Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett

The term sportswear became popular in the 1920’s as fashions started changing. The world needed a description for the new relaxed, casual wear that became the customary attire for many sporting and social events. For those of you who have never been a fan of ruffles and flounces, but prefer a more straightforward and dare I say that dreaded word “comfortable” fashions, the Spring 2013 runways around the world have some good news in store for you! Responding to the need for grown up play clothes, designers have been busy stirring together sporty influences in lots of cool ways. Next time you’re at the Goodwill store make the most of your fashion budget by checking the racks for items that just might fit the springtime bill for your wardrobe.  The following is a roundup of the top items you’ll need to know about in order to pull off all the best sportswear-inspired looks from the catwalk.

Cotton eyelet fabric and trimming has always been a warm weather option for summer brides as well as garden parties and the like. The fabric, for those not familiar with it, resembles lace because there are small holes within the embroidery detail on the textile itself. The edges around the holes are stitched with satin thread for a decorative effect. In many cases the use of the eyelet decoration on cotton or other fabric could be considered a little “country-western” or even childish looking, depending on how it is applied to the garments in question. I remember when the prairie skirt trend was in vogue and the full-tiered slips that accompanied them were always trimmed with eyelet of some sort or another. These ruffles were meant to peek out from under the skirts. But fear not fashion followers, eyelet looks are making a comeback, but not in the ways we have seen it in the past, thankfully. Today designers are using this see through fabric embroidery technique to embellish lots of up to date and stylish garments like shift dresses, chemises, cropped tops and blouses. I’m also going to show you how to use it to make a stunning statement collar from eyelet trim that you could wear with almost anything!

I guess I’ve reached that age where you start to remember your past and the “way it used to be.” I have no problem with moving forward in life at all, but I do have fond memories of my mom pulling together new (or newly remodeled) Easter outfits for us five kids every year. How proud she was of her brood as we walked down the street after church, on our way home to a fun day of Easter egg hunts, lots of candy and feasting with the family. I appreciate that this is a religious holiday and that not everyone will have shared the experience of dressing up for that special day. These days in our “casual world,” moms and dads struggle to get their kids to dress up for anything, let alone the first big holiday of spring! However, in reality, children should have at least one “dressed up” look in their wardrobe, no matter what their age or gender. Dressing for these special occasions is a sign of respect to society, parents and to the children themselves. That’s where the Goodwill Store & Donation Center can come in handy. You can pick up great children’s clothing at a fraction of the cost of retail! And, if you look and choose carefully, you’ll be able to hand down some of these treasures to younger family members as the older grow out of them. Since these are not everyday wear, keeping them in nearly new condition shouldn’t be a problem. So, what should you be looking for?

Historically, artists, writers and designers have always had a love affair with nature and all the botanical beauty surrounding it. Because of that, sonnets, paintings, sculptures and even clothing and jewelry have fallen under the spell of the natural world at one point in or another. Take for example the ancient Greeks and their love for the leaf. In their society these wreath-like headpieces were used as an adornment that would indicate the wearer’s station in life, occupation or social standing. These very elaborate wreaths were worn like crowns and would often be constructed of gold and other precious metals. Vegetation was also used to crown the winners at the original Olympic games. Like everything else in the fashion and design world, updating these, and many other ancient historical symbols, will never go out of style. But, for today’s trendsetter, the undeniable allure of what nature provides as inspiration and celebrating it has become a fashion classic, in particular when it comes to accessories. 

I have heard countless women complain that the men in their life don’t have a clue when it comes to the subject of stylish dressing. One of my favorite activities to do while I’m in New York City for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week twice a year is to catch sight of guys who have their own grasp on what makes a man well dressed. Throughout history men have rode a virtual roller coaster of style. Not that long ago, a man never left the house without a debonair hat! Nowadays anything goes, and a hat would mean a baseball cap. Unfortunately that means the most ill fitted and bland clothing are the go-to items for most guys every day.  The idea of standing out has taken on a negative connotation in some circles, and the average Joe tends to dress more like a fashion casualty, than casually cool. The rules of color texture and pattern apply to men as well as women with few distinctions. Let’s break down the apparel of the gentlemen who boldly take style where few men dare to tread, but should.

