Smart Fashion

Did you ever experience standing in front of your closet for hours and still without a thing to wear?

A question often asked by my friend, Katrina. Aside from having 4-door closet full of clothes, she is still is unstoppable and impulsive buyer whenever there is a big sale. Even the dress she most wanted do not fit her well as long as it belongs to 75% discounted items rack, she insistently will buy it no matter what.

Be smart in what you buy. In an article, Best Kept Secrets of the World’s Most Fashionable Women posted in the ForbesWoman.com, supermodel Beverly Johnson (first African-American woman to grace the cover of Vogue in 1974) says, “Shopping is not about quantity.” Learn to select investment pieces rather than cheaply made bargain finds. Start with a couple of essentials and build from there. Select six favorite pieces as a base to your forever fashionable wear: perfectly tailored pair of pants, a well-fitted skirt, an office ready blazer, a go-to cocktail dress, a great cashmere sweater and a crisp button-down shirt. After you select that edited collection of basics you will be in the good position to add and match wardrobe and accessories.

Also, cut and fit is crucial when building a wardrobe of great basics. Always buy what is best for your body. Go through your closet and get rid of anything that does not fit you properly. If you can, salvage ill-fitting items by taking them to the tailor, if they cannot be salvaged, donate them. When you buy new clothes, spend some time in the dressing room to really assess if an item is right for your body. The same rule when you buy a pair of shoes - never buy shoes you love that do not fit.