Your "lay it out tip" is such a good one. Before I retired, I incorporated this practice, and I could not believe how it changed my life when it came to getting ready for work. I started doing it each Sunday afternoon. I would first lay out five Blazers on my bed. (I was a lawyer) I would lay them around my bed, then I would take a handful of tops and work my way around the bed putting them with the different blazers. Once I found combinations I would go to my pants and do the same thing. My mind was quickly blown the first few times I did that because I came up with combos that had never occurred to me. It actually became an exercise I looked forward to. Once I had the blazer, top, and pants, I would then go for shoes, bag, and jewelry. I would finish with my complete work week done and it would be fun! The fact that I had my same old boring wardrobe, but suddenly I was seeing new possibilities every single week that would never have occurred to me in a million years had I stood in the walk-in closet and looked at stuff hanging up around me. I took something that I found defeating every morning and turned it into a once a week play time.
I’m not a lawyer but I need to look nice at work and I do the same! I hang my outfits on my row of five closets and they are ready for me each morning! I air my clothes and check for stains and other things after each use, is it not fresh it goes in the wash! I do a lot of layering and just toss the inner layer (on top of underware) in the wash if it’s needed . I mend my garments buttons and what not as soon as I can. I rotate and recombo my clothes all the time! They last for years! Bye from 🇸🇪 🌤🦋🌿🐞
Yes, Leonie., thank you. The rule of Thirds is so so important. In art and photography of course, but also in dressing ourselves. We are a work of art after all. :)
Thanks for your new video Leonie! Always useful and in this video I especially love the styling tips you gave in the end. So nice of you. /Marie from Sweden
@HR-re6mr Oh yes! SO true about actually trying on your planned outfit before a Big Event. That goes for the Menfolk as well😄. I imagine we've all been there .... that awful moment of horror when you see in the mirror that your outfit is a big old Fail. You can't zip it up, you look older than your mother, you missed the 'tone' of the event, too much boobs on display, you can't walk in your fancy shoes, you can't sit down, the split is too high to protect your decency. So many possible dramas to prevent!
The thing that has helped me the most is making some time to set up my phone camera straight-on with a timer, put on music I love, and just have some fun taking photos in the same neutral pose in many different outfits, then using a Photo Compare app to evaluate them side by side. It adds a level of objectivity and it is shocking what you’ll realize actually looks best on you. It’s often not what you expect, unless you already know your body and colours really well! Taking photos and reviewing them is a game changer.
great tip. I try to do this esp if I have received a lot of compliments on an outfit, I will photograph it afterward to remember what went so well that day.
That is SO true and I’ve def felt the same when I’ve filmed myself and then I see outfits so differently when I’m editing the footage. Def more of an objective take in them for sure. Thx for sharing 😊
Hi Leonie. Your live models did a great job, however, I really enjoy the photos, which give me more choices and I can see what the items look like on the models, always, thanks for sharing.
I used to wear mostly dresses for work because the only thinking is what shoes and hat to wear. I have an army of different jackets shrugs cardigans dusters and ruanas as AC coverup.
Instead of laying my clothes on my bed I just use one of those "digital closet" apps! I already know my clothes' true colors and textures, so I don't really have to look at them layed down as an outfit. But the app allows me to quickly browse all my clothes and create ideas and layouts for the future -- planning outfits ahead made my life so much easier! Saves time and IMO I look better now.
I use a digital app too: Acloset. I've been using it for a year and a half and it's really helped in a myriad of ways, including deciding whether to add a new piece to my wardrobe. I put the picture in the app and if the AI creator cannot make at least 5 outfits I would realistically wear, I skip buying that item because I see it's not compatible with the rest of my wardrobe and won't get much wear, if any.
