When it comes to client attraction, looking your best is crucial and your wardrobe is a key element of that. Your potential client or boss is forming an opinion about you within the first split second and your visual voice (or image) speaks volumes. What is yours saying?
If you’re not the kind of person who cares to follow seasonal trends and instead strives for some sort of continuity from year to year, you might gravitate toward a simple, classic wardrobe. I decided to focus more on the classic look this time because it’s the timeless style that begins with building out your wardrobe essentials, can get you through almost any occasion and ends with Grace Kelly’s pearls! Women with classic style are leaders and mean business!
Let’s begin with the basic question of, “What are wardrobe essentials?” Your wardrobe essentials are the necessary foundations of building out a well rounded trousseau. These slacks, skirts, blazers, blouses, dresses, and coats are solid, neutral colors.
Building Your Wardrobe Essentials
Color and Cut
Knowing your best colors and cuts will help you choose your foundation items. Each color Season has 8-10 colors that can be identified as great neutrals for your wardrobe essentials. If you’re not sure which palette suits you, take a look at my Color Rx mobile app for a virtual color consultation and color shopping palette on your mobile device. It’s also crucial to know what cuts flatter your body silhouette because great fit is the sign of a well dressed woman and no matter how you’re feeling about your body, you can feel beautiful in the right clothes! My Transformational Style Program helps you take a deep dive into color, cut, style, shopping and organization so take advantage of it.
Take Inventory
Begin by taking all of your blazers (then skirts, slacks, dresses, blouses, and coats) out of your closet and laying them on your bed. Do you have too many? Not enough? Take an objective look at the condition of them. Do you need a new one? Do you have an array of your neutral colors? Does it need to be cleaned, pressed or mended? Does it fit well? If not, take the action! Be sure you have at least 3 things you can pair with it- things you feel beautiful in! If not, time to go shopping :).
Identify Your Best Designers
One of the key questions I ask my clients is, “What designers do you know work for you?” If you’re not sure, visit your closet and look for the designers that repeat themselves. Those are your go-to designers so stick with them and then add a new one or two to expand. This is important because designers can come and go and you don’t want all of your proverbial eggs in one basket!
Some of my favorites are: Lafayette 148, Classiques Entier by Nordstrom, Max Mara and Tahari.
Buy Quality
Your wardrobe essentials ARE the place to invest. They are timeless and you want them to last. Don’t be fooled though… just because something is pricey does not make it good quality. Look for fabrics that feel great and don’t wrinkle. Fabrics from England and Italy are the very best. Check the seams to be sure they lay flat and are finished on the inside of the garment. If you are looking at a print, be sure it matches at the seams. Are the buttons good quality or cheap. Look at the fine details like the quality of craftsmanship on button holes. That alone can tell you a lot.
Get The Matching Piece
If you are looking at suiting items, I strongly suggest you get the matching piece (even if you like to mix and match). That way you’ll always have something that matches it! When you shop take a look at how the item is displayed. Have they created your ensemble for you? If you love it, go for it- head to toe!
Now Accessorize
The beauty of dressing classically is that you can express your individuality based on how you accessorize. If you’re artistic, you can easily pair a funky scarf with an otherwise simple look. If you are the Grace Kelly type, pearls it is. If you’re like me and LOVE statement pieces, add a chunky necklace that steals the show.
When building your collection of essentials I suggest visiting stores that have complimentary personal shopping services. Stores like; Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus.
You may even want to work with a Personal Brand & Image Expert and I DO happen to know one who deeply cares and invests in her client’s results- ME! If you’ve been thinking about it, message me and we can set up a virtual coffee. support@juliannstitick.com.