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“Sensible” Ways to Build Your Wardrobe

March 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

One of the biggest and most inspiring challenges that I have as an image consultant is helping someone create their. unique wardrobe.  Style that is “uniquely” yours separates you from the competition and allows you to be yourself, feel confident and reach your goals.

In order to discover your unique style, I need to “get inside your head” to see who you really are.

I have trained myself to become acutely aware of what makes you “tick”.  It’s not easy, but you too can learn what it is that makes you unique through using your 5 senses!  As you hone your skills, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and feeds on itself.  It grows as you grow in confidence.  Start by becoming more aware in the following ways and see where it takes you!

  1. Touch -  When you touch fabric, how do you respond?  Do you like the way fabric feels on your hands when you touch it?  How does it feel on your body?
  2. Hear – Does it bother you when you “hear” fabric swishing?  Remember the old warm up  suits of the 90′s?  They sounded like paper scratching and being crumpled.
  3. Sight - How do respond when you see color?  Color can make us feel calm or excited.  Pattern can speak very loudly or elicit a quiet emotional response.
  4. Taste – Sometimes color just “looks” yummy.  I know you know what I mean!  For you chocolate lovers out there, do you love deep dark chocolate or milky chocolate?
  5. Smell - Have you ever noticed out raw silk, wool or fresh cotton smells?  Fabrics have smell.  What memories are brought to mind when you smell your favorite fabric?

All of your senses fine tuned can help you choose the best fabric for your body.  That’s why I say it must “fit, flatter, and feel good” or it just won’t work!  Become more cognitively aware of your selections of fabric and you go a long way towards creating a wardrobe that will:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Cracks in the Closet

February 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I love to walk and listen to my iPod while walking.  Sometimes I am inspired and motivated to write when I listen.  If you haven’t heard the singer Adele, the YouTube link here is what inspired my latest post!  It’s called Hometown Glory.

Although I am certain she in NOT talking about fashion, I couldn’t help making the correlation to “doing the same thing”.

We get complacent and do the same thing in the same way ALL THE TIME!  If you have been doing the same thing in the same way for the last few years, you are probably missing the cracks in your closet!

Instead of replacing the same pieces with the same things this season, focus on finding the cracks in your closet.  Be wardrobe specific, only buy what is missing, cracked or broken!

Where are the cracks in your closet that you need to fix?

  1. Lingerie Closet
  2. Shoe Closet
  3. Pants & Jeans Closet
  4. Jacket or Outwear Closet
  5. Dress Closet
  6. Handbag Closet
  7. Jewelry Closet
  8. Top or T-shirt Closet
  9. Blouse or shirt Closet
  10. Belt Closet

When you look at each specific area, you will begin to think and be more cognitively aware of the cracks in your closet and be more focused on buying just the right piece that will fill in that space.  Don’t forget StyleCAMP if you need more help with getting it right this season!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Finding the Friends in Your Closet!

February 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

DSCN2176I’ve been in a lot of closets over the past few weeks and I wanted to share with you some of my observations.

Whatever stage of life you are in-whether you are:  at home with your children, in the midst of your career or retired, everyone is in search of great looks every day.

You see your clothes every day, you may get tired of them; but, you are missing a great opportunity. Your clothes need to be be friends with each other!

I was in the closet of a lovely retired lady last week. She had quite a few clothes in her closet but they weren’t DSCN2212communicating!  Above is a first look at what I saw.  Lots of variety!

Clothes just like friends must compliment each other or else they will not be happy!  Someone (something) has to take charge to create a healthy balance.  What do you have that is a strong personality in your closet?  Maybe a jacket or a great pair of shoes?  Pick something and go with it.

Make friends with the neutrals in your closet.  Make those your core pieces. Then invite some color into the relationship to give it some spice and life.  Finally, create interesting conversation with your relationship by adding accessories.  It will give you and everyone else something to talk about and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Style Interrupted

February 5, 2010 By 2 Comments

Have you ever felt “frumpy”, “OL” (old lady)?  Well, I’ve been feeling a bit like that lately and have been wondering why.  I’m supposed to have all the answers, right?  I’m supposed to look like I have it all going on all the time!  Be assured that all of us have these moments where we feel we are in a state of “disrepair”.  DSCN2136

Do you know what “interrupts” your style?  Is it weight gain, a birthday,  personal transition, old hairstyle,  or could it be a simple as being tired of the season?

We are almost 6 weeks into the new year.  This just about the time when New Year’s resolutions begin to wax and wane.  Perhaps there is a correlation?

For me, there seems to be a pattern in each season (twice a year) where I begin to get slack with my wardrobe.  It is near the end of the season and I am anxious for the transition. I’m not especially fond of these late winter months.  They leave me feeling like I’m in limbo land and I get quite bored with the mix and match opportunities my closet presents.

