Love What You Have: How to Rework What's Already In Your Closet

A new year brings new life, an opportunity for rebirth and the anticipation of spring. Let us begin this revitalization with our closets. Love what you already have with refreshing new color combinations, eliminating convention and intermixing old and new. Change your signature style to reveal your wardrobe's brilliance.

Here are the steps you need to pump new life into work attire.

1. Keep separates separate! Immediately break up every sweater, suit, dress and jacket or other multiple item sets. Each piece should be hung up individually and worn at different times. Take the sweater vest from the sweater set and place a crisp button down shirt underneath, pair with metallic necklace – the transformation is simple to sleek. From there use the cardigan portion of the set and place it over a shift dress add a belt - a modernized professional look. Remember pieces do not have to match, they have to harmonize.

2. Just add a blazer! Think men's wear for a strong structured tailored look. There is nothing more powerful or sexy than a confident woman in a board room. Fitted blazers, wide leg trousers, white button down shirts, pencil skirts and vests are all keys elements. For a bit more edge, wear your favorite printed T under a fitted jacket along with double strand pearls, a pencil skirt and black pumps – contemporary glam!

3. Dresses, dresses, dresses! Shift, shirt, jersey or ruffled dresses are an effortless option to the age old question "What should I wear?" A classic solution you don't have to think too hard about, just grab and go. Throw on a pair of opaque tights, slip into your knee high boots with a shift, shirt or jersey dress for an instant contemporary look. A cocktail dress worn with a sweater or blazer and accessorized with a bold necklace or a cuff bracelet can easily result in a chic office appearance. Another alternative; slide on a thin blouse under a dress for a rich and seamless look.

4. Visit the hemline! We often forget about the importance of a hemline. One that is too long can make us look matronly and one that is too short may not be so "age appropriate". For a petite frame it is extremely important to keep the hem from falling beyond the knee. While a taller person will need the length. Review your hemlines. An inch or two can immediately change a style from slouchy to sophisticated.

5. Use your jewelry! Do not wait for a special occasion. Place a brooch on a lapel or on the knot of a wrap dress or shirt. Statements are just not made with clothing it is the entire package, so remember the add-on.

6. Spin the color wheel! Glorious vibrant hues bring a beautiful sense of renewal. The added dimension of color is a fantastic way to give a hint of the unexpected, a little mystery to your personality. Accent with:

a. Canary yellow, delicious orange, reds, blues
b. Perfect pastels and shine in sorbets.
c. Forever metallic! (don't be afraid to mix your metallics)
d. Combine: canary & navy; white & champagne; black & silver; cream & gold

Last but not least, take out all of your shoes and wear them. An all black outfit with a pair of red patent leather pumps projects power. Caramel brown trousers and a pair of pointy orange flat exude educated style. Project confidence this year and use your closet has a tool to express yourself!

KD CONSULTING
Catherine T. Delnero
Wardrobe Consultant
Contact: 917-951-6246

www.kdcstyle.com