MSP's Weekly Style Mission

What SYSters are Saying

What to Have in Your Closet This Spring

Since spring is nearly here-now is the time to prepare our closets for the upcoming season. Preparing now means we won't procrastinate and miss out on finding what we really need. We also won't be tempted to overspend on impulsive purchases. Babystepping our way to a better closet NOW will actually save us time and money!

You are not yet ready for breezy sundresses-but by gearing up now with some new spring staples, your budget will love you.

You'll love YOU because you'll have what you need to build

great spring outfits.

But before you add anything new... You have to know what you already have. Go through your closet and take a quick inventory of spring basics like shorts, capris, pants, tees, pants, skirts, tanks, short-sleeved jackets and lightweight cardigans. You can't embrace the new spring styles until you have the basics.

This week it's all about the must-have spring basics!

Start in your closet. You have got organize your closet prior to the spring season. Perhaps you did the FlyLady closet de-cluttering missions (in Feb.) and your closet is looking pretty good. Fabulous. If not, start by purging clothes that you no longer wear (wrong size, color or just don't like for some reason).

Once you remove clothing not being worn, it's time to reorganize your closet for spring. Move the heavier sweaters to the back and move forward pieces that are more transitional in nature. Like a cardigan sweater that is not as thick - but can be matched up with a woolen blazer for days that are still chilly. Light layers work best when days start out cool and warm by afternoon. Organize your closet by rotating the warmer weather clothes and layering pieces forward.

"Shop" in your closet. "Shopping" your closet means creating new outfits using the clothes you already have. This creative "re-do" will add a much needed energy boost to your in-between season wardrobe and cost you nothing. Now is not the time to impulsively buy the spring latest trends-not yet! Look in your closet and see what you can still wear (like season-less gabardine pants) into the warmer weather. What shirts can you continue to wear and with what pant or skirt? What missing pieces does your current wardrobe lack?

I hate to be like your mother and wag my finger at you but

writing down what you need at the start of the season

will save you time and money.

You need to make two lists. Make one list for the spring basics you already have.  Make another list of what you would like to add to your new spring wardrobe (basics only). These basics are your foundation to great outfits. Start planning and purchasing basics now, before the warm weather is here.

Basic items like this Reversible Tank from Chadwicks gives 2 ways to wear it (I love that!)

If you wait too long on revamping your all important basics-you won't find your size or exactly what you want-you'll end up settling. Instead, this year I want you to get ready early, be picky and get what you need!

By planning your wardrobe now, you can extend your early spring season clothes into the warmer summer months - at a fraction of the cost. This means by having the basics now-you won't spend as much on clothes this spring or summer! No more buying on impulse (this costs you more and you still might not have the key basic pieces). A little planning now goes a long way!

On Thursday, I'll share my complete list of SPRING Must-Haves! You will save time, money and BECOME much more stylish. Get set for the warmer weather because before you know it-it will finally be here!

Love, Leslie MSP

Jump start your style with Leslie's weekly style help

MSP's Weekly Style Mission

Last week we started talking about replacing some of our spring basics. This week I'll give you a complete list on Thursday. At the end of the month-it's the Big Spring Preview! This month is full of lots of exciting things.

This week we are dressing backwards! No, that doesn't mean to wear your shirt backwards, silly!

Start by putting together your outfit based on one accessory. Perhaps one you haven't worn forever. Instead of starting with your dress or pant then selecting the accessories, start with your accessory and build your wardrobe from there. It can inspire you to wear the best outfit ever.

Get creative! You can wear a brooch so many ways. Wear it on your jacket/coat lapels, up on your shoulder, at your bust on your LBD, pinned onto your neck-scarf, on your wrap top, pinned at the waist line or bodice or even on your purse or headband. How about a scarf, belt or colorful shoes? What accessory are you going to use to "dress backwards"?

Love, Leslie MSP

What SYSters are Saying

Hi, Leslie,

I want to thank you for your article on scarves last week!  I have many scarves, but rarely wore them because I just didn't know how to use them.  As I mentioned on your blog, I had already picked out the outfit I was going to wear to a restaurant last Thursday but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to accessorize it. 

