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.

I Love MIles Kimbell

My husband knows that when a Miles Kimbell catalog arrives at our house, I will be reading it aloud that night. Where else can you buy a spiral weight loss ring, head massager, or a gel cervical collar?

I marvel at the people who thought of these contraptions and went to the trouble to have them manufactured. And I am grateful for those who figured out some sensible ways to store jewelry. Some of my favorites are the acrylic jewelry holders. I have already raved about the necklace one in a past blog post, but there are also clever holders for earrings and bracelets. I promise you will be captivated by this catalog and will find things you never knew you needed but now must have. Enjoy!

Color

When I was in my teens, my mom took me to the Fashion Academy in Santa Ana, where I spent the day having my colors done and received tips on makeup and hair. I have thanked my mom many times for this experience as it has saved my countless dollars since I know what colors work on me and skip buying those that don't. Most importantly, my clothes coordinate beautifully which cuts down a lot on time spent getting dressed.

There are several websites that offer color consulting services, and I always take their tests to see if their analysis matches what I know (I am a winter which means I look best in cool, blue-undertone colors). A new site, jillkirshcolor.com, intrigues me and I encourage you to try it out. Her method for color analysis relies exclusively on hair color. The site I find to be the most accurate in determining what colors suit different people is Color Me Beautiful as it takes both eye and hair color into consideration.

Most people know what colors they feel best in and what colors flatter them. But it gets hard to stay on track when designers choose new hip colors twice a year and then inundate the stores with those shades. Of course there are women who don't give a hoot about what colors work for them, and wear whatever color suits their mood or matches a piece of clothing they love. While I do notice (I can't help it) that they would look better in teal than bright red, they look happy and confident, and in no need of a Wardrobe Wisdom intervention!

Nothing Compares

For nearly 3 years I have been on a quest for a pair of brown pumps. Could that description be more banal? Perhaps not, but I am telling you, it is not so easy to find good looking, comfortable, stylish, brown shoes. Even wonderful Jenelle at Nordstrom could not locate the ideal pair for me.

But now I have found them. Too bad they are $425. Really. But they are perfect and since I discovered them, I have become an even more discriminating shopper.

These dream shoes are made by Anyi Lu and are sold at Souliers in Montecito. They are visually stunning, in beautiful patent leather, with hand sewn ribbon around the front, and a gorgeous python covered wedge heel. In terms of workmanship, the shoes were handmade by extremely skilled (and I have to think proud) shoemakers. The fit was unbelievable: I felt like I was wearing my gym shoes. Not one part of my foot felt pinched or strained. I think I could have worn them all day. . . were it not for their steep price.

I have been thinking of these shoes often. Since much of my work at Wardrobe Wisdom involves shopping, I have been in a lot of stores since discovering the Anyi Lus and find that no other shoe compares. Looking even more closely at the workmanship in shoes and clothing has left me a bit depressed. I understand about paying for high quality, but I don't understand why an expensive dress has bits of thread hanging from the bottom, or why a designer handbag is unevenly dyed, or why a factory made scarf costs $200.

So I am holding out for exceptional, awe-inspiring pieces to add to my wardrobe. Like those dreamy shoes. I think all of us would spend a lot less in the end if we raised our standards.

Purse Man

This summer I wrote about my cousin's husband and his ability to pull off wearing a satchel without looking like a goofball. After promising me months ago to send photos of his entire satchel collection, this photograph arrived via email the other day. I am aware of the strange inclusion of the pink balloons in the photo. My attempts at cropping the picture were clearly unsuccessful.

I like to read the blog Put This On and appreciate its take on the expression "man purse" which I have used (but will now stop using!). I also like the blog's response to a man's question about where to store his cellphone, keys, etc.

Classic Combination

Men, take note of this man's brilliant ensemble. Note the interesting shirt, plain tie, and smart, classic jacket. This idea can be your model for many an outfit.

Women, this is an easy way to think of getting dressed: fun, colorful, and/or patterned piece (could be an accessory), simple shirt and skirt or slacks or simple dress, or tailored dress. . . Getting dressed can be a snap!

Fun with Shoes

I just finished going over In-Style.com's recent list of "Ten Things Every Woman Must Own." These lists tend to baffle me, since they rarely take into account different women's style, body shape, or budget. So I read them with a grain of salt and advise you to do the same.

One of the things I took issue with is the list's inclusion of red flats. I do like red, but when I had red shoes a few years ago, they were rarely worn. While red flats may not be for me, having a colorful shoe (or two) is a must have.

I recently worked with a client to help her put outfits together and update her look. At one point she pulled a pair of neglected yellow strappy sandals from the back of her closet. Looking at them she said wistfully, "I've always loved these but never knew how to wear them." Before she knew it, we created several outfits that dazzled with that pop of shoe color.

Think of a color you love, and how shoes in that color can add interest to your current wardrobe. I have a pair of green suede slides that look great with a remarkable number of things. Pink, blue, orange, yellow--any bright color can rejuvenate your look. (The shoes pictured are from Bodenusa.com--a favorite site of mine).

Serious Shopping

From Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro, "Suddenly seized with panic at the idea that she will be the centre of attention, she wonders in anguish, "Whatever shall I wear?"

How many of you have panicked when you realized you had nothing to wear to an important event, and then you shopped and purchased an outfit you've come to regret? Many hands go up! You are not alone. I get called regularly by my Wardrobe Wisdom clients to help them avoid that kind of shopping. What you want in the end is to feel attractive and appropriate, no matter the occasion.

Naturally the first thing to do when you commit to an event or outing, is to consider the dress code. Once you have a handle on what the dress code means (even if it states something bizarre like "cocktail casual"), decide what you would feel comfortable in. Then go into your own closet and look for something appropriate. This may mean wearing something you have and purchasing a top or skirt to go with it or maybe some shoes or accessories. When you shop for the rest of your outfit, be sure to bring the parts you already have with you. That is the only way to make sure your ensemble will truly work.

If you do have nothing appropriate for the event, consider borrowing something from a friend. I am always happy to loan my clothing out to friends, and they are kind enough to take care of and have the item cleaned before returning it.

You can also try renting an item from sites such as Rent the Runway. I have spoken with clients who have had tremendous success with using this service.

Perhaps you do need to buy something entirely new. Lucky you! If you like them, start at consignment stores, as you can often get some fantastic deals on lovely dressy clothes. Then hit places you have done well with in the past. Call those stores beforehand and ask if they have what you are looking for, and have them put it on hold for you to make your shopping experience more efficient.

You can always call me once you determine you need a specific item. One of my favorite things is to shop for special occasion wear. In addition, I'll repeat the little known secret that Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue have personal shoppers that will help you without any obligation on your part to purchase anything.

I have known women who have spent thousands of dollars in a rush to buy something, anything. This rarely leads to wise purchasing but often leads to buyer's remorse. If you simply must purchase something in a hurry, by all means go to a place like H & M or Forever 21. You may not find your dream outfit, but you will not spend a fortune either.