What's Your Personal Uniform? Here's the Secret formula to Zeroing In On Yours

Who's that person who always seems to look put together? The one who has instant charisma with seemingly little effort? Many of us have a style icon, whether it's a person we actually know or a famous person we wish we knew, there are those in your life that influence the way you dress. For better, and sometimes, for worse. While having a style icon - someone whose style you admire - is helpful, it's most effective when that icon has similar features to yours, which is why it's so hard to replicate other's style to a T.  Spoiler alert: there's no one else like you! The way you dress is as complex as you are. Which is why, it can be challenging to mimic another's style entirely.  And why some are choosing to create a personal uniform that takes the daily guessing out of dressing.  Here's how to zero in on your personal uniform...

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What do you spend most of your time doing?  This is the starting point. There's no sense in having the majority of your closet filled with clothes that don't get worn because they don't fit your lifestyle. And yet....it happens. Sigh. If you're not sure where you spend most of your time, use a calendar to block out the amount of time you spend on activities that call for a certain style of dress. Color code each style. For example, yellow for work out, red for business, purple for date night, blue for at home casual.  The goal is look and feel confident for each activity. Ask yourself, if I were to run into someone out of the ordinary today, would I feel self-conscious about my appearance? Or feel inappropriate?  And yes, even if you are working from home, you mental health will thank you for looking great and being comfortable. For a few WFH suggestions, check out my cool, comfy & chic tips here.  You do want enough variety in your clothes for a variety of occasions, so keep the LBD or black suit that fits amazing even if you only wear it once year. Just don't keep a whole closet full of them if you don't wear them often.

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Evaluate your "classic you" pieces.   Which clothes have you kept around forever because they were so great you just couldn't let them go.  What do they have in common? This is what a pro would ask when evaluating your faves:

1. Are the colors mostly dark and dull or light and bright? Monochromatic or with loads of dark light contrast? 
2. Do the patterns have a more curved flow to them or are they more angular and straight? 
3. Are the textures more rough and nubby or smooth and refined. 
4. Are the hem lengths of jackets, shirts, pants, etc. longer or shorter?
5. Are the shapes more curvy/shapely or boxy/rectangular?

When zeroing in on your personal uniform, be sure to incorporate the trends above that you noticed yourself adopting on repeat - these will become "your classics" and part of your personal uniform.
Yes, this could be where the experience of someone who has worked with hundreds of different people comes in handy. (Feel free to contact your friendly pro stylist here for your personal style defined.)  

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Build 5-8 pieces around those key "classic you" items. This may require an update to those inspiration pieces if they are looking too tired and worn out, or if the fit your classics just isn't what it used to be. However, that doesn't necessarily mean buying a whole new wardrobe. I've heard many a client say she/he wanted to light a fire in their closet and burn it all, but when we actually get into evaluating what they do own, we find enough to build a working cluster/capsule around.  Here's what to look for: 

• 3-5 tops that work with your "classic you" piece (be sure that at least one of these tops is a jacket).
• 2-4 bottoms that work with the tops above that work with the "classic you" piece.
• 2 pairs of shoes that coordinate with the above, one that can be dressed up if necessary.
• Add jewelry and any other accessories that include similar shapes, patterns and colors as your "classic you" piece. 

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Creating your personal uniform doesn't have to be boring, it should be as unique are you are. Use the formula above to uncover the secrets to your stylish personal uniform. I'm happy to assist - and just a click away. 

Get My Personal Uniform Defined

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Looking to add an extra half hour to your day?  With a professional wardrobe evaluation you'll experience efficiency & inspiration that puts time back on your side!

LEARN MORE HERE

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