To stretch your existing wardrobe for all those special occasions that come up in May and June, i.e.. Mothers Day brunch, graduations, anniversary parties, weddings, showers, even going to the Pops - here are some ideas.

If you feel like wearing a skirt but don't have one, you can wear a sweater or jacket over a dress and, voila', it becomes a skirt. (Actually, this can be even more comfortable than a skirt. ) Then add a belt and slides and you and your new outfit are ready to go!

It's the combinations that make a fabulous outfit, not the individual pieces. Buying a lot of separate pieces with no plan as to how to wear them, though, is usually very costly. Finding great pieces that you know will go with what you already own, is very valuable.

Also, now is the time to start shopping for swimsuits, especially if you're hard to fit (and I know that we all consider ourselves hard to fit when it comes to swim suits). Currently the stores have a great selection. They might not be on sale yet, but the value in buying now is that you will have the perfect swimsuit when you need it and not have to run around trying to find one at the last minute when the selection isn't as good.

Cost versus Value

As I've been working with a number of clients this spring on their wardrobes, there seems to be a repeating issue: how valuable is an item in your closet if you've only worn it a few times? When I ask about a specific garment that gets little wear, the answer is some form of ," but it only cost..."

Here is my definition of cost vs. value:

cost is what you pay for it,
value is how much you wear it.

Finding a bargain is always wonderful. As I've often said, "There's nothing like the thrill of the hunt and the victory of the purchase." But, however much fun bargain hunting is, it will be very costly if your 'finds' do not create value in your wardrobe. Remember, a piece does not have value unless it's worn soon after purchase and often!

Now that we're into May, sales are abundant. So happy hunting for those "valuable" fashions.

"Summer time and the dress code is easing..."

Remember last year when summer arrived and management cringed at what the staff started to wear because the dress code said they could relax what they wear in the summer months? My question to corporate is, "Is it part of your business plan to be less productive in the summer months?"

What do I mean by that? Well, for most people (not all, but most), clothing influences activity. Generally speaking, when people are dressed professionally, they are productive in their business lives. Conversely, when people are dressed casually, they are productive in their personal lives (but not all that productive business-wise).

Very few places are without air conditioning. Therefore, it's really not necessary to dress for the shore when going to the office in order to avoid overheating. For these reasons, I personally don't feel it's necessary to change the dress code because the temperature outside has changed.

I think that this opinion might make some of you cringe. I'd love to know what you think. Just hit 'reply' to share YOUR opinion with me.

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I've added this new section for YOU. I want to know what YOU think about the challenges of dressing. Ask me questions, share opinions, great finds or ideas... What's on your mind? Send me an email at julie@juliefoley.net and let me know.

This is the story of a client who had several great choices of how to arrange her closet. When I met her, she had her current season's clothing in this beautiful, custom designed dressing area. The beauty of this area was outstanding. Clearly a lot of thought went into the look of this area as well as into how the clothing would be stored.

It was a three sided dressing area with built-in drawers and nine gorgeous inlaid wood panel doors. Behind these doors she kept her everyday clothes. The second section was designed for off season clothing. This area was a room with no doors so the result was that all clothing could be readily seen. This room also had a triple mirror on a far wall and a skylight. The space couldn't have been more perfect if I had designed it myself! **

With such an amazing setup, what could possibly be a problem? Well, the everyday clothes were behind closed doors and the off season clothes were open to view. Logically, it should be the other way around so that daily dressing is quick and easy. It was very cumbersome to keep opening doors to find what she was looking for. Before I finished saying, "I have an idea," we were moving clothes.

Everyday wear, including shoes, is now in the closet that is open to view. Gowns, social dresses and off season clothes are behind the doors. Perfect!

** If you're building or remodeling, let me help. I'll give ideas on your plan or on your new system. For example, I had one client who did not understand why she had no place to put her skirts and didn't SEE that she could simply move a shelf and raise a bar to make her closet work better for her. I pointed this out and she is now delighted with her space! Let me help you delight in YOUR space.

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For more information on working with me on YOUR style,
click here.

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Copyright 2001-2007 Julie Foley. All rights reserved.