Never-Ending Neon

While there are plenty of people that are looking forward to the day when the neon trend fades away, I am pretty sure it isn't going anywhere for awhile. I still see plenty of chic women sporting some pretty intense color, notably in outwear and accessories.

                        

 

 Sigh, that Acne coat...

 Punchy beanies to top off your look...                       

And certainly don't forget your feet...

Images courtesy of Refinery29, Atlantic Pacific, South Molton Style, Brooklyn Blonde, and The Cut

With or without staying power, I know I will be wearing neon forever. I'm a child of the 80's and 90's, it's in my DNA.

A Timely Tutorial

Image credit Who What Wear

                           
Less than a week into owning the Inglot gel liner, I have started experimenting with it on my waterline. In the past I would never attempt any liner there, as it would dissipate within a a few hours. Lucky for me (and now you), Who What Wear has conveniently published a "how to" on the very subject. 

Unlikely Umbrella

There is something mesmerizing about this photo by Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist. It is not only a beautiful image, but I am also captivated by this woman's use of her fur coat as a shield against the rain. I could never look that chic in a storm.

Image credit The Sartorialist

Steal some of her elegance with over-sized crystal earrings (in blue of course!) and the perfect red lip.

Top Row: Forever 21 Colored Teardrop Earrings & Colored Bead Teardrop Earrings
Bottom Row: Kate Spade Statement Earrings, Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red

Feeling Blue

In the process of magazine recycling, I ripped this page out of Elle to add to my inspiration notebook (I am too old school for Pinterest). Blue is my favorite color, only further evidenced by my matching manicure.

Huge fan of that Lanvin statement necklace

To achieve my blue topaz manicure, I used one coat of Matésse Elite in Neon Lightening Blue and two coats of Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Tender Teal. For a similar look, swap out the now discontinued (I think, mine is at least 5 years old) Matésse for any teal base like Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Blue Me Away. Top it off with Sally Hansen Spectrum.

Now all I need is the ring to match the manicure. This Eddie Borgo piece would definitely be on my dream birthday wish list.

            

Eddie Borgo ring   (see more eddie borgoes) Image credit: Polyvore

 All that glitters is certainly not gold.

I Happen to Love Trigonometry, But Fashion Math is Much More Fun.

I would like to begin this post with a personal thank you to all of my coworkers who complimented my outfit on February 10th (I meant to post this the same week so I apologize for my lapse in blogging). Not only did it tug at my little stylist-at-heartstrings, but it is now archived in the "go-to outfit" section of the fashion reference library known as my closet. And, since my blog is dedicated to individual style on a budget, it is quite fitting that both pieces I wore that day are from H&M.

The boots are Lanvin Fall 2009, purchased at Loehmann's for about 85% off, and I extend an apology to the woman who was following me around hoping I wouldn't buy them, because she is missing out on a lot of shoe admiration.

Note: This outfit contains black and navy. I have learned that this is a viable color combination despite initial reservations, and now I kinda dig it. So you have my seal of approval to wear it too, not that you need it.

And now onto some other ensembles that give great style at a great price:

GAP open cardigan + American Apparel braided belt = DVF-inspired wrap worthy of a street style snapshot. I like to pair mine with gray over-the-knee socks from H&M and a more fitted bottom, mostly because I spend too much free time stalking Lookbook.

White burnout tee + H&M spandex mini = simple East Village Evening outfit.

Worn specifically with Hue Super Opaque black tights and sample sale Giuseppe Zanotti booties. (Best $15 I ever spent! And no that's not a typo.) Other footwear alternatives: $35 H&M wedge booties or $28 Forever21 Workman Lace Up Booties. I just like to write the word "booty."

Forever21 floral chiffon dress + J. Crew Outlet argyle cardigan + Buffalo Exchange Vintage GAP belt = a lesson in layering, a tutorial in textures, and a play on pattern mixing. I'm all about the Jenna Lyons J. Crew styling aesthetic of mashing up lengths and textures and patterns, then cinching it all together with a belt. I'm still perfecting my own version, but this is a pretty decent replication for my body type.

