Wardrobe Wisdom

Beyond Tango Mango (thank goodness!)

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:17:00 +0000

I especially like the last part of this post from Style Bakery which says in terms of color in 2012, wear what you like as anything goes!

I can say the same--anything goes-- for skirt lengths and jeans styles this year. Isn't that a relief?

The photo is of Ethel Merman from the original 1936 film "Anything Goes." You could wear that outfit today!

How I Got Here

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:37:00 +0000

This week I am speaking in my daughter's 5th grade classroom about Wardrobe Wisdom. Other parents will be talking about their careers, and the teacher is hoping we will address certain concepts, such as working toward a goal and and personal strengths that we use in our jobs.

Today I am sharing my background with you, since many of you do not know how I started my business. My first job (at 15 1/2) was as a salesgirl at Robinson's Department Store in Newport Beach. I could not wait to work around clothes, and held many jobs in retail over the next decades. Working with women who were shopping for that perfect garment taught me a great deal about fit, fabric, and fashion. I learned what styles and colors work best for different women, and a great deal about the frustration many women face while shopping.

Since I was in high school I helped my friends and family to make wardrobe decisions. Even during the years I was teaching English to junior high students and later to SBCC students, I was called upon to shop with friends or weigh in on their fashion choices. Once I had my second daughter in 2001, I realized I could not stay on top of the paper-grading that was a huge part of my job. I wondered what I could do on my own schedule that would utilize some of my skills.

Wardrobe Wisdom was born when I realized I had the qualities necessary in a wardrobe consultant. I have the ability to be honest and at the same time diplomatic when talking to men and women about clothing. Through copious amounts of reading books and magazines on style and fashion, I am knowledgeable about the way clothing should fit and am able to help people discover their personal style. I am very organized and am great at helping others get their closets neat and organized. I also have a good sense of humor, which makes it easy for me lead clients away from feeling overwhelmed or depressed by the state of their closet.

I started out by letting the customers who came into the retail store where I worked (the former Patty Montana in Goleta) know that I could help them with their closets. By word of mouth, my business grew. Since my background was in English, I utilized my writing skills to write columns for local magazines. These columns helped spread the word about Wardrobe Wisdom. Today I have a monthly column in Carpinteria's Coastal View News.

My teaching skills continue to be enormously useful. I discovered I could use them when I talk to groups about building a good wardrobe, among other topics. In the past few years I have spoken to women's groups, UCSB students, faculty and staff, and at a women's business conference. My aptitude for answering questions on my feet and encouraging audience participation were acquired and honed during my years of teaching.

I imagine my daughter's peers will be curious about some unusual things I have seen in people's closets and will want to know what I say when a client shows me something truly awful or strange. I think it should be a fun 15 minutes!

Some Tough Love

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:54:00 +0000

The always brilliant and incredibly accomplished Sara Caputo wrote about DOING something about those projects we all have instead of simply THINKING about them.

Know that I am here to help you as well with any of your wardrobe needs, from shopping to organizing, to editing.

Give It Time

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:03:00 +0000

New trends pop up on an almost daily basis. Some seem extreme or absurd at first glance, but after seeing them for awhile in stores and on the streets, they don't appear so crazy. For me this has been the case regarding dark tights worn with light skirts or dresses. When this trend was shown on Hollywood starlets a couple of years ago, it looked tacky and bizarre to me. Today, I see this look, like it, and want to wear it.

So don't brush off trends when they first appear; give them time to become more common and see if your eye adjusts or still finds them silly. Some trends will never make sense to me, but some just take a little time to get used to.

Image from Nordstrom.com

Best Dressed

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:02:00 +0000

My husband and I spent last weekend in LA, taking long walks and eating terrific food. Of course one of my favorite pastimes is people-watching, and I saw some jaw-dropping outfits. My favorite is the one above, taken at Union Station. This woman clearly cares about her appearance, likes clothing and accessorizing, and proves that dressing up is an ageless occupation. Her cowboy boots made me smile.

A World of Tights!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:54:00 +0000

I am not sure how many of you who read my blog also subscribe to Shopafrolic. It's a pretty fun blog. The sisters' post on tights caught my eye. I love tights and all the designs, colors, and ways they are worn nowadays. A monochromatic gray outfit can be enlivened by a pair of bright purple tights. Patterned ones can spice up a little black dress. The combinations are endless.

Words of Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:37:00 +0000

From Lloyd Boston, style expert, on dressing for an important occasion:

Reach for the one item that always makes you feel totally confident before reaching for anything else. Take control of the day before it takes control of you by instinctively relying on the one, surefire garment that will surely add a more confident fire to your step and spirit, from the hanger to your hamper.

