When buying shirts off-the-rack, most men have trouble finding dress shirts to fit them properly in all areas of their bodies. You have two measurements to go by, the neck and the sleeve length, and maybe have an option of fit. Guys that are 5′8 and under look like they’re wearing a dress when they wear their shirt out and many men have a hard time find sleeves long enough without adding extra material in the body.

You have a few of options to find a shirt that fits you perfectly.

1. Buying a shirt off-the-rack and taking it to a tailor. Dress shirts are one of the easiest clothing items to alter because they have so many seams. Look for a shirt that fits you in the shoulders and neck and make sure the sleeves are long enough. Launder your shirt prior to taking it in to account for any shrinkage. Expect to pay $18-$30 to have the sides taken in to fit your body.

2. Buying a custom shirt. Typically, custom shirts can start at a minimum of $300 and can cost upwards of $1000, depending on the material and tailoring.

3. Try a J. Hilburn custom shirt. They are a men’s clothier based in Dallas TX and offer custom shirts made just for you by taking 10 measurements to ensure a breathtaking fit. Their shirts are made from 100% fine Italian cotton, start at $79, and compare to dress shirts offered at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Plus, you get to pick all the details such as material, cuff, collar, placket, pleats, stitching and fit to make the shirt truly yours.

As a Style Adviser for J. Hilburn, I am a little biased, I admit. However, the fit speaks for itself. All of my clients have been so pleased with their custom shirts. Most of them have ordered multiple shirts after seeing and feeling the difference of a shirt that was actually made just for them.

The following are a few of the comments made after trying on their shirt for the first time:
“Wow! I’ve never had a shirt fit me so perfectly before!”
“I am totally getting lucky in this shirt!”
“Finally, a shirt I can wear untucked and not feel like I am wearing a dress.”
“Dang, I look GOOD!”

For more information about J. Hilburn or to find a Style Adviser near you, check out JHilburn.com.

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist

I recently put on an event in Boulder, “How to look hot and stay cool for Summer” featuring dresses, shoes, and accessories from Common Era and how to wear them for day and evening. As I left Denver for Boulder, I realized two of my tires were dangerously low. So, decked out in a halter dress, I pulled into a gas station and filled them up!

I even had a very nice gentleman stop and ask me if I needed any help! I’m pretty sure the dress helped with that offer and I definitely stayed nice and cool!

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist

Join us for old-school shaves, custom shirts, acoustic set by Theodore Black, mustaches, goody bags, live photo booth…need I say more?

Oh yeah, enjoy $20 off your first custom shirt! And free hot lather neck clean ups- first come first serve!

Ollie’s Barber Shop
Friday, May 14th
7:00pm – 10:00pm
2638 W 32nd
(32nd and Clay)

{about custom shirts}
Tina Gill, Style Advisor for J.Hilburn, will be there to take your measurements for an impeccable fit, help you pick fabrics and details, and a few weeks later your shirt will be hand delivered to you. J. Hilburn shirts are made from fine Italian cotton, just for you, by taking 10 measurements and start at $79! Finally, a shirt made to fit your body and style at a reasonable price!

{about Ollie’s Barber Shop}
Ollie’s Barber Shop specializes in quality men’s and women’s grooming. From pompadours to the traditional business cuts for the gents. And for the ladies, everything from color to bobs to curly hair. Kick it like your grandad used to with an old-school hot towel shave- mention Shirts & Shaves and receive $5 off your first shave!
Call Brian @ 720.220.6259 or email olliesbarbershop@gmail.com. Support your independent barber shop!

*{goody bags for the first 20 peeps to show up}

Knowing what you already have and what you need is the most cost-effective way to shop and can save you time when you are shopping.


1. Clean out your closet so you can see exactly what you have to work with. A lot of women gravitate for the same thing over and over again while shopping- all black pants, all solid shirts, all patterned clothes, and you can easily see a trend once you pull everything out of your closet.

2. Make a list of items you need to fill in the gaps in your wardrobe. You may only need to purchase a few things to make your wardrobe work for you. You make a list of items you need when you go to the grocery store- why wouldn’t you do the same for your wardrobe?

3. Only buy the things you LOVE and make you feel amazing. Many women buy clothing that isn’t right for them. They decide before they even try an item on that they are going to purchase it because they love it on the hanger. This is a costly mistake. You buy it, take it home all excited, and then it hangs in the closet. Every time you put it on- there’s something just not quite right about it. The key is to try everything on to see how things fit on your BODY, not the hanger.

4. Invest in classic clothing, pieces that will never go out of style, in neutral colors. You can easily update these pieces with fun and exciting accessories such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, shoes and handbags at a fraction of the cost of buying new trendy items each season.

