Clothe Your Personality

Have you ever been in a dressing room trying something on that looked great on the hanger, but when you put it on your body, you literally felt like literally leaping out of your skin? 

Maybe it was a frilly dress you wanted to wear to a wedding, when you’re really a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. Or you may have tried on a classic suit - because everyone is "supposed" to have one, even though you are naturally more of a fun and trendy dresser. 

Perhaps it felt so wrong on you that your body was completely rejecting it!

Now think about your closet for a second. Is every article of clothing, every accessory, every single item in there a true reflection of YOU - not only does it flatter the way you look - your coloring and body shape - but does it also honor who you are on the inside? 

Does it feel right when you put it on, or do you feel like you are wearing someone else's clothes? Is your style consistent every day?  And does it reflect who you truly are?

Make no mistake about it, discovering your own personal style is empowering. It will save you time and money and will make every day a pleasure to get dressed. It turns simply wearing clothes into a true expression of who you are now and the person you want to be.

Fashion personality is what separates the style icons like Jackie O., Princess Di, and Audrey Hepburn and even fictional characters Annie Hall and Carrie Bradshaw - from the wannabes.

These are people and characters who understood themselves and found their true style.  It became a manifestation of who they were. Whether through simplicity or creativity, they knew themselves and how to express their personality traits on the outside. In other words, they were comfortable in their own skin.

I know, for instance, that when I go into a department store, there may be ten clothing items in the entire place that will truly clothe both my body and my personality. When I'm not wearing what I feel my best in, I don't feel quite as "me."

That's what the concept of fashion personality is all about. Once you figure out the colors that harmonize with your unique coloring and after you learn to respect your body - the good, the not-so-good and the stuff you cannot change without a major investment in cosmetic surgery, the next logical step is to understand how to buy what expresses you.

Think about it this way - rebellious teenagers do this naturally."I'm gonna wear what I want, and if you don't like it, tough!"

So why is it that as we get older, we become more afraid to be unique? We are all individuals, so why not celebrate those differences in the way we dress? There isn’t anyone telling you that you cannot wear a colorful or funky pair of shoes that you love or a fun top or earrings. If it feels right, doesn’t offend anyone and maintains your dignity, who says you can't go for it? 

So what is YOUR unique fashion personality? Most of us are a combination of at least two of them.  

Alluring - Love to wear body-conscious shapes, low necklines, sexy shoes, etc.

Classic – Gravitate toward tailored lines, are conservative and polished

Dramatic - Like bold clothing, like to draw attention to themselves!

Romantic - Soft and feminine, they love how fabrics feel!

Natural - Minimal in approach, they tend like functionality and tend to gravitate toward texture

Creative - Anything goes, mix and match – they value creative expression

How do you determine your own personality?  Well, you probably know yourself pretty well already! But ask yourself these questions:

1. How would you describe your current fashion style?

2. Who is your style icon?

3. If you could have only two things in your closet, what would they be

4. How would someone describe you in terms of your clothes?

5. What would you never be caught wearing?

6. If you had unlimited store credit, where would you shop?

7. What do you wish you could wear, but can't seem to pull it off?

Perhaps the easiest way to figure out your own fashion personality is to take a look at your accessories. 

Dramatics like accessories that make a big statement. Classics love traditional pieces like simple pumps and a pearl necklace. Naturals like to keep it simple – maybe a pair of hoops and a functional shoe. Romantics love soft textures, feminine swirls and sparkle. Creative personalities tend to wear whatever they feel like wearing, and Alluring women wear accessories with sex appeal – whether showing off sexy red toenails or a Y-shaped necklace worn with a plunging neckline. 

Can you figure out what fashion personality would wear each of these shoes?

Remember, your fashion life is an adventure. Celebrate it!  Nothing is right or wrong if it expresses your personality and makes you feel amazing! 

Answers     

a) Classic d) Romantic b) Alluring e) Creative c) Natural f) Dramatic

 

New Year's Cures for a Style Slump

Hi Friends!

It's time for New Year's Resolutions!

Did you know that a change on the outside can serve as a catalyst for changing what we want to change on the inside? It can be tough to alter certain aspects of our lives when the proof that we are changing (what is on the outside) remains the same.

It doesn't have to be a dramatic before and after makeover, but a visible change can put you in a positive frame of mind to reach your goals in 2010.

It is never good to become complacent. Far too many of us get stuck with a style that we are comfortable with and it becomes an all too-familiar rut. Whether we’ve had the same hairstyle for 5 years, wear a daily “uniform”, or put our makeup on exactly the same way every single day.

Don’t get me wrong – there isn’t anything wrong with comfort. Many of us like our comfort zones and they work well for us. But sometimes we can become too attached to a routine, style or method and before we realize it, we have become quite resistant to change. One rut can lead to another, which can snowball into our whole lives becoming one big forgettable routine. Even those who bask in their blandness (I know several of you – and I know you are eagerly reading this!) can benefit from mixing it up once in awhile.

Many of my clients tell me they are stuck in a style and don’t know why. Their goal is to look “more interesting” but they don’t know exactly what that means to them – or how to get there.

Here are four ways I recommend to my clients to help pull them out of their fashion ruts. The best part is that you can apply them TODAY!

Get ready to make your New Year more stylish – one step at a time.

1. Expand your reading material

If you’re stuck in a Redbook, Good Housekeeping or Real Simple frame of mind, pick up a few magazines you normally wouldn't read. The aforementioned magazines generally recycle the same style advice month after month and it will do nothing to make your clothing selection more exciting.

Think more along the lines of my personal fave, InStyle – but also look at Elle, Vogue, Lucky, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, or even – gasp – Cosmo! Yes, some of the fashion can be "out there", but don’t lose heart - it's more important to see what’s happening in the fashion world and get ideas.

 

New Year's Challenge:  Start a “look book” of pictures of what you feel fits your style and what you would be comfortable wearing, plus some accessorizing ideas you can use in your own wardrobe.

2. Try a few new stores

Go to the mall and look around at Express, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Arden B., H&M, or other retailers you normally wouldn't frequent if you're stuck in a “department store” mentality. Or try a smaller step - venture out of your favorite section of the department store and explore the more trendy parts of the store.

Try clothes on! Even if you always gravitate toward the same styles, you are missing out on a lot if you just look and don't try anything on.

Find a couple of hours this month to go out by yourself or with a friend (not a hubby or boyfriend) and explore the mall in a way you've never done before or haven't done in years. Report back to me. What did you discover about what's out there? What were you attracted to? What did you try on? How did it make you feel?

New Year's Challenge: Buy something totally unexpected that you love but would never buy “in a million years” – AND WEAR IT!  

3. Explore Color

What colors are you attracted to? For most people, their color preferences change based on their mood and the time of year.

Most of us have the basics we need – navy, black, gray and brown. But they need to be punched up with accent colors to be more exciting.

By wearing colors you love, you will not only look updated but you will feel a definite lift in your spirits! Wearing color has been proven time and again to be extremely powerful mood enhancer.

New Year's Challenge:  Find an accent color or two that you like and buy a few pieces in the same shade (i.e., berry red, fuchsia, forest green, etc). Try a turtle neck, a winter scarf, gloves, hat, long-sleeve tee, purse, or even a camisole in your shade.

(Please only wear a couple pieces at the same time or the matchy-matchy police will arrest you.)

4. Update your Accessories, Shoes, and Hair

The easiest and most budget-friendly way to update your wardrobe is with accessories. Try a funky necklace or bracelet. Or look for a hot new handbag (ask the sales associate what's in and they will point you in the right direction).

I tend to buy a lot of my fun accessories at Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe.

Or buy a colorful pair of boots!

Another place many people get stuck is with their eyeglasses – only changing when their prescription changes. Don’t do this! Invest in new eyeglasses (stores always have deals!) even if your prescription still works for you. Or change your hair a little - get highlights or lowlights if you've never tried them before. Or change your hairstyle – if only slightly.

