What Are Your Fashion Needs?

I need to thank a long-time friend, Jeanne, for this post idea.  She recently shared with me a fashion segment from Real Simple Magazine, January 2014, by Yolanda Winkel, that caught her eye.  According to Winkel, who referenced New York City Fashion Stylist Samantha Brown, our clothing needs vary greatly depending upon our lifestyle and careers.   Most of us realize that a career women’s wardrobe is very different from a stay-at-home mom, but this article breaks down, by percent, how much of your wardrobe should be dressy, casual or work staple items.  I found this breakdown particularly interesting and felt it might benefit my readers.

If your job requires you to be on your feet a good part of the day (teachers or salespeople), your clothing items should be made of knit or stretchy, comfortable material, that allows for easy movement and is not confining and/or restricting.  A wedge shoe/sandal/boot that gives you the extra foot support for standing is the perfect fit for your unique needs.  Half of your wardrobe should be composed of work staples (knit skirt, pants, dress and flowy tops), 40% casual items and the remaining 10% should be dressy.

Does your job take you out and about?  If so, your wardrobe should consist of dark colored denims (conceals dirt, smudged ink or dry-erase marker), layering tees and a LBD (Little Black Dress). With these items you can change up your look easily and quickly and take you from a day to night look.  Your wardrobe should comprise of  40% dressy items and equal percent of casual and work staples.  A dressing tip I would make for these ladies would be to always have a tote you can keep a scarf, a pair of pumps and a cardigan so if you don’t have time to go home to change before an evening activity/date, you can change up your look.

Do you spend most of your day at the office?  If so, 60% of your wardrobe should include work staples (knee-length skirts and dresses, tailored blazers and shirts).  A nice look for this individual might comprise of a button down white shirt, a classic black or gray pin-stripe pencil skirt and a fitted red blazer.  While shopping choose basics that can be inter-changed with other items to make several outfits.  Thirty percent of your wardrobe should be dressy and the remaining 10% should be casual

.

Are you a stay-at-home mom or run a home-based business?  If so then 70% of your wardrobe items should be simple, casual and comfy but need to be presentable if you are called to school to pick up a sick child or need to stop by the grocery store.  A nice pair of flats or flat heeled boots, nice pair of leggings (not sweatpants!), and a loose fitting, clean shirt (no stains, rips or paint spots), would be very appropriate.  You can even add a cute little scarf to finish the look!!  Needless to say if you spend the majority of your time at home, only 20% of your items should be dressy and 10% work staples.

Maybe it’s time to clean out your closet and reassess your current lifestyle and needs. What can you do with your throw outs?   Is there someone in your life who has complimented you on your wardrobe choice in the past?  If so, surprise that person with a box of your give-aways.  If you don’t, donate them to your favorite charity or look for donation boxes/bins in your local community… everyone will benefit!!

To see examples of the sets I have created for you please see:

Set #644

Set #620‎

Set #674

Set #645

And Jeanne, I’m looking forward to our annual get-away with Barbara and Connie where we can catch up on each other’s lives and discuss the latest fashion trends.

 Until next time,

—Judy