Happy Holidays!!

I hope everyone has a very joyful and blessed holiday season filled with happiness!!!

Best wishes for the New Year!! I will get back to the fashion blog in 2010!!

Home for the Holidays

Is it November already??? Why does the end of the year always feel like it arrives with warp speed? I love the holidays, but not necessarily the tasks and duties that come with them (i.e. food making, gift buying, and crowd handling).

So, as a means of entering slowly into this holiday year, I like to do something that makes me feel ready to begin the madness, and that prepares me for a season of fun, frivolity, and PARTIES!! The weather is now officially cold, so it's time to revive the winter wardrobe. UGH!! I can hear you groaning and moaning. I know, I know, it doesn't seem like a fun exercise at all, but if you incorporate a little music and a lot of wine (hehe), you will get through it!!

If done well, you will have a workable winter closet that makes getting dressed quite enjoyable. The first step is to take all of your summer clothes out of the drawers and put them into piles: summer, seasonal, and c'est la vie. The summer pile goes up in the attic for another year. These are clothes that are too thin or skin-bearing for the cold, winter days.

The seasonal clothes are layering pieces that you will be able to wear under cardigans, jackets, or even over turtlenecks and long-sleeved shirts. This is where you can really get creative. If you're unsure if something will work, try it on and see!

The c'est la vie pile are the clothes that you didn't wear at all this summer. You probably didn't wear them the summer before either, but decided to hang on to them, just in case. Two years and no wear? Say goodbye. If you have a bag or box at the ready, it is much easier to just throw the clothes in the box as if you are simply organizing everything. Once the c'est la vie pile is in the box, you will most likely have forgotten what is in there and it will be easy to throw it in the car and head to your local Goodwill (or save the clothes in good condition for next summer's consignment delivery).

Once this part of the process is complete, you can get out your winter wardrobe and begin to organize your closet and drawers with those pieces. Think about a system that works best for you. Would you prefer everything to be color coordinated or organized by style? Do you wear pants more often than skirts? If that is the case, you might want to hang them where you can get to them most easily. These might seem like minute details, but they will really help to get you out the door in a pinch.

You can even organize your sweater drawer. Think about putting the ones you wear on a regular basis in one drawer near the top, and the heavy, blistering cold weather sweaters in a bottom drawer (or top if you live in, say, Colorado or Alaska). Pants and jeans can go in another drawer, or be hung in your closet.

Feel free to send me your organization tips for the winter season!!

Halloween costumes that are stylish and won't break the bank!

BOO!! It's almost time for costumes and candy. If you don't yet have a costume idea, or don't yet plan on dressing up for Halloween (WHAT?!?), check out these ideas. The 80s are making a comeback in the fashion world, and I have taken inspiration from the decade to give you some ideas that could come right out of your closet!! Some of these have been done before, yes, but take it to the next level and you'll give these costumes new life!

Charlie's Angels - If you ask me, this trio never gets old. Create the big hair, find some 70s garb using pieces from your own closet (or a gold lame jumpsuit!!!) and get glam. Easy costume for those less than inclined to dress up.

Madonna - Always a hit! Find a great bustier, layer on the bangles and throw on a lace glove if you can find one. This will be a bit more challenging, but great fun if you're up for hunting through the local Goodwill or thrift store for some of the pieces.

Addicted to Love girls - Another easy one. All you need are black clothes, something everyone has in their closet. You could also carry a guitar. A guaranteed party starter!! Check out the close up so you can get the make up just right. Red lips are a must!

Hair band member - I think this would be hilarious. Either dress as a hair band groupie, or be BonJovi himself!! You will need A LOT of hair spray for big hair, some kind of vest (maybe with "chest hair" glued to a tank top to wear underneath), and boots. Not a comfortable look...as TIGHT jeans are required.

Facts of Life - Easily recognizable if you were an 80s baby. Would work great with a group and Mrs. Garrett included.

Let's Get Physical! - Gotta love Olivia Newton-John, and leg warmers have been seen on the runways lately, so you'll be totally in fashion! Don't fear the spandex, just go for it!!

Flashdance - Feeling the need to be a little sexy this Halloween? (I hear ya, I feel the same way after posing as "Little Miss Sunshine" last year. Cute, but not sexy) Give your old sweatshirt the cut and create this little dress. Pop on some colorful heels and you're good to go!

I hope this gives you some inspiration for a great Halloween costume this year. For those of you not into dressing up--give it a try! Let me know what your ideas are as well!!

Boots made for walking, or working, or dancing!

Now that the weather is getting chilllly (w0w!!), you might be in the market for a new pair of boots. A must-have for the cold weather seasons, boots are a great go-to item to have in your closet. And these days, there are an infinite number of styles, finishes, and functionality from which to choose.

I have selected a few pairs that might wet your whistle and pictured them down the left. These are very reasonably priced, and most are from comfort labels (because I am all about comfort while looking good!)

A flat boot looks great with skirts or tucked jeans. Throw on a fancy dress and jean jacket with heeled boots for a more casual look. This is a great way to get more wear out of your cocktail items. This does not mean; however, that your lace- or sequined-covered, brightly colored dress would be appropriate for this look. Save it for your more classic, muted colored dresses. Check out examples of these looks on the left from LuckyMag.com.

Try your boots on with different outfits to find out what works. Experiment and you will get twice the wear out of them! Now cowboy up, and get dressed!!

Great fall blazers

Need an easy way to transition your summer wardrobe into fall? Use a blazer! This season brings some great styles that are extremely versatile, taking you from the office to evening drinks.

Use a funky printed jacket to liven up your outfit, or select a simple but structured black jacket to take you anywhere at any time. A biker-style jacket will add some edge, and the one from Juicy pictured below has the edge with the comfort of cotton.

These jackets can be worn with skirts, jeans, suits, and dresses. A great piece to get you through the season in style!!

Need inspiration??

I don't know about you, but this muggy beginning to fall is leaving me short of fashion inspiration. Times like these require you to dig deep and stay focused. Don't become a victim of the end of season rut!!

I know you have been wearing the same clothes for 6 or 7 months now, but there is still an opportunity to keep them fresh-looking. It is for that reason that I am going to give you a taste of spring 2010, straight from the runways of New York!

Get ahead of the trends during the last few weeks of summer. Maybe you can incorporate some of these fashion forward ideas into your wardrobe. Good luck and let me know if you do!!

The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in. - Paris Hilton

Ah, Paris. In her own Barbie-like way, she has summed it up perfectly. Life is too short! If we have to get up each morning and head to our little cube and stare at a computer screen each and every day, we may as well look FANTASTIC while doing it! And make it fun. I would bet that if you make an effort to dress creatively each day, you will reap the benefits: people will notice, they will throw compliments your way, and you will have more fun and confidence. Try it for a week and see what happens.

Start with a frilly blouse under layers that are already in your closet, or a colored shoe with that gray dress you never wear (because you think gray is so boring). Check out the Jil Sander cream dress with orange shoes at the left for a great example of this look. These items don’t have to be one hit wonders. You should look for pieces that will take you to work, but that could be paired with jeans or cardigans for the weekend.

To aid you in this effort, I have found a few inspiration pieces that can punch up a simple black suit or typical work outfit. These items will work with dressy as well as casual outfits, as long as you mix them correctly. The striped blouse with the ruffle down the front would look great with jeans tucked into tall boots. Throw on a long cardigan sweater and you are looking tall, classy, and cool. If you are into a more feminine print, check out the black and white floral print top from Velvet by Graham & Spencer. You can find this blouse on piperlime.com for $141. It may sound like a splurge, but this top will be a staple in your outfit lineup, and will take you from day to night with ease. Don’t forget your red shoes!!

An unexpected pop of color will always make an outfit more interesting. Try this pink skirt from J Crew (on sale!) with a gray or camel colored top for an elegant look. J Crew also has a cashmere shell in gray that would work perfectly. And every girl should own at least one piece of cashmere. It is cool enough to start wearing in early fall and feels fabulously luxurious.

On the days where you just don’t have the fashion inspiration to come up with that perfect outfit, become armed with a one-piece wonder. A simple jacket can put the finishing touch on your look and create instant chic. Take a look at the bright blue trench coat from The Limited. This color looks great on all skin tones and will work over most outfits.

Use accent pieces as fillers for all of the gray, black, and brown that is already in your closet. You will punch up your wardrobe and give it some new life with just a couple of pieces. Much less pain to the wallet than buying a new fall wardrobe! Let me know if you have great pieces like this that you’d like to share.

Piperlime's trends for fall

Just a quick note to let you know that Piperlime is now selling clothes! If you are unfamiliar, this is a great website that connects you to Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy with one stop shopping. The shoe site now offers clothing as well, and they have just released their Top Ten Trends for Fall list. Check it out!

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=48770

Mad about plaid!

Sorry for the cheesy headline, but this year the beginning of fall means the beginning of wearing plaid! I am really into plaids this season, and I've found a few easy pieces that will make even those who fear this fabric to see it in a new light. You might even decide to incorporate it into your wardrobe.

Plaid doesn't have to mean huge prints and bright colors. My favorite plaids include subtle shades and smaller-sized prints. Let's take a plaid button-down to start. Make sure the fabric is not too heavy, or you'll end up more of a lumpy lumberjack. Choose a color and print you like, then pair it with a wide, brown belt and dark, boot-leg jeans. Voila! C'est chic lumberjack!

Incorporate plaid into your work wardrobe, without looking like you're headed back to middle school, by wearing plaid in shades of brown, black and grey, or other muted colors. Use a plaid blouse to give a black suit some excitement, or if you're feeling fiesty, find a plaid blazer to wear with a neutral-colored ensemble. Make sure you keep a good balance between the plaid print and the rest of your outfit. Safest bet? Wear completely solid neutrals (gray, black, white brown, blue, etc.) when the plaid covers at least half of your body (which, as a rule, is probably all it should cover.)

Here are a few tops that might ease you into the world of plaid. Need more of a baby step? How about a plaid scarf or handbag? These accents can add a bit of pizazz to jeans and a t-shirt or a little black dress. Let me know if you find any terrific pieces of plaid!!

Closet Connoisseur- The Service

If you like the information that has been posted on this blog, please see my website for more about Closet Connoisseur's closet organization services. http://closetconnoisseurraleigh.com/index.html

Closet Connoisseur will help you organize your closet for each season, get rid of items that you don't wear, and help you get the most out of your wardrobe.

You can make extra money by taking clothes that have been worn, but are in good condition to a consignment shop. Most shops will give you 40% of the sales. I will help you find the shop that will give you the best return for your items, and will deliver your clothes to the shop for you.

I will also deliver the clothes we identify for donation to the group or service of your choice and retain a tax deduction form if you are interested.

Finally, I will help you to go through your clothes and organize things in a way that will help you find the perfect outfit for any occasion. By putting certain pieces together and creating outfits, you will have a much easier time getting ready for every day wear or special events.

Check out the website and make an appointment today!!

Making layers work

We've spoken about layers in a previous entry, but I think this will be very important for fall since we are all trying to use what we have in our closets. With layers, you can wear summer clothes at least until the first snowfall!

Here are a couple images that might give you inspiration.

A taste of fall!

Ok, I realize it is only August 7th, but this is the time of year when I start getting the itch for fall. Summer clothes have been worn for months, and I'm getting in the mood to change it up a bit! To satiate my wardrobe appetite for the next few months (since fall will definitely not be here for at least that long), I have found a few items that you might want to consider once the weather does start to change.

Let's ease into fall with a gorgeous suit from Michael Kors. This grey short-sleeved suit looks perfect with another shot of grey underneath. Keeping one color throughout your outfit will make you look taller. Grey is a terrific neutral to wear in both fall and winter, as you can pair it with any and every color. Think about creating a pop of bright pink or green to give a twist to this classic look!

Two things I love: tights and Lela Rose. Combine the two and you have this elegant look that will be perfect for the beginning of the fall season. This ensemble will take you from day to night as well, making it even more versatile. (Use this outfit as inspiration if you are on a budget--Lela Rose is a high-end label.) Pair a lighter satin top with tweed or plaid to create a perfectly seasoned outfit. Tights will definitely make an appearance again this year, so get a few pairs now in preparation. You can wear black or grey tights under summer dresses to make them fall-worthy.

And of course with every new season comes new handbags. It is hard to pick only one, but I'm guessing that bright colors will be big for fall. This green bag from Big Buddha is on piperlime.com for $99. You can carry this one all year round, so it's a great buy. The bag also comes in orange. Both would look great with the Kors grey suit!!

“I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty.”--Imelda Marcos

As much as I love, love, love shoes and can always find a pair that I can’t live without, these are not the days for having thousands of shoes. These are the days of simplifying and enjoying small pleasures. I have found a few items for under $100 that will definitely make you feel luxurious and pampered. Use these to get you through the next few months while the economy makes a comeback!

First, a little sparkle. Try this bracelet from J. Crew, to be worn with anything from jeans to silk. Put on this bauble and you will be given instant glamour! And for $60, this bracelet will be a timeless piece you can wear for years to come.

Next, a little shine. Also from the J. Crew website, although you can find Essie nail polish everywhere, this red color will give a pop to your nails and a finish to your look. Not the most accurate of nail painter? Take your polish to a nearby salon and they will paint them for you. The polish is $8.

Finally, a little luxury. Until you have splurged on high quality lingerie, you probably don’t think it’s worth the money. Use these days of non-spending to buy yourself a nice piece of lingerie. The organic bamboo cotton bra lined camisole from TurningLife.com ($46) might just become a staple in your lingerie drawer. Bamboo is an incredibly soft, breathable fabric. You will want to wear these under everything. 

Tough times call for well-thought out purchases. Use these ideas as inspiration to find your little piece of sparkle, luxury, or shine. Happy shopping!!

Mini Tip

I was recently asked if I follow the one year rule with my clothes. That is, if you don't wear something for an entire year, it is probably time to get rid of it. I can't say that I follow this rule without exception, but I do believe it is a pretty good way to keep from becoming a pack rat, or hanging on to clothes that you will never wear.

When I get ready to spring clean and reorganize my closet, I have begun a new practice for weeding out pieces that I haven't worn in a long time. In my dresser drawers, I fold clothes in three piles:  "Sometimes," "Always," and "Never" wear.  The "Sometimes" and "Always" piles are clothes I know I wear and will keep. The "Never" pile are clothes that I probably wear once a year.  The rule is that I have to wear a piece from that stack of clothing every day for a week (or until I get through the stack). If I don't wear an item by the end of the stack, it has to go. 

Another new rule that I am attempting to follow:  If it is too big, take it to a tailor. Too small? Donate or consign.

10 Must-Have Items!!! continued...

6. Belts - Yes, belts. I was afraid of buying belts or never thought I would wear them (and usually didn’t until recently). Now I am a belt addict and wear them whenever I can incorporate one into my outfit.  They do a fantastic job at giving what would be a shapeless ensemble some definition and form. Not to mention accentuating your curves with a defined waistline! Pencil thin belts in bright colors add a little interest when you’re in a black mood.

7. Lingerie/Shapewear - I put these two together because I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn my Spanx. But when you need them, you NEED them, so you should have some (or some version of them) at the ready. Pretty lingerie is a great mood enhancer. Feeling glum and refuse to wear anything but sweats?? Slip on some slinky panties under the comfy fleece and you will walk through the grocery with a little cheshire cat grin regarding your secret.

8. Party tops - What is a party top, you ask? There are no real rules with this one, just find a fun top that takes you a little out of your comfort zone style-wise or which seems a little fancy. Go for something sparkly, one-shouldered, or brightly-colored. Just a few of these fun tops will get you through weddings, nights on the town, or even work events. Pair them with jeans and black pants or skirts as a start.

9. Tshirts - I’m not talking the free tshirt you got from the last fundraiser event you participated with. Find some good quality, lightweight tshirts in your favorite colors. Target has great tshirts. Find a shape that works for your body type. If you are smaller framed, a crewneck shirt works well. If you have a round face, try a v-neck shirt instead. Unsure? Just try a few different styles to see which work for you.

10. A GREAT hair stylist - Ok, I know it’s not a piece of clothing, but your hair is certainly part of your style. Find a stylist who you feel comfortable enough with that you can tell her/him if you don’t like the style she/he gives you. It is perfectly fine to bring a picture of a style you like, but that doesn’t mean the stylist will make you look like the picture. Your hair can make your look complete. Have fun with it and change it up every now and then. It will grow back, I promise!!! I’ve seen so many women treat their hair as a security blanket, keeping the same style for so long, they are terrified to change. Change can be a great thing, so go for it!! If you need an incentive to cut long hair short, ask if the salon supports Locks of Love and donate your hair to be used for a cancer patient’s wig.  www.locksoflove.org

10 Must-Have Items!!!

I’ve had a few requests to talk about closet must-haves and staples that will get your wardrobe through the hot summer. It’s July already so we better get to it! These are not even necessarily JUST for summer. I like to have clothing that I can wear year-round. This is especially important these days, as we are all trying to save a few bucks.

The fashion “gurus” will tell you to make sure you have a little black dress, white blouse, trench coat, blah, blah, blah. Maybe I’m an enigma, but I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn a white blouse.  These are items that will always be classics, so they are always safe choices when building a wardrobe. But I’m going to put a few new must-have items to the test, and you can tell me what you think. (ok, most of them aren't so new)

1. Neutrals - Try to find bottoms (pants, skirts, shorts, etc) in neutrals. Search until you find one of each that fits you as close to perfect as possible. These are the items that you will wear again and again, by pairing them with any and all kinds of tops.
2. Dresses - The dress is back! And they are the easiest outfit to put together because you only have one piece to worry about. Find a style that accentuates your best features and buy the same style in all types of fabrics, prints and colors.
3. Jeans - If you don’t already have a favorite pair of jeans that makes you look and feel FANTASTIC, it is time to face the music. I know it is a daunting task, but try and try again until you find the perfect pair. You will need one for every day wear (maybe a lighter wash) and one for dressier events (darker washes work better for evening and casual Fridays at work).
4. Layering pieces - sleeveless shells can take you from summer to winter by layering blouses, sweaters, vests, jackets and belts on top of them. Find a couple in colors that you like and get a few that are neutral: gray, brown, black, navy or tan.
5. Shoes - Well, duh, of course you need shoes! But how many (or how few) can you have and still have a pair for every situation? I would recommend five pairs as a start:  tennis shoes (pumas come in great colors, are cute and comfortable!);  pumps (when in doubt, go black);  flats (open toe for summer or slightly pointy for fall);  sandals (wedges, gladiators); dressy heels (don’t go for too comfortable here, just pick something in which you feel sassy).  

Next 5 coming up soon!!!

I almost resent the whole fashion thing. Never wearing the same thing twice and all of those things. It’s a pain in the ass. --Jennifer Aniston

Ha! I had to laugh when I read this quote from Jennifer Aniston. There are many days when I want to walk out of the house in my workout shorts and flip flops, and there are some days that I do walk out of the house in workout shorts and flip flops (and sunglasses and a big hat). Looking put together every day is not nearly effortless. It takes planning, organization and creativity. There are some days (especially lately) when style is not necessarily a top priority. These days, we are more concerned with getting to work early enough and staying late enough so that we can keep our jobs. How sad!! 

However, if you are willing to set aside a few hours to go through your closet and reconfigure how your clothes are organized, I guarantee you will breathe new life into your wardrobe. You will also make it easier to put outfits together each day, getting you to work even earlier (Yaaay...)  Take a baby step: hang all of your pants next to each other in the closet; then hang your skirts side-by-side; are you getting the picture? Once you have organized things in this way, you can take a blouse off the rack and hold it over your pants and skirts until you get a match that you like. 

Too easy? Ok, smarty. Take out a skirt, a pair of pants and a few different tops. Try to make a week’s worth of outfits with those pieces. You can use any accessories and shoes that you like to change things up each day. How did you do? Give me some comments about your experience!

I'm working on the 10 items you need in your closet and will post it soon, I promise!!

“Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”--coco chanel

I trust that everyone had a fantastically fabulous 4th of July weekend. Were there fireworks where you were??  I missed them this year (we couldn’t even find sparklers!), but I did find some bright and sparkly prints. This summer should be about bright colors and fun prints. After all, we need something to brighten up the sad state of our economy and job market. I’ve put a few examples of these on the side. All are from Nordstrom and are under $100. www.nordstrom.com

My inspiration outfit this week shows how color can be done without looking like a 10-year-old girl. You don’t have to take it this far, but knowing that certain colors can be worn together will increase the number of outfits you can get out of your closet. Color is a great accessory.  And all of these tops will look great with these $25 boot-cut jeans from Old Navy.

Create your own fireworks!

To jump or not to jump?

SO....I went on a shopping venture this past weekend, and among the sparsely filled racks, I found a few interesting items. One that caught my eye was the jumpers, rompers, onsies, top-attached-to-shorts, or whatever terminology you would like to use. I don't mean a jumper as in what you would call a sweater if you lived in England. I mean jumper like the pictures on the left. Shorts or pants attached to top.

Now, I LOVE this idea. Not having to come up with a top AND bottom for an outfit, but having it all in one piece that you simply step into?? Sign me up. However, I was completely terrified of the length of these things. There just didn't seem to be enough bottom to balance out the top.

I have just crossed the comfort zone line with most of you, I would guess. Never fear, we will soon return to the more practical fashion entries. But for now, I'm pushing the envelope and looking for comments from you regarding the romper. Would you wear something like this? I think they look totally cute when done the right way and with the correct fit: a key element to successfully pulling off the romper.

In addition to the jumpsuits, I saw a bouquet of flowers on everything. Flower printed dresses, blouses, skirts, pants, bermudas....no item of clothing was safe from the flower print. I don't mind a good flower print (not in the Laura Ashley sense of the word, mind you) every now and again, but seeing a bunch of different flower prints in one store was a little more than I could take.

Value tip from the day: The store Fab'rik has very cute pieces for your money. The sizes vary; some run small and others run a bit large, so you definitely have to try on and see what works. There are a few locations in NC, VA, TX, and GA (among others).

Bad fashion from the day: As I was walking through one store, I noticed a girl in what looked like her pajamas. Apparently, life was too rough that morning to change out of the clothes in which she had just slept. In addition to wearing the pajama pants, she had them slouched down so low, I saw directly down the back of them through to her feet. I really could have done without that show first thing in the morning, ya know? Maybe she could have used a jumper!

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.