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The
Clothing Chronicles ================================================
In This Issue: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So what's on tap for today's article? A review of the easiest, least expensive way to LOOK like you have a ton of clothes, even when you don't: clothing capsules. P.S. Works great for traveling, too! Enjoy!
Diana ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Clothing Capsules: The Secret To a "Bottomless Closet" Ever gone to your closet in the morning and wished that somehow, someway, closet elves had visited in the night and left you with a whole new set of clothes? Well that's precisely the result you get when you start using clothing capsules. They're the easiest, simplest way to extend your wardrobe, and once you understand how they work, you'll be amazed at what's in your closet. Now I've talked about clothing capsules before. But since it's been a while and since this concept bears frequent repeating, I'll describe the process again, then give you an excellent resource (at least I think so!) that you can turn to for further study. A clothing capsule is a group of 5-12 pieces (jacket, skirt, slacks, etc.) that work in combination with each other. They can be complimentary colors, of the same color, have similar elements, or be of the same pattern. For example, let's say you have:
...and that you normally wear the white blouse with the black skirt and blue jacket, and the black turtleneck with the red pants suit. When you use clothing capsules, you "break up" your tried-and-true combinations to create other fabulous ensembles. For example:
So now, instead of two combinations, you have ten. Same number of clothes, eight times as many combinations. It's a fabulous way to make a little go a long way. Or to borrow an old Aboriginal saying, "The more you know, the less you need." So why don't more women use clothing capsules? Good question! I think there are two primary reasons: 1. Most women are so used to wearing certain clothes in certain combinations that they never stop to think about mixing and matching with other items in their closet. 2. They buy clothes on impulse, not as part of an overall plan. When you buy a little of this and a little of that, you only have a little to work with. Once you start to view your wardrobe as the investment it is, you start making smarter choices. Just as you put together your career plan or investment portfolio with calculated diligence, so too, should you design your wardrobe for maximum return. Unfortunately, the media make it easy for us to overspend and make mistakes. With the latest "must haves" and "what's hot and what's not" lists, it's so easy to put aside logic when it comes to our appearance. Don't do it. Instead, start with a plan. First, arrange your closet by types of clothing, hanging all jackets together, all skirts together, all blouses together, etc. Break up the suits, and mix up the sweater sets. Secondly, start wearing your clothes in completely different combinations, like those described above. Mix a brown skirt with a blouse that has brown dots, for example, and trying pairing the jackets from some suits with the skirts or pants of other suits. Finally, make note of what you could use to extend your wardrobe even farther: belts, scarves, jackets, etc. By process of eliminate, these become YOUR "must haves". So how well do clothing capsules actually work? Very well, particularly when traveling. Here are a couple of comments I've received from readers of WARDROBE MAGIC, http://www.wardrobemagic.com :
Laura
Broughton, Teacher *********************
"I
just returned from a professional conference
Kimberly Dominic, Environmental Engineer & Manager
Clothing capsules are a great way to build or rebuild a wardrobe. Start with a few pieces, add a few more, and top with trendy, inexpensive accessories for a fresh look anytime. Once you master this simple wardrobe strategy, you'll never look at your closet the same again. You'll also never have to travel heavy anymore, because with a few well-chosen pieces and a little imagination, you can make a little do a lot. Try it yourself and see!
************** Until next time,
Diana Pemberton-Sikes
http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com ------------------------ Published by:
Top Drawer
Publications, LLC Copyright © 2005 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. |
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