Christmas Capsule Closet
How to create the perfect Capsule wardrobe for Christmas.
WHAT’S IN YOUR CLOSET NOW?
Are you travelling at this time of year?
Or maybe having a super closet cleanout
Perhaps a little shopping with a little gift money.
Christmas or end of year is a great time to clear away the old and make way for the new.
With the shops full of exciting Summer Styles it’s almost impossible to resist a little wardrobe injection or two.
I have to believe it’s the colourful clothing that inspires us to go shopping at this time of year and the warmer weather that woos us toward looking light and fresh in lovely Summer colours.
But should there be a little more calculated approach to all this rather than a manic dash to the mall?
Anyone would think there is about to be a fashion drought by the way we obsessively shop.
ORGANISE YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE
My advice toward a functional and stylish wardrobe is get organised.
As for me, this year has been a real wake up call.
As my children have finally made a last ditch effort to leave home, I am delighted to have access to the many cupboards in my wardrobes.
Truck loads of treasures were sent off to the recycled rescue spot and a commitment to not buy anything more until I actually needed something new.
So far I have held that commitment for 2 months with no clothes, shoes, bags or accessory purchases.
Why? Do we really need any more clothes?
My clothes are now in one wardrobe and I have a better idea about what is actually there.
My next step is to cull again as I group all my garments. Pants, tops, dresses, coats, jackets etc. together.
Then I plan to colour code (in only my colours of course) from light to dark.
This way you have more of an idea what you own.
Have you ever been looking for that pink top, say, and not been able to find it because it’s squashed in amongst other pieces?
Now you can really see what you have, you can be realistic about your wardrobe.
THIS GOES WITH THAT.
If this does not go with that in your wardrobe, it’s because you still have colours that have no business being in your wardrobe.
The most organized gurus are the ones that are very strict with their colours.
Every item in your wardrobe should go with many other items
So get strict with your colours. Wearing the wrong colours, isn’t going to work anyway, so why bother.
Why look second best?
YOUR CAPSULE WARDROBE.
So how to create the perfect capsule wardrobe, that will take you everywhere?
What’s best to pack for your trip?
How to save money on your clothing?
How to create this goes with this, goes with this, goes with that?
Step 1 Have a professional colour analysis. How do you expect to look good without knowing your colours and purchasing the right things?
Step 2. Cull your wardrobe according to your colour palette.
Step 3. Take stock. Every plan has a starting point. What do you have to begin with?
Make an inventory
Step 4. Make a plan. Without a plan we plan to fail. Plan your outfits according to your lifestyle.
How many functions, what to wear to work, your going out clothes, you’re stay at home stuff. There are only so many days in a year. You might be surprised at just how much surplus you have.
Step 5. Create outfits. If you are really serious,create different outfits on your bed and mix and match ideas.
Take photos, pin them to your pinterest boards. Going out outfits, casual outfits, beach outfits, formal outfits. Whatever your lifestyle dictates, make those outfits.
Step 6. Imagine the next season’s outfits and outings in the next few months and get those outfits together.
Step 7. Design looks that go from day to night by adding a jacket, a different necklace, high heels an evening bag.
Step 8. See how few items you can employ, to create those outfits. This is your capsule wardrobe.
Remember you can mix it up. Make a work outfit into an evening outfit by adding different jewellery and shoes for example. Adopt these ideas, especially if you’re travelling.
You will be amazed. Just a very small number of garments can make many many outfits.
For more information
Contact Your Colours and style
Five ways to know if you're wearing your Colours.
Getting your Colours right is just so important to your Ultimate Image so read today's blog with 5 ways to tell if you do have them right or not.
How to wear your neutrals
How to wear your neutrals
What is a neutral colour?
I would describe a neutral colour as one that is quite benign. One that's not screaming for attention, and one that's a base for all of your other amazing colours.
Not everyone feels good in a pink and green outfit for example but they may enjoy wearing perhaps a green top with a neutral like grey.
It's good to start your wardrobe with your neutrals then add your colour in next.
But are all neutrals created equal? Definitely not. Many stylists are firm about having a base of dark cool neutrals like black, pure white, greys and navy’s with a splash of brown thrown in. But those neutrals are only found in the Winter Palette. Black doesn't go with everything, as we've been led to believe. And Winter neutrals don't go with Summer, Spring or Autumn neutrals.
As a colour consultant of 20 years, I have found these ideas to be quiet damaging as a whole to the fashion industry. Using black as a style staple is not useful to your Image picture.
Here's an example of working with a warm Autumn neutral and Black a cool dominant neutral to create a mismatched look.
YOU NEED TO FIND YOUR COLOURS AND THEN WORK WITH THE NEUTRALS IN YOUR PALETTE ONLY
For a stylish, complete, co-ordinated wardrobe that suits you down to the ground, you need to work with YOUR neutrals only.
The reason being, neutrals from another palette will not look good on you, and also will not go with the other shades or neutrals in your palette.
THE NEUTRAL COLOUR PALETTES.
Some stylists categorize people as neutrals. But I like to call only colours neutral not people.
Every colour is either a Cool Deep or dominant colour,(Winter) a cool muted colour,(Summer) a deep warm colour (Autumn) or a warm bright colour (Spring)
That's it. Every colour on the planet will slot into one of four palettes only. And you will be one of the four palettes as well. No sub colours or flow people in my opinion. Some colours "flow"but not people.
THE COLOUR SWATCH BOOKS FOR THE FOUR SEASONS
Get your colours right. There is Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. What season are you and there is no need for any sub seasons.
You will have thousands of colours to choose from that will all look amazing on you.
So what are the four types of neutrals I’m speaking of?
Warm Deep or Autumn neutrals are lovely deep olive greens, rich creams, clays, golden browns, deep apricots, muddied burgundies and pumpkins to name a few as well as rich warm khakis and golds.
The bright Spring neutrals on the other hand are still warm but much lighter than their deep counterparts, so colours like light soft caramels, light creams, warm light browns, tans, peaches and apricots are part of the Spring neutrals.
Moving into the cooler palettes we have the boldness and clarity of the deep Winter colours, black, pure white, all greys, silvers, dark navys and deep deep browns.
Forget burgundy as some may include in the Winter palette. I reserve that for the muted cool neutrals of Summer. The denim which is a winter denim is dark navy blue.
Summer neutrals are cool and soft and muted. Ones like off whites, soft grey, cool taupes, cool beiges, light cool khakis, burgundy and maroons create a nice base and don’t forget your dusty navy’s. Please don’t forget light denim teams best with these colours.
With all this in mind you can see there is a plethora of colours, considered to be neutral.
So once you know your colours, you can stick to the neutrals within your season for best results. Ask your consultant how to incorporate these into your wardrobe.
It’s always best to get professional advice about your colours and be sure the colours actually “fit”with you.
If your not happy with your results after a colour analysis, my advice would be to get a 2nd and sometimes even a 3rd opinion until you get your colours right.
I have had so many clients over the years who have had their colours done incorrectly.
There is a mindfield of systems now so I hope you find a solution that’s right for you.
HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT COLOURS?
Here are a few checkpoints.
You'll look younger and more attractive in your colours
Your hair colour will compliment your colours
3. Your make up will blend into your skin and not sit on top
4. You will have 100’s and 100’s of colours to choose from
5. You will feel at peace in your colours
6. All the clothes in your wardrobe will coordinate
7. You will have heaps of outfits even if you have a small wardrobe (capsule)
8. You’ll always get compliments about what your wearing
9. You'll find it easier to accessorize and mix and match
You’ll look very stylish all the time.
For more information contact Your Colours and Style Sydney