P. S. Here is a list of what I purchased recently second-hand:

1 hoodie sweater  $3.79

1 blazer  $4.99

2 skirts  $3.79 ea.

1 dress   $4.99

1 blouse $3.79

__________

My total  $25.14 (I saved hundreds of dollars-and didn't compromise on style!)

You'll see photos of my outfits using ALL of these pieces in Thursday's Personal Profiles! Feel free to "copy" my ideas and use them in your own wardrobes!

Jump start your style with Leslie's weekly style help

MSP's Weekly Style Mission

Add some spice to your life. This week shop off the beaten path and find a unique accessory to wear! You might try looking at Pier One, World Market, local flea markets, an African import store; craft fair-or even Target!

The idea is to search out an ethnic looking accessory to add some spice to your weekly wardrobe.  You can take an understated outfit (like white button-down shirt and black pants or LBD) and add a unique look by wearing a one-of-a-kind necklace, earrings or bracelet (only wear ONE show stopping piece at a time)!

For example, this necklace from Chadwick's gives any outfit a unique look: Medallion Pendant Necklace

Love, Leslie MSP

What SYSters are Saying

Dear Leslie,

When I first started reading your newsletters I thought, well it can't make THAT much of a difference but I'll try three months and see.  I turned 55 in June and I was tired of running around in sneakers, baggy jeans and T shirts. I discovered that I was a Type B with some extra around the middle. 

I went through my closet and some pitched stuff that made me look bigger (loose fitting clothing, baggy pants etc) and bought a few things from Goodwill just to test things out.  Well, with those few things I started getting compliments.  Hmmmmmm, I thought, must be something to this.
 
Then I made a basic list.  I went shopping at Kohl's where they were having an enormous sale.  I referred to the list and the style of clothing that you suggested.  I brought home a bag of wonderful things for an amazing low amount of money.  Threw more things out of my closet. I went to Gabriels and bought new underwear, bras and a purse, great prices. Came home, went through my underwear drawer and pitched more stuff out. Then I went to Fashion Bug, who started gearing their clothes more toward women and not teenagers.  Had a fabulous sale there..30% off of what was already on sale. I bought more basic things as well as a pair of shoes and a belt.  Came home, threw more things out of my closet.  I now have a garbage bag of clothes to give to Goodwill and a closet full of well fitting lovely clothes! 

I feel so much better about myself.  Many many thanks, and I will be signed up for the rest of the year.  I have to go through my summer clothes!!...LOL!
 
((HUG))
Linda

Dear Leslie,

I was amazed...I have had a lot of fun with MSP as well as great advice and support. No pun intended after reading this week's advice! I was browsing idly and came across this site: ysconsulting.com.au/

Guess what....for $AU 550 I could have TWO that is TWO sessions to give me body analysis and style ideas!! I think maybe you need to bump up your prices.

I got a good laugh and am reminded to go renew my subscription. Love you guys!

Heather on the Gold Coast, Australia

Heather,

Hi Heather,

Thanks for sharing your "find".

I'm happy to offer my SYSters such great style value for their money. I mean what girl doesn't love a little style help for next to nothing?

Glad to have you in our SYSterhood of style!

Your SYSter, Leslie MSP

Supportive emails from the recent "gym clothes" style article:

Dear MSP:

I totally agree with you about the exercise clothes issue! What Dianna is missing is that it's all about your own self esteem...not about someone else's opinion that women aren't attractive in old workout clothes or about some stupid fashion trend.  In itself, fashion really means nothing except to fashion designers.  What is important is that  you have to like how you look.  USING fashion to your benefit can help you achieve this (but a lot of us sure need advice on how to achieve that goal..LOL).  When you don't like what you see in the mirror anymore (anything from an unkempt appearance to overweight) and then change nothing to help you look your best, the truth is that most people do not get enhanced self-esteem from the experience.

I should know about this...I've lost 65lbs, which in itself is a great self esteem booster.  In the early phases of my weight loss journey, I wore sweat pants to the gym.  I did wear some of my more attractive and inexpensive t-shirt style tops to the gym, though, and fixed my hair first, which helped me feel good.  My self esteem further improved when I started wearing workout clothing that was better looking.  Abandoning the sweat pants kept me so much cooler, which allowed me to work out way harder at the gym-the newer workout clothes are designed to wick away sweat, and cotton just gets soggy and heavy on your body.  The new stuff was more practical, it made me feel prettier, and it made me happy when I put it on.  It was not...I repeat WAS NOT expensive clothing.  Most was bought at Wal-Mart and cost less than $10 a piece - affordable on most budgets, even if only one or two outfits.  The Danskin line there is pretty nice for the money.  It lasts a very long time, too, if you only wear it while you are working out, further stretching the budget.  

Before going to the gym or to exercise, at least fix your hair, get cleaned up, put on minimal makeup (only if you want), and make sure your workout clothes are at least clean and mended.  Yes, I do agree with Donna that the important thing is to get out there, even if you can't afford even inexpensive new workout clothing.  But when you take just a little time on your appearance, it is another way of telling yourself that you are worth something, worth taking care of, just as does getting yourself off the couch to exercise. 

Chris

Chris,

Well said. I'm so proud to hear that you are FLYing (finally loving yourself) and doing what's best for YOU! Congrats on losing the body clutter too.

Woo Hoo! You are right style comes at every price point.

