A tried and true fashion tip that I return to again and again is if it feels good, go with it. Like most women, I face the occasional fashion emergency. Those mornings (or afternoons…or evenings) when I’ve paraded around in half of my wardrobe as the clock ticks dangerously close to when I need to be out the door. Inevitably, I return to the very first look (once I dig it out from beneath the growing pile) that I started with. It’s a simple rule this going with your fashion gut, but one that’s easily forgotten. So take a deep breath, trust in whatever drew you to that outfit in the first place, and go with it.
That is funny! I always do that!!!! I think that you have a very good point. But what if you feel like you don’t have anything to wear to begin with? For me, that is a huge problem!!!
But what if you feel like you don’t have anything to wear to begin with? For me, that is a huge problem!!!
Set aside some time to go through everything you have. Try everything on. If it works, keep it. If it needs cleaning or alteration, get that done. If it’s in good condition but it doesn’t work for you, give it away or sell it. If it’s not in good condition, add it to your rag bag or just toss it.
Next, go through your keeper pieces (including the ones that need cleaning or alteration) and see what works with what. Create outfits for work, casual, dressy, etc. If you need any basics or anything to complete the outfits, make a shopping list.
Get your cleaning and alterations done within the week. Start shopping soon, and stay focused. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy something you need.
This worked for me:
1) Make a list of things you need (good to do when on budget)
2) Go through your closet and get rid of stuff you don’t wear anymore.
3) Buy good hangers (I like thin hangers from bed bath and beyond)
4) Organize your closet by color, hang pants together, skirts together, etc.
5) Finally: go shopping but since you’re on budget stick with basic colors,
especially for your pants, skirts & dresses: White, black, grey, beige, brown
6) Everyone needs a: black skirt, white shirt, black and white camisoles, a great cardigan
patent leather pumps, a flat shoe in a basic color, a great pair of pants, good pair of jeans
7) Stick to your basics and add color to your accessories, you will look great + save money
Also, pick out your outfit the day before! (And if you have young kids, do the same with them!) The worst for me is if I don’t get my church clothes ready on Saturday evening (we leave the house at 8 am Sun morning)...and I am NOT a morning person. Also, if I’m rooting around in the closet the night before, THAT is when I have time to check to try a different combination in an outfit.
Remind yourself when shopping that if you find a fabulous skirt and a matching top and you do not have anything else to go with the skirt…buy a 2nd top (even if it is the same color, or the same as, the first one!) Otherwise, one bad spot on the top and you have a skirt that goes with…nothing (whereas most tops can find a home with something else in your closet). I bought a great summer skirt in a brown and sort of creamy-beige color and went back to buy a 2nd tank to go with it because both colors in the skirt are actually hard to match. If you just find a skirt or pants and have nothing to go with them, LEAVE THE TAGS ON and save your receipt while you spend a week or two looking for something. If you can’t find anything by the return date, take the item back. Even if it is fabulous.
Everyone needs a: black skirt, white shirt, black and white camisoles, a great cardigan patent leather pumps, a flat shoe in a basic color, a great pair of pants, good pair of jeans
You forgot one thing: a perfect LBD (little black dress) or LBST (little black skirt and top). The LBD is your no-fail special occasion piece, and you can dress it up and down and make it look different every time with a simple change of accessories. An LBST is a good alternative if you have trouble finding dresses that fit and flatter. That way, you never have to worry about what to wear for a dressy occasion, and you’re not at the mercy of selections and prices.
As for going with your ‘fashion gut’ - I always keep this mantra,“when in doubt go without”
If you are buying cami’s get long cami’s!!! short cami’s are tacky1!!
Buy lifestyle clothing, clothing that is year round and fits great that you can always wear.
Must haves : Nice shoes, this is overlooked and nice shoes are a priority, if you don’t think people notice your shoes, you are sadly mistaken. Accessorize : Your outfit is incomplete without the toppings, you need a great bag, a scarf, and when its sunny out - sunglasses. As far as apparel goes, wear what you feel comfortable in. You can rock a white shirt and jeans, but as long as you have that certain aura, that flair and confidence - you will look GREAT!!!
