Do you remember this dress? It went viral a couple of years ago after a meteorologist shared her amazing bargain find on a Facebook group page and soon after it was being snapped up at an alarming rate. Another meteorologist created a collage of over 50 women wearing “the dress”, in various colors on-air to show just how popular this figure flattering purchase became.
Surprisingly, building an on-camera wardrobe that is both appropriate and reasonably priced is a real test of shopping skills. Just off the top of my head, here are a few things to look for …
1. Conservative, stylish and tailored dresses 2. Figure flattering because the camera really does add weight 3. Variety, quantity, and quality because the audience notices everything … trust me, they do! 4. Solid colors or small patterns are less distracting on-air 5. No green because it makes you appear invisible on the green screen wall And the list goes on (feel free to chime in on-camera ladies!), but all to say - it can be very challenging. When I made the switch from sports to news, my closet needed a complete overhaul. The atmosphere in the sports world was much more casual and comfort was key because you're constantly running around. I was typically bundled up reporting from the sidelines of a football field or inside an arena on the basketball court.
Now I'm in a studio and on-camera every morning for 4 ½ hours and I need attractive, no-pattern, bold-colored, figure flattering, easy to care for dresses (and lots of them!).
I quickly googled, "viral dress meteorologists wore." From there, I found the brand, went to Amazon and ordered that dress, along with at least 10 other Homeyee dresses. Yes, my secret is Amazon. :) And no, unfortunately, they aren't paying me to say that.
Amazon is a fantastic solution for this “I hate shopping” gal (Grace, on the other hand, loves it!). I don't like traipsing from store to store and the whole process of trying on a bazillion different outfits drives me crazy! So I am now an avid online shopper. Often times, people will ask me where I’ve purchased a dress they’ve seen me wear on the show and are shocked to find out it is as simple as a quick click on the Amazon website.
Side note - For shoes, Nine West has some of the best heel options and are also available on Amazon. Woohoo!
I have also found lots of my favorite pieces at The Loft (i.e. the skirt and top pictured below) and, once in a great while, I stop in one of their stores for a quick peek at their latest styles. But because I have found my perfect size there, it's simple to just hop online and purchase a cute outfit without ever leaving home. If you sign up to receive their emails, they will alert you to sales and often send coupon codes too, which is always a bonus.
For big events, black tie functions, red carpet events or cocktail parties, I've recently starting using Rent the Runway. I had heard about it from friends and browsed their site, but not until a few weeks ago did I take the plunge and try it out. It was so easy and convenient, plus my dress was phenomenal! There are tons of reviews and photos for most of the dresses so you have a good idea what you're getting before you order. They also let you chose two different sizes just in case one ends up being too snug, too big, or just a bad fit. It is a four day rental and they provide the shipping label and the bag to return the item. Since I just ordered from Rent the Runway, if you CLICK HERE you can receive $30 off your first order.
These are some of my favorite shopping secrets, ladies. Do you have any other suggestions or secrets to share with the rest of us? Let’s hear ‘em and thanks in advance for sharing. - Rachel |
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