29Oct

The Art of Minimalism: The Famous Wardrobe Organization Strategy that Will “Spark Joy”

October 29, 2020 Lots of Luxe

There are so many closet organization strategies, but recently, a decluttering queen has become quite famous for introducing us to her method for a complete closet overhaul.

If you haven’t heard of the decluttering queen Marie Kondo, she is a tidying expert who has shared her method for organizing that has become a sensation.

With Marie’s method, you ask yourself “does this spark joy?” and you only keep possessions that spark joy within you.

If we apply this to our wardrobes, you will be left with only the clothes you love and wear, and everything else will go. With this method, your entire wardrobe will spark joy every day, making it easier for you to define your style and effortlessly put together outfits.

Ms. Kondo’s minimalist method called the KonMari method can bring you the confidence to organize your closet and get rid of anything that no longer serves a purpose for you.

What Does it Mean to “Spark Joy?”

According to the KonMari method, look at each piece of clothing, accessories, handbags, etc. and ask yourself, “does this [insert object here] spark joy?”

If it does spark joy, you keep it, if it doesn’t, you lovingly toss it or donate it. We can easily know what sparks joy for us, because you will be instantly aware of how much you love a certain purse or pair of shoes, just like the first day you bought them. But, if you feel indifferent, you’ll know right away.

Maybe you have dozens of items that you begrudgingly wear but they don’t spark joy, so it’s time to let them go and keep and wear only what you L-O-V-E!

It might seem daunting to look into your closet and decide to get rid of everything that doesn’t “spark joy” but if you do it, the process is easy, and afterward your entire closet will spark joy. Now, that sounds fantastic!

The Steps to Sparking Joy

When applying the KonMari method to our closets, there are some essential recommendations from the organization expert.

1. Fully Commit to the Organization Process

You might start by scheduling a day to begin your organization journey or set up an appointment with a wardrobe stylist to assist you with the hard decisions. Know that organization is refreshing and can be the start of a new you. Especially while the seasons are changing, committing to getting rid of old clothes that don’t fit can feel really rewarding.

2. Imagine Your Ideal Lifestyle When Organizing Your Wardrobe

Do you know how to define your personal style? When you begin the organization process, it’s good to have an idea in mind about the types of items you want to keep. Luckily, with the KonMari method, asking if each item sparks joy is an easy way to figure it out. When you’re done, you’ll have a closet full of clothes you absolutely love.

3. Decide What Sparks Joy

Sort through your closet and while looking at and holding each item, decide if it sparks joy. If it does, you automatically keep it, of course!

Anything that doesn’t immediately spark joy, will be kept in a separate pile. According to Marie, she recommends saying “thank you” to the unwanted item and give it away in gratitude. This can make the separation process a lot easier for many people. Have gratitude for the pieces that no longer spark joy and resell them online or donate them, bringing joy to another woman who will love them.

A third pile can be for things you are unsure about. You can go back to them and reassess your feelings about them. After you’ve made your “joy” pile and “donation” pile, it will be easier to determine how you feel about the items in the “uncertain” pile.

4.Organize By Category

Now that you have clothes that only spark joy, you can easily organize and enjoy a clutter-free closet full of the clothes that make you feel your absolute best.

Need Extra Wardrobe Help?

While Marie Kondo’s minimalist method is very helpful, you might worry about doing it alone. So, that’s where a professional wardrobe stylist can assist your organizing efforts. Everything is easier when you have an expert by your side. If you feel overwhelmed, get in touch with us today!

27Aug

Size Isn’t Standard

August 27, 2020 Lots of Luxe

Body Positive Changes to Finding Clothes that Fit

Women have cursed their size for decades. Some decades have been worse on us than others (think the gaunt models of the 90s when anything more than super thin was out), and thankfully we’ve made some progress on how we view women’s bodies. Lately, the media shows a variety of shapes, from petite to full-figured, and models are more diverse than they ever have been. Still, worrying about size is a common problem for women. If we aren’t a particular size, we feel bad.

It’s safe to say that most women have worries about their size, whether it be “comparisonitis” with other women or how personal size stacks up with the “ideals” we see in the media. There is no shortage of women who are not happy with their clothing, size or visiting the fitting rooms. I think it’s time to change that!

Here’s the thing: It’s less about your size and more about fit. Let’s emphasize a good fit over a number that comes on the tag. When women wear well-fitting clothes, they feel good about themselves, regardless of size!

Clothing size is merely a number, a measurement. It has no emphasis on how kind, funny, or astonishingly beautiful you are. Size cannot quantify your beauty and worth. Let size be just a number and focus on how you feel instead.

One thing that can help you achieve feeling good in your clothes is connecting some valuable words to your personal style. What is your truth when it comes to your style? Is it cool, posh, outrageous, iconic, luxurious, or striking?

