost the impact of your look by thinking as an “Accessory Maven” would, there is a bevy of advice to consider from “The Big Buy Theory”. Regardless of what type of girl you think of yourself as, whether you are a punk rocker, athlete, or business professional, each girl can benefit from approaching buying clothes thinking about which classification to approach buying the pieces to complete a look. Hopefully the runway looks I chose help you to create new looks for yourself that keep you current and forward thinking for the coming season.

The Trend Spotter

Christian Dior, Dries Van Noten, Versace

You’re sartorially adventurous. You spy nifty silhouettes or a new way to layer, and you instinctively know what will become the season’s style zeitgeist. You shop fast fashion to do a dry run on an experimental look and can take forever getting ready to get it all just so. Clothing is a form of expression, and you fearlessly combine pieces with abandon to keep it fresh.

Dries Van Noten, Proenza Schouler, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Why it’s easy: Your ever-evolving style is exhilarating.

Louis Vuitton, Diane Von Furstenberg, Versace

Why its tricky: Being too on-trend can equal fashion victim.

Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, Prada

The goal: Staying inspired by what’s new and what’s been rediscovered.

Rag & Bone, Christian Dior, Diane Von Furstenberg

Plan of Attack:

WAIT! THAT TRENDY BIG TICKET ARTICLE WILL GO ON SALE: Folks less intrepid than you will shy away from riskier designer styles. Bolke describes his sales rack as equal parts of-the-moment designs and basics, so patience should pay off it you bide your time.

Thom Browne, Versace, and Marc by Marc Jacobs

KNOW WHEN TO INVEST: If you find yourself returning to florals, animal prints, or leather jackets, spring for the brand renowned for that style. Forever 21’s pleather moto won’t wear as beautifully over the years as Schott’s leather version, so budget for one serious purchase.

Dries Van Noten, Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler

HAUNT WELL-EDITED VINTAGE AND CONSIGNMENT STORES: The pre-loved marker is a huge boon. Resale sites like Vaunte.com offer choice castoffs at a fraction of their original price. “We have efficient filters to let you look for Chanel or new items from featured stylish seller,” says founder Leah Park. Maximize discounts: Park notes that frequent sales start between 11:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. EST.

Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Tom Ford

ACCEPT THE MANY HAPPY RETURNS: If you’re going to shop fast fashion online, make peace with buying and returning a lot. Photos may not always be a good indicator of quality or fit, so take advantage of sites that provide free shipping both ways. There are gems to be hound, but you’ll need to wade through the duds too.