It Isn’t What You Buy…

But What You Do With It. I used to believe that the reason we didn’t dress our best was because we were not adventurous shoppers. And yes, that still holds true but it isn’t the top reason.  The issue is not what we are buying or not buying - it is what we do with what we bought. Consider this scenario. You shop at Banana, Gap, Nordstrom, J. Crew. Easy, affordable and convenient. You will purchase blue trousers to go with the light blue or lavender top in your closet. When you get home, you add the brown belt and a shade of brown shoes. The shoe probably has a pointy toe and a spikey heel. You look in the mirror and  think “Well, this works. It goes together.”  Sound familiar? Well no disrespect but this sounds incredibly boring to me. If it sounds boring to you, here is my advice for the new year. Step 1 – Tear out pages from your favorite magazine with outfits and pieces that catch your eye but have you recoiling in terror at attempting to recreate them from your wardrobe. Style and Lucky publish actual weeks of clothing that you can rip out. Step 2 – Tape the pages inside your closet. Step 3 – When getting dressed, reach for the patterns and textures. Pair the red shoes with the turquoise dress and nude or assorted-color diamond patterned hose.  Keep looking at the pages for inspiration. Step 4 –What Would Jami Do (WWJD) a term recently coined by a client of mine. Whenever you pull together a little somethin’ somethin’ think about WWJD. Did you incorporate a pattern, texture, a memorable piece? If I asked you to describe your look, would you be able do it with enthusiasm? If not, back in the closet you go. Step 5 –  Don’t forget to smile and have fun! JC

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