Now that spring is finally here (for a few minutes, before summer begins), I have been working with clients to add those choice pieces that will bring the clothes they already have into the season. I’m loving all the brights I see and I’m crazy about the global and eclectic pieces on offer. Normally not a huge Loft fan, I was walking past a store recently and spotted some super-cute necklaces on serious mark-down. Instead of getting yet another “basic” (a t-shirt or plain dress), how about getting a few of these instead?

(Ketura Persellin is an image consultant, personal stylist, writer, and public speaker in Washington, DC, and surrounding suburbs. Please contact her for a complimentary phone get-acquainted session.)

We visit our closets once, twice, maybe even three times a day to assemble outfits that represent our best self, but it’s a space that is easy to neglect. After all, in most cases, you can (and do) just shut the door on it! But getting dressed in the morning would be a lot more pleasant (and lead to more stylish and confidence-building results) if the closet you are standing in front of were orderly and attractive.

Does your closet rebuke and depress you — is it filled with things that don’t fit or that you even don’t like? Or does it inspire you and support your style and self-expression, align with your personal professional goals, and give you a sense of confidence in yourself, and even joy?

Yes, it can and should do all of that!

Here are five ways to beautify your closet.

Remove

The first step to decluttering your closet is to remove all those plastic dry-cleaning bags. Next get rid of the

mismatched hangers. Choose a single hanger style that suits you and looks good in your soon-to-be-pretty

A pile of discards

closet. (I recommend Slimline hangers in Camel.) Finally, find a different home for anything that doesn’t relate directly to the act of getting dressed (skis, old clothes, or other people’s belongings or clothes).

Redecorate

Let’s start with color. Over the years closet walls may get a little banged up and maybe even look dingy. Give your closet a lift by taking everything out and repainting. Choose a basic white that can go with a standard white or

This client loves her freshly painted pink closet.

take a favorite color of yours and use a lighter hue to adorn the walls. (My friend and decorator extraordinaire Annie Elliott of bossy color recommends Benjamin Moore 2052-60 China Blue and 2086-40 Deep Carnation.) After the paint dries, check out the lighting. If it’s too dim, install fixtures so you can clearly see every piece you own.

Reorganize

Your closet is your own private boutique – and it should look every bit as nice as a regular boutique. When you

Scarves and shawls at the ready.

walk into your closest and see all the possibilities, getting dressed is easier and fun. Keep everything as displayed as possible:

• Sweaters, jeans and t-shirts folded on open shelves.
• You’ll wear more of your accessories if they’re on display as well, so shop for a jewelry stand or add hooks to the wall for necklaces.
• Display bags on pretty hooks along a wall high, enough to be out of the way but low enough so you can swap them out without a lot of trouble, and
• Scarf and belt racks will make it easy you see what you have.

Redefine

Depending on the size of your closet, you may have room to decorate with inspirational photos or quotations. Getting small frames and filling them with looks you like or sayings that make you feel good is a great way to add a personal touch to your closet. A full-length mirror may be a great place to write (with a washable pen) a weekly goal or a reminder to wear a particular piece of clothing or an accessory. Or it’s a great place to put an affirmation that is meaningful to you.

Relax!

A lovely way to enjoy the space you get dressed in is to add a wonderful scent that you enjoy. Lavender sachets

will help keep your closet and drawers smelling fresh. Or a gardenia floating in a clear bowl on your dresser looks and smells beautiful.

In my one-on-one work with clients, what they say they love the most is the outfits I create for them.

Well, there’s no app for that, unfortunately, although certainly there are tons of sources of inspiration and how-to information.

But I did just discover a fabulous app for documenting the outfits, which is part two of the process in my individual work. First we create the outfit (sometimes it takes a few tries to get it just right) and then we record the details. I used to write down all the elements on a beautifully designed template. Now, though, most my clients prefer a quick snapshot.

That’s all well and good, but then you have pictures of your outfits mixed with pictures of your kids and of your latest vacation and the flower you spotted on a run last week.

With Cloth, however (and no, I am not working for them), you can keep a record of outfits you like in their own app. You can tag them by occasion and even use a special in-app weather feature to sort them according to the day’s temp.

It was extremely easy to use and I will be using it with all my clients from now on. Give it a try!

(Ketura Persellin is an image consultant, stylist, writer, and public speaker in Washington, DC, and surrounding suburbs. Contact her for a complimentary get-acquainted session.)

