Wrap Star

Here's a shocker. There is a difference between humans and mannequins. In my past visual merchandising/styling experience, I have dressed both humans and mannequins. Now there ARE some similarities. For example: Both want to look fabulous. Both have their own personality (though the mannequin's personality may be featured through their faces or poses and above all, clothing). Humans and mannequins want to look stylish and turn heads and humans and mannequins come in all shapes, sizes and hues.

Here's where they differ: If a mannequin is not cooperating (limbs falling off, getting stuck on the stand, ripping or stretching clothing or having paint flecks fall off), then you can (nonchalantly) hit them with their own arm. Humans tell you (most of the time) what they want. You have to come up with hundreds of ideas for mannequins...they don't talk, or think for that matter. Humans have limbs that move, which makes it easier to try on clothing. Mannequins either have arms that are bent or completely straight, and many times only one leg comes off, so you have to pick up the entire mannequin to put a pair of denim on the one attached leg. You do not have to pick up humans. They dress themselves. Mannequins (especially male ones) are HEAVY....and do not get me started on when they slam down on your toes and break them.

As much as I love my mannequins (work with them long enough, they sort of become your friends and family), I enjoy the interactions with humans more because there's always a great story behind buying an item, or they have the best advice on treating scratches on leather or how to distress your own denim. Many come into the store/boutique with the fiercest outfits you have ever seen and they absolutely love showing off their accessories.

As we all know, I love accessories; And no matter how many humans and mannequins I have dressed over the years, I have always struggled with the numerous ways to wear a scarf. There were two ways I would wear a scarf: the first being the usual wrapping around the neck once and having the ends hang down in the front and the second being to double up the scarf, wrap around the back of the neck and pull the ends through the loop. These looks are classic, but I always wanted to learn more.

Anytime one of these stylish humans, be it male or female, walked in to the store/boutique I was employed at during that time, and they had on a scarf, I had to ask how to do it. Needless to say, they were more than happy to oblige. I would now like to pass the torch to many of you out there who may want a new look for their scarves. I am so thankful for those who shared their secrets with me...the mannequins were never so kind.

 

Tee: Old Navy; Pashmina: Unknown (bought from street vendor in NYC)



Loop and Tuck -     1. Take your scarf or pashmina (the bigger the scarf, the fuller it will look) and

                                    place the middle of the scarf at the front of the neck and wrap around the neck

                                    so the ends hang down the back.

 

                                2. Take both ends and wrap them back around the neck to the front of the body

                                    and pull the ends through the loop.

 

                                3. Pull down to desired length.

 



Tee and Scarf: Old Navy

 

Faux Infinity -         1. Take a thin scarf and tie the ends together.

 

                                2. Place the scarf around your neck with the tie in the back and wrap around as 

                                    many times as desired (depending on the length of the scarf).

                             

                                3. Once wrapped around, make sure to cover the tie in the back with a layer

                                    of fabric from the scarf.

 

 Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap

 

Half Bow -              1. Wrap the scarf around the back of your neck and when you bring the ends to

                                    the front, make sure one end is longer than the other.

 

                                2. Cross the longer end with the shorter one and pull up through the bottom,

                                     resulting in a loop.

 

                                3. While pulling on the loop, hold the front end in place, so that the half bow

                                     tightens.

 

                                4. Spread the bow out and make it look pretty.

 



Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap

 

Double Knotted -    1. Take your scarf (I LOVED using an ombre scarf for this!) and wrap around the

                                    back of the neck and bring the ends forward.

 

                                2. Tie a knot halfway down each end, but leave one of the knots loose.

 

                                3. Take the end with the tight knot and slip it through the loose knot.

 

                                4. Make sure the knots are touching and the look is complete.



Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap 

 

Muffler -                1. Take the end of a large square scarf and place it on your shoulder.

 

                              2. Bring up a corner from the other end and tie with the end placed on the

                                  shoulder.

