Shop Your Closet!

Carefree dressing means something different for everyone. I like the concept of having a few versatile pieces that all work together and can be worn dressed up or down to serve my needs.

Have you had to change the slices of your wardrobe pie over the years?

I have a very busy social and work-life right now. I do not attend many casual functions or relax at home very often. That means my wardrobe pie may be sliced differently than yours. 

For your clothes to serve you well, you need to be realistic about your life. For example, if you have a closet full of office-appropriate garments that you never wear anymore because you have retired, maybe it is time for a good purge.

I have purged my closet several times since I lost forty-five pounds a few years ago. I certainly didn't get it right at first!

I now own mostly separates in solid colors, and I hang them in my closet by type. My tank tops are together from lightest to darkest. My blouses are hung together lightest to darkest and so on. When I walk into my closet, it is easy to "shop" for the day's look. 

I also similarly store my accessories and shoes to tell at a glance what I have to choose from.

As I am getting dressed, I think first about the weather. I never wear white or light-colored pants on a day that might include rain. The pants will become permanently stained from splashback as you walk. Thankfully that silly rule about not wearing white after Labor Day has been put to rest.

Shop for the colors that flatter your complexion and silhouettes that complement your shape so that the items work together.

This old top from Chico's is an excellent example of a piece that I have worn in many ways. I like it because of the simple neckline and unique hem. The three-quarter-length sleeves help me appear taller and slimmer. The asymmetric hemline also breaks up the horizontal line so that the eye is not drawn to the hip area, nor does that break line cut my body in half, making me look shorter and broader. Wearing a dark color on top visually minimizes my largest half.

This top fabric is also three-season material, which means I can wear it for most of the year.

This same top could be worn with slim black pants and heels with fabulous jewelry out to dinner or a formal function.

I could just as easily pair it with faded jeans and a pair of flat sandals to be worn to a casual function.

When the elements of your wardrobe serve you well, you spend much less time saying, "I have nothing to wear!" and lots more time living your life and looking great while you are at it.

That's why I share what I have learned. I hope my tips prove helpful to you as you build a wardrobe that works well for you.

Blush With Jeans

My favorite Bank President is retiring today.

Our dear friend, Harvey Mitchell, is retiring after 40 years of service in banking within our community.

Mr. Mickey let me know he would come by to pick me up in five minutes to attend the reception in Harvey's honor. Really?

I stopped what I was doing and put on my blush colored jacket from White House Black Market and a pair of many years old heels. Seriously, those shoes by Anne Klein are at least ten years old. 

No time to think about what you are going to wear? There is an art to being able to throw yourself together at a moment's notice. It is a skill I have learned over time. Thank goodness for Pantene dry shampoo!

The super-comfortable dark wash jeans are by Fabrizio Gianni. 

The tank top is by Clara Sunwoo (love!) from ShopMyFairLady. If you want something shown on their site and sold out, they will be happy to backorder it for you. Just email them or call the number on their website. My best friend, Mitzi, and I order from them often. They are always so accommodating. 

The vintage brooch embellished leather cuff is by Made in the Deep South, and it is from my sweet friend Myra's fabulous boutique, The Charlemont.

Distressed Clothing

When I bought this Ralph Lauren denim jacket online from Dillard's, I was impressed with the unique details, but the distressing level was not so obvious from the photos. I almost returned it but decided it might work with the right combination.

I normally avoid distressed or slouchy clothing. I feel that crisp, clean, highly structured pieces are more complementary to my aging face. After adding the brightly colored silk Ralph Lauren scarf from Stein Mart, I felt a lot better about the combination. I will also wear this jacket with bold silver jewelry, a white silk tunic blouse, and black faux leather leggings for different textures.

The Ralph Lauran bag is one I have been researching for almost a year. If I think more than twice, "I need __________" as I am getting dress, that item becomes the next piece I look for to complete my wardrobe. Identifying a need repeatedly keeps me from acquiring a lot of items I never use. Shopping impulsively never seems to work well for me. I look at the styles, the sizes, the features, and prices. I shop around for investment pieces before making the commitment. This ensures that I will be happy with my purchase and that I will use it often.

The booties are by Gianni Bini from Dillard's.

The black tunic was provided by J.Jill last year. The black Ponte leggings are from Chico's last year.

The leather and mixed metal bracelets were provided by Jewels of the Vineyard.

I hope my tips help you to create a wardrobe that serves you well every day!

Shopping With Susan

This is the time of year that we start to consider the end of season sales, which have already begun. When I shop now, I only look for items to fill holes in my wardrobe. 

Impulse purchases almost always gave me buyer's remorse in the past, so I put a stop to that practice. 

Carefully thought out, well-planned purchases serve me well. For example, I bought this mixed media cardigan at the Dillard's end of season sale last year for about 70% off the original price. I had been looking for something similar for months, so I have happily worn it many times this year. 

Divide the number of times you wear something into the price you paid for it to determine its actual cost. If you buy something for $100 and wear it only once, that was a costly piece. If you buy something for $100 and wear it thirty times, it cost about $3.33 per wear, making it a much wiser purchase.

When I am drawn to an item, I ask myself these questions. 

"Will I wear this at least once a week?" 

(I probably won't, but I should love it that much before buying anything else.) 

"Will this go with at least four other items in my closet?" 

If it is a one-hit-wonder, meaning it can only be worn one way, I don't buy it.

"Is this too memorable?" 

If I buy prints or bold colors, I am always sorry afterward. I feel as if I am yelling when I wear these items.

"Is this a three-season item?"

Pieces that can be layered to be worn almost all year round earn a place of honor with me. Our weather is rather mild here in East Tennessee, so I have little use for a heavy winter coat, for example. I can usually layer three pieces and be warm enough even on our coldest day.

I am drawn to basic pieces of the best quality I can afford. Disposable fashion does not appeal to me. My goal is to only add items I have been looking for, which might now be at a price I can afford. Something that originally inspired me might have cost $3,000, but about $150 for a major addition is more in line with my budget. That requires some patience and a bit of shopping around with a picture of that object in my mind. When I see a piece similar to what I have been searching for at a price I can now afford, I know I am making the right decision to buy it.

I shopped online at Dillard's recently, where I bought epic Ralph Lauren jackets and a pair of short boots, all in styles I have been looking for over the past year.