Fall has arrived! The
mornings are cooler now...making it necessary to grab a sweater (or
lightweight jacket) before heading out the door. It's a refreshing
change to feel the cool, crisp air and behold the trees ablaze with
brilliant autumn color! Fall also means the return to dressing in
layers. Grabbing more than a sweater and layering on a few light layers
makes every woman look pulled together. When an outfit is well layered,
it's always a fabulous fall look.
Fall is about wearing pretty sweaters to stay warm. Of course eating anything pumpkin and "comfort foods" like homemade soups and stewsmake
fall special too. But when it comes to choosing what to wear, you want
to choose layers. Layers can be worn in a multiple of creative ways and
they create a multitude of outfits using only a few pieces. However one
BIG word of caution...Layering can be two things: done right OR look lumpy and frumpy!
This week learn the 5 steps to the perfectly layered outfit...
This week's article on layering will give you practical "how-to" style advice.There are 5 steps to help you get every layered look right.
You certainly don't want to look baggy or messy when you are trying to
stylishly layer--I'll show you how to do it right. No more mistakes with
MSP's step-by-step layering tutorial.
"5 Steps To The Perfectly Layered Outfit" will show you how to mix short
and long tops, dresses and skirts, blazers, sweaters, vests, belts,
leg-wear and more, to create one stylish outfit after another! You will
also get a LIST of unique fall color combinations to try this season!
Get ready! This week's layering article will be posted on Thursday in all 5 Personal Profiles and it's going to change the way you "style" your daily fall and winter outfits!
Get this week's layering guide & SAVE it to use all season long!
Could you please explain how to spot a good deal on clothes? I have a
gift card and when I go shopping I get nervous that I may not wear what I
buy. How do we know that we are making a smart purchase?
By the way I love your weekly shopping guides! The pictures are so
helpful to me and my “C” body type. I am ready to start shopping better!
Syster in FL
Dear Florida SYSter,
That is a good question! A bargain is NOT a bargain if you end up not wearing it!
Think about the “cost per wear” before you buy. Some items will cost
more than others. Divide the amount of times you wear it, by the price
of the item. The Wardrobe Basics (in your Personal Profile) are clothes
that will have a low “CPW” because you will wear them often. Other
clothes, like a formal gown will have a high “CPW” because you may only
wear it once or twice.
I also recommend you think of at least 3 different ways (or more) you
can incorporate your purchase in to your regular wardrobe —BEFORE you
buy it.
If you buy something because it is a “bargain” and you have nothing to match it—then you are only wasting your money!
When you bring home your new purchase, don’t just hang it up in your
closet! Instead, get creative and pull out other clothes and make more
new outfits (including accessories).
It takes time, but with MSP’s wardrobe plan and thoughtful purchases you will enjoy your wardrobe for a long time to come!
Recently I spent six long hours in a client’s closet. Her closet was so crammed full of clothes there was no way she could possibly add in one more shirt!
She contacted me to help her organize her closet and show her how to put outfits together. She was concerned about all the money she has spent on clothes—and yet she felt she had nothing to wear. Sound familiar?
When buying clothes for her wardrobe, my client had never thought about her body shape, coloring or actual wardrobe needs—instead her clothes were always impulsively purchased. Most of her clothes were purchased on SALE--because of this, many of them had become quickly outdated.
The main problem for this woman was that she had purchased “sale” clothes without any thought or plan in mind. She had become “sale-crazed” and purchased only “bargains”! A real wardrobe plan (that I was going to give her) was what this dear sweet woman really needed!
YOUR TURN....So, when is a bargain really a bargain? Share your 'bargain' or not so great 'bargain' stories with us!
Only when you put together a good basic wardrobe--can you begin to have true great style. It starts by having 60-70% of your wardrobe basic pieces. That's a lot more than what most women have in their wardrobes. Often women have 25-30% basic items and the rest are odds and ends (impulse purchases). For an article of clothing to be considered a ‘wardrobe basic' it must be: __Versatile. It needs to go with lots of different things and be worn a variety of different ways. __Good quality. It will be worn often, so it needs to be the best quality you can afford. __Classic styling. It shouldn't go out of style quickly because it is a wardrobe staple. __Good fit. It is worn often, it must fit you well and make you look your best. __Flattering color (or colors) that works with most of your wardrobe.
Keep your style current! Don't collect clothes year after year...if you haven't worn it in a year purge it!
I guess you could say I wear my 3/4 sleeved striped tee quite a bit. It's one of those pieces that seems to work with so much of what's in my closet.
