Wardrobe Treasures

Most of us have them - wardrobe treasures. They're the items we wear again and again, our favourites. They may be clothes or accessories (jewellery, bags, belts, footwear, scarves).

So what is it that makes them work so well? Because if you know that, you can repeat the success. Here are the aspects I've identified:

Colour: treasures are often in your Season's neutrals as they go with any of your colours, often core pieces ie essentials. Other success stories will be in your Season's colours. Have you discovered your 'magic' ones? There are usually two or three colours within your Season that look particularly amazing.

Style: there are two aspects to style; the first one is about your style personality. A favourite item reflects your style personality mix, with similar percentages.

The other aspect is the style of the garment; treasures have a timelessness about them (they may need a bit of tailoring to update them). The design lines flatter your shape, camouflaging and highlighting the right bits. Also the scale of the item is appropriate to your personal scale.

Fit: treasures fit properly. Make the effort to have items altered (especially tailored pieces) as it's rare to find something that fits perfectly.

Condition: treasures are worth repairing, although eventually they'll wear out (which is why it pays to buy quality pieces as they last longer).

Treasures aren't always in fashion yet thanks to trend cycles, they'll come back.

Versatility

While I don't enjoy the winter temperatures, I do like creating new looks with some of my wardrobe treasures.

A simple Little Black Dress can be layered up with a slip, a net top, leggings/tights, shoes or boots (yay for warm socks inside knee boots) and a coloured cardigan, or a bright scarf and denim jacket or a thin coloured merino under the dress and a tailored jacket. Easily topped with a coat, scarf, hat and gloves at night or on unusually cold days.

TV Debut

I was invited to take part in the Bella Vi seasonal make-over programme recently. I met with Tracey Ruddock-Gudsell of Creative Tauranga for her Personal Style workshops one Monday. It was a beautiful day and we had great fun discovering Tracey's personal style.

Tracey was up early for the next day's filming; I caught up with her mid-afternoon in Mt Maunganui. My interview with Aimee and shopping with Tracey was filmed at Women. Within a week it was edited and broadcast.

to view the programme, click here

to see just my interview, click here

PS

Hello
The family wedding I mentioned in my last newsletter went well, and I squeezed in two shared Private Consultations (two friends on Friday, mother & daughter on Sunday). It made for a busy few days so I appreciated the time alone with my hubby as we drove down and back.

I bought the Dalston dress at Hula Fashions, and had it adjusted to fit (taken in at the back so it didn't fall off my narrow shoulders or gape at the bust).

Thank goodness I knew how to do some sneaky layering as Wellington was a bit chillier than we hoped. My extra layers included some shapewear, a slip, pantyhose (with open toes to wear with peep-toe shoes), and a turquoise pashmina. I swapped the pashmina for a lovely warm, bright blue cardigan at the reception.

The bride looked like a fairytale princess, her mum (my sister) looked fabulous and my grand-daughter Bella was a lovely flower girl (awww!). It was wonderful having most of the family there to celebrate together.

I'm looking forward to wearing my dress again next summer; let's hope we have another lovely hot one!

Meanwhile, enjoy the change of seasons and the opportunity to find some winter wardrobe treasures.

Margaret