 

                              3. Leave the loose end hanging to create the triangle look.

 

* Due to the placement of my hands, my scarf is moved up. When following these instructions, your scarf will drape more like a triangle.



Tee: Old Navy; Scarf: Gap

Classic -                 1. Take your scarf and place the middle of the scarf at the front of the neck and 
                                   wrap around the neck so the ends hang down the back.

                               2. Take both ends and wrap them back around the neck to the front of the body.
                               3. Loosen the loop at the neck to desired length.

Tee and Infinity Scarf: Old Navy

 

Infinity Scarf -         1. Take your infinity scarf and place around your neck, making sure the seam is

                                     in the back.

 

                                2. Wrap around the neck till you reach your desired look. Wrap once more for a 

                                    long look such as this. Wrap more if you are looking for a shorter look.

 



reStyled By Liz

A few months ago, I decided to start my own business, which is called reStyled By Liz. I offer such services as styling, personal shopping and closet consultation. I wanted to bring my interests and background to those in my hometown of Bridgeport, West Virginia and surrounding areas.

My career in retail has spanned fourteen years. I started out with cashier and sales associate positions and quickly advanced to visual and management positions. I've worked at malls and boutiques and from a small town to larger cities to the Fashion Capital of the United States.

Some of my favorite stores/boutiques I have worked for have been Macy's, Chico's, Bebe, Tilly's, Banana Republic, The Body Shop, Juicy Couture and the Gap. Each of these brands have their own customer demographic and their own vision. It has been a whirlwind going from brand to brand and learning the secrets of the trade for each respective one. Not one store/boutique that I have worked at has resembled the next, which makes it more educational for me as well.

I gained a ton of styling experience while working at stores such as Bebe and Juicy Couture. Here, we had client books and were encouraged to create lasting relationships with loyal clients. If we made appointments with them, we would pull items that we knew they would love and we would either add to or create their perfect wardrobe. Styling is easy once you create a relationship with a client. Once you understand their personal style, it is easy to look over a rack in a store and pull out items that will compliment their wardrobe and style.

I have two Bachelor's degrees. One from West Virginia University in Psychology and the other from the Academy of Art University in Fashion Merchandising, with an emphasis on Visual Merchandising. I love it. I would be in charge of the entire look of the store, including all displays, mannequins and windows. I have been a part of every visual team in every store I have worked at, either being a visual associate or the visual manager. Normally, you are given a corporate standard's book to follow, in regard to floor sets, mannequins and windows, but normally each store allows creative freedom for leftover windows, walls, doors and/or mannequins. This was the most fun. To have your creativity on display for the world (okay, customers) to see. I love that I could place my personal stamp on each display I have created over the years.

I use my background in visual for not only styling and personal shopping, but also in my closet consultations. It's fun to look at a closet, sketch out all you can do to have the maximum use of space, a clear organizational view and to find fun ways to display your accessories and clothing. I love to work on standards such as hanging and folding items properly, to ensure a long life for your wardrobe, and to color coordinate or organize seasonal clothing. It's not a job to me, it's fun. Though sometimes I miss doing my windows (especially in New York), I love to bring my knowledge and expertise to those around me.

Floral Handbag, Mesh Platform Heels, Three Tier Necklace and Black and Navy Handbag: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Satin Scarf: Vintage;  Blue Teardrop Necklace: Pier One; Studded Pumps: Aldo

Mesh Platform Heels: Simply Vera Vera Wang; Blue Teardrop Necklace: Pier One; Three Tier Necklace: Simply Vera Vera Wang

Blue Clutch: Liz Claiborne; Handbag: Juicy Couture; Blue Beaded Sandals: Gianni Bini; Necklace: Liz & Co.; Scarf: Unknown; Glass Bangle and Blue and Silver Bangle: Pier One; Black Strappy Sandal: Lauren Ralph Lauren;

Blue Beaded Sandals: Gianni Bini