Tag Archives: sizes

Lil Red’s In Store & Online Shopping Tips

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Lil Red’s In Store & Online Shopping Tips

Hello everyone! I consider myself to be an excellent shopper both in store and online. After a wildly successful winter haul with TJMaxx, I thought that today would be perfect for sharing my pro tips to make the most of your in store or online shopping sessions. These helpful hints have been curated as my personal style developed to turn each shopping trip into a GREAT SUCCESS! Now, let’s get to it:

Online – Know Your Measurements:

Prior to getting married, I had absolutely no idea what my measurements were. That, of course, had to change when I was ordering my dress online so my mom and I visited our local tailor shop to get that taken care of. I keep my measurement cards by my computer so that I can always have them available when online shopping.

Knowing your true measurements will eliminate the need to buy multiple sizes of one item because you can compare and contrast to the brand’s size chart. This used to be the norm for me when online shopping because I am in between a small and a medium and it’s so nice to now be able to get my size right the first time around!

Online – Do Your Research:

If you enjoy shopping with websites that offer multiple brands like TJMaxx or Poshmark, it is so crucial to do your research. We all know that women’s sizes vary drastically. For example, in my closet I have clothing in extra smalls and larges alike. A universal size chart, unfortunately, doesn’t exist so you will have to go to the original brand’s website to find out their sizing for yourself.

When shopping with TJMaxx, this has become my standard practice and is why knowing your measurements is so handy. Remember, take note about the features of the item you wish to purchase too. Does it provide room for stretch? Do the reviews say to order a size up? These are all things that should also be taken into consideration.

Online & In Store – Promotions, Please:

Apps, rewards cards, store credit cards, and special deals like a percentage off or free shipping plays an important rule in the shopping process. Although the constant emails from my favorite stores are annoying, saving money on your shopping is always worth it. If you have a particularly large order, you might want to consider applying for the store credit card. Typically, the store will offer you a percentage off of that purchase, which is awesome!

In Store – Dress For Success:

With the pandemic, I rarely do in store shopping anymore. However, when I do, I make sure that I am dressed and made up for success. Wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable and easy to slip on and off for dressing room efficiency. And, depending on what it is you need, it might not hurt to do your makeup accordingly. It’s hard to get the full picture of a dress you are trying on for a special event if your makeup doesn’t reflect it.

In Store – Try & Try Again:

Shopping in store gives you the luxury of trying on whatever you want and it should not be taken lightly. Expanding your horizons with styles, shapes, and colors that you might not normally wear will give you brand new possibilities. And, so what if it doesn’t work? Trying on a variety of different things will also help with your online shopping because you won’t be limiting yourself to “safe” options that you already know will work.

In Store – Have A Game Plan:

Hitting the mall or multiple different shops in the area can feel a bit overwhelming because of the endless options you’re seeing all at once. I recommend browsing for the items that you know you need first before beginning your window shopping. I don’t go to the mall too often but when I do, I always go to Victoria’s Secret for new undies and a bra and American Eagle for new skinnies first to get it out of the way. Then, when the “fun” shopping begins, I already know what I have spent for necessities and can budget my additional purchases accordingly.

Online & In Store – Shopping For Others:

I know some people who begin their holiday shopping for the next year as soon as their celebrated holiday is over to get the best seasonal deals. While you don’t have to go that extreme, it never hurts to get a little prep work done for holidays and birthdays when making your rounds. And, if you score a great deal on it, then it’s even better. We all have had that one gift that we were going to buy a little later only to find that it was sold out when we were ready to make the purchase!

With these tips, I hope that you have the best online or in store shopping session yet! They are my tried and true methods to the success behind all of my hauls and I’m sure that they will work for you too. ❤

What are some of your shopping tricks and tips? Do you prefer in store or online shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Altar’d State Haul

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Altar’d State Haul

Hello everyone! Tomorrow we will be wrapping up my Altar’d State Haul with a gorgeous black and white summer dress. And, today, we are going to be taking a look at a mini skirt of the same color palette that might look familiar to you because I got it in lavender too! Let’s get to it:

If you recall, I purchased a matching top for a paired set with the lavender skirt but, unfortunately, there was no crop top to be found for my white skirt. There was also no size small, either, so I opted for a medium instead. While it doesn’t fit as snugly as the small one in lavender, which makes it a true bodycon skirt, the medium still fits me comfortably with a little extra flounce to it. The additional wiggle room will make layering with the white skirt much easier come cooler weather with a tucked in shirt and tights.