My love for jewelry infuses my work as an image consultant, too. I love it because of the way a change of jewelry (and, okay, maybe a switcheroo of the bag and shoes) can COMPLETELY change an outfit. So … one black dress, and three changes of jewelry and you have three outfits. (Here are some famous examples of the power of a pin … or a necklace ….)

How great is that?! It makes it easier to spend money on things that can be worn more often. It makes it easier to pack. It makes it easier to, yes, look more stylish. (And isn’t that what we all want?!)

But many of my clients find jewelry to be overwhelming and confusing.

Does jewelry confuse YOU?

It doesn’t have to. Whether you have overflowing jewelry box or an empty one, intimidation at the jewelry counter or lack of confidence in your decisionmaking, it’s time to get over these common jewelry concerns.

What do I do with jewelry I already have but don’t wear?

Guess what? Just like your clothing wardrobe, your jewelry “wardrobe” need purging and editing, because it can accumulate over the years, too. You likely have jewelry that’s broken, has lost its meaning to you, or no

longer suits your style (if it ever did). Take an afternoon and go through your jewelry. Keep what you love and discard or donate what’s broken or out of style. Your discards would be welcomed at women’s shelters, Dress for Success—type organizations, or consignment stores.

I’ve spent so much money on clothes, why would I spend money on jewelry?

Your outfits look more polished and stylish when you wear jewelry. It also adds more depth, definition, and interest to what you’re wearing. Jewelry expresses your style and individuality. Another plus for spending money on jewelry is that it expands your clothing investment, often by a LOT. Adding or changing the jewelry you’re wearing transforms simple, classic clothing pieces.

There’s so much to choose from, how can I possibly know what to buy?

Pay attention to three things: color, proportion, and personal appeal. If you buy higher-end fashion or costume jewelry that mirrors your own coloring, you’ve made a good investment. So, for instance, if your coloring is warm, look for warm metals (gold, brass, copper) and warmer shades of stones, gemstones, or colored beads. If your coloring is cool, go for cooler shades in jewelry and you’ll be able to wear them all the time.

In addition, look at the scale of your features and bones to understand proportion. If you have large bones, chances are that bigger-scale pieces will look better on you. If you have small facial features, more delicate pieces will be better on you. If you have a mix of small and large features, you’ll be able to mix large -scale items with smaller-scale ones. Or if you’re working with large scaled proportion but like delicate necklaces, try clustering multiple layers of them to create a bigger impact.

Jewelry pieces generally stay with us a lot longer than clothing pieces do. Be sure the ones you collect are ones you really look forward to wearing. If you love it, you’ll wear it and enjoy it.

Is it okay to wear the same jewelry pieces every day?

There are many examples in fashion history as well as modern times where a woman was known for signature jewelry that she wore everyday. It could be an arm full of bangles, multiple strands of pearls or large rings. (Think Coco Chanel.)

But you may not be satisfied with a signature jewelry look, and that’s fine. Most people change their jewelry according to their activities – what you wear to the soccer game isn’t what you wear to work or the theater. This is why you may want or need a variety of jewelry just like you have more than one outfit.

How do I fit accessorizing into my schedule when I’m already late in the morning?

Spend some time during the weekend creating a few outfits to wear for the following week. When you’re not stressed out, it’s easier to finish an outfit from head to toe, paying closer attention to the jewelry details. Either write down all the pieces of the outfit, including the jewelry, hang each look together, or take a picture. You can even put the jewelry you’ll need for each outfit into a separate Ziploc bag and hang it with the clothing pieces. Then create a section of your closet for these grab-and-go outfits. Just think how stress-free you’ll be when Monday rolls around! (Need inspiration? Take a look here.)

I love this. It’s austere but a little playful. Neutral but not drab. I’d wear it with a bright solid top. (By the way, have you browsed Etsy lately? I find a lot of stuff at bigger stores is available also on Etsy — just browse by the designer’s name or, obviously, the type of thing you’re looking for.)

I love this cute top by Etcetera, to wear with dark wash skinny jeans.

I’m going to wear these Gentle Souls shoes with everything. (This particular style is available on Zappos.) For more ideas about stylish but comfortable spring shoes, check out my Pinterest shoe board.

Pair this cute belt with any old black dress and you’ve got something cute going on.

What are you itching to add to your wardrobe this season?

Whether you’re going on a business trip, flying south for a vacation, or taking a short trip to the big city, packing can be filled with stress and uncertainty.

Three things can make the whole process a lot easier.

A lightweight shawl to stash in your carry-on

1. Plan. Take  just a very few minutes to answer some basic questions about your trip will save you time — and help you look more stylish at your destination. There are no right and wrong answers. The important thing is to align your goals with what ends up in your suitcase.

