shopping

CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of Plum's CANADA 150 DRAW...KRISTY from Vancouver!

NO, I am not dying or quitting, simply referring to literally packing for a trip. Having been on an epic vacation of a lifetime recently (think: planes, trains and automobiles), literally! The only thing not included in my extraordinarily memorable trip across Canada was horseback! This made me think two things 1) note to self: Never travel again (at least not with children) and 2) when I break that rule, be better prepared with proper luggage and clothing. What and how to pack for a trip? One would think I'd have learned from this monumental adventure and have a concrete answer. Well, I have at least a few thoughts and shopping suggestions.

 

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Dresses are a really great travel garment, they're one item and they're usually comfortable. The one above, however, can also easily be worn either as a dress or a tunic. Add tights for more ease of movement. The elbow sleeves are such that if you're in a fickle climate, you don't need to worry about extra cover.

Wink wink ribbed dress (4 colours) now $39

 

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TOPS...Keep them basic. The solid colour offers the ability to mix and match with more bottoms, which means less to lug around...for a bit more interest, pack a small bag with accessories (favourite necklaces, earrings) to change things up a bit. The asymmetric hem, means you don't need to leave your style at home! TRAVEL TIP: If you're unable to find a laundromat, hand washing is always an option. Hang to dry, wring the garment out well and use the hair dryer to quick dry. For me, this worked surprisingly well for small garments.

Double asymmetric hem tank top (4 colours) $39

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Here's a wonderful option for warm climates. It's light, it's airy, it's also pretty and can be paired with (as seen above) jeans, shorts, skirts or even a tank dress. How to pack it without arriving with more wrinkles than grandpa? TRAVEL TIP: Best method? Using tissue and a plastic bag

Catwalk embroidered blouse (light pink) now $55

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And who can resist the sweet little tiered skirt for beach vacations, or even staycations! Like olives are to a martini, the flirty short skirt goes well with sandals, or even Keds for walking. All they need is a little tank top and that's the outfit for the day. TRAVEL TIP: bring an extra canvas or reusable bag for either purchasing souvenirs or storing dirty laundry.

Soya Concept lined tiered skirt (dark earth) $65

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And if you're not much into dresses or skirts, these are the best bottoms of choice. The just-below-the-knee tights are made of bamboo, which is typically softer than cotton and has better absorbency...and linen pants have proven to be a very easy, light fiber; and because wrinkles are a natural presentation of the fabric itself, it's perfect for the job of travel.

Orange capri legging (5 colours) $34

Plum drawstring linen pant (concrete, natural or olive) now $65

Give yourself a break when you're preparing to travel, think...comfort and less complicated. I wish I'd taken my own advice, I'd have brought less footwear and used better luggage. After all, it's really all about the journey, not the wrinkles.

Yours in Fashion passion...

Suzanne M.

"Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations" ~ Oliver Goldsmith

 
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Last blog was about staying indoors; avoiding the cold, reinventing ourselves or...just enjoying being inside and warm. What? You didn't read it? I just may never recover from that. In any case, it's probably time to venture out. The pavement is finally exposed (as will be our blindingly pale skin from the lack of vitamin D). So, just go for it, go for a walk; your body needs the blood pumping. What else gets the blood pumping? A good sale. And Plum has great end of season deals. But you do have to go into a local Plum to grab those great things that you know you missed out on! Get dressed, put on your boots and coat (or go and buy one)!

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I can't say enough about the poncho craze. They're a great, functional addition to the wardrobe and can realistically span three seasons. I love layering them on top of jackets or coats or even sweaters and I must admit I wear them around the house for an extra layer.

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I'm sure by now you've invested in snow tires, so it's time to make sure you also have a coat. A winter one...because we're in Canada...you know...where it's cold (we sometimes forget this on the far west coast).

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Scarves just never go out of style. We pack them away for the next winter, then gleefully pull out our favourites again when the season suits of course. Plum has such a luscious variety of scarves; the price is right now to stock up.

