| I often ask clients, "If you have to get | | | | individual piece of clothing you own. Check |
| dressed in five minutes, what would you | | | | for loose buttons, holes, stains, etc… |
| wear?" The answer is often the same, "I don't | | | | Try on all clothing in a full length mirror. |
| know!" | | | | It's amazing how a full length mirror can |
| | | | help you access how you look. In addition, |
| In our society, we all have extremely busy | | | | create piles for your clothing. You should |
| lives. Yet, we tend to neglect important | | | | have a keep pile, throw-away pile, and |
| aspects of our lives. Paying close attention | | | | give-away pile. |
| to how we look when we leave our homes | | | | |
| requires real time, strong effort, and | | | | One of the great benefits of giving clothing |
| adequate preparation. Choosing the right | | | | away is you are providing a less fortunate |
| clothes for your wardrobe should be on the | | | | person with clothing and you can utilize a |
| top of your priority list. | | | | tax deduction. Dress for Success of Jackson |
| | | | is a great organization to support. Women are |
| Creating plans to update and enhance your | | | | provided attire to wear to job interviews. |
| wardrobe for 2008 may seem tedious and | | | | Dress for Success of Jackson helps these |
| unimportant. Uniquely, there are many | | | | women secure a better future for themselves, |
| benefits to updating your wardrobe. If you | | | | as well as for their family. |
| are truly considering losing weight and | | | | |
| looking slimmer, you need to evaluate your | | | | Next, create a list of what you need to |
| options now! | | | | complete your wardrobe. What do you need to |
| | | | purchase? What do you need to replace after |
| Some people have missed out on jobs and other | | | | giving the clothing away? What accessories do |
| important opportunities because of what they | | | | you need? Here is a checklist of wardrobe |
| wore to their interview. This change is the | | | | basics: |
| result of visual stimulation provided by the | | | | |
| entertainment and fashion industries. | | | | 1. Three piece suit (jacket, skirt, pants) |
| Increasing numbers of retailers are creating | | | | |
| specialty boutiques, stores, and shops to fit | | | | 2. Fitted Jacket |
| this growing need. It is up to you to use | | | | |
| these retailers to your benefit. It is my job | | | | 3. Versatile Skirt |
| and duty to help my clients recognize the | | | | |
| importance of choosing the right clothes with | | | | 4. White Dress Shirt |
| the hope that they will spend less time | | | | |
| wasting money on clothes they will never | | | | 5. Day Dress |
| wear. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Basic Black Dress |
| The first step in updating your wardrobe is | | | | |
| to evaluate what you own. Creating an | | | | 7. Slacks |
| inventory list of what you have in your | | | | |
| closet makes it clear of where you currently | | | | 8. Black Dress |
| stand and what you need to purchase. Create | | | | |
| categories for your clothing: casual, work, | | | | 9. Trench Coat |
| dress, and special occasions. | | | | |
| | | | 10. Handbag |
| The next step is to examine the clothing you | | | | |
| own and how it fits your lifestyle. Your | | | | Using your checklist, determine stores and |
| lifestyle deeply influences the way you look. | | | | boutiques, which fit your style and budget. |
| Do you participate in sports that require | | | | Planning out your shopping route can ease the |
| certain clothing? To you attend sporting | | | | pain and frustration associated with |
| events, which require specific clothing? Are | | | | shopping. If you really dread shopping, you |
| you in the medical field? Does your job | | | | can always hire an image consultant to |
| require scrubs as a wardrobe? Do you work in | | | | journey with you or without you. |
| an office environment, which requires suits | | | | |
| worn on a daily basis? | | | | To enhance your wardrobe is a really simple |
| | | | process. Setting aside a Saturday to evaluate |
| Once you have determined what you own and how | | | | what you own is worth the effort. Adequate |
| your clothing fits your life, you must | | | | planning, effort, and preparation can have |
| determine what clothing you will keep, | | | | you looking great in 2008. |
| give-away, and throw away. Critique each | | | | |