When 9-11 happened, I was working as a professional headhunter in the midst of a divorce. Despite being in the Midwest, we suddenly a plethora of people unemployed and willing to move anywhere AND Monster.com was really taking off...... professional headhunters were being phased out... and the company I worked for laid-off all but one of us.
It was my worst nightmare... I had never been unemployed... nor had I been divorced. Money was very tight. I learned to do things differently. A big treat for me was buying adhesive to work on my scrapbooks.
During this time I met a friend for lunch who always dressed like a million bucks. We were discussing my need to buy some new clothes for job interviews. She told me she is on a very tight budget since her divorce. I was amazed to hear her say that... she had TONS of clothes. She invited me over for lunch a few days later to show me her work clothes and how she stretches a dollar.
I was stunned. Her work clothes took up a very small area of her closet - and they looked so nice and neat.
She told me she took a class on dressing frugal from an Image Consultant and then paid a few hundred dollars to have her go through her wardrobe and sort it out. After doing that, the consultant took her shopping to buy the "gaps" in her clothing and in styles that went together and flattered her.
The first thing the consultant did was look over her clothing and say.... it appears black is your favorite color... my friend agreed. The consultand told her to pick a neutral to go with it... either white or ivory... she picked ivory. Then she told her to pick her favorite accent color - she actually picked TWO ... one for the summer (lime green) and one for the winter (fushia).
Everything she bought had to fit into her 3 colors to build her basic wardrobe and all blazers had to have pockets and slacks had to have at least one pocket. Belts optional.
Blazers need two pockets... one for your business card, one for those you receive from others....and a tube of lipstick. She kept telling her a lady should never be caught without her lips on.
You can build a solid wardrobe for casual wear in much the same way, using the tips and suggestions above. Just dress down your choices for a smart-casual look. You will find that some of your shirts can double up for both formal and casual wear. If you build a solid wardrobe that suits your environment, personality and above all your budget you’ll never look dull and are sure to always have something stylish to wear.
She ended up with -
BLACK
A classic black dress (that could be worn under the blazer)
A classic black blazer
Black skirt
Black shell
Pull over black sweater
Black cardigan
3 of the same pair of black slacks
IVORY
A classic ivory dress that could be worn under a blazer
A classic ivory blazer
Ivory skirt
Ivory shell
Ivory pullover sweater
Ivory dressy T
2 pair of the same ivory slacks
LIME GREEN
A classic lime green blazer
Lime green shell
Lime green pullover sweater
Lime green blazer
Lime Green Skirt
Lime Green Slacks
ONLY BLACK SHOES
dressy black flat
office casual black flats
black sandals -dressy
black sandals - office casual
Black heels - dressy
Black heels - work
PURSES 2 -
Black casual
Black dressy
Tote Bag -
Black Casual
Coats -
Winter coat - black dressy
Winter coat- black short casual
Rain coat - black
Umbrella -
Ivory, Black, Green
JEWELRY
Pick gold or silver and buy all the same color
short 16" plain chain
18" plain chain
bracelet
hoops - small
larger hoops that can have a something that hangs on them (shop of QVC)
dressy dangles
2 or 3 pair of business type earrings
a long necklace that can be doubled if desired
a couple pendants that can hang on 18" necklace or slide onto the longer necklace
Pearls - necklace, earrings and bracelet
SCARVES
one in each of the 3 basic colors
3 that go with the 3 basic colors (maybe prints or contrasting colors)
JEANS-
1 dressy pair of jeans
1 black pair of jeans
2 regular pair of jeans
3 Tshirts
2 sweaters
2 sweatshirts
Tennis shoes
1 pair of casual sandals you love
My friend says she spends MUCH less on clothing now but buys better clothing......... and it's simplified her life - saves her time shopping - and considerably cut the clutter. She also finds she no longer has a closet full of things she rarely wears or really doesn't like.
I've not been able to make the big plunge - can't afford to go buy everything at the same time in the basic colors but I have more or less gone to all black shoes, black coats, black purses, etc with the accent colors in scarves.
