May 26

Dry Cleaners, Dry Cleaning, Fashion Tips, Style Tips, Caring for your clothes, Style Clinic, Ann Reinten, Image Innovators, Image Consultant Training

10 THINGS YOUR DRY CLEANER WANTS YOU TO KNOW

By Style Clinic | Wardrobe Savvy | 7 Comments

If you love quality clothing, then dry cleaning is a necessary evil that will ensure your clothes last and maintain their beauty.

Recently, I chatted with John Murphy, joint owner of Penguin Dry Cleaners which has been family owned for 69 years and is renown for the care they take and the minor miracles they achieve.

As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and when it comes to dry cleaning, a little knowledge can greatly improve your dry cleaning results, especially if there’s a stain involved.

So here are 10 things John wants you to know on behalf of his colleagues:

1. Honesty is the best policy.

When your dry cleaner asks you where that stain came from, PLEASE TELL THE TRUTH. John could not emphasize this enough. Whether it’s blood, food, wine, or whatever, it won’t help your cause and it won’t help your dry cleaner if you’re not upfront about where that stain came from. Apparently, people lie about stains a lot. However embarrassing your reason may be, it’s probably not worth ruining your favorite dress.

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2. The plastic bag is not meant for long-term storage or use.

While it might be tempting to just stick your dry cleaning at the back of your closet, resist the urge. The plastic bag that’s used to cover your clothing is only meant to protect your clothing from stains and damage while being transported from the store to your home. These plastic bags aren’t meant to sit in a closet for prolonged time periods. In fact, the plastic will accumulate moisture and eventually damage the garment.

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3. Just because it “looks” clean, doesn’t mean it is.

Sometimes when we take off our clothes at the end of the day, we give each item the once-over and if we assume it’s clean we put it back in the closet.

This is a no-no. According to the John, perspiration and the natural oils within your body will attract insects and/or moths. Also, these seemingly invisible stains caused by our body secretions can and will oxidize over time and turn into stains. So, every few wears, have the item cleaned and definitely do not store it away until you’ve had it cleaned or laundered.

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4. Time is not on your side when it comes to stains

Whenever you take a spill, get your clothes to the dry cleaners STAT. Time is of the essence when it comes to stain removal. Simple stains can get stubborn when it is given time to oxidize. Oxidizing is when the chemicals within the stain react with oxygen. When this process occurs, stains become set within the fabric and become hard to remove. It might be easy to just forget about stains but trust us when these stains yellow and permanently damage, you’ll be wishing you took that 10-minute drive to drop it off at your neighborhood cleaners.

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5. On that note, trust the pros with stains.

Especially when it comes to dry clean only fabrics, it’s a bad idea to attempt some DIY stain removal. However simple you think the stain is; it’s best for you and your clothing to send the item to a professional cleaner. DIY stain removers and/or home stain treatments may just end up ruining your clothes, and by the time you take it to the cleaners, there’s no turning back. Many home remedies often end up discoloring the fabric.

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6. Inspect your clothing carefully after you wear them.

Even when you think you’re survived that birthday party stain-free, it is worth the time and effort to inspect your garment prior to either storing it or putting it in the wash. Sometimes, we inadvertently stain our garments, or at times, we spill a little something on it and forget at the end of the day. Check and double-check your clothing so that you don’t get surprised with a yellowing mark the next time you take it out of the closet.

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7. Return the wire hangers, don’t use them

Professional cleaners use wire hangers because they’re inexpensive and are only designed to carry your clothes from pickup to closet. When you arrive home, for your clothes sake, transfer them out of the plastic and onto proper hangers. Wire hangers aren’t designed to hold heavy garments like coats and can damage sweaters and more delicate fabrics. I’m sure you’ve witnessed the ugly dents they can leave in the shoulders of garments.

Source: Image 1, Image 2

8. Light exposure can cause damage too, just like moisture.

Everyone is mindful of moisture when storing clothes, but you don’t normally consider light as a damaging factor to clothing. Prolonged exposure to light can discolor the fabric of your clothes, so make sure you don’t leave that closet light on or store your clothes on a rack near an area that gets a lot of sunlight.

A person testimony to this, is several years ago I drove 10 hours in the middle of Summer to a wedding with my 100% silk dress hanging on the hook above the window of the rear passenger door. When I arrived and put the dress on I found that the area of the dress that had been facing the outside was badly faded and ruining the dress – which I had no option but to wear.

9. Don’t dry clean clothing sets separately.

We understand that when you wear separates, it doesn’t wear or stain equally. But you shouldn’t send your skirt or slacks to the cleaners without sending the matching blazer, too. This may seem counter-intuitive, but when you only clean one piece out of the set, the one that gets dry-cleaned more changes color over time then the set won’t match anymore.

10. Reinforce or cover buttons.

Loose buttons can get caught in the machines. If you don’t have spare buttons for your garment, replacing a lost one can be a nuisance so, if you want to save yourself time and money, check your clothes for loose closures before even heading to the cleaners and repair it yourself. If you have a great relationship with your cleaners, they may even offer to do this minor mending for free. If you lack sewing skills, don’t fret. Most dry-cleaning shops offer a great price of small fixes like this one.

Likewise, if you have delicate or special buttons John suggests you remove them before dry-cleaning, or at the very least cover them snugly with foil. His company has special covers they use for special buttons.

Source: Image 1, Image 2

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Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

May 12

PERFECT PANTS

By Style Clinic | Wardrobe Savvy, Wearing Classics | 4 Comments

Comfortable and highly practical, pants are worn by almost all women.

Within most corporate environments tailored pants are now accepted business wear for women and we owe it all to Amelia Bloomer. In 1850, this outspoken and brave feminist encouraged women to follow her lead and abandon their horsehair crinolines and voluminous skirts in favor of more practical knee-length trousers. As expected, she was savagely criticized but by 1890 women had taken up her suggestion with gusto thanks to the advent of bicycle riding becoming an acceptable leisure activity for women.

However, pants can also be one of the most difficult garments for women to find a flattering fit and style in. The female form is more complicated than a male’s having many variations in hip and bottom curve and position, causing finding the right style often a matter of trial and error if you are not aimed with knowledge of what will suit your shape.

Pants and trousers have five important fit criteria:

A comfortable waist.
A rise length that is right for your torso and butt depth.
A length suitable for the wearer’s leg length and shoe.
The correct width for the wearer’s leg length, height and shoe.
Sufficient room to move

Key Elements

Signature Features

A great style: pants or trousers made with sound design principles and the female form in mind.
A great cut: one that is not too tight or shaped to allow the pant/trouser to fit smoothly over the hips and fall neatly to the floor.
Good quality fabric: the most classic being, wool, linen and cotton blends.

