Extending last month's topic on personal style into cluster wardrobing, I'm wondering if you've gone into your own closet to discover whether your clothes are more Yin or more Yang--or some sort of mix in between.  I'm wondering what clusters you can already pull together from among the clothes you already own--in what mood or feeling for what occasions in your life.  I hope you began putting together clusters in your closet this time last year.  If not, catch up by reading last September's newsletter which outlined the cluster guidelines.  A cluster is simply a small group of clothing put together to meet the needs of one individual person--according to his or her lifestyle and personal style. 

Most of my clients gradually end up with 1) an at-home/weekend cluster of more relaxed looking clothing styles in durable fabrics (also needed for industrial business roles), 2) a community cluster that's a little more refined, 3) a leadership/business cluster that doubles for church, all of which are a lot more refined in style and fabrics, and possibly 4) an evening/date night cluster.  Depending on your lifestyle, evening/date night clothes can come from your community and leadership clusters or range all the way to very refined semi-formal and formal clothing styles in elegant fabrics.  Every once in a while I get hired to put together a "resort casual" cluster for someone going to a more relaxed conference or booked on a casual cruise vacation.  This usually means nice quality styles and dressier fabrics.  The key is to acquire clothing appropriate for the places you go in your life, looking and feeling like you belong and know what you're doing there.  Being prepared with these clothes in your closet is exactly what makes you feel more confident and capable in your various roles.

With our list of current fashion trends for women for Fall 2011, we'll explore which trends lend themselves to which type of cluster and which trends are more Yin or more Yang.  Instead of simply buying into whatever is new this fall or catches your attention first, shop with a cluster in mind and your personal degree of Yin or Yang.

Red, red, and more red, in anything and everything.  Red adds an element of fun or drama to a cluster, depending on how Yin or Yang the styling.  It's often the amount that makes a big difference in effect.  Choose carefully where you wear it on your body.

Rust-colored coats, depending on the styling will work well for a sporty Yin or sportive Yang personality.  I bought mine last year and it's still going strong.  Rust is great with black, olive, navy, teal, even cobalt blue for fall. 

Bright-colored pants brighten up fall days.  They are generally more Yin in any cluster depending on the refinement of the fabric.  Just make sure you've got the body for all that attention on your bottom. 

Color-blocking refers to solid geometric areas of bold color that call attention to themselves.  It's generally Yang in appearance and dramatic in effect for creative business and evening clusters.

Polka-dot dresses are out there if your style is Yin all the way.  Opt for a polka-dot dress for girlie occasions or evening glamour looks.

Peek-a-boo short slit skirts are Yin and thigh-high longer slit skirts are Yang--both for evening clusters only.  How high they're slit determines appropriate for you or not.

Fake fur in smaller amounts is fine for Yin sporty types in dressier clusters, but in large fur collars, the look is definitely sportive or dramatic Yang.  Some are downright shaggy--looking like a dog. 

Lace tops, lace insets, and lace overlays are being shown in all sorts of creative combinations.  A frilly lace top would likely be delicate Yin in appearance.  Heavier, wider lace trim could signal a bolder romantic Yin.  Smooth flat lace should work in a top for a classic Yang personality.  All would work in a dressy day or evening cluster.  An olive denim Safari jacket with olive-colored lace layered over the collar, however, would still be sportive Yang in appearance, but with a whimsical touch of romantic Yin femininity mixed into the message in a somewhat rugged looking community cluster.  It works.

Here again, short leather skirts are sporty Yin and long leather skirts are sportive Yang-but on a very sleek body and paired with an evening top, the look is sensual chic for a romantic type Yin.  

Capes are getting another go around.  Out of the ordinary in shape, short capes are Yin creative and long capes are Yang, adding a touch of drama to any outfit.  I still wear my cape from decades ago and am frequently asked where I bought it.  

Jean jackets.  When did they ever go out?  Jean jackets are all around and have been for decades.  Those made of denim are definitely for those with Sporty Yin personality traits for casual community clusters or industrial business.  I have a satin-looking jean style jacket in purple.  The dressy looking fabric makes it perfect for community and date night clusters--also for what they're now calling "resort casual" travel clusters.

Suits, much maligned for the last two decades, are touted as a generic trend--available in Yin or Yang styling.  I'm all for a suit, matched for a more tailored authoritative look in business and leadership clusters or unmatched for a more relaxed appearance in community and business clusters.  Women's suits in elegant evening fabrics can spark up any holiday or formal cruise cluster.  

