How to Have Lots to Wear in Your Wardrobe (Part 2: How Much is A Lot to You?)

Hi ladies!

Thank you so much for the positive feedback on my last post! One of the readers mentioned that she loved the post but also wondered where it was going...

Well, being an 'Intuitive' I guess I was really going with that whole idea of creating my own 'Don'tra' thing, as a clear starting point. Initially, I planned on going into 'Inventorying' and 'Assessing' what you've already got in your wardrobe, but I think that'd be like missing a step... because the title suggested the 'Have Lots to Wear' part. :-)

So, let's *explore* that. What really is 'LOTS' to you? If you created your own style dictionary or dictatum, what would go as being 'a lot' and what would make you feel deprived?

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I think defining this is a critical point in how you set up your dressing room or closet, and also on how to spend appropriately for shopping.

One of the most beneficial Fashion Exercises I've ever come across in figuring this out was using Brenda Kinsel's 'Your Own Boutique' exercise.

Imagine you are walking in your own boutique store, and it is filled with more of what you already love to wear! What are these items?

For me, I really need slacks I love as my wardrobe base, and I need earrings for dressing up. Those two really are my immediate go to items in my shop... 

I don't like having a huge coat collection because they take up too much space and need dry cleaning. I don't change them much any way, and resort to my most tried and true coats day in and day out.

I need a good variety of trendy tops, and solid color tops for work wear. I tend to just rotate between 6~12 tops in a given month. 

Shoes MUST be flat. I need at least 2~3 good pairs ready for work, that work with my coat/hair/bag colors.

Jewelry, aside from earrings, I like wearing bracelets a lot. I only ever wear the jade ring my Mom gave me, but I do wear this one every day. But a necklace is something I wear if my top is too bland and really NEEDS accessorizing. Typically I hate having something hanging down my neck, especially the long ones... although they're like all the rage in Korea. 

I don't do hats. Belts rarely get worn, unless it is a comfy one for my hips, never for my waist. 

If there is a skirt that has better give and stretch, or gives me better easier movement, I'll always wear that more than the others that don't. 

I prefer not to layer any more than it is necessary, which means I rarely wear vests... I wear cardigans a lot but finding one that doesn't add bulk is hard, especially because I also need the cardigan to have medium weight fabric that covers my stomach area well. Cardigans come in so many silhouettes and proportions too... But so far, I only wore a black long cardigan to death, with a white one just for the summer.

Becoming 30s though, a need for a jacket on special occasion has become a lot more pronounced... 20s all I needed was sexy jeans, earrings, and a cardigan... Now, a jacket really completes the wardrobe. I need a lot more accessories now that I'm in my 30s too, whereas in my 20s I had more fun with my hair and funkier colors for eyeshadows and such. 

My wardrobe staples therefore now, are... 

a) sexy slacks that make me feel gorgeous and totally current

b) drop dead gorgeous chic earrings

c) cardigan and jacket

d) lots of trendy tops and jewelry/accessories

e) comfy shoes and HOSIERY.

Oh man, that last one... HOSIERY! That one is so important! I tend to update my socks only when I have to, and not having the right hosiery really limits things!

* * *

Colorwise, I tend to wear black and navy the most, blue and gray too. Purple and orange, pink adds fun and spice to my tops. I wear light colors occasionally but I tend to stay away from them and reach for them the least. So, learning how to 'dress up' or 'create diversity' with my black/navy/grey/blue is crucial... 

If I had to specify numbers, to spell out 'A LOT' without clogging up my wardrobe space...

- 4~6 slacks for that season

- 2 skirts for that season

- 1 dress for that season

- 2 jackets for that season

- 2~4 coats for Winter

- 2 cardigans for that season

- 2~4 bags for that season

- 3~4 necklaces for that season

- 3~20 earrings total for that year

- 2~6 bracelets for that year

- 1~2 rings

- 4~8 tank tops for layering for that season

- 2~4 scarves for that season

- 6 knit tops for that season

- 6 blouses for that season

- 4~8 tshirts for that season

- 3~6 shoes for that season

- 20 hosiery for that season

- 1 belt for that season

- 2 umbrellas for that year

- 2 gloves for winter

- 1 pair of sunglasses for that year

I don't know, this may clog up my wardrobe space. But given that all the items are in good condition and 'in trend' and the right size and fit and fabric for me, then, this really should suffice for the year in view.

