MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style Article Volume 14 Week 16 April 18, 2019

! Remember: only the last 4 weeks remain posted!

Finding Style Inspiration Need new style ideas? Or perhaps, you've never had much in the way style-savvy in the first place. How should you go about getting "style inspired" when you've been wearing the same things over and over, and your style has become rather dull?

What can you do to become the stylish woman you've always dreamed you could be?

In this article we explore fun ways (and unusual places) to get style inspiration. So, strap on your seatbelt and get ready for a wild ride! it’s going to be a fun adventure! See how everything around you, including nature, like a pretty sunset or vibrant butterfly (and a few celebs mixed in) can inspire your style in new ways!

Q: Looking at the above photo, do you see shades purples and greens? How about this color combination in an outfit? Hmmm….

One of the biggest style blunders women make is thinking they need MORE clothes, when all they need is a little more style savvy. What most women need is a fresh dose of style inspiration. They need fresh ideas so they can "re-work" what's already in their closets!

You do NOT need to spend more on your wardrobe--once you have the main core pieces. Creative ideas of how to remix makes it appear like you have a never-ending closet full of stylish clothes! How awesome is that?! More with less.

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ORGANIZE YOUR CLOSET FIRST! As you know...you can’t organize CLUTTER! __Spend more time in your closet! Women need to spend more time in their closets. This allows them time to play with what they have. As you spend more time in your closet, you will soon SEE stylish outfits by mixing new combinations together.

__Edit twice a year. Ever so often you must edit out what you are no longer wearing. Once it is weeded out and organized; apply this rule: when you add-in something new, remove something no longer worn. (Your new mantra: 1 in, 1 out!)

__Change your habits! From now on, when you take it off, HANG it up, or put it in the dirty clothes basket....not on a chair or on the floor! Caring for your clothes means they are ready for next time you want to wear them.

Don’t let closet clutter hold back your style! When you can SEE what’s in your closet… you will put more stylish outfits together.

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Look for style inspiration:

1. Nature. The most beautiful color combinations are found in nature! Slow down and look all around. You will find the most inspiring and pleasing color combinations, then give them a go in your own wardrobe. For example, the azaleas are starting to bloom right now...deep green leaves with fuchsia or peachy-pink flowers. Get inspired and wear green with peachy-salmon with a touch of pink in one outfit. Flowers, grasses, trees, even rocks with cream, gray and brown colors can be replicated into one outfit. Use nature to inspire you.

Nature offers us the best color combination ideas!

Peach flowers, green leaves...

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Similar: Halogen V-Neck Cardigan (many colors)

Below, this splendid sunset is full of color inspiration.

Use the colors found in this summer sunset…

to create an outfit of soft gray and peach.

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Talbots Chatham Ankle Pants (many colors)

A seaside resort inspires this subtle blue-green casual look…

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Talbots Perfect Shorts-All Sizes (many colors)

2. Celebrities. Yup. Celebs can be inspiring (at least for copying stylish outfits). On TV and in magazines--you are bombarded with images of celebrities. But, do really you LOOK at what they are wearing? DISECT THEIR OUTFIT…piece by piece. What is it you love? A pretty jacket? Or, an interesting color combination you never thought about before? Figure out what you love and make note of it!

I love this! Melissa McCarthy’s outfit repeats her hair color EXACTLY! Wearing colors close to your own hair color is always a style “do”...

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Jessica Alba shows us a fab trendy look…

Miranda Kerr (below) shows off an easy-to-do stylish look! Wear a colorful jacket (a “completer” piece) over a basic t-shirt and jeans.

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For example: I saw this look of Heidi Klum’s that I liked... So I thought: I have white de-stressed cropped jeans and a blousy top!

I copied Heidi’s look (a few seasons ago) and made it my own.

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Below, Alexis Bledel (on left) wore this outfit (I’m really not sure who she is) but I liked her outfit. I decided to ‘copy’ it, LOL! (I’m on the right)

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(FYI: My necklace is actually a green brooch strung onto a long gold chain)

3. Retail store’s look-books/catalogs. Most stores like Nordstrom, Ann Taylor etc. have ‘look-books’ right next to their cash registers. Take one. They are full of complete outfits you can copy! *To be more earthy-friendly...look online at store’s websites...often lookbooks are ONLINE too. Steal a few stylish looks here!

