So what are you going to be on Halloween?

Nakia Jackson of  Sharon Hill is a Halloween Consultant for Goodwill Stores in MacDade Plaza.

For children Halloween is a time to be a princess or a pirate. If you had really clever parents, you might be a tabletop. But for most of us we settled for those store bought costumes. You know the ones made of fake satin and plastic masks with exaggerated faces.As adults getting that invite on Facebook for the Halloween event of the year has us feeling anxious. What are we going to be? We want to look good, be clever, make a statement and be comfortable. We don't want to spend lots of money.
So one of the best ways to do this is to go to local thrift shops in the area. Goodwill has lots of clothes to choose from and Halloween consultants to help you out.
"You can put anything together here and we have consultants to help you.  Halloween is our Christmas. It's a fun time of year.  Whatever you need to buy is here," said Maria Rankin, store manager at the store in MacDade Plaza.
Rankin has some neat ideas to make your costume an adventure.
From Fairy to Snookie to Frankenstein to Dexter; here are her ideas and how to make them happen.
Rosie the Riveter

Blue denim shirt, polka dot hair scarf and rolled up jeans
Geisha Silk robe, black flats, black wig, chopsticks for hair, parasol, white foundation, black eyeliner and red lipstick.
Voodoo DollTan dress, black tights, red shoes, sew a large red heart on chest, use wire and yellow foam balls to make pins.
Mime
Black pants, black and white striped pants, bowler hat, suspenders and a pair of white gloves.
Rosemary Woodhouse in Rosemary's Baby
Blue nightgown, blond short wig, long kitchen Knife and walk around the party saying no it can't be.FrankensteinBlack suit, green foundation and neck bolts.
Snookie from Jersey Shore
Short black dress, big teased wig, black high heels and big jewelry.
Macgruber.
Flannel shirt, sunglasses, jeans and khaki vest.
Coraline
Yellow raincoat, yellow rain boots, blue tights, brown messenger bag and blue wig.
Daybreakers
Think the Blood Cafe Girls, 50's inspired hair, white jacket and white shirt, fangs. carry a coffee cup with red paint or dye in it.
Luca Libre WrestlersA singlet( wrestling outfit), make a cardboard champion belt and a mask.

Whether you choose to be Spooky or Snookie remember fashion is spinning these ideas and making them your own. That's how  to keep Styling in Delco..... Happy Halloween.

Flowing silhouettes on the catwalk at Native Gypsy show

Silhouettes of every shape walked along the catwalk  at the SA VA fashion show last week at 18th and Samson Streets. The show was part of Design Philadelphia where designers  from all walks of life get a chance to show off their wares.   The  fashion show, SA VA Native Gypsy was hosted by Sarah Van Aken,  designer and entrepreneur of SA VA, a boutique at 1700 Samson Street. Van Aken has a keen eye for form, color and texture. Her    designs reflected this as models walked across the catwalk in flowing long sweaters, pencil jeans and leggings  accented by boots and suede boot covers

 The classic line sheath dresses  shown  were accented by fingerless gloves of lace, lace stockings and  boots to the knee. Some had a vintage feel adding different materials  and colors to mix up the classic long. 

Red is Van Aken's signature color and shows up throughout the show in leggings, scarves  and dresses.    Nothing too over the top.

 Any woman could find something to like here and carry it off without being anorexic.

Van Aken  has a philosophy that extends beyond frivolous fashion She believes in effortless style, self-expression and quality. Fashion should be fun, carefree and sensual. Her beliefs shine through her designs are made for the real woman who wants to live life to the fullest.

  Her business philosophy is about being locally made, globally inspired, socially conscious and community based. Van Aken is dedicated to helping others and has created community partnerships with People Emergency Center and The Career Wardrobe (more on that in the next blog).

So what is Van Aken's recipe for a great fashion look.

Two parts sensuality, one part street smart, one part ease and drape one part tailoring and fit, one part daring, evocative details, one part mysterious, a pinch of trend and vintage and a dash of bohemian and drama.  It sounds like a recipe to follow.  Here is her website so you can check out her styles and see for yourself at http://www.savafashion.com/.  Putting Van Aken's ingredients into your wardrobe, you'll  be Styling in Delco. 

 

Hey Mama what bed did you crawl out of?

Okay fashion lovers here are some things to beware of .......If you remember stretch pants, you must remember how they led to a bit of frumpiness........Big big shirts....Big Big sweatshirts over skinny pants that hid nothing. I don't know about you but I know I increased a bit in size as I was able to stretch the limits. So remember if you are going to wear the leggings wear a stylish top caressing your hips with leather  booties to keep the lines flowing. 

Leggings are not about stretching the limits or finding the biggest top you own to cover your flaws. Work on the flaws, accent the good and remember you never know who you'll meet as you walk out the door.

What if you spy a celebrity like Brad Pitt in Walmart......a stretch......but what if you do and you want to look good enought to take that phone picture with Brad, right. So think about it.
I was stuck in Walmarts parking lot and a few things bothered me. Here are some observations.  Men's sweatshirts are for men! 

No excuses there are so many feminine and cute women's sports fashion. Phillies fans and Eagles fans can make the most of the selections on your hometeams web. Check them out.http://www.fansedge.com. Pick your team.  

Don't wear pajamas when you shop.

Its okay when you are sixteen and you are walking home from a sleepover but lets be real..flannel pajamas warm and cuddley at home don't belong on the streets of Delco. 

Leave the sliders at home!

One other thing I would like to see banned would be those slide in shoes that males and females wear with abandonment... you know the ones with the sports emblem.......no support....make your feet look ugly.

Instead  go for cute flip flops or a sandals or  pink work boots

     Fashion is about  breaking rules not looking like you crawled out of bed after a really bad night   of  partying  ...Keep Styling in Delco.

Sports Photos courtsey of Fansedge.com

Pink workboots can be found at B&S Shoes in Drexeline Shopping Center.