Here’s what to ask yourself: What words do I want to attribute to my personal style?

As I write this, I am reminded just how powerful words are. Having powerful words assigned to the clothing you wear gives your personal style definition that you can rely on when putting outfits together or purchasing new items each season.

This idea is an inspiration from Brenda Kinsel, who has written about her search for the perfect sized jacket. She finally narrowed it down to a petite medium, after trying on a few sizes, saying, “And you know how I knew it was the right size for me? The standard-sized jackets felt dowdy on me. I wouldn’t have bought it. I’m a spunky, spirited kind of gal, and dowdy isn’t in my style vocabulary. When I got to the petite medium, it felt just right.”

Brenda makes an excellent point here. If your personal style is defined as “spunky,” for example, then anything “dowdy” just can’t be right for you!

Want some more tips? Here are five tips for nailing your personal style and focusing on fit, not size.

1. People notice when you look and feel good, and size is irrelevant. Size is for you (and your personal stylist) to know. Nobody else knows or cares for that matter. When you walk into a room as your-best-dressed-self, you get noticed regardless of your size. That’s why focusing on fit is so much more important. When clothes fit, you know it, and you feel good. You’ll also attract a lot of compliments. Fit is more important than any number.

2. When you wear clothes that fit, you are much more comfortable AND your confidence level immediately goes up. Comfortable fitting clothes allows you to relax, be yourself, and focus on more important things. Time spent tugging and pulling on ill-fitting clothes is time wasted. Don’t waste your time trying to fit into the clothes. Instead, concentrate on how well your clothes fit and watch how you’ll have an extra pep in your step.

3. Remember that size is often relative. Have you ever been one size in a store and a totally different size in another? Clothing sizes for women fluctuate from designer to designer. Some designers’ silhouettes might run small and others larger. Clothing size varies a lot, so don’t be so hard on yourself. If clothing size isn’t even down to a science, then it shouldn’t be fretted over! Even if you think you’re sure of your size, it’s always a good idea to take two or three sizes into the fitting room, so you can decide which fit feels best.

4. Your body changes a lot. Give yourself some credit for being a woman, first and foremost. Over the years, our bodies change, and therefore, clothing sizes change. Even if your weight has been the same for years, our bodies can suddenly hold weight in different areas, or water weight can be a culprit in tightly fitting clothes. Cut yourself some slack because this is normal, and it happens to every body. If anything doesn’t fit you anymore, it’s time to consign it or donate it! You get to buy new clothes that fit right and make you feel wonderful while another woman will get to enjoy your previously-loved clothing.

5. Fashion changes and so do sizes. That has nothing to do with you or your body. Designers change the way clothes fit and fashion trends can change the way things fit on us. Once again, find clothes that fit your body without worrying too much about the numbers.

Finding Clothes that Fit With a Personal Stylist

Finding clothes that fit can be a frustrating task for many women. But it doesn’t have to be. If you need help implementing the tips above, we’re always available. Sometimes, finding clothes that fit and make you feel great can be accomplished by using professionals, from tailors to wardrobe stylists. If you need help finding clothes that always make you feel fabulous, contact us for a consultation.

18Jun

A Closet Love Affair: How to Love Every Piece of Clothing in Your Closet

June 18, 2020 Lots of Luxe

Do you have that feeling that you have nothing to wear but your closet is jam-packed with clothes? That feeling comes from not loving everything you have. It’s probably safe to say that most of your clothes aren’t your favorite. There are ways to turn that around and finally know what it feels like to love stepping into your closet to pick out an outfit.

We all know that incredible feeling when we put on a really special outfit. When you try it on and it’s perfect. You get so excited to wear it out for the first time. When you do, you feel stunning and attract tons of compliments.

Imagine having that feeling every day?

It’s so important to adore every piece of clothing in your closet. When you love everything in your closet, getting dressed is a breeze. Everything fits, you feel great in everything, and outfits are easy to create. You will never feel like you have nothing to wear when you love everything!

It’s time to say goodbye to anything that’s “just okay.” Life’s too short to wear anything that doesn’t make you feel great.

Here’s a quick guide to getting the wardrobe you want by creating a closet that you love.

Take a minimalistic approach

First things first: starting a wardrobe of all lovely things doesn’t start with a shopping spree, it starts with a purge. If you’re on a journey to love every piece of clothing in your closet, you’re about to learn that you probably love only a fraction of the things you currently have. It sounds almost awful to have fewer clothes. Who would want less?! But, here’s the thing: It’s more about quality over quantity. It doesn’t mean you’ll have less than you need or want, but it’s about having less clutter and fewer pieces of clothing that you don’t absolutely love. When you embrace the art of minimalism, you will only invest in pieces you love and get rid of anything that “doesn’t spark joy”, as Marie Kondo would say.

