Fashion Breakthrough
Okay, so my close friends know that I’m not really one for the latest and greatest fashions. I’m the kind of girl that if it fit well (make me look 10 pounds lighter) and it is comfortable- it is a winner!
I think I have gotten worse about fashion since becoming a mom. It is perfectly fashionable of “stay at home” moms in my community to wear workout clothes all day. (Yes, really.) When I left work two years ago, I gave away all my professional clothing. (Okay, so I kept my 3 pairs of black slacks!)
Since starting back to do consulting for social media, I have been rethinking my fashion choices (or really lack of fashion choices). Why?
1. To be taking seriously as a social media consultant, I need to wear something besides jeans and workout clothing.
2. My first client is a clothes company. Yes, me the non-fashionistia doing social media consulting for a clothes company. Funny!
Online Fashion
In my social media research of fashion online, I have discovered lots about fashion.
- It is easier now than ever to style clothing (you already own), because of all the free help online like Pinterest and Polyvore. If you are into fashion, you will want to check them out.
- It is easier now than ever to find the looks that you are looking for or the style you had in mind by searching online.
- It is easer now to find great deals on what you really want through online shopping.
I’m also learning how to market clothing online and create community around fashion. It has been fun following the high end designers and getting a glimpse into their world. (Okay, I have to fully disclose here that I have for years loved watching the Rachel Zoe Show.) I have come to appreciate the creative side of fashion more than the “look what I’m wearing” side.
Nations Outfitters
The company that I’m doing consulting with is Nations Outfitters. They are a Christian owned business in Birmingham. Their motto is, “It’s what you do in your clothes that makes you beautiful.” They primarily sell through trunk shows and internet sales.
I have been hired to help them build a foundation for their social media through their blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc…, and teach them how to manage it long term after my stint in over.
It has been a fun experience working with the Nations Outfitters staff. As I have taught them social media, they have taught me current fashion trends. I love working with their stylist Allison (Mom’s Monday) and Abby (Wear-it Wednesday) who are our main bloggers. I get to see the looks they have created before they go live on the blog. I’m always amazed at how they can take a piece of clothing and make it look totally different when the various the accessories.
Also, I’m learning so much about being a full-time mom and business owner from the designer and owner Lisa Ann. She is a beautiful women inside and out. And one of the most creative people that I have met. It has been neat working with her and the wonderfully talented staff that she has brought together.
New York City?
When the Nations staff heard I would going to NYC for a blogging conference, they just had to dress me. It was so much fun trying on dresses for my big trip with the girls (Okay, they do this with everyone who shops a trunk show. It is like a dress up party!).
So here goes my fashion debut in Nations Outfitters… (the pictures are of bad quality, you would think Social Media people could hold an iPhone still. lol!)
The first day of the conference I wore one of my old favorite dresses with leggings. Not a Nations Outfitters dress, but one of my all time favs!
Shane wanted me to get a picture with Jared Polin from Fro Knows Photos. His website is one of my husband's favorites. Yes, he is as crazy in real life. Later, I talked to him and he seems to be a nice guy underneath all the branding. He is a brilliant photographer and marketer. I didn't realize he was making this face until later. This is his brand!
The second day of the conference I wore The Melissa Dress from Nations Outfitters. It is just like wearing a long t-shirt. I love the flattering look and comfortable feel.
Conference leader Clay Hebert gave away a lunch networking meeting to 4 lucky winners from his conference session. I won! These social media peeps are from Atlanta, California, and New York. It was so much fun!
The third day I wore one of Lisa Ann’s favorite dresses that I don’t think is in stock anymore, because it is not on the website. If you want one, I can check to see if she has any more. This dress is really out of character for me, but it was fun to wear!
This is the exhibit area at New Media Expo (BlogWorld). My friend Julie Brannon of TELP Media was the one who got me a complimentary ticket to The Social Media Summit from one of the conference sponsors that she writes for Social Media Monthly. Huge win for me!
The last night of the conference. I changed into the The Maggie Dress. I loved this dress paired with a sweater from TJ Max. It is comfortable and very forgiving. It is on clearance now for $15! BTW…I wear a size medium in this dress. The other two dresses I preferred the large. (Nations give refunds on regular priced items that need to be return for sizing issues.)
The last night of the conference I was going to dinner with some new friends before the final mixer. We ended up shopping at B&H (electronics), walking from lower to middle Manhattan, eating at Juniors, seeing Ricky Martin leaving Evita performance, and hanging around Time Square. Later, I caught a taxi on 5 Avenue back to Brooklyn. I love NY!
I will be blogging more about my experiences in NYC and the beautiful people that I met. I have been working hard on the Nations Outfitters new blog and web relaunch, so I have had very little time for personal blogging with the boys home for summer. (Lots to blog about there! We are having a great summer!!)
This is our second week launching the new blog with lots of amazing giveaways- One $50 gift certificated to Hanna Kate children’s clothing and another one to Nations Outfitters, lots of books including mine, and a Nations Outfitters dress of your choice. The deadline to register it Thursday at midnight!
Please, go check out Nations Outfitters website, learn about the new blog, win some prizes, and buy some cute clothes for summer and for fall. (We start releasing some great fall pieces in August!)
Disclaimer: I did not get paid to write this post, but I do get paid for consulting for Nations Outfitters and the last two dresses were given to me to wear to NYC.
Comment
I would love to know where you shop online or how you feel about fashion trends.
