I am meeting more and more of my friends and acquaintances who proudly shop for their clothing from Costco, me included! Good name brands with quality standards in the choice of fabric and the construction methods. Costco mark-up percentage must be a lot smaller than the traditional retailer of 120% on top of wholesale. Their merchandise is mostly practical to match 2024 casual workout clothing. From the bed to workout, to lunch with a clean top with those same tight leggings and then maybe throw on a jacket for dinner. From children’s, men’s, women’s and even pet clothing they are typically well constructed and made from good quality long-lasting washable fabrics. With the NO real TRENDS that historically used to be dictated from the runways of Paris, London, NY and LA, but no more, people are wearing what feels comfortable and practical. This trend became accelerated when Covid hit and we were much more likely to be working from the comfort of our own homes in clothing that could be worn while working out or sitting by a computer working.
I often ask myself how they can sell these products at such a cheap price. You must appreciate and understand the process from creating the fabrics, dying or printing, creating the styles, cutting sewing, then make a profit on a garment selling for approximately $14.99! Even if produced offshore with cheaper labor there is also shipping to take into consideration, which has become much more expensive over the last few years.
COSTCO NEW CLOTHING ARRIVALS FOR OCTOBER: DKNY, GAP, HALARY RADLEY, CURVEADREAM, SPIDER, & many more.
Check this informative video explaining Costco’s new products
Kirkland – Costco’s apparel brands spans men’s, women’s and kids, and includes Kirkland and discounted third-party brands like Levi’s and Orvis.
Frances Harder is the Founder, President and Owner of Fashion for Profit. She was recently selected as Empowered Woman of the year for 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry.
With more than four decades of experience in the industry, Ms. Harder has certainly proven herself as an expert in her field. As a dynamic, results driven leader, Ms. Harder started Fashion Business Inc., (20 years) the first of its kind, industry specific, business educational not for profit 501c3. They provided entrepreneurial training, displaced workers retraining, resources and networking. Through their webinars and seminars globally they serve both the US apparel market and internationally. She is also a curriculum advisor of fashion programs and an adjunct professor at California Polytechnic State University. She has advised numerous colleges, which has included sitting on the dean’s advisory board for the merchandising department at California Polytechnic State University. With an expert’s eye, she provides clients and students with experienced, helpful overviews and insights into the latest happenings in the fashion industry as it relates to design, product development, marketing, manufacturing, and almost everything that goes into producing garments. She also started her own publication company, Harder Publications, where she self-published Fashion for Profit, now in its 11th edition, along with Costing for Profit 3 edition, and Brand Building for Profit 3rd edition. All publications address the business side of starting an apparel business.
In addition, she is a consultant with the International Trade Centre, the World Trade Organization, the United Nations, and an apparel business and design consultant with various companies in England. Ms. Harder also serves as an expert witness regarding industry-related issues such as chargebacks, trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, patent infringement issues, and research and development.
Some of her professional accomplishments include having her name under license in Japan, designing sportwear for the Royal House of Brunei and designed two lines for Priscilla Presley sold on Home Shopping Club. Some of her teaching positions include 9 years as a full time Associate Professor at Otis College of Art and Design (9 years), Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM 8 years), Woodbury University, LA Trade Tech, Pasadena City College, Seattle Central College, Munich International School, Germany. High Wickham London School of Fashion, Salford University of Art & Design, UK.
Ms. Harder is also an international presenter, organizer and moderator as she has shared her knowledge through creative works at various trade shows in the United States, England, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Nepal, Peru, Egypt and other worldwide locations. She is a Consultant to the United Nations assisting small businesses: Peru- Alpaca products, (women owned businesses), Nepal – Cashmere products and assisting Egyptian apparel manufacturer enter the U.S. market. She recently assisted a U.S. sponsored group of Ukrainian designers marketing their brands into the U.S. market.
She consults and speaks internationally on product development, branding, merchandising, sustainability, costing, production and entering the US market.
Ms. Harder’s areas of expertise include but are not limited to fashion design, product development, marketing, trends, styling, global business development, brand management, sustainability training, fashion illustration, public relations, graphic design, and branding.
Before embarking on her career path, Ms. Harder planned on a career in graphic design, however she earned a Bachelor of Arts in fashion, with honors, from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom. She was heavily influenced by her father, a textile engineer, and her mother, a fashion designer for her uncle who owned a factory.
Throughout her illustrious career, Ms. Harder has received many awards and accolades and has been recognized worldwide for her accomplishments. Recently she was selected as Top Founder/President of the Year by IAOTP and she will be featured on the famous Nasdaq billboard in Times Square NYC during fashion week. She will be honored at IAOTP’s annual awards gala at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville this December for her selection as Empowered Woman of the Year.
