Friday, November 14, 2008

The Economy & Your Closet - War on your Wardrobe

As we approach the end of the Bush era - women are faced with having to budget their extra funds and come up with new ideas of looking fashionable without the debt.  What they don't know is that the economy is forcing them to become more creative with their wardrobe and surprisingly more eco-friendly or "green".

Here's the first step to becoming Frugal & Fabulous!

Step 1- Edit, edit, edit

Simple is a good thing!!
Grab a friend or two - a great CD (I prefer a little Cece Peniston -"Finally", RuPaul "Supermodel" or any Madonna will do! You'll be strutting to the beats like a catwalking model....Oh yeah and a couple glasses of wine for your friends (preferrably white - avoid carpet stains!!)  The wine will soften their harsh opinions plus it's just fun!

Alright so you've got your friends, wine & music - it's time to attack your cluttered closet.  Start with the easy things like tee-shirts & tops. "Easy?" you say - well yes because if they don't fit - then it's an easy chuck into the bin for the Goodwill. One does not need 25 t-shirts.

On to bottoms (jeans, pants & skirts) - now this is tricky! First - if the glove doesn't fit you must acquit.  This runs true for these clothing items - Don't kid yourself!  Also don't punish yourself by having those awesome jeans staring you in the face because life happened to you and you gained 10 lbs.  Look good for the present - women rely on weight loss to dictate how they feel- Just suck it up (not literally) and look pulled together.  You can do it!  Dress like a goddess - and low and behold you might actually catch up with the "look" and start feeling better about yourself.  It's like gym clothes - wear some nice pants already.  Give the Hanes tee and grandpa sweat pants a new life through donation.

Alright so you've tried on the bottoms and put the "wrong size" in a good-bye pile. Now go on to the "they fit" pile and tackle the piece if the style works for your body type.  

I believe that clothing can act as a optical illusion for the body type you would like.  Pear-shaped? Add the bulk on top (stripes, small shoulder pads, texture and color).  All eyes should be on your face not on your hips & thighs.  Look up for heaven sakes.  Round all over?  You can still look sexy - it's about highlighting your best attributes (small ankles, nice decolletage, great arms, strong shoulders) Smaller on the bottom - bigger on top - accentuate those wonderful gams! Please because most of the world looks just plain stupid in "Skinny Jeans" except maybe Kate Moss (ha ha).

Of course if going through piles of clothes sounds tedious to you and you don't have any honest, patient friends - Hire Me, The Frugal Fashionista!  *Shameless Plug :-)