Tip from the Pros: every new purchase should relate back to at least two items in your existing wardrobe. You can create multiple outfits by combining new and old items and avoid “stand alone” pieces that don’t go with anything else.

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist

I recently was interviewed by a daily blogger, Jennie Dorris, for 5280 Magazine. She writes about living an affordable and sustainable lifestyle at 5280.com/cheapthrills.

As a soon-to-be bride, she’s started a series called Budget Bride, where she explores different ways Colorado brides can have a wedding on a budget. Brides- check out her article and click here for more of my tips and information to help you find the eco-friendly dress of your dreams!

Here’s a couple of my favorite eco-friendly gowns!

Justin Alexander Pure Collection

Adele Wechsler Eco-couture Wedding Gown

Adele’s gowns are available at Anne Be Bridal Boutique here in Denver.

Be yourself. Be unforgettable.

worthwhile style | denver bridal stylist

The full interview:

Budget Bride: Where to Find an Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress Locally

While I’ve been seeing more vegan menus and eco-conscious party favors at wedding receptions, brides are also looking to be more environmentally responsible when it comes to perhaps the most important fashion element: their wedding dress.

I asked Tina Gill, a local stylist who helps style bridal parties, about this movement.

Cheap Thrills: Are you seeing a trend with brides looking for more enviro-friendly gowns?

Tina Gill: Eco-friendly dresses are more of a trend now than they ever have been. Also, vintage is currently very hot, and a lot of brides are being “green” just by going vintage.

CT: If I’m looking for an eco-friendly wedding dress, what are some local shops I could visit? Can I find these on a budget?

TG: There are a couple of different options for eco-friendly wedding gowns. You can look for a dress made with sustainable fabrics such as silk, hemp, linen, organic cotton, and bamboo, or find a gently used and/or vintage gown or even rent a gown for the day. There are a variety of options, depending on exactly what your budget is.

Local bridal shops carrying eco-friendly gowns that are made with sustainable fabrics.:

Little White Dress Bridal Shop, Castle Rock: They carry a beautiful selection by designer Justin Alexander (Pure by Justin Alexander collection for the eco-conscious bride made from organic silks and cottons) and range in price from $950-$2,200.

Anna Bé, Denver: They carry gorgeous gowns by Adele Wechsler, who has been called the “queen of green” since she was the first designer to offer eco-friendly wedding gowns, and range in price from $1,800- $3,500.

Many retailers, including The Bridal Collection in Denver, have several designers that feature their gowns in silk and are made by hand in the USA. Silk is a naturally produced, breathable fabric that will decompose with time and not stay chemically preserved like a polyester fabric.

CT: Any local designers I should know about who use sustainable materials?

TG: Alisa Benay, currently living in Colorado Springs, uses a “zero-inventory” model in which each dress is made upon order and produced using a lean manufacturing process. She also recycles the leftover materials from her production process in several creative ways, including repurposing excess fabric in her own designs, selling material to crafters, donating shipping tubes to bird sanctuaries, and recycling within the studio. Her dresses range from $1,700-$6,000.

Bonus: Gill says to check out these boutiques for gently used gowns: Celine’s Designer Resale Boutique, the Altar Bridal Consignment Boutique (featured in this blog), Bridal Budget Boutique (rental), and A Green Bride (a division of Wedding Dress Sale).

Enjoy a fun GNO: accessories, makeup, hair, fab photos, food, wine, goody bags, discounts, and drawings!

Spruce up for Spring with tips from our experts on accessories, hair, and makeup! Get all of your accessory questions answered and learn how to make any outfit more interesting without spending a fortune!

This is a private party for the first 25 women who register online- don’t miss this fabulous event!

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist

Something old, something new, something borrowed and something “green”?

Do you want to wear an earth friendly gown on your big day and still look unforgettable? This is your day and it’s all about you. You have many options to find the dress of your dreams and still hold onto your green principles!

• Lovingly-worn or vintage: the most eco-friendly way to be green since no new resources are being exploited.

Vintage Wedding Gown from Posh Girl Vintage

Wearing a dress from a previous generation is the most nostalgic way to recycle a wedding gown. You may not be the same size or love the style of the gown that your mom or grandmother wore, but if you are set on wearing it, take it to a wedding seamstress and see what your possibilities are. You may be able to utilize the entire gown or part of it such as the details or trim.

There is a variety of resources online to find discounted, previously purchased or barely worn gowns such as There Goes the Bride, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Encore Bridal, Indiebride, Posh Girl Vintage, Buy Sell Dress, The Bridal Garden, and Wore It Once. Craig’s List, eBay, and local online classifieds are great options as well- you may even find the dress of your dreams at a significantly lower price.