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4. Check out other women. See what other women are wearing and copy --or at the very least, use their creative ideas and make them your own.

Check out women everywhere. Think: at the mall, drinking coffee at the cafe, at your office, at the doctor’s office, bank, etc…

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5. The runways. Exaggerated and interesting are two words to describe a designer’s runway show. However, sometimes they show interesting “new and trending” color combinations or styles you might want to try.

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6. Store displays and mannequins. Store displays are decided by each store’s corporate headquarters. Therefore, store display outfits are created by professional staffers. Use these professional displays inspire you!

If you see a display you like (like I did with this photo above of window display)—snap a photo with your phone. Go home and create an outfit!

7. Long forgotten gems and heirloom jewelry can inspire a complete outfit! By far this is one of my favorite ways to get inspired!

Use a colorful shoe, an unusual handbag, or a lost piece of jewelry (got buried at the bottom of your jewelry box?). Use it to help you create a stylish look!

Perhaps you’ve been lucky to inherit some of your mother’s or grandmother’s jewelry....if so, WEAR IT TODAY!

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Now that you are getting style inspired...get IN your closet and mix and remix your items into fab outfits!

Use these 16 ideas to help you use what’s in your closet right now:

__Mix dressy and casual items together in one outfit. Why not?

__Wear unmatched items in one outfit. Ground the look by wearing matching shoes, belt and handbag, all in the same color.

__Grab your LBD. Add a colorful or bright brooch at the neckline and wear matching bright shoes (same color as the brooch). So easy, so fab!

__Add more unique shoes and handbags to your basic wardrobe. Can a gal ever have too many? I think not. (Need more? Check out quality consignment stores for bargain prices on top brands)

__Wear a hat! So style-savvy and chic it’s not even funny. All eyes are on you when you walk in with your fashion-forward attitude-and hat. Tie on a scarf, or pin on a brooch for added ‘cool factor’.

Automatic-chic! Perfect for summer vacay or any “bad hair” day…

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BP. Straw Fedora $22

__Dress up a plain sheath dress (straight or A-line) with a colorful light-weight sweater, or wear a lacy top OVER your sheath dress. (This makes the dress look like its skirt...try it and see what I mean)

__Add a vest, bolero, or short jacket to a plain dress. Think interesting layers over your dresses--and you’ll find you have more to wear with fewer pieces! It’s amazing how this works to extend your wardrobe.

__Tie your dress shirt in a knot at your waist...then wear a flirty skirt with it.

Knot your dress shirt at your waist for a modern look...

__Wear a scarf in your hair, or around your wrist for a funky-cool vibe.

__Belt it. Wear a skinny belt over your thin jackets and light-weight sweaters. Or belt up high under your bust on a shirt that’s too baggy.

__Mix styles. Mix romantic (lace/ruffle top) with rigid (cargo pants) and a structured handbag. Keep in mind, ONLY ONE style should dominate the outfit.

__Layer UNDER your dress! Add a button-down blouse or a 3/4 sleeve knit shirt...for an interesting layered look (perfect for cool spring days).

__Wear 2 or more equally bright colors in one outfit!

Try this nature inspired outfit-using 2 equally bright colors. Florals are BIG for spring. Wear a bright green sweater instead of the cream

colored one, and while you’re at it, wear your pink shoes!

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Vince Camuto Retsie Pump (many colors)

__Anchor unusual outfit combinations by having everything in the same color palette, or matching all the accessories (all black or brown for example).

__Shop off the beaten path. Shop in unique stores (from Goodwill to Burberry--and everything in-between). Be picky. Only buy what you love and what you will wear! Know your personal style and don’t go too far away from it.

__Know the trends. Use MSP’s “Big Spring Preview Part 1 & 2” to inspire your spring wardrobe.

Pull out your full-length mirror, put on some music, and get creating some awesome looks using only what’s in your closet!

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