Brian Maynor October 10, 2013
October 9, 2013
October 10, 2013
There are many different approaches to deciding what to wear, and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do it, only the way that works best for you. Some people prefer to take a uniform approach where they wear the same type of outfit every day because it is easy and convenient. Other people like to depend on morning inspiration and general feeling of what strikes them that particular moment. Personally I am an advocate for wardrobe planning and here are my reasons:
1. Be prepared. Whether you were ever a boy scout or not this is one tenet everyone should embrace. When I work with clients who are pressed for time in the mornings, I always suggest setting time aside to pull their weekly outfits together on Sunday and hang them in the front of their closet.
You may not know exactly how our week is going to go, but you have enough of an idea to pull together some options. If you have an unexpected meeting or presentation pop up it is much quicker to shift or tweak an existing outfit in a time crunch than riffling through your entire closet to pull something together.
2. Maximize pieces. Wardrobe planning is also a great way to ensure you use items efficiently and effectively. The items you use week after week should be your investment pieces because they need to be a higher quality to withstand the continuous use. The items that you less frequently are your splurge or trend items.
Many people try to predict investment pieces before they start a job to only end up with expensive items they rarely wear. My suggestion is to use part of your wardrobe budget on basic, moderately priced, quality pieces and hold off on the investment pieces until you see how your wardrobe habits evolve. There is nothing worse than seeing an item you invested in hanging in your closet unworn.
3. Keep track. How many times do you stop and think, ‘when was the last time I wore this outfit’? We all have ruts and ‘go to’ outfits we pull together when we are either frustrated or at a loss for what to wear, but often times these ruts are more pervasive than originally perceived.
We limit wardrobe options and perpetuate the ‘nothing to wear’ scenario by only wearing pieces in one specific outfit or way. Through wardrobe planning you can see and track the number times you wear a specific outfit and start expanding how you use your closet. Simply changing one item can create an entirely new look and expand the use of your closet. After all you bought the items in there, why not wear them?
Unless you have a set uniform, no one wants to wear the same thing day after day, but often that is exactly what happens. Not a morning person myself, I know first hand that pulling together a fresh, new and exciting outfit is not where my mind is first thing in the morning. Luckily I just have to grab a set of hangers pulled together the night before.
Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards athttp://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