So begin taking inventory of what you have and get serious about donating or tossing anything that just isn’t quite right. If it’s old, worn-out, the wrong color, doesn’t fit (or flatter) it goes!, And don’t hold onto things out of guilt. Just because you spent money on an item and maybe didn’t wear it, doesn’t mean you have to keep it. Donations are a great way to not feel that guilt! When purging, remember, if you don’t love it, you won’t wear it.

Ponder your daily needs

It’s important to create a wardrobe that caters to your lifestyle. A practical, sustainable closet can be yours when you think about who you are, what you do, and what your wardrobe goals are. Where you live and what you do are definitely two determining factors when it comes to creating the perfect daily wardrobe with pieces that you love. Being realistic about your lifestyle can help you determine what to pack your closet with. Ruthlessly get rid of things that don’t fit, anything that doesn’t suit your lifestyle, and anything you don’t love.

When everything in your wardrobe fits your lifestyle, it’s easy to love everything! If your wardrobe is cluttered with blazers and pantsuits that you haven’t worn in years because you currently work from home, maybe it’s time to purge! If you don’t wear it, make room for what you’ll love and wear all the time.

The quickest way to a closet love affair…

What’s the secret to loving your closet? It’s having a personal stylist. If you’re feeling ambivalent about your wardrobe, it’s time to change that! That’s where a personal shopper and wardrobe stylist comes in.

A personal shopper takes the guesswork out of picking out clothes you’ll love. With a personal shopper and a wardrobe stylist, you can get the assistance you need to purge anything you don’t love, and only keep everything that suits your lifestyle, plus you can:

Pick a color palette, which makes creating flattering outfits so simple.
Define your personal style, which boosts your confidence and individuality.
Organize what you already have, toss what needs to go, and fill in the blanks you’ve been missing.

You’ll save time, save money, and learn how you can maintain a closet full of clothes you absolutely love. Life is simpler when you don’t have to worry about what to wear.

If you’re ready to love everything in your closet, schedule a consultation to learn more about working with a personal wardrobe stylist. We’re ready to help you love everything in your closet.

28May

What’s Your Power Color?

May 28, 2020 Lots of Luxe

Colors have the power to make us feel emotions, and it’s truly fascinating!

There is psychology in how we perceive colors and it’s used everywhere, from interior design to advertising, and yes, you can use it to your advantage in how you dress! It’s true, colors can affect our spending habits, appetite, stress level, and more.

So, the next time you dress, imagine the feelings you will provoke when you step out into the world. I encourage you to find a power color or two!

Finding your signature power color can help you establish your personal style, increase confidence, and help you influence how others see you personally or professionally.

While some say that black makes them feel powerful, sophisticated, confident and the like, this blog will steer away from all neutrals. Neutrals like black won’t stand out in a crowd and finding your power color is definitely about confidently standing out, so I will specifically focus on bright colors.

Red

Wear red if you want to feel: Passionate, lively, ambitious, sexy, motivated, or in charge.

This ultimate power color stimulates emotions like strength, determination, and desire. Red is associated with love, energy, passion, and action. Some people shy away from red because it’s a color that can’t go unnoticed! Red is such a powerful color that the sight of it raises blood pressure, increases the metabolism, and boosts breathing rates.

Not only does red automatically put you in the spotlight, but it also looks good on everyone. Red is a universally flattering color, regardless of skin tone or hair color. So, if you don’t frequently experiment with wearing red, try it out for yourself.

Power it up: Red is one of a few colors that stands on its own and doesn’t need any help! If you want to wear it as a power color go for crimson, ruby, or cherry red, instead of something muted like burgundy. If you don’t usually rock red, try just some red accessories or red lipstick to get noticed.

Blue

Wear blue if you want to feel: Confident, wise, relaxed, smart, stable, or sincere.

Blue is the power color of corporate America because it’s linked to stability, intellect, precision, and leadership. It’s often named as the best color to wear to an interview, as it’s a sign of sincerity and devotion. Blue is associated with productivity and is likely to be used to decorate offices and studies. This color is also calming and steady. The sky and ocean are blue, which we usually connect with tranquility.

Wearing blue is non-threatening, yet it kindles feelings of someone who is a leader. Blue is the color to wear if you want to position yourself as an authority and be someone that people trust. It’s reliable, secure, and a sign of high intelligence.

Power it up: Wear royal blue, electric blue, or sapphire. While light blue is associated with peace, health, and softness, deep blues as a power color provoke influence and integrity.

Pink

Wear pink if you want to feel: Energetic, playful, feminine, compassionate, or hopeful.

