The forecast calls for sunny skies the next few days so bring on the flip flops and short sleeved t’s! Whether you are a stay at home mom, working mom or work at home mom we all need to get dressed. For me I work at home and I do NOT wear sweatpants. I do get dressed for work every day but some days it’s hard to put together a good outfit. Susan Kanoff, of A Great New Look talked with us about her style tips, easy ways to dress, and what not to do in warm weather.
Q: Let’s start in the closet. Are there some do’s and don’ts for organizing a closet?
Well let me first say that when your closet is in good shape, getting dressed will be easier and less stressful.
My philosophy is to only keep pieces that
- Fit well
- Work well with your unique body shape
- Feel comfortable (important!)
- Are in good shape (no pills, rips, stains, etc…ditch those!)
- Work with other pieces in your closet. We all have those “orphans†that we just can’t seem to make work for one reason or another!
- Make you look and feel fabulous…you deserve it!!
Go through your clothes piece by piece and ask yourself these questions. If the answer is “no†to any of them, it’s time to get rid of some things! Have some boxes or trash bags handy and sort discards by “tossâ€, consign (great way to make a few extra dollars!), and donate. You may also want to start an alteration bag. Sometimes a piece can be salvaged just by taking up the sleeves or shortening the hem.
If you can’t figure out what you’re wearing (or not wearing) try the hanger trick. When you re-hang pieces that you’re wearing, face the hanger the opposite way. In a few months you will notice a pattern. We tend to wear the same things over and over again—the statistics are that we wear only wear about 20% of our wardrobe. Sound familiar?
Q: Do you put together outfits or put all the shirts together, pants, etc?
Once you have done a thorough closet weeding, think about how you select your outfits and organize your closet in a way that works well for you. My personal preference is to group clothes together by categories and colors. For instance, I put all my tops together separating them by sleeveless, blouses, long sleeve, etc. Then, I organize each category by color. I do the same for pants, jackets, dresses, etc. It doesn’t matter how you categorize, the bottom line is to create a system that works for you, so getting dressed each morning is stress-free!
Q: What’s in this season?
Spring is all about the bright and bold. One of my favorite stand-out colors this season is vibrant royal blue, which looks great on just about everyone. Try incorporating this color in jeans, a dress or top. If you’re a bit “color shyâ€, punch in color with accessories. A bright statement necklace, scarf or bag will transform an outfit from “just okay†to a show stopper!
The crisp black and white palette is also in for spring and you will see many graphic prints in this color combo. Go edgy by mixing bold stripes with prints or keep it simple and classic with a pair of white jeans and a black tee. Either way, you’ll look so chic!
You will also see a lot of florals out there. Floral blazers, dresses and blouses are all in style this season and oh so feminine!
Q:Â While we love our flip flops one should not wear into a traditional office?
Definitely not!! Flip-flops are for very casual attire and not for the office! Try peep-toe wedges or a fabulous sandal instead. If you’re in a conservative corporate environment such as the banking industry, sandals may not be option at all. Although some offices have become ultra casual, I’m not a big fan of unprofessional attire. I always tell my clients to “step up†their work wardrobe & dress for the job they want!
