Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I recently graduated from college and after spending several months pounding the pavement I (finally!) found a job. The problem is I have to be there by 7:30 AM and its a 45-minute commute from where I live. I've been late a few times already and when I am on time my outfit is noticeably less pulled-together. Do you have any suggestions for ways I can get to work on time and be dressed well?

Signed,

Poor Timing

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Dear P.T.,

First and foremost, congratulations on finding a job. Now the goal is to keep said job! To do that you have to have a game plan for managing your time accordingly. Since you're not a morning person, it would be best to move your alarm clock from arms reach and across the room so you won't be tempted to hit snooze from the comfort of your bed. Another suggestion is that instead of an alarm, use the radio setting so you aren't startled awake. Choose a radio program or station that you like to listen to and it can not only serve as your wake-up call, but background noise while you start moving through your morning routine.

Your next task is to plan your outfits out before wearing them. The most common practice of this is to pick your clothes (including accessories) out the night before, but take it a step further. Take the time out of your weekend to pick out a week's worth of outfits and photograph them so you'll spend even less time agonizing over what to wear. You can put a date on the pictures so you'll know the last time you wore what when, but more than that, now you'll have a 'look book' created from your wardrobe that'll come in handy for more than just work.

Also make sure you're getting the right amount of sleep at night. These tips should help you correct any habits inhibiting a good night's rest. And if you really like this job you may want to start saving and planning to move closer to truncate your commute. Now hurry and put these tips into your routine: time is of the essence.

Have a fashion question? Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am a mom with a demanding career and a demanding home life so when I leave my house in the morning I travel heavy: a gym bag, my work tote, purse and miscellaneous extras for the kids, inclement weather accessories, etc. I recently started seeing a chiropractor because of lower back, shoulder and neck pain. I attribute it all to the many bags I carry but I can't seem to find a way to lighten the load. And before you say it, my doctor recommended the bag on wheels but I've tried them and they can be bulky and cumbersome, not to mention unfashionable.

Any good suggestions on a great bag to handle all my demands without breaking my back?

Sincerely,

Mom on the Move

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Dear M.O.T.M.,

It sounds like you've got a lot resting on your shoulders - literally and figuratively. What's amazing is that you believe that in order to have it all you have to carry it all...at once. And you are not alone. There are women walking in the same stiletto-heeled shoes as you that teeter on the brink of being recognized as a stylish Sherpa.

We could talk bags but you, more than anything, sound like you need a distribution strategy versus a bigger bag that will only lead you to believe that you have room to pile more things in. You are better served by using your routine's resources to your advantage. Keep what you need for the kids in the car; keep what you need for work at work; acquire a gym locker - and utilize their laundry service - to store your workout clothing and accessories.

Buy travel sized items to further lighten the load in case you have to transport a few things on your person that day. But the only thing you should carry from this point on is your purse and work tote and even those shouldn't be stuffed to the gills. You may still want to see your chiropractor to help repair or reverse what damage you've done by carrying so much for so long. With any luck you should see - and feel - a difference in less time than it takes to unpack your current day-to-day baggage. Overnight, you'll go from a bag lady to a lady who carries a bag. Sounds much more chic, n'est-ce pas?

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

Every now and then when its in my budget I splurge on new work clothes and get great feedback and compliments from my co-workers, but mostly my "fashion sense" is overlooked. I don't need a compliment every day at work but I also don't need a silent reminder that I'm not dressed as nicely as everyone knows I can. So Shopping Savage, how can I maintain a stylish look for work without much effort or it costing me the fortune that I don't have?

Signed,

Sometimes Work Hottie

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Dear S.W.H.,

Always appearing polished and well-dressed has little to do with new outfits and everything to do with consistency and attention to detail. If your budget is limited, then the best way to be consistent is to care for your work clothing. Start to invest in well-tailored separates and solid colored dresses instead of trendy pieces that are eye catching or easily identifiable. Plan to replace or repair anything that you wear to work that has stains, fraying hemlines or any other form of damage.

Spend the last 30-minutes before bed each night deciding on what you are going to wear for work the next day. (Take into account any meetings, lunch dates or after-work commitments.) Use accessories, layers (think cardigans, blazers, etc.), hair styles and even makeup to give old outfits a new look. Fashion magazines are great springboards for what trends are on the horizon, what to think about buying next, for DIY (do it yourself) fashion projects and how to re-imagine wearing your wardrobe as a whole.