Boston's book, Before You Put that On, is full of sage advice.

Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:53:00 +0000

Image from Bodenusa.com

When I want to live up to my Wardrobe Wisdom motto to "dress my best, everyday," I think of what I will be doing and put on clothing that will be appropriate. I want to look put together, fashionable, comfortable, and professional. My friends have told me that they put more thought into what they are wearing when they know they are going to see me, which I think is a compliment.

A friend and I were at a restaurant recently when she spied a former boyfriend. She immediately checked her hair and put on a spot of lipstick before letting me pat him on the shoulder to say hi. Later she told me how glad she was to have "dressed her best" that day. She said maybe it's helpful to imagine running into an old flame before getting dressed, knowing you will want to look pretty darn great if an encounter occurs. If you are having a hard time summoning up the energy or motivation to dress well, think about seeing me, or someone from your past, before putting on your outfit. You will feel confident once you arm yourself in good-looking, great-fitting clothing.

A Reliable Shopping Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:03:00 +0000

What a treat to have day with Stacy, my closest friend. We spent a good deal of it shopping, and Stacy found some cute things. I served as her wardrobe consultant, giving her feedback on what she brought into the dressing room. As we were leaving the final store, I spotted a terrific-looking black dress. Upon closer inspection, I determined the dress was quite perfect: it was knit (comfortable), ruched at the sides (flattering and forgiving), had elbow-length sleeves (which would hide one of my least favorite body parts, my upper arms), and had a lovely scoop neck (again, flattering). But it was black! I have a number of black dresses already.

Stacy, however, told me I had to try it on. That way I would learn if it truly were perfect and could consider whether or not to purchase it; or I would see that it did not suit me at all. The former was true and Stacy insisted I buy it. Her reasons were straight from Wardrobe Wisdom: the fit was fantastic; the style was timeless; it could be dressed up or down; it could be worn day or night; and it was versatile, appropriate with with sandals in the summer and in winter with boots.

So I bought it and have no regrets. If I had been with a less compatible shopping partner, she may have steered me away from the dress or told me it didn't seem that special. Thanks, Stacy.

The house pictured is in Newport Beach. Stacy's parents sold it to my parents and I lived there from age 5-18. I am so glad the new owners left it as is!

Resolution 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:16:00 +0000

What a great resolution suggestion from Philip Galanes of the New York Times:

"Join me in a single resolution for 2012: Every day, we will compliment someone who crosses our paths.

'Loved the way you helped your brother just then.' Or: 'Nice toupee!' It will be much easier to maintain than those abstemious ones and will create loads of good will."

Sea Life

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:57:00 +0000

A quick glance at my closet reveals a lot of blue. It is definitely my favorite color which explains my love of denim and the sea. Bill Cunningham, from the New York Times, took some luscious photos of a staggeringly beautiful sea life window display and the clothing it inspired. Breathtaking!

Bathing Suits

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:40:00 +0000

I know: It is hardly bathing suit season, but I am eager to share a brilliant website with you: Freya Swimwear.

Why is it brilliant? Because the sizing is based on one's bra size. This means you do not have to squeeze into a top made for a less busty gal or have a bikini top fit your cup size but be loose around your body. This means you can have a Goldilocks "just right" experience when you put on your swimsuit. Imagine!

Sure you can wait until you are ready to plunge into bathing suit shopping, knowing you have a new, fantastic resource. Hooray for Freya!

One Woman Defines "Style"

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:24:00 +0000

I like to learn what fashion writers and clothing designers see as the difference between style and fashion. They describe fashion as the clothing and accessories rolled out each season. Style is different. Style is what people do with fashion to make it their own. You can have terrific style on a budget and spend a lot on dressing horribly.

Novelist Carol Edgarian states: "Style says, 'This is who I am--this is my signature, my voice, my scent, my colors, the cut I like best. This is me, good as I am.'"

Personal style evolves over time--at least it should. Do you think about your style? Or do you think about wanting to find a style that is right for you? Ultimately, when a person has found her style, and is mindful of it each day, getting dressed for any occasion and shopping become a pleasure and a snap. With Wardrobe Wisdom, I help women identify their style, and make their closet reflect their best selves.

Shopping Santa Barbara--5

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:06:00 +0000

Sorry about that ghost post!

On Friday a good friend and I strolled State Street. We had finished our holiday shopping and were happy to go in and out of stores at our leisure. I was delighted to discover a fairly new shop tucked into La Arcada court: Coast 2 Coast Collection.