So, what’s a person to do to keep it going waiting for the next season?

Retail therapy can help a little, but I caution you about spending too much time in the sale racks loading (cheap is expensive) your wardrobe up.  Yes, there are great buys out there right now, but be serious about what you are adding to your winter wardrobe.  Your full rewards will not be realized again until next season.

I did find a great new shirt yesterday when I was looking to see spring trends yesterday. There will be lot’s of options with this that will be fun to wear.  It’s blue (a good color for me) and  tangerine-fun for spring.  I’ll wear this with a denim jacket (hot for spring) and then with my navy blue blazer….add some fun accent jewelry and maybe even capris… Are you getting the picture??

Check in with yourself when you are looking at sale pieces and you will had smooth sailing into the next season:

  1. Follow the 3 F’s (fit, flatter, feel good)
  2. Don’t buy it just because it is on sale
  3. The piece should go with 3-5 other pieces in your wardrobe or it stands the chance of becoming an orphan
  4. Stay in your core style for major pieces
  5. Add accent style for supporting pieces

Now is a good time to begin assessing what worked this season and what didn’t.  Remember: plan, focus, attack and you will

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Part 2 Fit Faux Pas – Danger Zones in Your Closet

January 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Up to this point we’ve been talking about the dangers in choosing the problem with pattern that cause wardrobe malfunction.  The second danger zone is fitting the body.

It never ceases to amaze me that even though there are at least 6 general body shapes, there is not a woman that shops who doesn’t expect to find the perfect fitting garment for her body.  Mind you that most clothes are cut to a model size 8, figure 8 with an average height of at least 5’6″.  I ask why and how can you expect to find something perfect if your body wasn’t made in a size 8/hourglass (mine’s not!)?????  The majority of American women have a triangle body line—but I digress.

The problem in your fit closet comes in 2 areas:

  1. Body Line
  2. Body Proportion

A woman’s body line is either “curvy” or “straight”.  Her proportion will either give her long or short legs(lower body), a long or short torso (upper body).  It’s encouraging to know that if you have been blessed with length in one area you will more than likely be not so blessed in another area.

Use length to your advantage and concentrate creating “visual” length where you are short.  If you have a high waist or if it  feels as if it sits right under your breast bone, you will be uncomfortable when you wear high waist pants or skirts.  It will make you appear shorter through the body and you’ll be “all legs”.

Consequently, if you have short legs, you will make them appear shorter by wearing long skirts or short heeled shoes.  There are many ways to create visual length and showing the right amount of skin is just one way. Color blocking and lines will also help.

Just remember, don’t focus (highlight) the negative by making what’s short look shorter.  By using the right camouflage techniques, you will create the illusion of balance and proportion every time!  Follow us next as we discuss trend trouble! Have fun with your color and have fun with your style and…

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Part 1 Pattern Malfunction-Dangers Zones in Your Closet

January 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you have been to StyleCAMP you’ve heard all about my own personal pattern malfunction!  (more about that another day!)  Have you ever taken stock of what is in your closet to see what patters you have in there?  Pattern can have a wonderful way of adding new dimension and personality to your wardrobe.  It should always reflect your body’s scale and patterns.

Are you drawn to stripes or plaids or check and tweeds?  What about flowers or paisleys?  Maybe you like them all or maybe you are a bit confused.

Take a good look around your home.  Observe your artwork and table coverings.  Look at your pillows and chairs.  This will give you some indication of what you might like and what probably looks good on you.

Pattern is vital to a great working wardrobe but it shouldn’t take center stage.  When first building a working wardrobe always start with a solid foundation just as you do in your home.

Understand your physicality.  Take stock of the following:

  • Bone structure (small, medium or large)
  • Shape of your face (angled or round)
  • Patterns on your skin (smooth or textured)

These nuances will help guide you to the best designs in fabrics for your body.  Repeating a pattern in design that you like in your body is a good thing.

If you have a very angular shaped face, you a probably drawn to geometric designs.  Similarly, if your face is round and soft patterns that don’t have such a definite shape will compliment your body better.

Follow us next as we discover part 2 of Dangers in Your Closet:  Fit Faux Pas.

Filed Under: Articles, Style Tips, Wardrobe Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Danger Zones Lurking in Your Closet

January 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

It’s been pretty cold here in the southeast this winter especially since the holidays have left their distant memory. I usually relax my guard after the holidays  under the shroud of my winter woolies. Besides, no on will see my body in a bathing suit for a few months, right? Beware, there are dangers lurking in your closet when you hibernate beneath baggy, saggy, sloppy unfitted clothes.