The best part is I purchased this Express brand jersey-knit tee at a
thrift store for under $2! Can you say "Cost Per Wear" is next to Zilch
(I love that word... the way it sounds when you say it and its
definition too!)
What one item in your closet do you wear a lot? Perhaps too much??? Your turn.
That's right. Too much 'mix and match' creates a big mess!
Dressing is like cooking. If you continually shop and buy clothes 'just because' and without a plan, then you are just wasting money. You'll never have a really terrific wardrobe because you have not planned out a basic wardrobe or invested in essential wardrobe items.
It's like having random ingredients and you want to bake something. The problem is you don't have the RIGHT ingredients...therefore you can make NOTHING!!!
STOP buying so many cute trendy items just because they are on clearance!!!!
You only need one or two dresses like this....
(photo: Nordstrom)
Your money is better spent on several dresses like this...(you can wear it more often)
Of course a classic dress style in a pretty color never hurts!
All the odds and ends, mix and match items...don't add up to much! It's the basic wardrobe that allows you create that fantastic wardrobe you desire.
Need help creating a basic wardrobe? Try one of my Personal Profiles at MissusSmartyPants and learn how to create that wardrobe you desire. Learn to dress based upon your body shape + get my list of 'Wardrobe Basics'.
The number one reason you stand in front of your way-too-full closet in the morning and exclaim, “I have nothing to wear” is because you still are MISSING key pieces!
What are you still missing???
By not having the necessary key pieces (wardrobe basics) you’ll continually stress out with a “what to wear” dilemma every time you open your closet. Who needs added stress to start their day?
For example...Have you ever purchased the “perfect” shirt at the mall only to come home and find you have nothing to match it? If so, your closet is still missing what you really need and you keep purchasing 'quick fixes' for your wardrobe. So what are you waiting for? Let’s find out what you really need in your closet so each morning (or evening) when you set out your clothes--it’s like shopping in a stylish boutique!
The majority of your clothing should mix and match—or not hang in your closet at all. The only exceptions should be special occasion clothing (you hopefully have hanging in the back or another closet).
“Do I wear this—ever?”
If not, why is it STILL in your closet?
Your clothes should pay YOU rent! Since closets are usually smaller than we would like, keeping clothes in there that aren’t being worn is silly and takes up valuable real estate. Give them the boot or have them pay you rent, lol! PURGE unworn items so you can organize what you DO wear and start a list of things you still need.
“What to have in your closet” (3 main clothing categories)
1. The Basics: I can’t stress enough how vital your basic pieces are! They are your foundation for everyday dressing. They need to fit well and make you feel like a million bucks when you wear them. Have your basics altered for proper fit as needed.
Must-have Basics include:
__Classic dark wash jeans
__Flat-front pants
__A-line skirt (dark solid color)
__Pencil skirt
__Sheath dress
__Button-down blouses
__Classic tees
__Denim jacket
__Classic pumps
__V-neck sweaters
A v-neck sweater can be dressed up or down...
2. Dependable Extras: These garments always work! They are your favorite “go to” pieces when you need to feel confident and you’re not sure what else to wear. You trust their fit, color and style. They are true investment pieces that have earned their keep in your closet over time.
Dependable extras include: __Classic blazer
__Cashmere v-neck sweater
__Timeless LBD
__Trench coat
__Pencil skirt
__Gabardine wool trousers
Little Black Dress, LBD (can be any neutral color, simple design)
(comes in purple too!)
A 'LBD' is like a blank canvas...
3. Sassy Stuff: These are the “fun” pieces you wear to “Show Your Style” SYSter! They may be a classic item or a trendy piece. They are the right accessories and seasonal updates that distinguish your sense of style from the masses.
Sassy Stuff includes:
__Long strand of pearls (can be worn multiple of ways)
__Chanel-like scarf
__Michael Kors handbag (any classic designer bag)
__Cole Haan pumps
A quality, classic shoe is an investment you will wear over and over again...
EACH SEASON ADD...Trendy style makers like:
__Tribal inspired bangles
__Statement necklaces
__Floral print skirt/or trendy dress
__Metallic flats (or bright-colored ones)
__Patent leather belt (extra wide/skinny/or animal print)
__Sheer georgette ruffle blouse
Start with your Basics list and then go from there. I promise you will have more peace in the morning and start each day with a positive attitude PLUS fabulous style! Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants
Sometimes all it takes is one basic dress...to get your style going. Really, just a basic piece.
