by Lea Rossignol  

 

Do you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? Having nothing to wear is a common occurrence for most semi-fashion conscious individuals. Don’t fret; you aren’t alone and there is something you can do.
 
The next time you go into a store, look at the mannequins. After you get over the lack of a face, awkward posing, and amputee-look, check out what they are wearing, and you will realize that they are most likely the best dressed in the store.

A mannequin’s job is to show shoppers just exactly what their possibilities are with the clothing in the store. This is a great starting point for a woman or man who may know that they like certain pieces, but have no idea where to go from there. Not everyone has the ability to put themselves together. And remember, most celebrities pay people to put their outfits together for them, so don’t feel as if you are cheating.

It is important to remember that when shopping for an outfit you must get all the components of an outfit. This means from head to toe, and base layer to final layer. First things first – undergarments are key, especially if you plan on wearing something a little more daring than a classic white tee.

You will first want to find a proper underwear and bra combination that complements your outfit. For instance, if you are going to wear anything tight-fitting around your bottom, you might want to opt for underwear that doesn’t create panty lines. Anything from a thong to boy shorts is better than the classic fit of underwear. Some manufacturers claim to make underwear that shows no sign of lines, but make sure this is true before going out.  A good bra is something that every woman should have in at least three colors nude, black, and white. It should create the illusion that you aren’t wearing anything and you were just blessed with perfect perky breasts.

Next come the basics: a top and a bottom. You should decide what kind of look you are going for and begin from there – t-shirt and jeans, a nicer shirt and jeans, shirt and skirt, dress, the list goes on. I highly encourage personal style and unique looks, but if you don’t think you have the ability to pull that off, play it safe. The key thing is to make sure everything fits. There is nothing worse than a pair of jeans or a t-shirt that is too small or too big. *It doesn’t matter what size jean you wear as long as it flatters your body. Remember size 0 is not average!*

From here you need to find a jacket. A cropped jacket goes nicely with almost anything. Look for fitted styles that accentuate your nicer parts and hide any problem areas you may think you have. Stitching on a jacket is important because it determines where it falls on you, what curves it hugs and where is comes away from the body. Usually women with larger chest areas want to stay away from anything double breasted; it just makes you look bigger. Ladies with a larger mid section want a jacket that is a bit longer to hide their tummy.

After the jacket you want to look for a nice shoe. Be it a stylish boot, a charming flat, a sultry stiletto, or a simple sneaker, the shoe is often an afterthought, yet it’s a pivotal element of your outfit. A tip for city living: try to find shoes that are comfortable; women don’t need to suffer to look great. Think about freedom for your toes, and backs that won’t rub against your foot. This will also save you time when transitioning to summer wear and trying to make your feet sandal ready again.

Last of all is the icing on the cake: accessories, which can be jewelry, a scarf, a bag, etc. You don’t want to over do it. Accessories can make or break an outfit; too much and you’ll look silly. Some great basic accessories include pearls, for a more classic look, and big (and possibly fake) diamonds for going out. Scarves are great for New England weather and can transition to warmer weather with different lighter fabrics. These things will bring your look together and make it complete.

 Now I can’t tell you exactly what items to pair together but help is out there. A fair number of higher end stores have personal shoppers available on request.  Otherwise, ask the people that work there. They should be knowledgeable about their products and hopefully will have some insight on how to create a cohesive outfit. And don’t forget about those mannequins. If you are really stuck you can just buy what they are wearing because you’ll know it works.

For those web-savvy shoppers, a lot of stores have outfit option tabs at their main menu or even “dressing rooms” where you can put outfits together on a virtual figure. Look for tabs that say outfits, favorites or looks.

 

 

This look comes from J. Crew:

Chino 3” Short in White $39.50
Trastevere Paisley Sweater in Soft Vine $100
Joelle Cami in Grey Mist $78
Leather Capri Sandals in Light Gold $49.50
Gold Bangle $25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This comes from Anthropologie:

Nocturne Wrap in Blue $58

Snowpack Tunic in Cloud $68

Roost Heels in Purple $298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

And this from Old Navy:
Racer Back Ruffle Tank in Endive $10

Striped Cuff 3” Shorts in Alabaster $15
Stretch Suede Ballet Flats in Salt $19.50
Lightweight Cardigan in Violet Muse $24.50
Bangles $9.50 and Earrings $7.50