melaniesuzanne

Last week, I hit the going-out-of-business sale at the Sterling Avenue. Everything was 80% off and I stocked up on sweaters ($5 each!), plus a couple black skirts, soft black slacks, sleek winter white slacks, and two shirts. My eye was critical and, rather than snapping up one in every color, I selected garments in only those colors I want to make my signature going forward.

I've been reading a lot of fashion and style blogs and I'd like to minimize my wardrobe. Yeah, good luck with that... But I do want to make it a wardrobe with separates which will coordinate with one another. So while the actual amount of garments will be slim, but combinations will keep me from getting bored. Something else I wanted to keep in mind were accessories. With basic staples, I can jazz things up with the dozens upon dozens of colorful scarves and statement jewelry pieces I already own. Basically, I want simplicity in my clothing and elegance in my accessories.

Much of Saturday and Sunday was spent savaging my wardrobe. I pulled nearly everything out of my closet and dresser drawers, and if I didn't love a garment on my body, it got tossed in a give-away pile. This critique wasn't just about fit: I scrutinized color and comfort and how each garment made me feel. If I'm to be completely truthful, I must admit that I then hit Lane Bryant, with coupons in hand, and selected the afore-mentioned staples such as blouses (that actually fit my bust and waist!) and a few more pairs of pants so that I will wear something other than jeans to work.

Next on the agenda is to take my bounty of adorable autumn/winter skirts to a tailor have them hemmed to a more flattering height. The A-lines look great on me, but the mid-calf hemline is dowdy. I want/need knee length skirts to make my legs look their best.