This store was filled with sparkly treasures. What caught my eye were the incredibly ornate and dressy clutches. Each one showcased beautiful beadwork or embroidery, the next one even more gorgeous than the last. I cannot imagine a better source for a one-of-a-kind evening bag to wear to a special event. Perhaps a New Year's Eve party!

Clothes as Autobiography

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:27:00 +0000

From one of my favorite books, The Thoughtful Dresser, by Linda Grant:

"If you were to gather together all the clothes you have ever owned in all your life. . . you would have your autobiography. As if the textile itself has memory, formed as it is out of its intimate closeness with our bodies, a coat or a dress or a pair of trousers is a witness to the fact that once we went for a job interview, or on a hot date. Or that we got married. . . The clothes we wear, they comfort and protect us; they allow us to be who we want to be. They tell others what we want them to hear. We come to understand whether or not we can depend on them."

I ponder quoting this passage when people tell me they don't care about clothes, or that it is superficial to like fashion. Our clothes do matter.

If You Believe in Signs

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Here are the signs that onlineorganizing.com lists to determine that a piece of clothing should not go back in your closet:

1. It is more than one size too small for you

2. It was last in fashion about 20 years ago

3. You constantly tug and pull at it while wearing

4. It is itchy, scratchy, binding, or just uncomfortable

5. The color or print isn't flattering on you

6. The style makes you feel unattractive

7. You haven't worn it in over a year and it's not a special occasion item

8. It needs to be cleaned or altered or repaired

9. You always find an excuse not to pick that outfit to wear

10. You just don't like wearing it!

I think that any 3 of these signs are telling you to get rid of an item, so take a look at your closet and do some editing! I am happy to help if you need encouragement.

Organic Cotton

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:35:00 +0000

I am all for organic foods and try to feed my family healthy meals (much to my daughters' dismay). Is it more expensive to buy organic? Yes and no. Though organic produce may cost more, its health benefits pay off in the long run.

What about organic cotton, denim's latest update? The processes denim goes through to get that worn in, cool look are astonishingly detrimental to the environment. Here are some statistics, from Marie Claire magazine:

- 1,500 gallons of water are required to produce 1.5 pounds of cotton--the amount it takes to make one pair of jeans.

- Cotton fields claim 25 percent of all insecticides sprayed worldwide.

- Synthetic dyes used to give jeans their trademark indigo hue often leach into nearby water and soil, destroying plant and animal life.

Buying organic denim jeans does not need to break your wardrobe bank. Patagonia (shown above) offers a pair for $79. Stella McCartney's jeans, on the other hand, are $415! So give some thought to going organic when it comes to making your next jeans purchase.

Paying Retail

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +0000

I don't enjoy hunting for clothes, digging through piles of shirts to find one I like. Spending hours combing the racks of discount stores is not how I like to kill time. And I get grouchy the minute I enter an outlet mall. However, I do enjoy saving money which is why I like consignment stores so much, especially well- curated ones such as Lola and Renaissance in Santa Barbara, Traci and Laura's in Solvang, and Finders Keepers in San Luis Obispo. Wonderful Alpha Thrift stores in Santa Barbara and Goleta are also well-organized and pleasant places to shop.

In this month's Esquire magazine, David Granger makes the case for paying retail. Many people (including my husband!) equate paying retail with getting ripped off. But Granger says this about our relentless pursuit of deals: "We settle for things we kind of maybe would consider owning. Services we might maybe someday use. We compete for crap at 60 percent off."

I urge you to read Granger's short column and to give some thought to the true meaning of a bargain: getting a real discount on something you really want.

Tangerine Tango

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Oh, goody! The Pantone Group, responsible for establishing the colors we will see from blouses to picture frames next year, has chosen a bright orange-red ("Tangerine Tango") for its color of 2012. How do I look in orange-red? Like a corpse. I tried really hard to wear a light orange sherbet color one summer when I had a deep tan. Not a winning look.

What are the other colors will be trendy? Go here and learn what to expect from designers this spring and summer. And if you look good in Tangerine Tango, have a ball!

Valentino Virtual Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:07:00 +0000

What on earth is a virtual museum? According to Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino Garavani's long-time business partner, "Animated galleries show a life's work, and hundreds of key dresses have been photographed revolving 360 degrees to show every line and stitch. One click on the dress and the user can discover its history—who wore it, where, and when. Five thousand documents, photos, and 190 videos make up the Museum's database."

In a previous post, I raved about the gorgeous movie, "Valentino: The Last Emporer." I was struck dumb by the art and genius behind Valentino's exquisite designs. Now I can view his creations via my computer. Go here to read more about this unique museum.

