LYDIA’S LIFESTYLES

YOUR CLOSET COACH

As a Stylist and Closet Coach, I enjoy empowering women to get their closets organized to take away the stress from selecting an outfit. If you follow the guidelines from last month’s article “What’s in your Closet”, you will see that having “feng shui” (organization energy) in your closet, can reduce stress because now you can see what you have, and it’s organized in a manner whereby you can easily select items and create an outfit.

Your style can also be identified by the contents of your closet. If it is not, I can help you narrow it down and select items that fits your body type, style, and lifestyle. Obviously, the goal is to look good and feel good. You can be comfortable with wearing sweats and jeans on a regular basis, but why when there are so many fashion choices that are fun and is an extension of your personality. One client asked me, how can I look more professional? My response is by buying and wearing more structured/ tailored garments, not restrictive, but how they’re constructed.

Big and boxy doesn’t flatter, another client asked, how can I hide my midsection? My reply is, you don’t have to, you can wear a wide belt to cinch the waist and select garments that flatter it. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t flatter, that can be too large or too small. You don’t want to wear an oversized garment with no tailoring as an attempt to appear smaller (it doesn’t work), neither do you want to wear an item that makes you look like a skin encased sausage (smile).

BY BY LYDIA DEAN-REESE, MASTER STYLIST

through identifying your body type and style, this is one prong to my mission and sets me apart from other stylists. You may ask, what does this have to do with my closet? The garments in your closet that you select from tell a story, they say, who you are, what you think of yourself and the image you project to the world, it says “I care, or I don’t care”, I’m fun, I’m organized, or I take myself too seriously. Although I

wear suits often for business as well as personal, my whimsical or statement jewelry and fun shoes says although I’m structured and business minded, I’m also fun and chic.

Sometimes we must think outside the box when it comes to our closets. If you typically wear earth tones and neutrals, try a pop of color. If you already like color (like I do), try a monochromatic look. Buy and keep your classics, as I mentioned previously, they are going to repeat. For example, you can never, ever go wrong with a pinstriped suit, I also have purchased separately satin pinstriped slacks and another pinstriped blazer; therefore, I can mix and match at a moment’s notice.

A client once asked me, where should I start with respect to a closet makeover. I recommend the classic white buttondowned shirt, you can where it with jeans, a suit, over a body con dress, the white shirt is so versatile. Also, you can never have too many black slacks or black skirts. You don’t have to look like an usher, you can add colorful jewelry, a belt, and of course stylish shoes.

Shoes don’t only make the man; they make the outfit.

Grow and/or organize your closet. Last month, we talked about closet organization. It is an ongoing process; you only need to invest a few minutes a week or an hour or so a month for maintenance to get the most from your wardrobe.

Once or twice year, or when the seasons change, venture out and add a couple of trends, do not overindulge or you may regret it. Simply add a few ‘funky’ pieces to compliment your current wardrobe. Remember our closets should beclassic, not overly trendy.

Make what you have work, I can assist with this, make an appointment for a free consultation at www.lydialifestylecoach or on IG @lydialifestylecoach.