HOW TO BE A CHICONOMISTA

Welcome to our fantastic new blog, where the world of fashion and getting the most for your money meet! Read on to discover how to be a chiconomista.....

There’s no doubt about it, we’re all thinking a lot harder about how we shop these days, but this doesn't have to mean that style and shopping leave the building and go out of the window!

Leaner times call for more focus when it comes to your wardrobe and with a little help in the right direction, your chiconomy books will be balanced in no time. Spending and saving can go hand in hand.

Study up recessionistas in the laws of chiconomics

CHICONOMICS RULE 1 – DECODE & UNDERSTAND YOUR STYLE

We cannot stress enough how understanding your own Personal Style when it comes to the colours, shapes and looks right for YOU is essential. Not only to saving yourself money when it comes to your wardrobe but also kiss goodbye to the time and stress it takes when you stand at your wardrobe and feel like you have nothing to wear or stand in front of the changing room mirror and feel like nothing ever fits you or looks right on you.

By investing in Personal Styling sessions you will banish those expensive fashion mistakes hanging in your wardrobe right now and the money simply wasted on them. You will get more return on your investment in terms of wearability and of course confidence. Your Personal Styling ROI = confidence/ looking & feeling great

Try our own Personal Styling sessions at www.styleoursouls.com

CHICONOMICS RULE 2 – FOCUS & BUILD

Once you have greater understanding of what is right for you when it comes to the best colours and styles to look your best, you will then be better positioned to focus on what you really NEED to start building a wardrobe that works for you effortlessly whatever the occasion.

Your Personal Stylist will work with you to help you understand where your wardrobe needs focus and how to build on what you have and purchase the right items to start filling in the gaps and pulling your wardrobe together effortlessly.

Key pieces in your wardrobe to start building outfits from are a good selection of basics – vest tops and slim-fitting tees in your key colours great for layering and cheap and easy way to start pulling outfits together.

Accessories are a key building block in any woman’s wardrobe and mean you get more wear out of capsule pieces and trend injections. Accessorising your look in more than one way will also add interest and change your look in an instant.

CHICONOMICS RULE 3 – QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

As The Chiconomista, I am the first to say I love a bargain as much as the next woman. However, I am an advocate of the quality over quantity rule and believe if you understand your personal style your purse can bulge more than your wardrobe needs to.

In the same vein, recessionistas you need to become savvy on when to buy expensive and when to go cheap. There’s no room for wasting money on expensive items unnecessarily and equally you can make mistakes in cheap stores in a frenzy of bargain hunting!

Bearing in mind Chiconomics rules 1 and 2 begin to focus in on the item itself. Good quality goes a long way, but great quality can last a lifetime. Opt for wardrobe essentials in good quality and add in high fashion items and bargains which will then look more expensive worn together! It is how you wear something not where it’s from that counts.

Splurge-worthy pieces include:

- STAPLE JACKET

- GREAT PAIR OF JEANS (great in terms of fit and look!)

- LBD (or your colour version!)

- LEATHER STAPLES (leather is THE fabric of the season and a classic set to stay!)

- WINTER COAT

- HANDBAG / SHOES

Here are The Chiconomista guidelines to key elements of ensuring your pieces survive more than one season and that make a difference in the appearance of an item are:

- the fit & cut - try it on to ensure it skims not clings and moves with your body

- the look and feel of the fabric (the knit/weave/density/colour)

- the look of the detailing - e.g. buttons, finishings, hem, hardware etc

CHICONOMICS RULE 4 – LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT

If you don’t absolutely love it, keep shopping: walk out of a store before purchasing an item, just to “test” whether you are still thinking about it after leaving the store. If you absolutely love the piece, you will keep thinking about it until you stake your claim – true
love indeed

CHICONOMICS RULE 5 – THE MORE YOU’LL WEAR IT, THE MORE IT’S WORTH

The Chiconomista can't drum it in enough about ‘cost per wear’ – bearing in mind Chiconomics Rule 3, whether the piece is an investment or a bargain ensuring your ‘cost per wear’ is essential. A £10 top could end up being more expensive never wearing it than a £200 jacket you wear hundreds of times which works hard for its place in your wardrobe.

The Chiconomista top 3 tips to consider when making a purchase:

1 - Is the piece trans-seasonal?

2 - Is the piece cross-functional?

3 - Does the piece make you feel fantastic?

CHICONOMICS is all about buying key pieces that will last more than one season

In essence, looking stylish doesn’t have to come at a cost it is simply about investing in yourself and adding some focus

What you settle for must be “futureproof” – you should refuse to be “a fickle trend hound” and the investment in understanding your own Personal Style will take you a long way.