Like all of the ladies in my family, when I find something I like that has multiple colors available, I tend to buy a few of them. It’s nice to have options in a piece that you already know you love, which is why I just had to buy my white floral skirt too! I know I am going to have such fun styling this skirt and it will be a totally different experience from the lavender one because of the size difference and not having an option for a matching top.

Sadly, I couldn’t find the top for a pair set in white on Altar’d State’s website but, for now, a black crop top, jean jacket, and a sweet pair of summer wedges will work just fine!

How do you keep your clothes looking brand new? Do you like to buy different colors in a much loved piece? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

NiiDor Adhesive Strapless Bra Review

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NiiDor Adhesive Strapless Bra Review

Hi! My wedding dress boasts a beautiful open back and while I am so excited to show off all of my tattoos, I must admit that it was a bit of a struggle finding an adhesive bra that worked for me. In fact, I almost had the dress customized to close up the back so I could wear a bra comfortably because I need the extra support. The back was just too pretty to make that sacrifice, though! After looking over countless “best adhesive bra” lists online, I settled for the well reviewed NiiDor Adhesive Strapless Bra that I purchased on Amazon:

While I am, overall, pretty impressed with this adhesive bra, I feel like it’s important to review it honestly so you don’t run into any of the issues I had if you are on the market for a backless bra. Before placing my NiiDor order, I read through a plethora of Amazon reviews and the resounding theme was that the adhesive bra fit true to size. However, this was simply not the case for me by a long shot.

I ordered the Niidor bra in my actual size and one size up and, to my surprise, both of them were too small and I had to return them and reorder it in two sizes up. The one size up did fit better but it wasn’t big enough to provide the lift that I desired for the “charming cleavage” that the box promises. The two sizes up was a much more comfortable fit but my fear is that the lift will loosen up after a few hours of wear. To help with that issue, I ordered some nipple pasties that not only provide additional coverage but extra lift with transparent tape.

I am sure that there are many occasions when the NiiDor adhesive bra fit someone perfectly but I definitely encourage buying an additional bra in a size up – especially if you need it for an event. I am just glad that I ordered these bras a good amount of time before my wedding so I had the option for trial and error!

What is the best adhesive bra you have tried? What are your experiences with the NiiDor bra if you have used it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Model Body

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The Model Body

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! Okay, so I came to a shocking revelation over the weekend when I saw my fourteen year old cousin at a family get together. This young woman is tall (5’7 or 5’8, easily), thin as a rail, and probably one hundred and five pounds soaking wet. She has what I would call a “model” body. Literally. She is the most modelesque person I know and she could send pictures to Teen Vogue and they would call her for a photo shoot immediately. So imagine my surprise when she told me that the skirt that she had on was

A SIZE 6!!

She told me that the size two was too tight and the store didn’t have a four, so she went with the six. My mouth probably hung open for an uncomfortable amount of time, because I wear a four. Me. Sarah. The 5’1 1/4 (Because the quarter counts!), muscular thighs and booty from figure skating, never going to be a model twenty-something. And my baby cousin who looks like she could be in a double zero was wearing a size bigger than me? It just didn’t make sense.

Now, I get that all stores have slightly different sizing. I wear a two at Express, but am generally a solid four. But I was so baffled by what my cousin told me, because she looks like a model. And if this young lady wears a four usually, like me, then what in the hell are the models on the runway and in Vogue wearing?

I can’t wrap my mind around it. If my cousin who could be on a runway right now wears a four, then could the models be wearing sizes other than the double zero, zero, and size two, which seems standard in the fashion industry? Obviously these sizes exist and they’re beautiful. But how can those sizes be so different from my equally model sized cousin?

I don’t really know where I’m going with this but I just thought it was interesting, albeit a little mind blowing. Have you ever met someone whose body type doesn’t match their clothing size? What are your thoughts on the infamous fashion industry size standards? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Biz Journal