New Year's Challenge: Buy one new accessory or make one makeup or hair tweak every week. Write these down in a small notebook. Over the year, you will see how you’ve evolved. It’s really rewarding and will set the stage for further change and style (and life) victories!

***

Remember that just as you change and evolve as a person, your style should grow and change right along with you. Don't use this as a one-time fix. Make time for yourself at least once every season and give yourself time to explore what the stores are offering and decide what the next version of YOU should look like.

Gentle steps out of your comfort zone will not only help you break free from your style rut, but will set the stage for success in other facets of your life as well!

Wishing you a happy and stylish 2010!!!

Spice up your Wardrobe with Prints

A couple of years ago, I realized how boring my wardrobe had become. I had precious few patterns in my closet, but those that I had, I wore quite often.

Several patterns I didn't feel were "right" and they quickly wrote their own ticket out of my closet. I looked at the patterns I wore the most to see what they all had in common and tried to figure out why I felt great and looked good in them.

I realized all the patterns shared one trait - they all contained beige or yellow. They worked with my coloring because I am a champagne blonde. It's all about harmony - my hair color was repeated in the patterns I wore.

I started using this new tactic, and you know what? I started buying (and more importantly, wearing) interesting patterns! My closet isn't boring anymore!!

Most of us appreciate a rule of thumb so we are assured that what we buy will look great on us. Fortunately, this concept works for everyone - whether male or female, and regardless of hair color - brown, red, black, gray, or blonde.

A pattern will generally work on you if your hair color is repeated in it. I think that's why leopard print is perpetually 'in'. It contains so many of our hair colors - blonde, light and dark brown, white, and black. And redheads can wear it because it's in their color palette!

A few more tricks for wearing prints:

The 80/20 Rule
This is for anyone who has attended one of my color events. For best results, when you buy prints, make sure 80% of the colors in the print are from your own palette. The other 20% can be any color in the spectrum. Remember, it's all about creating harmony!

Filling Your Closet
The easiest way to incorporate prints is to use the following list in descending order:
1. Stripes
2. Plaids
3. Checks
4. Dots
5. Abstracts
6. Florals*
*A quick note - be careful with florals in the professional world - they can undermine your credibility

Mimic your face and body shape
If your facial features are on the angular side with dramatic high cheekbones, a square jawline, or thin lips, and you are tall and/or slender, opt for bold, geometric patterns.

If you have softer features and are more curvy, choose soft or rounded prints, like paisley, swirls, and abstract florals.

A mishmash of prints from my very own closet: clothes, bags, shoes, scarves

I'm on the softer, curvier side, so I select patterns that are more rounded, leafy, or swirly - nothing too angular or with hard edges.

Mixing Patterns
Guys do it all the time - a pinstripe suit, striped shirt, polka dot tie. Women, on the other hand, are generally afraid to mix patterns for fear of looking silly, I suppose. I do it quite a bit and I can assure you I don't look silly. I will pair striped or plaid pants with abstract print shirts or jackets.

A few tricks to making this look work:

1. Don't combine more than 2 patterns - unless you are going for a very fashion forward look

2. Items must have at least 2 colors in common

3. Make sure the prints are different proportions - for instance, herringbone (a very tight pattern)
and a large print brocade jacket can work well together if you follow all the other rules

4. Mixing patterns mandates toned-down accessories

Signature (n.) A distinctive characteristic that identifies a person.

Collins Essential English Dictionary 2nd Edition. ©HarperCollins Publishers

The fedora. The leather jacket. The whip (ooh!). Even if you hadn’t read the title of this article, I bet you would have easily figured out who I was talking about.

If you think back through all the movies you’ve seen over your lifetime, I bet you will notice that the great characters stand out in our minds for many reasons – witty dialogue or a great actor playing them, for example – but they may also leave an indelible mark on us because of something that stands apart in the way a character looks. It could be as unique as Princess Leia’s hair in Star Wars, or an accessory that is consistently worn and becomes synonymous with the character, such as Harry Potter’s glasses.

