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