Color grouped closet

I'll never forget the woman who called me from California asking me if I'd come there to make sense of her closet.  "You buy the plane ticket and I'd be delighted to come," I told her.  She did and I went.  She had told me she had a lot of clothes.  Well, that was an understatement.  I teach about a closet being a "small room."  Well this closet was a big, big room!  There was some sense to the way her clothes were neatly hung according to color on racks all around the room, just not good sense.  The variety of reds didn't go with one another.  The blues, greens, and purple fought a battle royal, and so on around the room. 

In this arrangement, my client couldn't figure out which clothes went with which, and no wonder.  All the reds together combined winter-weight wool gabardine with summer-weight eyelet.  Among the blues there was casual cotton corduroy mixed in with dressy silk satin.  Throughout the color groups there was assertive, weighty wool serge mixed in with approachable, lightweight cotton knits, romantic velvet, and sporty seersucker.  There were sexy sheers hung next to fleece, flannel, tapestry, and tweed.  Linen looked totally out of place next to dotted Swiss and suedecloth, not to mention hopsacking next to chiffon and crepe de chine. 

It took me two full days to sort and coordinate the clothes into meaningful clusters and single outfits, all the while teaching my client that within any one cluster or outfit, the textures must work together.  But what does that mean?  Most people don't really know.  To work together means that to appear in harmony with one another, one texture must be dominant and all other textures must be subordinate.  It means that the winter-weight wool gabardine overpowered and clashed with the summer-weight eyelet.  The two communicate opposite moods and feelings.  Corduroy and satin together communicate mixed messages.  Satin and seersucker together make absolutely no sense.

My client had been totally overwhelmed by the visual noise screaming loud and clear from all around the room, and no wonder.  Making sense of her closet meant sorting the style lines and shapes, colors, textures, and patterns into outfits that communicated one mood and message; into clusters that communicated one personal style type according to at-home, business, or evening occasions.  To un-mix the fabric textures was the key to the initial sort.  This my client learned to see for herself, and what an experience in fashion styling it was!

This cluster of clothes has a fascinating mix of all-season and summer-weight textures.

I was reminded of this past experience again this week, seeing a woman attempting to look trendy wearing a winter wool cardigan sweater over a delicately tiered lace skirt.  Worn with layered necklaces and a fancy flower in her hair, the look was just too much to look at.  Here we go again, "Two busies don't work!"  (See February Newsletter, Consumer's Corner.)  This means that one texture must appear dominant or more important, and all other textures must appear subordinate or less important, attracting less attention to themselves.  The winter wool cardigan becomes subordinate working with dominant wool tweed or gabardine.  The lace becomes dominant working with a subordinate smooth silky blouse.  It works!

Read further for more points about personal clothing fabric selection and if you'd like the whole discussion of Fabric and Texture in Clothing Selection and Coordination strategies, order Conselle's Wardrobe Strategy Book #6 Fabric and Texture at $27.97. 

Order through Conselle's Store or call 801-224-1207 and order directly through Kathy or Sarah.  

 Order Fabric and Texture here!   

Consumer's Corner

Texture certainly creates illusions about size and shape of body. Heavier weight, thicker fabrics and furs will increase apparent size.   Medium weight fabrics tend to decrease apparent size.  Light weight fabrics are another matter as they tend to reveal the body beneath.  The worst are T-shirt knits!  Without enough ease in the fit, T-shirts drag over the body revealing every bulge in a most unflattering way.  Select your
T-shirts in a size larger because they're going to shrink with washing.  Wash on cool and dry on delicate.  Snap into shape and hang smoothly.  If your body reveals a bra, midriff, or belly bump, layer tees with a good-looking shirt jac worn open for a slimming center front line.  If you're full-busted, opt for a woven shirt, still with enough ease, and look 100% better.  

As we can see at right, tight fit puts too much attention at the bust line, making it distracting for professional or leadership roles. 

Below is a perfect example of the bra bump from the back. 

A safe way to conduct a fabric burn test

Once in a while a fabric may be incorrectly mis-labeled.  During our last Fabulous Fit Retreat, one participant brought in a piece of fabric labeled "100% Wool."  Holding the fabric, it just didn't feel right, I was sure.  Still, there was the label.  The only way for us to be sure, influencing our treatment and care of the fabric, was to carry out a "burn test."  Holding a little piece of the fabric over the sink, I lit a match and held it under the fabric.  Wool would have curled away from the flame and burned slowly if at all.  Instead, the fabric immediately melted and shriveled into a hard, round, black plastic ball with a faintly sweet smell.  No wool there!  Pure polyester, a man-made fiber.  Wash and press on low heat only.  While it isn't needed often, when you need it, the burn test works.  For a burn chart, see Fabric and Texture in Clothing Selection and Coordination.  

In Closing, it's been a great month with many good experiences.  I've crossed a lot off my "to do" list.  I've participated in some amazing discussions with our latest Educational-Training group.  I've been privileged to speak to local business and community groups regarding the need for more positive self-presentation and civility in the workplace and in the community.  If you are interested in these topics for a group you belong to, do get in touch.  I'd be delighted to work with you. 

Sincerely,

  

Attend Conselle's 15-Day Educational-Training to become a certified image consultant.

Receive comprehensive image education and materials to 

launch a full-service image business.

A great image education is an investment you can never lose!

  The Next Educational-Training is

Sept 24 - Oct 8, 2011 

Farewell Dinner for Conselle Affiliates

Seats are filling up quickly, reserve yours today!

Rave Reviews for Conselle:    

"Your ability to present a large quantity of information in an appealing and interesting manner is impressive. Your knowledge, creativity, enthusiasm, energy and graciousness are inspiring and appreciated in a challenging opportunity......."
Ann Johnson, Orem, UT

"AICI Convention certainly confirmed that I made the wise choice. An excellent, comprehensive overview of the image industry, with complete academic background knowledge! Be prepared to be exposed to truthful and time-trusted theories behind all that we do. The portfolios inspire us to the same excellence. Consider this your jump-start to learning-you have a gold mine handed to you in one file box!"

Bev Dwane, Durham, NC

Click here for detailed information or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy or Sarah

Conselle "Fabulous Fit" Retreat

Women whose passion is fashion sewing to achieve a custom and fabulous fit are invited to an exceptional 6-Day hands-on retreat.  Spend high value, personalized time with our Master Fitters!  Each brings her own unique sphere of interest and expertise to the fitting and fashion makeover experience.  Learn revolutionary new methods in fitting and alteration, taking home custom-fitted bodice, shirt, and pant patterns that fit!  

The next "Fabulous Fit" Retreat is Oct 24 - 29, 2011. 

For detailed information and testimonials go to Fit Retreat Information or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy.