The Simple Slice

8 EASY and ECONOMICAL Style Tips 

to Make Getting Dressed Hassle Free

How did getting dressed become such a chore?  Style should be fun or at least not something you dread.  The truth is, we can ALL feel good about how we look. 

Me, following some of my tips!

Why do some women just seem to instinctively know what their style is or how to buy and put together the coolest items?  Do they really have a “style gene” that the rest of us lack?  Or do they just have interest, aptitude and a few trusty style tips they abide by?  That’s what I believe and I also believe that once you have adopted a few of these tips and start feeling a bit more confident and successful; getting dressed starts being more fun and you begin to exert your own individual flair.

Remember, style is for YOU.  If you feel good, and you feel that you look good, then that’s all that matters.

I don’t consider myself especially stylish or fashionable, but I do like to feel good, pulled-together and ready for the day.  I am also not someone to spend a lot on clothes or accessories.  I have them, but I choose pieces by my standards.  They have to be economical (I can afford them with my budget) and simple and easy (they fit in with what I already have). 

The best thing I ever did for myself was to have someone come over and physically go thru my closet with me.  She had fun and funky style that I admired, (and would never have), and she was nice and willing.  She came over and picked thru my closet.  At that time, (mid 20’s), I was very conservative and she helped me look at myself another way.  She gave me “permission” to break out of my narrow box and experiment a bit.  She also helped me weed thru stuff I didn’t need any more, find pieces that worked and how to use them, and make a list of things that would round out my wardrobe with some “staples”. 

Wow, what a gift!  Because of that singular experience, I began to relax a bit and realize that dressing was for ME and no one was grading me as harshly as I was.  I loosened up and started having more fun.  I began to do the same for my friends.  I would help them put outfits together, edit their closets, create their own personal style and make lists of what to buy.

I LOVE helping people look good and feel good, and I’ll give you the shirt off my back if it will make you happy and look good for the occasion!  My goal is to give you the permission to have a little fun and give you some advice on creating your own look.  It’s all about feeling good.  You are the star of your own life and unless you can afford one, you need to be your own stylist.  Who knows you better anyway?

 

Now onto the TIPS!!   

•          Get organized
•       Do a closet make-over
•       Wear a scarf
•       Google that stuff
•       Pick one thing and build from there
•       Accessorize! (Dress up a bit)
•       Go monochrome or have a color scheme
•       Design your uniform

Get organized – you can’t get dressed easily and with any satisfaction, if you can’t find what you’re looking for.  The quickest way to organize is to put like things together.  That means – T’s, tanks, blouses, pants, jeans, skirts, dresses, socks, undies, sweaters, jackets etc.  Next, organize by color from light to dark.  Finally find a place for each section and put away neatly.  That’s it!  Take a little time to do this and the pay-off will be well worth it. 

It's not the size of the closet, its what you do with it!

Do a closet make-over – if you can get a friend to help you, all the better; it will make it more fun and it’s nice to have a trusted eye.  Start with one season at a time – summer/spring or winter/fall.  (It’s too much to do your entire wardrobe in one sitting.)  Put on some decent under garments because you will be trying things on, and dive in.  First, decide what your basic look is – stylish bohemian, classic with flair, trendy casual, funky business exec, ladylike athlete, biker chic or whatever (make it up and write it down)…knowing what you’re shooting for will help you “weed” out what you don’t need and keep what you do.  Now, start going thru things in groups like above – T’s, tanks, jeans, etc.  Make three piles, toss, keep, fix or not sure (you can decide later if you’re not sure).  When you’re finished, organize as above. 

Wear a scarf – scarfs are the easiest things to add a little pop and style to your wardrobe – winter, spring, summer or fall – there’s a scarf for most outfits.  Tuck a bandana in your back pocket, wear a scarf as a belt, throw one around your shoulders for a wrap, tie it multiple ways around your neck, drape it over your blazer, jacket, or vest; or wear it as a hair tie, headband or wrap.  In the summer, wear it as a swimsuit cover-up.  A scarf will style and elevate your look and make you look more put together.  Besides, as someone who is always cold; it’s nice to have a lightweight “blanket” wherever you go. 

Drawer of scarves, color coordinated and easy to see!

Google that stuff – Google is your answer for inspiration, ideas and outfit combinations.  I have used the “images tab” on Google for a while now, but it was a stroke of genius when I typed in something I wanted to wear when I didn’t know what to pair it with.  I typed in the clothing item(s), and voila, picture after picture of great ideas for clothing combos.  For example, I’ve typed in “hiking boots and skinny jeans”, or “red leggings with black skirt”, or “denim skirt with booties”.  ANYTHING you can think of, pictures will appear for your perusal.  The best part is you get to pick something from YOUR wardrobe and build from there.  Genius. 

Pick one thing and build around it – This one is from my sister Sherri.  She will pick one thing she wants to wear and build around that instead of trying to put together an entire outfit.  The difference is, you’re choosing an item you want to wear as your foundation and building on that.  It can be anything, even a piece of jewelry.  This is also helpful because AT LEAST you’ve begun and that’s always a success.  Now ask yourself where you’re going, what will you be doing, and what’s the weather; and picking the other pieces will be easier.  If you need inspiration – Google that stuff!! 

Accessorize and dress up a bit – This is probably the easiest to do but often neglected. It’s typically the last thing we do and adds that personal touch.  Jewelry, scarfs, hats, shoes etc., gives your outfit that little pop, shows your personality, and pulls it all together.  In our hyper casual culture, we’ve become a little frumpy and slouchy in the name of being “comfortable”.  Let’s step it up a bit and add some panache.  Maybe you like to wear the same jewelry pieces over and over and that’s okay, as long you add them, it gives you a “signature style”. So before you head out the door, look in the mirror and see if there’s anything you can add or change that will “heighten” your look. 

Go Monochrome or with a color scheme – If you want to look chic and pulled together, (and who doesn’t want that), then wear the same or similar colors.  All black, grey, tans, whites, even denim and blues will do.  Matchy matchy is not only easy peasy, it’s super flattering and stylish.  Try black (but any color scheme will work), skinny jeans or leggings, a black T, tank or sweater, add some black boots, flats, pumps, or kicks and you’re ready for just about anything.  Or choose two basic colors like black and tan, (there’s a reason there’s a drink named after it), navy and white, etc.  Boom!  (Don’t forget to accessorize!)

Create your uniform – Why do we think we need to recreate the wheel or at least our outfits EVERYDAY?  The wheel is awesome, so why not create your own awesome look and make it your “thing”; your signature look.  Chances are you do similar things day after day, so pick a look that will work for 70% or more of your life.  Try denim on the bottom and white on the top – then you can pick different shapes like a skinny jean, boot cut, capris, or a denim skirt with whatever white top you want on top.  Or maybe you’re a working gal, so you’re thing could be black pencil skirts with blouses.  Whatever you like, you can make it into a uniform.  The point is keep it simple sister and roll on! 

Okay women, it’s time to dress for your life.  Remember, you’re the star of YOUR life so choose how you want to look and make it happen.  Chance are, you already have a great start waiting in your closet.  Start there!  Get organized, choose your “look”, create your basic “uniform”, add some flair, and for goodness sake have some FUN! 

Don’t forget to keep on enjoying the JOY-ney!!