Calling All Students: 50+ Places Where Students Get a Sweet Student Discount

Last week, I wrote about all of the best Teacher Discounts I could dig-up, so I figured it only made sense to do the same thing with student discounts. I can remember being in college, living off top ramen and Jägermeister, and looking for every discount I could possibly find. My favorite was at our local Subway which offered students 2 foot-long subs for the price of one. I actually once ate both foot-longs in one sitting. Ironically, I also once clogged the dorm toilet. But anyways, here are the best student discounts I could find for savings on food, clothing, books, insurance, and entertainment.

Food/Restaurant Discounts

1. Arby’s: The next time you are craving a Beef ‘n Cheddar at 2am, you can save 10% off your entire meal when you whip out your Student ID.
2. Buffalo Wild Wings: At many BWW locations you can score 10% off your meal. Just ask!
3. Burger King: Who knew The King handed out deals to students? Not I. But yes indeed, you can use your Student ID to get 10% off your next meal.
4. Chick-fil-A: Thirsty? Use your Student ID to get a free drink when you buy anything at Chick-fil-A.
5. Chipotle: The next time you get a burrito the size of a log, use your Student ID to score a free soft drink.
6. Dairy Queen: From Consumer Reports, “High school and college students are eligible to receive a discount card or a “Student Meal Deal” at participating locations. The amount of the discount depends on location.”
7. McDonald’s: At many golden arches locations you can use your ID to get 10% off your purchase.
8. Pizza Hut: Flash your Student ID and get 10-20% off your next pie. Discount depends on location.
9. Subway: At participating Subway locations you can use your Student ID to get 10% off your subs, salads, and snacks.
10. TCBY: Just show them ANY form of student ID and get 15% off your yogurt goodness.
11. Waffle House: Nothing better than a visit to your local Waffle House after the bars close. Next time save 10% off by showing your server your Student ID.

Book & Newspaper Discounts

1. Barnes & Noble: While B&N does not offer a flat discount to students, they do offer deals on textbook rentals with savings up to 50% off. Also, check our site for B&N coupons to save even more money.
2. New York Times: College students can save 50% off the regular rate. Check the College Rate page for all the details.
3. Wall Street Journal: Students can get the amazing rate of $1 a week for the WSJ. Click Herefor all the details.

Clothing Retailer Discounts

1. Ann Taylor: Get 15% off your full-priced order with your Student ID. Details here.
   
2. Banana Republic: Save 15% off your full-priced order with your Student ID. Details here.
3. Charlotte Russe: 10% off your entire purchase with your ID card.
4. Goodwill: Yes, even your local Goodwill will give you 10% off with ID.
5. H&M: Save 15% off your entire in-store purchase with your Student ID.
6. J.Crew: Save a cool 15% off when you present your Student ID at checkout. In-store only.
7. Juicy Couture: Save 15% off your in-store purchase with your ID card.
8. Limited: Save 15% off every purchase made in-store with your ID.
9. ModCloth: The popular online vintage clothing retailer offers a 10% student discount with registration.
10. Sally Beauty Supply: Just register for your beauty school ID and get exclusive savings and coupons.
11. Shoebuy.com: Register via the StudentRate site and get 10% off at Shoebuy.com.
12. Steve Madden: Save 10% off with your Student ID.
13. Toms: Save 10% off with your Student ID at Toms.
14. Urban Outfitters: Save 10% off specific days with your Student ID. Sign-up for their Student Program to be kept in the know.

What Day to Shop? 12 Insider Tips on Store Markdowns

Have you ever been shopping the clearance rack at your favorite store and wonder when the heck they add new stuff to the rack? Or when do they markdown the stuff that is already on the clearance rack in an effort to get rid of it? Or when do stores put stuff on sale? So many questions, so little answers. Well, until now that is. I went through the painstaking research of figuring out when some of your popular retailers mark stuff down. I hit the streets in search of answers and here is what I found…

Anthropologie

I have it on good authority that Anthropologie typically does their in-store markdowns starting on Monday and wrapping up by Tuesday. This is when they either add items to the clearance section or further reduce stuff already in the clearance section. Shop on Tuesdays and you’ll have the first dibs on newly marked-down merchandise.

Babies R Us

Expecting a baby, or need to buy something for one that has already popped out? Remember this one word….”THURSDAY.” That is the single best day to shop in-store at Babies R Us. Why you ask? Well, I got information from a very credible source that Thursdays are the day when employees have to be finished with their weekly markdowns, making it a great day to shop for a bargain. Make sure you shop with a printable Babies R Us coupon as well to save even more money.

Best Buy

Shopping for electronics, appliances, or maybe a new laptop? Shop on a Wednesday at your localBest Buy as that is the day they typically change pricing based on what competitors are adjusting. Also, I have it on good authority that Sunday is also a solid day to shop at Best Buy in order to take advantage of any errors that might be printed in their Sunday newspaper circular.

CVS Drugstores

Shop early in the week. Like on a Monday or Tuesday if you can. A manager told me that mostCVS stores start their markdown process on Sunday, so shop early in the week and take advantage of the selection and savings.

The Gap

Did you know that if the price ends in .97 it typically will not go any lower at Gap? True, check it out yourself the next time you’re shopping. How about the day Gap tends to mark stuff down? I recently had a current Gap employee tell me they mark things down every two weeks on a Monday. Figure out which Monday and you’ll be good to go.

JCPenney

I just got word from a former JCPenney employee that they do their store markdowns on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. She also said that when they do these twice monthly markdowns they put a blue price sticker on the items they are reducing. She said the savings is often up to 75-90% off the original JCP price. Be sure to grab one of our printable JCPenney coupons as most are good for clearance and regular-priced items and really pile on the savings.

Joann Fabrics

According to many loyal Joann shoppers they mark things down on Sundays, making it a great day to shop, especially if you have a Joann printable coupon good for 40% off any one item. A friendly sales associate also had the great advice of shopping on a Monday as the store is typically less crowded and you’ll still practically have first dibs on new markdowns.

Kohl’s

I had a super friendly sales associate tell me all about the markdown schedule at Kohl’s. She told me that while they are constantly marking stuff down, and putting stuff on sale, the best days to shop occur twice a month. They are the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. She said those 2 days are typically when they mark the most stuff down and mark it down for the biggest saving (percentage-wise). Shop with a Kohl’s coupon in hand and make out like a bandit. News you can use right there!

Talk Your Way to a Deal: How to Negotiate at These Major Retailers

Last December, I was quoted in an article in The New York Times talking about how consumers can negotiate the price at major retailers. No longer is this a practice left for garage sales, car lots, and local “Ma and Pa” shops. If you are a bit nervous about being turned down or looking like a cheap fool, don’t be, as the act of negotiating a better price is becoming much more mainstream as retailers enact price match policies and low price guarantees to turn show-rooming consumers into paying customers. Below are six popular retailers where you should become a price negotiating ninja today.

Home Depot

I use to work in the paint department at the Home Depot. For a little over 1 year I mixed paint and wiped excess paint on my orange apron until it looked like something straight from the Jimi Hendrix Experience. While I worked there I became quite aware of the best ways for shoppers to negotiate a deal at the Home Depot. Here is the skinny…

• Look for imperfect items. The Home Depot is chock full of “scratch & dent” items. From appliances, to doors, to tools, to outdoor garden decor. If you seek out these imperfect items in many cases you can successfully get a 10-15% discount. Simply point out the flaws to an associate who works in that particular department and ask if they can help on the price. I always start be asking for a 20% discount and see where the negotiating takes me. As a dude who use to work at the Home Depot, I am here to tell you that we were encouraged by management to slash the price on imperfect items as we knew we would have trouble selling them at full price. The associate may have to seek management approval on more expensive items but it usually only takes a couple minutes. For shoppers, the time spent is well worth the effort.
• Example from loyal reader Richard, “I needed two low flow toilets to help with the water conservation effort going on in California. I found the toilets I wanted at Home Depot on sale at $149 each. The sticker price said they would each be eligible for a $100 rebate from the city. While inspecting one, I noticed the box it was in had been torn near the slot where you place your hand to pick it up. I asked the employee helping me if he could he give me a $50 discount because of the torn box. Much to my surprise, he told me to tell the person when I check out to “REDUCE THE COST BY $50.” I asked if he would he write me a note and he said “not necessary,” just tell them a supervisor is allowing the discount. The check out process went just as he said it would. This meant that after the rebate, the two toilets cost me $50 plus tax. After getting outside I hurried to the car and got out of there before they changed their mind.” Awesome deal and way to go Richard.
• Look for items incorrectly stocked. Now this one may be a little unethical but I had several customers pull it on me when I worked in the paint department. I once had a guy approach me and say, “Hey, this paint brush over here says it is only $3.99 and that’s the price I want.” I walk over and sure enough a $25 Purdy paint brush had been incorrectly stocked on the shelf. The dude was adamant that $3.99 was the price he should pay. I got the assistant manger involved and we ended up giving him the expensive brush for the really cheap price. This technique is not for everyone, but if you have the brass nuts to pull it off I wish you the best.
• Try to bundle items. The technique of buying a riding lawn mower along with a weed eater, and asking a sales associate if there is the possibility of a discount if you buy both today, is one that you should definitely add to your Home Depot negotiating repertoire. Chance of saving 10% or maybe $50 has a high probability of success.
• Look for floor models, returns, and overstocks. Tile, doors, appliances, mismatched paint, and power tools are just a few of the items that often get returned or special ordered by a customer and never picked up. Store managers typically want them sold immediately so they don’t take up valuable real estate. Use this knowledge to your advantage and negotiate an even better deal on them. These items will typically be marked with a special tag that tells you they are floor models, returned items, or overstocks. Start the negotiating at 20% off the asking price and be prepared to meet in the middle.
• Become a price match pro. By knowing the price match policy at Home Depot it gives you a very easy way to negotiate the price. If you find a competing store in your area which beats the Home Depot price, you are eligible to get the product for 10% lower than the competitor’s price. It is also worth noting that Home Depot does not currently price match online pricing.

