How to be Your Own Stylist - The Foundation for an Ultra Functional Wardrobe

After having a baby I faced a dilemma. The clothes in my closet did not fit or no longer flattered me. I went from being able to stand in my closet and pull out a great outfit to having nothing to wear. For a new mom, having nothing to wear was a unnecessary confidence drain and a time waster.

I want you to love what is in your closet so much that you can effortlessly pull out an outfit for a dinner invitation, a day at the park, an important interview.

I have quickly learned that a fabulous and functional wardrobe is not about having tons of clothes or spending too much money. It is about making intentional selections when you are out shopping or shopping online. To have a great wardrobe takes brutal honestly and planning.

To be your own stylist you have to take a more objective look at what you need, and you have to have a specific plan:

1). Be honest about your size and embrace your figure. No one ever looks good squeezing into something too small. Learn what clothing flatters your body. Look in the mirror and decide if a piece of clothing makes you feel curvaceous and attractive or if it makes you feel bulging and uncomfortable. You know what has a flattering fit and what does not. Trust your instincts.

2). Select a neutral base. I quickly realized that having pants, skirts, handbags, jackets, heels, boots, and flats in white, brown, black, navy, and tan is pretty darn expensive. It still does not guarantee you will have what you need in your closet to put together a great look. Select one or two neutrals to base you wardrobe around and stick with them.

3). Pick a Signature Color. Every woman needs a signature color that looks fabulous on her. Select some second favorites as accent colors. Stick with your palate while you are shopping. You can branch out later and add more colors and neutrals, but right now resist the urge to stray until you have built a great base.

4). Do not fall prey to buying clothing items (like a cocktail dress) that you will never wear. When I go shopping I absolutely love suits, but right now I am a work at home mom and I really do not need suits. I need jeans, pants, and tops. I love suits, but I know realistically I will not wear them enough to warrant a purchase.

5). Take a basic list and customize it to fit your personality. If you love chandelier earrings, then add navy, gray, and amethyst chandelier earrings to your shopping list. Stick with pieces you love and customize your wardrobe plan to your taste. Your signature colors, your neutrals base, and your choice of accessories are what give your look personal style!

A great wardrobe needs to be thought out and built over time. Resist impulse shopping! Be intentional and add items to your closet only if they will match other pieces. It can be just as much fun to go shopping with an objective, such as an olive green handbag or a cranberry cardigan as it is to just wander aimlessly picking up whatever is on sale.

Do not throw everything out in the meantime! Keep pieces that may not be your main neutral base or items that are not your signature colors until you can afford to take time and thoughtfully replace them. However, any clothes that you have to squeeze into or that no longer flatter your shape need to be donated.