So it seems Fall is upon us! Say buh-bye to itty bitty bikinis and HELLO to cozy layers and rich tones.

As the seasons change we are all itching to freshen up our wardrobe with all the hot new trends we see this fall, but of course, we are on a budget and love a great deal too!

Here a few Recessionista tips to help you strech your fall shopping dollar and still pull of a fresh, new look to wow friends, family and co-workers with your IMPECCABLE and oh-so-current style:

1. Don’t ditch those Summer duds! We’re not suggesting you rock your bikini with your boots, but some elements of your Summer wardrobe can be re-integrated into a fabulous new Fall outfit.  For example, take that tunic you wore poolside as a swimsuit cover-up  (Tory Burch tunics at The Closet starting at $58 are a steal) and layer over a long cami with leggings and slouchy boots for a totally chic Autumn look.

2. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!  The Closet had hundreds of belts, vintage jewels, bags, scarves, and hats under $10 to add variety and excitement to any outfit.  So take that same v-neck tee you wore all summer long and pile on some long vintage chains, a fedora, and wrap a scarf around your neck( A la Lil’ Wayne or A la Grace Kelly, take your pick) . Dig out last Fall’s leggings, flats, and a grandpa cardigan for an effortlessy  pulled together cool-weather outfit.

3. Shop in HIS closet! This season, the men in your life will have more influence on your wardrobe than ever before..Boyfriend jeans, boyfriend blazers, mens’ button down shirts, grandpa sweaters are all super-in!  SO, start browsing HIS closet to add another dimension to your outfit, and all without spending a penny! Belt and cuff his jeans and pair with heels or ankle boots, add a feminine cami and cardigan and you’re set! Or take those denim cutoffs from summer, add a fitted tank or v-neck tee, and top it off with his blazer and motorcyle boots for a new Fall look.  To keep the blazer from looking too masculine, roll up and cuff the sleeves, and leave it unbuttoned.  Layer on a soft floral scarf, or a handful of vintage chain and pearl necklaces to really take it to the next level.  Remember, balance is key for this look to work, so only incorporate one piece of his wardrobe at a time, and make sure the rest of the outfit is soft and feminine.

Hopefully these tips will help make your wallet AND your wardrobe happy this Fall! 

Have your own tips for fashionistas on a budget? Email them to chic@theclosetsb.net and we will share them on our website!

The Big Sale in Santa Barbara had a tremendous first day, and now we are in full swing day 2!

Tons of new inventory has gone out today, and even bigger markdowns on sale items that were out yesterday! That means fresh stock to choose from, more $5 and $10 items, and even better deals!!

VIP Club members, check your email for another coupon today, or if you are not yet a member sign up here to get a coupon sent to you.

See you atThe Closet!

Ladies….Set your alarm clocks!!!! The Closet SB Anniversary Sale starts in just 3 days!!! Get there first on Friday morning for door prizes, raffle tickets, and, of course, the BEST DEALS!!!

Get excited for tons of new inventory, crazy markdowns all over the store, $5 and $10 tables outside, special prizes and giveaways galore!

Remember, this leaves you today, tomorrow, and Wednesday to bring in your clothes and earn store credit before the big sale!  SO clean out those closets and make room for all the amazing new stuff you’ll get at The Closet!

The SB store will be closed on Thursday to get ready for the sale, so if you need a Closet fix head down to our store in Westlake Village, or just hold tight and be at the Santa Barbara sale first thing Friday morning!

Can’t wait to see you all there!!!

The details:

The Closet SB Anniversary Sale

September 11, 12, and 13 (this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)

Extended Hours: 11am-8pm all three days

The Closet’s highly anticipated Anniversary Sale dates have just been released!  Here’s the scoop:

When: September 11th, 12th, and 13th.  Extended Hours 11am-8pm.

Where: The Closet -Santa Barbara (this location ONLY)

What: Our 6th Anniversary Sale! SB’s hottest sale of the year is here, with 90% OFF designer denim, Juicy starting at $5.00, discount tables and racks outside, and all kinds of door prizes and gift cards given out!

Check the SB Independent for a 20% OFF coupon, and sign up for our VIP Club to get another exclusive coupon in your email.

Don’t miss the sale of the year!! Only at your favorite resale boutique, The Closet SB!!

We lu-lu-luv Gwen’s unique, creative, and totally enviable style, so we thought we would do some wiki-research and educate ourselves and all y’all on the force of fashion that is Stefani.

Gwen Renée Stefani was born October 3, 1969 right here in Southern California.  As it happens, our FAbulous manager at The Closet SB (and co-blogger) Tiana, just happens to also be born on October 3rd..coincidence? I think not.

ANyway, so while Gwen took over the music world, she also started this ittybitty little clothing line called LAMB!!!! She had made most of the clothing that she wore on stage with No Doubt, and in 2004 she launched LAMB.  The line is influenced by Guatemalan, Japanese, and Jamaican styles, among other cultural inspirations.  As all of you fashionistas know, LAMB took off and very quickly became recognized and appreciated in a way that most celebrity lines only aspire to.  The following year, Gwen launched Harajuku Lovers, a more affordable clothing, accessory, and merchandise line targeting a younger audience.  Both lines have been tremendously successful, and we can’t wait to see what Gwen comes up with next!

