BY CATHERINE CASSIDY

1) Asses the Situation
Go into your closet and think about what you love about it and what you never really feel comfortable in. Are there colors that you gravitate towards? Designers? Items you wear ALL the time? Others you NEVER wear?

Start mixing and matching and trying to put things together in fresh and new ways. No, I mean really new. Don’t be afraid to create new color combos, mix prints or fabrics, or play with shapes.

Are there any trends that you’ve been seeing in the magazines? Try to look at your pieces in new ways. Could you possibly create the boyfriend blazer look with an age-appropriate black cardigan? Alter an old blouse that’s now too big to create something more tailored?

While assessing your situation, consider your job and lifestyle as well as the image you want to project.

Now that you know what you have, consider what you really want from your wardrobe …

2) Look for Inspiration
Look back to old movies and movies stars for style guidance and inspiration for looks that last. Remember, fashion is cyclical. This is not the first time we’ve seen skinny jeans and mini-skirts!

Again, what works for you? How can you interpret for yourself? What is the image you want to project?

Also, look to current public figures for style guidance for what’s more current.

Start to look through fashion magazines with the intention of defining your style. You’d be surprised at how certain looks and colors speak to you. Start tearing these out to refer back to. And why not create a vision board? Or, add a style section to your current board. Style is as much a part of yourself and your vision for yourself as is your career aspirations. In fact, they tend to go hand in hand.

3) Invest in Classics
There are certain wardrobe basics that simply won’t go out of style and are worth investing in. If you can find these on sale (it does happen!), even better.

For instance, that LBD (or it could be your signature color version of an LBD) that looks amazing on you will always be appropriate. Or a great black suit. Definitely those perfect black slacks and a crisp white blouse. Oh, and amazing costume jewelry. If it’s inherited from a stylish relative, even better!

Once more, consider your lifestyle and needs. What are your Classics?

4) Update, but know when to Spend
Again, keeping it appropriate to your lifestyle but I’ve found that buying a few new pieces a season gets you reinvigorated to play with your style. Especially if you can find 5 new ways to wear it!

Also, there are some things that never go on sale and some that will always. It helps to have the help of an expert (whether a stylist or a salesperson) who can guide you.

My rule of thumb is that most contemporary (like BCBG, Nanette Lepore, Trina Turk, etc.) or chain brand items (Banana, Gap, J Crew) will go on sale, while higher end designers (price point of $600 and above) won’t. This is basically due to units produced. Higher end designers usually have much more limited production runs and their items tend to be more unique, so there isn’t a need for them to go on sale. It’s luck of the draw for these items to go on sale, but it does happen … you just have to be savvy!

5) Forget about SIZE
Seriously. It pretty much means nothing. If you buy designer you’re probably going to go up at least a size, if not two. If you buy American or Chain, you’ll probably go down a size. It’s all a mental play and I don’t want you to buy into it.

What you DO need to buy into is what looks AMAZING on you.

Seriously, I was just helping someone who was wearing a size 12, yet everyone who saw her trying on the dress was just taken aback by how stunning she looked.

Why?

Because she was rocking the body she had in a size that fit her well.
Enough said.

6) PLAY with Clothes!
Again, just make it fun. Fashion shouldn’t be so serious.

The only thing serious about it is the power that great style has to transform our inner confidence.

So, don’t be afraid to try new things. Take risks! Some may work, some might not. Either way, you’re getting closer to your TRUE style and having fun.

And please be sure to inject color. It’s such an easy mood enhancer. If you’re feeling down or tired in the morning, you need a bit of green, purple, red, or pink in your life for the day. Please! Add color! Have fun! Play!