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October 2011 Newsletter - Wardrobe Evaluation
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Conselle Fashion & Image Newsletter
From Image Expert, Judith Rasband, AICI CIM |
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| Greetings! | |
Writing about clustering your clothes last month, I received notes from readers about their success in putting together or refining clusters in their own closets. I love to get those notes! I hope you have been able to identify a trend or two you'd like to tap into to update your clusters this fall. Or if you prefer, look to upgrade your clusters with classic pieces available now on end-of-season sales. Last fall I found a purple ¾ sleeve jacket and this fall I bought tops and shirts on sale from Jones of New York in patterns of purple, royal blue, black, and white. I'll wear these new tops with my jacket, basic black slacks and sweater from now until the trees go bare-and they'll still look fresh next spring.
 Getting into the closets of new clients this fall has been revealing! Quality in the closet continues to go down. I'm so glad that in their frustration at trying to put together any good looking outfits, they've finally called me. Do you have a closet full of clothes but no complete outfits? Do you have to try on several garments to find something that fits? Do you never have the right outfit for the occasion? Do you have to run out and buy something new for every special occasion? Do you go sale crazy but not know what to buy? Do you lament that you really don't like your clothes? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you are a prime candidate for a wardrobe evaluation, our topic for this month's newsletter
Sincerely,
Judith
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| Newsletter Archives |
Didn't catch it the first time around? Browse through our Newsletter Archives for further learning!
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Ask Judi | |
If you have an image issue that is getting in the way of accomplishing your goals, email me about it at judith@conselle.com. I'll do my best to get back to you with a solution that will help move you forward. Please include a contact phone number in case the answer is a bit long, so we can really talk it through. |
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| Featured Article: Timely Tips for a Successful Wardrobe Evaluation |
 Every time I open a client's closet doors I am faced with a momentary feeling of, "Oh help, what am I going to do with this?" Clothes are often crammed into the space, hanging sloppily on the hangers with everything mixed together--summer weights among the winter weights, pants among the tops, and tops among the skirts. It's visual chaos! My job is to bring order to the chaos-and discovering the logic is so much fun! I love my job!
The ongoing process of refining your wardrobe begins with the periodic wardrobe evaluation. You've got to figure out what is authentic, appropriate, attractive, and truly affordable for you, your lifestyle, and your personal style. Just imagine owning a wardrobe that completely supports all of your personal and/or professional image needs with outfits ready to go for the places you need to go--enabling you to look and feel fabulous! It is incredibly liberating to open your closet and see clothing that truly supports who you are--the right style, right colors and right fabrics, in the right sizes. That's how I want you to be greeted when you open your closet doors. You will actually be excited every time you go to your closet--to open your closet and see a celebration of yourself!  | | Photo: Woman's Day |
Unless you hire me, it's up to you to weed out what's worn out or obviously out of date, what doesn't fit your figure, your values and personality, or the occasions in your life. Decide what goes, what stays, and what to add for all the roles and goals in your life. Make a shopping list. Group what's left into cohesive seasonal clusters, putting together fabulous outfits for you from items that might otherwise go unworn. (Review our September newsletter if needed.) Your goal is to wear 100% of what you own--anything less is money wasted. Move summer season clothes to another closet or to one end of your closet rod. Then list or photograph each outfit to keep in a personal style portfolio for easy reference for everyday dress and/or travel occasions--enabling you to dress your best every day and simplify your life! The natural next step is to get rid of any clothes and accessories you decided will never work for you. There are many reasons or excuses you might give that make it difficult for you to get rid of these things. Which of the following sounds most like you? - "But I might need it some day." You won't.
- "It might come back into style." It won't-at least not exactly the same so that you'll want to wear it again. Details change. The clothes will likely look dated.
- "I'll get back into it." Size-smaller clothes can be an incentive. They can also put you on a terrible guilt trip and make you feel miserable every time you see them. You don't need that. If you keep the big ones, chances are you will get back into them. You don't need that either. Better to accept your present weight and keep only what fits. If you do decide to hang on to extra sizes, store them out of sight.
- "But it was a gift." Gifts are symbols of love. Keep the love and let go of the symbol.
- "Everyone has one." Don't worry so much about others. Be yourself and true to your own style.
- "It just needs a little fixing and it'll be fine." It's hung there for three years. You know you're never going to fix it. Forget it.
- "But it was so expensive. What a waste if I get rid of it." No matter what the cost, it's money down the drain if you never wear it. Left in your closet it's an additional waste of valuable space.
- "The fabric is still good and the quality is fantastic." Don't be a slave to that one. Good quality alone is not enough if the clothes are dated or dreary.
- "Oh, but it brings back such wonderful memories." Now is not the time to get sentimental over clothes you once enjoyed but are past their prime. Mementos belong in a scrapbook or a storage box, not in your closet.
 If it's too traumatic to toss what doesn't work, ask a friend to help you decide--a friend who can be objective, someone who knows you, your lifestyle, and your personal style. Consider selling usable items at an office, garage, or yard sale, either by yourself or in cooperation with others. This takes some work and you won't get rich, but you'll make some money and the clothes will be gone with someone who appreciates them. Donate anything left over to your favorite charity. Determine the approximate value of your donated clothing and get a receipt because their value is tax deductible. File the receipt with your tax records. In the cool or colder weather ahead, snuggle in at home and sew on buttons, mend, or hem as needed. If additional alterations are needed, seek out a local alterations shop or tailor to meet your needs.