As a stylist I am constantly telling my clients that they don't need as many clothes as they think. Most women are under the assumption that if they were to "makeover" their style (with or without my help)...they must be ready to invest in an extensive wardrobe re-vamp (think: massive purchase) and they just don't have the funds to do so. This is simply NOT true.
A good basic and simple wardrobe will save you money in the long run! When you have quality basics to rely on, you will spend less money when you renew your wardrobe at the beginning of the season. Often all you'll need are some updates with your accessories.
Do you have enough basic wardrobe pieces?
Basics should make up about 70-80% of the total items in your closet...
What often happens is: you get giddy about new styles and having new clothes at the beginning of the season and over-due it and buy whatever tickles your fancy! With NO plan or idea of HOW you are going to wear those mis-matched items just purchased. You are excited that they are cute, new and somehow you'll figure it out. Not a good plan.
Last year I did a style posting about "One items worn three different ways". It's about taking ONE basic piece from your wardrobe and stretching it to see how many outfits you can make with it. This is the beauty of having a list of wardrobe basics. They are the foundational items that makeup every well-dressed woman's wardrobe. Do you have enough wardrobe basics?
This LBD is perfect for transitioning into fall because it's sleeveless...
Below, you can see I've worn this LBD for fancy occasions...
However, bright pink necklace and shoes + a cream-colored jacket make it more business-friendly...
More often than not, my lifestyle is more casual...gold flats and a gray sweater are perfect with my LBD...
Just to jazz things up, black heeled boots are always fun and sassy w/ my LBD...
Awhile ago I took photos of a gray dress I stretched into many different looks...
This gray sheath is a wardrobe basic that gave so much...I "retired" it from my wardrobe last season.
But here are a couple of ways I wore it. One of my favorite ways to wear this dress was with my off-white sweater from Gap...
My faux-leather motorcycle jacket (last season at Target) gives my basic sheath some style edge...
By adding layers over the top of this sleeveless dress, it appears to be more of a skirt...giving this basic dress even more wear-ability...
Yes! Fewer pieces can make you more stylish....but you got to have 'em in your wardrobe in the first place!
(As I look at these photos it's interesting to me how my style and changed/updated/evolved since taking them.)
Start now and build a good core wardrobe. You will find this is the missing "link" to why your style has not totally come together. If you need a list, I have a fabulous one posted in all the Body Type sections on my site. Fall is HERE! There really is no better time to get stylish!
Do you have “LBD”? Is it contagious? Should you take something for it? Nah, it’s not a bad thing, or a disease…actually it is a good thing that MissusSmartyPants wants you to catch! “LBD” is fashion lingo for the timeless classic…a “Little Black Dress”.
Any modern day woman who finds she’s always short on time and cash for clothes-- will find she needs a “Little Black Dress”. It can be an essential part of her wardrobe that comes to the fashion rescue in a pinch! It’s a “wild card” that can be played again and again when you find yourself saying, “I have nothing to wear!”
The popularity of the “Little Black Dress” was credited to the fashion icon, Coco Chanel back in 1926. That year she created a new “flapper” dress that debuted in Vogue Magazine. Back then, her design was considered flashy and shocking because it was a short dress out of a slinky black jersey fabric. A jersey knit was considered underwear fabric and the color black was reserved for funerals and nuns! Thank goodness times have changed!
The instant slimming qualities of the “LBD” alone are enough to make women want an "LBD" in their wardrobes. Black is a wardrobe color many women rely on, and the “LBD” can make you feel sexy like Audrey Hepburn in “A Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. What woman doesn’t want to feel desirable and like a goddess?
With its classic styling, you can never be under-stated or over-dressed. The LBD can rescue you when you find that your “fashionista ways” have taken a back seat to everyday havoc of kids, schedules and a busy life…not to worry! When you pull out this perennial favorite, your style is saved once again!Think of your black dress as a blank canvas, and you are the artist. With the selection of colors in your accessories you can create your own loo.! This is very very important! Accessorize with colors…have fun here! You can almost never go wrong!
Here’s are ways you can change the look of your “Little Black Dress” for various occasions. Wear it to the office with a cardigan or blazer over the top, add some pearls and classic pumps and you have a conservative, polished look. Then, as quick as you can snap your fingers… you can change the look for an after work cocktail party. Simply change into some strappy heels, lose the cardigan, add dramatic earrings and pull your hair up. Your look has completely changed with the same dress! You will look amazing and no one will ever know it was the same dress!