• Where am going and when?
• What is the goal of my trip?
• How do I want to look and feel on my trip?
• Do I want to pack light — or do I not care?
• Do I have any special concerns about this trip?
• What do I need to buy?

2. Give yourself time. Some people can throw stuff into a bag a few minutes before the taxi is due to arrive.

Cute flats for comfort

Most of us do not fall into that category. A few days (or more) before your trip, jot down outfit ideas for your

trip as well as the time you’ll spend en route. Return to your list and edit it as necessary until your list aligns with your trip goals.

3. Prioritize the small stuff. For most situations, I advise clients to big priority to accessories (shoes, jewelry, scarves, bags) that can instantly the look of a basic dress.

A lightweight carry-on

Once you’ve gone through all these preparations, make sure to hold on to the final version of your list. If your bag gets lost, you’ll have a general idea of what’s in it. And you’ll have your list to use as a jumping-off point the next time you take the same or a similar trip.

(Ketura Persellin is an image consultant, personal stylist, writer, and public speaker in Washington, DC, and surrounding suburbs.)

1. Green just seems healthy. Wear it, eat it, live it. Green!

2. The green movement: Find your best shade of green: mint, forest, olive, kelly. The right green will make you look younger, and even prettier than you already are.

3. Eat your kale, spinach, mustard greens, and fennel. (Try kale chips for a healthful snack.)

4. Buy an “emerald” – green glass and crystal work too.

5. Green your life – buy less but better; edit your closet; and organize a frock swap.

6. Imitate Mother Nature: Let nature’s colors inspire your own pairings

7. Wear a [green] clay mask

8. Indulge in a green shawl (just pick a green that suits your coloring).

9. Consider a bag in olive or forest green; it will go with everything.

10. Mix green with cheery brights.

11. Green pumps? You bet! They say “risk taker”, “fashion forward,” “fun.” Wear with all your neutrals.

12. Taste fresh. Smell fresh. Be healthy: Munch on celery and cucumber.

13. Green with envy? Wonder how other women seem to have great style and you don’t? It can be yours, too. Contact me for a complimentary get-acquainted session.

(Ketura Persellin is an image consultant, personal stylist, writer, and public speaker in Washington, DC, and surrounding suburbs.)

It’s 7 a.m. and you’re standing in front of your closet. You’re already running late, and you have no idea what to wear.

Sound familiar?

Many women spend way too much time and energy worrying about what to wear … when they want to be focusing on their family, their work, and all the other important things in their lives. That’s especially true of women who work. We want and need to look like the professionals we are — but it can be hard to find the time.

Here are six ways to get started streamlining your wardrobe, so you can get out the door looking great and get on with the rest of your day.

1. Get rid of clutter – stat. This sounds easier than it is, I know. But it will pay off in time saved (and greater confidence, too!) Gather up the pieces you’ve never worn and try them on. Ask yourself: Would you buy them again? If the answer is no and they’re still fairly current, take them to a consignment store and get back part of your investment. If they still appeal to you, take a few minutes to create some outfits and wear them as soon as possible.

2. Remove out-of-season clothing. This sounds like a silly, perhaps even unnecessary step. But it is really hard even for experts to visually edit out shorts and bathing suit cover-ups if it’s the season of cashmere sweaters and wool trousers. Stick to the current season and store everything else out of sight.

3. Create order. You deserve a closet that is a place of order and even beauty. Consider making the small investment of one type of hanger (no wire, please!) Then hang your hangers and clothes in the same direction.

4. Organize your closet (in whatever way that makes sense to you). This will make getting dressed a pleasure – or the very least, less time-consuming and stressful. Hang clothes by color, from light to dark, or by item – pants, blouses, skirts, etc. Then on laundry day, it’s much easier to put them back into the section you’ve created for them.

5. Dress your current self. Many women hang on to clothes in the aspiration category – anything two sizes smaller than their current frame. Or they hang on to larger-size clothes long after they’ve reached a goal weight. Instead, focus on your current self. Relocate everything out of sight (or give them to charity).

6. Make the most of what you have. Get help! Getting dressed can be a deep, daily pleasure – one through which you express to the world who you are at your most authentic. This is my passion and my expertise – making my clients shine and look (and feel) their most beautiful, whatever their age, size, or lifestyle. If you’d like to make getting dressed a pleasure – the favorite part of your day – please call me for a complimentary get-acquainted session.

(Ketura Persellin is an image consultant, stylist, writer, and public speaker in Washington, DC.)