Book Excerpt

Preface

Make the best of your prime-time years

This book is for any woman who wants to create a simple, suitable, and stylish wardrobe for her prime-time years.

Perhaps you are fortunate and already know how to assemble the ideal wardrobe. For me, it has been a real challenge.

I am the only person I know who is greeted by name at the post office. Why? Because that’s where I went, for many years, to return most of the clothes I bought over the Internet. And I didn’t just confine myself to the Internet; I also shopped the boutiques and the malls. Even though I was a first-class shopper, I was still confronted with that eternal mystery — a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.

When I calculated a few years ago that the amount of clothes I owned was increasing each year by geometric proportions, I finally made the decision to get real about my wardrobe. Although part of me wanted to just keep on buying more, I simply was tired of owning so many clothes; I hated to open my closet door and see all my pretty clothes crammed together, some with their price tags still on, waiting to be worn. I became determined to have a closet with only those clothes that were suitable for all my lifestyle needs and, at the same time, fashionable and up-to-date.

My challenge was to develop an effective, easy way to figure out exactly what clothes I needed and how to be in style without sacrificing comfort and fit. After some painful years of many trials and errors, I came up with a foolproof system to create a simple, suitable, and stylish wardrobe for myself.

And so can you! If you follow the step-by-step process outlined in this book, you too can have the perfect wardrobe that takes you anywhere for any occasion.

The material is presented in a certain order to provide easy-to-follow steps for you to create, develop, and maintain your perfect wardrobe.

To give you an overview of both the ideas presented and the process used, here is a brief summary of each chapter.

In Chapter 1 you are advised of the many benefits of creating
a simple wardrobe and that fashion is about being comfortable — both physically and mentally — in what you wear.

Chapter 2 gets you started with three easy steps: (1) Buy a notebook to jot down specific ideas and strategies outlined in this book; (2) Make a commitment to a new look that is simple and stylish, while age appropriate; and (3) List your usual activities during a typical 14-day period. This last step is key to developing a wardrobe that meets all your lifestyle needs.

Chapter 3 acquaints you with the different quintessential styles of clothing; Chapter 4 shows you how to identify your particular body shape, the clothing styles that flatter you, and the styles to avoid; and Chapter 5 provides you with many tips and tricks to fool the eyes into seeing you as thinner and taller.

Chapter 6 advises you to limit your color choices to black, brown, and charcoal gray for your basic skirts, pants, and suits. At this point you may think your new look will be drab and boring. Just wait. Chapter 7 shows you how to identify and choose your best colors for blouses, sweaters, jackets, blazers, tunics, other tops, and scarves in order to add spice to your outfits. This chapter also explains when you should wear only two colors at one time, and offers advice on ways to change your image with color.

Chapter 8 outlines the different types of shoes to wear for particular occasions and the sure-fire way to test whether the shoes you are considering buying are comfortable and fit properly.

In Chapter 9, you’ll discover the secrets to choosing the right handbag and belts, how to add some pizzazz with your scarves, and what basic pieces of jewelry you should own.

With this background information in mind, you will be ready to take your first concrete step towards creating your perfect wardrobe. You’re advised to start with a clean slate; that is, to follow the steps outlined in Chapter 10 to clean out your closet and organize what remains.

Next, by using the process outlined in Chapter 11, you’ll be able to identify and adopt what you like to wear as your private and public dress codes or uniforms. Be sure to take a look at the suggested outfits for special occasions.

Chapter 12 describes how to put together all the information you’ve gathered from the first eleven chapters to create your ideal wardrobe — on paper. To make the process easier, two hypothetical wardrobes, together with 14-day plans, are included.

Chapter 13 shows you exactly how to make your dream wardrobe, which you just outlined on paper, a reality. Learn how to integrate your present wardrobe with your future plans, fill in the blank spaces, and make sure you buy and wear clothes that flatter and fit you.

Chapter 14 takes you on a shopping trip and shows you how to make wise investments while buying trendy pieces on the cheap, and how to make shopping fun and productive.

You’ll want to be mindful of your hands, face, and hair and follow the advice offered in Chapter 15. For example, be most careful in your purchase of eyeglasses, as your eyes are what people notice first when they look at your face.

To celebrate your new look, take a trip and travel light with the simple 10-day wardrobe detailed in Chapter 16.

And, most importantly, stay gorgeous as time goes with the sage advice offered in Chapter 17.

Why wait any longer? Act now to look your best in the prime time of your life. Order an autographed copy of Dressing Nifty After Fifty online here at the "Newsletter / Events / Orders" page of this web site. Also available at bookstores and online at borders, barnesandnoble, and amazon.