Over the years my friend has honed her style even more... she (and I) both wear black slacks to work almost every day of the year. She bought a jewelry bag that looks like a large makeup case and has multiple compartments to hold jewelry so it won't tarnish. She keeps ALL her jewelry in it and when she travels she just packs that.
She has gone to one color of blush, two colors of lipstick, two colors of eyeshadow
She only wears black knee highs under her black slacks and she buys 10 pair of the same one at the same time.
Her two sisters have adopted her "Tri-Color Wardrobe" - their colors:
Warm Brown
Ivory
Black
Gray
White
Burgundy ( can you tell she graduated from The Ohio State University?)
The clothes in your closet need to WORK TOGETHER. You can build a solid wardrobe that is both affordable and practical with very little fuss if you follow some simple guidelines. Here are some suggestions on how to build a solid wardrobe.
When you build a solid wardrobe you need to think ‘simplicity’. Your choice of clothes should feature those with clean lines that are both casual and comfortable but well chosen enough to create a professional image.
‘Wardrobing’ is a system of buying (or making) clothes in a few basic colors that all work together. In so doing you can create multiple outfits from a few basic outfits. If you master the art of wardrobing you can create different outfits for seven weeks with just eleven garments!
BEGIN WITH 11 GARMENTS
The eleven garments you will need to build a solid wardrobe are:
* 2 pairs of pants
* 2 simple tops – one in a solid color and one in the same print as above
* 4 tops, in colors which coordinate with the solids
* 1 simple cardigan or jacket in a solid color
Tri-Color Formula
Ensure that your formula works by picking two basic colors and adding a third complementary color. Next, make sure the print has the two basic colors in it. You might chose beige and navy as your two basic colors and a skirt in gold plus a print in navy and beige. Your four simple tops can be the fun items in your wardrobe. Try adding other colors like rust or ivory to this formula.
Items to build a solid wardrobe:
* One cardigan – in one of your basic colors
* 3 long-sleeve tops in tones that coordinate
* 1 long skirt in a print
* 1 blouse or top in the same print
* 1 knee-length skirt in a solid color
* 2 more pairs of pants in tones that blend with your color palette
If you don’t enjoy wearing skirts, simply replace them with two good pairs of pants.
Hints and Suggestions for Wearing Your Garments
Notice that printed items are kept to a minimum in a solid wardrobe. If buy a lot of printed fabrics you will soon find that your options are extremely limited since they really only match themselves or one other item. Choose prints very carefully.
With this wardrobe plan the printed items match least two and maybe three of the solid colors. In this way you know that these garments will go with everything and you can even split the top and skirt up and wear them separately.
To build a solid wardrobe that works you need to have all eleven items and stick to the color palette. Having only one or two or skipping items won’t work.
Fabric Choices
If this is a business wardrobe choose suit-type fabrics and silk for the tops. If your wardrobe is more casual choose casual fabrics like denims, cottons or knits
A Woman Needs to Know How to Wear Her Solid Wardrobe
Mix and Match your outfits to create a new look for each day. Spend some time trying on your clothes to find looks that work and are unique. Do this by rotating shirts, shoes and belts or sweaters.
Layering is a great way to ensure a slightly different look that adapts well to after-work or lunchtime entertaining. Try a white shirt under a navy jacket or striped t-shirt with pants under a cardigan. .
Try to alternate the outfits so that you don’t wear the same thing each day or the same combination of clothes too regularly.
More Tips
Use the rule of three: buy an item only if you can wear it with three other garments.
Build a wardrobe over several seasons. Update and add each season for a fresh new look.
Buy the best quality you can afford. If your budget is limited, spend it on one quality item such as a blazer, a suit, or basic dress; fill in with less expensive pieces.
Spend the bulk of your budget on the base pieces. You will thank me later for this advice. Quality base pieces will last and will remain fashionable.
Fill in your wardrobe with accessories with the remainder of your wardrobe budget. These items are often the trendier or more seasonable items and have a shorter shelf life in your wardrobe.
And for those of you who do not have a wardrobe budget - get one. The easiest way to have an out of control closet or overflowing shoe bin is too just go shopping willy-nilly without a plan.
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