When I was first finding my way around the local style scene, I kept being asked if I knew a certain image consultant - “a striking woman with silver hair and unique glasses”, to paraphrase most of the descriptions I received. Indeed, I did know that woman, who is known for being strikingly attractive, having silver hair and always wearing very distinctive glasses.

Could someone describe you in such flattering terms by the elements of your appearance?

Do you have an eye-catching hairstyle, an interesting accessory you love to wear, a favorite color, or even an intriguing article of clothing that is your signature?

And better yet, why should you have a style of your very own?

Consistency

We need to look consistent and stable. If you have seen my ‘Fashion Victim’ program, I discuss a client who was not consistent and was floundering in both her work and her professional life. I show my audience her Monday outfit, which consisted of a leather vest, boots, gold chain belt, and wild hair. Then on Tuesday, she looked like a librarian, complete with heavy black glasses, hair in a bun, and Laura Ashley floral print dress. On Wednesday, she was a cowgirl – wearing a denim skirt and cowboy boots! This professional young mom was wearing costumes instead of being herself.

Never underestimate the visual clues we are constantly sending out into the world. People want to know that they are getting the same “you” every time they interact with you. Just like Indy was away from us for nineteen years - once we saw that jacket and fedora, we knew right away that he was the same old Indy and was going to take us on a harrowing adventure.

To Stand Apart – in a good way

Every business has a brand. Part of that brand is the logo. We all have a personal brand as well. Our image – our visual presence and how we communicate - create our brand, and our logo may be our chosen Signature Style or accessory. Make yourself stand apart from the crowd by having a unique piece of clothing or an accessory that you always wear. It will raise your profile and make you immediately recognizable.

If you’re a mom, has the wrong kid ever come up and tugged on your shirttail, only to realize “You’re not my mom!” You can make yourself more distinguishable to your own children (and less so to other kids) if you don’t resemble all the other moms out there. Set your own appearance off with an accessory (like always carrying a red handbag) or a color they can associate with “mom.”

Feeling Authentic

We all have something we love to wear, and when we wear it, it lifts our spirits or gives us confidence. For those of you who know me, you know I have a deep affection for bright shades of orange. And while it isn’t a really acceptable business color, I usually stand out in a sea of dark suits. At first, it wasn’t intentional. I started wearing it because it fit my personality and because I was attracted to it. I don’t wear a lot of orange all at one time, but you may see me carrying an orange bag, or wearing orange stilettos, or even an orange top. I cannot explain it, but there is some magnetism that attracts me to orange.

I hope all of you have something that makes you feel that way. Think for a second. What have you worn lately that made you feel special?

Well, now that we know the reasons for creating a signature style that sets us apart, let’s look at the four types of signature styles.

THE GIMMICK

Need attention?

This is best left to the famous (or infamous). Someone who wears a costume is deliberately cultivating a certain image, whether positive or negative. Some examples are:

Hugh Hefner – His silk PJ’s and robe are the hallmark of the “Playboy” lifestyle he created.

Donald Trump – He knows his hair is unique. He knows people make fun of it. He can afford to buy the world’s best toupee. But the hair brings him attention - and that’s what he likes.

Cher – The wacky Bob Mackie costumes. The wigs. Cher clearly loves attention, and what she has worn over the years has brought every bit as much attention as her singing and acting talents.

Dolly Parton – Who doesn’t love Dolly? She is so savvy about her look – “You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!”

THE SIGNATURE

Standout style

A true Signature Style is typically created for all of the reasons above: To be seen as consistent, to stand apart and to feel more authentic. It is usually intentional and strategic. It’s a way of visually communicating one’s message very quickly and making them difficult to forget.

We don’t all need to have a Signature Style, but those of us who have one leave an indelible mark on the people we meet. Determine for yourself if a Signature Style is something you need to do for yourself or your business.

