Yesterday, fellow Portland image consultant, Margo Passadore, came over to help me attack my closet. I am already very good at clearing other people’s closets – helping my clients understand why certain garments are flattering, which are not, and why and how to put them together. Just last week I helped a client create this mountain of clothes that didn’t work for her (she had a LOT to begin with):
But of course the contents of one’s own closet are different. They’re special.
And I’m a professional! There isn’t a garment in my closet that is an unflattering color – those were gone long ago, thanks to my custom color palette. So why would I ask Margo to help me out? In fact, why would anyone ask for wardrobe assistance?
- It’s hard to be objective about yourself and your body
- It’s hard to see yourself from all angles.
- It’s hard to admit you paid good money for some bad clothing choices
- It’s hard to separate yourself from your sentimental attachments
- Some of us lack imagination when it comes to styling
- Some of us are in denial: we still think we’re 25.
Margo Passadore, Portland Stylist
It was a short session; I just wanted Margo to get me started on my casual clothes. Before she arrived I laid out all my scarves, necklaces, shoes and belts. Since most of my tops are really simple, I hoped she’d use the accessories to make fewer tops work in more ways.
I wanted quickly to get over the pain of seeing her eyebrows lift in amusement, so I greeted her with the worst: two tops I’d bought last year and never worn, though I kept trying to make them work. They were both soft Summer colors from my palette that have been nearly impossible to find in the stores:
Poor choices… off to consignment shop!
The frilly top on the left I bought at a street market in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France, On the plus side: sentimental value (France!), bargain price ($15!), a good color that was hard to find. On the negative side: well, I looked stupid in it. I’m not the frilly type, and it was too long and baggy for someone who’s barely 5’3″.
The top on the right was mail-ordered from Soft Surroundings, which has some wonderful tunic styles in interesting muted colors. On the plus side: fantastic color for me; goes with my mauve jeans, and taupe boots. The negatives: I’m swamped by it. Too long, too boxy, dwarfs my legs, annoying weighted drawstrings on the neck that swing when I walk and get into the dishpan when I do kitchen cleanup. Out they both went.
Below, the eggplant jacket on the left is a much better length, and though I don’t have much of a waist any more, the curved seaming gives me some shape. The sweater on the right is my darkest neutral color (black is out for me) and quite a dramatic shade. The short waist allows me to have some legs.
Aubergine (eggplant) is a great color for Rose-Tone Summers like me and one on which I base quite a few outfits. Below Margo gave me some scarf-tying tips.
I do have a few lighter brighter colors in my palette, and I found this aqua sweater at Target. Margo’s raised eyebrows told me it was a little too shapeless for me, but I’m keeping it, so we soldiered on:
I also tried on some slacks and other jeans for her, and out they went. Compared to the average American woman I have no butt and slim thighs, so unless I get slacks altered or buy skinny jeans from the right company (Gap) I get saggy baggy butt, wrinkly crotch, and flapping thigh fabric. Sweet.
When I do the rest of my closet this weekend I must remember what I tell my own clients (after we cover their colors and how to use them): “proportion and fit, proportion and fit, proportion and fit.”
Margo and I team up with some of our clients. I do their colors first, then one of us does the closet clearing, and Margo takes them shopping (with their palette). She is a genius at finding the right garments no matter the client’s age or shape. We’d be delighted to help you create a wardrobe that makes you look and feel great. Give me a shout.
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