I’ve seen a lot of problems in closets over the years, but there seems to be 3 zones that creep up time and time again. Each of these alone are not really a problem. It’s only when they are made together that it presents disaster for a wardrobe.

  1. Pattern Malfunction
  2. Fit faux pas
  3. Trend Trouble

Most people don’t get it all wrong.  There are consistent mis-steps along the way until they are way off and confusion sets in .  Having true style means that you understand who you are from top to bottom.

You know the patterns that work for your body.  You understand how to fit the lines of your body to create harmony and you follow the trends adapting only those that work for your style personality.

Follow us as we talk about how to eliminate these danger zones and create a great wardrobe for the life you lead.

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Part 1 – A Wardrobe on Purpose-Your Key CORE

January 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you have read about creating a wardrobe on purpose, you know that you must have 3 components:  core, color, accessories.  Let’s talk about your Key Core.

The concept of a “key” core is not new.  Women who know how to dress have done it for years.  Now it’s time for YOU to do it.  First a definition is in order.

Key Core:  A core stable base of garments that contains at least 3 pieces in a suit-jacket, slacks and skirt.  Yes, a suit…You may not wear any of the pieces together, but they will form the best foundation for building a wardrobe on purpose.   One additional piece might be a dress.  The key to this core will be the neutrality of the color.  It must be a good color on you that is perceived as a neutral (navy, brown, black, tan, taupe, beige, etc). Since we have 2 style seasons, you should focus on 2 key core foundational bases.

  • Spend as much and get the highest quality you can afford
  • Keep the detail classic and simple
  • Minimize embellishments (no bling, minimal fringe or any detail too trendy)
  • Quality 3-Season Worsted Wool

Your Key Core Neutral provides the foundation for your creativity and accent colors to follow.  Interior decorators have always used this methodology when decorating homes.  I once continued to buy sofas in search of the perfect fabric/color/design.  After about 7 sofa purchases (I’m NOT kidding), I realized that all I had to do was buy a “boring” solid, neutral color and change my pillows and paint whenever the mood struck me!

Voila!  That’s it!  Consider your Key Core your “sofa”.  Yes, buy a “boring”, neutral color.  The excitement will come next!  With selecting your fun, exciting, personally expressive accent colors!  Come back tomorrow to read Part 2 A Wardrobe on Purpose – Your Accent Color.

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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3-Parts to a Wardrobe on PURPOSE

January 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Surprise!  Creating a purposeful wardrobe is NOT that difficult!  Trust me, I’ve been doing it most of my life!  In short, there are 3 components to a “purposeful” wardrobe.

  1. Key Core Neutral Foundational Pieces
  2. Accent Colors
  3. Accessories

That’s it, I promise!  Let’s look a little more closely at this concept.  Over the years, I have noticed that men more often than women create wardrobes with purpose.  Men look to their wardrobes as functional whereas, women want more expression and creativity.  I’d say it is the “nature of the beast!”  I’m going out on a limb here and will say that women are more complex by nature than men.  Men want to know 3 things:

  1. What’s the problem
  2. How can we fix it
  3. How much does it cost

Women on the other hand (including myself) take some time to peel back the layers to discover the problem or true need.  Therefore, women often take many different paths to get to the final end result.

Building a purposeful wardrobe will help you eliminate some of the narrow streets that you get stuck on in the process in search of true expression.  It really doesn’t matter who you are or where you are in your life-cycle, a wardrobe based on purpose will take you to ANY life event.  So, whether you are a career women, stay-at-home mom, or a retired woman, stay on purpose and create your wardrobe with foundation, color and accessories.  Come back tomorrow and follow us over the next few days as we explore more about creating a core wardrobe.

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Setting Resolutions or Goals?

January 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Several years ago I quit setting New Year’s Resolutions.  It wasn’t until recently that I thought about it and figured out why.

Resolutions seem like lofty, arbitrary statements spoken or written without any real promise to them.  They never seemed to change.  You know what I mean, exercise more, loose weight, eat better….These are things most of us need to do.  I don’t even like the word—it has a negative connotation…A resolution sounds like something you have to “fix”, like something is broken.

I heard recently that by February 16Th, most New Year’s Resolutions are broken.  That’s a pretty sad statement.  So, my question is why set yourself up for failure?

Instead, why not look at each year in terms of goals.  Goals are achievable because they have a process.  Resolutions on the other hand are the end result-and don’t always have any measurable steps tied to them.

Rather than setting arbitrary resolutions this year, why not claim a few goals.  Goals can be managed, reflected upon and reset.  At the end of the day your reward is the steps completed in the achievement of that goal!  Sounds like a plan to me!

Follow us next as we explore a Wardrobe Built on Purpose!

“Look Good, Feel Great  and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: Goal Setting, Wardrobe Tagged With: , , , ,
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