Pleats or Flat Front?

Without a doubt, flat front pants flatter more women than pleated trousers ever will. While trousers provide extra comfort and freedom of movement it’s at the price of extra bulk that sits in the hip and thigh region.

The most flattering trousers have the following style elements:

A single front pleat
Double back dart
Knife edge crease down the front
Side pockets that lay flat and closed

When considering pleats, the main thing to keep in mind is their direction. Inward facing pleats are best for slender to underweight women as they have a tendency to add bulk top the hips and attract attention toward the stomach. Outward facing pleats attract attention away from the stomach while still being flattering to larger hiplines. This advice also is true for skirt and dress pleats.

Pants (no pleats/flat fronted) while being the more flattering of the two choices must fit perfectly as they do not have the extra fabric to hide any fit issues.

Width

Fashion trends alter the length and width of pants constantly however, few of us have a classic model’s figure and need to take care that we do not get hooked into wearing a style just because it’s the ‘in’ thing.

As a general rule, you can assume that the wider the pants the shorter and heavier you will appear and it’s always more flattering not to hem anything at the widest area of any part of your body – in this case, your thighs or calf. The adverse effect can be countered by adding high heels to add length to the legs and elongate the overall height to the wearer. High heels will also elevate the look to ‘dressy’.

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Length

Each season designers introduce new lengths. No matter what’s ‘in’ only adopt styles that will enhance and flatter your figure.

Long pants work for all women and all heights while cropped styles need to be slimline or straight to flatter most women. Very few women can successfully carry off wide, short pants regardless of their ‘in-fashion’ status. This is especially true if the wearer has short or heavy legs.

The classic hem length for long pants or trousers is where the upper of the shoe meets the heel. One way to get the most versatility out of long pants is to hem them so they just touch the floor when you are barefooted. This length will then work with low and medium height heels.

For those blessed with long slender legs the world is your oyster as almost any length and width will work for you. For the rest of us, long pants need to be worn at least to the point where our shoe upper meets the heel. Longer is even better when teamed with high heels and will dramatically elongate and slim your legs.

Team width and length and you’ll find the best pants for women who are not blessed with height and/or long legs are widths that are skinny to straight and those that are hemmed at the top of the heel or longer. Cropped wide leg pants are very hard to pull-off successfully.

Pattern, Texture and Surface Interest

Wide checks or plaids, loud patterns, and florals all need to be approached with caution and the same applies to texture.

Fine and/or tight, matte weaves create a smooth texture and are very flattering while pants and trousers made out of fabrics such as wide corduroy, tweed, chintz or satin are best left to slender and thin women.

Excessive texture and shine will always increase the perceived weight of the wearer and should be therefore worn with caution by those who are anything more than moderately over their ideal weight.

Most women will look their best in solid colored, matte, medium-dark to dark pants and/or those that have subtle patterns.

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The Trouser Suit

Wearing a trouser suit signals contemporary thinking and in the right shape, and with the right attitude, is far sexier and slimming than a skirt suit. This may be one reason why it was taboo in so many business environments for such a long time. A well-fitting trouser suit in an understated, current style and color will serve you faithfully for years. They’re a far cry from the traditional male suit and the pinstripe suits when in fashion have an appealing and professional appearance while also being incredibly slimming.

Perfect Fit

Pleats should lay flat.
All closures, pockets, and vents should lay flat.
Pant legs should not curve under the buttocks. When viewed sideways the trouser leg should fall vertically from the buttocks to the floor.
Lapels should lay flat against the chest.
You should be able to pinch 2.5 – 4 cm (1”1½”) of double fabric at your hip-line.
Panty lines should not be visible.
There should be enough waistband allowance for two fingers to be inserted into the waistband.
If the pants have belt loops a belt is required to complete the look.

Key Points to Remember

Legs can be made to appear longer and leaner by removing the cuffs from trousers.
When purchasing ready-made pants and trousers, assume that you’ll need some form of alteration for a perfect fit.
It’s essential to get the crotch depth right. Pants that are excessively baggy or tight in the crotch look hideous!
Correct fitting underwear is a must. A visible panty line will ruin even the most expensive outfit’s appearance.
Zippers always sit best when placed in the centre back or front. Side zippers do not suit women with a rounded hipline.
Iron pleats in wool pants with an ironing cloth to prevent shine.
Do not iron creases in jeans or linen pants. In jeans it’s frumpy, and the fibres in linen pants are too fragile to be continually creased.
Lined pants give the most flattering appearance as they cause the pant to fall more smoothly over curves and make the pants last a lot longer.
To dress up your pants add a shoe with a medium-high to high heel and pointed toe.
Wear jeans, leggings, ski pants or jodhpurs with low heels or boots.
The material that you choose for your belt and shoes will either dress-up or dress-down your pants. Plaited or punched leather, canvas or cloth will give you a casual look while smooth or shiny leather with a metal buckle will give you a dressed-up look.
To hem pants that will be suitable to wear with flat and low heels have the hem pinned at floor level when you are standing in bare feet.

Related Features

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Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

May 05

FABULOUS FLATS

By Style Clinic | Accessorizing, Wardrobe Savvy | 4 Comments

Can I have a collective cheer?

Flats have finally entered the world of high fashion, in fact, runways the world over have been alight with stylish flats worn in a number of ways.

So, now that flats have become trendy, and possibly even the “it” shoe of the season, there’s lots of style inspiration out there for you to take cues from. Irrespective if you’re petite or full-figured, flats can work wonders for your shape and size. Whether you like more classic, comfy or edgy styles, there’s a pair of flats that can complement and enhance your personal style and preferences.

When fashion and function meet comfort, what more could a girl ask for? Even if you’re a devoted lover of heels, consider this feature proof that it’s time to diversify your shoe game.

Here are 8 ways to make flats work for your figure and increase your style acumen too:

Point toe flats rock

If there’s one takeaway from this article, it’s this: pointed toe shoes rock. Not only are they a classic shoe shape, pointed toe flats are having a major sartorial comeback at the moment. Another added bonus to pointed toe flats is that it’s pretty easy to transition it from day to night. Pointed toe flats elongate your legs, and by extension your legs.

Pointed toe shoes have a reputation for being uncomfortable but following these two suggestions will help.

Look for pointed flats with a false front. “A pointy-toe shoe with an area that is much longer than your toes has a false front. It keeps your toes from being squished,
Make sure the toe box – the area across the ball of your foot is wide enough to ensure comfort.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

Match the details of your shoe with your body type.

Like most styling tips, proportion is key. If you’re petite, flats with daintier detailing such as lace-up details and delicate floral embellishment will suit you best.

If you have a fuller figure, steer clear of slight/delicate details that may make your ankles appear larger and can look disproportionate with your frame. Instead, opt for bold features such as studs.

