Season Shape Up

Season Shape Up Get Your Closet Ready For The Season To Come By: Jennifer Fernandez

Seasons come and go whether our closets like it or not.  Unfortunately not all our wardrobe favorites will make the cut.  When it comes to whipping our wardrobe into shape it is important  to know what we have to see what it is we need. For most fashion  lovers the closet purge can be quite overwhelming, but have no fear  your easy season shape-up is here. First thing's first, it is important to know that a closet purge is not as  hard as it seems. Start the purge by going through your wardrobe,  Break down your closet into three piles: NEW LOVE, OLD LOVE  and NO LOVE. NEW LOVE: This pile consists of new and semi new pieces, fit for  the season to come. New love is a pilecontaining newly purchased  pieces ready-to-wear. Many of the items in this pile will become key  pieces for the next season. OLD LOVE: Oldies but goodies are essentials for your look this season.  Keep great blouses, pants and blazers in rotation that you can layer.  Also select favorites from the year before that might still come in handy.  With old love, be strong and store things you like but never wear.  Chances are, if it did not make the cut before, it will most likely  sit the bench going forward. NO LOVE: Pieces from the season before that cannot make the transition,  need to be stored somewhere other than the front of your closet. Get past  season looks out of the way by packing them up in tubs or moving them  to the back of your closet. Even if stored, a good fashion builder remembers  to keep classics and labels for the future. Other no love pieces include:  old worn clothes, out of season pieces, things that do not fit and things  you never wear. After sorting your wardrobe into three specific piles, you can easily  determine what you have. Look through the new and old love piles pick  out ten key pieces for the season. These ten pieces should be a logical  arrangement of jackets, blouses, pants, dresses and skirts all capable  of mixing and matching with other wardrobe items. Upon deciding  on your favorite ten, find and create atleast two outfit options for each item,  hanging them together in you closet. Now that you have organized your wardrobe, you are ready to shop for a  few much needed seasonal pieces. The outfits you have created will give  you an idea of what you have and what you still need for the season.  An organized seasonal closet makes it easier to buy quality over  quantity because it keeps you aware of what you need over what you  want. Finally, splurge on shoes, jackets and handbags that can go season to  season and year to year, while only investing in minimal trendy items.  Trends help keep your wardrobe fresh, but should not overshadow classics.  Remember, first impressions are not only based off of what you say,  but also how you look saying it. Wear clothes you like and know  look great, over what is trendy. Everyone can have fashion, but only  the unique and fabulous have style.

Whip your closet into shape

The History of Casual Wear

'Through the Looking Glass:Casual Wear

Each month, I want to help shed a little light on different trends throughout history. Since history always seems to repeat its self in the fashion world, I want to discuss both current and old trends. This month with inspiration from the "J Crew the man who dressed America"

I wanted to touch on the history of casual wear.

The ever so comfortable, wearable staples in everyone closet, the cotton T-shirt and Denim Jean. The relationship between these to items is one that goes all the way back to the early 1950's. It was in the 50's that a rebellious youth culture emerged in cities across America. The young people, as young people are today, were pushing and working to differentiate themselves from older crowds and the ever uncool parent. With rebellion in mind, the youth flocked to the more casual t-shirt and jeans, which at that point had only been seen in new racy rebel movies. In the 50's, the US first started to idolize the Brando's and Dean's of cinema, as well as the Presley's of rock n roll. These iconic figures helped shape the new found rebel teen, and for the first time teens and young adults began to wear the then garb of the "lower working class" or as we like to call it the T-shirt and Jean.

This was the birth of casual wear as we know it today within the main stream. Fashion denim and cotton T's became hot department store purchases, and were selling out everywhere. From this point on these two pieces would remain closet staples, updating and evolving through trends and times.

Today, the denim jean and T-shirt are not only everyday wear, but people of all ages have derived their own style from these two pieces. These days we dress it up or down, and wear them in the house, to the store or on the town.

This has been the first installment of Through the Looking Glass: A history of Fashion. Remember "You can not know where your going and you do not know where you have been." Know your culture J.Cultura

Whip your closet into shape

I read a great article in www.instyle.com "Whip your wardrobe into shape." The article was beautifully insightful on how to get your closet ready for the season to come. The first step is seeing what you got. Purge and Organize Form three piles, I like to call them Old love, New Love and No Love. These piles will help sort your clothes into things you love and have had for a while, things you love that are new to your wardrobe and of course things your over. When looking through your wardrobe, try to gather your looks. Decide what goes with what...this will give you an idea of what you need and what you already have.  *Most stylist prepair most of their outfits within their closet. Arrangement is key to forming great looks and knowing exactly what you have. Section off your closet whether by lifestyle, day to night, work to play, however you would like. Step 2: Evaluate In order to prepare you closet for the season, locate your top ten key pieces, If you are like me and can not decide check magazines and boutiques to give your self some inspiration. After selecting your top ten... try to build your wardrobe around those ten pieces. Make sure these 10 are unique, fashion forward and in season. Pay close attention to the shape, color and cohesiveness of these pieces make sure they fit you and your season style. PAIRING-- when pairing your looks together, remember to find each key piece two are three buddies to party and pair with. This will give you look versatile. Look at what you have, what jeans/tops/blouses/shoes/jewelry, by creating these pre made looks you will see what you have already, and know what you need. Step 3: SHOP... After going through you closet and seeing what you already own, you have a better idea of what you need. Get a clear picture of what need to shop for, which will help you focus while you shop. Your focus should be pieces that coordinate well. Do you research to assess trends and get inspired by looks you love.  Big money should only be spent on classics, and pieces you will have and wear season to season or at least year to year. *Jeans/ Heels/Handbags* For trendier pieces try to find a good deal especially if it is a short term trend. For these trends 1 or 2 pieces are all you need to invest in. Also try to pick one super unique fun piece that can spice up any outfit, for this I would look to jewelry selections. (Big junky jewelry). **Also double check the calendar for any future events you have coming up--prepare.

This will guide you through the craziness of season wardrobes, but do not forget to have fun with it. This is your wardrobe and you should give yourself the options you love, and will LOVE TO WEAR. Enjoy

It is who you are---Be apart of the culture J.Cultura!Instyle