Fashion Zen

Photo by Ellen von Unwerth, Vogue Nippon, courtesy of www.ridingpretty.blogspot.com

Fashion Zen occurs when Art and Science collide to provide the perfect breeding ground for serendipity to fulfill your wardrobe desires!

The Science of Wardrobe Planning

Get clear on what looks good on you by editing your wardrobe.  Yes, I sound like a broken record but it's so true:  Editing what you already own gives you a clue as to the shapes, styles, colors, and fabrics that work best for you.  See the right hand side bar?  I’m giving out the Everyday Glamour Wardrobe Edit Workbook for free.  Key word: FREE! 

Then use the Core Wardrobe technique to narrow down with laser beam precision what item or items you most need or want to shop for now to get the most bang for your buck.

Editing your wardrobe and the Core wardrobe technique represent the Science part of your shopping equation.  No, it’s not beakers, bunsen burners, and control groups, smarty pants, but you get the idea—this is the clinical observational stage with a mixture of hard-boiled psychology.  Step away!  Step away from the Prozac!  I can help!

Photo by Ellen von Unwerth for Lula Mag, courtesy of www.thecoollist.com

The Art of Wardrobe Planning

Once clear on what you need or want, the Science part, you must relax and be open to finding the sometimes unexpected but perfect answer to your sartorial question.  In effect, you must allow serendipity to step in.  This is called Fashion Zen.  Did you just hear the clear ring of a bell?  Ting!

Relax your ardent choke hold on what you think you must have.  For example, if you are looking for the perfect shirt dress to pack for a summer Mediterranean getaway, it is best to understand your individual basic requirements but not to narrow down every last detail.  Individual requirements could be that the shirt dress be a simple, classic design that emphasizes your waist.  But there is no need to specify the details of the dress too closely, like that it needs to be a specific shade of tangerine, or that it must under all circumstances be a wrap style shirt dress.

Photo of Rose McGowan by Ellen von Unwerth, courtesy of www.sequingown.wordpress.com

Mindful Shopping

You can hit the stores now.  Avoid online shopping as much as possible.  Online shopping should only be used as a last resort, perhaps because you live in a remote area and have a hard time traveling to acceptable stores.  Fashion Zen requires that you try on a lot of stuff and be open to the unexpected--two things that are monumentally more difficult to achieve online.  Results are always better when you hit the brick and mortar.

Remember, my Everyday Glamour Chicks, (E.G.C.'s):  

Prepare.  Relax.  Stay open.  Be happy.  Smile and breathe.