If your legs are heavy or short avoid ankle straps unless they are flesh colored, not too thick and definitely not too tight.

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Test for comfort – adapt or move on

If a shoe is not wearable for at least several hours what the point – right? It’s important to know how to assess a flat shoe for its wearability.

Try to push in the area around the heel. If the heel collapses enough to touch the insole, the shoe will not be supportive.”
Hold each end of a shoe and try to twist it. If the shoe bends too much, it won’t be supportive.
Look for flats with a little bit of a heel if you have high arches. Heels provide relief from all types of foot pain and I always add into flat shoes an orthaheel insert to improve comfort.
Shoes with leather or rubber soles provide maximum shock absorption making walking long distances easier.
Shoes with leather or suede insoles are breathable and pliable and help prevent chafing and blistering because they mold to the feet.
Avoid slippage and cuts on your heel by finding a shoe with a back that fits snugly and holds your foot securely.

Show off your feet.

To reveal more of your foot is always more flattering since it gives that visual illusion of a longer leg. So sandals, toe posts and D’orsay (image 2 below) styles are always wise choices.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3

Expose your ankle when wearing flats with pants.

Since flats do not give you the height boost of heels, showing off those ankles are a great way to add some sexy into your ensemble. This is especially true when you wear flats with pants. Roll up those cuffs, and flaunt those fashion-forward flats.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3

Pairing hemlines.

The quickest way to tone down an uber sexy LBD or an ultra short mini: wear flats with it. Heels and high hemlines can be a little bit too much, and too much sexy in one outfit does not equal chic. So tip the style scales in your favor when you sport your sexiest pieces with a pair of flats.

On the other hand, flat shoes with longer hemlines give a relaxed vibe that can make any day feel like the weekend.

Source: Top Row: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3
Bottom Row: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3

Formality and image

Given the comfort of flats, it’s easy to want to wear them all the time and it’s totally possible if you keep a few image guidelines in mind. Many of these work in tandem with each other.

Things that impact a flat’s formality:

Upper Material: Leather is the most formal to canvas being the least. Skins such as faux leopard are sexy/exotic, silks are elegant and dressy. Fabric like spots are fun.
Upper Structure: the more firm or structured the upper the more formal the look.
Sole: The thinner the sole the more formal the image. Thick soles are typically considered fashionable or casual depending on other aspects of the shoe.
Surface: Matte is casual, sheen adds polish and shine ups the image to formal. Metallic and sequins add glamor.
Toe shape: the more pointy the more dressy and sharp the look down to rounded toes which are seen as casual, comfortable and even a little matronly.
Coverage: the more the foot is covered the more formal the shoe tends to be.
Embellishments: studs add a masculine/biker image, bows are feminine, gemstone are fun or add evening glam, pom,poms are fun and youthful etc
Color: black is the most formal of all colors for shoes while bright colors are the most casual. White adds a touch of summer, though can be worn in winter too.

Menswear-inspired flats can be tricky to pull off.

Tassel details, loafer styles, and monk straps spell instant chic for your looks. But be weary of these styles since they tend to cut you off at the ankle. Reserve these styles of colder climes. Wear with monochromatic tights if you’re petite. You can get away with playing with sock print and textures if you have longer and leaner legs.

Want More? Dress Like a Parisian: How to Wear Flats.

Related Features: Well Heeled Part 1, Well Heeled Part 2

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or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Apr 21

MINDFUL DRESSING: how to with purpose

By Style Clinic | How To..., Personal Style, Wardrobe Savvy, What to Wear | 5 Comments

Have you ever thought about the type of image you want to project?

It’s easy to think that this would only be something professionals need to think about but that’s not true. No matter what your lifestyle, professional or age your appearance tells others about you before you even open your mouth. How you present yourself will either attract or repel others far before you’ve had a chance to say a word to them. While I don’t think you need to lose sleep over the issue, if you have found that you are not getting the responses from other people you want, or the opportunities you know you deserve then maybe, just maybe, your personal presentation may need a little tweak.

Appropriate, Enhancing and Goal Effective

According to the fashion website Matalan, which polled 2,491 females, the average woman spends an average 16 minutes every weekday morning, 14 minutes on the weekend and up to 20 minutes pondering her wardrobe prior to a night out. That’s a heck of a lot of wasted time over a year!

A long time ago I discovered the power my clothes, accessories and grooming had in controlling the way I felt each day as a result how I behaved. This is exactly the same way that an actor only totally feels one with the character they are portraying during a full dress rehearsal. Our clothes help us perform the roles we need/want to play each day. They help us to ‘feel’ the part and can act like armour helping us to feel more confident and protected.

This is not a new phenomenon, it’s been happening since man first donned clothes. We covered our nakedness to for protection and confidence, and from that time onward adding and subtracting items became the way to inform others of our status, role, moods, and affiliations.

Being able to look in the mirror and say - go girl, you rock is great. It fills us with confidence, hope and we stand a little straighter, more with more purpose and smile more frequently. Knowing we look the part releases us from our insecurities and allows us to get on with the job at hand. Of course, it’s not just ourselves that are affected by our appearance. Others too, respond to how we look, and the right appearance encourages others to give us more time to explain our ideas, opens doors and releases opportunities both socially and professionally. In fact your presentation is a continual portrayal of you – it’s like a constant visual resume.

So it’s worth the time to think about and plan your appearance. Once you have your look together give it the final check by asking yourself – Is it Appropriate, Enhancing and Goal Effective?

The night before.

If you wait until the morning to decide what you’ll be wearing it only results in early morning stress and often a ‘this will have to do‘ outfit. I suggest you decide what you are going to wear each night before bed – it only takes a few minutes and you’ll be able to sleep-in a little later.

To make the process as quick and easy as possible you’ll need to have an organized closet.

If your closet is unorganized set aside a day to organize everything in a way that it works for you. Some women prefer clothes of the same color hung together while others prefer the same type of garments together. I hang the same types of garments together and with like colors together. You may even like to separate your work wear from your casual wear – it doesn’t really matter, the aim is to create a wardrobe where all your options are easy to see.

If your wardrobe is crammed and you can barely move the clothes on the rack, the first thing you need to do is a closet cleanout. Not only to get rid of all the things that no longer fit you, are out of date or season, are no longer your style etc, etc, but also to move all the clothes that are for another season to another location. You’ll be amazed at the different this alone will make.

When thinking about your clothes for the next day consider:

what work will I be doing?
where will I be going?
what level of dress should I wear – smart casual, business casual, formal business?
what is the weather forecast?
who will I be seeing?
what do I want to achieve or what impression do I want to make?

