When I meet clients for the first time, I have a list of questions that I ask – about their work life and social life, how they describe their style, where they shop, when they feel best in their clothes, etc. I also ask about their biggest style challenge, and the response that I get most is ‘looking pulled-together’. And in five years of being a full-time personal wardrobe stylist, I am still answering that question in the same way, with a handful of strategies to make my clients feel confident, empowered, and completely pulled-together.

FIT

Fit is foremost. Good fit is the first thing that can make you look and feel amazing in your clothes, and poor fit can make you look uncomfortable, unkempt, and lacking confidence – the complete opposite of pulled-together. So when I go through clients’ closets, a high priority is figuring out what fits and what doesn’t. If it fits, flatters and works for their lifestyle, it’s a keep. And if it doesn’t fit, we discuss whether it’s alteration-worthy, or if it’s a toss/donate/consign. Click here for a few tips on working through fit in your closet (along with other style resolutions for 2018).

THIRD PIECES

Do you know what a third piece is? If not, you’re not alone. A third piece is a jacket, blazer, cardigan, etc. – the third item (after a top and bottom) that completes what you’re wearing, and evolves even a basic outfit into a covetable look. Before we start working together, most of my clients don’t know what’s missing from their outfits – but once we start creating outfits that feature an amazing blazer or a versatile leather jacket, they begin to get it. Check out a few different third pieces here.

ACCESSORIES

A cool look isn’t comprised of just clothes – accessories are key to finishing it off, and transforming it from so-so to stellar. The amazing thing is that accessories can take a totally simple outfit (like a white button-down and jeans) and make it look thought-out, complete, fashionable and expensive. And since you’re already wearing shoes and jewelry, and grabbing a bag most every day, why not choose pieces that elevate your look?

photos from Always Miss Fancy Pants and Nordstrom Blog — *photos from Always Miss Fancy Pants and Nordstrom Blog*

If you need a little accessory inspiration, visit my ‘her accessories’ Pinterest page for styles that can either be the ‘star’ of your look, or strong ‘supporting players’.

photos from DVF and Jadorefashion — *photos from DVF and Jadorefashion*

BLUEPRINT PRINTS

Many of my clients are novices at playing with color, and a bit unsure as to how to pull an outfit together that features more than one pop color (as opposed to only wearing color with neutrals). But here’s the secret - start with a ‘blueprint print’! What I mean by a ‘blueprint print’ is a multi-color print/patterned style (clothing or accessory) – pick one, and then pull colors out of it to choose the rest of your look. For example, look at this outfit that I based around a scarf with shades of blue, green, orange and navy. It gives license to wear a forest green coat with a teal blue sweater dress and navy bag.

Or check out these outfits from a client’s closet. She has this fun, colorful pendant that gave us permission (not that I needed it!) to pair her fuchsia top with a green bag, or her yellow blouse with an orange belt and navy flats.