Dress Your Best: A Private Shopping Event At Banana Republic
September 11, 2008 by Ashley Simpson
Brought to you by the McIntire Ivy Society and CvilleStyle’s Elena Groh
This past Monday at Barracks Road’s Banana Republic, the McIntire Ivy Society (an initiative sponsored by the Alumni Development Team at the McIntire School of Commerce) teamed up with CvilleSTYLE’s Elena Groh to host “Dress Your Best,” an event designed to give UVA’s up-and-comings the self-confidence and style tips necessary to wow any prospective employer.
The Banana Republic bash, complete with frosting-laden vanilla cupcakes and Sephora gift bags, featured two hours of private, after-hours shopping at BR, along with the styling expertise of McIntire alum and New York fashion maven Elena Groh.
“I want to teach you to dress with intention,” declared Elena to the approximately 80 female McIntire students and alumnae in attendance. “There are no rules to fashion. Zero… But, there are guidelines.”
These guidelines, showcased in a special, in-house fashion show and outlined in the handout posted below, are all about asserting personal choice and feeling at ease with yourself. After all, personal style is as much about cultivating and projecting a positive self-image as it is about making a good impression on the person on the other side of the table.
Here are a few of Elena’s best tips:
- Buy a suit that you love and can afford. Two button suits are the most flattering on all silhouettes: they enunciate the waist and make a classic statement; (One-buttons, on the other hand, scream fashion, and three buttons… those are for “my tall friend in the back,” as Elena put it).
- While price is irrelevant, fabric does matter. Pick something of quality that rests on your skin with ease, and makes you feel comfortable.
- (And) Finally, the best kept secret to a well put-together look: tailoring. Don’t be afraid to get your suit fitted to your exact specifications. Its worth it.
More tips to help you dress your best are available in a pdf download here.
“Banana has all the staples,” commented a third-year McIntire student as Elena helped a nearby student adjust a light, pinstripe suit jacket, suggesting a blouse to pair with it and commenting on how to find the best fit. “We’re new to the business world, and looking for tips on what’s appropriate,” the student added.
A great success, the event ultimately aimed to be more than a good time and a useful how-to.
“It’s very helpful to have someone like Elena who is very charismatic, not trying to scare, but rather showing you how to be confident,” Valeria, a second-year student at UVA told me.
Laine Welch, event organizer and Assistant Director of Development at the McIntire School of Commerce, remarked, “The McIntire Ivy Society is an initiative promoting networking, mentoring and philanthropy for all women associated with the McIntire School of Commerce. We hope this event will be an annual tradition to educate women- not only how to put their best foot forward when meeting recruiters and interviewers- but on the ways in which women can take an active role in supporting the Commerce school throughout their careers.”
Whether new to the professional world, or long-ago initiated, Elena’s tips are applicable to any woman seeking to exude confidence, comfort and poise in the professional setting.
Got more questions? Want to know what works best on your body and where to find it in Cville? How to boost your professional wardrobe? Elena’s ready to help. She’ll be responding to questions posted below in the comment section, as well as gathering topics for an upcoming column.
Very cool idea! Congrats to everyone involved!
Where’s the best place in town to get alterations?
I take all of my alterations to the ladies at E Tailor - 112 West Main Street - 434-923-8500.
You know, I took some new jeans to E Tailor and asked specifically “please keep the original hem.” The lady acknowledged by request. I returned three days later and guess what… No original hem! I don’t think I will go back.
Kyle, so sorry to hear that!
I’ve taken several pairs of jeans to be hemmed and they’ve always fulfilled my request to keep the original hem. I also went to them with a very delicate, designer dress I needed altered - and they did an incredible job.
Maybe it was just an unfortunate mistake?
In any case, please let me know if you find someone else local that you like.
Kyle, Elena, and whomever else,
I have a 34″ inseam. I love my long legs, and so does E Tailor. I intrust them to all my Michael Kors purchases in the rare event they need to be hemmed. Give them another try. Draw a picture if you have to. They have never failed me.
Good luck.
I’ve had excellent results with the alterations place on 29 below Wine Warehouse. Although, for jeans, I’ll again second E Tailor.
hey, i have an even longer inseam - 35-36 depending on the fit of the pants - help, what’s a girl to do other than haunt the men’s aisles at old navy and gap???
Dear Oopsygril,
Oh, the pains of the long-legged sector of our gender! While others may scoff at your troubles with a “well, at least you’re not short!” I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to try to find pants that don’t look like you borrowed them from your pint-sized friend.
I’m sure that you’ve tried the “tall” options at several chain retailers with little success, but consider looking for trousers that come pre-cuffed. Generally those styles allow additional seam allowance - in both taking down the cuff, and then letting the hem out. Also consider that skinny fit jeans/pants look ultra-modern when tailored to stop right above your anklebone and then paired with chic ballet flats. (Caution - I’m talking about skinny jeans/pants, not boot cut!)
Let me know if that helps!
-EG
Oopsgirl, If BR’s long lengths still don’t work, just ask them to lengthen the pants. The BR staffers here will look at you funny when you tell them what you want, but this is a common request…it’s even pre-printed on the tailoring slip they fill out when you request alternations. I do it all the time and the lengthening is free on full price merch or free all the time if you have a Luxe card (I keep mine just for the free tailoring). J. Crew and Ann Taylor will also lengthen anything you want them to.
Most items have a good 1-2 inches of hem and lengthening might give you the right inseam.
In addition, BR has had tall sizes available online. If you order in store, they should waive the shipping fee.