By answering each of the above questions you’ll be able to easily sort out the available options and select the items you want to wear to create an outfit you’ll feel perfect in.I suggest you also gather up your lingerie, shoes, coordinating handbag etc so everything is ready to go.

A few more tips help:

Create clothing clusters: these are groups of items that work around each other (see image below).
Document great outfits: anytime you put together a new winner of an outfit, note all the garments and accessory pieces in a notebook - better still add a photo! It’s amazing how quickly we can love a look one day and a week later have totally forgotten what pieces we put together to create it (or is this just my 50 yr old brain?). Within a few months, PretaStyler members will be able to do this for themselves with our new Look book creation functionality.
Rotate your outfits: Leave at least 7 days in between wears and be ever on the lookout for new items that will extend your cluster to create a few different outfits.
Have at least one special outfit you can lay your hands on at a moment’s notice so you never get caught with nothing to wear at short notice.

Related Features:

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
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Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Apr 01

HOW TO STORE YOUR CLOTHES

By Style Clinic | How To..., Wardrobe Savvy | 6 Comments

In Melbourne Australia, autumn has well and truly arrived and it’s time to do a closet switcheroo – out with Summer clothes and in with Winter’s. For you, it may be the other way round.

I both love and hate this task. I love the fact that I’m changing my closet as I’m usually sick of my present wardrobe, but I HATE performing the task. I only have myself to blame, since I’m the one who demands to store away my out-of-season clothes but, there’s a very good reason why. I really like having a closet full of only this seasons clothes as it makes things so much easier to find and the coordinates more obvious.

So if you’re like me, now is the time to get cracking with the task – yes, this weekend. Storing your clothes should involve more than simply stuffing them in boxes. If you want your clothes last and look good next season, you need to take some care and store them away the right way.

Proper storage and a little organization will maintain the quality and integrity of each item so it can be worn again next season. The first thing in the process is to get rid of any items that you’ve hardly worn, for whatever reason and give them to charity if they are still in good condition. Then before restocking your closet give it a good clean and wipe the shelves. You’ll be surprized at hoe much dust can gather over a season.

Wash and dry every single item prior to storage

This may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many people just throw clothes in storage containers without a wash. There is a huge difference between storing clean clothes and worn ones. Ensuring every piece of clothing is clean will prevent odor, mildew, mold, and other damage. Unwashed clothes may be harboring residues of oil, perfumes, or sweat that may cause discoloration or stains. Also, make sure that clothes are completely dry before storing them, especially if they are in a container of some sort. Moisture will cause a musty odor and even mildew. Determine your storage vessels and pest control method

While there are a number of ways and places you can store your clothes I prefer a spare closet, I use the one in our spare bedroom. The main reason is I like to be able to go back in and get an item if necessary. Other ideal places are airtight vessels such as storage containers and vacuum bags, which are easily found in most supermarkets or old suitcases.

Pros and Cons

Plastic or airtight containers Plastic isn’t good for storing clothes. Clothes need to breathe, and plastic doesn’t allow that, so you’ll need to add in a humidity control desiccant packet for good measure to prevent mold along with a few cedar balls to kill any bugs.

Closets and breathable containers Bugs are your biggest threat. Bugs need air to breathe and dislike cedar oil in high concentrations. So, those cedar balls are a must. If your wardrobe is near a bathroom or tends to be damp, also place a few humidity pots as well but depending on the level of damp they may need changing at least once during the season. To prevent you forgetting to add the task it into your diary.

Cardboard Cardboard containers aren’t a good idea because they have a reputation for causing clothing to go yellowish and smell sale.

For those of you who prefer more natural pest and humidity preventatives, you can try Lavender for the pests and you’ll get the added benefit of having nice smelling clothes and chalk for wicking the humidity. Neither however, are as effective.

Use mothballs with caution. Avoid mothballs as much as possible, since there are many effective natural options available. However, if this is your preferred storage protectant, place the mothballs inside socks so that it doesn’t damage the clothes. This is also an extra safety measure, if you have children in the house as well. Secure the mothballs within the socks with tape or a rubber band. Mothballs are VERY poisonous. I personally know of a toddler who grew very ill suddenly and died, who was later found to have had part of a mothball up his nose which had poisoned him.

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Clean storage containers thoroughly before using

If you’re using storage containers be sure to give them a thorough wipe down and spray with disinfectant and toss in a handful of cedar balls into each box to deter pests. Also, check the container for damage like holes, splits or cracks, etc. Replace containers, if needed.

Storage isn’t a one-size-fits-all task

Store each item accordingly. Don’t just blindly fold or hang anything and everything. Proper storage means your clothing will retain their original shape.

Sweaters: fold to prevent stretching and distortion.
Dresses: hang.
Pants: hang or fold
Trousers: hang to maintain their crease.

While it might be tempting to store your dry cleaning in the plastic bags they came in, resist the urge because these plastic bags can cause mildew and mold.

See All of my Style Wisdom Boards on Instagram or Pinterest

Clean your shoes

During your seasonal closet exchange, you might overlook caring for your shoes. Footwear actually incurs the most abuse, especially during the winter season where there’s salt everywhere if you live in a place that gets snow. Before storing away your footwear, clean and disinfect them. Clorox wipes should do the trick for salt stains though it is not advisable for use on leather.

Shoes hold a lot of moisture so plastic boxes can be bad for shoes. If you have their original boxes, that’s perfect. Stuff them with scrap paper to help with moisture wicking and maintain their shape. For boots add boot inserts.

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Always store items in a clean and dry place

Cool, clean, dark and dry: these are the 4 important words you need to remember when storing clothing. Avoid places that have extreme heat or cold as it will affect the clothing negatively. Also, avoid sunlight since it can discolor clothing.

Check on your stored clothes periodically

Don’t just store it and forget it. Check on your clothes every 5 weeks or so, just to make sure that everything is in order. Best practice when you want to wear the clothes again is too give them a wash so that when you wear them they are free of any dust or cedar odor.

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Invest in proper hangers

Weather hanging your clothes away for storage or in your ‘to-wear’ closet, the right hangers will make all the difference. Return wire hangers to the dry cleaners. They look crappy in your closet and don’t do your clothes any favors. Invest in wooden, no slip hangers with wide shoulders for coats and heavy dresses that work wonders in securing clothes and maintaining the shape of the clothing.

Click here for a complete guide to all hangers, their uses and where you can purchase them from.

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
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Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Jan 22

junge frau beim kleider aus ihrem schrank werfen

CLOSET CLEANSING

By Style Clinic | How To..., Wardrobe Savvy | 2 Comments

Every season it’s a good idea to perform a closet cleanout.