Remember- wedding dresses are sized differently than regular clothing so make sure you have been properly measured by a professional seamstress before you buy. Also, ask the street size and what the return policy is.

Vintage is hot! Check out your local antique and vintage stores that carry clothing and accessories. These shops may be a bit more expensive but often offer a beautiful selection of gowns. Second-hand, consignment or thrift stores usually have a variety of gently worn wedding attire- you just have to be willing to hunt!

• Sustainable fabrics: consider planet-loving fabrics.

Bridal Gown by Deborah Lindquist

A few designers that offer eco-friendly designs and/or practices in their businesses include Alisa Benay, Annatarian, Deborah Lindquist, Conscious Clothing, Justin Alexander, Morgan Boszilkov, Olivia Luca, Rawganique, Réne Geneva, and Threadhead Creations.

Resources about green practices/businesses: The Sustainable Cotton Project, Responsible Shopper, Sweat Free Communities, Green America, International Organic Cotton Directory, The Hemp Industries Association.

• Bridal gown rental: renting a gown can save you hundreds of dollars. Check your local bridal shops to see if they do rentals for the day. You never know what you may find in your size!

Be yourself. Be unforgettable.

worthwhile style | denver bridal stylist

Many women shy away from shopping for lingerie because they feel that they can’t find anything to fit their body shape or feel confident in. I want women to love how they look right now in their lives, not ten pounds from now, not one year from now- but right now. Even in lingerie!

Tina Gill of Worthwhile Style Shows off Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie

{Tips to finding lingerie just for you}

1. Hourglass figure? Look for fabrics that accentuate the shape of your body. Items that taper in at the smallest part of your waist will work the best.
2. Shoulders narrower than hips? A v-shape top will draw the eye outwards and create a broader shoulder to balance out your hips. Also, Look for fabrics cut on the bias such as the turquoise dress in video, it will flatter any body shape (and hides bumps and lumps).
3. Voluptuous? Try separates. Many women are a different size up top than they are on the bottom. Separates will let you choose the size appropriate for different areas of your body.
3. Want to hide your tummy? Try a corset. It is truly magical! The weight of the material, the boning and seaming will hold everything in place. It also keeps “the girls” up where they belong and makes the torso look longer and leaner. Look for a corset that you can lace up to accentuate your natural curves or to create the hourglass figure.

Do you have trouble finding lingerie to fit you? Email me and I will give you free personal tips to help you look and feel fabulous!

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist

As soon as you set the date and location of your wedding, get started looking for the dress of your dreams. “The dress” will set the tone for your entire wedding: the feel, the formality, and the entire wedding party attire. Here are a few tips to make finding the dress of your dreams a little less stressful:

1. Create a vision board. Start by looking in bridal magazines, websites, blogs, and wedding photography sites. Create a vision board by cutting and pasting all of the pictures you collect. Look at the shape, neckline, materials, details, headpieces, jewelry and overall feel of all of the pictures you find- you will start to see a theme of dresses and styles you are drawn to.

bridal- cream and red by worthwhile style featuring Vera Wang dresses

2. Set a budget. Decide how much you (or whoever is buying the gown) want to spend. Be clear. Is the amount set aside just for the dress? Does it account for alterations? Make a list of everything you think you may need: alterations, shoes, accessories, a headpiece or veil, jewelry, and foundation pieces. Nothing is more stressful than falling in love with a gown that is out of your price range.

3. Set a shopping date. Call the bridal salon ahead of time to book your appointment. Ask a friend or relative to go with you but choose carefully. Make sure it is someone who knows you really well and can be honest but kind. Remember- this is all about you, your style, and what you love for your day, not theirs.

4. Go shopping. Communicate with the bridal shop staff about your style, taste, budget, shape, and details. Bring along your vision board and show them your ideas! They know their stock better than anyone and will get you started in the right direction.

5. Buy the one you love. Once you find the dress of your dreams- stop looking. Don’t overwhelm yourself with all of the possibilities out there. Stick with the one you fell in love with- just like the person you’re going to marry.

worthwhile style | be unforgettable!

With New Year’s Eve just around the corner- you may be asking yourself, “What am I going to wear?” You could go with the Little Black Dress in your closet or you could go with something a little more fun and bold.

Celebrate the new year by adding a bright dress to your wardrobe or find one with some sparkle and shine!

not the little black dress by worthwhile style featuring Arden B

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to stand out and look amazing! Each of the dresses above are under $135 and many are less than $50. Cheers to looking and feeling fabulous as you ring in the new year!

Be you. Be bold. Be unforgettable.

worthwhile style