“In difficult times, fashion must be outrageous.” Elsa Schiaparelli

While shopping may not be en vogue right now, I’m here to speak out for a different perspective. There is nothing that makes a person feel better then some good old-fashioned retail therapy. I encourage my clients to embrace their individual style, and push the envelope on what makes them feel comfortable. Spending a fortune is not necessary to help you look a little outrageous and feel a lot better. Here are my tips to working through these difficult times, and boosting the economy while you're at it!

Wear bright bold colors! I disagree with the drab palettes I see many designers presenting. Who wants to walk into their closet and feel depressed? Wearing black or taupe is not the answer to fixing the economic climate. Break out of your traditional thought pattern, and buy a color you have always liked and never dared to wear. Hot colors of the moment are royal blue, plum, fuschia, and purple. All of these are transitioning into fall so will be a good investment. You could even get really outrageous and go for a bold print! Take a friend with you to shop so you can get the color that brings out your eyes and compliments your skin-tone. Then put on your new frock and make your way to happy hour at Shin-Sei on Lovers and Inwood. Not only will you feel great, but you will bring more color and energy into the room, making Dallas a better place.

Support your locally owned boutiques and designers. Most likely they are employing a local team of people which means you will be positively impacting the economy in your own backyard while you shop! Rich Hippie Boutique at Inwood and Lovers is the perfect example of a positive economy booster. They employ a great team of local women, and support many “Made in America” designers. Owners Nikki Solomon and Mindi Kahn are purveyors of style and can help guide you into a new look that is forward and fun. They have the widest selection of the Abi Ferrin collection available anywhere, with several exclusive styles and fabrics.  

Research your favorite designers and find out their manufacturing practices. Are any of their products made in America? Even better, are any of their products made in Dallas? Don’t just go to the designers site to see what they say about themselves. Google them and see what others are saying. If they are truly making a positive impact on their world, you will quickly be able to decipher this.  

Select items that are versatile and will travel well. Find garments that you can wear during the day with a pair of chic flats, and then transform them into evening with a great pair of earrings, a cuff and some fabulous heels. This is a perfect solution for a girl on the go, and helps you really get the most out of your fashion investment. Also, items that can be worn multiple ways and work in multiple environments are perfect for these times.  

Choose one part of your body to feature at a time and shop for items that flatter this part. Maybe this week you focus on your legs and cover up more on top. Bare shoulders and open necklines call for a little more coverage below. Make sure to feature your best assets!

When you try things on, focus on the parts of your body that you do like as you look in the mirror and internally compliment yourself. “My shoulders really look great today.” Instead of, “I hate my arms.”  This will immediately make the experience a better one!

These style tips should get you started as you push the envelop and embrace the outrageous. Now pick up your purse, put on a smile and go shop!

Abi Ferrin is a Dallas-based fashion designer. For more information, visit her website at www.abiferrin.com or call (214) 565-0055 to make an appointment at her store, The Revolving Door, 1409 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX, 75215.