Even if this job is a little distressing it is an important step in the process of reorganization. In every woman’s wardrobe there are clothes with invisible guilty tags attached to them. They lie in wait to remind you of how much money you paid for them and how few times they have been worn. Keeping these clothes will actually cost you money and they take up valuable space in your wardrobe.

Once to have committed to better buying habits, bad clothing purchases will become a thing of the past, so it’s time to forgive yourself and give them away.

Before you start put your makeup on and style your hair. This will make decisions easier if you need to try on your clothes.Take a close look at the items in your wardrobe and put each item into the following categories:

1. Items to Keep

Those that require no alterations to fit or proportion
Those that are in harmony with your personality
Those that are comfortable to wear and fit well
Those that flatter your figure and make you feel good
Those that are in good condition and repair

2. Items that Need Attention

Those with missing buttons, fallen hems, rips etc.
Those that are soiled
Those that require alteration
Those that require another item to be purchased before it can be worn

3. Items that Need to be Given Away or Discarded

Any item that is now too small or too large
Any items that no longer fit well
Any item that is out-of-date
Any item unworn for three years
Any item worn out, torn or stained
Any items that no longer fit your lifestyle needs
Any items that are an uncomplimentary style on you
Items in colours that are not complimentary to you
Anything you like in theory, but hate whenever you put them on
Dead underwear, the kind that has exhausted elastic and holes
Items that are not of the quality you now wear

4. With the Clothes that are Left

Remove those not in season and either store or pack them away until next season. This will give you a clear view of what you have to wear and will allow the remaining clothes to breathe and not get crushed.
Remove clothes from wire hangers and replace them on hangers specifically designed for the type of garment. These hangers will allow garments to hang in their natural lines and minimize the need to re-iron your clothes.

5. Make a Wardrobe Inventory of What You Have Left

Make an inventory. This will become the basis from which you will determine your clothing needs. List each garment in your wardrobe, then add to the list all the items that it coordinates with including your accessories.
Try on all combinations – not all will look good once on the body. If they need altering do not place them back in the wardrobe. Instead bag them and place them in your car ready for when you next pass your alteration service.
Place your clothing back in the wardrobe only after you have explored and noted all the possible combinations.
Take this opportunity to sift through your jewellery, belts and bags. Remove any items broken, missing their partner or outdated.
Go back and examine your list. Determine what items you need to buy in order to expand your wardrobe options.

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Jan 15

A STRIPED AFFAIR

By Style Clinic | Coordination, Line and Design, Understanding Prints & Patterns, Wardrobe Savvy | 13 Comments

This week I’m changing up my feature up a bit by focusing on a pattern – stripes to be precise.

They are almost as wearable as solid colors and a must-have in any woman’s wardrobe. Their versatility allows multiple ways to coordinate them with your favorite garments and depending which stripe you use you can easily create either a relaxed vibe or a serious edge to your look.

And I’m starting at the beginning because I’ve often found that when you start with the historical aspect of a garment, fabric or pattern, it often yields many insights that make sense of their use in the present, and why we perceived a certain way when we wear them.

Historically, women have borrowed or have been influenced by many menswear items. Stripes were originally a major part of men’s suiting and casual wear, but many important historical and fashion figures have influenced the way they have been used within fashion.

Vertical Stripes

History

The world famous London Savile Row is considered by many to be the capital of menswear tailoring. Hugh Holland, the managing director of Kilgour French Stanbury, one of the stores on Savile Row, states that the pin stripes we know and wear today originated from bank uniform around the 19th century. London, being a commerce capital during that time, was definitely the place where fashions emerged. A striped trouser paired with a casual morning coat was the uniform of the financiers of the 19th century. More interestingly, each bank had a specific type of stripe so their brand and employees could be easily identified.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

No one is really quite sure of the exact starting point when the vertical pin stripe was introduced to the public. However, there is another popular theory that the pinstripe came about in the glitzy decade of the 1920s where fashion was such a huge part of everyday culture and lifestyle. Inspired by the boating outfits from the late 1800s, the 20s showed off pin stripes in a fun and fashionable way. Pre-Gatsby era, formalwear was quite subdued so more casual suits came forward as a way to make menswear more playful and vibrant. Take a look at vintage photos of men in pin stripes suits and you’ll start to really understand what makes these vertical pin stripes so wearable and chic. The thinness of the stripe makes it work appropriate, but you can just as easily jazz up vertical stripes with bolder accessories and styling. Pin stripes wouldn’t be the first trend that women have adopted into their own fashion realm and it certainly won’t be the last, since fashion is always changing and borrowing inspiration from the opposite gender. Here are some perfect examples of women’s tailored suits, from vintage to modern:

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3

If you want to look toward current trends, bold and graphic stripes are the vertical stripe look of the moment. While historically, pin stripes are the reigning kind of vertical stripes, current trends and style have been dictating more graphic, statement-making large vertical stripes.

How They’re Perceived

With a history associated with professional endeavors and formal events, the vertical stripe is seen as powerful, professional and authoritative. Variations of the stripe include pencil and chalk with each gaining their name from the width of the line created by the pin, pencil or piece of chalk. The narrower the stripe, closer together and more classic the stripe color, the more formal the impression they will create. If you are seeking the most professional look, opt for stripes in color pairings of neutral hues like black, navy, and white.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5

One last vertical stripe worth mentioning is the gangster stripe. Stereotyped more from movie myth than truth, the fact remains that if you wear it, you run the risk of being seen as theatrically contrived than stylish.

Visual Effects and Styling Tips

It’s virtually a no-brainer that vertical stripes are slimming. The vertical line naturally encourages the eye to travel up and down elongating and visually slimming the area. Here are some more vertical features you may want to look for if you want to increase the slimming effect:

One central stripe as a focal point of the garment
Many thin stripes close together
Low color contrast in between the stripes
Vertical stripes worn over your largest area
Long length vertical garments
Don’t wear vertical stripes over areas where you are curvy as the stripes will stretch out of shape.

Try to avoid wearing one prominent stripe to the side if you are wide, as this can make you look wider. A central stripe is best when you wish to look taller or slimmer. When opting for vertical striped pants, avoid fabrics that stretch as this will warp, hug, and expand over your fullest areas.

To read more about styling with vertical design lines see: The Vertical Advantage

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

Horizontal Stripes

History

Dis you know that during medieval times, you could get sent to prison for simply wearing striped clothing? It’s true. Stripes were for prisoners, and well, evil people. We, along with the fashion industry, have definitely evolved from that belief. Now, stripes have moved on from their negative medieval connotations and have become one of the most coveted patterns for fashion.

