What Happens When Life Happens?

Have you ever had one of those days where you wake up thinking “It’s going to be a great day” but all of a sudden your dog has to be rushed to the vet, your gas tank is on empty and yippee, the parking meter you parked in is broken? Don’t some days feel like the “most dramatic rose ceremony ever?”

I’m fairly certain, what you will wear today never made it on your to do list. As your fashion fairy godmother what you’re going to wear needs to be at the very top of your list. But what if you are from the “I have too much to do” camp or how about the “It is what it is camp” or my personal favorite “It doesn’t matter what I wear” camp. Well, I want to share something with you. It always matters how you show up for your own life and here’s why.

I want you to consider that getting dressed well is just as important as what you know. In fact, an appealing appearance is the bow on the gift of your own expertise and knowledge. People like shiny, pretty people.

Let’s talk about who you are in your life. Are you a stay at home mom? If so, there’s a new mom in town and she cares what she’s wearing. Gone is sweatsuit mom from 5 years ago. Your children want to look up to you and be proud of you. When you make an effort, your children make an effort.

If you work at home where you think no one will see you – the reality is you’ll eventually need to go to Whole Foods at some point, therefore, you will be seen by other humans. Who knows who you could run into?

It’s not only ok to care what you look like it’s imperative to your success… Are you thinking this all sounds great but:

• I hate everything I own.
• I don’t know how to put clothing together.
• I don’t have extra money to go shopping.

Here are some tips for you to create your own winning signature look:

• The fall ’09 collections are wrapping up right now. You can have your very own front row seat on style.com or vogue.co.uk. The first step is to look at the collections that you have heard of and zero in on one that is your absolute favorite. Pick a designer whose point of view is similar to your life. Look at the color palette and the textures and most importantly how the collection has been styled. (i.e., accessories. Jewelry, boots, shoes, pantyhose, tights.)
• Next go into your wardrobe and see what you have that is similar in color palette, texture and most importantly what accessories you have to style with your clothing.
• Make a list of what items from the collections that you didn’t see in your own wardrobe.
• Fashion is a season ahead; therefore, completing this exercise will allow you to begin thinking ahead. Looking for the pieces that you need to “fill in” your wardrobe by the time fall rolls around.
• We are about to enter the spring season. Pick up this month’s Bazaar, Lucky or Elle magazines. The March issue of these magazines is the second most important issue next to the September issue for what will be trending in fashion. Get in the habit of just scanning, forget reading just let the clothing that attracts you attract you and let the rest of it go. Then return to steps 2 and 3.

You can also watch award shows or the street stories on the celebs’ day-to-day life. These will also cue you into what’s happening (e.g., People.com, Eonline or Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood).

Expand your fashion sense by looking at fashion on the street or in your group of friends. Who do you connect with style wise? Mirror it for yourself.

You send powerful signals with your wardrobe and if these signals connect in an interesting and creative way, it speaks volumes before you even have to.

Thank you for all the great pictures last week. I had a great time connecting with you and helping you say goodbye to your shleppy selves and hello to your fabulous self.

So, what are you wearing?

Barbra Horowitz, the newest addition to TheSavvyGal.com as a savvy stylist, is a professional personal stylist working all over the country. While Barbra does work with celebrities — it’s the role of “the people’s stylist” that gives her the most joy. Barbra is the Special correspondent for British Vogue.com and the author of the book/dvd “Closet Control” by Sterling Press.

Comedian Chelsea Handler and Styx frontman Tommy Shaw can be seen on Barbra’s you tube channel-closet “Control”– http://www.youtube.com/closetcontrol, which has been viewed more than 130,000. In the past, Barbra has interviewed fashion luminaries such as Cameron Silver from Decades, Supermodel Tracey Ross, Josie Maran-Daniella and Gilby Clarke and many others.

Visit her blog, “So you think you have nothing to wear” at http://www.barbrahorowitz.com/girlsblog, which serves up the best fashion at prices you can afford.

Getting Real with You and Your Clothes

“No eating out, shopping or using your credit cards for 7 days.”

What would you do if you had to take this challenge? You are not the sum of your stuff. I invite you to look at the state of your own economy and be the change you want to happen today. Are you ready to consider how you have been doing things may not be how you want to do it anymore?

Here are a few questions I would like you to try to answer:

• Do you shop every day?
• Do you have more than you can deal with in your closet?
• Do you feel overwhelmed and feel you have nothing to wear?
• Do you shop on sale because it’s such a deal?
• Do you continually buy the same shape over and over?
• Do you buy clothing just to return?
• Do you have price tags or unworn clothing in your closet right now?
• Do you feel you’re trying to keep up appearances but have no idea how you would like to look?

If you answered even one “yes” to any of these questions, no worries. You can change. You can live a happier, less stressful life if you know how to create your outer appearance in line with your inner you.

One thing I was taught as a young girl I use everyday in my business today is how to make the clothing that my parents purchased each season into many different outfits. My mother also taught me not to look at labels — but to look for style.

If you think that you would like to learn how to use what you have, learn how to make your clothing dollars stretch, then you might want to try this simple exercise this weekend.

Here is your challenge: I want you to go into your closet and get real with yourself. Summer is around the corner – so it is time to clean up your old thought patterns and create new ones.

Grab a large garbage bags for alterations, donations and resale. Your clothing has value and the longer you hold on, the less value it has. If you never thought about selling your clothing, start now. It’s the most “eco-nomical” way to feed your shopping habit. Clothing isn’t an investment; but how you buy it and when you sell it is.

Get ready to change. If you’ve had clothing longer than 3 years for a women and 5 years for a man, take a VERY hard look at each item. Does it still have value in today’s trends? Keep in mind that staying current and ageless has nothing to do with being trendy. Accessories last much longer in your wardrobe while clothing has a shorter life span especially for women.

Are you attached? Did you spend a lot of money on an item? Consider your local high-end resale stores and begin buying and selling regularly each season. FYI-There is nothing more green for the planet than recycling your clothing.

How do I know if my clothing is out of style? Great question. Pick up your favorite fashion magazine: Do you own anything on the pages? This is the best way to figure out if you need an update. If you do have similar styles as seen on the pages of your favorite mags, GREAT NEWS. You simply need new ways to look at what you already own before you go out and consume. Know thyself and know what to do with your wardrobe.

I’m here to help you through the process. And, therefore, I invite you to send me 4 pictures of you in your favorite outfits.

1. Work
2. Weekend
3. Evening
4. Shlep

These 4 pictures are like having a crystal ball. Immediately, I will know what to suggest to get you on your way. You will be shocked by the results …

Barbra Horowitz is a professional personal stylist working all over the country. While Barbra does work with celebrities — it’s the role of “the people’s stylist” that gives her the most joy. Barbra is the Special correspondent for British Vogue.com and the author of the book/dvd “Closet Control” by Sterling press.

Comedian Chelsea Handler and Styx Frontman Tommy Shaw can be seen on Barbra’s you tube channel-closet “Control”– http://www.youtube.com/closetcontrol, which has been viewed 130,000 times and climbing. In the past, Barbra has interviewed fashion luminaries such as Cameron Silver from Decades, Supermodel Tracey Ross, Josie Maran-Daniella and Gilby Clarke and many others.

Visit her blog, “So you Think you have Nothing to wear” at http://www.barbrahorowitz.com/girlsblog, which serves up the best fashion at prices you can afford.