The Closet is stocked with LAMB and Harajuku Lovers clothing, bags, and accessories, always at 70% OFF retail prices!

At The Closet SB, we’ve got the LAMB Rasta Satchel, as pictured on Queen Gwen herself here!  For only $128!

It is that time of year again!! The Santa Barbara Independent Best of SB voting season!!! Vote for all of your favorite hot spots, including The Closet as best consignment store!!

Go Here To Vote:   Independent Best Of Poll : Vote for The Closet!!

And make sure to read the rules!

The Closet sells BRAND NEW Juicy Couture at 50%-70% OFF!

So you know The Closet is the ONLY place to score on gently pre-loved designer duds. BUT did you know that The Closet also buys directly from designers and trendy boutiques to bring you BRAND NEW CURRENT SEASON merchandise at a fraction of retail prices. 

That means you can pick up brands like Juicy Couture, Fluxus, Twisted Heart, NU Collective, Eco-Centric, Kate McHale and more for 50%-70% OFF every day!!!

Check us out on CNN! Who woulda thunk it!

click here: The Closet on CNN

January 22, 2009: Ventura County Reporter

Economic development group offers hope for small businesses WEV business course, loan program opens doors for localsBy Michael Sullivan 01/22/2009  The Closet Santa Barbara Most people may think Johanna Melamed might have been a little crazy to open a second location for her high-end consignment store, The Closet, which is based in Santa Barbara, during a time of contraction in retail. Even Melamed had her doubts after she opened her new store in Westlake Village last October. But after taking a crash course in business planning through the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), she felt she had the know-how to open the new store and see it become a success. “WEV was a wonderful experience; they formalized the knowledge that I had accumulated, and gave me the tools that took my business to the next level,” she said. Melamed bought The Closet in Santa Barbara in 2003, shortly after she graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She said the store wasn’t much at the time, but its popularity grew, almost strictly by word of mouth, during the next five years. When inventory began coming in too fast to sell at her Santa Barbara store, she called WEV to figure out her next move. She enrolled in WEV’s 14-week 56-hour Self-Employment Training Course in late 2007. The objective for all students is to complete a business plan by the end of the course. Upon graduation, she had sharpened her business skills, made a feasible business plan and opened her new store 10 months later. Although success wasn’t immediate, she is still glad she took the risk. “The first couple of months were really frustrating, even if [the resale] business is supposed to do well … in a down economy,” she said. “But the last two months have been really fantastic.” Melamed isn’t the only person trying to make the most out of a dire situation in this economy. Thirty-five students graduated from WEV’s training course in December and are looking forward to opening or expanding their businesses in Ventura County. Since the course’s inception, more than 4,000 people have taken the course in the last 15 years. From that, 1,000 businesses in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are now run by WEV graduates or those who obtained loans from the organization. Although the news about the economy can make any optimist downtrodden, Marsha Bailey, CEO of WEV, believes that now is the time to run with small business ideas. “I think it is really important to support small local businesses,” she said. “They are the backbone of our economy.” She said there is a perception that most people work for Fortune 500 companies, but the reality is that small businesses employ more than 80 percent of the nation’s workforce. Bailey, who founded WEV more than 20 years ago, has focused the organization’s efforts on teaching people how to put together a business plan as well as helping entrepreneurs open or expand their businesses, even with credit problems, through the loan program. “The goal is to help every client figure out if their business idea is feasible and if so, to finish a business plan.” Bailey said. “There is a lot of skill building, financial training, management training, marketing, all those things you really need to know as a start-up business owner.” WEV’s loan program, which loans up to $25,000 for start-up businesses and up to $50,000 to expand a business, requires every individual to have a business plan if the loan is more than $5,000. If less than $5,000, WEV requires loan applicants to complete a three-page questionnaire about their business models. WEV will begin its Self-Employment Training Course in February. Anyone interested in the course must take a one-hour orientation before enrolling. Orientations will be held in Oxnard on January 28, from 11 a.m. to noon, and February 4 and 6, from 11 a.m. to noon. The class runs for 14 consecutive weeks, one night a week for 3 hours, and includes two full Saturdays. Classes are taught in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Ventura. With a business plan in hand, either through the course or done elsewhere, a person can be eligible for a loan through WEV. There is approximately $1 million available for start-ups or business expansions. Bailey hopes the organization will be able to obtain another $1 million through public and private entities for the loan program. The interest rates on loans provided by WEV are typically a little higher than banks. Bailey encourages business owners and entrepreneurs to start at banks for loans, but if denied, WEV loans can be obtained more easily. Since WEV is an economic development group and doesn’t take deposits, it doesn’t have to be regulated as banks are and can loan money to applicants who wouldn’t necessarily qualify for business loans. Although the training course isn’t free, fees are done on a sliding scale based upon an individual’s current income. The cost of enrollment can range between $200 and $2,500.    For locations and details about orientation, call WEV 604-9000. michael@vcreporter.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it