Pink as a power color is positive and bright. In color psychology, pink is a sign of hope, love, and tenderness. Pink is seen as the most feminine color, and it’s almost impossible to not feel girly while wearing it, which is why it’s most often used for women’s events and charities.

Wearing pink brings on feelings of warmth, excitement, and energy. The color is cheery and has youthful vibes. When you want to feel vibrant, pink is the way to go!

Power it up: Choose brighter pinks like hot pink or magenta to wear pink as a power color, as light pinks are soft and nurturing. If pink isn’t a color you typically wear, balance this super feminine hue with charcoal or other dark colors.

Yellow

Wear yellow if you want to feel: Optimistic, happy, positive, or cheerful.

Is there a happier color than yellow? Yellow is the color of sunshine, the color we associate with fun, cheerfulness, and positivity. Yellow stands out from a crowd, much like red does, and it’s one color that can be seen from a distance, which is why taxis and buses are often yellow.

As a power color, yellow is received warmly by others and you’ll be seen in a positive light. Yellow increases mental activity, activates memory, encourages conversation, and builds confidence.

Power it up: Wear bright yellow tones, that signify the positives of yellow like clarity, confidence, and energy because the psychology of dull yellows can be seen as caution or sickness.

Purple

Wear purple if you want to feel: Luxurious, ambitious, regal, wise, or imaginative.

The psychology of purple combines fiery red with calm blue, and purple is somewhere in between. Often associated with royalty, purple elicits feelings of dignity and grandeur. Purple also inspires the imagination, deeper thoughts, spirituality, and fulfillment.

Wearing purple will affect the mind and body with uplifting emotions and introspection. As a power color, purple is both balancing and intense. Purple is the color of imagination and creativity.

Power it up: Purple is the kind of color that any shade of it can be a power color. Purple is almost always eye-catching, from deep gem hues to light purple. Light purples like lavender are rare in nature and also much rarer in clothing versus, something like light pink. Lavender is perceived as graceful, elegant, and can be used to identify wealth.

Power Up Your Closet with Color

Feeling powerful is a personal thing so I can’t say there is just one color that will do this for you, it’s your choice! We all have a color preference and feeling powerful will be affected by our confidence level and how good we feel in our clothes.

I hope you find your power color; wear it, feel it, own it!

Want to learn more? Need help finding your authentic style? That’s what I’m here for. From wardrobe styling to personal shopping, I can help with it all. Get started by contacting me today!

29Apr

Life, Simplified: How Home Delivery Services Have Changed the Game

April 29, 2020 Lots of Luxe

Let’s get straight to the point: We are always busy. Especially women who tend to wear many hats. We juggle careers, marriages, kids, finances…all of it. Even while under a stay-at-home order, we’re busier than ever. And what we’re learning during this stay-at-home period is how convenient delivery and subscription services really are.

We can get anything delivered, from meal subscription kits to bags of fresh groceries to essentials from the pharmacy. Subscription services are also in every niche imaginable, from makeup to coffee, all tailored to your tastes and delivered to your door. We can even get food from restaurants that traditionally don’t deliver brought straight to us wherever we are via food delivery services. Even when we’re not super busy, it’s easy to use concierge-y services to help us out while we kick-back.

Another benefit of these delivery services is they can be automated, so we don’t even have to think about them. And the coolest thing is, none of these services break the bank…not even close. I’m trying really hard to see any downside here!

So if you’re already using UberEats, Instacart, Home Chef, Ipsy, and others, have you tried our Box of Luxe yet?

Box of Luxe allows you to stay on top of your wardrobe needs with beautiful pieces from the Carlisle and Etcetera collections. For no additional fees or commitment of a subscription, clothing pieces are selected by a Personal Stylist who carefully considers your lifestyle needs, your likes and dislikes, and even fit issues. These carefully curated wardrobe pieces, your Box of Luxe, is then delivered to your doorstep.

Box of Luxe makes managing your look, adding new pieces to your closet, and updating your clothing each season easy. You can consistently maintain a stunning, fresh wardrobe without shopping.

Honestly, it’s a no-brainer, and you’ll have a team of Stylists behind every choice, guaranteeing you’ll love everything. If you don’t love it, return it within five days, no questions asked.

How it Works

Complete a Style Profile. Tell us about your style so we can pick the perfect items for you.
Receive your box. You’ll receive 4-6 pieces personally selected for you by a Stylist from our Carlisle and/or ETCETERA collections. Your Box of Luxe will be shipped to you free or hand-delivered by a Stylist.
Try on your clothes You’ll have five days to try on the clothes. Keep what you want. If needed, exchange what you want for another size, or return anything you don’t want hassle-free.

The Benefits

Your time is respected. Save lots of time by having clothes shipped straight to you; avoiding those time-consuming trips to the mall.
You’ll have a stylist on your side. A Personal Stylist can help you make purposeful decisions about your wardrobe. Take the guesswork out with a Personal Stylist.
It’s tailored to you. Box of Luxe picks pieces from the Carlisle and Etcetera collections that match your lifestyle, size, body type, and personal preferences.
There are NO FEES! You will never pay any membership, styling, or subscription fees. No deposits and no return shipping fee.
You have control over delivery. Get a box when you want it. You will not be committed to a subscription. If a subscription is your preference, no problem. We can arrange that for you and help determine the timing.
Use your preferred payment at sign up. You only pay for what you keep.

Style, Delivered

Box of Luxe brings you the freshest pieces each season from the Carlisle and ETCETERA Collections. You can count on the finest fabrics, a fabulous fit, and superior service that consistently delivered with each Box of Luxe. If you have questions or you’d like to know more, contact me.

Ready for your first Box of Luxe? Complete your Style Profile here.

26Feb

How to Recycle Outfits: Here’s How to Wear the Same Outfit Twice

February 26, 2020 Lots of Luxe

While some would consider wearing the same outfit twice a huge faux-pas, we all do it because we’re human and we use what we’ve got. Why not wear something twice -or three times- a month if we love it, it’s comfortable, or we just feel confident in it? I say if you love it wear it, and really, who cares if we’re caught wearing the same outfit twice? If celebrities and even Duchess Kate Middleton have been caught wearing the same thing twice, we can too.

But, there are ways to make it seem like your wardrobe is endless and you wouldn’t dare recycle an outfit. Sometimes we’d like to wear the same dress to two different events but not get caught in pictures wearing the same thing. If you want to create the appearance of an abundant wardrobe or just add more creativity to what you wear, here are some great ways to add diversity to your favorite outfits.

Here’s how to wear the same outfit twice and fool everyone. A few subtle tweaks are all it takes.

Play with Makeup and Hair

Makeup and hair can completely transform your look even if your outfit is the same. The art of playing with a bold lipstick or new hairstyle can change the vibe of an outfit. It also completely takes the focus off your outfit and onto you! Using celebrities as an example, typically, when a celebrity wears the same dress twice, she will have changed her hair or makeup to try to throw us off. An evening gown look can look different with an elegant updo versus a long, flowing hairstyle. Using that image for inspiration, why not get creative?

Style, Restyle, Style Again

A quick way to easily get away with wearing the same outfit over and over again is by restyling! Changing up how you style an outfit can add some flair, dress up or dress down any kind of garment. A t-shirt and jeans can be switched up by knotting the t-shirt, to create a casual look. Switch heels for flats or sandals for sneakers for a fresh look to your outfit.

Add or Subtract

On a similar note to the above suggestion, don’t underestimate the power of accessories when restyling your look. Add a belt, hat, blazer, or jewelry to your restyled outfit. Layering is fun, great for seasonal wardrobe changes, and a must-do when recycling outfits. A sundress with a sun hat is a much different look than a sundress paired with a leather jacket. Contrarily, subtracting from your outfit can drastically change the look of it.

Capsule Dressing

One of our favorite ways of creating a wardrobe that is versatile enough to utilize pieces more than twice is to create capsules. When updating your wardrobe each season with new pieces, think about what’s in your closet and then select pieces that allow you to easily mix and match creating the perfect capsules for a weekend getaway, business trip, or an easy dressing work week.

Create a Purposeful Wardrobe with Box of Luxe

Most women don’t have time to be constantly thinking about their wardrobes, which results in recycling outfits. It’s just easier that way! But, there is a way to build a wardrobe without having to do any of the work and it’s called Box of Luxe. Box of Luxe is the answer for busy women who don’t have much time to put in the effort of shopping and creating the wardrobe of their dreams. With Box of Luxe, a personal stylist uses your personal style, body type, and preferences to deliver 4-6 pieces of clothing to you. Keep what you love, and return what you don’t. No subscriptions, no fees. Any questions? Contact me and I’d be happy to help!

13Nov

Fashion Trends: Love Them or Leave Them?

November 13, 2019 Melrose Fisher

Your Ultimate Guide for Deciding Which Fashion Trends Will Work for You

Are you a trend chaser or a trend avoider? What thoughts inevitably come up when you hear the word “trend’? If trends are working for you, I would never challenge you to leave them. Of course, fashion is meant to be playful and fun. But, if you are a trend chaser familiar with the cycle of buying clothes, neglecting them and ending up with a closet full of “nothing to wear”, then this article could be your saving grace.

If you avoid trends completely, you could be missing out on some exciting new ways to showcase your personal style. The following tips will help you embrace changing trends in a way that doesn’t intimidate or fill up your closet with trends you won’t wear in six months’ time.