 

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If you're in search of a good basic sweater, look no further. Super soft, long in length (not tunic length but long enough to cover the bum and keep it warm), side slits, 81% cotton, great to belt or wear a necklace with and comes in 6 great fall colours. AND it's an excellent deal.

Kersh crew neck sweater (6 colours) was $59 NOW $29

I'm sure I'm not the only one staring longingly out the window in anticipation of the spring and higher temperatures. But in the words of Thomas Edison "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work".  Come to Plum, no overalls are required.

Yours in Fashion passion...

Suzanne M.

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Feelin' it!

What guides your fashion choices? Body shape or size, how you feel in it, what you read or something else? For one thing, we're quite influenced by others opinions. After all, people read blogs (wink) and fashion magazines and are convinced they 'must' buy a turquoise, wide, vegan studded belt because...well, Vogue said it's a 'must!' Or feel just so 'empowered' in pink! This is where Plum staff come in. Convey your intention to them and they can help guide you, so the feeling is expressed in how you look!

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I would say the feeling here Mona Lisa is, 'I feel so fabulous that if I so much as smile, it would be over-the-top'! This very understated, dress comes in very autumnal hues and can also be worn as a tunic (depending on your height).

Simone cocoon dress (with pockets) (black, plum or wine) $129

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Maybe there has always got to be a different or unusual element to your style choice. A great addition to your casual wardrobe, this top incorporates something unique with the asymmetric zipper to an otherwise basic style.

Very J asymmetric knit top with zipper (charcoal or olive) $69

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Perhaps you like to make yourself and everyone around you laugh...(or you love cats); graphic t's are a great addition. The feeling is light hearted and the simple nature of the colours make matching a breeze!

Bear Dance 'I work hard' (black) t shirt $35

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If showing your feminine shape is the ultimate requirement, check out this absolutely stunning Simone design. Very forgiving fabric as it's comprised of poly/rayon and spandex. As well the collar adds a slight retro feel to the whole fitted, 50's vibe.

Simone sheath dress with collar (blue or wine) $149

Speak your feelings with what you wear... (But using a dictionary never hurt anyone)! ;)

Yours in Fashion passion...

Suzanne M.

Check out Plum's online store at any time, but for more personal service, check one of Plum's 7 locations near you. Very well fashion educated staff are happy to assist you!

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Shopping the Sales

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  Well friends, it's that time of year again. Believe it or not, retailers need to start making room for fall merchandise pretty soon (excusemesummerhasn'tevenhappenedyet), so now is a great time to shop the sales and put together a summer wardrobe on the economical. While sales are indisputably awesome, they can be a bit overwhelming and tiring if you go in without a game plan. So here are some simple tips on making the most out of the sale season.

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1) Take stock of your wardrobe before you go. Where are your gaps? Most stores have a 'final sale' policy on sale items. If you get home only to realize that you bought a repeat of something you already have, you're likely to be stuck with the double.

2) If you happen to be on the smaller or the larger side of the size spectrum, this is your time to shine. Get out there and get shopping. Median sizes tend to get snapped up right away, leaving smaller and bigger sizes to be discounted when it comes sale time.

3) When you find a great deal on an investment piece (a blazer or a great dress, for example)- or even just something that you really liked but the sizing is a bit off - go for it. Having some minor alterations done will be worth it in the long run, and you'll wind up with a piece that not only was on sale, but was custom tailored for you!

4) If you want an entire outfit at a great price, don't be shy about asking the sales associates for advice on how to pair items. Trust me, they (we!) see the clothes worn in every combination imaginable and will be happy to pass along the unique product knowledge to you. 

5) Quality over quantity. If you're at a sale trying to decide between two or three tops that you have lukewarm feelings about and one blazer that you love, always go for the love. In this case, less really is more.

Don't forget to visit our fabulous sidewalk sale this Thursday through Sunday (June 21-24) and put my handy tips to good use! And I'm not saying you'd want to hang out with me, but just in case you do, I'll be at our Kitsilano location Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Check out all the great deals here: Plum Sidewalk Sale

And now I'd like to know, do you usually wait for sales to go shopping? Are you a sale veteran/rookie? Leave a comment here or tweet me @PlumClothing

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