Now is the perfect time to organize your closet. Since I can't be there with you for your Closet Edit appointment, I'll walk you through the task!  Match this guide with the Spring Wardrobe Planning (click link)  and you'll have a flawless wardrobe that will be ready when it's time to go outside again. 

One of the best gifts I've ever received was a hand-written letter. It was full of the spirit of the giver; their handwriting, emotion, sentence structure. It was like I was experiencing their heart. The person has since departed my life, but I still have the letter. 

Not all gifts can be as intimate but they can be as memorable. Coveted tickets to a play, an exotic trip, even a day at the spa are experiences that can be relived through pictures and memory.  I can't for the life of me remember what  gifts I received last Christmas but I do remember the tickets I received to experience the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1996. 

What experience would you like to create for your loved ones this Holiday Season? 

For the first time ever, I'm offering unique fashion experiences that center on personal development and self-care. From a VIP Shopping Experience at South Coast Plaza to a full in-home makeover, I'm certain that the perfect experience aligns with at least one woman in your life. Perhaps that woman is you? 

Hemlines are longer, heels are shorter, bags are smaller, and floral prints are darker. Welcome to a serious spin on getting dressed. 

 Fall fashion tends to skew more conservative than spring. For one, the weather! Add to that, the tone of fall months is austere. The days are long and cool. Kids return to school and year-end goals kick into gear come September. Herringbone and pleated skirts are the wardrobe for this mood.

​This season the designers are really paying close attention to world events.
 Known as the Hemline Index, this economic theory says that skirts get shorter when the economy is bullish and get longer when money is tight.  The hemlines of Fall 2019 are at a stoic tea-length. 

But it's not limited to a  1950’s prim-and-proper kind of way.
 
Suiting- pants, skirts, vest, blazer- the full-on armor of work is what we will be wearing throughout the season. Women of 2019 are active and involved in projects that require a wardrobe that communicates our dedication and commitment to provoke change in our world– we need the armor of a suit.

When it comes time to celebrate, we are glitzed and gilded like a bubbly glass of champagne. It’s the only appropriate attire of victory. ​

Fall trends are easier to convey since most of the "hot" items are just stylized versions of wardrobe classics. With this in mind, go through your wardrobe and look for these items before you shop:

Nothing screams fall sophistication as tweed. Shop your closet for a well-fitted blazer (non-boxy blazer), a classic pump with texture and color; and timeless a-line skirt that will pair well with knee-high boots.  Stick to neutral colors to avoid becoming too trendy.

Botanicals on black background are anything but saccharine. Pair a blazer with denim and the blouse with a pencil skirt. The dress looks best worn to a cocktail event. Look for bold floral arrangements in jewel tone colors. 

If you are a Feminine Style Personality, then you will have this shoe in abundance as a wardrobe staple. For the rest of us, this heel height  can be a hit or a miss. If you are not one for heels, try this height. It's comfortable and pairs well with cigarette pants and tea-length skirts. To remove the demure temperament, seek out kitten heels in bold colors, architectural heels, and tough details. 

sharp tailoring is what's needed to get this right. If you are unsure if your wardrobe staples convey the mood of the season, let's connect for a 15 min chat. 

​ Here's to a stylish Fall!

The weather is blazing hot and you still have to go to work. What are you going to wear? Sure, a maxi dress will keep you cool but it's not professional. Shorts are a no-go. Same as thong sandals and flip-flops. If your professional life requires a more corporate dress code, knowing how to dress for the high temps can be a conundrum. Summer dressing was created with vacations in mind and contradicts the formality of corporate dress. How do you get it right? 
​ 

It's all about wearing structured clothing in breathable fabrics.  Here's some fabrics to look for to keep you cool: 

Soft and light, you will want to update all your go-to cotton clothing in this fabric for hot temps. Look for silk blends for a slight-sheen and more dressed-up vibe.  

AKA Summer Denim, chambray is soft and light and not at dense as denim. It looks dressy enough for denim-free work environments...seriously! 

White linen is the official look of summer, but it's usually celebrated in more festive environments. Not to worry, linen blazers WILL become your summer version of wool in the winter. Look for linen blended with cotton to decrease wrinkling. 

