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Shopping 101

Beginner's Luck: Part Four

By Jessica Brandon, B.S.
(Bachelorette of Spending)

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six

Hello, darlings! Welcome one and all to my favorite time of the year, summer! Even though we had a pretty mild winter, when July rolls around, you just can't help but feel that all is right with the world. Unless of course you don't have air conditioning, then life's not so great when you're sweating like a pig all day long. In the meantime, let's get the show on the road as I resume my feature on shopping for beginners.

In this, the fourth segment, we wrap up the accessory talk with jewelry.

First and foremost, earrings. If you’re a wuss like me and can’t stand whatever pain that's associated with having your ears pierced, go with the clip-on variety. Major department stores and accessory shops carry a surprising large selection of clip-ons, but gold or gold plate is an ideal kind to own as it has a timeless appeal. If you’re going out and about in public, stick with small, round, button type earrings, save the long, ornate or dangly stuff for TG meetings or parties. Real women don’t wear gaudy stuff on any regular basis, and neither should you. Own at least a good dozen pairs of varying sizes.

Neck chains are always in fashion, again, go with gold or gold plate which is best. Chain lengths can run anywhere from 16 to 24 inches, depending on one’s personal preference. Places like accessory shops and shopping mall kiosks offer chains by the inch. You can choose anything from a delicate, thin link to a half inch wide herringbone in whatever length you choose. Don’t forget to add faux pearls, bangles, ankle chains and pins to adorn your dress or blazer. For really fancy events or parties, invest in rhinestones necklaces, earrings, pins and bracelets to really jazz up an outfit. Why, you can even buy rhinestone clips to put on your shoes so you can sparkle from head to toe.

Hosiery

Here's what you'll find on a typical hosiery sizing chart: A-B (heights from 4'11" to 5'7", weights from 95 to 140 pounds), C-D (5'4" to 6'0", 120 to 165 lbs.) and E-F (4'11" to 5'7", 145 to 190 lbs.). Sizes may vary depending on the manufacturer, but this will give you an idea as to just what you'll need. Using myself as an example, I wear size C-D, but more for my height (6'2") than my weight, which, as of this writing is around 195. However, this particular size wears very well on me.

As for colors, start with off-black which can be worn practically all year 'round, then add neutral colors, fleshtones and off-white, but only between May and September. How much hosiery to own depends upon how often you dress, I keep at least a dozen pairs on hand at all times, you may want more, or less, that's up to you. And always be sure to wash your hosiery after each wearing, companies like Hanes sells hosiery wash for just that purpose, and it works like a dream.

Next up are cosmetics. When I first started experimenting with cosmetics, I ended up with some pretty bizarre results. No doubt you remember my having mentioned in an article and past column about having waltzed into a five and dime, bought the very first bottle of foundation I saw on the shelf, rushed home, put it on and panicked because I used makeup for Caucasian skin which, as you well know, I don't have. My ignorance led to a then humorously freakish experience.

Makeup can be the hardest thing for a beginner to shop for since the colors and choices are practically legion. Foundation alone can come in as many as two dozen different shades to cover (pardon the pun) virtually every possible skin tone, from pale to dark and everything inbetween. And if you make the wrong choice as I did, the end result can make you look like a clown. Speaking of that, I won't even go into detail about how I once fell in love with electric blue eyeshadow. Talk about horrific!

Before you shop for any sort of cosmetics, it's important to decide beforehand just what sort of look you want to cultivate. If your goal is to go out in public, it's crucial to look as natural as possible so you don't stick out amongst the masses like a cheap hooker on Western Avenue.

The key to all of this is foundation, that's the critical first step of the entire process. Foundation is what you'll use to even out your skin tone and prepare the canvas (your face) for the colors you'll add later. Well, kids, that’s all for now. In Part Five, I'll resume the talk on cosmetics then move on to personal style, then the pros and cons of image consultants. As always, my mailbox is open for your comments, tips and opinions at . Until next month, shop not just with your heart, but with your head!

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