The Perfect Fall Wardrobe in 5 Easy Steps!

As we head to the Fall and dream about having that perfect wardrobe.The one that is fully integrated  and well edited that epitomizes your style and fully covers all your needs yet manages to look fresh and exciting every time you step out.

Some swear it is just an urban myth and is impossible but with these 5 easy steps you can attain  wardrobe nirvana.The biggest mistake people make is buying one offs,a cute top or a great outfit or some divine shoes and when you bring it home and add it to your closet it just does not give you a cohesive wardrobe.My definition of a dream wardrobe is one that you can get dressed completely in the dark and when you step out into the light you look like a million bucks.

This is the perfect time to do a little planning,Fall is not quite here but we pretty much know what is coming in the next two weeks.Here is what you need to do.

Step 1-Be honest about your body and lifestyle.

As we age our body shape often changes so does it if you have lost or gained more that 15 pounds your shape changes.It is important to dress the body you have,not the body you have or the body you plan to have.Take a few minutes to measure yourself and confirm your body type.Here is a cheat sheet to help you.

Be honest about your lifestyle,if you work from home buying a whole lot of dresses and suits is not going to help.Take stock of what you wear 80% of the time.Do not buy something because you friend is wearing it and loves it.

Step 2-Stick to a Color Story

For the majority of what you wear stick to 4 complimentary shades and work with them.This allows for optimal mixing and matching.For the Fall I like mixing two dark tones with a mid tone and an accent.If you are a print person do add one great print.You can have a color story for work and another for casual if you like.Here are some on trend color stories for Fall 2019.

Step 3- Go for Quality and Fit over Quantity

As Americans we love variety but here is where we should take a lesson from our European sisters.French women tend to have less but it fits them perfectly and is the very best quality they can afford.This is very important when it comes to Outerwear,Bags and Shoes.Quality pieces tend to last longer so in the long run they actually cost less.

Step 4-Create your Core or Foundation

Just like a great house begins with a foundation your wardrobe is built on core pieces or essentials.These are the work horses of you wardrobe that multi task in many outfits.Depending on your lifestyle you may have different core pieces.Make a list of what your items are and make sure you have them,that they fit and are in good condition.Create a checklist and if you do not have it make sure you acquire these pieces first.Here is an example for a professional who works in a casual office.

You should add some on trend fashion tops to balance out your selection.The general rule is that you should have 3 top options for every bottom.Make sure these pieces flatter you really well,if not go out and get a piece that does,here are some guidelines.

Step 5-Work with your Budget

The best way to do it is to follow the 80/20 Rule. 80% of your funds go to carefully planned items to fill your wardrobe gaps.The balance 20% goes towards impulse buys,whims and sales.Here are 10 wardrobe basics that are always in style and give you the best bang for your buck.

 

So with these five simple steps,a little planning and some smart shopping with a dose of self control you can have an amazing wardrobe.

Love,Sunil

 

 

 

 

How to be warm and fashionable at the same time!

Major winter weather is here and some of you have had almost 2 weeks of below freezing temperatures.We are expecting record low temperatures starting today all over the United States and I think Calgary Canada just broke a few records as well.I am not going to talk about Ottawa that looks like it belongs in the movie “Frozen”

Winter is no excuse to look like a Bag lady or a Michelin man just to stay warm.Style never freezes.Staying warm and cozy means piling on the layers but once inside you may encounter near tropical temperatures.Your look has to work both indoors and outside.

Layering adds complexity to a fashionista’s quest to maintain a certain level of chic.Just getting in and out of layers tends to mess up hair,make up and general decorum.If you are not careful you can end up looking and feeling like a very messy layer cake.

The solution?

Follow these simple 5 steps to stay fashionable,chic and comfortable no matter how low the temperature drops.

1.Choose your base layer wisely.