Express Tuxedo boyfriend blazer + gray American Apparel Tri-Blend v-neck + Hue black leggings + multiple Trash & Vaudeville studded bracelets = Kate Lanphear Rock Chic. I have made clear my obsession for Kate, so this equation needs no explanation.

If you can't tell, I have a mild case of fashion schizophrenia. I don't think I have one distinctive style, but rather I dress for my mood, which can change every day or every minute.

Now it is your turn to come up with a style equation that multiplies the contents of your closet! Let me know what you come up with!


I would also like to apologize for the crap quality of my pictures, as I rely solely on my BlackBerry and Photo Booth for iMac. One day, I promise to upgrade. If I can just stop buying nail polish and shoes...

Spin Dry

Laziness is a recurring theme in my blog. There are just certain things I don't like to spend a lot of time on, and my haircare routine is one of them. I present you with the following evidence:

Exhibit A: I get my hair cut and colored twice a year.

Exhibit B: I don't use any product (No spray, no mouse, no serum. Sometimes a little gel --currently in my purse is Dep -- for uncontrollable flyaways).

Exhibit C: Up until about 4 years ago, I didn't own a hair dryer (I still rarely use it).

Exhibit D: I shower at night, I comb my hair (otherwise comb or brush usage is infrequent), sleep, wake up, flat iron.

Exhibit E: Any product I do use, comes straight from the drug store (or its cheaper alternative/my favorite place ever: the beauty section of Bed Bath & Beyond).

Now that I have made my case, let's start with some recent hair product discoveries (look Ma, I made a legal pun!) turned obsessions.

1) Dry Shampoo

2) The Goody Spin Pin

Dry shampoo has been around forever. Really, since the 70s! And while I haven't been around that long, I am certainly baffled by the amount of time it has taken me to test drive this amazing invention. It is the lazy girl's DREAM. I can't tell you how much money in countless headbands to cover up greasy roots I could have saved had I known the true wonder of this product. When I first took a foray in to the realm of waterless cleansing, I bought a more expensive brand (Klorane) from Ricky's. After that ran out, I turned to the cheapo, original brand Psssssst! from Bed Bath and have been just as happy. So now how do I feel if I am not able to wash my hair? Not Guilty.

Next on the docket we have the Spin Pin. It. Is. Amazing. Hi, have we met? I have fine hair. I have tried for YEARS to perfect the art of the bun, but have failed miserably every time. Bobby pins fall out, layers jump out, pony tails holders can not contain it. Then I saw this television ad-- it was like the "hair thing" (what does everyone else call this product genre?) equivalent of a Kindle commercial. (If you haven't seen the commercial, this comment makes no sense at all, so, translation: it was cute and whimsical, I liked it!) I scoured the Duanes, CVSs, Rite Aides, and Walgreens of Manhattan but seemed to have trouble spotting this elusive device. Then one day, magically in Duane Reade, it appeared, and I have been a convert ever since. Bobby pin what? The double helix shaped pins hold your hair in place, and it stays in place. I recommend. 5 out of 5 stars!

Objection! You have never used the star rating before, so it holds no validity. (Sustained)

And there you have it: the lazy woman's haircare routine. Case closed.

On A Shoestring

Just because this blog is dedicated to style on a budget, and I cringe at the thought of paying retail for almost anything, it does not mean that sometimes when I flip through a magazine or read another style blog, I am not envious of the items I can not afford. I could rattle off a laundry list of my most desired pieces, but would have to forfeit months of rent to buy any of them. These would include:

Hermes Collier De Chien
Proenza Schouler PS1 Bag
Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel
Almost any pair of Givenchy shoes
Miu Miu loafers either studded or leopard
Loubutin booties

The point is: if I had endless sums of money, there are things I would snap up in a heartbeat, and there are many days that I dream of not having to crunch numbers to keep my monthly budget out of the red. But alas, this is not the case. Instead, I try to drive home my position that when it comes to lack of money: a little extra thought goes a long way.

It was the Bloomingdale's semi-annual shoe sale: buy two or more pairs and get an extra 20% off your purchase. I had found two great shoes, a BCBG patent wedge, and Betsey Johnson spectator Mary Janes.

