View All PostsGretta Monahan
Ask Gretta: Fashion Industry
Our style savvy source Gretta Monahan answers your fashion inquiries!
Oct 16, 2008I am 39 years old and have always worn surf industry clothes, Abercrombie and American Eagle. But I am just too old for that now, but it is really all I can afford. I am having such a hard time switching over to another style for my age...The problem is that instead of feeling casual now, I just feel sloppy and "old". Like I am still holding on to my youth...what can I do? - Kim
Hi Kim,
With a little guidance, I don't think you'll have any trouble honing in on a sophisticated style that's all your own. Abercrombie and American Eagle are not inexpensive stores, so, I think you'll find there are plenty of chic looks within your budget, you just have step outside your comfort zone and take off that logo hoody! The first step is to find a few, new "must" stops at the mall. J.Crew, Gap and Ann Taylor Loft are great stores for easy to put together, casual looks that are still age appropriate and wallet friendly. While you absolutely need to get rid of anything that has writing on it, you don't necessarily need to weed out your surfer girl attitude. Take a hoody, for example: if you invest in this style in cashmere, you can still rock that carefree part of your personality, whether with jeans or a nicer pant. It's all about picking and choosing. So many of us have had the same, old, outdated style for years and then suddenly realize the rut we're in! That doesn't mean every piece of clothing in your closet needs replacing, you just need to be able to discern what's worth keeping and working into your new look. Stay tuned to the show every week because you'll pick up way more pointers than I could give you in one blog response, but here's a start - Build from the basics. When I think of a grown-up Abercrombie girl, I think a nice, crisp, dark denim, good quality t-shirts in basic colors and some chic sweaters and jackets. No woman in her thirties could ever wrong with dark jeans, a great tee and a leather jacket (worth investing in). What's really important is getting comfortable in your own skin and learning to accept the style that you're creating for yourself. It's about trying things on and seeing what works. You're obviously not feeling the "old you" look, so, when you find the "new you" look, you'll know. Happy Shopping!
-Gretta
Hi Greta, I am about to turn 45 and I have been a teacher for 20 years. I teach eighth grade and I feel that all my clothes represent the age group that I teach and not the woman I am.
I am engaged to get married to a professional man and combine our families to become the new Brady Bunch. I feel out of place when I attend his business events and I really need to look the part when I am with his business associates, who by the way always look extremely put together. I really need help in order to combine my two worlds but with a limited budget.
I would love to develop the confidence with fashion to feel good in all situations. Every episode I have watched has brought me to tears as I wish it was me on your show. :)
Thank you, D
Hi Greta
I was unsure of which blog to enter this question into but here I go. In one of the episodes of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, the girl has her hair cut off short because she needed to embrace her curls, the stylist in the show used some clips while curling her hair. I would like to know what they are called and maybe where I could get some?
Hi Gretta!
I'm from the Philippines and I just moved here to the States to study fashion. I have a college degree in business from home. But then I realized I really wanted to go into the fashion industry. Right now, I'm looking at some schools and I really can't afford most of them. But it's not just the money, I'm thinking about the time I may waste if ever I go into the wrong school. I've been researching everyday for the past month.
I'm from California and I'm thinking of going into Long Beach City College first or LA Trade Tech. Or maybe OTIS if im lucky to get a full scholarship. Then transfer to FIT because I can't move to NYC yet and I don't have the money for a big time fashion school. But somehow, I think the fashion industry doesnt really recognize community colleges. So please tell me what I should do. Will I be wasting my time by going to a community college then transferring? Or should I just wait till I can go to a the big fashion schools?
Thank you for your time. I'd really appreciate it because this is the biggest decision of my life.
Gretta: I've got the old 'stomach bulge which makes it difficult to find the right-sized jeans. What do you recommend?
Thanks, B.
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