Whats hot now???
Color. I love bright colors especially since its spring/summer shopping right now. And with recession and gloomy mood what is the best way to get us out of our slum then wearing cute, fun, hot colors!
My tip? Accessorize, accessorize and accessorize! Of course, not too much or you’ll wind up looking like you’re in costume, but accessories are the key ingredient to boosting any outfit. Throw on a fabulous red belt around a black button down, add huge gold hoops to an otherwise muted outfit or strap on piles of bracelets with a cool tee. And the best part? Accessories can be so cheap! Look for them at Forever 21 and you’ll be be suddenly addicted.
Wear what is honest to yourself because whenever you wear something you are BRANDING yourself!
To many time we wear something, color our hair a color, but a dress, that may look GREAT for someone else but not you. The difficulty comes because we may be going through a moment in our life where we may not like who we are, or we are trying to get over a significant other, or we just lost our job, or weight, and so we want to do something drastic to ourselves to “shock our systems” to get out of a slump.
Usually, this is done to our Image, because we are visual people.
So I would just focus on being honest with yourself. Does this look really work for my image? If not be careful or you Image maybe branded in a light you don’t like.
As above jgirl said accessories are cheap and effective way of making different outfits look different. Belts, bracelets, chains, hats, the list is endless. Especially for this season there are many cute <a >summer dresses</a> trends that are best enhanced with a couple of accessories. These trends will make any dress look great. And the best part of this is that it will not hurt your budget.
As jgirl said accessories are cheap and effective way of making different outfits look different. Belts, bracelets, chains, hats, the list is endless. Especially for this season there are many cute <a >summer dresses</a> trends that are best enhanced with a couple of accessories. These trends will make any dress look great. And the best part of this is that it will not hurt your budget.
I always try to start with a good foundation: great make-up and hair!
Then I go through my accesories (jewelry/shoes/purses) to find an inspiration item (generally i will tie the color of this item in with my lipstick or eyeshadow).
Once I find it, I piece together an outfit.
Ideally though, I like to plan my outfits for the week ahead of time.
Wear what is honest to yourself because whenever you wear something you are BRANDING yourself!
To many time we wear something, color our hair a color, but a dress, that may look GREAT for someone else but not you. The difficulty comes because we may be going through a moment in our life where we may not like who we are, or we are trying to get over a significant other, or we just lost our job, or weight, and so we want to do something drastic to ourselves to “shock our systems” to get out of a slump.
Usually, this is done to our Image, because we are visual people.
So I would just focus on being honest with yourself. Does this look really work for my image? If not be careful or you Image maybe branded in a light you don’t like.
My mom would sometimes say that she wishes that I would dress more like my cousin. My cousin is a very snappy dresser, and she looks great all the time. Her style is very classic and conservative, and her clothes make her look very smart and classy. Problem is that if I were to wear her clothes, they might flatter my figure (my cousin and I have similar figures), but I would look and feel like a stodgy old matron. My mom would love that, but I sure wouldn’t.
My style is casual chic with a twist. I like clean, streamlined silhouettes, but with interesting color mixes and fun accessories. My style makes me feel very elegant and chic, but also playful and fun. If my cousin were to wear my clothes, she’d feel silly and childish.
Clothes can look very different on different people because of their individual styles. You need to wear what flatters you and makes you feel like the best you possible.
Hair makes a statement. I believe well groomed hair makes a good impression. You could be wearing a great outfit, but if your hair is wrong. It won’t work. You could be wearing discount everything, but with great hair style and colour you could look like a million bucks!!
Mattiealamode
I absolutely agree, and this is my biggest challenge. I have wild, long hair that is hard to tame, and it’s quite frizzy as well. No matter how well I dress, if I can’t get that hair under control, I have problems!
Tossing on a light sweater is a great look, but what I like even more is adding a vintage pin or brooch! It’s a great way to close a lightweight knit sweater, and the pin holes can be “massaged” out afterwards.