In addition to her successful career, Ms. Harder also emphasizes that the most important thing to her is her family. She is married with two grown, professionally successful children and has two grandchildren. In her personal time, she paints, presents art exhibitions, and exercises.
Looking back, Ms. Harder believes her success is the result of enjoying her work, being open to networking, her willingness to change especially when opportunities arise, recognizing opportunities and striving to do her best to make them work for her and others. Looking forward, she expects to continue consulting with new companies to help them flourish, conducting seminars, and serving as an expert witness for industry-related legal issues.
Maintaining a high credit score is crucial for securing favorable loan terms, credit card approvals, and even rental agreements. So, here are some effective strategies to help you improve or maintain a strong credit score and boost your financial position!
1. Pay Your Bills on Time
Your payment history is one of the most significant factors affecting your credit score. Late or missed payments can have a substantial negative impact. Make it a priority to pay all your bills on time, including credit card bills, loans, and utilities. Setting up automatic payments or reminders can help ensure you never miss a due date.
2. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low
Credit utilization refers to the percentage of your available credit that you’re using. Aim to keep this ratio below 30% to avoid negatively impacting your credit score. For example, if you have a credit limit of $10,000, try to keep your outstanding balance below $3,000. Paying off your balances in full each month is the best way to keep your utilization low.
3. Avoid Opening Too Many New Accounts at Once
Each time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry is made on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score. Opening several new accounts in a short period can also signal to lenders that you may be overextending yourself financially. It’s best to apply for new credit only when necessary and to space out applications over time.
4. Keep Older Accounts Open
The length of your credit history also plays a role in your credit score. Older accounts help demonstrate a long history of responsible credit use, which can boost your score. If you have credit cards or accounts you no longer use, consider keeping them open (as long as they don’t have an annual fee) to maintain the positive effect on your credit history.
5. Regularly Monitor Your Credit Report
Mistakes on your credit report can drag down your score unnecessarily. By checking your credit report regularly, you can spot and dispute any errors, such as incorrect account information or fraudulent activity. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus annually.
6. Limit Your Debt
Managing debt wisely is essential for maintaining a high credit score. Avoid carrying large balances on your credit cards and try to pay down existing debt as efficiently as possible. A lower overall debt load makes you appear less risky to lenders, which can positively impact your credit score.
7. Diversify Your Credit Mix
Having a mix of credit types, such as credit cards, installment loans, and mortgages, can positively influence your credit score. It shows lenders that you can manage different types of credit responsibly. However, don’t open new types of credit just for the sake of diversification. Only take on debt that you truly need and can handle.
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Maintaining a high credit score requires diligence and responsible financial habits. By paying bills on time, keeping your credit utilization low, and regularly monitoring your credit report, you can ensure that your credit score remains strong. These steps not only improve your chances of securing credit when you need it but also help you secure better terms and lower interest rates.
While many people love the idea of sustainable fashion, there is a common misconception in the industry that buying sustainable clothing is expensive. The reality is that sustainable fashion isn’t as costly as you might assume, especially when you adopt a long-term mindset.
Today, we are looking at ways to embrace sustainable fashion while protecting your budget at the same time.
Choose Quality Over Quantity
While it might seem fun to have a big closet full of clothing, the reality is that quality investment pieces are much better than a lot of low-quality items. When you put on a low-quality piece of clothing, you might notice how the fit isn’t quite right and the fabric starts to lose its shape and vibrancy over time.
So, rather than buying a bunch of cheaply made pieces, shift your perspective to choose well-made, timeless fashions that will last for years. This approach helps you avoid the trends with fashion items that quickly go out of style within a season or two. Plus, the high-quality pieces that you choose will last longer and hold up against normal wear and tear.
Even though you are paying more initially for quality pieces, the cost-per-wear often results in a better investment since this quality clothing will be used over and over again – often for many years.
The Treasure Hunt Approach (Secondhand Shopping)
Another approach you might consider when searching for new outfits is to try secondhand shopping instead of buying everything new. Gently-used clothing is a fraction of the price compared to buying new items.
Search in local thrift stores and consignment shops, and you can also check online marketplaces such as Poshmark and ThredUp to find affordable and stylish clothing. This approach allows you to find unique and one-of-a-kind items while minimizing your impact on the environment.
Rental Shops and Clothing Swaps
If you need a formal outfit or something for a special occasion, look for rental options in your local area. This allows you to try new styles without spending a lot of money on expensive items that will only be worn once or twice.
