Summer 2006 Newsletter
wardrobe woes
Making the most of your wardrobe and having it filled with everything that looks wonderful on you all the time is every person's dream. Often not their reality. Did you realise you wear only 20% of your clothing 80% of the time. That means that 80% of your wardrobe is not well utilised. Think not only of the wasted space but the wasted dollars as well. It is time to become a wardrobe warrior and win the war on wasted wardrobe space. Try saying that at midnight New Year's Eve after a glass of champagne or two.
I am going to guide you through how to deal with the villain that is a bludging wardrobe. Everything in your wardrobe should have family and relations it can turn to. By this I mean, you want items of clothing that not only look great on you but work fabulously with the other pieces you have. It is not a place for a cupboard full of orphans waiting for a buddy to dress up with.
Step one - Throw everything onto your bed
Step two - Start examining what you have there. See what is still looking great and fabulous on you and place everything else into a second chance pile. I am definitely not about throwing anything out without careful consideration.
Step three - Second Chance Pile - Before you decide to simply toss out all sidelined clothing, look at each piece and decide if there may still be life in it. With a good tailor you can alter the hem, adjust the sleeves or simply change the buttons to renew an old garment. Generally a good dressmaker can alter most garments at a tenth of the cost of purchasing a new outfit. Of course it could all depend on what you paid for the garment and how important it is to you.
Get ruthless here and determine what has most definitely passed its use by date and toss it out. By that I mean anything that has not been worn in the past two years let alone the last decade. If you find a jacket with a pair of 1980's shoulder pads in it give it to your kids to play in, the padding alone will save them from any likely injuries if they fall over in it.
Step 4 -look at what is left and how you could add to these pieces to make them more valuable and more workable in your wardrobe. First set out your core pieces - These are the pieces that form the foundation of all of your outfits. Your pants, jackets and skirts are all core pieces. It is now time to get creative and decide what is missing to update it to this season's look.
Step 5 - So you have decided to go out and by some new pieces for yourself. Great. To get the most from your recently refreshed wardrobe you need to consider the following. Keep in mind what you already have and what you need. An ideal and wise purchase will work with at least three other items that you have already. It would be lovely to splash out on a whole new wardrobe each season but generally this is not possible. You may chose to buy a couple of seasonal tops for an economical upgrade or you may choose to splash out on additional core pieces. Spend some time researching what is out there If you are conscious of how much money you invest into your wardrobe then you will find by doing some simple planning before you hit the shops, you will not only save yourself money but your precious time as well.
Do not be a slave to fashion. If the look of this coming season is not for you then don't waste your money or time by trying to make it fit you. Splash out instead on a great handbag, stunning pair of shoes or jewellery. You can then wait and see what will be coming for the next seasonal fashion change.
Remember updating your look does not have to mean purchasing the latest and greatest as is depicted in the magazines and shop windows. It can be as simple as replacing your winter lipstick with a summer glosses.
Step 6-If the whole procedure seems too daunting pour yourself a glass of wine, put your feet up and enlist the help of an image consultant. Their trained eye can turn chaos into calm in any wardrobe.
When you do this simple clean out you will find that you discover you have a fabulous new wardrobe, new look and a new lease of life. You'll find yourself saying,
"I didn't know I had so much to wear".
Merry Christmas everyone and a gorgeous new year to you all. I look forward to keeping in touch with you in 2007
Cheers Clare Maxfield. www.claremaxfield.com.au
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