Tracee Dundas FASHION EDITOR @fashionablyyoursnola
If you knew how to mix and match would it make getting dressed easier?
Does this ever happen to you?
You have a closet full of clothes, but you feel stuck in a rut from not knowing how to make your clothes work together. And find yourself screaming “I’ve got nothing to wear?”
Who hasn’t had this dilemma!?! Yet you are staring at a closet full of clothes.
Having a lot of clothes can be as difficult getting dressed every day as having very few options. This typically is because you’ve never created or defined your style OR you tend to buy random things on sale with no thought to if it’s something you need, is it your style or color OR you’re a trend follower and haven’t really thought about if it will coordinate with other clothes in your closet to maximize your wardrobe.
The idea is to select items that fit you: 1. Style Personality 2. Body Shape 3. Coloring
Here are a few tips on how to maximize your wardrobe.
1. Take the INVENTORY TEST: Allows you an opportunity to evaluate, organize, and clear out your closet of items that you have not worn in the past year or so. It will help you to declutter, dispose, and donate items that are taking up valuable space. Take note of the colors, silhouettes, and do you tend to purchase the same look over and over again, or clothes that works for only one occasion?
2. Start with BASIC SHAPES. A classic oxford buttonfront shirt, Cami top, mock turtleneck, flat front pants, A-line skirt, and sheath dress are all classic basic shapes. These items have fewer lines which makes it easier to mix and match clothes with varying lines, shapes, and patterns. They present a challenge to mix and match because they will compete with each other.
3. When a clothing item isn’t basic it is referred to as a COSTUME SHAPE.
This style can be a great attention grabber, but it is often difficult to pair with other items in your wardrobe.
4. SET ASIDE TIME TO EXPERIMENT. Outfits do not get created by themselves. To create an eye-catching, stylish ensemble that will maximize your wardrobe pieces you have to set aside time to experiment with your clothes, mix and match pieces.
5. SHOP YOUR CLOSET: Try it on, do a 360 in the mirror, assess if it works, take a photo for a future reference. Repeat.
6. Create your COLOR PALETTE for you. Not all colors work for everyone. Our skin either has warm or cool undertones. Know what colors are most flattering to your skin tone and build a capsule wardrobe around those colors.
7. Build on that COLOR TEMPERTURE with other colors that will coordinate with your primary color palette. Pairing pieces harmoniously is a skill to develop through practice. Current fashion rules are neutral tones are a necessity, stripes and animal prints are considered solids or neutrals. Blending tonal shades of color is a natural combo. Start slow to build your confidence, get feedback from a trusted source and grow from there.
8. ACCESSORIES are your best friend! From earrings, scarves, belts, handbags, and shoes; these are inexpensive ways to add variety to basic pieces, jazz up a look, making it fresh and vibrant.
There’s nothing more satisfying than when several pieces in your wardrobe automatically work well together. It’s important to know that at the heart of the strongest outfits is an unexpected pairing. That’s why artistic problem solving is key. Look at your clothes through a fresh lens so you try things you wouldn’t have thought to put together. By opening your mind and taking a risk to do something different, you’ll more easily create a mix and match outfit that you’ll love! And the more you get in your closet and practice, the more trained your eye will become, and the more outfits you’ll have that truly define your style.
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