There was only one problem: the Mary Janes had THE ugliest choice of laces. They were a black and white satin ombre, and they made the shoes look incredibly cheap and tacky. But instead of deciding the shoes were unfit to buy, thereby forfeiting my extra discount, I took some time to brainstorm.

Have you ever been to M&J Trim? Go. It is amazing. It is the kind of store that makes you wish you could sew. Unless you do sew, well, then it is a mecca of crystal, applique and ribbon, oh the glorious ribbon: M&J has an almost infinite selection. With this tidbit of knowledge, rather than hastily tossing the shoes aside, I decided to purchase them, and throw the laces out instead.

Now not only do I not have hideous ombre ribbon shoelaces on my funky Mary Janes, I have a multitude of alternatives. I purchased a few different options, black with white trim, black with gold, thin, thick, velvet, satin, and all for a total purchase price under $5!!

Before

After


Under $5!!


This little discovery is part of the same theory that sometimes you have to alter a garment to make it not only fit your body, but fit your style too. M&J is a great source of products and inspiration that can instantly turn plain into perfection. Atrocious into awe-inspiring. Fine into fabulous. (You get the picture.)

So, if you have not yet figured it out, my point is this: do not overlook something that may only be just shy of amazing, because alterations are almost always an option. And this argument does not only apply to clothes, as clearly demonstrated here. It is all about looking beyond the obvious, something anyone on a budget has to challenge themselves to do every time they go shopping. Sure, even I get sick of constantly having to play mind meld with my clothes to feel like I'm changing up my style; and yes, sometimes I just want to walk into Barneys and--without remorse--buy something I find intrinsically cool, but that is not an option for me.

So there you have it, yet another example of how powerful the creative mind can be. And even if you do not have an item in your wardrobe that needs a little alternation or sprucing up, making a trip to the Garment District may help feed your creativity. Just take a stroll on 6th Avenue between 34th and 40th street, and you are bound to be inspired; because with a well-trimmed budget, your wardrobe will not seem like it is hanging by a thread.





You can find M&J Trim at 1008 6th Avenue



~~Thanks to my guest editor Kendria for all her help on this post! Check out her blog Random Acts of Kendy for great stories, including one about me!~~

I Wanna Be Rick

Rick Owens is a master of leather: his jackets are sublime, but they definitely require a certain level of income to acquire. But as you probably already know, I am not one to ever let a lack of funds for exorbitant purchases get me down; because where there is a will, there is always a way. I consistently say that personal style is the mark of a creative mind, and while you can always go into a store and buy an outfit off a mannequin, it takes a little imagination and a lot of resourcefulness to think outside the box. And then there are those instances when out of the blue, you have a fashion revelation.

For me, this revelation occurred at work one day, when I was wearing an Alice & Olivia drape front cashmere sweater, topped by my Premise leather moto jacket. Both pieces are already a few seasons old, but since I don't believe in throwing out perfectly amazing garments just because their "season" has passed, they are still regular staples in my wardrobe. A cashmere drape cardigan is ALWAYS a classic, and a leather motorcycle jacket never goes out of style, especially if you buy quality pieces that will last a lifetime.

So there I was, getting ready to head out for the day, and I happened to zip up my jacket with the cardigan draping outside the lapels. Immediately it came to me how much it reminded me of the Rick Owens Blister Jacket I had been coveting!
While this new combination certainly cannot compare to the real thing, it makes me just as happy, and saved me about $2000. (Not like I would ever spend that much money on a jacket if I had it, a Chanel bag...maybe.) Just more proof that you do not need thousands of dollars to look like a million bucks.

It's A Cinch!

If you knew me as a kid - okay probably even through my early years in New York - you would know that I was never the most independent person. You would also know that, up until a few years ago, I was petrified of the phone. Oh what the hell, I'll admit it, there were A LOT of things I felt uncomfortable doing. But living in New York helped me get over that, and fast: this city will eat you alive if you don't have the proper armor. Aside from learning to embrace the telephone, I have become the queen of trying almost anything, especially when it comes to getting my way with fashion. My motto is: It never hurts to ask.

