Page 1790 – Fashion Bomb Daily

Shoes

Budget before Blahnik

Posted on Sep 5, 2006

“I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the woman who lived in her shoes!” –Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie on HBO’s Sex and the City

Along with shopping, we should talk about finances (I mean these items don’t purchase themselves)!

I, like many young women, have a good amount of debt. College wasn’t free (loans, loans, loans), and even though I waited years to get my first credit card, it didn’t take me that long to get that bill up to the limit. Even though I only had one card (and not a wallet full), I found myself getting rejected for some cards because I kept my balance high.

Since December I’ve been working on getting rid of my debt. After getting my tax return, I cut the balance in half, and have been making large payments religiously since. I even cut up my credit card in May (and framed the remains) so that I wouldn’t spend on it anymore. I didn’t close my card, because apparently doing so does more to hurt your score than help it.

Immediately following my ‘cut up the credit card’ moment, I realized that it is ROUGH to live in New York without another form of payment just in case. Money just went and I found myself anxious about having money to do little things like…I don’t know, buy a $76 metrocard every month to get around. So I decided to bight the bullet: apply for a new credit card, keep the balance low, all the while paying off my other card in full.

Well. I now have an Amex Blue Cash Card. A grocery trip here, a trip to J.Crew there, and my bill is now at almost halfway up to the limit. I know. How did it happen?

Anyway, my debt is back up, I’ve backtracked a BUNCH. And now I’m just like…how can I think about buying $500 shoes (or even $200 shoes) with my bills as they are? It’s unrealistic. It does a disservice to me (and a tremendous service to Mr. Jimmy Choo).

Lesson laides: If you must shop, you have to be smart about it. Take care of finances first, closet second. We also have to think about SAVING! You need more than a loan to purchase a house or a car…you’ll need some cash. Remember the quote from above? When Carrie had to buy a house but had spent all her money on shoes???? I’m just saying…

If you have debt and are looking for a reform, check these books out for reference. But don’t buy them full price! Get a copy from the library…or check out options at half.com or buy used copies at amazon.com. Hopefully everyone can have this goal: Fabulous Clothes. Impeccable Credit.

Smootches!

Fashion

The Perfect Black Pumps

Claire Sulmers

Posted on Aug 31, 2006

“[Nervous on TV] You can never have enough hats, gloves, and shoes”–Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous

My plan for this winter is to concentrate primarily on buying wardrobe investment pieces. The items that take the most wear and tear (and simultaneously distinguish your look the most) are coats, bags, and shoes. Any fashionista will tell you: scrimp on small items, spend on the big ones!

First on my list are a pair of sturdy, sharp, sexy black pumps to wear to work, events, what have you. In life, image is half the battle. People’s perceptions hinge on what you’re wearing. And sophisicated, savvy ladies wear sophisticated shoes.

I woke up one night at 2am (as I always do–am I the only one who repeatedly falls asleep at 11pm then wakes up with a full face of makeup on, TV blaring, every light on?) Am I the only one? Anyway to my relief Oprah was on TV instead of another infomercial…She had the woman from Jimmy Choo on discussing shoes, etc. Call it propaganda but that lady made me want to own a pair of her shoes. So I decided to investigate.

I went to Saks Fifth Avenue today and tried this pair on:

Yes, they’re as sexy as they look. I’m normally a size 9 1/2, 10. Mr. Jimmy Choo must live in the land of elves because a 10 wouldn’t fit me. I take a size 11 or 41 in those. At $455 I could definitely buy a few pairs of shoes (and a new wardrobe) not to mention pay a chunk of my rent…but I’m talking an investment here. No more scuffs. Hopefully fewer heel replacements. I mean, I wore a pair of Nine Wests in the airport after having them for eight months and the heel fell out. Just fell out. That ain’t right.

Back to Saks.

I also tried these stunners by Christian Louboutin on:

These were also comfortable. I took a size 11 in these as well, but at $510, Mr. Louboutin might have some ‘xplainin to do.

Also while searching the web, I came across these lovelies at one of my absolute favorite websites and stores, J.Crew.

Now tell me these don’t look just like the Jimmy Choo’s?!?!? And at $150, I could very well get 3 pairs of these in every color for the price of one pair of Choos.

My question of today is: What is the difference between the $455 shoe and the $158??? Aren’t they all just basic pumps?

I talked to an accessories editor friend of mine about this. She said that the difference would mainly be comfort as well as quality. She recommended I check out Cole Haan because they seem to marry fashion, comfort, and quality. Cole Haan’s prices are sort of high, but not ridiculous.

This is the closest I could find to ‘cute’ in Cole Haan’s new collection:

At $175 they’re an ok price (relatively speaking!)…and I’m sure the Nike cushion would make them comfortable. But these don’t look as slick as Jimmy Choo. Sorry!

Anyway the search continues….

