We talked about describing our current style, and the styles we aspire to achieve earlier this week. We also described what our styles are NOT. Some found the exercises fun and easy, while others found them a little hard and tedious. You are all in good company because my clients, who do these exercises when we work together, span the same spectrum of feelings. 

Here is another easy and extremely useful introspective exercise to do at the start of a style renewal or style refresher. Identify and analyze your favourite outfits. Whether there are two outfits or 30 outfits doesn’t matter. These are the outfits that you wear quite often, and that make you feel fabulous. Even as you are reading this, I know that many of you have these outfits flashing in front of you. You know what they are!

Think about why you like these outfits. Why do they make you feel fabulous? Then think about what they share, if anything. Are there common vibes, silhouettes, fabrics, textures, design details and colours? Jot down what comes to mind and use single word adjectives where applicable. 

When I run through this exercise with my clients I’m always struck by how their style preferences jump out at us with the visual aid of the outfits. We are able to isolate aspects of the styles and combinations that really work, and build onto the emerging themes.The outfits also become an effective benchmark and starting point for the next leg of their style journey.

This exercise is most effective if you get these outfits from your wardrobe and lay them in front of you as you think about what makes them your favourites. You might even like to photograph the outfits for easy reference and a collective visual effect. But even if you only do a quick mental analysis, it’s a worthwhile process because it is grounded in your real feelings about your clothes, rather than an intellectual point of view. 

If you like, give it a quick bash right now. What were the first outfits to come to mind when you read this post?

I’ve been recommending  BP Stretch Camisoles for years and I still do. They are soft, comfortable, long, stretchy and cotton-rich. I like the satin bound straps and neckline, and the lack of shelf bra. They come in many, many colours, and you may need to size up a size. They hold their color and launder extremely well. I throw them into the dryer and they do not shrink. The cherry on top is that they still only cost $12. 

I have several in white, cream and black and replenish as needed. These camisoles are absolute wardrobe work horses for my style and I wear one every day. I wish that they were also available in plus sizes. 

Feel free to share the style, brand and price of your favourite camisoles in the comments section below.

Forum member Transcona Shannon recently asked me whether I’ve purchased wardrobe items that ended up being a mistake. You can read my full reply on her thread, but in short my answer was “of course!” I’ve purchased plenty of uncomfortable shoes, knitted tops and cardigans that I just don’t wear, and orphaned jewelry pieces. 

These days I make fewer mistakes, but that’s only because I’ve had lots of practice at formalizing the wardrobe purchasing process. After all, this is my line of work. Twenty years of experience in the rag trade has helped me focus on my style goals, which has in turn helped me focus on purchasing the right wardrobe pieces. And I am still learning. I think about my wardrobe purchases more carefully than ever, and am mindful when my emotions take over. Yes, I can fall in love with an extremely impractical piece that I would never wear. When that happens I have to shake myself out my dream world and move onto something else that both lights my fire AND that would actually suit my lifestyle in the real world. 

Over the years I’ve learned to minimize my wardrobe mistakes by applying three rules to the purchasing process. They all happen to start with the letter “P”, so I’m calling it the Triple P Purchasing Principle.

Be Patient

I can’t stress this point enough. Years can go by before I find that very specific item on my shopping list. I am an extremely impatient person with most things in life, but I’m patient when it comes to building my wardrobe. It was years before I found the right slouchy trousers that were regular length and not cropped above the ankle. It was years before I found the right knee-length red coat. I have only just found the perfect low heeled red shoes for my fussy feet, and an animal print clutch handbag. Patience pays off. 

Be Picky

If something doesn’t fit, or can’t be affordably altered to fit, it does not follow me home. If the colour or style of an item is just slightly off in my mind, it does not follow me home. If the garment aggravates my skin and nose, or hurts my feet, it does not follow me home. If the item is outside my budget, it does not follow me home. For the most part, if an item is not in line with my current style goals, it does not follow me home. But our style goals are not set in stone so I’m less picky with that one. 

Be Practical

I have an impractical side to my style that will probably never change. I frequently sport white and cream outerwear, footwear and handbags because I LOVE the look. But I’m a practical dresser in all other respects. I don’t wear clothing that makes me fidget during the day, nor do I carry a heavy handbag. I don’t wear bootcuts when it’s pouring with rain. I don’t wear footwear that slows me down or aggravates my feet, and I bundle up when it’s cold. As much as I like to wear sheer blouses, sleeveless tops, and soft dresses, I have learned NOT to purchase too many of these wardrobe darlings because I run cold and can only wear them during our warm weather months. Sure, I can layer these items to keep warm, but I prefer not to layer over them all the time. 

And here’s the flip side to this principle. It can also be counter productive when taken to the extreme. It’s possible to be too patient, picky and practical, and end up with nothing in your wardrobe! Finding a balance is key. 

Interestingly, I have never regretted purchasing my pricier wardrobe pieces, which have often been bought at full price. It’s the less expensive stuff that I could probably do without. This is the danger of letting your guard down for an apparent bargain. Be just as discerning with items that are on sale. 

How patient, picky and practical are you about the items that you purchase for your wardrobe? Do you have other suggestions on how to ensure that your purchases count?

I’m continuing the all important Spring 2012 theme of patterns with this poll. Previously you had to choose between the quintessential Stripe and Polka Dot. This time, we’re taking out the dots and adding in the plaid (or “checks” as I am used to calling this kind of pattern).

You are on Team Stripe if you prefer stripes to plaid. They can be any form of stripe, from subtle pinstripes and narrow low colour contrasting stripes, to wide and bold jailbird and rugby stripes. You are on Team Plaid if you prefer plaid to stripes. It can be any form of plaid, from ginghams and houndstooth, to Glen plaids (also known as the Prince of Wales check), tartan and Madras. Note that plaid used to mean something very specific, but these days people use it for almost any checked pattern and I’m doing that here.

Although I adore crisp pinstripes and jailbird stripes, I like plaid even more. I guess I like squares and blocks! I’ve always loved houndstooth, gingham and tartan in both neutral and bright colours. I also enjoy wearing Glen plaid trousers. I am on Team Plaid.

Over to you. Are you on Team Plaid or Team Stripe? Tell us why and no batting for both teams.