Life is too short not to look and feel your best every day!
The economy may be down but don't underestimate the power of dressing up. When you feel good about yourself, it's contagious and everyone around you benefits from your good choices and confidence. It can be that simple.
We’re not talking power dressing or expensive dressing, we’re talking about the powerful and uplifting effect of keeping up appearances and dressing always in the colours and shapes that enhance YOU. It is conscious and informed styling, making you look good and feel confident.
Spending time, not always money on the way we look and present ourselves in demanding economic times is a sound investment. The confidence helps you become more prepared for things outside of your control. You do not need to spend much – in fact, we can often shop in the back of our closets to find some real treasure and give our image a lift. Sustainable dressing is fashion dressing, and you may be surprised to find what is lurking in the back of your wardrobe. Sometimes it may need an alteration, shorten the skirt or top, change the buttons, team your former suit jacket with new wide jeans, add some pieces of interest to a plain jacket, let your imagination go.
If you feel you need to buy something to give your wardrobe a lift, make sure what you buy is perfect for you. Mistakes are expensive. When you want to spend wisely and carefully be sure what you buy deserves a place in your wardrobe. Keep to the colour and style rules, once you know what works for you, you can’t go wrong.
“Shopping” in your own wardrobe is a good start, you may be surprised what you find hidden away or what you look at in a new light.
A wardrobe de-clutter is a great way to reacquaint yourself with what you have and what you may need.
Here are a few tips to remember when working through your closet:
Designate an area in your room for three piles: “keep,” “toss,” and “alterations.”
It is best to do this process in categories. Start with your trousers/pants, as we need fewer bottoms than tops. Find every pair of pants you own, try them on check how they fit, how they make you feel, if you wear them often, are they over-worn and in need of replacement, are they still working for you, and do they still deserve to take up prime real estate in your closet?
Repeat the process with skirts, jackets, tops, dresses, knitwear, shoes, bags, jewellery, scarves.
Experiment with new combinations that you have not worn before. We now mix colours in a non-conformist way, so don’t be afraid to clash your colours and combine different patterns. You can wear a checked skirt and spotted cardigan, but if you are using different patterns, do not combine too many colours in the same outfit; the top and bottom need to be the same colours, if you are mixing the patterns.
Once you have finished your wardrobe audit, action your three piles quickly otherwise you may be tempted to dip into your “toss” pile. Instead send it to your favourite charity ASAP.
Take your “alterations” pile to the tailor, no garment will ever look great if it does not fit you properly.
Now concentrate on your third pile – the keepers. Put them back in the wardrobe – arrange them by categories – jackets together; trousers together etc. You should be able to see where everything is – never put two garments on the one hanger. The secret is to have a solid foundation. Making dark neutrals, like black, navy, grey, or brown for your basics, is a cost-effective way to build a functional and versatile wardrobe. Use colour strategically with a shirt, scarf, bag or tie. Worn this way, colour is less memorable and will add interest to your overall look instead of being overwhelming or distracting.
A scarf is a great way to add colour, drama and a new look.
Then, do a double check to identify the gaps. Everything in your wardrobe must have a mate, no orphans. Any orphans must be taken on a shopping trip to find something to wear with it.
Personal branding specialists and image professionals, like myself, can help you with this whole process. Life is too short not to look and feel your best every day! Knowing the colours and cuts of clothes and accessories and jewellery that work for you ensure you have a superbly working wardrobe.
If you do not want to buy new pieces to your wardrobe, pay particular attention to grooming. If you pay top attention to detail with your grooming you can take the emphasis away from your not so new clothes. Appearance is head to toe, not just the clothes, a new lip gloss will light up your face and, if you choose the right shade of lip colour to suit you, your eyes will appear brighter – how simple is that.
Shopping on a budget … a few pitfalls to beware of
Excessive Detailing – the more detail on an inexpensive item, the cheaper it will look. Keep the details simple and you can always add your own detail tastefully to a garment. Change the cheap plastic buttons for some vintage buttons or quality new ones.
Bad Seams – Pay attention to the construction of the garment. If the seams are uneven or gaping, the garment will never fit properly. If the garment looks badly made, it is not worth even trying on, it will never look good.
Shiny Fabrics
Shiny fabrics show up any flaws more than matte fabrics. As a general rule go for a matte finish with a cheaper fabric.