Costco Wholesale

Despite what many retail “experts” say, your local Costco can also be a darn good place to negotiate the price. Here is what you need to know to make it happen.

• Look for floor models. Have you ever seen the last of a particular item at Costco? Nothing left but the display floor model, which still works great, comes with the same warranty, but might have a scratch or a couple wear marks on it. Often you’ll find these in the electronics and computers section, as well as the seasonal section, which is typically in the middle of the store towards the front. They want to get rid of these things, and while they might already be marked down, there is still room to negotiate an even better deal. I recently received an email from a faithful reader who was successful negotiating an even lower price on a Blu-ray player at Costco which was the floor model. The Samsung Blu-ray player was already marked down from $89.99 to $74.99 but she asked an associate if they “would take $60 as it had a few scratches on it?” The associate quickly went and asked a floor manager and within a few minutes she was walking out of the store with a really sweet deal. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
• Always negotiate the price on tires. Tires are usually marked way up and have plenty of wiggle room in terms of price. If you do your homework and find a better price on a set of 4 tires from another retailer, approach a sales person at Costco and politely explain the situation and ask for a possible price adjustment. Remember the old adage that “Discounts vary upon customer attitude” as your attitude will directly impact how much money you can save.

Which Retailers Will Price-Match Online Pricing

The following is the most amazing thing I read today. According to retail analysts, only 5% of consumers will bother getting the price of an item lowered by holding a retailer to their stated price-match policy.

Wow, only 5%! Is it because it takes too much time to bother? Or maybe consumers just aren’t informed? Don’t become another statistic, always get the best possible price. Over the course of a year you can save substantial money by doing so, especially on larger purchases. Here are 6 retailers that are early adopters in terms of price-matching online pricing. For the sake of consumers, and their ability to negotiate the best price, I hope to see other retailers start to do the same, and when they do, they’ll be added to this article.

Best Buy

The online pricing model at Best Buy has gotten a lot of attention recently as savvy consumers try to get the best price possible on consumer electronics. Here is the skinny:

• List of online stores Best Buy will price-match: Amazon.com, Apple.com, Bhphotovideo.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com, Frys.com, hhgregg.com, HP.com, HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com, Newegg.com, OfficeDepot.com, OfficeMax.com, Rakuten.com Shopping, Sears.com, Staples.com, Target.com, TigerDirect.com and Walmart.com.
• They limit it to one online price match, per identical item, per customer.
• When requesting an online price-match visit the Customer Service desk and inform them of the lower price. They will then independently verify the price and say “Yay” or “Nay.”

Target

Target has been price-matching online pricing for a little over a year now. Here is what you need to know:

• Update 10/01/15: Target will now price match the following 29 websites: Amazon, Babies ‘R’ Us, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Buy Buy Baby, Costco, CVS, Diapers.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Drugstore.com, GameStop, JCPenney, Kmart, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Newegg, Office Depot, Petco, Petsmart, Sam’s Club, Sears, Sports Authority, Staples, Toys ‘R’ Us, Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart, and Wayfair. Official policy.
• Target also price matches the Target.com website. This happens a lot more than you might think.
• In order to get your price-match you must show a Target associate the retail price on your mobile device or by bringing in a printed page showing the current price.
• They’ll only honor the lower price if the competitor currently has the product in-stock and available for immediate purchase.
• You can only online price-match one identical item per guest.

Staples

While a bit thin, the Staples online price-match policy is still worth mentioning.

• As of this writing, Staples will only online price-match Amazon.com. But since Amazon.com carries millions of products at competitive prices it is definitely worth mentioning.
• It must be the same exact model, currently available for sale at Amazon.com, and Staples will match it.
• Just grab a Staples associate and show them evidence of the lower Amazon price on your smartphone, or by printing out the info, and they’ll get you hooked up with the better price. Pretty obvious by now that you need the Amazon smartphone app to be a real price-match hero.

Fry’s Electronics

Fry’s Electronics apparently has an online price-match policy but is willing to do anything in their power to never let you take advantage of it.

