A few days after severe cold weather swept across much of the country, Mother Nature brought unseasonably warm temperatures to my area and had me thinking “Spring.” And with that the seasonal closet cleanout! I personally prefer to think about it as a closet “edit” because unless I’m pinched for closet space, I don’t like to throw the baby out with the bathwater! I never know when a favorite item that I’ve not worn in quite some time will be just right for a certain occasion. WHAT SHAPE IS YOUR WARDROBE IN? If you moan that you have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear, then it’s time to seriously assess your wardrobe. If you’ve had a lifestyle change of any measure, your clothing choices might need to change with you. This doesn’t happen overnight, but taking time to edit your closet at least twice a year will help you build and maintain a wardrobe that works for you, not against you. HERE’S HOW: A closet edit really has no season, although the beginning of spring and fall are typical, especially if you have a routine of switching closets seasonally. But why not set aside some time now, early in the year, to assess your wardrobe and gain control of the image you want to project? Not to mention streamline your closet and make getting dressed faster and easier. Schedule a full morning or afternoon, if you can. If easier for you, take an hour a day over a long weekend. I like to set the mood with music and a cup of coffee or, if late in the day, a glass of wine! Style your hair and put on makeup – you’ll be trying on most of your clothes and nothing will look good if you don’t. You need to assess each item carefully, based on its fit, color, style and function and then decide to keep it, or let it go! It’s an easy 3-step process: Pull everything out of your closet and “dresser” drawers. Your goal is to divide and conquer: What to keep versus what to let go of. Group like items together. I like to start with bottoms, then tops, dresses and shoes. (If you need to...
Read MoreThe holidays are over and we’re into the New Year. How I would love to hit the “total refresh” button on my closet but it isn’t Spring yet! If winter is starting to make you, too, feel drab, you might need to wake up your wardrobe. When it’s cold or gray or snowy outside, our closets need to cheer us up, make us feel good. Does your closet inspire you . . . or is it in a deep freeze with lots of black, gray or dark brown, craving some spring-like color? With most stores offering deep discounts during clearance sales, it’s tempting to run out and buy something new. Maximize your time and money – shop for colors that mix with your winter basics but can also move into spring. And, if your budget is tight, you just might be able to perk up your wardrobe up by shopping in your own closet – I did! Here’s a fun and easy four-step process to guide you whether you are shopping in your closet or the stores: 1. Get inspired – Flip through fashion magazines and store catalogs and peruse Pinterest for fashion looks that suit your style. Focus on how items similar to those you own are put together to create various looks. This week I went to a few fashion retail sites that feature “Look Books” – Halsbrook, Cabi, Carlisle and Worth – to find items similar to those in my closet and get ideas to perk them up (a scarf, jewelry, a different way to wear it). I “pinned” many photos and set up my own “Look Book” board in Pinterest so I wouldn’t forget. (I do this for all of my clients but had neglected myself!) 2. Mix up your pieces – If you’ve been wearing your clothes in the same combinations over and over, now’s the time to look at each piece differently. Lay different tops and bottoms out on your bed and start putting together new combinations – dressy tops with tailored pants and a jacket for work, or with a sweater and a pair of jeans for the weekend. Think out of the box: Combine different textures and colors than you’ve done in the past....
Read MoreFall is just around corner! Think smart about your wardrobe planning: Guest post by Regina Due When you have a career, a family to take care of, or a thousand little things that need to be ticked off your “to-do” list, trying to catch up with the latest fashion trends can feel like a waste of time. Not only that, but trying to keep up with every fashion trend can be mind boggling – there is always something new you should know about! How do you create a “modern” style for yourself when you’re so busy doing what needs to be done? The answer is a well-stocked closet of basics and classic designs; then it’s faster and easier to have some fun with trends. Invest in Basic Tops Stocking up on good quality, well-fitting tops – such as sleek knitwear in neutral black, blue and winter white, and fitted T shirts in your best colors – will leave you with a good starting point for building your everyday style. Once you have piled up on the basics that fit you well and flatter your body shape, then you can treat these as a blank canvas and play with the seasonal trends you like – such as pairing a pleated skirt in a pastel or a metallic shade with a plain white T shirt, or wearing a lace midi skirt with your simple black knit top. Find the Right Pant Pants are staples in every woman’s closet. Whether you prefer a skinny silhouette, a bootleg, or a trouser, investing in at least two pair that flatter your body shape will give you the staples you need for any occasion, regardless of whether you are heading to work or to an evening dinner party. Once you have your classic bottom piece in check, then you can have fun with trendier items. For example, instead of your usual buttoned-up white shirt and trousers combo, pair the trouser with a statement embellished knit top or a pretty blouse with a bow. Add Something Sheer From sheer tops to skirts, it seems like the fashion world often wants us to show off more than we would usually dare. But you can play the sheer game by your own rules. Find classically...