Then, I got your article on scarves!  I looked through my scarf stash and found the "perfect" one to go with my outfit.  And ta-da!  It just brightened everything up, including my face!  Thank you for the advice, it came at the perfect time for me.  I constantly learn so much from you about style.

In fact, you had a hand in my whole outfit.  The black pants I finally bought because I heard you mention several times about how much they are needed as a basic in anyone's wardrobe.  I found these at Dillard's and absolutely love them!  They are so comfortable and I have already worn with many different tops.  They are my only real "investment" here (the brand-name is actually
Investment Petites and they cost $30). As for the scarf, pink sweater, fitted denim jacket, and blue purse; they were all thrifted! 
 
Thank you for changing the way I look at my closet and myself! I love putting together outfits from my own "boutique" now.  And my husband is enjoying all the changes I have made since meeting you three years ago. 
 
Thanks again!
Love, Sherry from Alabama

Leslie Dear!

You do indeed have such a great sense of style - the scarves and brooches article was terrific! The first picture with your blazer was especially impressive.  Now I'll have to try the "shortening trick" for my long scarves. You have done it again!

Love,

Oona Johnson

Dear Oona,

You are quite welcome and thanks for the compliment. I'll bet you'll be "rocking" your scarves now on too! Accessories are a fun way to express ourselves-so go for it!

I appreciate your feedback and that from all my SYSters this last month. Knowing how I can best help you improve your style is my main focus this year.

By the way, I think your name "Oona" is pretty cool!

Love, Leslie MSP

Hi Leslie,

I took your accessory style missions to heart and tried some new ways of wearing accessories.  It's been enlightening.

First, I stepped out of my comfort zone and wore a few of the brooches I have.  I paired two of them together on a cardigan, near my shoulder (a round silver flower brooch and blue rhinestone/silver bar brooch on a brown cardigan - looked really sharp).  Next, I paired up a costume gold jewelry chain I have that has varying sized loops and a gold/magenta rhinestone brooch. I attached the brooch to the chain and wore it like a necklace with a black empire waist shirt I love to wear.  Boy did that combination look sharp and give a stylish edge to my plain black shirt.  I received several compliments both days I wore brooches.  It's nice to have some different ways to wear them.  The rhinestone brooches had belonged to my grandmother and I've felt bad over the years that they have sat in my jewelry box, unworn.

I enjoyed wearing the brooches so much, I picked up two more at a local thrift store and look forward to all the neat ways I can wear them. 

I needed a new belt, because the one I wore the most was looking pretty shabby.  I purchased a slimmer belt than I normally would have. It had a cute black belt with a small double buckle that I thought might look nice peeking out from under a jacket, like the photo from this week's profile.  I wore it to work today, paired with a brown button up shirt over a red v-neck t-shirt.  The belt is peeking out from under the brown shirt, worn open like a jacket.  I tied in the black belt with black boots and a slim black/brown bracelet.  What a difference the belt makes!  It turned an okay outfit into something pretty stylish and I feel great. 

I appreciate the nudge to try something new.  I'm even looking for some scarves that coordinate with what I have so I can give scarf wearing a try.  Giving new accessories a whirl has brought some much needed zip to my wardrobe.  I love to wear necklaces, and do so often, but I was getting bored with what I have.  It always helps to have more options!  Each new accessory I've tried during the past two weeks I can wear in 2-3 different ways, thanks to the suggestions you gave us in our weekly profiles. 

Thank you!!!

Lisa

Lisa,

Thanks for letting me know you stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new with your accessories! Your outfits sound fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

Are you stepping out of your comfort zone like Lisa did? Let me nudge you again - -try a new way of wearing accessories and bring some "zip" to your wardrobe!

Love, Leslie MSP

Dear MSP,

New accessories found in my closet and jewelry box.  I just never put them together before.  I get lots of compliments now.