• Fry’s will match an authorized Internet competitor when the product is “ready to ship”. Interestingly, I can’t find any info on what they consider an “authorized Internet competitor” but through my research it appears they’ll price match Amazon.com and perhaps BestBuy.com.
• I found this article very interesting, Fry’s Matches Online Retailer Prices! With A Great Big Catch. It appears that Fry’s is trying to get out of having to price-match online pricing by dropping a shipping charge into the mix. Weak.

Toys R Us and Babies R Us

Happy to see Toys R Us and Babies R Us enter the field last summer of retailers who price-match online pricing. Here is what you need to know:

• Toys R Us and Babies R Us will match the online pricing of the following websites:  Walmart.com, Target.com, BestBuy.com, Sears.com, Kmart.com, buybuyBaby.com, Meijer.com, FredMeyer.com, diapers.com, BabyDepot.com, and Amazon.com.
• They won’t price-match Amazon marketplace pricing.
• Product being price-matched must be the same exact model, color, and size and currently be in-stock at the competitor’s website.
• Price-match is available at time of purchase or up to 7 days after your purchase. So keep an eye out for a better online price even after you bring it home.
• Fine print: Toys R Us will not price match an online competitors price if they advertise the product as clearance, refurbished, an open package special, or a liquidation sale.

Sears

I think I finally got my head wrapped around Sears online price-matching policy. It took awhile…

• First thing you need to know: “Sears will NOT price match internet-only retailers.”
• But if you find a local competitor who also has a website, and honors their own online pricing, and has the exact product available for immediate purchase, then Sears will match that lower price.
• Just print out the order page from the competitor’s website and bring it to your local Sears store.
• You can bring in proof at the time of purchase or for up to 14 days after purchase for a price adjustment.

Learn To Crack the Price Tag Code at These Major Retailers

Have you ever been staring at that awesome blender at Sam’s Club, dreaming of blending your fruit smoothie with ease, and notice the odd price tag of $125.01 and wonder how the heck they came up with that price? If you are normal, probably not. But after you read this article you’ll be checking every price tag you see because if you know what to look for, you can quickly determine if the price might go even lower or if it’s as low as it’s going to go.

How? Well, many stores use an internal pricing system which shows you if an item has been marked down, if it will be marked down again, or if it’s a final markdown. You just gotta be able to crack the price tag code. Thanks to former employees and code crackers like me, you too can join the ranks of price tag checkers. Here are the details from some of your most popular retailers (in alphabetical order):

American Eagle Outfitters

If you love the look and styles of the clothing at American Eagle Outfitters you’ll want to know the codes to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Here is what you need to know:

• Price ending in .95 – This is full price. Make sure at the very least you have an American Eagle coupon to save some money.
• Prices ending in .99 or .00 – This is a clearance price and the best price you’ll find on the item. Also, if the item has a separately attached price sticker to the actual price tag it is a clearance item. Ending price on attached price sticker can vary by store.
• Bonus: Check out our site for an online American Eagle coupon to save even more.

Best Buy

I have been trying to crack the price tag code at Best Buy for a long time and finally think I made a breakthrough thanks to a thread on Lifehacker where a commenter left some intriguing info. Here is how it breaks down:

• Prices ending in a .99 – Could be a full price or a sale price. Sale items ending in .99 are typically not that big of a savings. Try to avoid the .99 if you can.
• Prices ending in a .92 – This is a 1-time price drop at or below Best Buy’s cost. Typically a screaming deal.
• Prices ending in a .96 – Anything ending in a .96 is an adjusted price designed to beat the price of a competitor.
• Look for Code “C” – If you see a price tag with a small “C” in the lower right-hand corner, it means the item is clearance and no longer stocked. I have it on good authority that managers are able to give discounts on these products, so be sure to negotiate an even better price.

BJ’s Wholesale Club

Image Credit: Valmg.com

For my readers who live in the eastern United States, BJ’s Wholesale Club also has an internal pricing system that can help you score the best deal possible.

• Prices ending in a 9 – You’re paying full price for the item.
• Prices ending in .90 and .00 – Manager’s special discount. These are typically items the store wants to clear out. They are usually discounted 10% per week for a maximum savings of 60% off.
• Product Codes at BJ’s – These are the numbers on the price tag right next to the item number. Here are the 4 product codes you should be aware of:
• Product Code 1 – It is a regularly priced item that will be restocked.
• Product Code 2 – Product is discontinued and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Sometimes it is discounted, depends on how long it has been sitting on the shelf.
• Product Code 7 – A one time buy like seasonal Christmas decorations. Here today, gone tomorrow. So if the price is right you should snatch it up.
• Product Code 9 – Products that are destined to be sent back to the manufacturer for a variety of reasons. They won’t be restocked and likely will be gone within a week.