Cotton with holes! Eyelet dresses under a linen blazer will be your favorite summer look. 

TIP: Stay away  (far away!) from synthetic fabrics in hot weather.  The key to keeping and feeling cool is for your clothing to absorb perspiration and not wick.  Have you ever lounged in your polyester and spandex yoga pants after a workout? EXACTLY. 

And because you may want to keep with the casual vibe of summer dressing, here are some work appropriate shoes that aren't pumps:  

Need help keeping your cool? Let's connect for a Personal Shopping Experience to update your summer wardrobe just before the weather changes!  I'll select some transitional pieces that you can wear into October. Click here to complete your Style Assessment. 

For the last several years, many fashion blogs and magazines have sprouted the wonders of creating a Capsule Wardrobe. A wardrobe the is purposefully full of basic items that are seasonless and coordinate with one another with little effort. In theory, I love the idea. Who wouldn't want a closet full of wearable items?

In practice it's a whole other thing. A quick search on Pinterest will yield results that suggest purchasing a set number of tops, bottoms, and accessories, and shoes. No forethought goes into color, prints, and most definitely not Style Personality. Lifestyle is also not considered. 

During a Style Coordination appointment with a client, I show my clients how to create outfits based on the items they current have within their wardrobe. No set number of skirts, dresses, tops, shoes, and accessories are required. 

Any time you are considering changing up your wardrobe,  you need to begin the process with a full Edit. While doing your Wardrobe Edit, you will identify the pieces you love, hate, and feel indifference. I highly advise the removal of items that you do not love. Try it on for fit and organize it call by type and color. 

Now that you can fully see the contents of your wardrobe, identify the dominant color in your wardrobe.  If your wardrobe consist of mostly black, white, or grey, select the next actual color in your wardrobe. As a note, black, white, and grey are shades, tones, and tints. They are used to change a pure color and not considered an actual color. See this color wheel for reference.

Do you notice themes in your wardrobe? Similar prints and silhouettes? More pants than skirts? Lots of jeans and chunky heels? Take a note of what you constantly wear that makes you feel and look your absolute best. Coordinate a signature look using your wardrobe themes, and replicate this with like-items in your wardrobe. 
For example, a cobalt blue pencil skirt makes me feel sophisticated, chic, and sexy. It's dominated within my Signature Color and in my best silhouette.  My wardrobe in full of skirts and I used this one item to create similar outfits that match this look. Does that make sense? 

In essence, a Capsule Wardrobe is a closetful of items that work for you.  It's a closet full of wearable items that are a reflection of who you are that you enjoy wearing.  

Do you know about the Wardrobe Parcel Style Coaching Series? If you would like to go deep into discovering your personal style, then this may be a program for you. In 4 weeks, you'll learn step-by-step processes of closet organization, Signature Color identity, and best silhouettes for your body shape. Click here to check it out. 

What emotion emanates from an all black outfit? What about wearing green and red? What color completely repulses you? Why? 
As you begin to edit your wardrobe for spring, take notice of the colors that you seem you wear the most. Are these colors communicating the right message about you? Many women hold the belief that an outfit of all black is chic and slimming. These are truths only if your personality holds the space for the blankness this is absent in this non-hue. An all black outfit on a Comfort Style Personality with a calm temperament and subtle body movement is a communication disaster.  
Every Time I get dressed, I like to feel polished, bold, and sophisticated. My signature color embodies and reflects  these temperaments.  Can you guess my signature color?

What's your signature color? ​

 As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, it's now the perfect time to plan your Spring Wardrobe. Here's how to do it:

1. Take Inventory of your Fall/Winter Wardrobe. 
If you've read or watched Marie Kondo's book or Netflix series then you know how to rid yourself of clothing items that do not Spark Joy. If an item brings up a negative feeling (makes you feel fat, old, dated);  and shows visible signs of wear, get rid of it.  Outside of weather challenges, if you didn't wear it at all this season, get rid of it.  