Rainy Day

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:49:00 +0000

It's cold and chilly (by SB standards) today. What I want to wear when I run errands is my flannel pajama bottoms, my cozy Ugg boots, and a fleece sweatshirt. No one would bat an eye; I see women wearing this all the time at Trader Joe's, on State Street, at the farmers' market. The sight of women in their pajamas, sloppy sweats, and slippers is dispiriting to me.

So I am going to put on a pair of jeans, my largely waterproof Puma ballet flats, a t-shirt and pretty sweater, and a raincoat. Wardrobe Wisdom is about taking care of oneself, caring to take the time to look put together and happy about being out in the world.

Too Big for Fashion?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:07:00 +0000

The other day I was chatting with a cashier at Trader Joe's. She asked me what I did for a living and I told her all about Wardrobe Wisdom. She listened carefully and then responded, "But you never have advice for big gals like me, right? That's why I've just given up on buying nice clothes."

I have heard this sort of comment more than once and it elicits several thoughts and responses. The first is from a good friend who is a "big gal." She has told me that she loves clothes and loves to look great but hates shopping. I used to shop for her when she lived in town. Another feeling is sadness for the women who have simply "given up" on caring about their appearance. I also get frustrated with the fashion industry for often ignoring the plus size demographic.

Here is the advice I give to those women who struggle with finding clothes in their size:

Do some reading to learn what styles and fabrics will be most flattering for your figure. I recommend The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr and Dress Your Best by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London. Both books show what looks work best on plus size women and offer excellent shopping tips. Once you are armed with more knowledge on what to look for, it's time to shop.

Yes, you must enter some stores and try clothing on! I realize that this has been a frustrating and emotionally draining process in the past. But once you find the styles that work for you, your shopping experience will change for the better. I recommend starting at Nordstrom, where you will get good customer service and can on quality pieces. Even if this clothing is out of your budget, you will know what to look for when you shop elsewhere. Though Talbots does not carry its plus-size line in Santa Barbara, the saleswomen at the La Cumbre store will be more than happy to help you figure out what clothes will suit you best and can help you order them online, right there in the store.

If you are comfortable shopping online, here are some sites I recommend:

Gayla Bentley

One Stop Plus

Avenue

IGIGI

and Talbots

The fashion industry creates clothing that very few women can wear off the rack. Unfortunately, this is not likely to change in the near future. What can change is your attitude toward getting dressed. With some research and careful shopping, you can feel better about how you look in clothing, and begin taking better care of yourself. You are worth it!

Spa-liday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:01:00 +0000

I can think of at least 3 people, including my dear mom, who can use some pampering right now. It's time to book an appointment for a luxuriating massage or rejuvinating facial. Each time I have enjoyed one of these services from the talented Roxanne Zbinden, at Cielo Spa, I have felt like a new woman!

This Saturday, Roxanne is having a special party at Cielo, from noon to 3 PM. Go here for more details and take care of yourself!

December!

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:07:00 +0000

This can be a nutty time of year for a lot of us. Enter Sara Caputo, of Radiant Organizing, and her incredibly useful tips for maintaining sanity in December. A great read!

How Many?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Cooper) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Hmm. I wonder if she has enough shoes?

When I am going through a closet during a Wardrobe Wisdom consultation, I get asked about numbers a lot. How many shoes do I really need? How many suits should I have? How many black pants do I need to have? Without exception, every woman has had more in her closet than she needs, and a lot more than she actually wears.

It is difficult for me to give numbers when so much depends on a person's lifestyle and budget. The experts who wrote Harper's Bazaar's book, Great Style, did come up with a list that I think is pretty good. Here it is:

4 sweaters (2 work-worthy and 2 for weekends)

7 tees (short and long sleeves, tanks, and turtlenecks)

4 coats and jackets (1 elegant coat, 1 sporty outerwear jacket, 1 classic trench, and 1 day-to-night jacket)

2 tops for every skirt and pant (1 dressed-up and 1 casual style)

4 pants, 4 skirts (2 office and evening appropriate and 2 informal)

1 suit (for every season, that you can wear together or separately)

5 dresses (2 for day, 1 short for cocktails, 1 long for formal, and 1 special knock-'em-dead frock)

4 jeans (1 slim cut for a cleaner look, 1 relaxed fit for laid-back days, 1 ankle length for flats, and 1 longer pair for higher heels)

What do you think of this list? So much depends on what your regular activities and work requirements are. I don't think everyone needs 5 dresses. What if you don't like dresses? Still, I think this list is okay as a starting point to think about what you really need.