Clothing swaps are another great way to switch out your unused clothing for new-to-you items. At these community events, everyone brings clothing to donate, and you can pick out new pieces from the things that other people are bringing. If you can’t find a clothing swap in your area, then consider starting one. It’s an excellent solution to refresh your wardrobe without spending any money.
Did you know that the average American gets rid of 81 pounds of clothing each year? We live in a consumer-focused society, and many people are always updating their closets with the latest styles and fashions. While there is nothing wrong with having nice clothing to wear, textile waste is a growing concern that is impacting the environment.
If you are looking for ways to keep your old clothes out of landfills, then consider recycling or donation options instead. Clothing recycling offers a simple and effective solution to conserve resources and minimize waste, helping to reduce the impact on the environment.
Here are a few of the reasons why it makes sense to recycle old clothing instead of throwing it away:
Decrease Landfill Waste
There is a growing waste problem, with many areas trying to figure out the best ways to manage the never-ending waste coming into the landfills. Not only do discarded clothing and textiles take up a lot of space, but these modern fabrics don’t decompose well. In fact, some of the synthetic materials can take hundreds of years before they start decomposing. During this time, they are affecting the environment due to the toxic chemicals that are released.
Choosing to recycle clothing instead of throwing it away can be an effective solution to decrease the strain on our waste management systems.
Protecting Our Resources
There are several ways that clothing manufacturing affects our natural resources. Not only are the materials needed to produce the clothing, but the manufacturing processes require both energy and water resources.
When clothing is recycled and reused, it helps to reduce the demand for new production. As a result, it’s possible to save these limited resources and protect our environment at the same time.
Reducing Pollution and Greenhouse Gasses
It’s important to understand how clothing manufacturing affects the environment due to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. During the production processes, greenhouse gasses are released because manufacturing is energy-intensive. Additionally, transportation to deliver the products to retail stores and home deliveries also results in greenhouse gas emissions.
There are also many chemicals and microplastics that are used in the textile manufacturing industry. These chemicals can harm the delicate ecosystems on our planet and also pollute waterways. Microplastics are shed when the clothing is washed, and these small plastic particles eventually end up in our water sources and food chain.
The Benefits of Clothing Recycling are Undeniable
There’s no question that clothing recycling is an excellent solution to promote a circular economy, save resources, and reduce environmental pollution. Instead of throwing their clothing away, everyone can do their part to choose donations, recycling, or upcycling as a better solution.
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Written by Becki Andrus in partnership with Clearwater Butterfly Releases
When you are shopping for clothing, are you looking for labels that say “Made in the USA”? This label often sparks curiosity, but some consumers debate whether it matters if you are buying clothing made locally vs. international manufacturing.
If you spend money on American-made clothing, does it mean that you are getting a superior product? When you consider the arguments and ethical considerations, it’s easy to see why it might make sense to look for products that are made in the USA.
Made in the USA: Quality Matters
Here are some of the reasons why American-made clothing is often a preferred choice over products that are manufactured in a different country:
Labor Standards: In the United States, U.S. Labor Laws are in place to protect workers and ensure fair wages. Additionally, these laws ensure that workers are given safe working conditions and that the highest levels of ethics are maintained at all times. Often, these factors result in higher-quality products.
Quality Materials: When a brand is American-made, they pride themselves on the quality of the products they are delivering to consumers. This starts with sourcing high-quality materials. So, if you buy something that is made in the USA, then it’s likely that the item will offer better durability and longevity compared to other options.
Attention to Detail: The smaller production runs in the United States mean that manufacturers can pay greater attention to the details. Look at the overall construction, and you will see that these items have better stitching and finishing compared to products that are mass-produced overseas.
Other Benefits of Buying American-Made Products
There are other reasons why you might choose to buy American-made products. For example, some consumers feel good spending their money in places where they are supporting the local economy. Buying something that is made in the USA means that you are supporting domestic jobs, businesses, and the community.
Also, buying locally is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your purchases. Transportation distances are shorter, which helps to decrease pollution and your carbon footprint.
Is it Worth the Cost?
One hesitation that some people have about buying products made in the USA is the price differences. The reality is that buying a product manufactured locally often comes with a higher price tag since material sourcing and labor costs are higher.
But don’t forget to look at the long-term value. You’ll get a higher cost-per-wear for each item that you purchase. Investing in durable, long-lasting items actually saves you money in the long run.
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Written by Becki Andrus in partnership with silver wholesaler Silver Superstore.