From the 1800s onwards, horizontal stripes became one of the fashion staples that we know and love today. Queen Victoria dressed her son Prince Albert in a striped sailor suit aboard the Royal Yacht, and from then on stripes were firmly in the public eye. The 19th century then saw the popularity of the horizontally striped Breton shirt worn by French navy men. Coco Chanel, however, gets the ultimate credit for bringing horizontal stripes into the 20th century when she sold it from her store. From then on, pop culture and fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn, Pablo Picasso, Brigitte Bardot, and Andy Warhol further popularized the striped Breton Shirt in the following decades. Nowadays, modern fashion icons like Kate Moss, Emma Stone, and Alexa Chung are huge fans of stripes, and are often photographed wearing this eponymous pattern and styling it in different ways.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5

How They’re Perceived

Definitely more laid-back than vertical stripes, horizontal stripes are the more casual and sporty of the two kinds of stripes. For business wear they are best left for your business casual days.

One of the most famous and frequent fashion comebacks is the Breton top and it can be relied on to give your look a chic, nautical image. While these stripes do have a definite sporty or casual stereotype there’s no need to feel trapped into the looks as there are many ways to dress the stripes up through the use of tailoring, color, sheen and shine, texture and accessories.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

Glam up Your Horizontal Stripes Ideas

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5

Visual Effects and Styling Tips

Horizontal stripes can be a bit tricky, but don’t listen to people that say they aren’t flattering. Pulling off a pattern is all about styling and finding the right fit for your body and personal style. With the right elements, horizontal stripes can even be, dare I say it, slimming. Here are some tips to make sure that horizontal stripes slim you down:

Look for garments with many thin stripes close together
Choose low to medium color contrast between the stripes. Think monochromatic like navy and midnight blue stripes or red and maroon stripes
Ensure the garment is longer than it is wide (the middle photo below is too short).
For pants and skirts look for sturdier fabrics with some elasticity.
Wear the horizontal stripe over your smallest area.
Consider your body type. Full figured women can get away with slightly wider stripes while petites should opt for thinner lines.
Be mindful of the garment silhouette a striped item comes in.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3

To read more about styling with vertical design lines see: Horizontal Help.

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Nov 22

MAKE WAY FOR SKIRTS

By Style Clinic | Coordination, Figure Flattery, Wardrobe Savvy, Wearing Classics | 7 Comments

“A good sermon should be like a woman’s skirt:
short enough to arouse interest but long enough to cover the essentials.”
~Ronald Knox~

Skirts like pants are a great wardrobe expanders. The wide variety of shapes, styles and lengths; coupled with an almost limitless array of fabrics, colors, patterns and textures means there’s a skirt for every occasion, personality, age and body shape.

Fit is Paramount

Great fit is just as important as buying the right style for your shape. Ignore the size on the label as there is no consistency of size between labels – correct fit is what matters most. If the number on the label worries you – cut it off.

Constant creasing is often blamed on poor fabric quality when often poor fit is often the culprit.

When you are in the fitting room go through the following fit checks:

Expect that the skirt may need to be altered to fit you perfectly. Alterations can make all the different to the look and comfort of the skirt. If they are required, have them done without delay. I’d go so far as to say, do not to take them out of your car unless they are going into the alteration store.
If the skirt is fitted or straight, fit the hips first; generally everything else can be altered to fit.
Bend, stretch and move – if you feel the need to pull-down or rearrange your skirt after sitting or walking, select another style or go up one size.
There should be enough ease for you to be able to place two fingers comfortably in the waistband and be able to slide the skirt 360 degrees around your body.
Panty lines should not be visible.

Two Basic Shapes

There are three basic skirt shapes:

Straight
A-Line

From these basic shapes all skirt styles arise.

Source

Straight

Seen every day in every situation straight skirts and their derivatives classic and timeless. Their clean shape co-ordinates easily with a multitude of tops and jackets and when the hem is at, or just above the knee. As long as they are not too fitted/tight they are unobtrusive and appropriate for most business environments and flattering on most women.

Each can be transformed by fashion into many different looks through the use of fabric, fit and embellishments. From casual in a chunky knee length tweed, to elegant and formal in a calf length silk to a sensual number if a thigh high split is added.

The longer a straight skirt is the more it will restrict movement. To compensate for this vents or side-splits are added or they are styled as a wrap.

Classic styles derived from the straight skirt are pencil and contoured styles. As they becomes more fitted the look becomes sleek and sexy and as such are best reserved for non-business occasions.

Some straight styles include: tulip, wrap, sarong, tiered, fishtail, peplum and pleated.

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A-Line

Named after their shape, A-line skirts allow unrestricted movement. They are more feminine and friendly than the traditional straight skirt.

The wider the A shape the shorter in height you may appear and this visual shortening in turn can result in making the you appear wider/heavier.

The taller, more slender and long legged the wearer is the more flattering a full A-line skirt will appear. If you are not blessed with height, long legs or a slender figure opt for subtle A-lines and add medium to high heels and you’ll look every bit as good as your long legged friends.

Some A-line styles include: gathered, inverted front pleat, circle, wrap, kilt, godet, bubble and dirndl.

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Key Elements

Hemlines

Today skirts can have many different shaped hemlines. Straight remains the only shape that is classic – everything else will eventually fall out of fashion.

If your legs are not your best asset fancy hemlines will not be a good choice for you as they are often become the focal point of your outfit – highlighting your legs. To counteract this add hosiery in a color that will minimize the color contrast between the hemline and your legs.

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Waistbands

Like hemlines, waistbands are best plain or not present as in the case of waistbandless skirts. If you have any mid torso challenges only the plainest of waistbands will be the ones to choose. Ties, belts and fancy waistbands all require short or tucked in tops and will add awkward bulk if any tops are worn over them.

Waistbandless skirts give a clean line and elongate the torso however; they do have a tendency to stretch over time.

Source

Length

Your best skirt length will depend on:

the length of your legs,
if you have any leg challenges i.e large calves, knobbly knees etc.
the style, toe shape and height of your shoe
the color contrast created between your hemline, legs and shoes.

Long skirts look best on tall and long legged women. They can work for almost everyone else if medium to high heels are worn.

Skirts which skim the top of the knee are always current, appropriate and flattering on almost every woman. If you are concerned about the look of your knees or legs, wear for hosiery that blends with the color of your hemline, legs and shoes.

When mini shirts are in fashion, for modesty opt for skirts that are longer than they are wide. By adding opaque hosiery a short hemline can be made to appear more modest and flattering.

Experiment by combining different hem lengths and shoe styles, heel heights and hosiery colours. A multitude of challenges can be camouflaged with skillful coordination.

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Color

While skirts can be any color it is only the neutral range of colors that are truly versatile. Colour affects both your apparent proportions and weight. A light or bright coloured long skirt will focus attention on the lower half of the body making the wearer appear shorter and wider. Darker colors recede and visually slim the hips, thighs and backside.

