the wardrobe workshop image consulting by ketura persellin may 5, 2009 in this issue :: 'Help! I have nothing to wear!' :: You asked ... about great spring shoes Greetings!   Did you watched Susan Boyle's video not just once or twice but numerous times, like I did? I thought it was amazing and inspiring. And now we're hearing about Boyle's makeover. Bravo for her, I say. We should all tweak our appearance if it doing so will make us look on the outside as dynamic and interesting as we are on the inside. Looking at the picture of the "new" Susan Boyle, what was amazing to me was how little she'd really done -- a little waxing of the eyebrows and a good haircut and color had changed her image radically. (Click here to see the before and after pictures.) Few of us want or need the kind of image transformation that Susan Boyle will probably have gone through by the time Britain's Got Talent wraps up. But I see why she chose to focus on her hair, because it's one of the most powerful things about us, and few things have the capacity to change how a person looks quite as much. I love the idea of Susan Boyle reaching for her dream at the age of 47. I hope that I, too, keep dreaming and reaching as I get older. That's what I think keeps us young -- nourishing those dreams and taking the risks necessary to turn them into reality. Best wishes, Ketura P.S. If you've just subscribed to this newsletter, welcome! Maybe you've got a friend who is ready to make some changes; feel free to forward this newsletter by clinking on the link below.   'Help! I have nothing to wear!' When you have no time to shop (and hate it anyway) I've been seeing this a lot recently: a busy professional woman calls me because she has nothing to wear, has no time to shop -- and even if she did have time, loathes going into stores so much she can't remember the last time she bought something for herself. Okay, full disclosure: I can't really help so much with the time crunch. But I can help with the shopping. In fact, after a recent shopping trip, I am more convinced than ever that the secret of looking fabulous -- and there's no secret, really -- is getting great "basics" and then wearing the hell out of them. Case in point: Recently I came across a black knit dress and convinced a client to get it. Here's why I was so sure that it was a great purchase, aside from the fact that it looked great on her. It wasn't boring at all (it had a cute knot at the bottom of the deep V-neck, so it draped attractively) but it was basic enough to be versatile. Really versatile. She can wear it with: a cardigan in any color a drapey piece like this ivory wrap (the warm neutral color is key) and some ethnic-inspired bangles a safari-style jacket and great wedge sandal a denim jacket, some gladiator-inspired sandals, and a stand-out necklace like this or this a hoody and some athletic-inspired sandals (for a day of sightseeing or a kid's soccer game) a windbreaker, big hoops, canvas tote and flip-flops for a day at the beach. And let's not forget this dressy possibility for going out in the evening: strappy sandals, thin sparkly chains, cute small clutch. All that from just one dress and some key accessories. And that's my "secret": Keep your eyes peeled for some inexpensive and current accessories to wear with your go-to wardrobe basics. Because chances are you already have a versatile dress in your closet, and what's missing are the pieces that will bring it forward into this season and give you options, options and more options. Happy hunting! You asked ... about great spring shoes Happy feet I'm a firm believer in great shoes. Like a gorgeous purse or unusual piece of jewelry, a fabulous pair of shoes can transform any outfit into something that makes you look (and feel) great. Here's my pick for the season: a Donald Pliner (read: comfortable) pair of rich-looking thong sandals. The thongs are a very current style and the luxe texture makes them something special. Or consider the Olive sandal from DV by Dolce Vita -- same cute, summery look, lower price point. (I love the color shown here -- "copper patent.") (Oh, and just for fun, check out this Zappos map showing what shoes are selling across the country in real time.) Style without stress These days, most women I know have scaled back their shopping. What about taking that a step further and going shopping close to home -- in your closet? If you haven't taken a close look recently, you may have some fabulous outfits hiding in your closet. To get started, you'll want to pull out a single great piece of clothing and look for things to combine it with. Maybe that cardigan will give it new life? Or how about that jacket and scarf? (If this sounds overwhelming, give me a call. We'll talk about your daily life and the clothes you need to look your best, then translate those insights on the spot into new outfits using clothes you already own.) And don't forget to visit me at the Ladies Paradise, where I'll offer solutions to your style challenges, analyze current trends, and point you to great deals on stylish things of all kinds. Or follow me on Twitter @KeturaP for up-to-the minute ideas about fashion-related trends, sources and news.