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MANAGE YOUR IMAGE

Viva La Closet!

 

How many closets does it take to hold your wardrobe? Spring 'tis the season to drink a toast to the simple life.

 

By Donna Smith, editor of Style Stories

 

You don't have to vacation in France to have a Parisian experience! Just spend some time in your closet this weekend with a glass of champagne and a critical eye – like I did.

 

The women of Paris are known for their style but not for their large wardrobes. Stateside, we are known for our indulgence as much as we are for our style. Whether it is our overcrowded closets or the portions at the Cheesecake Factory, we love to go overboard. With spring in the air and the urge to start spring cleaning taking hold, I have stood in my closet and pondered (for once) a serious paring down.

 

I know all the rules. I teach them to others but ignore them myself. So here is the challenge I put to myself and now put to you – if you dare! I built three wardrobe capsules out of what I have and moved the rest out. Not out of the house – that would be crazy. Just out of my closet for a while to see if I can live like my counterparts in Paris.

 

I built one work, one weekend and one evening capsule. For 30 days I will live with these three only. Learning to live with less allows us to spend more on higher-quality items for those key garments we need going forward. It will also free up dollars to go toward great pieces of signature jewelry or a trip to Paris – or even your retirement fund. At the end of the 30 days, I will be in a position to better edit the items that didn't make the cut and either use them to create additional, well-edited capsules or send them to a deserving closet elsewhere, thanks to my local Dress for Success program.

 

With a fresh glass of champagne in hand, I stand before a greatly pared-down closet – a closet where I can see every article clearly, where my clothes have room to breathe. What remains seems sparse to my "used to clutter" eyes, but doable.

 

Below is a list of what I have in my three capsules. Use this as a guideline for your own closet with the color scheme that works best for you

 

Work:

• Black wool crepe pantsuit
  
  
• Navy lightweight wool slacks
  
  
• White cotton shirt
  
  
• Patterned blouse
  
  
• Charcoal gray cardigan in a fine knit
  
  
• Charcoal gray pencil skirt (A-Line if you prefer)
  
  
• Black leather pumps
  
  
• Red patent flats
  
  
• Black leather purse

 

Weekend:

• Pair of "flat shoe" jeans
  
  
• White T-shirt
  
  
• Nautical striped three-quarter-length sleeve T-Shirt
  
  
• Chambray peasant top
  
  
• Pair of khaki pants
  
  
• Jean skirt
  
  
• Lightweight cotton V-neck sweater (pick a color)
  
  
• Flats or sandals (pick a color)
  
  
• Canvas or straw purse/tote
  
  
• Sneakers

 

Evening:

• Black cocktail dress
  
  
• Satin camisole/silk blouse
  
  
• Dark wash "high heel" trouser jean
  
  
• Evening jacket
  
  
• Long earrings
  
  
• Evening clutch
  
  
• Metallic pumps or sandals

 

If you have these basics, you are in great shape. Each capsule can overlap with each other to give you greater depth. If your workplace allows casual Fridays (or any other casual day), wear your evening trouser jeans to the office with heels. Or try the khaki pants with your crisp white button-down and the cardigan. The key to business casual is to always be crisp and clean, not sloppy and baggy.

 

If wearing khakis or jeans to work is not your style, throw on your black pantsuit with the nautical striped T-shirt and your metallic heels. Do you have an event to attend after work? Bring your satin camisole with you and pair it with that black suit and your long earrings.

 

Now that I have my three capsules, the question is, What do I need to add to make them fresh and up-to-date for summer? It won't take much! That is the beauty of a classic capsule. Just a few easy pieces make it new again.

 

Feminine details and brights will be big this summer. I found a great pink striped flower pin at The Gap for $5. Pinned at the shoulder of my T-shirt or attached to a thin belt at the waist will provide a fun touch. My new white patent leather '50s-style handbag takes me to the office and lunch with friends on the weekend. I traded in last year's sneakers for this year's red patent leather Tory Burch slip-on tennies. They go with my jean skirt as easily as my khakis and navy slacks. For evening go for a great cocktail ring like the Elyssa Bass 18-carat gold butterfly. It will get you noticed and become an heirloom in your collection.

 

So, ladies, grab a flute of champagne and join me in a toast! A toast to looking good, having less and doing more. See you in Paris!

 

 

 

Donna Smith is editor of Style Stories. For a free subscription to Style Stories, click here.