Just when I thought fashion trends had reached the literal bottom of all trends with the all-day leggings trend that stays on from the gym to changing tops for lunch and dressier tops for dinner! Now we have the fall out of bed in PJ bottoms and shrunk tank top and out the door! For me, the plaid PJ bottoms that don’t match on seams are THE WORST!
Even Chanel has joined this casual trend that @KrisJenner has endorsed. Jenner was spotted wearing the colorful two-piece set, which features splashy purple, blue and pink flowers, and the famous double-C logo while stepping out for Paris Fashion Week. She wore the round-necked Embroidered Printed Neoprene Jacket buttoned up, while she showed off matching shoes in the same print, which peeked out below the wide hem of her matching pants.
@KimJenner
But, I must be getting old as my granddaughter gave me a very dirty look when I voiced my opinion on this over-casual trend. On these models the style doesn’t really look as bad as my daily views of this overly casual trend. Many who do choose to adopt this trend should really get some styling advice from an expert to see the most advantageous way to wear this overly casual style. I have lived through wearing miniskirts, hotpants, wide puffed-up shoulders and each trend had their own draw backs. These days you can wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing as today’s trends are much more a casual choice and for the most part, good and bad you can merchandise yourself in your own stylish manor to create your own fashion trend! This also means that vintage is also incorporated into styles.
All this means that there are no real trends that are being dictated and faithfully followed as years past, besides these stylish PJ’s. This and other changes have resulted in the collapse of many brands and brick and mortar stores. Buying online direct from brands has also impacted the bricks and mortar stores who are scrambling to recreate and adjust to these evolving industry trends and challenges. For the buyer it is a positive change as buying direct from a brand cuts the normal retail mark up of 120%.
But the good news is that second hand and vintage are good stories for the recycled and upcycle sustainable trend. Bottom line is that we can choose to wear whatever we feel like wearing each day.
70’s Hot Pants and 60’s Mini dress. Both could and are being worn today.
Balancing a checkbook might seem like an outdated skill in today’s digital age, but it’s a crucial financial habit for young graduates entering the workforce. Understanding how to track expenses, manage a budget, and ensure accurate account balances can prevent overdrafts and financial stress. Here’s a brief, basic guide to help new graduates master the art of balancing a checkbook!
Understand the Basics
Balancing a checkbook involves recording all transactions that affect your checking account balance. This includes deposits, withdrawals, checks written, debit card purchases, and any fees or interest applied to the account. The goal is to keep an accurate record so you always know how much money you have available.
Gather Necessary Tools
To get started, you’ll need a few basic tools:
A checkbook register or a spreadsheet.
Your most recent bank statement.
A calculator or a financial app that can help you track transactions.
Record Transactions
Each time you make a transaction, record it as soon as you can. This includes writing down the date, description, and amount of each transaction. If you’re using a checkbook register, there are columns for each of these details. For digital tracking, a spreadsheet or financial app will have similar fields. Consistently recording transactions helps you stay on top of your finances and prevents missed entries.
Compare Your Records to Your Bank Statement
At the end of each month, compare your recorded transactions with your bank statement. Check off each transaction that matches between your records and the statement. This process helps identify any discrepancies, such as forgotten entries or unauthorized transactions.
Adjust for Outstanding Transactions
Sometimes, transactions might not appear on your bank statement immediately. These are called outstanding transactions. Common examples include checks that haven’t been cashed yet or recent debit card purchases. Make a note of these outstanding transactions and adjust your balance accordingly. Subtract outstanding checks or add deposits that haven’t cleared to your checkbook balance.
Reconcile Your Account
After accounting for all transactions, compare the adjusted balance in your checkbook with the ending balance on your bank statement. These two figures should match. If they don’t, double-check your entries for any errors, such as transposed numbers or missed transactions. Correct any mistakes and recalculate the balance until both totals align.
Monitor Regularly
Balancing your checkbook isn’t a one-time task. Make it a habit to record transactions and reconcile your account regularly. Doing so weekly or bi-weekly can prevent small errors from becoming significant issues. Regular monitoring also helps you stay aware of your spending patterns, making it easier to manage your budget and save money.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
While traditional checkbook balancing is manual, leveraging technology can simplify the process. Many banks offer apps that automatically categorize transactions and provide real-time balance updates. Personal finance apps like Mint or YNAB (You Need A Budget) can also help track expenses and budgets, providing a digital checkbook register.
Balancing a checkbook might seem tedious, but it’s a valuable skill for financial management. By understanding the basics, recording transactions diligently, and regularly reconciling your account, you can maintain control over your finances. For new graduates, mastering this skill will pave the way for responsible financial habits and a more secure financial future.
