Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Gabrielle:

It sounds like you're tired of fading into the woodwork! I fully believe that it's possible to wear threads that are casual, at ease, and relaxed and still make a distinct impression. All it takes is a little wardrobe pre-planning. If you put the right clothes in your closet, you'll have them to put on when you go to get dressed. Here are some ideas for composing interesting outfits:

Dazzle with Color: Wear comfortable clothes, but wear them in more dramatic colors. Instead of drab shades such as gray, navy, beige, and other non-attention-grabbing hues, start collecting casual clothes in orange, red, green, turquoise, and pink, and make wild combinations out of them! Wear pink and orange together, or turquoise and green. Instead of wearing white or black sneakers, get shoes that are a definite, bright color to set off your vivid wardrobe. Wear a touch of lip-gloss, because every eye will be upon you when you enter a room.

Color Blocking: Wear all one color (or shades of one color), such as red, blue, green, or pink from head to toe. If your casual clothes are color-coordinated, they won't be so casual!

Stay in the Black: Wearing all black makes a definite fashion statement, and it makes it easy to coordinate your wardrobe! Add a dramatic accent with one of the season's bright handbags, a sensational necklace, or a scarf.

Slowly purge your wardrobe of drab, unflattering clothes as you acquire more flattering pieces that are just as easy to wear. Then when you're ready to throw on any old thing, you'll only have nicer clothes to choose from.

Sincerely, Fashion Girl