4. Take inventory of your Spring/Summer Wardrobe.
​Eyelet fabrics, wispy dresses, linen pants and bright pastels should be reserved for their wardrobe debut in May. Bring out anything in  navy nauticals, jacquard florals, stripes, and tissue weight cashmere. Keep out your twill trench if you have it. If you are not on a weight loss plan and an item doesn't fit, get rid of it. It will take up space in your closet and cause a negative emotion because you can not wear it. 

5. Create 5 favorite outfits.
Now is the time to have fun! Once you have your wardrobe organized by item and color, it's time to shop your closet. With an idea of your upcoming activities and the weather, create 5 distinct outfits. Coordinate a dress with a blazer and heels; jeans and blouse with booties and a trench; skirt with a knit sweater, blazer and sandals; and anything that works for your lifestyle. 

6. Create a shopping list (if needed) .
If you are have difficulty shopping your closet or wishing you had a particular item to complete an outfit, take note of it. If you see something in a magazine or on the internet that works for your Style Personality and current wardrobe, add it to the list. Once you've determined your shopping budget , go get it!

When my clients learn their Style Personality, they immediately identify the items in their closet that do not align and understand why their favorite outfit is their favorite. it's all about a CONSISTENT FEELING. An emotion that determines your shopping choices. It's not situational and dependent on an occasion. 
Sure, most women want to feel sexy on a date and polished at work and experience comfort on the weekend. Those are occasional emotions and not outflowing from who you are at your core. Your authentic Style Personality is  a reflection of your overall approach to life. 

Here are some examples: 

A Sexy Woman is bold. She's assertive in all areas of her life. She was raised as an only child or the eldest. 

A Feminine Woman is an introvert. She is reflective and thoughtful in her communications. ​

A Classic Woman is poised and direct. Her leadership style is diplomatic and dependable. ​

A Comfort Woman has an "easy-going" demeanor. She enjoys a night in.  

When a woman is not dressing in alignment with her authentic Style Personality, it shows up as discomfort in her clothes and discontentment in her wardrobe. A Sexy Woman dressed as a Comfort Woman will feel stifled in her life. 
With all this said, MANY women have secondary Style Personalities.  
Discover your Primary and Secondary Style Personality with my Style Quiz.

The Sexy Woman is all about feeling sensual and looking bold in her clothing. She is a fashion-forward woman that appreciates the art of getting dressed. The Sexy Woman considers animal prints her neutral and loves patterns and colors in all varieties. She has a flair for expressing drama in her style through fringe, metallic, furs, and skins. The Sexy Woman more than likely has many other Style Personalities represented in her wardrobe due to her trendy nature. 

How to know you are a Sexy Woman
- You wear a lot of stilettos and open-toed shoes. 
-You consider yourself a fashion connoisseur and enjoy shopping. 
- You have a signature fragrance and a statement lipstick. 
- You experiment with your hair styles and nail hues.
- You can be considered a maximalist. 
- Your go-to brands are: DVF, Alice & Olivia,  ​Cushnie, Aquazzura

Do you express a bit of drama in your wardrobe? Perhaps you are a Sexy Woman!

The Comfort Woman is all about feeling relaxed and looking
casual. Athletic details such as hoodies and joggers in plush fabrics are this Style Personality's go-to items. The Comfort Woman was the first Style Personality to embrace athleisure and will live in leggings long after the trend has past. Shades of blue tend to compose the majority of color in her wardrobe followed by hues with a hazy fade. She is drawn to stripes and prints that feature a beachy element.  The Comfort Woman can be confused with the the Classic, as they both prefer simplicity in their clothes. 

How to know you are a Comfort Woman
- You prefer pants and jeans over dresses and skirts. 
-Boots and wedges are your version of heels.
- You own a favorite sweater, jacket, or scarf  that you wear several times a week. 
- Your skincare routine is extensive while your makeup is minimal. 
-Your wardrobe is composed of knit fabrics with a bit of stretch.  
- Your go-to brands are: Vince, Rag & Bone, James Perse, Everlane

Are flip-flops a legitimate shoe choice for you? Do you wear jeans with just about everything? Is summer your favorite season for getting dressed? You just maybe a Comfort Woman! 

This is a 4- Part Series.
Previous Post: Feminine Style Personality 
Previous Post: Classic Style Personality 
Next week's final post: Sexy Style Personality