Love, Leslie MSP

Dear Leslie,

Kudos to you for your gracious and patient reply to "Diana," whose harshly worded comments missed the beam entirely.  I'd like to share some thoughts about the same statement Diana so thoroughly misread:

"No woman wants to look silly...when she's trying to exercise."  I have seen many a woman trying to exercise while wearing a T-shirt so loose and baggy she couldn't bend over without clutching at her shirt with one hand.  This not only makes her look awkward, but it impedes her freedom to do the moves, too.

"No woman wants to look over-exposed...when she's trying to work out."  See above.  A shirt that falls down over your bra when you stretch your arms to the floor from a standing position definitely exposes you...and may well make you feel as if you look "silly," and no one in her right mind actually wants that.  That's why she has to use one hand to hold that shirt in place!  Also, see below.

"No woman wants to look...sloppy when she's trying to exercise."  Does anyone want to look sloppy?  What about loose, sweaty hair that falls all over your face when you swing your head around quickly, as in many dance moves?  What about the large folds of fatty flesh that many of us have had at one time or another, and that we came to the gym to get rid of because we think they look sloppy and make us look sloppy?  Well-chosen workout clothes can keep those rolls under wraps, and pretty hair-bands, clips, and elastics can tame the tresses just as well as unpretty ones.

Diana's concern is, I think, partly that women not make other women feel bad about showing up at the gym in whatever they have on hand to start with, but I have never picked up that sort of tone from you.  Of course we want our sisters to feel free to work out in their husbands' big T-shirts and basketball shorts if that's all they can manage right now; what you're after is pointing out that, like women in their homes and other workplaces, women in gyms may feel less self-conscious and more confident if they have clothing appropriate to the setting (and not necessarily costly) that makes them feel pretty.  Yes, we are radiant when we exercise!  What's wrong with looking radiant and cute?!

Annie
(Former dancer, yogist, Jazzerciser, hiker, mountaineer, and occasional binge-eater-thus-flab-fighter)

Dear Leslie

I was sorry to see that someone had responded negatively to your article
about work-out clothes.  However, I was so impressed with your response and
by the fact that you included this negative email in your chatter
newsletter.  You could have just hidden it away but you chose to share it
with us, and I think that takes strength of character.  

We can all make up our own minds on this issue.  For me, that's part of the style journey in a way:  initially, I slavishly followed everything you said but as I'm growing more confident, I sometimes depart from your advice, and maybe that's part of 'growing up'.  But I always take what you say into serious consideration
because I value your suggestions, based on your experiences and insights,
and so often in the past your advice was proved right!  

After the work-out article, I rushed into the shop and tried on a sports bra.  It was very comfortable and made me feel great but it was also more expensive than I had planned on (it's after Christmas, after all!) so I didn't buy it - this is
what I meant by that we each have to decide what's best for us, taking into
account other people's advice and suggestions.

Thanks for everything!  I value all your advice!

Best wishes
Nina

Hi Nina,

Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I appreciate your support and that of all my SYSters! I'm grateful that you understand I will always have my SYSters best interest at heart.

Each week I do offer style suggestions and yes...my opinion. It's up to you (as you rightly understand) to interpret what you want into your own wardrobe.

Improving our style makes life a funnier experience...so I say go for it!

Your SYSter, Leslie MSP

Dear MSP,

Don't let ‘em get you down! Some people would rather shoot the messenger than face an issue honestly and improve themselves. These poor ladies probably can't be helped, at least until their attitude changes and they decide to help themselves.

I'm a dance teacher who teaches adult women, and I know.

Women in crisp new workout clothes that fit DO look better than women in worn-out, baggy gym clothes. This goes for all ages and sizes!

Best, Mary

Dear MSP,

I wanted to write and thank you for your fabulous recommendations. I purchased the toffee faux leather jacket from Dillard's a few weeks ago. Thanks so much, I have gotten so many compliments on the jacket and feel great when I wear it. You are always right on time with the trends.

Also, your color recommendations have encouraged me to think outside of just basic black. I also wanted to thank you for the article on exercise wear. I have been needing running shoes for a long time but putting it off because I couldn't afford to go to the running shoe store. Thanks to you, I decided to go take a look at Kohls. There was a huge selection of reasonably priced shoes and I found several to chose from. Thanks so much for your great recommendations!

Sincerely, Quincy

Are you interesting in having your Seasonal Colors Analysis done?

MSP, I Love thrifting!

My favorite go-to thrifted piece of clothing is a basic black skirt from The Limited that I bought about four years ago. It was "bag day" at the thrift store that day, so I got it along with a whole bag of clothes for $5! I have probably worn that skirt 100 times and it still looks new!

My newest thrift store grab was an aqua-colored purse. (I think you saw a picture of it on my blog.) I am loving it, and have been surprised how many outfits it goes with.

I would rather go to a thrift store than to a mall! More variety! Sherry in AL

Shared on MSP's style blog: http://www.missussmartypants.blogspot.com/  Come join the fun!

MSP Style Poll

Last week's style poll was about interpreting sales signs. Many of you are sale savvy and it makes me proud to call you a MSP "SYSter"!

This week I'm trying to stump you! Question: if you are short waisted, what is the best way to lengthen your torso?

Wear a supportive bra

Wear pants with a lower rise

Avoid wide belts

Wear a low slung belt

All of the above

What's your answer? Take this week's Style Poll! 

http://www.missussmartypants.com/