So when you're standing at the mall, overwhelmed with all the options in front of you, what principles can you apply to all your wardrobe choices to create as much versatility as you've seen in the preceding lessons?
Here are the main ones:
* Choose mostly solid colors - because you can combine them in so many different ways.
* Start with two compatible neutrals from your Color Fan.
* Add one or two accent colors - also from your Color Fan. Nearly any two (or even 3) colors that you have any business wearing can work together into interesting combinations.
* SNEAKY TRICK: Start with a print, like the one we found for our 2-piece dress. If the print looks good on you and you like the colors combined within it, you're almost sure to like those colors equally well in a mix of solid garments. Or a great linking accessory can be another good starting point for a color scheme
* Look for fabrics that can span the seasons. Of course you'll need some very lightweitght pieces for summer and some decidedly heavier ones for the dead of winter, but blouse-weight silks, microfiber suitings, denim, cotton knits, matte jerseys and featherweight wools (among others) can work most of the year in most climates, giving you lots more value for your investment.
* Choose mostly sleek, unembellished garment styles. They have the greatest ability to "play well with others" in your closet.
* Shop for groups of companionable pieces - Core Fours, Color Columns and Twin Tops. Avoid "orphan" pieces until your wardrobe development is well on its way.
* Invest in a great assortment of linking accessories - that's what will pull all those combinations together. They also add spice to the plainer garment styles, express your unique fashion personality and can make a particular combination look more dressy or more sporty for even greater versatility. If you can't find the color combination you need, email me the details and I'll email you right back with photos of scarves and jewelry from my inventory custom-selected for you.
* Of course, be sure all the silhouettes are right for your body type. A whole lot of unflattering options really isn't the WIN we're shooting for here.
* Buy nicer quality and invest in perfecting the fit. You can afford to do both, now that you reaize you don't need nearly as many pieces as you did when you were shopping randomly.
* Pay full price when you need to. It's tough to find companion pieces on the clearance racks. Remember: the RIGHT peices are more of a bargain than CHEAP pieces. And pieces that are both right and bargain-priced are a gift from the Universe -- Don't forget to say "Thank You."
