| It is very easy just to buy clothes, one outfit at a | | | | time to pull your separates look together. It takes |
| time, and accumulate lots of nice stuff. But the | | | | longer to find a sweater that will go nicely with two |
| question is do they suit one another? Does that | | | | different skirts and three pairs of pants. So if your |
| jacket work well with those pants? Do your tops | | | | budget is tight, you'll have to think every match |
| look good with more than just one skirt? Are the | | | | through very carefully. |
| colors of your clothes coordinated well enough so | | | | Here are some essential tips in wardrobe planning: |
| that you can combine last seasons outfit with this | | | | 1 - Mix one expensive, quality item with some things |
| seasons? Do your accessories add to, and finish the | | | | of lesser quality. Wear the expensive item near your |
| look? | | | | face. Superior fabric or tailoring in a jacket or blouse |
| Can you see your identity in your clothing? Do the | | | | will consistently enhance the impression you make. |
| pieces reflect exactly who you are? And, on a | | | | 2 - The most carefully chosen clothing will be useless |
| practical level, do they work for the kind of life you | | | | unless it fits properly. Buy clothes that are a little |
| lead? Are your clothes varied enough to avoid | | | | loose. An exception is a jacket that you never |
| boredom and practical enough so you don't have to | | | | intended to wear closed. When the look of a |
| worry about wearing them at work? What about | | | | garment is deliberately loose, resist the temptation to |
| your social life? Do you have the right outfits for | | | | wear a much smaller size just because you're able to |
| your favorite fun activities - sports, quiet dinners, or | | | | fit into it. |
| concerts? Do you have enough casual things so you | | | | 3 - Color and fabric should be considered in the |
| can dress comfortably and still feel good about the | | | | selection of hem length. The darker the color or |
| way you look? | | | | heavier the fabric, the shorter you should wear it. |
| In short, does your wardrobe do what you want it | | | | 4 - Accessories have the power to make the same |
| to do? If not, you should think about planning your | | | | outfit look different, but must echo your own style. |
| wardrobe soon. | | | | Never be strangled in an excess of jewelry. The |
| You may need to spend money to acquire a basic | | | | secret is proportion, more at the waist, for instance, |
| wardrobe, but once you have it, it will cost you less | | | | means less at the neck. Accessories should not only |
| to maintain than spending on a lot of unrelated | | | | go with each other, but with what you're wearing. |
| pieces, each for its own special use. Although there | | | | 5 - Shoes and Bags. These should match (or be in |
| may arise an occasional event that requires a special | | | | the same color family) and should be bought in a |
| purchase, a good, basic wardrobe should be able to | | | | classic, all purpose color. You may choose to buy a |
| meet at least 95-97% of your clothing needs. If you | | | | textured bag (such as straw) for spring and summer, |
| haven't saved a large portion of your budget for | | | | and it will go well with shoes of any color. |
| clothes, it's going to take a bit more ingenuity and | | | | |