Now that I know how Jimmy Choo and Christians run…I plan on haunting ebay to see if my dream pair appears for less than retail. We’ll see what I find!

Smootches!

Fashion

Welcome!

Claire Sulmers

Posted on Aug 29, 2006

” A girl should be two things: Classy and Fabulous” — Coco Chanel

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my humble, humble blog.

Just to let you know a little about me:

I’m a twenty-something year old in a city and an industry where fabulosity is EXTREMELY important. I love to write (ask my friends who receive my e-mail novellas everday), hang out with my buddies, and…SHOP! I’m absolutely, positively addicted. I’m the type of person who’d rather have a cute dress than a balanced meal, would rather spend a Saturday in Soho stores than sunning, and would take shoes over security. When people are carrying shopping bags full of clothes, all I want to do is ask them ‘What’d you buy???’ I get excited over fashion magazines like Lucky (just clothes, no talkie), and watch TLC’s ‘What Not To Wear‘ religiously (and have written TLC letters many times asking to have reruns during the week, not just Friday nights!). Anyway, I’ve always been a connoisseur of fashion if I may opine…since the days of my plaid skirt suits, knee highs, and Mary Janes in Junior High to Satin Tops and Bootcut Jeans in High School. I’m also big into designer brands. Why? For the most part, designer brands deliver high quality, durability, and tailored fits.

So many magazines, websites, and catalogues feature items that are beyond the price range of the average working woman. There are tons of stores (brick and mortar and online) that have one of a kind, designer pieces at low prices! You just have to find them!

I’ll try to do a little of the legwork for you. Come along with me as I search for bargain cute pieces, investment items, and everything in between!

Smootches!

FAQS

Fashion Bomb FAQS

Claire Sulmers

Posted on Jun 11, 2005

Have a question about the Fashion Bomb?
Leave a comment and ask! We’ll get to them in the order received.

[If you have a question about Breaking into Fashion or a Mail Bomb, consult the archives, or direct them to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Anything off topic will be deleted.]

1. When and how can people apply for internships?
The Fashion Bomb always keeps an eye peeled for fresh talent, and this year we’ll be kicking off our internship search with a contest. Stay tuned to the Fashion Bomb for details, and for more information as to requirements and how to apply!

2. I am currently a Journalism student and would like to work as a writer for a fashion magazine. Other than school how else should I prepare for a career in the biz? While I am passionate about fashion I’m worried that I don’t know enough about the technical side (the history of each label, fabrics, heavy hitters in the industry, etc).
In addition to going to journalism school, you should complete internships at fashion magazines. These are typically unpaid, but necessary if you want to get your foot in the door. To find out about internship opportunities, visit websites like MediaBistro, Ed2010, and Fashionista for current openings. Aside from interning, study fashion. Buy fashion books, read the magazines you are interested in working for, and learn the craft so that your interview and application are solid. For more, read our Breaking into Fashion posts on Pamela Edwards, Fashion and Beauty Features Editor for Essence, and Beverly Smith, former Fashion Editor at Large for Vibe Magazine. You can find a wealth of career guidance by Reading the Fashion Bomb’s Breaking into Fashion series.

3. What year was The Fashion Bomb started? And what was your inspiration to start this site?
The Fashion Bomb launched in August 2006. Claire, a writer and fashion enthusiast, started the site to have a personal outlet to share her likes, dislikes, book picks, and music favorites with friends. Being a shopaholic, the site quickly took a turn for fashion and hasn’t turned back! What started off as ‘Claire’s Adventures in Shopping’ has become a place where anyone with a love for style can come for celebrity looks for less, wardrobe advice, trends, and tips on breaking into the industry.

4. I know Claire is currently living in Paris. What are some tips and advice you can offer someone looking to make the trip to live abroad?
Claire says, “One of my favorite fun books is Fabulosity by Kimora Lee Simmons. In it, Kimora has a great quote that says, “Life is a series of adjustments: You can make changes along the way, but if you don’t start moving forward you’ll never get anywhere.” There are plenty of reasons not to make an international move: it’s frightening. It’s expensive. You’ll miss your family, friends, and boyfriend. But instead of focusing on what you’ll miss out on, think of all you can gain from living in a different environment, learning a new culture, and traveling the world. It was a goal of mine for many years to live abroad, and I made it a resolution in January 2008 to just go, regardless of whether I was prepared or not. And I wasn’t prepared! At all! But like Kimora said, I made adjustments as I moved, and all is fine. So that you’re not as unprepared as I was, I’d say: start planning a year in advance. Look for official programs that will help you get paperwork in the country of your choice–teaching English is usually an easy way to go. Try to have all of your paperwork: visas, passports, pictures, ready before you take off. Save enough money to survive for at least 3 months (it will take you that long to get adjusted and be in the proper mindset to job search). Connect with and send e-mails to as many contacts as you can. And just go! A great book that helped me plan was The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss.”