From the Notes of Professional Image Consultant Cynthia Bruno
With the arrival of holiday décor in Costco and the leaves singing their last hurrah in a blaze of autumnal glory we are surrounded by signs that winter is on its way. But rest assured that you can save your hard-earned bucks for holiday gifts instead of a new winter wardrobe by using these easy tips in order to effectively transition your family’s fall wardrobes to winter!
- Buy basics: Basics are the building blocks of any wardrobe and consist of the items an individual can use to dress appropriately for most of the life functions (work, play, dress, etc.) they perform routinely. Focus on buying basics in solid colors using prints, patterns, embellished items and trends as accent pieces. Solids, and especially those purchased in colors complementary to the individual, create the foundation from which to create a wardrobe and serve as layering pieces as the weather becomes colder.
- Buy quality: In an economic climate of conservative spending it is easy to become seduced by inexpensive apparel. Keep in mind, however, the age-old saying “You get what you pay for.” An item costing $20 which is made poorly and rips, frays or otherwise becomes unusable after two wears costs $10 per wear. Conversely, an item that costs $80, but is of good quality and lasts for 20 wears costs $4 per wear. Consider value and the anticipated longevity of the garment in order to make wise purchases, especially when buying basics.
- Buy consistent with a color palette: Considering the individual’s coloring, focus on purchasing neutrals complementary to the individual’s skin tone and a few accent colors that can be used to make outfits “pop,” but that can also be mixed and matched. If an individual has cooler skin tones, opt for basics in shades of gray and colors with bluer undertones; if an individual has warmer skin tones, opt for basics in shades of brown and colors with more yellow undertones. Rather than a closet full of haphazardly purchased clothing in all shades of the rainbow, colors in a wardrobe that compliment both the wearer and each other can be utilized in countless ways to add versatility to a wardrobe rather than wearing the same combinations repeatedly. And for the ultimate in creating a finished look, buy accessories that bring the colors of the wardrobe together.
- Buy a select few warm pieces: In the Central Valley we are fortunate to enjoy mild winters. Most fall wardrobe items will serve as great layering pieces for winter temperatures and provide sufficient warmth with the addition of a warm sweater, jacket or coat. Invest in a few warm pieces and accessories to reach for when the weather requires, but also which augment the individual’s existing fall wardrobe. Consider that these pieces will transition easily from year to year if purchased consistent with the tips above.
