I had a really awesome day yesterday. I had brunch with a friend, then was interviewed for a really cool blog (more on that to come) then I went shopping. While at a store in Trincity Mall I met a lady that had no clue what her clothes style is and she found it very strange that I could walk into a store, sort through a few clothing items and decide on the few pieces to buy. After chatting with her for a while she asked me to assist her in purchasing an outfit which she ended up wearing that very night to go to dinner with her boo.. How great right!
While on my un-planned mission that evening, I realized that some women really do need assistance in putting together their wardrobes,...Hope below helps!
Here are my top 11 suggestions for creating a wardrobe you will love!
1. Develop Your Personal Brand.
Branding is important in marketing and business, and it’s just as important in fashion to know who you are and have your own personal brand that sets you apart from everyone else. Strong brands are magnetic – you can’t help but pay attention to them.
How to develop your brand? Start with adjectives that describe your style, like “fun, eclectic, exciting, unique”, or “put-together, chic, timeless, sophisticated”. If you aren’t sure what your style is, describe a style you’d like to have or the personal style of someone you admire. Even better, just describe your personality.
Keep the list you created and test the clothes in your wardrobe against it. If they don’t fit with your brand, donate ‘em or toss them out. There’s no point in wearing something that’s just not you.
2. Take Stock Of Your Closet – Imagine, a wardrobe filled with only your favorite pieces that fit well and look great on you! Most of us have a closet overflowing with long forgotten items we never wear, which makes getting dressed each day a chore. It's time to take stock of your wardrobe and look at everything with a fresh eye. Pull out everything that doesn’t fit, doesn’t look good, doesn’t turn you on. or doesn't fit into your "Fashion Brand" Make 4 piles — (1) things that are falling apart, (2) clothes that are still in good shape but probably don’t have much resale value, (3) anything that still has tags, was only worn once, or was more expensive to start with, (4) Things you love and fall into your fashion brand style. Throw out pile #1, donate pile #2, and as for pile #3.. you can either donate them to
(AFETT) Association of Female Executives of Trinidad & Tobago, Or do number (3) on this list.
3. Have, Go To, Or Create A Clothing Swap — If you have similarly sized friends, have a clothing swap party. Bring pile #3, get down to your skivvies and try on each other’s clothes. This is a fun and free way to get new clothes and have the satisfaction of seeing your clothes go to someone who will love them!
4. Give Stuff You’re Not In Love With to An Organization– help make a difference to another young woman and clear out your closets...If it still has tags even better,
“Suit Me Up” is the signature event of the
Association of Female Executives of Trinidad & Tobago (AFETT). This is a sale of ‘nearly new’ business clothing targeted at young women entering the world of work and those women re-entering the work world, and sold at affordable prices. AFETT’s aim, is to equip women with business attire that is both professional and affordable.
5. Shop For What You Need, Not What You Want
Now that your closet is either organized (meaning: you love everything that remains and all the pieces fit you well) or empty. it's time to rethink how you shop. Don't obsess over the latest must-have, focus on what you need to round out your wardrobe instead. Do you really need a 10th pair of black pumps or another little black dress? No, but perhaps that fabulous statement necklace is just the thing to make your little black dress or classic white shirt pop.
6. If You Don’t Like Shopping, Shop With A Body Positive Friend – Shopping is so much more fun when you have a friend who is supportive and loves to shop. If you have one of these friends, don’t be afraid to ask him/her for advice and bring him/her with you!
7.
You Need A Shopping Mantra — You
must use a body positive mantra when you shop. Here is one of my favorites: When Nothing Is Fitting Correctly: “
It’s not me, it’s the clothes!”
8. Find Your Signature Colors.
Signature colors can be another tool to make your look scream “you!” For example, in Legally Blonde, Elle Woods was always in pink, while Cruella Deville for example is recognizable by her black and white ensembles.
So what are your signature colors? If you need help deciding, start by finding out what colors look best on you. Then pick one or a few of your favorites from those choices. Think about which colors make you feel good when you look at them, as well as which ones resonate with your personality.
Once you have your signature colors, try wearing some combo of them in your outfits on a regular basis – whether it’s one or a few. Find handbags, shoes, and scarves in those colors and mix them in to your current wardrobe.
9. Stock Up On Timeless Classics You'll Wear For Years To Come
Savvy shoppers know that well-rounded wardrobes begin with a core set of basics that easily ride the fickle fashion waves. These investment pieces help to create a strong foundation upon which seasonal trendy items can be mixed in for a fresh update. In these economic times, having a timeless wardrobe you can count on is more important than ever. This means investing in quality fabrics, flattering cuts and simple, yet stylish, silhouettes that will last for years. And when it comes to your core wardrobe, think quality rather than quantity; just a few well-chosen pieces are all that's necessary.
10. Round Out Your Wardrobe With Cheap Chic Trendy Pieces
As mentioned earlier in the article, the large majority of your wardrobe should consist of quality pieces that fit you well and stand the test of time. However, it takes a few trendy items to keep your classics looking current during our rainy and sunny seasons here in Trinidad. Don't spend a lot on trends you'll only wear for a short time, a few well-chosen additions from stores like
Bang Bang and
KULTURED clothing are perfect for quick updates to mix in with your core wardrobe.
11. My all time favorite: Be True To Yourself!
I say this all the time but it’s worth repeating – if you like it, wear it and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks!
We all have clothing or accessories we love that other people don’t – it’s called personal taste, and it’s a good thing! Why dress the same as everyone else? Embrace your "different-ness" and dress to impress yourself. Originality – that’s the best personal style tip of all.
