Little Things Mean a Lot

Shopping with Coco in your pocket would be nice

Oh to step into a store and walk out fully clothed head to toe in the most ravishing, perfect outfit. Well, it ain't gonna happen. A) We tend to buy pieces piece-meal, hoping the bits will come together and B) there is rarely such a thing as 100% perfect right off the selling floor.

I've mentioned before how important is a little nip and tuck at the tailor. The shoulders, nape of the neck, under the arms. We are all different creatures, and unless you are Anna Sui's house model, you may have to consider altering that Anna Sui dress. Your salesperson should be able to advise you what alterations are reasonable. Anything involving a zipper is not, and taking in is a heck of a lot easier than letting out. But let's face it— much of our shopping is of the self-service variety. The days of a little chanteuse to advise are long gone. So you are stuck with having to consult your tailor to determine the feasibility of making it work. But if it can... do it without regret.

There are a few situations that we have a tendency to let pass. They are, however, really important. So hold your nose and take your medicine:

1) Hem your pants to the right length. That means making a decision what shoes you will wear with what pants. Especially jeans. You just can't wear the same jeans with flats that you would wear with boots. Since we wear jeans a lot you may indeed need multiple pairs. I know what you're thinking: It was hard enough to find one pair that fit, now I need two??? Skinny pants need to be hemmed right to the ankle with no break. Bootlegs can have a little break. Flares or wide legs should just miss hitting the ground. You can wear your skinnys cropped, but unless you are supermodel height your legs will look stubbier.

2) Change the buttons. Manufacturers have to cut corners, and buttons are the first to go. I have seen the cheapest buttons on even the most beautiful shirts and blouses. Bonus points if they are self covered; don't change them. But seriously consider trading off the ugly plastic for some real mother of pearl or a less doodad-looking button if that's what you've been given.

3) Hem the sleeves. I know, I know. It's so easy to just turn them under. You've spent $200+ for a blazer, and you won't fork over another $20 to have sleeves hemmed to the right length? Seriously, I think doing this is the mark of a grown-up.

4) Replace the belt. Another cost-cutting trick: give the consumer a dreadful cheap bit of plastic for a belt and call it a day. Leather is expensive. Belts cost real money. But they last forever! And you can't say that about everything.