Let me elaborate by way of a little life anecdote: one concerning my infatuation with belts, studs, and long walks on beautiful summer days. It all started with one of the many blogs I read. I spotted a wonderful BCBG Belt pictured on a blogger, and was immediately seduced by it's amazingness. After checking on-line, however, I realized it was $128. While I am willing to spend $128 on many things (shoes, dresses, anything more expensive on sale), that price for a belt is, in my humble opinion, completely and utterly absurd. I quickly tossed the idea of the belt into the trash, and moved on.

Later in the summer however, I was at a bar in the West Village, and spotted a girl wearing the belt. I was so envious. I wanted it, I coveted it, but couldn't bear the thought of spending so much on it. As I lamented to my friend, she let me know that BCBG was having a sale. Although their website did not show the belt discounted, one beautiful summer afternoon, I decided to stop inside my neighborhood outpost to do a little investigating. To my surprise and delight, there was one black studded belt left in the 70% off bin. I snatched it up. It was too big, but I assumed my shoe guy could make the appropriate adjustments. I left the store, extremely excited by my new $40 purchase.

Once out of the store with my "FINAL SALE" stamped receipt, I started to get a little nervous. What if the shoe guy couldn't make it smaller? Did I just spend $40 on a useless item? Then I thought: Sure it says final sale, but if I can find the belt in a smaller size at another store, how could they not make the exchange? As a seasoned New York shopper, I knew all the other BCBG locations, and was ready to take a nice tour of the city. First stop was the Madison Avenue boutique. No luck there. I continued my search, trekking my way down 5th Avenue, and peeked inside the shop across from the public library.

Lo and behold, there it was, like an oasis in the desert: one last belt, size Medium. It fit perfectly. I seized it in excitement, and took it to the register:

Me: "Hi, I have a question. I purchased this belt on sale at the store uptown. It's a large and a bit too big. I know it's final sale, but I was hoping, that since your belt in a medium is the same item, that I could exchange it for the smaller size."

Salesgirl, incredulously: "This belt isn't on sale."

Me, confused: "Well here is the receipt. The woman checked a binder and it definitely said 70% off."

Salesgirl: "The brown one is on sale, not the black one. Let me check." She flips through a binder of SKUs, not sure what she is looking for. "I can't seem to find anything." She calls over the manager and explains my situation. The manager agrees to make the exchange. Triumph.

So there I was with a belt in my size, 70% off, that was apparently not on sale. Even to this day (and do not think I do not check from time to time!), it has never gone on sale. It is a life lesson all fashion obsessed girls on a budget should know: It is EASY to ask, and you may just get the deal of a lifetime.

Don't Sweat It!

While we may no longer be elbow deep in a recession, we are not out of the woods just yet. Many fashion magazines are still telling consumers to continue shopping their closets, and are featuring editorials chock full of merchandise from stores such as H&M or Forever 21. As an avid and long time subscriber to the high/low theory of style, this is not a foreign concept to me. Rather, I embrace the challenge of mixing lower-end pieces with discount designer goods to create my signature style. But while I openly accept the discount store as viable means of acquiring essential elements for my wardrobe, I still have yet to fully be on board the shop your closet bandwagon.

Attempting to analyze this hesitance, I can only attribute it to the fact that I do tend to wear the majority of what is hanging in my closet (well, what still fits), and I have been inventive enough to make the most of my options. So what can one do, you may ask.  Don't give up! A lot of people like the idea of doing a clothing swap with friends, but I went a step further: I went to my dad.

Quite simply: what is a staple of winter wardrobe wear? I happen to think it is the sweater dress.  It is cozy, comfy, and one easy step to looking effortlessly fashionable.  Very little outfit planning is required (let us not forget the lazy girl over here writing this blog). And if you think about it, a man's sweater is over-sized for us women, and therefore can serve as the perfect dress or tunic. Sure, proportion and size can be tricky: shoulder seams can droop, sleeves can drop, and the shape can be boxy.  But there is an easy solution: Roll up the sleeves, add a belt, and depending on the amount of extra fabric, you can have quite the avant-garde look! Trust me, when it comes to the versatility of the belt, I'm an expert.

