How Wardrobe Planning Can Save Your Budget - And Your Sanity!
Wardrobe Planning. Are there any other two words in the english language that can instantly cause your eyes to glaze over?
Most people don't even know what wardrobe planning is, much less practice it. I have been reading fashion magazines since I was in my teens. I have always been fascinated by the concept of "pieces dressing" - that is, creating many different outfits out of just a few basic pieces of clothing. I knew there had to be some kind of 'secret formula' but the harder I searched, the less I found in the many books I read. I worked for many years in retailing, in sales and management. I was surrounded by beautiful clothes all day long but the 'secret' still would not reveal itself. So I created my own mistake-proof formula and I copyrighted it in my little self-published book The Original "Do-It-Yourself" Guide to Wardrobe Planning (Amazon.com, Kindle.) The formula works and I live by it every day. It has saved my budget, my sanity and more time than I can calculate.
Wardrobe planning, as I created it, consists of three very simple steps: Color, Pieces and Coordinating. Nothing could be simpler.
1. Everyone has a favorite color. Even if you never thought of it, you instinctively reach for one color or another every time you get dressed. Your favorite color is a good place to start but it is not the only place. You need to determine which colors are right for you based on three factors: hair color, skin color and eye color. There are many good color analysts out there and it might be worth your time to find one to consult with.
Once you have some idea which colors you like, and are best for you, the next step is to simply pick three colors you would like to start your wardrobe plan with. Three colors may seem limiting but I assure you this only a start. As you become more experienced and comfortable working with color, you can add to the mix.
2. After you have decided which three colors to start with, pick one of the three colors to create a foundation for your wardrobe plan. (I will use the example of navy blue here.) This piece should be a 'bottom' piece - pants, skirt, shorts, whatever you wear on the bottom half of your body.
3. With your foundation bottom piece in place, it is now time to create a wardrobe plan using the formula I designed to coordinate the rest of your wardrobe pieces.
The first way to coordinate your wardrobe is to simply match the bottom piece. (In our example the matching top would be navy blue). Any type of top will do - a tshirt, tank top, blouse, sweater, etc. Matching the bottom piece should not be too difficult if you buy coordinated pieces together but you can always get away with going a lighter or darker shade of the bottom garment. To finish off the outfit, choose a third piece (jacket, vest, cardigan) in another color (pick another of the three you started out with). (For our example, we will choose red). You now have a pair of navy blue pants, a navy blue top and a red jacket. You have completed one of the four ways to coordinate your clothes.
The second way to coordinate your wardrobe is to pick a coordinating color to wear with the bottom piece. (For our example we will pick a red top.) To complete the outfit, choose a matching third piece (jacket, vest, cardigan). You now have a 'suit' - navy blue pants, navy blue jacket and coordinating red top.
The third way to coordinate your wardrobe is to simply take the coordinating top and coordinating third piece and make a 'matching set'. You now have a pair of navy blue pants, with a matching set, a red top and a red jacket. Matching sets can be any two pieces you choose as long as they match.
The fourth way to coordinate your wardrobe is to put together three pieces that do not match. In our example, we have the navy blue pants, the red jacket, and we will choose the third color (white) from the original three we started with, as our coordinating top.
This formula: matching, coordinating, matched set and nothing matches will work with any three colors you choose. You will never make a mistake. Guaranteed.
If you stand in front of your closet complaining you have nothing to wear, I hear you. I have been there. Not any more. Once you get the hang of wardrobe planning you will wonder how you ever did without it. You will buy less clothes, you will get more mileage out of the clothes you have and if you travel, you can pack in fifteen minutes! I have done it.
For more information on wardrobe planning visit Amazon.com and download my book. In these tough times anything we can do to stretch our dollars, is a blessing. Enjoy!