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Friday, June 29, 2012

Feel Fresh Friday: The Life Aquatic

         Another big trend on the runways this year was the aquatic trend.  Tapping into our love of the deep blue sea, designers utilized a broad spectrum of aquatic shades.  With deep blues and sea-foam greens, its hard not to find at least one way to adapt this trend into your wardrobe.  Think sandy browns, iridescent whites, and bright corals.


Found at fabsugar.com

Here at Renewal we have all the right pieces to integrate aquatic fashion into your closet.
Tanks: Free People - XS
Skirt: Forever 21 XS  Dark Jeans: Bullhead Sz. 3  Light Pants: EX Jeans Sz. 5

 Striped Tank: So Sik Sz. Lg  LS Shirt: Express Sz. Lg  Tie Dye Tank: Kensie Sz. Lg

Love this trend but these SO aren't your colors??  
You can always bring it into your wardrobe with accessories!
 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tuesday's Trendy Tip: Fitting Room Tips

8-Tips to Trying on Clothes:

We're all guilty of it....having clothes in our closets that still have the tag on them.  This became more apparent to me than ever when I started to work resale.  Many of the items we get here at the store are brand new, and while we love receiving them, I'm sure you felt a pang of guilt each time you saw it in your closet.  Maybe you were in a rush and left the store without trying it on, or perhaps you tried it on, but it didn't seem to fit as well or look as good when you brought it home.  Any way you may have acquired said items, Renewal is here to give you some tips on how to choose only the best pieces and avoid buyer's remorse.

 1. Care Label: The biggest tip we can give is to read the care instructions carefully before purchasing. Some items may be dry-clean or hand-wash only...which can be a pain if you don't have a lot of time on your hands. Choose items that call for care instructions that you can handle.

   2. Wrinkle Test:  I'm always disappointed when I put on an outfit that looks great as I'm getting ready in the morning, but is a wrinkled mess by the time I get to work.  No matter how you commute, the train or car-ride to your job can leave wrinkles in un-flattering places, causing you to look frumpy and disheveled. Avoid this by conducting a wrinkle test before you buy. Scrunch the item in your hand and hold for 15 seconds, if the fabric is wrinkle free when you release, it's less likely to be wrinkled at the end of a long day.  If it stays wrinkled after releasing, you may want to rethink this purchase.


3. Create an Outfit:  While many of us like to be comfortable when shopping, and probably wear sweats and a tee, it can alter your perception of certain pieces.  For example, if you're trying on a fancy silk top, it will look great next to the pair of sweats your donning, but may be all wrong when actually incorporated into an outfit.  We recommend grabbing the necessary counterparts and taking them to the fitting room too.  Even if you aren't planning on buying the additional pieces, it will give you a better idea of how the top looks in the way you were planning to wear it.




4: Do a mental run-through of your closet:
We tend to stick to colors and styles that we like the most. While shopping, do a mental run-through of your closet to make sure you're not wasting your money on a piece that too closely resembles something you already own. This will also help you decide if it fits into your wardrobe at all...Do you have a skirt or shoes that match that top? Maximize your shopping experience by buying items that can be mixed and matched with a variety of pieces you already own.


5. Get a Rear View: It's important to know how the piece fits from all angles, and not all stores have a three-way mirror. Using even a small compact mirror can be a big help. Standing with your rear facing the wall mirror, hold the compact out in front of you and glance to the mirror behind you. This can give you a rough idea of how the piece looks from the back. Does the material drape correctly over your rear end? Is it too tight across the shoulders?

6. Seek out natural lighting & mirrors:
Fluorescent lights that are found in many retail locations can change appearance of the color of the garment, or wash out your skin tone. Likewise, dim lighting may stop you from noticing if a piece is see-through. Natural light is best for determining how clothing will look once you take it home.  Mirrors can also distort your view of an item.  Tilted mirrors can elongate your figure, making clothing appear more slimming than it really is. Seek out mirrors that are flat against the wall for the most accurate reflection.

7. Move around: You're not going to be standing still the entire time you are wearing a garment, so it is important to move around when trying it on.  Does the skirt ride-up too high when you bend over? Does the button or zipper dig into your side when you sit down?  When purchasing clothes, it's crucial to make sure you will be comfortable in them all day long.


8. Check the Details: This may seem obvious, but check the garment for loose threads and buttons before buying it.  Small details are the easiest to miss but can make a big impact.  What's the point of buying a skirt if the hook & eye rips out of the fabric the first time you wear it?  This will help increase the longevity of the pieces you buy.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Feel Fresh Fridays: T-Shirts

          With the hottest days we've had all season finally upon us, the last thing I can think about is putting together an outfit. As I'm sure it is for everyone, a t-shirt and shorts is my go-to outfit on days like today. Many may think a t-shirt is too casual for certain summer events, but with an abundance of styles, a t-shirt is one of the most versatile summer staples you can have in your closet. Here are a few of Renewal's t-shirts to keep you care free this summer.