So there you have it: when money issues are getting you down, and you are sure you have maximized all the possibilities that your closet is currently providing; just open your eyes and mind, and then open your father's closet! You will be surprised what an easy update an over-sized sweater can provide. Sometimes it is what is right in front of us that we never notice. Now that is what I call an exercise in an easy wardrobe makeover. I didn't even break a schvitz.

Sole Mates

I am just going to say it: I love my shoes.

As a single, 27 year old with no pets, or even plants; they are my children. And as any good parent, I take extremely good care of my babies: all 55 pairs of them (not including flip flops, sneakers, snow or rain boots of course!). And while shoes certainly are not children, they do require constant upkeep: the price you pay for a pair of shoes is not limited to the day you purchase them.

Sure, some people rely on the philosophy that you buy a pair of shoes and wear them until they are worn out, which is not a terrible thing to do if the shoes do not cost much to begin with. But, as I tend to find myself drawn towards more expensive footwear (at a discount of course!), I refuse to leave them to the elements unarmed. I spray all leather and suede with water repellent, I keep the "special" pairs confined to the office and locations to and from which I am taking a cab, and never hesitate to bring any pair to the doctor: otherwise known as the shoe repair.

No one should ever underestimate the importance of a good shoe guy. You wouldn't take your kids to any old dentist, ophthalmologist, or pediatrician, would you? Okay okay, I know, shoes are not children, but they are the closest things I have at the moment. And, like I will my kids, I spoil them. While many swear by the "Best Doctors" issue of New York magazine, it is "Best of New York" issue that is my bible, and I live by the gospel of Empire Shoe Repair. Located on Lexington Avenue between 71st and 72nd Streets, this tiny hole-in-the-wall takes all my old soles and restores them to their original luster.

Of course, the importance of a shoe repair goes far beyond what you may initially imagine. They do much better work than just putting on a new heel or a no-slip sole. They can stretch the toe box, fix nicks, recolor any part of the shoe, they even work on handbags and other leather goods. Ever have a belt that needs more holes? They do it for free. Need it to be shortened? Expect to spend around $10. Trust me, you do not know how good your shoes can look until they have been in the hands of a seasoned leather surgeon. Think of it as a face lift for your shoes, it shaves off years!

Everyone who knows me is aware that I have a weakness for incredible footwear. I tend to choose a new pair of designer shoes over many other things in life (food, activities, vacations). I am not condoning this behavior, as it is not especially helpful for my non existent savings account. But, if I am going to choose to invest my money in shoes, I do so wisely, and look for a good return: years of wear. To ensure my shoes look as new as the day I took them home, I must rely on "my shoe guy," as I so lovingly refer to him. He is my insurance, and I know my shoes are in good hands. Finding a good match for your soles is a much easier task than finding one for your soul. And while shoes can not call you on your birthday, they sure can take you out on the town. And trust me, you will look and feel fabulous.

Greek Godtressess

In the Fourth Grade, after reading D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, I became obsessed with Greek Mythology. I mean, when else can you dress up as Demeter wearing a bed sheet toga and a headband adorned with plastic leaves without the suggestion of psychiatric help? Sigh, the memories. Now that I am an adult, my idea of Grecian inspired fashion has manifested itself into drape-y gowns, long dresses, and braids. Oh how I love braids!

I have alluded to my affinity for plaits in my post on headbands, and I stand behind the belief that there is nothing greater than a braid/band combination. As you know, I have written about humidity acting like Medusa towards my hair, and have since then discovered a Greek inspired hairdo that combats against its damage as would the warrior Perseus. And while I was somewhat influenced by the recent visibility of celebrities donning Heidi braids, my take is a twist on the typical country 'do, and instead, is a little more ethereal.

My interpretation of this braided hairstyle is the perfect option for shorter, finer hair. While the Heidi--over the crown--braids are great for long, thick hair, mine just does not have enough length or volume to make the proper impact. So, rather than pulling the braids over my head, I pull them under. Below you will hopefully find a helpful, step-by-step picture guide, to give you a clear idea of the process in creating this sweet and practical look.