To get all the details about carrying out a wardrobe evaluation, with instructions and examples regarding people just like you, order Conselle's wardrobe strategy Book #10 Wardrobe Evaluation 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. |
| Timeless Truth |
 Remember, wardrobe evaluation is part of an ongoing process. In years to come it will take less time because you will know and understand yourself and your needs better, making fewer and fewer mistakes in your clothes buying. Future evaluation sessions will serve as a time to remind yourself of what you have to work with and what you need to replace, update, or add for the first time. Over the years you'll see your wardrobe slowly change or evolve from one look to another, reflecting changes in your body, your roles or responsibilities, and your lifestyle. If you're not thrilled with what's in your closet, now is the time to put "personal wardrobe evaluation" near the top of your to-do list and change your wardrobe to better reflect the real you from the inside out! To increase your knowledge of your clothing preferences, click into these Wardrobe Evaluation Workpages that will help you make notes for future reference. Keep the pages and a pen or pencil handy in your closet. They'll save you time and money over the long term.
Photo: Glamour.com
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Consumer's Corner
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 Wardrobe evaluation turns out to be a fun activity to do as a family, with a parent helping one child at a time. The experience is full of quality time and teaching moments when parents listen and thoughtfully consider children's attitudes and ideas. In this cooperative situation, parents can lead children through the logic of planning for clothing needs and goals versus wants and fashion-for-the-sake-of-fashion. Parents who carry out wardrobe evaluation and planning sessions report less hassle over daily dressing and stress-free shopping excursions in the following years. It works for everybody!
Photo: Sharie Cohen Photography
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Consultant's Corner
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 A lot of image consultants offer what they call a "Closet Audit." While the words sound sort of cute because they sort of rhyme, the title is relatively empty. Like an inventory, an audit is merely a counting procedure to determine how much of what you have. While you've got to know what you have to work with, you need know much more. You must discover how well what's in your closet works for you, how well it meets your needs and preferences for your roles and your goals. That's wardrobe evaluation and it puts you on a level far above the average. If you don't already have a good digital camera, invest in one to record the fabulous outfits you're going to put together for your clients. It doesn't take much time to snap that photo and it saves a lot of time trying to talk your client through a look he or she really liked. Add to that, your camera becomes a part of your tax-deductible professional equipment, so file your camera receipt in tax records too.
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Tips for a Fabulous Fit -- Dress Slim
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 Gals, to make what works make you look slimmer, add a new slip to your shopping list--a white one for sure and maybe a black one too. That's exactly what a slip used to be used for and there's nothing "old lady" about that! Made of slick fabric, a slip skims over your body and the clothes skim over the slip. Your clothes are less likely to get hung up on body bulges. You'll look pounds thinner and feel fabulous! Guys and gals, don't forget to "blouse" your shirts above your abdomen--about an inch outward, away from your waist band--making your belly below look smaller. It really works!
Black slip: Calvin Klein
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In Closing
Take time to carefully consider Conselle's upcoming Image Enhancement Retreat scheduled for November 7-12, 2011 or one later in 2012. Hang on to a few of those garments you decided didn't work for you and bring them with you for discussion. I can tell a lot about your personal style type just by seeing what doesn't work for you. If you have a closet full of clothes but no complete clusters or outfits, the right outfit for the right occasion, or simply don't know what to buy for yourself, then give some serious thought to attending our Image Enhancement Retreat in November. It's a life enhancing experience with dependable wardrobe selection and styling information and easy-to-use results you'll use for the rest of your life!
Sincerely,
Judith Rasband
Conselle Institute of Image Management
801-224-1207
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Conselle Educational-Training for Image Consultants
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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
November 19 - December 3, 2011
Winter Session
February 4 - 18, 2012*
 | | October 2011 Educational-Training: Karissa, Ne'Shaun, Linda, Janet, Sarah |
Seats are filling up quickly, reserve yours today!
Rave Reviews for Conselle:
"I researched every training program. I called everyone. I chose yours. It gives me everything. Even [your competition] says you give more than they do. That's exactly what I wanted."
Dalia Berman, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
"It has been a privilege and an honor to work and train with Judith Rasband. The curriculum developed by Judith and offered through the Conselle Institute of Image Management is by far the most comprehensive training program in the industry. No other course delivers the same depth of knowledge. I commend Judith on her dedication to preparing the most well trained image professionals in the field."
Diana Jennings, Costa Mesa, CA
Click here for detailed information or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy or Sarah
*If you would like to make arrangements to attend an Educational-Training sooner, please contact Conselle and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
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| Fashion Styling Retreat | |
Since the turn of the century, the job title "stylist" has shot
from behind the scenes to front and center.
Do you know how to capitalize on the trend?
Learn the art and science of Fashion Styling to
benefit yourself, your family, or clients.
Next Fashion Styling Retreat
December 5 - 9, 2011
Experience hands-on practice and feedback from the Image Expert,
enabling you to style the right outfit or cluster of clothes,
the right way, for the right occasions.
Invest in 4 days for only $437!
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Conselle "Fabulous Fit" Retreat
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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!
Next "Fabulous Fit" Retreat
January 23 - 28, 2012
For detailed information and testimonials go to Fit Retreat Information or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy.
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| Image Enhancement Retreat |
 Retreat to the beautiful mountainlands of Utah for this exciting 6-Day personal improvement workshop. We have put together the ultimate experience in personal discovery and image education, enabling you to discover, define, develop, and achieve an authentic image that brings you joy and confidence, aiding you in achieving your goals in the home, school, church, community, and/or the workplace. Next Image Enhancement Retreat November 7 - 12, 2011 For detailed information and testimonials, visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 and talk to Kathy.
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