Trends come with the seasons and we sometimes have a love/hate relationship with them. You see a new trend made popular by a celebrity, you buy it, wear it once, and then never again. Sound familiar? So, how can you know whether to embrace a new trend or to let it be? Trends can be a fun way to experiment with fashion and self-expression. They can also be challenging to fit into our current wardrobe if our goal is to create longevity with our clothing.

Here’s how to decide whether to welcome a new trend or to leave it on the rack – The next time you’re tempted to try a trend, ask yourself the following questions:

Will the trend seamlessly fit into my current wardrobe?

We want to create and maintain a fluid wardrobe that works well as a whole unit. A wardrobe works best when we can step into our closet and easily choose an outfit, for any event or situation. Wardrobes should be cohesive. If the trend is the opposite of anything you typically wear or if you would have trouble pairing it with your current clothes to make an outfit, then don’t buy it. However, some trends can be easily worn and introduced into your wardrobe; these are the trends you’ll want to invest in. You will be more likely to wear a trend that easily aligns with your current wardrobe.

Is the trend classic or ostentatious?

Some trends are classics that come and go over the years. Classic trends include prints, colors, and fabrics. For example, you’ll notice prints such as stripes and florals pop up over the years, then disappear, and then reappear over time. With a classic trend, you will never look back at old photos and wonder, “What was I thinking?”. It’s the best of both worlds: you get to wear something on-trend and you can wear it for seasons to come.

But how do you differentiate between a classic trend and one that’s ostentatious? The classic trends tend to be more subtle, like a hot color or a popular fabric. While an ostentatious trend is meant to make a statement, such as unique styling. Some trends we’re seeing this fall are satin, shades of purple, and bike shorts paired with blazers. Items in purple or satin might be safe bets to add to your closet, but what about bike shorts with blazers? If this trendy look is a far stretch from your personal style than it may not be for you. However, if you’re a statement-maker, then give it a try! If not, try a more classic trend so you’re still dressing in a current fashion.

Some trends are merely showy and may be popular for a season but won’t stick around as effortless classic trends do. Ask yourself if a certain trend will be worth buying for the long-term goals of your closet.

Does the trend flatter my figure?

Trends might look fabulous on a model, celebrity, or even a friend, but will the trend flatter your own unique body type? Wearing clothing that flatters your body is important for your confidence and for creating a wardrobe that excites you every day. You want everything in your closet to comfortably fit and flatter your curves and body type. If it doesn’t fit in a way that makes you look and feel wonderful, then leave it. Comfort and confidence trump a trend every time.

Does this trend work with my personal style?

Okay, here’s where I can help. A lot of women don’t know how to define their personal style. If you can categorize the way you dress in a couple of words, you will have a template to consider for all your future clothing purchases. You will be able to easily decide what works best for you and your lifestyle, including colors, fits, fabrics, and more. Building a wardrobe is suddenly easier. This step can be especially trying, but an extra opinion from a stylist can be a huge help. Want to define your personal style and make your wardrobe work for you? It’s my specialty! And I always welcome calls or emails if you have questions.

15Oct

6 Tips for Putting Together a Super Stylish Outfit

October 15, 2019 Melrose Fisher

1. Let’s Get Practical

First things first: Deciding what to wear requires a few logistical considerations. You need to think of the weather, your schedule, and activities for the day. When we dress, we want to start with practicality; so begin by asking yourself a few questions:

Is the weather predicted to be consistent all day or will you be needing to put on/take off layers? Should you wear pants and a sweater, or will pants combined with a sleeveless blouse and a cardigan be a wiser choice?

Will you have to walk long distances or stand for long periods of time? Will you be more comfortable in heels or flats?

Does your schedule call for dressy or casual clothes? Are you dressing for your workday, the weekend, or a special event?

Do any of your activities throughout the day require, or limit, particular items of clothing? Are you doing anything that could, for example, dirty your clothes, like gardening, painting, or hiking? Will you be doing any activities that would make it impractical to wear, for example, a dress or skirt?

Women who are confident and look polished all day think about these things. Don’t worry – This doesn’t have to be daunting, just remember that you want to feel comfortable, dress appropriately, and look your best!

2. Choose Comfort

Myth: Dressing for comfort means that clothing will lack style and personality and will be rather dull.

Fact: Dressing for comfort does not mean you need to walk around in something drab. Clothing should be comfortable in the sense that you feel your absolute best in what you’re wearing.

Comfort does not mean boring! Quality fabrics and proper fit should be the top criteria when considering comfort. If you don’t feel comfortable in clothing that you have to wear all day, chances are you won’t wear it. Or, even worse, you’ll get stuck wearing something that doesn’t feel quite right, which can affect your mood and really throw off your entire day.

When choosing comfort, consider your signature style. If you’re dressing true to your authentic self, then you will feel comfortable and confident in anything you put on!

3. Start With The Basics

Now that you’ve considered the external factors, start building your outfit with the basics. Your basics will be the clothing items that make up the foundation of your outfit. These are your solid starting pieces to getting dressed.

Imagine, your ‘body’ is your blank canvas and your ‘basics’ are the first layers of paint. You want to start with a good foundation, then adorn and style.

Your basics for any outfit can be examples like the following:

A casual day? T-shirt and jeans.

A day with clients? Pencil skirt and blouse.

A night out? A dressy top and black pants.

4. Jazz Up Your Basics

Now that you’ve laid the foundation of your outfit, add some flair in the way that you style the pieces that you’re wearing. Play with textures, lengths, patterns, and colors with whatever you choose to add to your outfit. Keep it functional, with your choice of layering pieces or accessories, or choose self-expression through the creativity of the pieces you select.

This might mean swapping a classic silk blouse for one that features smocked sleeves. Or, elevating a standard sweater by donning one that features a knit texture or an embellishment, like beading or embroidery. Add some flair to your typical solid-colored pants by trying a unique wrap overlay or cropped style pant, or simply opt for a printed pant.

5. Choose Your Shoes

Shoes can make or break an outfit. They can also drastically change the tone of an outfit. Think, jeans with sneakers or jeans with heels – very different vibes, right? Choose shoes that fit the practicality of your day, but also consider your mood and the style of your outfit. Some days a skirt goes better with flats and, other days, heels are needed to add that extra oomph to the same skirt.

6. Pick A Conversation Starter

You’ve created an awesome outfit! Now, to accessorize. Want to add some fun to your outfit? Choose a piece that will start a conversation. A beautiful headband, a bright necklace, or a fabulous fur scarf will surely do the trick. Some other examples are to incorporate a statement-making belt or an eye-catching handbag. Dressing to start a conversation can be a fun way to experiment with your style. Find the WOW piece that will take your ensemble to next-level style.

There you have it – Six steps to creating a stylish outfit every day.

What about the other fashion fundamentals?

If you have questions about tips for figure flattery, the best color palettes for you, or dressing to express your unique personality, I can help with that. Outfit creation is not always one–size–fits–all, pardon the pun. Every woman is unique and therefore her style is too. I am always available to help you to feel your best, and only an email away – melrose@luxenc.com.

23Sep

The Continuity of Classics: How to Build a Functional Forever Wardrobe

September 23, 2019 Melrose Fisher

“I feel like I’m constantly buying new clothes and I still feel like I have nothing to wear.”

“I typically wear the same outfits week after week.”

“I feel overwhelmed when shopping for new clothes.”

“I have so much trouble creating new, fresh outfits from what I have to choose from.”

Sound familiar?

The conundrum: a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. It’s all too common. So, how can we fix a problem like this and have plenty of clothes to choose from, shop smarter (without the dread) and always feel like we have a fresh mix of classics and on-trend clothes?

If we focus on keeping classics and adding in a few new trends each season then we can accomplish putting together a functional wardrobe that will last – timeless yet different each season.

HERE’S HOW TO GET IT DONE:

1. START WITH THE CLASSICS

Build the Basics

Classics in neutral colors will never go out of style. The bulk of your wardrobe should come from classics. This way, you always have a solid foundation of clothing to wear, no matter the trends nor the season. Pieces like button-down cotton shirts, solid-colored tank tops, little black dresses, cashmere sweaters, black slacks, and blue jeans are classics that never go out of style.

Choose a few of each of these basic pieces in neutral colors. A neutral color palette will give you the option of building a variety of outfits from just the basics. You can mix-and-match separates, layer additional pieces, and add accessories to create a variety of different outfits.

Layers on Layers

Next, focus on layers. Keep these classic and neutral too. Denim jackets, camel trenches, leather jackets, and cardigans are some good layers to add. Again, these can be added to neutral outfit basics when the weather gets cool or simply to make outfits more interesting.

Functional Shoes

Shoes can change the whole look of an outfit. Be sure to choose shoes in neutral colors that will be a functional part of your wardrobe… and lifestyle. Some basics to consider include neutral-colored pumps, casual sneakers, tall boots, flats, and sandals. Having timeless shoes on-hand will always lead to a perfect match for your classic outfit choices.

Add Accessories

Curating a collection of timeless accessories will allow you to easily match your accentuating pieces to any outfit. Accessories like classic-printed scarves, neutral-colored handbags, leather belts, and simple jewelry will add a timeless finishing touch to any look.

2. ADD IN SOME TRENDS

A wardrobe without some trends can become a tad boring. Trends elevate our outfits, giving our classic pieces that little bit of extra umph to turn them into new and interesting outfits each season.

