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2018 Fall Fashion Trends

 

2018 fall fashion

I know with heat waves still running across the country it seems crazy to even think about wearing pants let alone heavy coats! But Fashion Week runs in the middle of summer and because I love fashion, I’m giving you a heads up on the fall fashion trends ahead of schedule. You’re welcome.

2018 fall fashion

There are quite a few trends that are new and some that are revamped comebacks.

Some of the trends cross paths. Like the 80’s trend and the Futuristic trend: Can we say “Hello Krystle Carrington?!” {Please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks of the 80’s drama Dynasty when looking at this dress?} The look might be updated, but I guarantee there is someone out there who wore a similar gold dress to her Prom. I just love how fashion comes full circle and then some!

Runway fashions can be over-the-top, and many times it is more of a spectator event than a predictor of fashion trends to come. It’s hard to know for certain which of these styles will become a fad especially among the mainstream population. There are many themes among the designers, but I chose 8 that seemed to be repeated more often and that would also be easy to incorporate into your own closet.

Here are 8 Fall Fashion Trends to watch:

 

2018 Fall Fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

1. Totally 80’s

Pick which 80’s trend you loved—black leather, big shoulders, puffy sleeves, ruffles, acid washed denim. They’re all there! Even bright, neon colors were spotted on the runways. If you loved the 80’s you will be happy this Fall.

 

 

2018 Fall Fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

2. Animals Prints

Animal prints in fashion are not new, but it’s making more of a statement this coming season. You won’t just see neutral animal print either. It’s coming in bright colors too. I think adding an animal print to your outfit is a great way to bring in a textural accent. You might bring out an inner spirit animal too. 

 

 

2018 Fall fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

3. Shearlings

Mostly faux furs for the animal-conscious can be found in many designer lines, but you will also still see some real fur. Many coats, either full fur, layered, or patched with other fabrics were popular on the runway. Nothing says comfort and warmth like fur wrapped around you! If you live in the cold states, this trend will be perfect for you.

 

 

2018 Fall fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

 4. Futuristic

Everything from metallic fabrics, sequins, iridescent sheens, even plastic and actual metal on clothes is trending this fall. The feeling isn’t cold and metallic, but more shiny and sparkly. Seeing some of the styles makes me feel like getting glammed up and heading to the club. But ironically, I can see the pieces as being accents to a casual outfit-of-the-day look too. I love pieces that can do double duty!

 

 

2018 Fall fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

5. Floral

The floral trend continues! You might think of floral as spring and summery in contrast to fall and winter. However you will see the feminine and romantic prints and how they soften the darker and cooler months. Flowers are such a breath of fresh air, and when you pair them with heavier items like a chunky sweater or puffy coat, the whole outfit feels lighter and happier! Who doesn’t want that when you start to feel a chill in the air or on a dreary winter day. I also love the play between florals and an edgier piece, like a leather jacket. It’s perfect for when you’re feeling a bit naughty and bit nice.

 

 

2018 Fall Fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

6. Tapestry

This trend is inspired much by Americana and the folklore spirit. You immediately pick up on Native American Indian and Western cowboy influences too. There are lots of rich colors, embroidery, and fringe. The patterns are beautiful, sometimes in patchwork style. The look has a feel of being homemade; as if someone just took it off the loom and wrapped it around you!

 

 

2018 Fall fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

7. Oversized

If you want to feel protected from the elements or the world, this is your trend to follow.  We’re seeing large, puffy jackets and layers upon layers of clothes. In some ways it looks like someone picked up a comforter or pile of clothes and threw it on. It’s an interesting look for the runway, but maybe for real street fashion a nice down jacket will keep you stylish enough for this trend.

 

 

2018 Fall fashion

Image source: Getty Image via harpersbazaar.com & popsugar.com

8. Suiting

There is something really sexy, yet empowering, about incorporating traditional men’s suiting with feminine lines. Houndstooth, plaid, and herringbone prints are typical and traditional in men’s suits. This fall you will see them not just in coats and blazers, but in short dresses, skirts, bustier tops, and jumpsuits. 

 

So which ones are your faves? I’d love to know which ones you’ll be rocking this fall!

 

2018 fall fashion

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Creating a Vacation Capsule Wardrobe

A vacation capsule wardrobe has clothing that works in a variety of situations and will also fit into a carry on type of luggage. The point of the capsule is to keep your wardrobe (and your luggage) small, light, and easy to carry.  Choosing pieces that will mix, match, and layer with each other is the key to making your capsule stretch.  Since bringing your whole closet isn’t an option consider the following when choosing the clothes you want to bring:

 

  • Create a Simple Color Palette– Pick three or four colors that coordinate.  You’ll be able to mix and match better.
  • Where are you going?– Think about the season and the temperature.  Will your clothes suit your activities?
  • Create a List– Search for items in your closet that fit your color palette and are appropriate for your destination’s climate. Then, narrow down your choices by considering what you’ll need based on your activities.
  • Create Outfits– Try to make as many outfit combinations as you can using the items you selected. Remove any items that aren’t used in outfits so you don’t pack anything unnecessary. Make sure everything can mix and match. Ideally, all your tops should go with all the bottoms you’re bringing. If you have time, try your outfits on to make sure the proportions are right.  I like to document my outfits by taking pictures so I remember the outfits I created or you can use an app like Stylebook.

Picking the basic wardrobe

The basic wardrobe for a week-long vacation should consist of:

  • 2 bottoms (one dressy, one casual).  Even if the season is warm, one of the bottoms should be pants in case the weather turns cooler.
  • 3 tops (one dressy, one 3/4 length or long sleeves).  The long sleeves are for protection from cold weather and mosquitos.  The shirt should be light weight.
  • A sweater or jacket
  • A pair of nice walking shoes
  • Undergarments & toiletries
  • Rain protection/sun protection

Extras to add if room permits:

  • a dress
  • dress shoes
  • another top or bottom
  • swim suit
  • more accessories: belts, scarves, jewelry, purse

 

How to Fit Everything

Depending on the length of your vacation, to successfully fit everything in your carry-on, you’ll need a little help from luggage organizers like packing cubes. Ziploc bags are great too because they are inexpensive and you can see the through them. The point is to separate clothes and pack them as tightly as possible.

  • Packing Cube or Ziploc bags – Packing cubes help organize your luggage & wardrobe.  I packing cubespurchased these from Amazon. I like that they come in many colors; perfect for organizing other members of your family with their own colors or for packing outfits by days.  Ziploc bags are a cheaper alternative and even allow to you squeeze some air out for tighter packing. For both types of packing aides, you can separate by outfits/days or by types of clothing i.e. tops, bottoms, undergarments.
  • Clear Zip Pouches – These are great for holding toiletries.  Having another pouch is great for keeping purse essentials together too.
  • Shoe Bags – Ok you don’t have to get fancy.  I use grocery bags all the time to wrap my shoes in.  I’ve even seen shoes wrapped in shower caps! But if you want cute shoe bag options you can find a few on Amazon. The point is, who wants dirty shoes near your clothes?!

Wear some double-duty items on travel day and you’ll save a lot of space in your bag:

  • Sneakers/Boots – Trainers and boots can take up a lot of room in a small bag.  If you know you’ll be working out or needing some heavier shoes, consider wearing them while traveling.
  • Jeans– Unless you’re packing jeggings, denim can be heavy and sometimes bulky.  Wearing them can save some room in your luggage.
  • Cardigan and Lightweight Jacket– Dress in layers instead of a heavy coat. Even warm places can be chilly at night – if you wear a lightweight jacket, it may come in handy later.  We know that it can get cold if traveling by plane!

 

Luggage

There are so many amazing options in luggage these days! For a capsule wardrobe, you are going to want to go small, lightweight, but durable. It’s really a matter of preference whether you like a backpack, weekender type of tote, or hard shell spinner. If you are going to be on a plane, ideally you want to make sure to choose a bag that would fit in an overhead compartment or even under the seat. You will have to check with each airline for their specifications on size and weight.

Now that your bags are packed, it’s time to go find adventure! For more inspiration and tips check out my travel board on Pinterest!

travel capsule wardrobe

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Confessions of a Cult Shopper

It started with leggings.

Can anyone else out there relate to that statement? I realized I was a cult shopper when my cousin introduced me to Lularoe. My fascination with the world of soft leggings and addictive online sales began! When friends (and strangers) keep wanting to rub your legs, you know you have found something good. Where can I get me more of these babies? I joined VIP groups and watched Persicope sales left and right. Then I stumbled upon other direct sales clothing companies like Honey and Lace, and Agnes & Dora. What truly captivated me was not just the clothes, but HOW the clothes were being sold. Whether you watched a live sale online or shopped an album through someone’s Facebook group, claiming your item was almost always the same:

COMMENT SOLD and FIRST NAME, LAST INITIAL/NUMBER

 

Your fingers hover over the keys while you think, “Should I?!!! Don’t I already have 3 other packages on their way?! I think I need this one though!” And then someone else claims it. This either sends you 1) into relief; “I guess it wasn’t meant to be” or 2) more determined not to second guess yourself and to just do it next time. It’s kind of like shopping on Zulily or Amazon Black Friday without an actual timer or shopping cart in your face. What makes it more fun is you get to see what your competition other customers are interested in because they make comments. Innocent statements like, “ooh that’s a cute print” suddenly make your fingers twitch. Does she want this? Who is going to type “SOLD” faster? Wait, is this even my size?

If you’re laughing at this, we should go out for drinks because we have a shared understanding in the world of cult shopping. We have experienced the energy of a shopping frenzy that revolves mainly around snagging the most sought after styles and patterns. And before anyone gets worried about whether a cult shopper needs to join a therapy group, for the most part it is just a convenient and fun way to shop. As a customer you can develop friendships with your product representative as well as other customers. It’s very efficient especially for those who don’t like to shop or have time to socialize with friends. It’s killing two birds with one stone. And eventually the excitement of this new kind of shopping fades. Loyal shoppers remain followers of the sales either for the entertainment, camaraderie or to freshen their closet with new pieces.

Next step for a Cult Shopper?

So rather than enter Shoppers’ Anonymous or freeze my spending altogether, I did something better. I joined a company and became a representative! When an online shopaholic gets the clothes that she loves at wholesale cost, it’s awesome! The bonus is loving your job and your company! And you can read all about why I chose Agnes & Dora here! Since joining Agnes & Dora, my energy is now directed towards my business. But don’t get me wrong. You can still find me lurking in groups with my credit card ready?

* Edit: As of July 2018, I am no longer an independent representative for Agnes & Dora. But you can still find me lurking in online with my credit card.

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I heard Agnes & Dora calling my name

It was the summer of 2016.

My youngest was about to enter school full-time. For the first time in 16 years I was going to have the house to myself! Being a stay-at-home mom was a blessing, but I was starting to feel like the teenager who finds out her parents are going away for a week. What was a woman to do?! Thoughts of going to the grocery store alone, cleaning uninterrupted, and maybe even getting in a nap swirled in my head. Exciting I know. But seriously that’s what stay-at-home moms wish for when they have little ones around. That’s when I knew I needed something new in my life. As if the stars aligned just for me, I started hearing about a lot of clothing companies in the direct sales market. Hmm…career opportunity for someone who wanted to craft her own work schedule. Oh and I can get clothes at wholesale? Sign me up! After weeks of endless research, Agnes & Dora was the company that kept calling my name. I joined the queue that fall and got my inventory December 12, 2016.

 

Why Agnes & Dora?

First and foremost I loved the clothes! The prints and patterns were so soft, comfortable, and flattering. My existing wardrobe paired fabulously with these beautiful clothes. The concept was easy; receive an initial kit of inventory at wholesale. Sell those clothes at 50% more for retail. Every week or two the company launches new styles or prints that I can pick from in style, size, and/or print. My inventory could easily be built to cater to my clientele.

The other big selling point for me was the size of the company. Getting into a company at infancy stage was exciting. There were no other reps in my area, and no one I knew even heard of Agnes & Dora. Being able to introduce the company to people was appealing to me. At the time I joined there were only about 1500 reps, but it was growing fast. It was not a multilevel marketing company (MLM), but that was the direction they were going. I liked that because I knew I wouldn’t feel pressured to recruit a team right away. The possibility of a compensation plan could be implemented though should my team grow.

 

This journey has been more than just adding cute clothes to my wardrobe.

 

Since starting this business, my initial “why” has evolved. Being able to show my family that working hard can be fruitful is extremely fulfilling. But outside of my family, 3 things motivate me and have helped me grow in this business: the customer, the company, and the relationships I’ve made.

The Customer

When a customer tries on a Ruffle Tunic with a pair of leggings for the first time the look on her face is priceless. Being able to conjure feelings of amazement, happiness, surprise, and confidence all at the same time is pretty awesome! I love to witness a woman’s eyes light up when she feels attractive in an outfit. The same excitement is true for online orders too. There is always a smile on my face when dropping shipments off at the post office because I know that customers will love their pretty, new clothes and appreciate the special care put into the packaging. The customer’s confidence, beauty, and worthy-of-being-spoiled attitude is why I love what I do.

The Company

Agnes & Dora is impressive with their positivity when it comes to suggestions and complaints of the reps and their customers. I feel very fortunate to have found a direct sales company where my voice can be heard, and an email I send to headquarters will be answered within a few days. While the company continues to mature there are still only approximately 2500 reps to date because Agnes & Dora focuses on responsible and purposeful growth. For the owner, Buffy Bandley, her company is her heart, but so are her reps. She pours so much energy into uplifting the women who join Agnes & Dora. And beyond the support, you will find Agnes & Dora’s clothes top quality and on trend. They are putting new styles out every month! A&D is expanding in so many directions and avenues! It is amazing being a part of everything this company produces.

The Sisterhood

I’m not going to lie; being a business owner has kicked my butt several times now. I never knew how much work was involved in bookkeeping, maintaining inventory supplies, invoicing and shipping. Have I mentioned how time-consuming keeping up with social media to maintain your online sales presence can be? Trying to keep my VIP group engaged is tiring! Booking in-home parties and vendor events takes a lot of preparation and time! Y’all it’s a lot of work! But almost anything of worth to you is a labor of love.

So, I push through even though I am pretty new to direct sales and feel completely in-over-my-head sometimes. Because in the end, I am also part of a tribe of wonderful reps who encourage me every step of the journey. The business-minded team I belong to has provided so much training for newbies. This company has attracted a community of kindness, self-acceptance, independence, and empowerment because that is what they promote. The sisterhood of reps willing to help each other out even if it costs them a sale or money out of their own pockets is real. And I am so proud to be a part of that.

If you’re searching for a balance of authenticity and empowerment, let’s connect!  I can answer any questions you might have!

** Edit: As of July 2018, I am no longer an Independent Representative for Agnes & Dora. However, my experience with the company was very positive. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

becoming Agnes & Dora rep