This week I wore an old brooch of my mother's on a striped T-shirt.  It looked great.  Last week I would never have thought of that.  Then I took an old brooch of my own and hung it on a chain.  Totally new look!  Compliments galore! 

You are really helping me, and without me actually spending any money, just shopping my bedroom.

Bette

Dear MSP SYSters,

This accessory article "Finishing Touches" (mentioned in above emails) is still posted online in the Personal Profiles-it will show you step-by-step how to tie a scarf.

So take a look, get inspired and wear a stylish scarf (or other accessory) this week!

Love, Leslie MSP

Dear MSP,

Where do I begin?  What a journey I've been on in the last year since subscribing to your site.  I don't know if it's just coincidence (I doubt it!), but I look back and don't even recognize the person I was a year ago, both inside and out.  Slowly but surely taking your advice to heart, especially your reminders to love ourselves and let our true selves shine through, has been the foundational change that led me to a complete breakthrough!

I can't neglect to note that part of what has pushed me over the edge to loving myself and my body was going "hunting" this past weekend - "hunting" for those perfect basics!  (How fitting that this week's style mission is just that!)  I started the day refreshed and clear headed and hit a consignment store first.  The first two things I tried on fit like a glove, and they were in the sale area! (When does that ever happen!?)  I left with a stylish brown velvet jacket and soft wool sweater, spending less than $20 on the pair!

Then I put on my game face and hit the mall.  I tried out new stores that I had previously balked at because of their "upscale" image, but was amazed at the return a little perseverance and risk-taking brought!  The pieces were a bit more expensive than I would have originally considered ($60 for jeans), but I was reminded at your price per wear idea and knew these items were the right things to spend a bit more on.

Being open-minded by trying new things and honest with how they really fit and if they flattered me or not, I came home that evening with an amazing new backbone for my wardrobe - great fitting basics.  I was so inspired to try on try on try on until I found the right fit for my body...and all those C's out there know what a pain pants can be!  Talk about rewarding when I finally found three pairs that finally fit and looked amazing!

Now setting out my clothes at night is the best part of my day.  I am giddy to start with my great basics and pair my existing tops and accessories with them to face the day with style.  I have more confidence to express myself in other ways, knowing my clothes now reflect my personal style (and look FAB!) and give off that great first impression of who I really am.

I basically wanted to write to say thank you, thank you, THANK YOU - not only for your fantastic, practical fashion advice, but for helping me discover more of the person I am.  Maybe it sounds cheesy but it's true, and I am excited to renew my subscription for many more years of learning to dress my best!

FLYing high in MN,

Your SYSter Allison

Dear Allison,

Gosh, where do I begin? Your email really touched me and brought me to tears.

I thank YOU for the privilege of being a part of your rediscovery of style. It does feel wonderful to take those all important babysteps to improving ones appearance. All women deserve it...they just need to believe that they are worth it. Your testimonial is evidence of this fact.

I do want women of all shapes and sizes to make this the day a day that they let their inner light shine through with the clothes they are wearing.

You are your own calling card to the world-what are you going to wear today?

Thanks Allison for your touching email you made my week!

Love, Leslie MSP

Leslie,

Your show is undeniably the most helpful BlogTalkRadio offering there is! And I say that as a great fan of your sister's wonderful show, FlyLady's, and Paula Begoun's (on makeup; she's the "Cosmetics Cop."). You all really encourage and uplift this 58-year-old woman!

All the best to you. Susan

MSP Style Poll

Last week's poll asked: Which of the following choices is the most unflattering feature of a pant for a woman? A high waist, wide legs, front pleats, prints & stripes are all bad choices (generally speaking) however; the top "bad" choice is front pleats. Did you get that right?

Color mixing and matching can be so hard to do. How do you know if a color combination can be worn together?

This week's style poll asks: Which color combination should a woman NOT wear?

Brown and black

Black and navy

Chartreuse and magenta

Any color combo that doesn't work for her coloring

Go to http://www.missussmartypants.com/ and take this week's Style Poll: