The Working Closet
with Susan Wagner
The Working Closet is your source for the best of what's hip and fresh in fashion and beauty. Susan Wagner keeps you up-to-date on trends and offers tips and tricks for making everything in your closet truly work for you.
You can also catch Susan over at Friday Playdate.
News Flash: the economy is in the toilet and pocketbooks are snapping shut. Following the lead of In Style’s fashion director, Cynthia Weber Cleary, let’s take a journey through our own closets for some fashion inspiration over the next few weeks.
Have you ever bought an article of clothing and returned home to realize you already own something exactly like it? (Please tell me I’m not the only one. I have this issue with cable knit sweaters.) Considering the sluggish economy, maybe we should stop shopping for the Next Favorite Item, and take a long, hard look at our own closets. Who knows what you might find?
According to Cleary, the secret to a fabulous wardrobe is not about quantity or insanely expensive items, but “all in the edit”.
Okay, but what does that mean?
Well, it means finding the items in your closet that make you feel fabulous, and working to build on those integral pieces to create a fabulous wardrobe.
Step One: Pick your eight best pieces.
This may require some thinking, especially for those of you who have a lot in your closets. For me, these items that are my indispensable go-tos - the ones that look great, feel great and complement my personal style. I prefer these items to have a timeless quality - a kelly green cashmere sweater, a charcoal gray wool jacket, etc.
A number of these items can be splurges you’ve made, but not necessarily all of them. Also, realistically, I prefer to choose items that are wearable on most days. A black Dolce & Gabbana dress might be one of my very favorite articles of clothing, but that puppy will probably only see the light of day once a year. Be sure and choose items that you plan on mixing and matching over the next season.
Step 2: Lay your choices out and take a good look.
Do you notice a color palette? Are you a neutral person or in love with bold colors? As a rule, you should have at least two neutral pieces (black, white, gray, tan, brown) to act as your buffers for brighter ones. Maybe a pair of black wide leg trousers or a neutral-colored blouse? Once you’ve identified a workable color palette, you can start refining and styling for different occasions.
So, you’ve got your favorites laid out in front of you. (In your mind, at least.) What are they? Were they easy to choose? We’d love to hear!
To be continued next Friday…
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Again, you have written the post that speaks to my fashion side.
We did the shopping trip to Seattle, and while I got the few basics that I wanted (Photo shoot to come!), I did not buy any tops or pants. As we were driving the (Long!) way home, I thought that I should maybe go through my closet and see what magic I can do with what is already there.
Stay tuned…
Angella | October 11th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
That’s the ticket. I need to check what I already own and coordinate with those pieces. I’m a casual dresser in a casual field, so I work on keeping the casual looking professional. It’s too easy to sink into a jeans and sweater look.
Daisy | October 11th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I totally buy the same fitted, long-ish, stretchy material one-colour sweater almost every time I go shopping. So you’re totally not the only one who has that problem!
Kristin D | October 11th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I am a casual type dresser and I don’t work, but like to look in style when I go out with my married daughters or my friends. I have many pairs of jeans, all different styles and length, and casual pants, but when I need to dress up a little I’m out of luck. I don’t know how to mesh the two looks. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jo Ann in Birmingham | October 12th, 2008 at 8:51 am
My mom/work at home uniform is jeans and layered t-shirts with flats, jeans and layered camis with black ribbed turtlenecks with boots, and capri jeans with, you got it, layered tshirts OR camis, and flipflops. Pick a look, match it to the weather. Um, I think I need help.
jenny | October 16th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I really want to do this, now, while my kid sits on front of the TV. Midnight, before I go to bed, but my husband’s sleeping
It seems like lately my favotite items are certain outfits that don’t really go together, since I’ve grown to hate my black pants a jeans skirt I wore all the time. Just watched Tim Gun’s new show and it also made me want to do this.
Wide legged grey pants wtih a loose somewhat sheer white and grey top.
Brown pants wtih an INC top/sweater combo thing. Did just get a cute turq/brown plaid jacket and 2 prs shoes to go with those outfits
Jeans
white button-down shits (have 3)
orange short-sleeve sweaters (2)
Oops…that’s 11
Nicole/wksocmom | October 25th, 2008 at 5:41 pm