1) Whether you part your hair in the middle or side, create two even sections of hair


2) Braid each side



3) Pull one braid under your head and pin



3) Pull the other over, and also secure with bobby pin



4) Add a headband to cover the hairties and ends, pin, and voila!


I love this hairdo because it is incredibly easy to create (takes no more than 10 minutes, even for a perfectionist like me), is much more polished than just pigtail braids or a ponytail, and looks completely put together despite how simple it is to do. It's a little taste of Mount Olympia, no supernatural powers required.

Arts & Crafty 101

As a kid, I was totally into arts and crafts. In school, at camp, in the home, wherever, whenever. In fact, there was a brief period during my childhood where I proclaimed that I was going to be an artist. You know, as a career. I loved to draw and paint, I even dabbled in lanyard key chains and friendship bracelets. For awhile there, I actually felt I had some talent. Soon enough, however, my little girl dreams were brutally crushed when I learned the unfortunate fate that befell most artists: poverty. At the time, I probably couldn't even comprehend what it meant not to make any money, but based on the tone of my parents' voices when they explained this to me, I came to the conclusion that it was not a path I would want to take.

Despite no longer yearning to be an artist, I did not lose my creative tendencies, but rather, I began to channel them into different mediums - clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry. I found a way to express my creativity through fashion, and instead dreamt of becoming another kind of artist. I considered many options, from writing about fashion, to personal shopping, even styling. I have toyed with all of these ideas, but one recently stood out to me as the perfect opportunity to put my latent artistic talents to work.

As an accessories freak, I tend to look for fun jewelry at stores like H&M, Forever 21, and Urban Outfitters in order to build my collection without depleting my bank account. Sure, it's not the best quality, but it's inexpensive, and I can get the look of gold jewelry at a good price. However, because cheap "gold" jewelry is nothing but painted metal, the longer you own it, the more it loses color and starts to look like silver instead.

In the past few weeks, two pairs of my earrings were getting to be so faded, that they resembled nothing of their former selves: what used to be shiny gold looked instead like dull, gray, sadness. ::Pause for dramatic effect:: The choice was clear: my cheap earrings were in need of a serious makeover. See, that's the other great thing about not investing in jewelry. When you purchase something for $5, you lose that squeamish feeling at the thought of getting a little experimental. The task is simple, all you need is a few minutes, and a few bottles of nail polish. (And we all know how I have more than that!)

About a month ago, in a discussion with a friend of mine when wearing one of my lackluster pairs of earrings, I spoke to how I was most likely going to revive the muted metal by coating it in gold nail polish. My friend, being ever so crafty herself, explained that I did not necessarily have to stick to just gold, but that I could paint them however I damn well pleased. Poetic license, if you will.

So guess what? That is exactly what I did. I brought out some neon polish, a little glossy topcoat, and created my very own masterpiece:



Now, if that is not modern art, I am not sure what is. Class dismissed.

Comfort, To a Tee

In my opinion, nothing says effortless style like the T-Shirt dress. It's simple, it's classic, it's easy, and most importantly, it's comfortable. I am the ultimate champion of comfort. In fact, twice in my life, once in middle school and again during sophomore year of college, I only wore sweatpants. That's right, sweatpants. Day in, day out. Sure, I was probably mocked behind my back, but I was happy.

With leggings having made a comeback, and dresses even more versatile than ever, it is now possible to be both fashionable and comfortable at the same time. The T-Shirt dress, to me, is the epitome of this melding between style and ease. You can dress it up or down, accessorize it however you want, and still feel like you are in your favorite tank top and jeans. My current obsession is from American Apparel. I've worn it to bars, to work, even just walking around on the weekends.

Normally I'm a little wary of American Apparel clothing, mostly because the quality control is just not there. But I don't have the easiest body to dress, and this looks great. I even bought a second in a different color (and that is not one of my usual shopping habits).

Here are some suggestions on how to style this multifaceted item of clothing:

For Work-
The dress alone may be a little short (depending on your dress code, and it also shrinks a bit in the first wash), so I would pair it with leggings or tights. Add a blazer and pumps, or a cardigan and a belt, for a more polished, professional look.