Tee's that cover your rear-end:
With a longer back panel, these t-shirts are great for those of you that might not be as comfortable wearing shorts. They cover the rear-end and come in cute patterns and designs.
1: Aqua, sz. Med;  2: NY&Co, sz. Sm.; 3: Chaser, sz. Large

Embellished Tee's:
These tees are great for barbeques and parties. An embellished neckline makes the shirt a bit fancier, while still feeling casual and cool.
1: PinkRose, sz. Sm;  2: Loft, sz. Large; 3: Loft, sz. Large

Tee's that make me happy:
Try t-shirts that have fun and colorful designs on the front. With a nice summer feel, they pair perfectly with shorts.

 
1: Delia's, sz.XS; 2: Juicy Couture, sz.Sm; 3: Loft, sz.Sm

Tee's with Cap Sleeves:Like the embellished tee, these shirts are great for dressing up shorts or a skirt, without accentuating the bust.
    
 1: Soprano, sz.Sm;  2: Rendez-Vous, sz. XS; 3: H&M, sz.Sm

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tuesday's Trendy Tip: Backyard BBQ

So, 4th of July falls on a Wednesday this year, does it get any better than that??  The big question is, are you prepared for 2-weekends filled with BBQ's?

Don't worry...we've got you covered and everything is 50% OFF until Saturday!!

 Romper: Forever 21 Sz. Small  -  Sandals: Matisse Sz. 8  -  Clutch: J.Lo

 Top: Aeropostale Sz. Small  -  Wedges: Sugar Sz. 7.5  -  Skirt: Zuiki Sz. Medium

Dress: Speechless Sz. Medium  -  Wedges: White House Black Market Sz. 9  -   
Purse: Brooks Brothers NWT  -  Scarf: Vintage

Friday, June 15, 2012

Feel Fresh Friday: Aztec Prints

        Prints are always a huge summer trend, as they are the easiest way to express your style when it's too hot outside for layers. While florals are a classic, this year designers seem to be inspired by ethnic prints. Taking elements from African and Asian motifs to American southwest and Mexican cultures, the runways were filled with bright colors in abstract designs and geometric patterns. The great thing about the Aztec trend is that it can be adapted to your style in various ways. Here are a few of Renewals tribal-inspired pieces.


The attention-grabbing tribal prints should be paired with subtle accessories. Try wearing shoes and jewelry in neutral and solid colors to dress up your tribal wear.
 Shirt: Gap, sz. Med.;   Jeans: Delia's, sz. 3;   Sandals: Bumper, sz.8

Dress: Xhiliration, sz.XL; Sandals: Farylrobin, sz. 7;   Purse: Tignanello

If prints aren’t your thing, then you can still indulge in the ethnic / tribal fashion trend by way of accessories. Try using purses or clutches with aztec patterns, or simply wear wooden and tribal-inspired jewelry to dress up your summer staples.
Dress: J.Crew, sz. Small;   Shoes: J.Crew,sz.10;   Purse: Nila Anthony

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Alex's Lemonade Stand!

We want to thank everyone who contributed and participated in our Alex's Lemonade Stand.  The kids really had a great time and most importantly, we raised $324 for childhood cancer research!  A special thank you to our volunteers - Caleb, Madison, Cadence, Jessica, Richie, Ava Grace, Kaila, Sophia, Caitlyn, Alyssa, Naomi, Kerisma, Delany, Tyler, Gabriella, Carlana, Thomas and Paige.   Here are some photos from throughout the day!
 Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation sends out a little care package a few weeks before National Lemonade Days...inside this package there is a little guy called "The Running Lemon" they ask that you color it in and during the stand days, take pictures of the lemon doing different things...here is what we had The Running Lemon do!
 Thanks again to everyone who helped to make this possible!  We will definitely be hosting a stand again next year so if you would like to participate please let us know.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tuesday's Trendy Tip: Understanding the color wheel


When you know how to use it, the color wheel can be a wonderful tool for decorating or even putting together outfits!  Here is a quick look at the basics of the color wheel and how to accomplish stylish looks within those color harmonies.  The parts of the color wheel that we are using for each outfit is outlined in black.

Monochromatic:
Monochromatic colors are all the tints, tones and shades of a single hue.  You can easily accomplish a monochromatic look within this hue by pairing a pair of baby blue shorts and handbag, with a turquoise floral top and aqua colored cardigan.
Shorts: Aeropostale Sz. 0  -  Tank: Delias Sz. Small  -  Cardigan: Ann Taylor Sz. Small  -  Coach Bag




 Complimentary:
Complimentary colors are pairs of colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel.  When placed next to each other, complements make each other appear brighter which is great for the summertime.  This is one of the easiest looks to put together because it is literally two-colors!  For this outfit we paired a dress in the orange hue under a tank that was already a mixture of our compliments.
Tank: J. Crew Sz. 0  -  Dress:  Poof Sz. Small  -  Clutch: Kristine Accessories

Analogous:
Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel.  Color-blocking is a great way to accomplish this look.  We paired solids from each hue to accent each other while allowing enough contrast.


Split Complimentary:
This is a color scheme that includes a main color and the two colors on each side of its complementary (opposite) color on the color wheel.  For this look we paired a monochromatic turquoise tank over a maroon dress with a peach colored sweater.
Tank: Tahari Sz. Small  -  Sweater: Guess Sz. Small  -  Dress: Lush Sz. Large  -  Marc Jacobs Wallet