* * *

Having your hair color and cut consistent, as well as limiting your metals really saves $$$ down the road too. When you change your hair color, your more expensive wardrobe estate has to change, the length of the hair severely limits the types of clothings you can wear and still look 'feminine' and if your metals are all over the place, then you'll end up creating looks that feel like my wardrobe, 'a hodge podge' of 'wardrobe orphans' although some days I feel like I can 'pull it off.'

* * * 

I just did my Excel sheet calculations for the above list, and using Summer/Winter as my 2 seasons for my year, I will need a wardrobe of 138 to 199 pieces (including hosiery) in *good* and *wearable* condition for work/weekend.

I guess without hosiery, it would be 118 to 170 pieces of clothing.

The above list caters to my laundry cycle needs, but it doesn't fully accommodate my weight-change variable! When I put on weight in the Autumn/Winter, and lose weight in the Summer, my slacks or tops or coats tend to suddenly become 'Unwearable' and causes stress for me... 

Anyway, I hope this exercise helped you become more clear about your wardrobe needs! I think I'm going to go and see how my actual wardrobe matches up with my Dream Boutique Requirements!

It'd be fun to actually find out how much of my current stuff IS or ISN'T worthy of being in my Dream Boutique!

Thanks for tuning in ladies!

Mwarrr!

xoxo

Jessica~*

Updated: The PowerPoint file I uploaded earlier was not working well, so I am just sharing this JPG instead! :D

How to Always Have Lots to Wear In Your Wardrobe - Create Your Style Don'tra~!!

Hi readers!

I'm beginning this new year 2014, year of the Wood Horse :-) with a fresh approach to my style statement! Inspired by Cecilia Cassini and her commitment to her comfortable flip flops, in the face of her Mom's insistence that she wear *socks* the toeless socks Freetoes were born!

And it is my belief that, for those 'lost sheep' of the unhappy fashion divas, may that be you, and it certainly is me, maybe the solution is in a certain kind of Resistance and Commitment to what we will not bow down to, a small yet grand stand against whatever it is that befalls our fashion choices each day...

* * *

I think what is really significant about Cecilia's story is that, so many similar 'cases' are found repeatedly, incessantly in this world...

Take for example, Cindy Crawford and her beauty mole! I remember reading about these Super Models of the 90s, (yes, I'm in my 30s right now...), and how defiant and resistant Ms Crawford has been for each every time the model agencies required her to 'get rid of' her mole... even at the cost of not being hired...!

* * *

Another example, although more of his personal choice, than something of defiance, we see Karl Lagerfeld, in his personal uniform of choice, his ponytail and sunglasses, a fully covered body in suit and tie... Seriously, that man is a walking floating head!!! :-D

I think this also points to how CRITICAL your hairstyle is... in defining your style too... Think of Ana Wintour and her bold fringed bob... Think of Julia Roberts and her gorgeous natural wavy locks... Think of Wynona Ryder's cropped hair, and let's add Halle Barry to this list... Then, there's Morticia Addams in her dead straight and jet black hair too.

* * *

I have had a 'fashion blind spot' for the longest time... and it is just beginning to dawn on me in the past couple of years... that growing up, as a kid, I have always always admired so so much, the gorgeous glamorous Hollywood women...

The actresses just transported my mind to some place else, The Other Place, and it was like being captive in a trance state... Those beguiling women they were...

Well. After so many frustrated attempts at learning how to style things and coordinate things, and edit and curate my wardrobe, I'm just reaching this 'Extinction Burst' (thanks to my boyfriend who taught me this psychology concept this week!) regarding my Fashionary Longings... that you know what, I am really NOT going to be EVER like those Hollywood starlets, in my every day attire.

Yup. That is like 'a Fact.'
My ever present 'contextual gap' that actually, I'm not really willing to bridge.