THE INCIDENTAL

Wear what you love

This is more accessible to everyone out there. Simply buy and wear items that you like wearing. It’s more about personal satisfaction than style as an outside symbol. For me, it’s my orange. (As I sit here, I’m wearing an orange T-shirt. See, I’m consistent!) For a lot of women, they love fun and flirty shoes. Other women are purse divas. My mom always matches her watch to her outfit. I never understood it, but that’s what she likes doing. She doesn’t have an ulterior motive for it, besides making herself feel stylish.

Do you have a color or accessory YOU wear all the time and don’t feel like yourself without?

And finally, we have…

THE UNIFORM

Functionality rules

When you wear the same thing all the time, it is not a signature. It can be comfortable and you may like wearing it, but if it isn't deliberate and doesn't set you apart, it isn’t a Signature Style.

Martha Stewart – Her button-up oxfords show that she is earthy and no-nonsense. She has more important things to worry about. Like her garden, her kitchen, her dogs and her empire!

Simon Cowell – He’s teased about the tight black t-shirt and jeans. He seems to appreciate minimalism – I recall seeing his L.A. home on TV and it was exactly what you would have expected looking at his wardrobe. Simon doesn’t seem to need fancy clothing and fashion to accomplish his goals.

Michael Kors – Michael Kors was asked about his affection for black tees, black jackets and jeans. He responded that he did the whole fashionista thing years ago, but he prefers to put his creative energy into making others look good.

Here are some ways to create your own Signature Style!

COLOR

Gloria Allred – She wears red much of the time. It ties into her last name, but red also exudes power and confidence, and (lucky for her), it also looks great on TV.

Lance Armstrong – How ingenious to build his brand around the color yellow, which is the color the leader wears in the Tour de France. I don’t think anyone can think of Lance without thinking of yellow.

HAIR

Whoopi Goldberg – The dreads are as synonymous with Whoopi as is the sharp tongue.

Betsey Johnson – Her hair makes her unforgettable and it sets the attitude for her brand.

Tina Turner – Tina is known for many things – her voice, legs, energy, and courage – but her signature is her hair. It was really wild back in the 80’s when she reemerged on the music scene (hey, she needed to get noticed!), but it has been a more sedate version for many years now.

Pink – When she first arrived on the music scene, Pink’s hair was, well, PINK. It etched her name in the mind of the public. Since she has built her fame, the hair color changes regularly, but she is still associated with her signature color – and namesake.

ACCESSORIES

Carrie Bradshaw has had several signature pieces over the years, but the flower brooch really took off and became a mainstream trend for a few years.

Drew Carey – He has been known for those black-framed glasses since his standup days. They reinforce the nerdy aspects of his persona.

And of course, Indy – it can be about associating accessories with an experience. (For instance, the Fonz was cool because he wore a leather jacket!)

Color - L-R Gloria Allred, Lance Armstrong

Hair – Whoopi Goldberg, Betsey Johnson, Tina Turner, Pink

Accessories – Carrie Bradshaw, Drew Carey, Indiana Jones

Props to Elton John for turning what was his 1970’s and 1980’s gimmick into a true Signature.

He went from wearing crazy glasses that were part of his onstage and offstage costume to wearing ones that are more toned down, but still flamboyant and attention-getting.

Fashion Exorcism

This article started in a closet. No shock there. Every woman’s closet I see is different in so many ways. But at the same time, every closet is the same in one particular way:

There are eerie, disembodied voices and ghosts of styles past
that haunt each and every one.

It shouldn’t surprise us that the spirits in the movie Poltergeist took up residence in a female’s closet. So I guess that makes me the creepy little woman who is called in to “cleanse” it. It is my job to purge the ghosts and banish the little voices so that you can build your wardrobe, style sense and confidence on a brand new foundation.

In clearing out their wardrobes, women always tell me the stories behind their clothes – and unintentionally clue me into whose voices have shaped and continue to influence what they buy, what they hold onto, what they would never wear, and what they wear way too often.

They’ve cited their moms, grandmas, aunts, daughters, mothers-in-law, husbands, friends, a best friend from high school, department store sales staff, Heidi Klum, Clinton and Stacy from What Not to Wear, the ubiquitous Oprah, their therapist, Victoria Beckham, their kids, and even old boyfriends as influences over what they wear.

Not all those little voices that have shaped what you wear are positive, are they? Do they tell you to wear items you love and that make you feel wonderful? Or do they criticize and nitpick?

Who is haunting your closet?
Can you identify five things that have been said about YOU, your clothing, or about style in general that have stuck with you? Are they positive or negative? Who said them?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Dear Old Mom
Let me guess. Your mom was on your list more than once. Moms are our primary style consultants as we’re growing up, aren’t they? And a woman’s mother always lives in her closet in one way or another.

Some of the things I’ve heard “mom’s” voice say in client’s closets:

“You can’t wear red (yellow, green, black, brown, white, etc, etc…) because it washes you out.”

“Your hips are too wide to wear skirts.”

“Don’t wear costume jewelry.”

“Long skirts are modest.”

“Shopping at JC Penney’s is sensible.”

“As long as it fits, keep it.”

“If it doesn’t have holes in it, keep it.”

“Buy for your kids first.”

“You’re too tall to wear heels.”

“Only shop at sales.”

“Only rich people shop there.”

Did you ever wonder where your mom heard what she was telling you? It was probably from her mom’s voice in her own closet! We may be living with the ghosts of the 1950’s or the even the Depression-era in our closets and we don’t even know it!

(Hmmm….my grandma grew up living with HER grandmother, so that probably means I can trace my closet voices back to mid-1800s Poland. Scary indeed!)

Well-Meaning Girlfriends
We can also be misled by our friends. There are those friends who tell you everything looks great on you (the enablers – they allow you to waste your money on styles that may not be the best because they are afraid to give an honest opinion) and those who give a little too much constructive criticism (“Those jeans make your butt look HUGE!”). The negative sticks with us for a lot longer than compliments, unfortunately. And the problem is that neither friend is doing anything particularly helpful. They’re hurting us more than they’re helping!

Be Sensible
Think of all the people who have influenced what you wear over the years. What has stuck with you?

Then ask yourself this question:
Does it make sense to me now, or have I been listening to it for so long that it has lost all reason?

If it doesn’t make sense, it’s time to banish those voices from your closet and stop allowing misguided advice (and the poor clothing choices they have caused) to manifest in your closet. If you like red, then WEAR RED – there are shades that flatter everyone! If you love skirts, then find a shape that flatters you and wear skirts all you want! Shop wherever you feel comfortable and at places that fit your budget. There are great items to be found at every price point.

It’s my pleasure to be called in to clear out the evil spirits from a lot of women’s closets. I banish the scary voices from their heads and eradicate the years of bad advice hanging out in their wardrobe. Believe me, there are tried and true tactics and principles that work for every woman, whether you want to look thinner, taller, younger, more polished, wealthier or more professional.

The first step is to acknowledge the scary spirits that are lurking around. That way, you can exorcise them and build from a fresh perspective.

If you need a closet exorcism, contact me and I will be happy to come to your closet with a crucifix, rosary and holy water (and a lot of great advice!) to banish those spirits, voices and lingering doubts forever!

“This closet is clean.”

Coming next month: Fashion Exorcism Part 2: Ghost Stories

A great quote on personal style

From Pamela Anderson (who I believe is an extremely savvy woman, no matter what is said about her):

I like wearing things that I have purchased or things in my closet...I like to own my clothes - instead of getting a free gown from some designer to wear down the red carpet - to be scrutinized by the “experts”..what I wear is authentically me and what I love - I don’t always make the “right” choices but who cares..I’m a woman.

To me, so many celebs look inauthentic because they are over-styled by a professional Hollywood stylist. It's refreshing when someone takes responsibility for being themself. Good or bad, at least they have courage and confidence. The smart ones have a stylist who works in conjunction with them to be true to their own style. This is the case with Pamela.

When I heard the gorgeous and tasteful Katherine Heigl styles herself, I liked her even more. (Saw Knocked Up yesterday and I am now a raving fan. She's a knockout AND a really likable actress.)

A Sip of Style

by Kristen Kaleal

One of the most frequent challenges facing my female clients, as well as one of the most popular questions I am asked, is how to make one's wardrobe more interesting.

For some women, clothes are simply utilitarian and serve a purely functional purpose. These may be the women who have way too many pairs of jeans or call black pants their most valuable fashion asset. Or they may simply be stuck in a style rut - never varying their standard look.

People always know what to expect from them - whether it's a twinset, T-shirt, or even fancy shoes. They may fear that they have become too boring and predictable.

If you're one of those women who routinely plays it safe, but feels uninteresting and knows she is missing out on something, it's time to add some fun to your wardrobe.

And if you're one of those who is routinely fabulous, there is a way to take your fabulosity to the next level.

I get a lot of comments about the way I dress. When women say, "I could never put that kind of an outfit together - how do you know it's all going to work together when you put it on?" My secrets? Start by only buying clothes you love. Dress in what expresses your mood.

And throw them a curve.

Color and pattern not only communicate our feelings to the world, but they can also have an immediate effect on our own mood!

For more of my secrets for wearing patterns, click here.

Here's how to use this little guide:

We have our BASICS - our base garments. The vodka of our wardrobe. The pieces that can be construed as a little boring if we aren't careful.

But if we don't have these pieces, then our wardrobe has no solid foundation and we may end up looking like we have no clue about how to put an outfit together.

Next, add a SHOT. This is if you're a typically uninteresting dresser, or if you feel like you're missing something. Go for a quick shot of something unanticipated. A bright teal blouse. Red pumps. Zebra print bag.

And if you're a little more daring, throw in a TWIST of the truly unexpected (maybe even over the top) to the outfit. Something that says "WOW". An item that truly sings. A piece that no one saw coming, but makes people stand up, take notice, and tells them that you know exactly what you're doing, stylishly speaking.

Here are a few examples from my own closet:

1)
BASICS - Gray jacket, black pants (boring!) SHOT - Bright red shirt
TWIST - Gold bag and leopard print shoes.

Cool colors and warm colors can go together beautifully.

---

2)
BASICS - White denim jacket
SHOT - Here, the base garment is the shot - an orange T-shirt and cotton skirt
TWIST - Accessories! Both the necklace and bag had the same colors in them, so I simply pulled out the teal from both and selected patent teal slingbacks.

Casually elegant!

3)
BASICS - Dark wash jeans
SHOT - Lemon yellow twinset
TWIST - Red ballet flats and red polka dot tote

Put this together in 2 minutes one day! Looked like I had actually put thought into it.

---

4)
BASICS - White pants with black pinstripe
SHOT - Black patterned top, gold shoes
TWIST - The straw bag adds another layer to this outfit.

Playing with texture can be fun.

---

Here are 3 rules for adding color and pattern into your own wardrobe!

1. Have a color palette you shop within. When you find pieces like purses, shoes or necklaces that incorporate a lot of the colors you wear, buy them!

2. Buy items together. If you pick up a pair of great looking royal patent slides, pick up a top that matches them as well as a bracelet or necklace, perhaps. It's not the idea that you will wear all of these items at one time - don't be "matchy-matchy" - the idea is that you have the option to wear a couple of them at a time to look put together.

It does an amazing job of curing "I have nothing to wear" syndrome. Trust me on this.

3. Use RESTRAINT. I say this very seriously. There is a fine line between being enjoying color, pattern and accessories and being a fashion victim.

Use the rule of two. Wear a maximum of two patterns. Repeat an accent color only twice. Two colors in your outfit gives you a better basis to add interesting accessories.

Of course, rules are meant to be broken, but having the basic knowledge will take your wardrobe to that next level, help you be more daring, and truly enjoy getting dressed and have fun with your clothes.

Isn't that what it's all about?

CHEERS!

(This was originally published in our newsletter. To request reprint rights, please contact me.)

This was originally published in our July '07 newsletter.
To request reprint rights, please contact me.