dresses from styleosophys closet
How do I go about picking my outfit for the day?
I moved from Chicago, where I could take a cab, walk or public transportation to work to an area not far from Tampa, Florida. I did not need a car in Chicago. Floridians drive EVERYWHERE. Public transportation is pretty much unavailable.
Having to drive everywhere has changed the way I dressed. I have to plan more. Formerly, I could get dressed, do full-makeup and make it work with time to spare. Florida changed that. I need at least 45 minutes to make the drive to work, and dressing for the weather has added about an hour to my very basic shower and dress routine. Lip gloss and moisturizer has replaced the full face of makeup.
Also, training runs have added to my morning routine. I have to make sure I have my running outfits ready to go so I can hit the path after work at least twice a week.
For the reasons stated above, I have switched from winging it every morning to planning a week’s worth of looks every Sunday. It is eases my mind that rain or shine, I have all my jewelry, shoes, clothes and purses put together in one spot.
Do you try stuff on and then take pics to see how it looks, like Cher in Clueless?
No. I’m old school. Mentally I try on looks. I am going through a phase where items I formerly could not squeeze into are coming into rotation again. So I try those items on just to see where they may fit back into my wardrobe or if I need to give it away.
And are you consistent in your planning or lack thereof, or is your planning limited to special events?
My weekly planning is pretty consistent. Planning outfits ahead of time makes my mornings run smoothly.
evening wear from styleosophys closet
Here’s a tip to help become "event ready":
Buy event clothing and accessories when you see them, not when you need them and you will always be "event ready"
How many times have you seen the most beautiful cocktail dress (likely on sale and it fit) and didn’t take it home because you didn’t have a place to wear it to yet? Or found the perfect event ready clutch? If it’s in your budget, invest in it and when an event “pops up” you will already have the perfect items waiting for you.
Do you have a way of keeping track of which outfits you wore when?
For dresses, they usually rotate to the back of the closet. Pants, skirts and shirts reside with each other and the best way to keep track of what has been worn and what hasn’t is whether or not is in the laundry or at the cleaners. If it’s not in the closet it’s not in the rotation. Otherwise, I keep a mental fashionictionary.
How do you come with new clothing combinations?
A combination of meditation (which involves standing in front of the closet and looking at what went well with what) and trial and error. Sometimes I will see an element of an outfit I like and apply it to my own wardrobe, such as the color blocking trend.
How about you dear readers, how do you work out your outfit choices every day?
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