Read MoreMy wardrobe strategy for smart travel packing – pack a few versatile pieces planned around coordinating colors – is one that can help you streamline your dressing every day. It’s called a “capsule wardrobe.” I use this concept when planning what to pack for every trip I take. Taking a small mix-and-match wardrobe means fewer pieces, lighter luggage. When you pack the right pieces, less is more! What does it mean in your closet at home? How many times do you go to your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear – in spite of the number of items hanging there? If you create “closet capsules” within your wardrobe, you’ll be able to put together several polished outfits that you can pick at a moment’s notice. When your closet door opens up to a well-planned wardrobe of coordinated pieces, you spend less time thinking about what to wear. First . . . what is a “capsule” wardrobe? Simply stated, it’s a small wardrobe made up of pieces that mix and match that you love to wear. Some would preach that instead of stuffing your closet with items you barely wear, take the Marie Kondo “Tidying Up” approach and strip down to a few key staples you love. I suggest you think more strategically: Minimize your wardrobe into a collection of pieces that not only mix and match but also streamline your dressing routine, especially for work or travel. It means you’ll no longer stand in front of your closet, wondering what on earth to wear! The concept goes back to the 1970’s and was initially referred to a collection of essential clothing items that don’t go out of fashion – classics – that can be built upon each season with new pieces. Today’s capsule concept refers to building groups of 5-12 related pieces that can be worn in several different combinations. Building a working wardrobe for your lifestyle is easiest when you think and build in terms of “closet capsules” by lifestyle need: work, evening, travel, etc. 5 Benefits of Having “Closet Capsules” Reduces decision fatigue – busy women have to make decisions every day; the removal of one – choosing your clothes in the morning – leaves you with more mental space...
Read MoreFall is in the air and I’m pouring through my favorite fashion magazines, store catalogs, and runway shows on YouTube, dreaming of all the new wardrobe pieces I’d love to have. I can’t have them all – my budget simply won’t allow it – nor do I have the lifestyle many fashions are designed for. Before you and I head to the stores, it’s smart to identify what we need – not just what we want – and to be savvy shoppers. The payoff will be a better investment of both our money and our time. BEFORE YOU SHOP: 1. Inventory your fall/winter wardrobe to get a big picture of what you already have. There’s nothing worse than getting a new item home and realizing you already have something very similar…or that it doesn’t go with anything else in your closet. (How many orphans does your closet already hold?) 2. Determine what you need. Do some favorite basics need to be replaced due to wear? Does this season’s wardrobe need a little updating? Do you need to bring more of your best colors into your closet? Make a list of “needs” and also “would like to haves” – I find it helpful to make the distinction when shopping within a tight budget. 3. Shop your closet first. Can you restyle items you already have to create a new look? For example, belt a dress and wear it with leggings and booties. Will the addition of an “impact” piece – a new scarf, a belt, or shoe – give last year’s major suit purchase a fresh look? Did you keep that poncho you purchased way back when? Well…it’s “trending” again! NOTE: Here’s where a wardrobe consultant can save you lots of money! A trained eye can see new wardrobe combinations that you hadn’t thought of and give you guidance on what 2 or 3 items will update your wardrobe or compete the best look for you. TIME IS PRECIOUS, USE IT WISELY: Set a realistic budget. It may be a ballpark number but many women overspend because they don’t set parameters. You don’t want buyer’s remorse when you look at your receipts – make sure you don’t spend more than you can afford. Shop online first. Unless it’s a brand I’ve...
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