I know, I know…it's July.  You are just really gearing up for summer and some of you are just now getting serious about your summer wardrobe.  Meanwhile the clothing industry is moving on.  That's right, some of our fall is already arriving.  So here is some advise for the modern shopper caught off guard.

1.  Now is the time to get your summer on sale.  Don't wait any longer or you'll be picking through broken sizes and groupings.  Well, the truth is your are already going to be doing that, but if you wait any longer you just might find your size is already gone.  At our store 8, 10, and 12 seem to go the quickest and even though we often order double in these sizes, we are always out.  The BEST time to shop for summer merchandise is April.  Most of our inventory is in by the end of this month and this is when you'll find the best selection of sizes.

2.  Now is also the time to start shopping for fall and put in on LAYAWAY!  If you want to get the best selection of new fall merchandise, start shopping in earnest in August.  Most stores will already have some fall by the beginning of the month and most will have about 60% of their fall inventory by the end of the month.  At Fashion Crossroads and FC Outet we offer a great layaway program that is free and offers you an interest free way to get your fall wardrobe all set. 

3.  Now is the time to start going though your closet.  Perform the annual "Did I wear it last year?" check.  If you haven't worn it in a year, get rid of it.  Then, browse through some fashion magazines (or just stay tuned to this blog, our FB and twitter page and our website) for the latest information on the fall trends.  Choose a few trends you want to buy and make a list of what you need for your fall wardrobe.  Do you need to replace your black heels?  Are you jacket or turtle neck poor?  Do you love one of the hot new colors?  Be intentional about what you buy.  And ,don't forget to leave a little room in your budget for items that you didn't plan to find but love and can't live without!