For the first few days of this process, you may receive the kind of attention you are seeking, but once you begin to appear pulled-together for work each day you may notice a steep decline in the compliments. This generally happens when you raise the bar and meet your new (personal) standards on a daily basis. You seem to associate your co-workers accolades to the clothing you were wearing that day, when in fact, what they were picking up on was the positive energy emitting from you. If you are pleased with what you're wearing, it's written all over your demeanor; the same could be said for when you are not as happy with your appearance.

So don't wear something expressly for compliments because you may or may not get them. And don't beat yourself up over a "bad outfit" or point out all the flaws when someone pays you a compliment on something you weren't sure about. Untie your self-esteem from your wardrobe. Ultimately, what people are complimenting is you, not the outfit. So when someone acknowledges your outfit that day just say "thank you" with a smile. And when the day comes when the compliments aren't doled out when you believe they should be, still proceed through the day as if they were. Remember, the key here is consistency - not just for your outward appearance, but for your inner "appearance" as well.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

While my assistant is on maternity leave, a temp was assigned to me. I've noticed that her style of dress is a bit unprofessional. She wears low cut tops, short skirts and high heels. She's giving all of the guys something to talk about...and the women too. As her direct supervisor - and might I add a happily married man with three great kids - should I say something to her about her clothing, have her reassigned or just wait until my assistant returns and enjoy the view...from a safe distance?

Signed,

Provocative Temp Worker Dilemma

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P.T.W. D.,

I would avoid saying something to her directly. You don't want her to misconstrue your good intentions as a personal assault, or worse: an advance. (Being called into 'HR' for a refresher course on "sexual harassment in the work place", for example, is not the way you want to spend a Monday afternoon.)

The best approach would be to have a female colleague that you trust, and one that has also taken note of your temp's potential wardrobe malfeasance, speak to her one-on-one. Encourage her to invite your temp out for lunch (mainly to get away from prying eyes and ears) and let her in on the office chatter.

If the next day there isn't an immediate improvement in her wardrobe then it may be time to step in. Call her into your office and use your judgement as to whether this should be an open-door discussion. Lead with a brief performance review but address her choice of office attire by asking her how her lunch-date went with your co-worker. That should be enough of a reminder for her to get the hint.

If all else fails, have 'HR' step in to put her back through "office dress code" training. None of these suggestions will make you popular with your male colleagues, but tell them to look at it as one less distraction at work...and if they're married like yourself, an anniversary gift.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am a 34-year old mother of two about to re-enter the work force after taking off the last five years to take care of children and the household. I've stayed somewhat current with fashion but with two screaming toddlers my husband and I can barely get away for a date night, let alone have time to leisurely browse at the mall. Where can I find fashionable clothing versatile enough to wear to work, but also durable enough to withstand getting the kids ready in the morning?

Signed,

Working Mom

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Dear W.M.,

First, hire a babysitter one Saturday before you start work to give yourself one day of uninterrupted bliss...I mean, shopping. As you said yourself, you can't possibly browse and be on the amber alert for your kids at the same time.

Start off by purchasing at least three suits (one black, one navy and one dark gray; go for the pant and skirt option if they have it) and two of every button-down that you like. As a mother of two - or just as a rule of thumb for anyone - having a back-up shirt either at home or at work is going to be something you'll learn is less elective and more essential. Look for shirts that are 'wrinkle free' or have a percentage of elastane (e.g. spandex, lycra, etc.). Not only will these shirts be a better body fit, they also hold up well through repeated washes and are easier to iron. Other key pieces to incorporate: sheath dresses, wrap dresses and cardigans.

The idea here is to live in layers. Your days are going to be hectic and will require you to juggle being mom and mrs. at the office. Layers are great for those times you may have to cover a last-minute stain or remove the stained-layer in question. The same goes for footwear - leather is one of the materials you want to go after since its one of the easiest to work with as far as stain and scuff removal.

The ideal clothing for your situation is out there, you just have to be practical. You'd have to swathe yourself in bubble wrap to avoid the stains, scuffs and haphazard unexpectedness that comes with raising children. Just remember to always keep your spare garment handy, keep a layer close in case you need to camouflage and plan for the unexpected. In other words, all of the things you've learned to do as a mother.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com