[Click to Print a Wallet Sized PDF Cheat-Sheet of the Price Codes]

Dick’s Sporting Goods

The pricing system at Dick’s is fairly straight forward and can be used to easily avoid paying full price. Here’s the 411:

• Prices ending in .00 or .99 – Indicates full-price. Avoid if you can.
• Prices ending in .93 or .97 – These are clearance items and indicates that an item has been marked-down from the original price.
• Bonus: Check out our Dick’s Sporting Goods coupons to maximize your savings.

Gap & Old Navy

For those of you who are not aware, Gap owns Old Navy and they share the same pricing model. Here is the skinny:

• Prices ending in .47, .49, .97 or .99 – Thanks to current Old Navy employee, John, for this tip. If the price ends with any of these, then the item is marked as clearance or discontinued and is probably the best price you’re going to get. TIP: Keep an eye out for clearance sales where they lower the clearance price by a flat 30% of 40% off. They typically do this at the end of the season to clear out old merchandise.
• Bonus: Check out Rather-Be-Shopping.com for Gap and Old Navy coupons to save even more.

13 Micro Bags That Are Worth Downsizing For

Bigger may be better when it comes to the size of cupcakes and diamonds, but when it comes to bags this season, smaller is definitely the way to go. Teeny-tiny bags were spotted on the Spring 2016 runways and they have been seen nestled in the arms of street style stars ever since. Note that these aren’t clutches, they are regular handbags cut down in size by at least two-thirds.

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG SPRING 2016; IMAGE: IMAXTREE

If you have a throw-in-everything-except-the-kitchen-sink philosophy when it comes to packing your handbag, you’re going to have to streamline things. A lot. A micro bag forces you to only carry your essentials; your wallet, phone and a cool lip color or two. If you’re used to carrying around 35 pounds of “necessities,” that will probably seem impractical, if not ridiculous, but you’ll quickly come around to the idea.

MARC JACOBS SPRING 2016; IMAGE: IMAXTREE

Not only is the miniature size adorable, but you’ll also never experience that aching shoulder pain from a heavy bag cutting into your skin. Click through the gallery below to see 13 micro bags that are sure to convince you it’s time to give up your oversized tote.

5 Fashion Trends That Sprang From Latin Roots

Elegance, strength and grace are all key elements of fashion that seem to transcend both time and trends. The influence of Latin style on modern fashion exemplifies this perfectly. Spotted both on and off the runway, in real and “reel” life, Latin influence is deep, rich, colorful and even flavorful in the way it captures a certain spirit synonymous with, say, São Paulo or Mexico City.

At the heart of every look is a true understanding of Latin culture at its core. More than just a pop of bright color or a hint of texture, these looks embrace the heritage itself. Take a peek at some of the inspiring ways Latin culture has influenced how we dress today.

There’s no denying that Latina models are having their moment in the spotlight right now — and we wholeheartedly welcome it. From the return of Raquel Zimmermann who is scoring campaigns left, right and center to Mica Arganaraz being embraced by just about every fashion editor in the industry, ultimately landing Vogue covers around the world and scoring a healthy number of advertising campaigns for Spring 2016. We’ve rounded up five gorgeous Latina women who are taking the fashion industry by storm.

So-Bad-They’re-Awesome 80s Fashion Trends Are Making a Comeback

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and now that we’ve all had our way with normcore, we’re ready to embrace our weird and take up the mantle of maximalism. Where better to draw inspiration than kitschy, high-gloss 80s fashion? Look at the success we’ve already had co-opting the decade’s love of the shoulder.

80S FASHION TRENDS RAN AMOK AT MARC JACOBS RESORT 2017; IMAGE: COURTESY OF MARC JACOBS

Scrunchies and parachute pants we’re happy to leave in the past but some of those over-the-top fashion trends have us feeling downright nostalgic — and where there is longing, there is gratification. Maybe it was taking in Marc Jacobs’ Resort 2017 collection to the sounds of Duran Duran, but suddenly we’re craving windbreaker-inspired jackets, puffy-sleeved everything and metallic numbers that’ll put the whole club to shame.

Click through the slideshow below for six so-bad-they’re-awesome 80s fashion trends that have designers’ — and our — animal-printed seal of approval.

20 Breathtaking Chokers and How to Rock Them in 2016

Necks are essentially extensions of our faces and therefore vital fashion real estate. Ever since 90s fashion trends made their way back into the fold, easy-to-wear chokers have become our throats’ best friends — and with good reason. They were born to be worn withthe off-the-shoulder trend, you can easily DIY one from any length of leather or ribbon, and more often than not they come in neutral monochromes or metallics that go with literally everything.

Neckpieces come in all shapes and sizes, as exemplified by the Fall 2016 runways of Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent, Loewe, Givenchy and many, many more. They can be rebellious, chic or somewhere in between, as proven by the fashion front-runners who rock them on a nearly daily basis. (Here we refer to Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and FKA twigs, to name just a few.)

CHOKERS MADE APPEARANCES AT SEVERAL FALL 2016 RUNWAY SHOWS, INCLUDING THAT OF LOEWE; IMAGE: IMAXTREE

Whether you choose to Nefertiti-out or not, one thing’s for sure: Everything south of your clavicle looks a touch more polished thanks to these inherently feminine bands. Behold:

A sparkling neck elevates even the most exaggerated ensembles.

One-Shoulder Tops Are the New Off-the-Shoulder Tops: Here’s Why

We didn’t invent one-shoulder dressing simply because we’re desperate for an alternative to the now supersaturated off-the-shoulder trend. It was there waiting for us all along on the Spring 2016 runways of Jacquemus, Rosie Assoulin, Versace, Tibi and more.

The cool, clavicle-baring, single-strap or single-sleeve cousins of our once beloved, carefree summer toppers are here to walk us through the painful process that is the return to fabric-clad shoulders. While off-the-shoulder blouses will continue to hold a special place in our hearts (and closets) for all their infinite iterations, they, like the Stan Smith, no longer ooze the individuality that we so value. We, the fashion set, binged and now must wait for our collective stomachache to subside before we once again indulge our shoulder habit.

A STUNNING SHOULDER-BARING ENSEMBLE AT ROSIE ASSOULIN SPRING/SUMMER 2016; IMAGE: IMAXTREE

Thankfully, we needn’t go cold turkey. Streamlined, side-swooping looks make for eye-catching, one-off ensembles that slake our thirst for shoulders and can be either casual, cocktail hour- or work-appropriate thanks to that added coverage. With fall on the horizon, one of the things we like most about this updated take on the off-the-shoulder trend is how well it lends itself to layering (hello, 90s-inspired white-tee-under-tank lookor, you know, jackets).

9 Trends That Made Waves at Miami Swim Week 2017

When it comes to Fashion Week in places like New York, London, Milan and Paris, they’re usually ahead of the curve by shining a light on fashions for the following season, forcing us to pine for a shift in temperature to put the trends we see up on the runway into practice. That’s not the case with Miami Swim Week, however. The annual swimsuit mecca showcases swimwear right in the middle of summer and while we may have to wait a while for the actual styles to hit stores, we can emulate what’s presented by incorporating prevalent themes into our beach wardrobe tout de suite. With that in mind, we paid close attention to the top trends from all the presentations to give you a leg up poolside. From flirty tassels to sleek cut-outs, check out the nine swimwear trends you can rock right away.

THINGS AUDREY HEPBURN TAUGHT ME ABOUT STYLE

If you’re a regular visitor to ShoeperWoman.com, you’ll already know that I’m a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn and her classic style.

I know, cliché, much?

Clichéd though it may be to cite Audrey Hepburn as a style icon, however, clichés  become popular for a reason – and so, too, do style icons. Here are some style lessons I’ve learned from Audrey Hepburn…

IT’S OK TO STICK TO THE SAME STYLE

I’ve never been particularly adventurous with style, and when I started fashion blogging, I became a bit embarrassed about that, and started feeling like I should be constantly experimenting, and “mixing it up” all the time. I’d occasionally get comments from readers telling me they wished I’d try something different every now and then, rather than sticking to the same kind of style in every post, but any time I tried to do that, I’d just end up feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious – almost as if I was wearing a costume rather than “real” clothes. Can you imagine anyone telling Audrey Hepburn her style was “boring”, and that she should start experimenting, though? Er, actually, scratch that question: people like to judge each other, so someone probably WOULD tell Audrey she should buy herself something more “on trend”, now I come to think about it.

Even if they did, though, I can’t imagine Audrey Hepburn would’ve taken that advice to heart, can you? Unlike me, Audrey learned early on that having a “signature” style is just as valid as constantly experimenting, and that one you find a style you like, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to it. Audrey Hepburn stuck to the same basic outfit formulas for most of her life – and you could argue that it’s those formulas that make her style so iconic: if she’d been constantly following fashion, after all, we wouldn’t look at certain items or outfits to this day, and say, “That’s SO ‘Audrey’!”, would we?

There’s nothing wrong with changing your style either, obviously – it’s all about working out what’s best for YOU – but the first and most important thing I learnt from Audrey Hepburn style dressing is that you don’t have to be constantly following fashion or changing your look: and what a relief that is!

SIMPLICITY IS ALWAYS IN STYLE

During my “must try to experiment and follow fashion!” stage, I spent a lot of time thinking about accessorising, and layering, and all of those other things fashionable people do. I seemed to always been reading advice about how a statement necklace, or a spot of pattern-mixing would “elevate” an outfit, but the truth is, I feel happiest and most comfortable when I’m wearing something super-simple. Jeans and a t-shirt will almost always work for me, as will a simple dress with a great pair of shoes. What I came to realise is that while elaborate outfits, that have had a lot of thought put into them, can look fantastic if they’re done right, simple looks are ALWAYS stylish – maybe not exciting or innovate, true, but I’m not too worried about that – give me simple style, any day!

AUDREY HEPBURN STYLE LESSONS

CIGARETTE PANTS ARE THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING 

Well, ALMOST everything – and by “cigarette pants” I’m basically referring here to any kind of ‘ Audrey Hepburn style’ slim-cut pant, from capris to the classic “cigarette”. There’s just something about a pair of cropped black pants that always looks stylish to me – and stylish in that effortless, “I just threw these on” kind of way: which is the BEST kind of stylish, as far as I’m concerned. I can wear these with everything from a white t-shirt to a slouchy sweater, make them look retro or modern, casual or dressy, and I can never have too many pairs of them: thanks, Audrey!

EYELINER FLICKS ARE LIFE

I wear makeup every day, and have done since I was in my early teens. Left to my own devices, I’d spend a small fortune in Sephora – every single week.  Despite this, I’m no more experimental with my makeup than I am with my clothes: I pretty much stick to the same look, all the time, and while I’d love to be able to do all of the techniques I see on You Tube tutorials, I can never seem to find the time to perfect them. One thing I DO know how to do, however, is an eyeliner flick: that classic, Audrey Hepburn style cat-eye flick. And honestly? That’s all you really need. A cat’s eye flick and a slick of red lipstick and you instantly look polished, stylish, and like you’ve made an effort – even when you haven’t.

SUNGLASSES AREN’T JUST FOR SUNSHINE

I get a lot of questions about the sunglasses I wear almost all the time, and a lot of the time, I get the distinct impression that the people who ask those questions are assuming I wear them in some kind of strange bid to look mysterious and glamorous, or something like that. Actually, the truth is a lot more banal than that: I wear sunglasses all the time because I have super-sensitive eyes, which start to water and squint even in conditions which other people would consider “dull”. While I wear my sunglasses mostly to protect my eyes (and stop myself developing REALLY bad frown lines from all that squinting!), though, I’m not going to deny that they’re another easy shortcut to style for me: a pair of over-sized sunglasses will hide tired eyes, dress up a dull outfit, and, like the makeup mentioned above, generally create an impression of “polish”, even if you’ve just tumbled out of bed and thrown on the first thing you could find. And, as you can probably tell, I’m all for that, so a pair of Audrey Hepburn style dark glasses will always be part of my closet.

WHY I DON’T BELIEVE IN “AGE-APPROPRIATE” DRESSING

This week a clickbait article from 2014 somehow managed to revive itself and start doing the rounds on Facebook. You might have seen it.

I’m not going to link to the article here because it was very obviously clickbait, and I’m not a big fan of the whole “say something outrageous just to get attention” thing, but the gist of it was that once a woman turns 30, she should essentially make herself invisible, by eliminating anything the author of the article deemed “too young”. Women over 30 shouldn’t wear crop tops, for instance. They shouldn’t wear hoop earrings. They shouldn’t wear oversized sunglasses (SAY WHAT?).

Now, I almost didn’t bother even mentioning this, because, honestly, it’s just so ridiculous, isn’t it? The idea that a certain item of clothing can be totally acceptable when you’re 29, but suddenly shocking the second you hit 30 is something I’d like to think no one in their right mind would subscribe to – but, sadly, I know that’s not the case. I can think of plenty of times when friends have asked me if I think they’re “too old” to wear a certain item: in fact, just a few weeks ago a friend of mine posted a picture of a pair of shoes on Facebook, asking exactly that. I was absolutely dismayed to see how many people answered her question by saying, “Yes, you’re too old for them,” or “If you have to ask…” How rude, and unnecessary! And how ON EARTH can someone be “too old” for a pair of shoes?!

The fact is, people DO think this way. I can also think of countless times when I’ve heard people (mostly older people, interestingly enough…) tut-tut over the idea of an “older” woman having long hair. “It’s just so awful!” someone told me recently. “You see them from the back and think, ‘Oh, there’s a young woman with lovely long hair!” and then she turns round and you see this old face – yuck!”

Honestly, I think that’s a horrible thing to say about someone, and every time I hear people say it, I have to struggle to suppress that little inner voice that always pipes up to tell me that maybe it’s time I cut off my OWN long hair: because surely people will be saying the same thing about me?

I’m not going to, though. The fact is, I like my long hair – and I’m going to keep wearing it like that until such a time that I DON’T like it any more. If other people think it’s “inappropriate”, well, I guess that’s their problem – it’s not like it’s harming them, after all, and I happen to disagree that long hair looks bad on women over 30, or that it ages them: in fact, I think it can often make someone seem younger. You might agree or disagree with that, but at the end of the day, it comes down to personal taste – and no one has the right to dictate what someone else should like or wear.

