Wardrobe
New Concept for Coordination
A recent contest on Pattern Review.com made me appreciate a new way to make the most of a wardrobe – mine or a client’s. Whether you sew your clothes, buy ready-to-wear, or mix the two, I think you’ll enjoy playing this game yourself – especially if you need a little emotional boost to handle the…
Read MoreCasual Jackets = Practical Poise
Whether you want a jacket for variable temperatures or to polish your look on seemingly endless ZOOM calls for your career or community leadership roles, today’s world seems to call for something other than a traditional tailored look. Here are two terrific options:
Read MoreComfy Needn’t Mean Dumpy
Working from home allows many of us to forego “dressing up” in favor of more comfy attire these days. But – for our professional image or just our positive sense of self – staying in jammies all day probably isn’t the best choice. Here are some cozy items that can look good while they feel…
Read MoreGreat Buys on Great Hues
After months of intermittent store closures, it’s no surprise to see huge mark-downs on women’s Spring/Summer clothing. And many of us are more than ready for a wardrobe refresh. But shelter-at-home has convinced us that we don’t need MORE clothes; we need the RIGHT clothes. Here’s my first round of picks …
Read MoreBreaking the “Rules” & Getting Away With It
I’m pretty much a maverick – not a fan of rules at all – especially when it comes to styling my clients and myself. I seldom even use the word, preferring to think in terms of “guidelines” instead. Even so, when this dress violated every principle I usually follow, I wanted to identify the loopholes…
Read MoreDresses Worn 3 Ways
My wardrobe strategy – for myself and for every client – is that each new item work in at least 3 combinations with existing pieces. Solid separates function easily in this system, provided they are chosen in a unified color theme. But what about one-piece dresses? That’s where accessories come into play – making the…
Read MoreMore Self-Care Strategies …
As the COVID pandemic and stay-at-home continue for many and racial tensions pull at our hearts, the natural impulse is to ask “How can I help?” Whether that means sewing masks, shopping for elderly neighbors, donating to food pantries or extending care and support to friends, we can only maintain effectiveness if we take care…
Read MoreAnna Wintour Style … Stolen (Sorta)
Anna Wintour is the legendary editor of Vogue magazine and the woman on whom the boss in “The Devil Wears Prada” is loosely based. As one might expect, her style choices are impeccable and enviable. Lacking her leg length and her pocketbook, I was still able to approximate the look in my own wardrobe. Here’s…
Read MorePrint Shirts & Tops – Why I Chose Them. How I Wear Them
As regular readers know, I’m a big fan of solid color clothes for their versatility. But recently I’ve been pushing myself to experiment with using prints strategically. During the current quarantine I’ve been sewing like a fiend, but the concepts in this post apply just as readily to print tops your might buy ready-made. Here’s…
Read MoreCloset Cleanouts: the Movie
Some people would just rather watch the movie than read the book. If that’s you, here are links to the video version of my best tips for cleaning out and organizing the contents of your closet. Grab some popcorn if you want, and check out these tips …
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