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ketura persellin/the wardrobe workshop
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march 2009 |
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Greetings!
I've always loved the sense of rebirth and renewal that spring brings. Some people resolve to make big changes in their lives at the beginning of the year, but for me the arrival of warm weather inspires those feelings. I can't wait to feel the warm air on my skin while I plant vegetables with my children or take a walk around my neighborhood.
That spirit of making life a little more simple and local is influencing my purchasing plans for the season. I find that keeping very focused -- with concrete goals in mind and a shopping list in hand -- is a great way to create a style that really expresses who you are inside and stick to it consistently.
With that idea in mind, in this issue of the Wardrobe Workshop, I've included a spring/summer trend report to get you started thinking about the new season; it's from one of my favorite online sources of accessories, Luna Boston.
If the economy has put a damper on your shopping for the moment, consider new sources, like a frock swap. You can read about one in the article below and get ideas for how to hold your own.
And if you're planning to get away from the city this summer -- and I hope you are -- take a look at the one thing you need to get you there and back in style.
 In the meantime, I hope you'll join me in one of my favorite March activities: looking for the first daffodils in bloom. Best wishes, Ketura P.S. You may be thinking of making some changes to your life -- or know a friend who'd like to. You can click on the link below to forward this email to a friend. And scroll down to the bottom to find out how you can take the stress out of getting dressed in the morning.  |
 Spring trend report
From LunaBoston
Here's a
rundown of the major looks and colors that are hot for the season:
Neons: Hot pink, acid yellow, and electric blue are making a major
comeback this season, especially given the Stephen Sprouse nostalgia
with Louis Vuitton's Tribute Collection to the 80's artist. Rebecca Minkoff's Morning After Clutch in fluorescent pink is our top pick:
Rock star glam: Studded accents are going to be huge, along with
skeletons and super luxe snakeskin. Linea Pelle's studded bracelets
are quite popular,
and be on the lookout for some brand new accessories from Glam Noir and
snakeskin jewelry from Ted Rossi, arriving soon!
Safari chic: Ethnic-inspired accessories are big, and MZ Wallace has definitely captured this trend best. We love the Ikat Olivia Hobo and the Khaki Jane Shoulder Tote, with brown croc-embossed accents.
[Editor's note: Just the tiniest punch of a hot trend can bring your older clothes forward into the new season. And don't be afraid to try something like the Linea Pelle studded bracelets -- you won't look like you're trying to relive your 20s, you'll look like you have your eye on what's new and current.]
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Got an afternoon? Get a new wardrobe!
How to host a frock swap
Tired of all your old clothes ... even though they're in great shape? Or maybe you've gained or lost a few pounds, so some of your favorite still-new pieces don't look so great?
A "frock swap" can help you find a new home for those pieces -- and outfit you with "new" pieces for yourself, all in the course of a single afternoon. Best of all: You'll be "shopping" with a bunch of friends while nibbling on refreshments and listening to music.
I organized a frock swap recently, and it was a great success. The basic idea is that each guest comes with a certain number of items (I asked for 10 to 15 things) and leaves with about the same number of "new" pieces. In case you want to try it, I thought I'd pass along some of what I learned (and the things I'd do differently next time).
- Identify the goal -- are you arranging the frock swap because you want "new" clothes or for the camaraderie? Your closest friends may not have the best duds, and the inverse is also true. Best bet is a group whose style and standards are roughly the same.
- Make it festive. Refreshments and music can set the tone, so put tea and scones (or wine and cheese) and your favorite music. And make sure to leave time for setting out the clothes, trying them on, swapping, and socializing.
- Figure out a system for ensuring everyone walks away with roughly to the amount number of things they came brought, then spend plenty of time distributing the pieces according to that system, so as many people get what they want as possible.
- Consider clothing size. So that everyone gets to take home something new, everyone should bring a mix of clothes and accessories (hats, jewelry, shoes, bags).
And, of course, if you'd like help planning your own frock swap, just let me know -- I'm happy to help.
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A heavy lift made lighter
Or: What's in that plastic bag?
 It's happened to all of us: We get dressed to the nines and then, as we're heading out the door, realize we need to bring along some extra thing (a pair of shoes, a book, an apple -- something). What do we reach for? A plastic bag from the grocery store. There goes that carefully planned and beautifully coordinated outfit! Recently I broke down and bought three nylon Land's End bags
in the mail. Bye-bye plastic! These bags are sturdy and lightweight,
and I can use them for everything. In fact, now that I think of it,
they'll going to work just fine for the beach vacation I'm planning for the summer. |
Compliments and confidence
Almost all my clients complain that they have no clothes, despite a full closet -- and that it's just too darn hard to get themselves dressed in the morning.
Instead, you could have this:
Compliments about how you look -- on a daily basis
A closet filled with clothes you love and that express who you are right now
A sense of well-being and confidence
Best of all, my clients say, they no longer make costly mistakes buying things that don't flatter them or that they don't really like.
When you're ready for the compliments and the confidence, give me a call. I'll do for you what I've done for my clients: make it easy to look great. Contact me for details: KeturaP at aol dot com
And don't forget to visit me at the Ladies Paradise, where I'll offer solutions to your daily style challenges, analyze the trends of the day and point you to great deals on stylish things of all kinds.
And coming soon: my free teleseminar, in which I'll share my 7-step process for weeding out your closet. Stay tuned!
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