Most people think no one is going to see it so why bother and then you get to a really hot office or department store and have to strip down.Your first layer should be

  • Soft,absorbent and great feeling against your skin.Cotton,Merino and Cashmere are all great fabrics for a base layer.
  • Have a close to the body fit and can stand alone if needed.Leggings and Tights are are great under pants and skirts.
  • Be in a skin flattering color.
2.Your layers should work together.
  • Your next layer should be easy on,easy off to not destroy hair and make up.Zip and button fronts work really well,as to cowls and deep necklines.
  • Your pieces should all have the same feel or spirit working together and standing alone.Make sure they all have the same mood.
  • Lay out all the pieces on the bed and do a quick check before you put them on.
3.Create interesting color stories.
  • Stick to the same color family with one pop color.
  • If you choose to go monochromatic mix up your textures or else your outfit will look flat.
  • Pay attention to your skin tone,most people get paler in the winter so something that looked great 3 months ago may not work right now.
4.Pay attention to fit.
  • Every layer should be figure flattering,as you go up make sure each layer is slightly bigger.
  • Nothing looks worse than jamming four layers under a jacket or coat that was made for one.The stuffed sausage look is one of the most common layering mistakes.Opt for a wrap coat or a poncho that can take many layers and look good.The good news is technical innovations in fabric and construction have created coats that are super warm and thin at the same time.They are pricey but worth the investment.Look for a more classic style that will not go out of date.
  • Make sure you have mobility especially that you can drive once you get in to a car.
5.Make sure to ice the  layer cake which is your outfit.
  • Your final layer is the most important,Do not fall in to the trap of “I am going to take my coat off when I get there so let me just throw on this old super warm thing”This is  a common mistake.You will run in to several people before you get your coat off it is Murphy’s law.
  • Match your coat to your look;have a great sporty coat for day that goes well with jeans and pants and have a dressier one for night that works with dresses and skirts.For most occasions the ideal top layer is an easy fitting coat that looks stylish no matter how many layers lie beneath.
  • Have fun with accessories,make sure you always have a great scarf and gloves that complement your outfit. A stylish hat will keep you warm and chic.You lose a lot of your body heat from your head so choose one that fits well.
  • Boots are the way to go for footwear.They really complete a layered look and can be both warm and stylish.Make sure you get a pair with great traction because a fashionista must always be upright.

 

 

Win at the Game of Style

Style is a great game and just like any game it can be mastered,it takes insight,planning and practice.Here are 5 steps that can up your style game.

Step 1-Know the Game

Before you start planing the game you should know what the objectives are:

The Objectives are to Look

  • Confident
  • Beautiful
  • Pulled Together
  • Chic

While achieving this you should make it look Effortless and be Comfortable.

Step 2-Learn from the Women who are part of the Style Hall of Fame.

I have studied these women in great detail and these are the strategies that standout:

Great Style is the A List

  • Age Appropriate-they always dressed youthful but as they got older their style evolved.
  • Area Appropriate-they dressed for their surroundings and what they were doing from sailing to the red carpet.
    fits your environment
  • Anatomy Appropriate -they took in to consideration their best attributes and showcased them.
    dress for the body you have
  • Attitude-they always stayed true to this personality.
    – bring out your personality

 

Also once they found out what worked they stuck to it but they constantly updated a good example is Princess Diana’s hair it was always short but always current.

I often get asked to you have to be dead to be inducted in to the Style Hall of fame and the answer is yes,that way you cannot make any mistakes.It is ironic that these four women are most mentioned when it comes to being an inspiration to today’s women.The good news is there is a current group of women you can look to for inspiration who are proving to be grandmasters.

 

Step 3-Know your self-The Main Player

  • What are you playing with?
  • Your Strengths
  • Your  perceived Weakness

So know your body and what flatters you,take the time to find out what really looks good on you.

Ask your self the following questions:

  • What colors suit me the best?
  • What clothing do I feel the most comfortable in?
  • What clothing do I feel the most confident in?
  • What am I wearing when I receive the most compliments?
  • Whose sense of style do I identify most with?

This will help you ascertain your strengths and weaknesses,for example if you get a lot of compliments when you wear a short dress your legs are your asset so you know you should always showcase them.If everybody raves when you wear red,make that a signature color.Make sure you know what your body type is.Here is a quiz you can take.

Step 4-Get the Right Equipment

Just as any great athlete take the time to research and invest in the best equipment that works for you:

  • Clothes-The right pieces for your body type, personality and lifestyle.
  • Accessories-Get the best that you can afford specially for shoes and handbags Keep things classic and elegant
  • Hair and Make up-Keep it simple and easy to maintain but constantly update it do not get stuck in a particular decade

If you are not sure what flatters you check out this video.

Step 5-Come up with Winning Strategies

  • Find your key looks for each component of your like Travel,Work,Casual or Night on the town
  • Pull them together with the right accessories
  • Complement them with the right hair and make up
  • Practice them until you get them perfect

Here are some examples of Key Looks:

Your perfect 10;

This is an on point look that always gets you a perfect 10 when you wear it,it should be quintessentially you.

Your jack of all trades;

This is an outfit that can take you from day tonight with just switching out your accessories.You wear this on a really full,busy day to look effortless.

Your Queen of the Day;

This is your sexy sassy outfit that will make all the men in your life treat you like a queen.You bring this out when you need something done.Nothing wrong in using your feminine strength and charm.

The Ace up your sleeve;

This is your power wow outfit that makes you feel on top of the world.You wear this when you have a deal to close and it usually says”Don’t Mess with me Fellas”

With these simple strategies you can win at the game of style with a little effort and energy.

 

How to get a perfect Wardrobe!

 

Winter is firmly with us but in the stores Spring is starting to make an appearance,you are also starting to get your Spring catalogs from your stylists.Before you start shopping for your new wardrobe,it is good to take a minute to establish what your body shape is and how to dress and accessorize it.Your body changes over time and I recommend you review this before the Fall and Spring seasons. This will help you make the right decisions when  planning and purchasing your new pieces.

Now is the time to refresh your knowledge and remeasure your self.Remember it is important to dress the body you have right now, not the one you had 3 years ago or the one you plan to have next year.It is also important to express your self and make sure your wardrobe reflects who you are as a person. Do not define your self by your body shape as we are all truly unique but use it to find what is flattering.You are one of a kind just like a fabulous masterpiece.Just like any great masterpiece you need the right frame that will flatter and show case you.Here are some important steps you can take to plan and execute on a perfect wardrobe this Fall.

Step 1-Measure your Self.

Step 2-Determine your Body type.

Step 3-Define your sense of Style.

 

Step 4- Find what is Flattering to you.

 

Step 5- Plan your Wardrobe and Start Shopping!

If you are more verbal than visual you can create shopping index cards with the color,type of item and price.

 

With a little effort and energy you can have a fabulous new wardrobe.
♥ Sunil

You can download a PDF with all the worksheets below

WARDROBE PLAN

Sale Mania

As sale season is upon us and with retailers throwing all kinds of sales nearly every week it is all about the deal.It is  way too easy to catch “Sale-Mania” shop frantically and then watch your “Deals”hang in your closet for months on end and going to Goodwill with tags attached.Walking around NYC it seems that almost every store is dangling a crazy deal.Here are tips on being a smart shopper right now.

Be a “Thriftanista” by avoiding the most common pitfalls and searching for truly great pieces that will enhance for Fashionista status.

     Common Pitfalls!

  • “When I loose 20 pounds it will be perfect”
    STOP, only buy what fits you now.Go on a shopping spree to celebrate once you loose the 20 pounds.

    It is important to dress the body you have right now!

  • “I may need it someday”
    Unless,you have a need for it in the next 6 months put it back,you will always find something better, trends can change.
  • “It is a steal”
    OMG it is 90% off ,they are giving it away.If you never wear it that is still money you flushed down the toilet.

    Wise Buys!

  • Layering pieces-Use this opportunity to stock up on Tanks,Camisoles and classic Tees in Black,White and Nude.You will have to freshen up these pieces on a regular basis.This is specially true of anything you wear in white.Also a good time to stock up on basic leggings and jeans for the fall.
  • Classic Pieces-White button Front Shirts,Classic V-necks sweaters,a Little Black Dress and Great blazers are all items that are worth the investment.These are pieces that are timeless and are the building blocks of your wardrobe.Look for clean lines and timeless fabrics.
  • Investment Pieces-A fantastic black leather handbag,timeless nude pumps,a beautiful evening clutch.Think of these as items you will use in your life time and then pass down with your daughters.
  • Bathing suits-If you are planning a winter get away this is the time to buy a new bathing suit as the next time they will be available is February.Chose a classic style in black,navy or red that fits well but has some ease.Make sure you pick up a great cover up as well.Store them in a breathable bag and you will be all set for your next getaway.
  • Trend Pieces that go in to Fall-At this point we know what the top trends for fall are.We are seeing some of the trends carrying forward.As far as color goes both red and pink are very strong this Fall.Florals specially on darker grounds with roses leading the way are going to be the must have going forward.Menswear inspired pants and jackets are a key wardrobe item come September.Pieces that fit these trends can be snapped up for a bargain and remixed in the fall with velvet and corduroy to create on trend looks.

Always be a Smart Shopper
♥ Sunil