Get Happy!

We are certainly in some tough times these days. These are the days when we have to dig down deep and find special things to make us happy.  No one else is going to do that for you, by the way!  One thing that makes me happy is shopping. Crazy to say, right? Who has money these days for shopping?? Well, I certainly don't, but I do have the will power to walk through a store and not buy a thing.

Years ago, I had no will power, but I also had access to more savings. Now shopping is more like dieting. I peruse the menu, have a spoonful to try one or two things, and then go home and make dinner out of my refrigerator.  The same concept can be mimicked when shopping.  Savor the enjoyment of walking through the store or boutique, and try on as many items as you like. Even if you cannot live without something, put it back on the rack and walk away. Nine times out of ten, you will forget about it, or decide that you definitely do not need it, and you will successfully leave the premises with no bag in tow.

Don't worry, times WILL get better. Our economy is designed to remedy itself, and this will eventually happen. We will all be able to once again afford those little gifts we give ourselves.  A new cocktail dress (because you certainly can't wear the same one AGAIN), that great pair of shoes you've been eyeing for weeks, or the fantastic piece of jewelry that you so deserve but just can't justify buying for a while.

For now, revel in the fact that you can still shop and that you have the POWER to abstain from purchasing!! Use this time to try on clothes to gain a better understanding and to refine your style and what works for you.  When the market does finally rebound, you will be equipped with a more defined style that allows you to know exactly what works so you can save time and money.

There is a breed of fashion models who weigh no more than an abridged dictionary.--- Dave Barry

Dave has a good point. I think a lot of people denounce anything they may consider fashionable because they are not thin enough, or don’t have whatever characteristics they consider modelesque, because obviously only models can wear designer clothes.  But we are not talking designer clothes here, we are talking clothes that fit you. They don’t have to have designer labels or price tags, although there is nothing wrong with having a few of these pieces when you find something that works.

My rule of thumb is to only splurge on high quality items that are classic, timeless, key pieces in your wardrobe.  These are items that will last you many years and that you can mix and match with plenty of clothes in your existing wardrobe.  Think of black pants, white blouses, and any type of neutral (navy, browns, greys, etc.)  

There will be the rare occasion when you discover a fabulous item that doesn’t necessarily fall into one of these categories. As you become more comfortable in your style, you will begin to veer out of your norm and take a few risks. This is when fashion starts to get really fun!  But you still need to be sure that the fabulous piece you find is one that you will wear at least 5 times a year. Or make up your own number, but imagine where you will wear the item. If you can’t think of an appropriate circumstance, I would advise against the purchase.  On the other hand, if it is not necessarily the most practical of clothing, but you feel FANTASTIC when you have it on, take it home!

“Fashions fade. Style is eternal.” -- Yves Saint Laurent

A more true statement could not be uttered, Mr. Laurent. The second part of this quote should read, “Fashion is for the masses. Style is for the individual,” because style is such an individual statement. Your translation of style will be completely different than anyone else’s.  Your style is influenced by your personality type, what feels comfortable to you, your daily activities or job, and so many other factors.  The most important thing is to discover your own personal style, feel totally comfortable with it, and do not struggle each day to find it, but return to it naturally and with ease.

But I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. Before we discover style, we must delete from our lives what is not stylish.  It’s time to face the music. I am sure there are clothes in your closet currently that you have not worn in years. There are items that are either too big or too small for you right now, but you know that one day they will fit so you hold on to them.  And then there are the clothes that you bought and never wore; I’m sure a few still have the tags attached!

So, the first step in establishing a workable closet is to purge, purge, purge.  Take out every piece of clothing and try it on. You don’t have to make outfits at this point, you are just trying to establish what fits and what does not.  

Rule number 1:  Dress for the size you are today.  We all want to be the size we were in high school (or maybe college), but holding onto clothes that don’t fit does not help your search for style.  These clothes simply take up space in your closet that could be used for fabulous pieces that do fit!

Create places (boxes, crates, garbage bags, etc) to put the clothes into categories: fits, does not fit, does not fit but nice enough to get tailored. This is when you have to suck it up and be honest with yourself. If a blouse gapes open at your chest, or you have to lie down to zip up a pair of pants, don’t whine, just throw it in the does not fit bin and be done with it.  This is not an exercise to make you feel bad about yourself, but simply a step on your journey toward finding your inner fashionista!!

Rule number 2: Tailoring is your friend. If there are pieces in your closet that you love but just don’t quite fit, take them to a tailor!  Once you find a person you like who does good work, your clothes will fit you perfectly from that point on. Consider this rule when going through your clothes, and don’t get rid of a fabulous piece that you would wear if fit better. 

Rule number 3: Dirty pits? You must get rid of it. Ok, so that is a little bit crude, but I needed to get the point across. Once you have a set in armpit stain in a blouse or shirt, the chances are slim to none that you will be able to get it out. More importantly, once this happens to an articles of clothing, it usually means that you have worn the heck out of that shirt or blouse. Good on you! That was money well spent, now give it up!  This goes for other items as well:  pilling and picking on sweaters, ring around the collar, and...well, you get the point.

Continue trying on all pieces in your closet until you have divided everything into the three piles. Make sure you keep the throw away items in a special place so that they don’t get donated. 

Follow these rules, and your closet will be well on its way to revealing your style.

Next, we will rediscover your wardrobe!

Spring Cleaning

Ok, I realize summer is almost officially here (June 21, 2009), but there is always time for a little spring cleaning! With the economy creeping along, wheezing its way back to strength, this is a perfect time to reevaluate your goods. We are all trying to save and not spend on items we really don't need anyway. As much as it kills me to say it, this includes clothes and shoes (GASP!!)

BUT---do not fret my little fashionistas, for help is on the way! I am sure that most of you have a fantastic wardrobe hidden among all of the closet hangers; you just have to rediscover it.

This is no small project, but it is one that will result in a revived, refreshed wardrobe that could carry you through the summer, and on to better economic times! In order for this process to be successful, you must go through most if not all of your summer wardrobe (save winter for another time).

Your goal should be to determine whether each piece of clothing or shoes should be kept, tossed, donated, or consigned. I would recommend having a storage box or some type of container for each of these categories. This may seem like a logical and rather simple task, but I would bet that once you get going, you will realize that it is not so easy to part with your favorite plaid blazer, or that puffy sweater grandma knitted you oh so many years ago. You must be STRONG and make these tough decisions! They will pay off in the end, I promise. Think of it this way, an extra hanger in the closet just means one extra space for a new item (once the credit card is paid and the bank account is balanced).

Tomorrow....confronting your fashion demons.