Deconstipating Your Wardrobe

Empty the contents of your closet onto your bed (so you can't go to bed that night until you finish!).  Assess each garment critically and place in appropriate group.

• does not suit you & cannot be salvaged
• does not currently fit you
• has not been worn for over 12 months
• needs alteration or repair
• is no longer fashionable & looks outdated
• is out of season

• Alter, repair, update to wearable state; or
  
• If out of season, store in separate wardrobe or suitcase etc; or
  
• If no longer useful, dispose of via:
  • Recycle stores
  • Charity bins
  • Friends or relatives

Do this exercise each season to avoid a constipated wardrobe!

Posted by Prue Bartels on: Fri Sep 30th at 03:11:24 PM

When Size Really Doesn't Matter

Most of us have a desire to fit into a certain size of clothing but to be honest, it's how it looks on you, not the size on the label.

In Australian sizing, I'm a size 10 on average but my wardrobe ranges from XS to XL.  In cheaper labels (e.g. TEMT) I'll often go up a size as they tend to be skimpier cuts (plus my upper arms are larger than average for my size!) and looser fits are often more flattering.  Or sometimes my ideal size is sold out and the next size up looks fine.

I'm not precious about sizing but if clients I'm shopping with are...I threaten to cut off the labels!

Sizing varies around the globe.  In Thailand the average woman is quite petite so I start with the larger sizes there.  Occasionally even the largest doesn't fit me and I stomp out feeling like an elephant.  Whereas in the US...I can fit into size 2 pants and feel as light as a feather.

Hmmm...I guess those labels do affect my psyche after all...

Posted by Prue Bartels on: Wed Jul 13th at 11:03:40 PM

Safe Colours

Did you know there are certain colours that everyone can wear successfully?

We refer to them as "safe" or "universal" colours and are especially good to use when selecting bridesmaids' dresses or corporate wardrobes (staff uniforms).  Rather than have some looking great and the others awful...it's best to use colours that flatter everyone.

Here are some examples:

Off-White (also known as "Winter White" or sometimes even "Cream")   

Jade (the point at which blue and green meet) 

Teal Blue (dark turquoise)      

Periwinkle (a purplish blue or blueish purple)    

Medium Violet (most mid tone purples are safe)   

Deep Coral Pink (warm dark pink)  

Soft Cherry (light pinkish red)  

Soft Navy (especially in a textured fabric)  

Charcoal (much more flattering than black on most as a neutral)   

Posted by Prue Bartels on: Mon May 30th at 09:32:47 PM

Fringe Benefits

Why is it that so many women persist in having fringeless hairstyles that don't suit them?  I see them everywhere...in the social pages, at networking events...

Fringes are great for a variety of reasons...

- shorten long faces so they don't look so "horsey" (even worse with centre part & long fine hair)

- hide unattractive foreheads i.e. too narrow, too deep, too short

- hide forehead & brow lines

- hide attractive hairlines

- look youthful

Who should avoid them, especially full fringes?

- "short" face shapes i.e. round, square as they make them look squat

And if you have one of the above (or an oval) and have an attractive hairline, then flaunt it by pulling your hair right back off your face!

Posted by Prue Bartels on: Sat Apr 2nd at 06:07:20 PM

Do you have the right clothes for your lifestyle?

All too often I hear that a new client has a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear.

A successful wardrobe consists of the right balance of clothes for your lifestyle.  Consider how you spend your waking hours over the course of a week.

Example:                          

•              50% work
•              20% family (e.g. parenting, cooking, household duties, shopping)
•              20% leisure (e.g. hobbies, sports, gardening, watching television, sleeping/relaxing)
•              10% social (e.g. dining out, entertaining, theatre, parties, church) 

And remember....spend the most on the clothes you wear the most!

Posted by Prue Bartels on: Wed Mar 16th at 04:45:03 PM