I'm just too lazy to make my hair look like that.
In short, I will NEVER be an everyday diva like Dita von Teese...

*insert Grumpy Cat*

* * *

Well. So, what then?
Where does one go from a hard look at reality?

How do you optimize, knowing your Lazy-assness...

(Truth be told, I really envy my ENFP fashion goddess ex-colleague, who does her hair like a real Hollywood actress EVERY MORNING... Even my ESTP colleague spends at least a lil bit of time, doing her hair and at night, her nails... I are one ENTP, and even when I wear full makeup, my features are so 'Natural looking' after half a day at work, I look like I'm not wearing any makeup... and my nails, well, I'm not a tomboy yet my fingers get chipped ALL THE TIME... SMH...)

* * *

I think what my soul needs is a 'Style Don'tra' to move me forward... A style mantra in reverse... (My bratty ENTPness loves this kind of thing!)

Just like how I teach my EFL students on their Test Prep questions, "Guys, this is a useful skill to know... When you have a HARD multiple choice question, what do you do? Yes, Sally, that's right, we do the... Process of Elimination... Repeat after me everyone, Process of..."

* * *

Your Style Don'tra . . .

1. Think about your comfort level. What are some things that you're unwilling to give up, for the sake of your fuzzy wuzzy nommy lovely comfort level?

eg. I personally, just DON'T wear heels... I can't go over 4cm. Anything above that in heels makes me knees bleed.

2. Think about your body warmth needs and the environs it needs to handle in a given week. For me, more often than not, I just NEED to cover my body up a lot more and a lot longer than other people.

eg. When people celebrate Spring weather in March, I'm still clutching for my dear life in my winter coats...

3. Think about your personal budget and spending comfort. I love to shop or used to love shopping, but anything over $70, and it requires some 'Thinking' time.

eg. There have also been times when I used to curtail my hairdressing expenses, by NOT getting my hair colored, NOT getting my hair permed. Saves me tons and tons of hard-earned cash...

4. Think about some of your external requirements too. Do you work in an environment that is conservative OR very flashy?

eg. I am an EFL instructor and being in the education sector really means that my students feel uncomfortable about me showing too much skin. I'm not saying that you should sacrifice your individual style BECAUSE they said so, unless it's your Boss telling you point blank... but consider HOW you choose to respond to these external style cues... and how they affect your garment needs.

5. Also consider the kinds of accessories and jewelry you put on. Are you happy with how your accessories express you, and complete/adorn/jazz up your outfit? Are there accessories you JUST DON'T wear or do?

eg. I am not a minimalist by I don't like wearing TOO MUCH accessories. Or maybe it is that I just don't like heavy stuff on me. When I was doing DYT Type 2 look for 90 days, I tried wearing some long necklaces and my God, did I feel so depressed and tired...

I don't like wearing hats either, because it ruins my hair. Not that I style my hair. I don't even blow dry them. But I don't like having to check my hair and retouch them when they get flattened. Besides, as I said, most of my time is spent teaching in a classroom. Hats are a no no, unless I want to go clubbing all of a sudden, or I want to wear them to Emart for grocery shopping.

6. Think about some of the wardrobe staple items that so many Fashion Gurus tell you to wear. And see if you have Don'tra's from their list...!

eg. I look awful in pearl necklaces; too matronly. Trenchcoats age me by 20 years. Don't need expensive watches because I carry my cellphone all the time. I don't do ballet flats because they look kind of childish or like home-wear to me. Short rider jackets don't look good on me either, because it cuts my body in a weird place and makes my hips look hideous. I don't own a little black dress and when I used to have my sister's one in my closet, I wore it maybe 2 times in a year or less. I would rather have a black top and a black skirt!

* * *

Of course, your Fashion & Style Don'tras don't have to be a fixture forever. I mean, I never used to 'layer' clothes before, and I never used to wear skinny jeans. Those all changed, because staying current is important to my job and my style expression.

But I do believe in this process, this process of figuring out your Don'ts as a way of Defining Your Evolving Style Statement!

OK. This is what I have for today!
Will keep you posted, if I get more insights and examples on it!

Love,

Jessica


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