While in New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion week recently, I took some photographs of some of the fashionable folks who attend this twice-yearly style summit.  We all know that it’s tricky to dress for winter weather, but the ladies and gents that I’m going to feature here in the next two weeks were all able to pull together unique, fashion-forward ensembles, despite the murky meteorologist reports. Why? Because they know the key elements necessary for great style!  That doesn’t mean expensive, just thoughtful. I knew it would be a great opportunity for me to share and reiterate with all of you just what components are needed to create incomparable style. Let’s break it down. Every great outfit is composed of three things: color, texture, and pattern. That’s it. I guarantee it! So let’s take a closer look at the movers and shakers who make a daily business out of fashion and style.

When my oldest sister was a baby, my mother actually taped a girly satin bow to the top of her head because she lacked the required thick tresses to attach it to!  What is it with bows? Are they popular because they’re the simplest adornment in the fashion world? Or, is it because they represent some idea of femininity?  Or, is it both? Well, I would venture to say it’s both because clothing designers and moms alike have been using bows to gussy up their little ladies, as well as their fashion designs, for centuries. Heck, who would Minnie Mouse be without that iconic bow on top of her head?  At the moment, bows add a soft whimsical appeal to so many items, and they can convey childlike appeal to even the most sophisticated couture. If you haven’t noticed their revival of late, let’s count the ways you can “tie” them into your current wardrobe rotation, shall we?

When we think of “mod” fashion, those of us of a certain age think of the mid 1960’s when the world was in the throes of what was then called a “youth quake.”  The children of World War II veterans and their wives were teenagers, and their job was to discard pretty much whatever their parents thought was important when it came to social convention. Art, music, and most certainly fashion, was quick to jump on the teen bandwagon. Much of this movement can be traced back to when the Beatle’s famously played to screaming girls on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. Their style of dress and longish bowl haircuts were considered extreme. From that fateful moment onward Rock-and-Roll music became the soundtrack for artists and fashion designers to conjure inspiration from. Another reason what we wore changed to a modern almost “pop art” look, was because the roles of men and women were being challenged and rejected by this new powerful generation. It was evident by the adoption of all things that emanated from what was soon to become the symbol for 1960’s fashion - London, England.  Even though these events were 50 or so years ago, the styles they gave us are still in favor today and get consideration in the world of fashion once again.  Re-imagined and re-worked for today, the now classic “mod” silhouettes remain much the same as their predecessors. Let’s explore some of the key elements that you may be able to find while you’re out shopping at Goodwill.

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!  Wasn’t that the chant of the gang that wove their way down the yellow brick road in the “Wizard of Oz” film?  That’s exactly what I’m talking about when it comes to those of us who find ourselves plodding along the boring road of the winter doldrums. Spicing up our outerwear and accessories is as simple as taking a cue once again from the animal kingdom.  I’ve definitely been noticing that more and more winter apparel items are using this tried and true “call of the wild” to make sportswear and other cold weather apparel more exciting and exotic. Follow my tips on how to take a walk on the wild side with items you may be able to find at a Goodwill Store & Donation Center near you!

The popular movie “Lincoln,” in wide release across the country and around the world, is teaching us not only about the Civil War, but also how military garments transcend eras. They have become a part of fashion as well as history.  The Union Army uniforms were blue wool, with high-ranking officers wearing double-breasted frock coats with brass buttons down the front placket. Lower-ranking soldiers wore single-breasted coats. The use of stripes on the sleeves and other insignias also signified rank. The Confederate Army uniforms looked very similar, although to avoid confusion on the battlefield, dove gray wool was used. Some historians claim that military uniforms after each war were also worn in civilian life, often out of necessity for the cash-strapped soldiers returning home. Fast-forward to 2013 and the military inspired trend is still going strong.  Especially evident to me are the similarities to the Civil War uniforms.

Another year behind us and another beginning always brings thoughts of change, renewal, and prioritizing our lives doesn’t it?  What can I do to streamline my life and my style? That’s one of the questions I consistently ask myself each and every New Year. This week, I thought I’d share some of my tips to strategically alter not only your closet and wardrobe, but also your thought process. I want to give you some great ideas on how to look at what you have, and also how and when to let go of excess fashion and accessory baggage.