But don’t start your shopping trip seeking out the hottest trends. If you start buying trends first, things get messy. You buy too much, you will end up with too many outdated pieces, and not everything will match. This is where wardrobe trouble starts and it is quite literally a closet full of (trendy) clothes and nothing to wear. This is why it’s important to build up a wardrobe of classics first. Once you build the foundation for your wardrobe, adding trends is simple and easy.

Trends are fun and allow you to experiment with your unique style, but they aren’t the building blocks of a functional wardrobe. So, add them as individual pieces to your classic looks, like through the use of an in-style print, a statement-making accessory, or on-trend pops of color.

If you have a closet full of basics in neutral colors that you can layer, you will always have enough to wear. Adding on-trend pieces will boost your personal style and help you to mix-and-match, creating unique looks with each new season.

Need more help?

If you aren’t sure where to start, I completely get it. You aren’t alone! Strategically building a wardrobe is some work and it can be overwhelming. This is what I do – I can help you build a working wardrobe of basics, sprinkled with season trends that fit your style. Our Carlisle and ETCETERA collections make this easy; each include both basics and seasonal trend pieces. Call or email me and we can set up an appointment that works for your schedule.

14Aug

How to Build a Wardrobe for Each New Season

August 14, 2019 Melrose Fisher

Each season brings forth new energy and excitement about getting last year’s clothes out of storage. Suddenly, everything feels brand new again! Or, does it? Well, it should if each season’s wardrobe is properly prepared in advance. Rotating clothing for the change of seasons can be an easy process if you know how to do it and have the right help.

The benefits of seasonal wardrobe rotations:

You’ll get inspired by clothes you already own.
Periodic inspections of clothing keep you from having a cluttered closet.
You’ll be forced to consider getting rid of ill–fitting, outdated items and make room for new clothes that make you look and feel great.
There will be fewer items in your closet, which means that it will be easier to dress every day.

Here’s how to evaluate, rotate and pare down your wardrobe for each new season:

Step 1: Evaluate Each Item

For each article of clothing in your closet, ask yourself if there is a purpose for each item. There should be a purpose for every piece of clothing you are keeping (e.g. for work, leisure, special events, etc.) or else it is just clutter and it needs to be donated. If you don’t have a purpose for the clothing, let it go.

Next up, ask yourself if you actually like each piece of clothing. Tastes change and so do trends, if you aren’t in love with an item, donate it. You aren’t likely to wear it if you don’t love it.

Do all of the items in your wardrobe fit well? If it doesn’t fit or feel comfortable, set it aside. Anything that doesn’t fit can either be donated or altered.

Lastly, donate or toss any clothing or accessories that aren’t in great condition.

Step 2: Sort Through the Seasons

There will be three categories of clothing to sort through: the incoming season, the outgoing season, and the season–less items. Choose the outgoing season’s items that you wish to keep and then prepare them for storage.

Before you put every piece of the previous season’s clothing into storage, take a few minutes to consider the following:

Do you still like the piece?
Does it still fit well?
Is it too worn for another season?
Do you think you’ll wear it again next year?

Use these deciding factors to keep or donate the outgoing season’s clothing and you’ll save yourself time and aggravation when pulling out your clothes a year later. The change of seasons is the best time to let go and make room for the new.

Step 3: The Incoming Season’s Rotation

Once you get your incoming season’s clothing out of storage, it’s time to reintroduce it into your wardrobe.

While you spend the effort to bring out next season’s pieces, consider a few of these questions:

Is the item in perfect condition?
Do you like wearing it?
Do you need any additional items to pair with the piece?

Step 4: Decide What You Actually Need

Now you have evaluated each item based on its condition, purpose, and wear-ability. You have also sorted your clothing by seasons. However, you may still have some questions:

What kind of pieces are you missing?
Are there gaps in your seasonal wardrobes?
What’s on trend for upcoming seasons?

Need more help?

Building a wardrobe can be a daunting task, but the easiest time to do it is when the seasons are changing. You’re likely to already be in your closet, rotating out one season’s items for the next. While you’re at it, it’s a smart choice to build the perfect wardrobe for the season and to prepare last season’s wardrobe for next year (you’ll be happy you did).

It will be fall before we know it. Now is the time to be taking your fall clothing out of storage and to consider how you can reintroduce it into your wardrobe. You will also want to do a review of your summer items before packing them up until next year.

I’ve given you the steps to build your wardrobe for each new season, but I understand that it may still sound like an overwhelming process, or perhaps you simply don’t have the time or don’t want to do it. If you need additional help, that’s what I’m here for! I can help you decide what goes and what stays, how to pair clothing, revive clothing, and how to set you up with a perfect wardrobe for every season. Call or email to set up an appointment!

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