Do you have a "LBD" (perhaps another color---but a solid color basic dress) in your wardrobe that you can go to in a fashion pinch? Tell me about your "go-to" basic dress and how you make the same dress super-casual to dressy for various occasions....
Doesn't she look darling!? Do you wish you looked this cute and wonder why your style still sucks? If this sounds like something you would say in your head (I'm sure you're happy I said it out loud for you, LOL!) Then read on...
The reason your style still sucks is because you continue to "settle" on clothes that aren't really right for you, and never ever truly get what your wardrobe needs! Yes, it is that SIMPLE. The end.
Actually I'll explain further. I've worked with so many women and their wardrobes over the years, I've come to see a pattern of women trying to get by with a lack-luster wardrobe. It is a wardrobe that does NOT include enough basic pieces (your wardrobe should be 50% basic pieces)--they can't ever really dress well or put together outfits (and accessories) to look stylish--they are always MISSING KEY PIECES. Yet, they will turn around the next day and buy something on impulse that matches NOTHING they own! (SIGH)
Change your attitude, listen to your needs for once! No more It'll do shopping-wasting money on clothes that you desperately "need" suddenly for a particular occasion. Change your attitude and LET GO of the clothes in your wardrobe that aren't making you look and feel great. From now on, if you ever find 'it'll do' sneaking into your mind when shopping, stop immediately, put it back where you found it, and keep on looking. It's better to leave empty handed than clutter up your life (and closet) with clothes that aren't right for you. From this day forward, you MUST build a wardrobe full of great fitting basic pieces you love!
Your basics are your strength & foundation. The only way to have a fabulous wardrobe--is to start with the basics. Do you have the basics? Make a list of what you have AND a list of what you still need. DO NOT buy anything trendy until this list is complete. (I know it is tempting...but trust me on this!)
Good news! You are going to saving money. By starting your shopping with the basics, you'll find you need LESS of the trendy stuff to look great! That means you'll save money in the long run--because the basics lasts for YEARS! Woo Hoo!
Here are the spring basics you might need to get your new spring wardrobe started. Colors and styles should mix and match with everything you already have:
White short sleeve blouse. Choose a style that you can dress up or down and one you can layer with.
Camisoles and shells in your seasonal colors. Wear these under sheer blouses.
Stylish and body skimming tee-shirts in fun colors. Have fun with these and remember fit is important. Nothing baggy! V-neck, wrap styles, crew-necks, ¾ sleeved, etc.
Cotton cardigan sweater set. Choose a neutral or one in your favorite color. Look for a lightweight knit that will take you into the warmer weather.
Cotton shorts. Look for classic styling and basic colors to match everything. If you don’t like to show off your legs, pick capris instead. At the knee or right above is classic (Bermuda style) and also very “in” this year. The best length is around 12” inseam. At least 2 pairs of basic shorts.
Cotton skirt. An A-line is the best all around style. A skirt with fullness looks great with fitted tees on top. Look for a gauzy type of skirt with fullness. This style will pack well too. Keep in mind that a full skirt must be matched up with a body skimming top in order to keep the proportions balance.
A sundress. Get at least one. Dresses, any style are hot this season.
Anorak jacket. Great for sudden rain showers or unexpected weather changes early in the season. This is a classic style that is popular this season.
Straw bag. Why have only one? They can be inexpensive and are perfect for all spring and summer activities.
Large all-purpose tote. Pick a bright color. Haul everything around in a catch-all type of tote. Take on picnics, to the pool or gym, on a cruise, bike ride—if you can think of an activity—you probably are going to want a large tote—make it a stylish one. By the way, some celebrities have been spotted with very large oversized tote purses. Some are so large, they could almost crawl inside, lol.
Open-toe pumps. Peep toe pumps continue to be popular. Look for patent leather look (shiny). For a more casual lifestyle option choose a wedge pump shoe.
Nice pair of walking sneakers or shoes. Wear these for exercise or casual shopping trips. Try fun colors or tan or black. Your sneakers don’t have to be white. Check out www.zappos.com or www.thewalkingcompany.com
Flats. Got to love 'em! Pick open or closed toe flats—but make sure you get at least one pair! A basic black or brown pair plus a fun color that matches your wardrobe colors.
Sandals and flip flops. Look for style but don’t skimp on comfort. Styles with shells, jute roping, beading and gold or silver colors are hot this season.
Swimsuit. Yeah, I know this might scare you. But if you require special sizing or want the best selection—now is the time to go try them on!
Advance planning this season with all the basics in your closet NOW will help you have what you need as the weather warms.
