Feed me fashionably fresh
Latterday Woman Article
As the fall season transitions, perhaps your yearning for your wardrobe to do the same. Whether you’re outfitting new body dimensions, a new climate, or a fresh outlook, you can get the most fashion per dollar via a wardrobe cluster.
A wardrobe cluster is a grouping of clothing that likes to mix and mingle. It goes beyond individual items and outfits, to create a harmonious fashion ecosystem.
Following is a Fall 2011 wardrobe cluster. In twenty items (10 garments + 10 accessories) it captures the key trends (Color Blocking, Seventies Sophisticate, Touches of Lace, Menswear, Animal Prints…), offers two weeks of unique ensembles, and barely pokes its toe over a $50 bill on any one item.
So here’s how its done.
Step 1: Select a color palette
As a confessed print junkie, I commonly commence with an inspiring pattern. For this set, I centered in on the autumnally appropriate, Striped Audrey Dress. If you flock to solids, the same principles apply. Simply select colors with a similar heritage and blend harmoniously (ie jewel tones, pastels, etc).
Step 2: Shop formulaically
Start with roughly double the number of tops as bottoms. Why? Because people pay more attention to your top half (you know that half that does all the talking and gesturing) than your bottom half. Next you want items which provide multiple applications. If you can’t wear it in more than two ways, put it back on the rack. Finally, absolutely include layers. Putting your wardrobe on such a strict diet may tempt you to avoid layers, don’t. Layering is the key to flexible fashion.
Step 3: Accessorize
When assembling a cluster, select shoes with unique purposes: one set of heels, one pair of flats, one couplet of boots. And don’t scrimp on the details. Jewelry, scarves, and belts deserve their fair share of your shopping budget. Forgetting accessories in your fashion is like forgetting punctuation in your writing. You might be able to communicate, but its going to read like a sloppy, hot mess.
To recap the fashion math
20 chicly cheap items
converts into 2 weeks of unique outfits
is equivalent to an affordably fresh fall wardrobe
But it doesn’t take a whole new set of clothes to accomplish this same sum. You can create clusters in your existing closet inventory and add on new pieces if and where you need it.
Either way, have fun, and feel pretty.
Feed me fashionably fresh
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