Short skirts in light colors appear to be shorter than they really are and are best worn slightly a little longer to compensate, while dark colored short skirts have the opposite effect and thus can be worn slightly shorter. The more color difference there is between your skirt and legs the more attention will be focused on your legs, especially at the hemline.

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Pattern and Texture

Skirts with bold patterns, particularly checks and wide stripes can be difficult to pull-off if you are not slim or tall. If patterned skirts are your thing and you have a full lower body for opt colors and patterns that are subtle and match with a top that carries one of the colours upward, or wear white with a statement necklace.

The use of evening fabrics will transform a skirt from day wear to evening wear.

Texture tends to increase perceived weight and in most cases immediately places the skirt into a new image. For example a straight skirt in high quality, lightweight wool can move freely from the office to home to evening wear, whereas if it is in tweed immediately it will take on a country, casual air relegating it to the weekends. Shiny textured surfaces in the same way render the skirt too glamorous for most work environments.

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Final Points

Choose lengths that best suit you; do not be persuaded by a designer’s whim or a girl friends nagging to wear anything else.
Lined skirts last longer and look better – buy them whenever possible.
Wear jackets/sweaters and skirts that are well proportioned to each other. Long over short or short over long. Skirt and jacket combinations that are exactly 50/50 are in most cases uninspired and boring.
Shoes with low vamps (exposes lots of foot), fine to medium soles and heels, and slightly pointed shoes will all make legs look slimmer and longer.
Discover what styles suit your shape and you’ll find shopping and looking great everyday easier than you ever imagined.
Need Some Style Advice? My Private Stylist is the only online style program that will teach you about all the aspects of all garments and accessories that will best suit you.
Shop Online Effectively with PrêtàStyler, the world’s first and only personal curated fashion mall. It’s a mall filled with styles perfect for your shape.

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Nov 14

HOW TO CREATE AN OUTFIT

By Style Clinic | Coordination, How To..., Wardrobe Savvy | 16 Comments

Getting dressed is a task that most women take for granted. They get up, stare into the wardrobe and pick out the first thing that springs to hand. Some end up looking great and others…well, not so much.

What you wear has a huge influence on how you feel and behave day to day. Socially and business savvy women know that getting dressed and choosing the right outfit is critical to the way the day will unfold.

When you look skillfully dressed, you feel more powerful, more confident and other people give you more notice and more respect. Knowing how to build an outfit is an essential skill to ensure you project the image you want and live the lifestyle you choose.

What you wear and how well you’re groomed speaks volumes about you and we are all unconsciously assessing others via their appearance every day. So it makes sense to look our best every day and that starts with the ability to create figure flattering and visually pleasing outfits.

Thoughtfully crafting outfits from the options in your wardrobe may seem like a daunting task but it’s really as easy as 1, 2, 3. In time, these steps will become second nature to you and building an amazing outfit will be a cinch.

#1. Think ahead

It’s always easier to plan what you’ll be wearing the night before. When you have your outfit laid out and ready, it will make your morning much less stressful. This is a great bedtime ritual to make sure that your mornings start on the right note. Laying out your outfit the night before also affords you the time to explore a lot more sartorial possibilities.
Ask yourself:

What will I be doing?
Where will I be going?
What will the weather be?
Who will I be seeing?
What’s the level of dress that will be required?
What impression do I want to make?

These questions are key to choosing the right outfit for your day. Don’t forget to lay out your accessories too. This ritual/habit will take the hassle out of your mornings and take the guesswork out of dressing up.

#2. Decide on your base layer

It is easier to put together your look once you’ve decided on the basic elements of your outfit. Here are the simple possible combinations for your outfit:

Skirt + top
Pant + top
Dress

The base layer’s look will of course be decided by the occasion or event you’re building the outfit for. The base layer will also decide factors like underwear, accessories etc. If your base layer is simple, that’s the time to get more creative or bold with other aspects of your look. If one or more base layer elements is a statement piece, that’s your cue to simplify the rest of your ensemble.

#3. Lay the right foundation

The right lingerie or shapewear will make an enormous difference. You may think that what you wear underneath doesn’t show or is irrelevant—that’s where you’re wrong. Your underwear affects how clothes sit or drape on your body. Shapewear is a worthy investment in this department since it provides an excellent foundation for your clothing. It will smooth any bulges and it will make sure your clothes fit perfectly. The right underwear has the same effect, so invest in your bras and panties, ladies. Trust me, it will pay off. The right shapewear and underwear will kill wobbles and perk up your chest area. It will make you look your best. If you want to know more, click this link for my in-depth feature on Shapewear.

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#4. Layer as desired

Layering is a great way to increase the chicness of your look. So whether it’s for fashion or function, layering is necessary to building an effective outfit.

For formality
- In business settings adding an extra layer to cover bare upper arms will result in a more professional image.
- More formal settings are more about fashionable layering. For professional environments, adding a blazer to your look will result in a more polished and formidable appearance. For formal events like parties etc., layering with embellished jackets or colourful scarves is a great way to stand out and increase the stylishness of your cocktail dress or evening separates.
For warmth
- i. If you feel you are on the larger side look for light layers of extra warm fabrics e.g., cashmere. Fabrics like cashmere or Merino wool provide the warmth and insulation you need without adding extra bulk to your frame.

ii. Layering for warmth may be functional, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be trendy about it. Cozy cardigans in trendy prints like polka dots, stripes, or plaid is a brilliant way to add an extra dimension of style to your look.

#5. Shoe off

Any style conscious woman will tell you that a shoe can make or break an outfit and it’s true. Nothing can ruin a great outfit quite like a cheap or bad pair of shoes can. A stunning evening dress doesn’t look right with cork wedges, while a day of errands can get sabotaged with a pair of uncomfortable stilettos. Choose shoes that go with the overall images and vibe of your look. It is also important to know when to sacrifice comfort for style and vice versa. A day of walking should, of course, necessitate a comfy yet chic pair of sneakers while a fancy evening event is the right moment to put style above all else, and slip into a pair of amazing high-heeled pumps. For more footwear knowledge, go to my feature called, “Well Heeled.”

#6. Accessorize

Accessories are so much fun! This is the part where you can get playful with your look and experiment a little bit, all within the bounds of good taste of course. Accessories are also a great way to integrate current trends into your look, and it’s also the outfit element where you can insert more of your personality. Embellishments such as jewelry, scarves, and hand bags can add air of uniqueness to your look. Here are some things to consider when accessorizing your look:

To attract attention to your best area

Think about which areas of your body you want to highlight and consider accessorizing there. If you have an enviable waist, wear a statement belt. If you want to draw attention to your face consider wearing a statement necklace. You get the idea.

