We Should All Have So Much Fun

I just watched Christian Siriano go through his closet, describing what he has in there, what he loves, why he bought certain things. His delight in his wardrobe is such a joy to witness. Watch it here.

I may have to go through my closet now, editing out anything that does not delight me. I think a "delight scale" can serve as a brilliant method for deciding whether to keep or say good-bye to something.

2 Little Things

There are two very simple ways to look and feel terrific:

1. Stand up straight, with your shoulders back and your stomach held in.

2. Smile.

When I think about people I want to be around, people who seem to enjoy life and feel good about themselves, I've noticed they share the qualities of having good posture and smiling faces. I am not giving this advice with the idea that I have invented something new. However, I do know that if you are feeling glum about your appearance or are just low in general, keeping these two little things in mind will improve your mood and appearance immediately. No matter how impeccably dressed you are, it is your smile and posture that will complete your outfit.

Flat Bottom

My oldest daughter can be counted on to provide a choice word or two when I am getting dressed. She recently informed me that I had a "flat bottom." Ah, gravity. I know there are worse things, but her comment didn't really make my day. It did, however, cause me to re-evaluate my pant collection, with an eye toward keeping only those which gave me a good-looking backside.

When I work with my Santa Barbara Wardrobe Wisdom clients, I stress the importance of looking at yourself from every angle when you are shopping and before you leave your house.

It seems that Levi's are taking all parts of a women's body into consideration with their newest styles. According to a piece I read in September's InStyle magazine, "With Levi's new Curve ID pairs, you can choose a style that is 'slight' (if you have a flatter, more boyish behind [like me!]), 'demi' (more curves behind), or 'bold' (for those with wider hips and a smaller waist." I am eager to try on Levi's new skinny, straight, and boot cuts. I only need to decide whether or not to bring my daughter along.

What to Read

Reading is one of my very favorite pastimes. When people ask me in amazement how I find time to read, I always wonder how they cannot find time to read.

On Sunday, November 28 in the Los Angeles Times' Image section, an entire page was devoted to this year's slew of fashion books. Some of the books highlighted are visual feasts, made to be placed on a coffee table. Others were written as advice books on how to dress more stylishly, and still others focus on a particular designer, such as Anna Sui.

One book on this list that interests me is "Bespoke: The Men's Style of Savile Row." Learning why "Savile Row, a small street in London, that's known globally as the epicenter of men's tailoring" is sure to be fascinating. I am easily taken in by tales of experts in any field, artisan cheese makers, master woodworkers, and of course, master tailors.

Another book which I'd like to read is "The World's Most Influential Fashion Designers." Even though I am much more of a clothing person than a fashion person, I appreciate that each leading designer has come to her or his aesthetic via unique avenues. I love to learn what inspires designers, who are truly artists, to create.

Reading about new books made me cast a glance at my own Wardrobe Wisdom bookshelf. Here are at least 30 books about fashion and style. Sometimes I use them as reference books, for when I want to know what the best way to store scarfs is or or what belt to wear with what dress for a large framed woman. At that time I turn to Kendall Fararr's "The Pocket Stylist" and "Style Evolution," Nina Garcia's "The Style Strategy" or "The Lucky Shopping Manual." Then there are those that I read for pure pleasure, such Clinton Kelly's "Freakin' Fabulous," and Linda Grant's "The Thoughtful Dresser."

I encourage you to check out the fashion section of your local bookstore (Chaucer's if you live in Santa Barbara!), and see what books strike your fancy.

The Boss: Iconic American Style

Bruce Springsteen knows what works for him. For decades he has worn jeans with a T-shirt or jeans with a dark or plaid shirt. I am guessing he does not spend time agonizing over what to wear each day yet without fail he looks comfortable and ruggedly handsome.

I Feel Good

Today it is nippy outside, and I need to get ready to run some errands. Sure, I can stay in my gym clothes, but I feel pretty icky and unpresentable. As my mom would say, I look slovenly.

What will be comfortable and make me feel good? My favorite pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, my new green pullover, and black ballet flats. Of course some simple accessories will complete the outfit, so I add my silver belt, small diamond earrings, and a pretty silver necklace. Ah, just right! What is your "go-to" outfit? We all need at least one to make getting dressed a breeze.

Vision

My friend Kim invited my family over recently for some apple cider and pumpkin bread. I was looking forward to seeing her house, knowing she had bought a fixer-upper last year and had no doubt used her considerable decorating talents to make it beautiful.

I was not disappointed. Her house is darling and her flair for repurposing and adding just the right finishing touches were impressive. Yes, I was ready to move in!

When we got to her bathroom, though, she told me it would not feel complete until she found a certain shower curtain. She then showed me her "vision book" which was filled with pictures of everything from throw pillows to window coverings. Kim is on a mission to find a striped curtain in blues and browns that will tie the bathroom's decor together. Once I saw the photograph, I immediately understood her vision.

Collecting photos of items we like or even scraps of materials or things from nature helps us to discover and define our tastes, inspires us, and makes us more discriminating shoppers. A folder containing pictures of kitchens I like keeps me from wandering like a zombie down every aisle in Home Depot. My "Clothing I Love" notebook reminds me what styles I like best, what suits me, and what I am looking for. And the bulletin board in my office reminds me why I started Wardrobe Wisdom and what I want to do with my business.