That’s why it makes me really sad to read articles like the one I’m referring to here. These lists of silly “rules” only serve to reinforce our society’s strange idea that older women should be invisible, and to shame those who aren’t. Going by the “rules” laid out in the article, for instance, I should be feeling really bad about all those over-sized sunglasses I own, but what a strange thing to try to make someone feel bad about! Isn’t life hard enough sometimes, without giving ourselves even more things to feel guilty or ashamed about? And what does it really matter if someone a few days past 30 decides to wear a pair of hoop earnings, anyway?

It’s particularly sad to me, because I feel like it was only when I turned 30 that I gained the confidence to be able to wear what I want. It was only then that I started to discover my style, and to really enjoy fashion – which had previously always been a source of some anxiety to me, as I tried my best to “fit in” with everyone else, and never quite managed it. It seems a shame that I only really discovered the joy of fashion at the exact moment I should have been giving it up for good – throwing away all of the fun clothes I was starting to buy, and exchanging them for …. I don’t know: beige trouser suits? “Slacks?” What ARE women over 30 supposed to wear, anyway?

THE ONE CELEBRITY I FOLLOW FOR REAL-LIFE STYLE INSPIRATION

on’t really follow celebrities on social media. (Or in the literal sense either, I hasten to add: because that would be a really easy way to get myself arrested, wouldn’t it?)

Not only am I not particularly interested in celebrity gossip (my mum’s always shocked by how little I know about popular culture…), I don’t find I get much in the way of style inspiration from them either, because, let’s face it, most celebrities don’t exactly have either a lifestyle or a budget I can relate to.

I do, however, make one exception: and it’s not Dita Von Teese, or Alexa Chung, or any of the other celebrities commonly cited as “style inspiration”. No, it’s this woman:

Holly Willoughby. Presenter of This Morning, and… actually, that’s pretty much all I really know about her – other than that she has a totally awesome Instagram feed, that is. Now, I don’t actually watch This Morning, but I somehow stumbled across Holly’s Instagram account a few weeks ago, and was instantly hooked. Why? Because most of the outfits she wears on it come from the UK high street – meaning I actually have a chance of being able to afford them. What’s more, the outfits themselves are exactly my kind of style, and one which will easily translate to everyday life.

Sure, the pencil skirts and bodycon dresses might not work for every situation, but many of the other outfits are very wearable – which actually makes this feed kind of dangerous, actually, because the clothes are right in that sweet spot where they’re not too expensive to be totally out of reach, but, well, it probably wouldn’t be a great idea to buy ALL of them – which is what I always seem to end up doing.

Anyone else follow a celebrity for style inspiration? Tell me in the comments!

HOW TO WEAR A BLAZER

Now, this question actually comes along at just the right time for me, because it just so happens that I’m just a little bit obsessed with blazers right now – in fact, you can see some of my own blazer outfits here, here and here. Of course, the blazers I’ve been wearing aren’t velvet, but I think the same basic principles apply to styling ANY blazer, which is why I’ve focused this post on how to wear blazers in general, as opposed to velvet blazers in particular.

In terms of styling a velvet blazer, the main difference between it and any other style is that, as Sara points out, velvet is most appropriate for the autumn/winter months, so it’ll look best with winter-weight fabrics, tights rather than bare legs, etc etc. With all of that said, here are some different ways to wear a blazer!

HOW TO WEAR A BLAZER | WITH JEANS AND HEELS

This look is an all-time classic, and one of my personal favourite outfit formulas right now.  As much as I love jeans, I always tend to feel a little sloppy in them, and one of the reasons I love blazers so much is that they’ll take that basic “jeans and a top” outfit, and effortlessly make it look polished. Heels do that too, of course, although this look would also work with flats – or, indeed, with boots, or whatever form of footwear is most appropriate for your style/the season.

HOW TO WEAR A BLAZER | WITH A DRESS

Blazers are also an easy way to add structure to a flowy dress, and, as with the jeans, will instantly dress up your look, too. Having said that, I’ve kept this look fairly casual and autumn/winter appropriate, and think a velvet blazer would look fantastic here – oh, and you’d probably want to add a pair of tights, too!

HOW TO WEAR A BLAZER | WITH A SKIRT

Although I love the look of blazers over flowing dresses, I’m less keen on them with flowing skirts – between the volume of the skirt, and the straight-up-and-down shape of the blazer, blazers and prom-style skirts will make your waist disappear, so unless that’s the look you’re going for, I find tube or pencil skirts a better bet. This is another very casual look, which could easily be dressed up or made work-appropriate by swapping the sneakers for shoes, the t-shirt for a smarter top, and choosing a slightly less clingy skirt.