Complete the look

An outfit isn’t complete without accessories. Think about a basic white tee and jeans. Worn by itself, it seems so drab. But add a long gold necklace, a printed scarf, and/or some colorful bangles and your humble white tee and jeans combo is ready for a night on the town.

Add some fashion influence

Accessories are look-at-me pieces that instantly communicate your fashion sensibilities. Whether you’re a trendy or classic girl, your accessories will reflect what your style is to a T.

Pull all the items together into a cohesive outfit

Don’t just put together accessories randomly. You should also consider how the accessories relate to your base layer and the rest of your look. All items should look harmonious.

If you’d like more information on accessories, go to this link.

#7. Count your points

At this stage your outfit is complete the only thing left is to check your focal points to ensure your out fit is visually pleasing and figure flattering. In the following image, all 3 outfits consist of a pant and top. The first two appear lacklustre because each has only 2 focal points (top and pants). The 3rd has a belt that adds a much-needed 3rd focal point (top, pants and belt).

A focal point is anything that draws your eye to it.

Aim for 3 to 4 focal points in one look. Less can be boring and more focal points may start to look too busy. All the outfits in the photo below meet this number.

#8. Check yourself out

While it may be tempting to step out of the house unchecked, don’t do it. Some of your outfits may look better on the hanger or in your head than they do in reality. Always check your appearance in a full-length mirror before leaving the house. You can even take a mirror selfie while you’re at it. If you have doubts about something, trust your gut and remove it.

#9. Log your outfit

It’s so easy to forget all the different outfits you can make. It is super helpful for your style journey to log your outfit to see how your looks change and progress, and to help keep track of looks or pieces that you like and don’t like. You can note down the items that make up each outfit while keeping a photo diary. Keeping an outfit logo is now made easier than ever with social media hashtag and apps that keep track of your #OOTDs (that means “outfit of the day”).

Source

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Oct 15

HOW TO REINVENT OUTFITS

By Style Clinic | How To..., Inspiration, Wardrobe Savvy | No Comments

Next time you feel bored with your look instead of heading to the mall for some new fashion pieces why not get creative and reinvent your present outfits. Hiding in your closet are many new looks and combinations just waiting for you to discover them.

1#. Flirt with sheer tops

This little styling trick is great to not only mix up your looks but also to softly camouflage heavy upper arms, and to help transition a sleeveless summer dress over the fall period.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

2#. Pair pants with dresses and skirts

Instead of your trusty pair of leggings, try a pair of fitted pants instead. Add them under a skirt or dress, a pair of pants for a look that’s been making the rounds lately. When in a leather or sateen type fabric your outfit will take on a luxe look.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

3#. Button-up

Bored with an old jacket or need to ramp up its polish? Swap the old buttons for new ones. Believe it or not good buttons are expensive and are often the first place a manufacturer will reduce costs. From vintage to quirky buttons all the way to top of the range, new buttons will definitely give your outfit a new look.

4#. Reuse and repurpose

Repurposing your clothes is the best way to reinvent your look while saving your pennies and the planet. From doing it yourself to using an alteration service, the reward is worth the effort and creates a truly unique garment.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3,

5#. Shorten, taper, shape

Sometimes all it takes is an alteration to make an unworn garment into a hands-down favorite. Shortening, tapering and shaping are all techniques that can totally reinvent a garment and your shape. At this juncture, it is important to say that a good relationship with a great tailor or seamstress can be extremely beneficial to your style.

6#. Accessory mix-up

Get creative and mix up your accessories to a display your unique style and twist on fashion. Your accessories can go a long way in creating look looks from old pieces.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3.

7#. Coat as dress

Make your coat a standalone statement dress by donning killer heels, metallic belt, cabochon jewelry, or even a lightweight patterned scarf.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3.

8#. Break with tradition

Just because there’s a traditional around when to wear an item of clothing doesn’t mean you have to stick with it. Create your own style and reinvent new looks by breaking with convention. The possibilities are endless! Keep one rule in mind: always balance wearing one out-of-season item by making the rest of your ensemble all about the current one.

Source: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3.

9#. Experiment with the unexpected

Similar to mixing up seasonal items let your imagination run wild and experiment with mixing all manner of colors, prints, shapes and textures together. Suzanne Dekyvere is a great example of someone who does this well.

Source

Have you another way to reinvent an outfit? If you do I’d love to hear about it

If you enjoyed this week’s feature
please like it on Facebook or Instagram
or leave a comment/question below.
Thank you.
Ann Reinten AICI CIP
Author

Category Archives: Wardrobe Savvy

1. Honesty is the best policy.

2. The plastic bag is not meant for long-term storage or use.

3. Just because it “looks” clean, doesn’t mean it is.

4. Time is not on your side when it comes to stains

5. On that note, trust the pros with stains.

6. Inspect your clothing carefully after you wear them.

7. Return the wire hangers, don’t use them

8. Light exposure can cause damage too, just like moisture.

9. Don’t dry clean clothing sets separately.

10. Reinforce or cover buttons.

Want More?

Pants and trousers have five important fit criteria:

Key Elements

Signature Features

Pleats or Flat Front?

Width

Length

Pattern, Texture and Surface Interest

The Trouser Suit

Perfect Fit

Key Points to Remember

Related Features

Point toe flats rock

Match the details of your shoe with your body type.

Test for comfort – adapt or move on

Show off your feet.

Expose your ankle when wearing flats with pants.

Pairing hemlines.

Formality and image

Menswear-inspired flats can be tricky to pull off.

Appropriate, Enhancing and Goal Effective

The night before.

When thinking about your clothes for the next day consider:

A few more tips help:

Wash and dry every single item prior to storage

Pros and Cons

Clean storage containers thoroughly before using

Storage isn’t a one-size-fits-all task

Clean your shoes

Always store items in a clean and dry place

Check on your stored clothes periodically

Invest in proper hangers

1. Items to Keep

2. Items that Need Attention

3. Items that Need to be Given Away or Discarded

4. With the Clothes that are Left

5. Make a Wardrobe Inventory of What You Have Left

Vertical Stripes

History

How They’re Perceived

Visual Effects and Styling Tips

Horizontal Stripes

History

How They’re Perceived

Visual Effects and Styling Tips

Fit is Paramount

Two Basic Shapes

Straight

A-Line

Key Elements

Hemlines

Waistbands

Length

Pattern and Texture

Final Points

#1. Think ahead

#2. Decide on your base layer

#3. Lay the right foundation

#4. Layer as desired

#5. Shoe off

#6. Accessorize

#7. Count your points

#8. Check yourself out

#9. Log your outfit

1#. Flirt with sheer tops

2#. Pair pants with dresses and skirts

3#. Button-up

4#. Reuse and repurpose

5#. Shorten, taper, shape