Dear Ms Leonie, To lie clothes on the bed....!!! (instead of trying them and get frustrated , tee-hee) is SO OBVIOUS and not...the thought I had! To do it also...when ¨relaxed¨ ; another appreciated tip!!! Balance; bold and...simple; amazing! Never thought of...floaty skirt with a t-shirt, for example; wow! Mixing!!! Let`s go for it!! :)) OH...SHOES! Yes... I am low on choices (lol); you are right, I must be brave and...go get some new pairs!!! ah! ah! ah! (it does change a look, for sure!) I LOVE (and need) the photos or you modelling what you are explaining; it helps me understand much better, what you mean!! A HUGE thumb`s up to you, Ms Leonie!!! And thank you so much!!! helene :)
Aww thanks so much Helene - I’m so pleased this one resonated with you. While some points are obvious I always feel it’s worth being reminded from time to time too 👍🏼
My mom was the BEST at this. She always said to have few matching suits, but many pieces that would mix, and her mantra was, “Play in your clothes!” Meaning find works with each piece. I don’t own many prints, patterns, or otherwise “adorned” pieces, but I LOVE accessories. (My mom always said not to get rid of accessories-might need them later!)
She was great! She could alter, tailor, sew, repair, and pinch a penny until it screamed. She was tall and slender, and looked so put together. I didn’t appreciate her as I should have until I was older. I miss her so much!
Love your videos! I play dress up every few weeks to create new outfits. I have a designated place in my closet for them. It’s great when I don’t have time to figure out what to wear. I have little mesh bags with accessories for each. 😊
Many of us remain working remote from home. So my “zoom-look” outfit every day is from the waist up. The other half is yoga pants and uggs or flip flops. Can you do a video on top half only?😂
@cathylehmann7538 A couple of things that have caught my eye in head shots recently. One was long hair softly draped, or twisted, to sit on one side. It creates visual interest. (I know Julieanne Moore often has her hair styled this way for shoots or industry events.) Hair pulled up, or tied back also creates visual interest. /The other was a woman with striking blue eyes wearing a ribbed, teal colored, slash-neck top - so the color was close enough to highlight her eyes. She looked really striking. /I think it's good to have some skin visible if you're wearing a strong, saturated colour. Eg a bright purple shirt slightly unbuttoned at the neckline, maybe worn with a statement necklace. Or a bright orange top with short sleeves - so you still see arms, as a contrast.
I love that gored denim maxi skirt. That’s the cut I like and it doesn’t have too many casual details, like those ones made of jeans, or made to look like they are. You have beautiful white teeth, BTW🙂
While I totally agree that "styling" a blouse or pants or what have you (rolling a cuff, doing a half tuck, etc) can change the look of a garment, I completely disagree that you should HAVE to do that. I believe clothing manufacturers currently produce, for example, tops with no actual thought out ending at the hemline, (they just stop sewing at some random point - sometimes eliminating a hem altogether!), leaving a torso with a box shape, because it is Cheaper for them to do so. Then they turned around and convinced us that this cheap solution is actually a "style" and that WE should have to tuck it in to make it look good! I say NO. That is an Emperor's New Clothes situation. IMO: If it don't look good when I "throw it on", it is a poorly designed garment. Reiss is a great example of a brand that actually still finishes their blouses and sweaters with some kind of hem rather than just randomly ending them.
When I get inspired I write down possible outfits on my phone in a list. Then, before an outing I scan through the list and pick one. I have categories like Casual, Smart Casual, Eclectic Dressy, Dressy, Sports. But, yes, your eye will always be better than your brain.
I need to look nice at work and I prepare the vinning days I hang my outfits on my row of five closets and they are ready for me each morning! I air my clothes and check for stains and other things after each use, is it not fresh it goes in the wash! I do a lot of layering and just toss the inner layer (on top of underware) in the wash if it’s needed . I mend my garments buttons and what not as soon as I can. I rotate and recombo my clothes all the time! They last for years! Bye from 🇸🇪 🌤🦋🍓🌿🐞
Leonie....one thing I have noticed a lot lately is smaller sized women wearing jackets too long for them. The last I noticed was our own VP. women need to be aware of their height before they leave on a shopping spree. Just a thought...