For Play-
Weekends are all about being laid back and casual. Add some layered necklaces or a chunky bracelet paired with metallic or jeweled flats. For an adventurous statement, nothing says summer fun like a bright pink lipstick. I have found the best selection from YSL, but any brand will do. Just have fun.

For Evening-
When going out for a night on the town, all you need to do is ramp up your accessories. Add a little sparkle with some cubic zirconium studs or dangling earrings (diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but certainly not her wallet's), or a sparkle-y cocktail ring (I have a great one from Express). Slip into some peep toe pumps or strappy sandals and you're all set.

Okay, I admit, adding high heels to the T-Shirt dress does take a little away from the comfort factor, but we can't always have our way, now can we? I am not going to lie and say that a four-inch stiletto is as easy to wear as pair of flip flops, but the truth is, they do look more fabulous.

Clean Up Your Act

Despite what many may think, great style does not grow incrementally according to the size of one's wardrobe. More clothes does not equal more fashion sense. Knowing what you own and how it should be worn, is what puts you in a league of your own.

The majority of women are in a fashion rut. We find a few pieces we are the most comfortable in, and use them to create different outfits. I am guilty of this on many occasions, for when I find a dress that I love, I manage to incorporate it in as many looks as possible. As I purchase new items, I tend to favor them over older pieces, and my outfits, in turn, suffer. In order to avoid these predicaments, I have a few suggestions.

1) Try not to wear a pair of shoes more than once during the workweek
Okay, this requires a fairly substantial number of shoes, for which I admit to owning. However, if you are like me, I find that by making myself wear a different pair each day, I not only utilize more of my shoes, but I also am forced to be more creative with my wardrobe. The more shoes I wear, the more outfits I have to create!

2) Think outside the box
Changing up an outfit does not necessarily mean wearing a different shirt or skirt, it can require as little as updating your accessories. Try out a different necklace, or a bolder pair of earrings. Maybe add a belt. You can even channel your inner French chic by throwing on a silk scarf. Outfits without accouterments are blank canvases. Fling on some paint!! Get a little crazy.

3) Re-Organize your closet
I know I know, you think your closet is organized, and maybe you are compulsive like me and it is kept neat and clean. But I'm talking about organize. To like, the millionth degree. If you have seen my closet, you would understand why I am stressing that you rethink your strategy. This is a tough one though: it requires dedication to the cause. But trust me, once you are done, you will realize how much more you have to work with than you than you may have ever perceived.

So here is what I propose:

Take everything out of your closet. The sweaters from the shelves, the dresses and pants from where they hang, do not stop until your closet is completely void of clothing. Once cleared out, start grouping items, first by color, then by likeness (black pants with black pants, black dresses with black dresses, and so forth). While doing this, you should be making a mental note of your inventory, chucking those pieces you will not wear again.

(TIP: Do not be hasty! I have been known to be tempted to throw out clothing I had not worn in years, but found myself-- in rediscovery--wearing them now with much more frequency)

I was not kidding when I said I was compulsive. Personally, I like to see my clothes in color order (rainbow, preferably), grouping items staring with blazers, then long sleeves, short sleeves, skirts, dresses (long sleeve, short sleeve, tank)...etc. I fold sweaters and jeans on the shelves, tank tops are in my dresser, stacked by color. I believe that seeing your clothes along with like colors allows you to truly appreciate all the possible combinations.

If you are feeling adventurous, move on to your shoes. Shoe racks are key, especially the stackable kind (if, like me, you need as much capacity as possible). When I first attempted to organize my massive collection, I grouped my shoes by color and then by likeness. However, I currently have them the opposite, first by kind, then by color. Flats with flats, pumps with pumps, booties, boots, and so on - then as close to color coordination as possible. Wedges are best to keep on the bottom, then flats above, and pumps on the top. I have found that the shoes sit better when stacked this way. To me, fashion and organization is an art. I am an artist.

Now, if you were me, you would be feeling extremely satisfied right now. Give it a chance, I promise you will see a much broader range of possibilities. If you can't, well, then maybe you have a shopping problem, and the only therapy I am familiar with, is the retail kind.