Volume 4 — Winter '06

Finding your 2006 fashion statement begins with editing your closet
(the following column appeared in the Napa Valley Register newspaper on January 16, 2006)

By ANTHEA TOLOMEI
Monday, January 16, 2006 1:03 AM PST

Is one of your goals for 2006 to find your own fashion statement, to dress in a way that helps you to appear your best?

In the coming months I will be writing a series of articles sharing with readers the many things I have learned about fashion. It's my goal to help you learn to dress to appear taller and slimmer, to make fewer pieces do more in your wardrobe, to find the colors that will draw attention to your beauty and not to your outfit, to apply fashion's trends to your style - in short, how to find your style in 2006.

It's not as hard as you may think, and it all starts with your closet.

How can you find your fashion statement with so many distractions in the way? A distraction is any piece of clothing in your closet that doesn't fit, is tired looking, is in an unflattering color and, worst of all, is dated. It's in the way of pieces that are the makings of tomorrow's great ensembles.

It's time to clean out your closet. Before we can build your wardrobe we must rebuild the foundation. I can't take you to the future if you are stuck in the past. You can make peace with wardrobe mistakes by tossing them. Losing what doesn't work you makes room for what will work. You do not need to buy a truck load of new clothes to have the wardrobe you have always dreamed of. You only need a few new pieces. Less will do more, if they are the right pieces.

Don't be daunted: You have more to work with than you realize. You've had more successes in shopping than you realize. You have a stronger intuition than you realize.

If you follow these steps you can look forward to finally entering department store with renewed vigor. Shopping and fun finally appear in the same paragraph - a first for many. You may save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Most of all, you can find out what fashion was really meant to do: Used wisely it can be a tool to your future Sending the right message, helping you live in the moment.

Moving your closet and you into the new year

Going through your closet, discard these things:

1. Pieces that don't fit

The number one closet faux pas is clothing that does not fit.

It's too small: Live in the moment. Wouldn't it be nice to open up those closet doors and see clothing that fits right now? You may still be determined to shed excess weight that has tormented you for some time now, but meanwhile you are missing out on the moment. You'll never be as young a you are right now. Move the pieces that don't fit to another location until you either lose the weight or accept your new figure. Give yourself permission to work with a wardrobe that builds on beauty you have ownership on today.

It's too big: Think custom when cultivating your future wardrobe. Even inexpensive and moderately priced clothing gains a great deal of refinement when it fits like a glove. Stop rolling the sleeves up. That is an option that comes and goes with fashion's trend. Get those sleeves the right length. Cinch the waist area. You will look thinner. Make sure the shoulders match your shoulders. All of this can be edited and add new life to a mediocre piece of clothing

2. Clothing that's tired looking

A tired-looking piece of clothing is a well-loved piece of clothing. You wore it into the ground. Learn from it then let go. What made it such a hit for you? The color? The style? Purchase a new updated rendition. Don't build your wardrobe on a tired garment.

3. Pieces in the wrong color

Gifts in wardrobe form often look like the person who gave it to you rather than you. Items on sale may have tempted you to buy a color you never would have dreamed of buying otherwise. Other culprits are store lights (the industry's never ending dilemma).

Choosing the right color is a subject is worthy of a solo article if not a solo book. Let me to offer you some fool-proof advice on where to begin.

You are a walking road map of color. The colors in you hair, the colors in your eyes, the color of your skin, even your lips without lipstick are clues to a wardrobe color story to guide you to your best colors. Your favorite lipstick often represents your intuitive knowledge of your best colors. Repeat this color in a top, a scarf, jacket, even a piece of jewelry. I'll be writing about color in a future column. For now if you want more advice, please visit my Web site at www.tolomeiandassociates.com.

4. Clothing that represents a different season

Don't try to forecast fashion's trends too far in advance. Live in the season or work with a professional who can guide you in advance.

5. Clothing that's dated

This is the second most common closet faux pas seen in closets. Master the spirit of detachment. Create a separate space in your home for ensembles that represent important events of the past. Reflect on them but don't build on them.

Dated clothing is the most effective way to add years to your looks. On a professional note, dated clothing causes missed opportunity in the workplace. People often without even knowing it correlate your dated image to dated ways.

If you have some reluctance to let go of certain items, keep this in mind: Once you discover how less does more, you will be more than ready to part with it.

Other pieces that are not dated, you can give them to your favorite nonprofit specializing in jump-starting women back into the professional work force. These organizations can only use clothing that is not dated and clothing that is not tired. In Napa - forward qualified candidates to First Impressions.

What's left?

Now the question is what do with what's left. I suggest you "boutique" your closet. Create your own department store. Create your departments by color i.e., neutrals first with blacks, browns, beiges, whites, deep blues, etc. Next organize your brights - the colors inspired by eyes, colors inspired by best reds and other flattering colors. You can also organize by creating departments for types: jackets, pants, tops, skirts, coats, shoes, scarves, jewelry.

Now that the closet distractions are gone, you are well on your way to shopping in your closet and your favorite department store or boutique!

I look forward to and appreciate your questions and feedback. Press the tab key titled "CONTACT US" on our website and enter your question or comment. After all, it is your input that guides me to insure that I am aware of what women (and men) with busy lives want and need most from their wardrobes.