| Wouldn't life be great if we had our own personal | | | | wardrobe simple and desirable, only stocked with |
| stylist at our disposal anytime we needed her? | | | | clothes you love wearing. Don't hoard for the "when |
| Someone who could go shopping for us, buy exactly | | | | I lose weight or this will come back in style one day |
| what is perfect for us, organize our wardrobe, and | | | | again". Operate a policy of one in, one out. |
| know the latest and best styles? However, for most | | | | 3. Invest in yourself and your wardrobe. Now that |
| of us, this remains a dream. So, let's look at reality | | | | you've taken some cleansing steps to purge your |
| and see how you can take a creative, energetic, | | | | wardrobe, you'll need to find some wonderful |
| results-oriented approach to your own styling. Yes, | | | | additions to complement your new style. However, |
| you can become your own best personal stylist! The | | | | before you go out there ferociously refilling the |
| Secret to being your own best personal stylist is | | | | closet, keep in mind that you're now taking the |
| really following a system, enrolling a trusted friend, | | | | simple approach. Firstly, develop a budget for your |
| dedicating some time and adding a sprinkle of your | | | | clothing and fashion accessory expenditures. It's not |
| own innate creativity. I can hear you now - I don't | | | | worth going into debt and then not enjoying your |
| have the time, nor am I creative... Believe me, the | | | | new wonderful style. Secondly, develop a shopping |
| TV won't miss you while you dedicate some time | | | | list of what you need before you even leave the |
| toward your own style. And I firmly believe that | | | | house. Thirdly - this is how you go about shopping:a) |
| everyone has creativity - you just need to unleash it. | | | | When you buy one item, like a skirt or pants, keep |
| I'm convinced that if you follow the system | | | | going until you've snapped up the right top, shoes |
| discussed, you'll see how easy and fun it is. | | | | and bag to match. Think outfits, not solitary |
| Let's look at where to start off: | | | | garments.b) Always keep fit in mind. Get it right, and |
| 1. Start off by creating a look book for yourself. Buy | | | | clothes and accessories will always flatter.c) Be color |
| a fun notebook, cut out pictures from magazines, | | | | savvy. Pastels are tricky. They can turn the freshest |
| circulars, etc. of clothes and accessories, which jump | | | | complexion sallow and make your body look larger. |
| out for you, and paste them in your notebook. The | | | | All-black seems easy, but can be very severe. |
| pictures should represent the look you want, and not | | | | Always match it with a bright and complimentary |
| be reflective of what you currently subscribe to. Add | | | | color in jewelry, bag, top or jacket. Or try a |
| words to your look book by describing how you plan | | | | different, softer dark such as chocolate, burgundy, |
| to achieve the look of your own style according to | | | | midnight, or charcoal. Cream, pearl grey or bright |
| your personal and professional lifestyle roles and | | | | shades are more flattering near the face than black, |
| goals. This may take some time to find exactly what | | | | which emphases under-eye bags and lines. |
| you're looking for. Just enjoy the process and think | | | | Experiment in front of a well-lit mirror by holding |
| how delicious and fun it is. | | | | different colors to your face. Have your trusted |
| 2. Purge your wardrobe. Set up a date with a trusted | | | | friend advise which ones flatter you and which ones |
| and honest friend to help you out. Now that you | | | | drain all color from your face. |
| have your look book as a guide, try on all your | | | | As you are venturing down your path as your own |
| existing clothes. Here are the rules you and your | | | | best personal stylist, keep in mind that personal style |
| friend need to apply: a) if the clothes and accessories | | | | is a learned behavior, a simple and gradual process of |
| make you feel great, keep them; if not - donate or | | | | training your eye to lock onto your best silhouettes |
| discard; b) if they make you shine and bring out your | | | | and proportions in any season, any year. Style icons |
| features - they're a keeper; c) say ciao to the | | | | like Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Onassis weren't |
| stained, the untended, the unworn impulse buys, the | | | | born with the skill, they developed it by honoring |
| clothes that no longer fit (yes, I believe you that | | | | themselves, learning what looked good and most |
| you're planning on losing those few pounds to fit in | | | | importantly what made them feel best about |
| them again; however, when you do, reward yourself | | | | themselves. Here's to your coming out as your own |
| with something better!). With your look book in hand | | | | best personal stylist! |
| and self-esteem now firmly planted, keep your | | | | |