STYLE/BEAUTY

I cannot believe more people do not know about Mina NYC! Don’t think twice, go. Hundreds of beautiful designer clothes (Chloe, Alberta Ferretti) from this and the past few seasons all at up to 90% off retail.   Separates are mostly $200 or less and at about 70% off retail.  Coats, bags, and dresses are mostly 70-90% off, but still run around $400. According to their fashionable-but not pretentious- helpful, courteous staff the clothing is all new, so even though it is an offshoot of the Fashion Library, no worries mom! In addition, they hold “extra 20% off” everything in the store sales at least one weekend a month.  Save on savings!?! That is how we like to shop.
Have out of town guests with a few hundred dollars to spend on a quality piece? Why take them to 5th Avenue? Bring them to Mina NYC located by Cooper Union/St. Marks in the East Village where they will get to participate in a real New York shopping experience in this organized by color and category, stylish, fun, fashion forward haven with available/no-wait dressing rooms! Then take them to Soho, a hop away, where they will realize how much they saved and think you are a true New Yorker, so brilliant and well informed.
I sound like a commercial?  I know.  That is what this place needs!  I cannot believe more people don’t come here!  Beautiful clothing for the savvy bargain shopper, the one who knows quality, and the value of money. You are too busy to come by? No problem! I cannot stop sounding like a commercial.  It does get better, there is also a website that will tell you about the sourcing of the clothing, and has a some (only 40 or so) items from the store available on-line, www.minanyc.com.   I cannot wait for the next time I want to purchase a quality piece (my winter coat?).  This will be the place I look forward to going to.  It should be yours too.  Just try not to take anything embroidered please, or sequined or feathered…ok, ok, go ahead, I cannot lay claim on everything, even though I did tell you about it.

Long live the New York bargains!

By:Bargain Jenny

Note: We were not paid a dime to write this article.

Memo to ladies thinking about stopping by the John McCoy sample sale: unless you’re looking for a gift for a dude, you’re likely in for a disappointment. The only items for women are a few racks of quilted down coats ($150 long, $180 short). They’re attractive, as far as quilted down coats go: warm, but not too puffy, and very nicely cut.

If you are getting a jump on your Dad/boyfriend/brother/dude bestie holiday shopping, however, or if you are yourself a dude, there’s a wealth of treasures to be found. Sweaters are $40 for wool and $60 for cashmere, and though some are, to put it politely, looks last seen on The Cosby Show, most are quite pleasant. Of particular note: a small selection of ultra-preppy pastel plaid sweaters. Shirts by Mason are $25 and those by Borelli $50. Both run the gamut from classic (warm-hued stripes and checks) to boho (paisley corduroy). At $400, suits might be the best bargain of the sale: they’re beautifully cut and available in a plethora of conservative patterns.

The Fred Gelb Furs sample sale isn’t your average sample sale experience. Gelb strives to treat everyone who comes in like they live on Park Avenue and, to that end, each and every customer gets personal guidance. While this is liable to be afully awkward if you’re just coming in to browse and touch the softer-than-soft furs (that’s not weird, right?), if you’re a serious shopper, the rewards can be huge.

The focus here is on minks and shearlings. Shearlings are $895-$1295, marked down from $2200-2800. Minks are $2400-$3595, marked down from $6500-$7500. These are true samples: one shearling we spied still had a tag hanging off the arm indicating what order it would come down the runway. Gelb compares his coats’ style to “wearable Fendi” and says he strives for something that’s higher-fashion than commercial fur, but still stands the test of time. “I sell Mercedes and Rolls Royces,” says Gelb, “but I do it at Ford prices. One woman sends in another and that’s how I do my business.” After checking out the sample sale, you might be tempted to send in your own friends: Gelb’s business model at work.

Dressing for your body type is essential to great style and wearing the right clothes for your body is the key to looking fabulous.  You will have to determine your body type first and then dress accordingly. There are four common body types that most women fall into, hourglass, pear, apple and ruler or more commonly known as the boyish figure. Here are some ways to determine your body type and work with it!

Hourglass

How to tell if you are an hourglass:
-You have a defined waist.
-When you put on weight it is evenly distributed throughout your body.
-Your bust and hips are the same width.

The hourglass shape is the traditional womanly shape. Trendy and high fashion styles can tend to look too tight on you and sexy clothing can make you look a little too sexy. But don’t be shy, wear clothes that show off your coveted figure. Try a low cut V-neck blouse with a lacy cam underneath to accentuate your bust. Always cinch a belt on your waist to define your curves. Also a hip-hugging pair of skinny jeans or a pencil skirt will draw the attention to your lovely hips.
(Celeb Style Inspiration: Kim Kardashian)

Tube (Boyish) Figure

How to tell if you have a boyish figure:
-You have little to no waist definition.
-Your bust, waist and hips are all one length.
-Your body shape appears to be rectangular.

The boyish figure is very narrow head-to-toe. It is easy to pull off any outfit with this figure but creating womanly curves can be a challenge. Look for clothing with boning to help shape curves. Also a great push-up bra is a must have for this body type. Experiment with ruffles and frills to bring out femininity. Forget about the boyfriend jeans and blazers, unless you want people to get you confused with him. A pair of flared jeans will make the legs look curvier and they will be oh so trendy next year.
(Celeb Style Inspiration: Cameron Diaz)
Pear
                                  How to tell if you are pear:

You have a defined waist.
– Your bottom half is fuller the rest of your body.
-Your bust is much narrower than your hip-line.

Pears tend to have a very small waist and slim arms, Your thighs however can be on the larger side. A-line skirts and dresses are perfect for pear shapes they will even out you portions. A statement necklace so popular these days is also a great way for pears to draw attention upward an away from their bottom half. A deep cleavage is a possibility, although we wouldn’t copy Jennifer Lopez on that one.
(Celeb Style Inspiration: Jennifer Lopez)
–

Apple 

How to tell if you are an apple:
-Your waistline is undefined.
-Your haps and waist are the same width.
-Your overall appearance is round.

Apples struggle with extra weight in their mid-section. They tend to conceal your tummy with a great wrap dress which will also bring in your waist to create an hour-glass shape. Trumpet skirts that flare out at the bottom also create the curves you need and show those beautiful legs.
(Celeb Style Inspiration: Reese Witherspoon)