Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett

Do try to find clothing and holiday decorating items at Goodwill that reflect your glowing personality.

Even if you don’t know your poles from your bindings, or your cross-country from your downhill, the fashion that looks as though you’re hitting the slopes in style can be attained by anyone. Understanding what to look for is what it’s all about when shopping. It’s as easy as seeking out some of winter’s most in-demand knitwear. You needn’t be hanging out at the ski lodge with hot cocoa in hand to show off these warm and cozy beauties. Lots of folks who have never participated in winter sports get the high-end ski look by keeping their eyes open for vintage looking sweaters at Goodwill. We’ll discuss the various styles and how to adapt them into your cold weather outfit rotation.

Every year when the temperatures dip into the low end of the Fahrenheit scale, have you ever noticed how some people really know how to wear a hat with style and panache, while others forgo them entirely, or wear knit caps that look like leftovers from a sporting event? That’s all well and good if you are indeed at an outdoor sporting event, but other than that, I think people of the colder climates need to think a little bit more about having a wardrobe of winter hat-wear that look appropriate for both work and play. Knits definitely win out every winter; just take a look around you!  But, there are all types of knit hats, and I thought it would be fun to discuss a couple of style options suitable for the whole family.  Goodwill is always a great place to find lots of winter items for a lot less than other retailers, and as an added bonus, it makes trying new-to-you styles a (chilly) breeze!

Classic is never out of style. Take for instance that age-old marriage of inky black and milky white. These polar color opposites are always interpreted and re-interpreted each fashion season. Why? The simple answer, of course, is because they can work their stylish magic on everyone. Given the long history of this dynamic duo, which can encompass everything from a white skull and cross bones on a pirate flag, to a chic Chanel-inspired ensemble from the 1920’s, the combination has definite staying power when it comes to classic wardrobe building. While the “tuxedo look” can often feel stark and cold, I’ll show you some easy ways to warm up to this fall trend.

It may seem like I say this quite a bit, but what goes around comes around - again and again! This is true especially in the world of fashion and the decorative arts. For instance, let’s talk about the classic cameo. A cameo is an item of jewelry that features a raised image or portrait. This technique of carving an image in some sort of stone for use as jewelry goes back to Roman times.  Today in the fashion world this means a likeness, usually of the head and shoulders of a woman in an oval frame. These classic pieces were originally worn as signet rings and then went on to be worn as brooches, necklaces, bracelets and even earrings. In the Victorian era when women wore high lace collars, they were clasped at the throat for an elegant look. Later in the 1920’s they were used as pendants either on a chain or silk cord. Thought of as an attractive nod to the past, they’ve been popping up here and there in the fashion scene every decade or so. Well, guess what?  It seems the time for the cameo to make its return appearance on the runway (and in your jewelry box) is back! 

According to numerous surveys I came across while researching, the average American woman owns at least 6 handbags. That statistic completely jibes with my theory that since the downturn of the economy happened, fashionable people are putting a high premium on stylish accessories more than ever before in handbag history. Because, you see, it doesn’t really matter if you’re wearing the same winter coat, jacket or dress. A new bag has always had the power to spark renewed interest in your wardrobe staples year in and year out. A huge variety of opinions and ideas about what makes the ideal handbag can sometimes confuse the issue, but rest assured, I’m going to give you some good ideas to make it simple for you to score big the next time you’re out shopping at Goodwill for that perfect purse. Storing and toting all your stuff should always be fun, so why not start by scanning the awesome selection that can be found at the store near you!

There are lots of silly names for fashion trends, like “middy”, “maxi”, “mini”, “high/low”, or even the “mullet” dress. But, have you heard of the “pussy bow” blouse? Yes, it seems as though only Cat Woman would approve of this look; but fear not. Pussy bow is simply the official name for any shirt that goes out of its way to promote enormous, feminine tie bows on the front. Once again as I always say, this look is not completely new or unheard of. This is more of a movement that comes and goes with the tides of fashion, just like that elusive cat that hides under the bed and only comes out for a little attention once in a while. I am all for utilizing the pussy bow-blouse trend to perk up items that you may already have in your wardrobe and bringing them back from the edge of blandness. Recently I noticed that our first lady has been spotted wearing blouses with bows on the campaign trail, and since she is known for her love of American flavored sportswear and separates, this just about seals its approval rating!

There’s a popular saying in the world of fashion …“everything that goes around comes around.”  So is it any surprise that we’re seeing stand-alone accessories, such as collars, rise to the top of the fashion heap?  In a word, no. In the past we had dickey’s, which was defined as a garment that is only the front or neck of a shirt, worn under a jacket, shirt or sweater, thus giving the illusion that you’re actually wearing a shirt. Now, we say the heck with the shirt - let’s just focus on the collar. Worn with everything from dresses to t-shirts, this is an easy trend to adopt into your style vocabulary. I’m going to show you some examples of how these items look, and then show you how to make one for yourself using items you can find at Goodwill!

Every year Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago hosts its biggest fundraiser of the year called Retro Rendezvous. This year the event will be held on October 29th at Potowatomi Bingo & Casino in downtown Milwaukee. Included in the evening’s festivities is a fabulous sit-down dinner, a silent auction with lots of awesome donation items, and a professional stage show featuring national acts. There’s also a runway show highlighting items from Goodwill’s very own clothing archive, as well as current fashion trends from Boston Store. Present and past members of the Green Bay Packers and their families also make celebrity model appearances. What an evening it is for those who attend, and especially the folks who bid on and win some of the great products and services offered in the silent auction!

We all know that models look good when they’re posing in designer clothes for the camera, but what about those folks who just view the world as their runway?  Whenever I’m in New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFW) as I am now, I love to take pictures of the people attending the shows as well as those hanging around Lincoln Center, where a vast majority of the shows are held. 

As we now look toward fall, it’s time to put some key items in place for our cool weather wardrobes. Transitional garments, which can bridge all the seasons and can be added a layer at a time, are the ones that I look to first. Such is the case with the simple vest.