Stacked leather heels in loafer-like styling are a natural for a sportive Yang community, leadership, or business cluster.

Solid colored flats in opposition to stiletto spiked heels are available with bows for Delicate Yin types and are terrific for community, church, and evening clusters; leather flats with pleating are Yang for all but a dressy evening cluster.

Skinny belts are trendy, but generally classic in style.  Buy in a bight color for pizzaz or in a muted wardrobe neutral color and wear it to give shape to your lightweight tops for years.  

Shoulder-length earrings in feathers, stones, or sequins are dramatic Yang at best, guaranteed to add a costume look to any cluster.  Choose carefully what you wear and where you wear it. 

What not to wear this season?  Just say "No" to wearing a parka over a long flowing dress.  The mix of Yin and Yang is too extreme.  Each has its own message and they clash.  The look is confusing.

A cost-efficient cluster includes enough clothing pieces for proper spacing between wearing and cleaning with enough clothing styles for a variety of looks to suit a variety of moods and roles or occasions in your life.  Trends may only last one or two seasons, so don't spend your whole clothing budget on short-lived items.  Better to choose carefully from the trends, find less expensive versions, then wear them to death before they make you appear dated.  You've got options!

To get all the details about the cluster guidelines, with instructions and examples regarding people just like you, order Conselle's Wardrobe Strategy Book #9 Cluster Your Clothes at $27.97.   You'll find charts that will summarize information and simplify your learning and application.  Order through Conselle's Store or call 801-224-1207 and order directly through Kathy or Sarah.  Order Cluster Your Clothes here!     

Consumer's Corner

Ann Taylor Fall 2011 Sample Cluster Pieces

Clothing lines in stores and catalogs are generally designed in clusters.  Some sellers will feature the cluster pieces all together, while others spread the pieces within the department or catalog.  Talbots and Coldwater Creek nationwide offer easy to coordinate cluster pieces for every body who likes sporty and classic styling.  Ann Taylor stores, great for women with trim figures, have featured for fall, a sharp looking cluster of professional or leadership-like clothes for Yang personalities in a color scheme of rusty-brown and black.  Color-blocking and variety among the textures make every outfit look terrific!  For the rest of us, Christopher Banks has moderate- and sale-priced clothes for wearing around home and town in a whole new look this fall. Appleseed's catalog is full of mix-and-match cluster pieces in a wide range of colors and fabrics.  Menswear stores don't feature clusters per se, but menswear suits, jackets, slacks, pants, and tops are relatively easy to coordinate with added variety in the textures and the ties.  

Appleseed's Sample Cluster Pieces

Consultant's Corner

You can never see too many clusters of clothes.  They are all different and you can learn and affirm so much by looking.  Too many image consultants think only in terms of tailored business clusters.  You can expand your services if you will think about what different people need for totally different roles or lifestyles. 

Photo: Tastebuds-sf.com

When you start looking, you'll see clusters that give you ideas for every season or time of year, for every occasion, personal coloring type, figure type, and personality type you can think of. 

• You can study a cluster to determine what values, attitudes, and allegiance are communicated. 
• You can quiz yourself about the dominant line and shape type used in the garments, as well as the less important subordinate types of lines and shapes. 
• Can you identify the fiber types and fabrics used in the cluster and how to care for the clothes? 
• Do you know how the pattern was created? 
• Can you name the type of rhythm used to draw the eye throughout the design? 
• How could you soften or strengthen the look of the outfits? 

You see this starts to get ticky when you get into the design details.  These are things you need to know. 

The list of things to learn by looking at clusters goes on and on.  How could or should you arrange the clothing pieces in the closet?  The answer to that is so important it's going to be part of the Newsletter topic for November.   

In Closing

We can all benefit by doing some snoop shopping for clusters in a variety of catalogs while we watch TV.  Even better, get out into a few stores this fall to see for yourself.  You'll discover style lines and shapes, colors, fabrics, and patterns new to you, and see how the pieces are meant to work together.  Some clusters you'll like, some you won't-but that will alert you to your personal style preferences.  You'll get ideas on how to update or reinvent the clothes you already own.  Do get out and enjoy every ray of sunshine and colored leaf you can while you can because we know they won't last. 

And if you'd like one-on-one help, do consider the upcoming Image Enhancement Retreat currently scheduled for November 7-12, 2011.  It's a life enhancing experience with all Conselle Clinic results you'll use for the rest of your life!

Best Regards,

  

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