How To Make Your Own Custom Clothes Patterns

How to make your own custom clothes patterns. If you don't have the perfectly symmetrical body that clothing patterns are designed for, then this article will help you to alter them so they look custom made.

When you look at someone whose clothes fit perfectly, do you wonder what their secret is? It really isn't a secret, it is knowing how to custom fit patterns so you, too can have clothes that fit perfectly. Perhaps one shoulder is higher than the other, or perhaps one arm is bigger around than the other. Many minor physical differences can be made unnoticeable when your clothing fits.

You can do this in one of two ways, it is your choice depending upon your skill as a seamstress and the amount of time you have.

In the first method, you simply use a lightweight cotton fabric (such as sheeting) cut the pattern out and sew using basting stitches. Alter the garment as needed and then take the basting stitches out and use the altered cloth as a pattern.

In the second method, you first measure yourself, or have a friend help you. Measure both left and right sides of your body, and front and back on the left and right. You will end up with measurements that you can use to draw an accurate picture of yourself.

Use a dressmaker's dummy, or if one is not available, a large piece of paper to draw an accurate rendition of you, down the the inch. Now lay your pattern pieces on the drawing, notice where dart lines, waist measurements, underarm seams, etc., fall. If they don't land where you need them to, then adjust the pattern by adding or taking away. Darts can be moved up down, left and right. Waistlines can be lowered or raised. If the pattern does not fit across you can add a little extra.




Where possible, work from the center of the pattern to help keep the pieces symmetrical. Also remember that any changes to one piece will change any other pieces that attach to the one you changed. So if you change a neckline don't forget to adjust both front and back necklines, and any collars or facings.

After you have adjusted the pattern to fit you, cut out your material and sew it with basting stitches. Try on the garment to insure that the fit is what you want. Make any other adjustments before sewing with finished stitching.

For a more professional, custom made look follow the tips here. When you finish seams, make sure they are straight and even, finish the inside of the garment, attach buttons with several neat stitches. Tack down facings with hand stitches where seams are at the shoulder and the front. Pressing after each seam will insure a more professional look in the finished garment. When you have sewn the last button on, and are finished with the garment, wash it as you would normally, give it a final damp press and it is ready to wear.

Your garment will look as if it were expensively custom tailored to fit you, because it was. As you become more experienced with adjusting patterns you will find it takes the same amount of time as when you just stitched up the pattern as it came. Don't forget to remeasure yourself periodically, since we all change our shapes depending upon season, age etc. Enjoy your new clothing.

E-tailor at www.mycustomtailor.com

Dressing Tips For Short Height Person

In order to achieve a taller appearance, you must establish a unified look from top to bottom that uses vertical lines, smooth transitions and thematic consistency. The goal is for people to perceive you either in passing glance or by general perception as a whole and not broken up in parts. Below are the top ten tips tactics (in no particular order) on how to look taller.

Short Hair:
Be sure to keep your hair short and neatly trimmed. Shorter hair allows us to see your neck and well trimmed short hair can create visual lines from the back of your neck up behind your ears, tapering into the body of your hair. Long hair hides your neck and forces our sightlines to naturally follow the growth of the hair down

Fit:
there are two aspects to "Fit" that are critical to appearing taller. First, your clothes must fit you well. Oversized or to tight, either way poorly fitted clothes accentuate every aspect of your body that you would prefer others to ignore. If you're not a tall man and want to build in good practices to appearing taller, be sure to find a good tailor and get your clothes fitting you as best you can. The second "Fit" element is your physical fitness. Shorter men who wish to appear taller must pay close attention to their fitness level. Being vertically challenged is no fault of your own but being unfit is all you!

Vertical patterns:
Stick with pin stripes or vertical patterns and absolutely avoid horizontal, big or loud patterns - simple as that!

Trousers:
Pleated Trousers are best to achieve a vertical sight line. A single pleat is recommended, much more in the way of fabric can defeat the purpose. Cuffs are not helpful in achieving height as they create unnecessary horizontal lines so go without cuffs.




Shoes:
Mens dress shoes typically have heels and most men do wear heeled dress shoes so be sure not to put yourself at a further disadvantage by wearing flat shoes. Incorporate heeled shoes into your work and causal wear wardrobe.

Monochromatic color scheme from top to bottom:
This tactic is one of the most important in order to achieve that unified look. Monochrome implies one color using different "tints and shades" of that same color. Staying with one hue (color) helps establish that unified and consistent theme. Here is a great example using black in a monochrome color scheme...black dress shoes, black socks, black trousers, black belt and a fitted long sleeved dark grey v-neck merino wool sweater.

Shirts:
dress shirt collars should be classic straight or narrow shirt collars with elongated collar tips. Sweaters should be v-neck not rounded. Skinny or slender neck ties with smaller knots, no bow ties. Again, our goal is vertical lines, bow ties and spread collars are horizontal and should be avoided.

Belt:
We always suggest your belt should match your shoes. We continue to stand behind this recommendation however, if can, get yourself dark brown or black dress shoes and let them become staples in your wardrobe. If you're hoping to achieve tall points having a noticeable horizontal element like a belt is bad news. Use a belt that is darker than your trousers, avoid thick belts, avoid clunky buckles and don't violate the match your shoes rule.

Jackets:
Single breasted is your best option. Never double breasted! Follow the tactics like pinstripes or vertical patterns, monochrome color schemes and above all be sure your jacket is tailored to fit you. A nicely tailored 3 button single breasted jacket will server your needs perfectly.

Posture etc:
You should not have to be told, if you're below average in height you don't have the latitude for poor posture. Don't slouch, stand up-right, project your confidence, walk with purpose, be assertive, speak clearly, definitively and in controlled lower tones...That's how to look taller!

E-tailor at www.mycustomtailor.com

Casual Yet A Business Executive Attire

We all enjoy the freedom that causal business dress allows us in the workplace.
To be able to pull off the business casual look is quite tricky, you want to be comfortable, appear stylish, and still look like an executive, even when you're wearing jeans to work.
If you're presenting yourself to the public, a client, or just your office colleagues, and wearing business casual, here are some pointers that will help you create a crisp, yet casual business image of an executive.

For women, business casual includes pantsuits, tailored separates - such as skirts, slacks, blouses, sweaters, sweater sets, and jackets.

Jeans
When you have several pairs of jeans for work, then you're on your way to your executive casual styling. No torn hems, no ill-fitting jeans, no holes, no matter how chic they are at the time.

White Blouse
A must have for an executive in a business casual situation. With jeans, khakis, any style of casual slacks, a white blouse is dazzling and versatile. Worn with jeans, and an attractive belt, the white blouse has the ability to be the basic pallet for a variety of business casual polished looks.

Well-tailored clothes that fit your form do add authority to your entire appearance. Even khakis or blue jeans can be classic if made to measure to your own perfect fit and custom made to your exact unique measurements, not too baggy and not too tight as it would be with a off the peg clothing in most cases, made to fit perfectly at each part of your body. If coordinated to a quality custom made top would give you an amazing casually dressed business executive’s look. Or Wear a dress shirt. If you like to get away with a plain scoop neck or v-neck shirt with your slacks, go for a crisp, ironed button-down dress shirt and wear it tucked in. Finish the look off with a nice belt.


Dresses
Business casual does mean dresses are allowed. Just be careful not to show too much skin, or consider wearing your sun dresses or anything that resembles sleep-wear in the business environment. There's a wide variety of dresses that are perfectly suited for business casual, so choose styles that are easy to wear and not too revealing.

Fabrics and Colors
Leading ladies need not hide in beige and browns, but they ought to steer away from neon and loud patterns. Sexy see-through fabrics and gaudy or childish prints have no place in the office. Powder pink and baby blue speak of innocence, but not intelligence and innovation. Classic looks simply attribute class to the wearer. Solid colors like navy, black, gray, brown and khaki are safe bets for business casual attire.

Accessorize Astutely
An exceptional leather belt with a polished and understated buckle is an absolute requirement. A quality wristwatch can be a powerful fashion statement as well. A few well-chosen pieces of genuine or fashion jewelry can complete a classy look.

If your company does not have a set policy. It is not mandatory to conform to business casual if you are more comfortable wearing traditional or conservative outfits on the job.
Traditional business attire includes business suits, dress shirts, and ties for men. It includes business-oriented suits for women, both skirted suits and tailored pantsuits.

Your confidence in what you are wearing does make an impression!
All you need to do is to believe in yourself and your abilities, and then you are free to dress any way you choose in business while looking just like an executive.

Look Smart Executive!! You will always be taken seriously.

We Remian with Best Regards
E-tailor at www.mycustomtailor.com

Does Cloths Reflects Your Personality

Make sure your clothes are statement makers, but that the statement never speaks louder than you do. Just because you can afford designer logos doesn’t mean they’re right for you. Are they compatible with your professional message? And just because you can buy the very best suits doesn’t absolve you from needing the services of the very best tailor.

CLOTHES NO LONGER TALK, THEY COMMAND
A woman in a position of authority must project an equal amount of distinction in her dress up. The cornerstone of the power wardrobe is still the suit, but at this stage of the game, it packs an extra punch.

Now it’s time to fine-tune your wardrobe with clothes of exceptional quality and unmistakable style. The goal: A closet full of statement making clothes that communicate success. To cultivate a collection that convey personal and professional style; and to dress, when the situation demands, casually but with authority.

Bespoke Single-Breasted
The most formal of suits, the single-breasted version has sharp lines, and notched lapel give a disciplined buttoned-up feel that adds up to create an impression of powerful authority. Fabric is a key; at this stage, a suit is only as good as its fabric. Look for light, almost silky wool that has a graceful drape and doesn’t wrinkle easily.

A tailor made straight skirt to the knee, slightly nipped-in waist, an impeccable fit. For ultimate conviction, pair with a crisp white shirt. Make sure the collar lies flat on the suit lapels. Keep buttoned up except for either top or bottom button.

Coat dress
There is no mistaking the seriousness of the business when the fabric is worked in a menswear pattern: Pinstripes, Chalk Stripes, Glen Plaids, Mini Hounds tooth are all boardroom contenders.

For a more relaxed alternative consider pairing with a black turtleneck, knee-high boots and opaque tights in fall or winter. If belted, consider replacing the companion belt with one of higher caliber.


Long Jacket
The self-assured silhouette only works when the jacket is fitted anything loose will look frumpy ; and it must be worn only with its matching companion piece, whether it’s a skirt, dress, or pants.

A single-breasted jacket, pocket flaps that lie flat, with a shirt in a similar hue, a scoop-neck cashmere sweater, or nothing but a set of pearls, all combines together an elegant authority.

Color is POWERFUL.
RED = Confidence, leadership, independence. Useful for presentations; shows security in one’s role. Attracts attention

Color is quick means of communicating authority and style. A power color is an added asset: It commands attention, conveys control, and, when properly chosen, sends a consistent message about your workplace identity.

ALL BLACK = Serious sophisticated, determined powerful and practical in urban environments.

Own a color Pick a shade you like and make it your own. Wear it consistently. Choose one or two other colors that complement your personal uniform. A monochromatic look a suit and shirt of matching colors has high impact and is also elongating.

Pattern
Patterns pilfered from menswear can pack masculine punch, while adding texture and diversity to your wardrobe. Balancing bold pattern with a simple tailored silhouette and feminine detail is a key.

Quantity Counts: Composed of highly designed, coordinated pieces, a power suit makes a statement. And a statement is remembered. Therefore owning just one or two is not sufficient. At this stage of the game, you need, and can afford more.

Tailor: A tailor you trust implicitly is crucial. Valuable traits to look for: Utter expertise in what is possible and what is not. Invisible hand work, Thoroughness - someone who when hemming pants, measures both the front and the back; when altering a skirt, measures from the floor up; someone who teaches you. Mouth is the best reference.

We Remain with Best Regards,
E-tailor at www.mycustomtailor.com

Tailored Clothing For Smart Dresser

Tailored Clothing For Smart Dresser
LAWS OF DRESSING
1. You don’t have to spend a lot on clothes to look like you’ve spent a lot.
2. Dark color will always look more authoritative.
3. Classics are classics for a reason.
4. Dressing appropriately is like having good manners.
5. A tie should always be tied and in place, not worn half mast.
6. Nobody sees the label.
7. Quality is more important than quantity.
8. When in doubt, wear navy or Grey.
9. Clothes don’t make the man. (Though they can fake the man.)

TIPS OF SMART SHOPPING
1. Dress appropriately for the stores you will be shopping in.
2. Wear a white dress shirt, dress socks, and the shoes you would wear for the outfit.
3. Always try things on.
4. Always look in the mirror , preferably a there-way mirror
5. If it doesn’t look good in the store, it won’t look good at home.
6. There’s nothing with the lights in the store.
7. When something is on sale, don’t buy it unless you would have bought it at full price if you could have afforded it.
8. Something that’s a little big can be tailored to fit. Something that’s tight will only get tighter.
9. Shoes don’t stretch.
10. The salesperson is supposed to tell you it looks great on you.

DEADLY SINS
1. Jackets that are too tight in the shoulders, snug in the waist, and won’t button make you look like a trussed turkey.
2. Wear socks to the office, unless you work at the beach.
3. Just because it looked good on you ten years ago, doesn’t mean it still does.
4. Until you see the animals lining up in toes, don’t have your pants tailored too short. They should have a break. Don’t let your jacket be too short, your bottom line should never be visible.
5. Belt are to hold up your pants not some sort of technology tool holder. Pagers, phones and other digital elements belong in jacket pockets.
6. Pants that are too baggy look silly and pants that are too tight just look uncomfortable.
7. Wearing suspenders and a belt is redundant and redundant.
8. You will look like a squeezed tube of toothpaste if your shirt is too tight in the collar.
9. Hoods on overcoats.
10. If you have to ask if it goes together, it probably doesn’t.

Strategic Dressing

WHO LOOKS PROFESSIONAL AND WHAT ARE THEY WEARING?
One of the basic rules of office attire is: Dress for the job you want to have, not the job you have. So look around. Who has that job now? And how does he dress for that job? Now, who does he work for and so on.
Every office or corporation has a dress code. Learning to read yours properly is a major step toward getting ahead.

ALL DRESSED UP AND SOMEWHERE TO GO
Once you have cracked the office dress code, you have to consider what to wear for different professional occasions and situations. What may be appropriate for a morning meeting might not work for a business lunch or for a presentation. Begin by asking yourself what message you want to send and then find the appropriate clothes in your closet. Here a few different scenarios:

Leading a meeting Obviously what you’re after here is authority, and nothing says authority like a suit. After all, there’s reason why when people refer to management they call them “suits” Since, in many offices, men remove their jackets while working, pay attention to the shirt you’re wearing: Make sure it’s crisp and clean.

Giving a presentation When giving a presentation, you clearly want to have authority and draw attention to yourself. The key here is not to draw so much attention that you take away from the presentation.
Once again, a suit is called for with a shirt and tie. And here is how you draw attention to yourself: With the tie. Without being too ostentations or visually distracting, the shirt-and-tie combination should reflect power. Perhaps a shirt with French cuffs and a woven tie?

Client lunch It is, of course, most important to come across as professional, but you must also be able to read the culture of the culture of the person you are meeting. Do they wear suits? Sport jacket? What about ties? The goal here is to be yourself but, at the client by dressing more formally than they do; rather, show them the proper respect by dressing up more than you normally do if their corporate culture is more formal than yours.

Job review This is just like a job interview so look your best. If you normally wear a suit to office, do so now. If you don’t usually wear one, doing so will only make you look stiff and feel uncomfortable. In that case, you should still dress up: Wear a sport jacket and tie. Show that you care, but don’t look at thought you’re trying too hard.

Boss wants to have drinks First of all, relax. It’s only good. If you wear in trouble, you would go to boss, the boss, the boss wouldn’t come to you. That said, look sharp. Yes, it’s a social to show your personally. In other words, wear a tie that the boss might admire. Or a unique pair of cuff inks that might spark a conversation. And don’t drink too much.



From – Dress Smart for Men

We remain with Best Regards,
E-tailor at www.mycustomtailor.com

Who Wears What To Work - Industry Dress Codes

The ideal look, as you claw your way to the lower middle rung, is that of a hip funeral director… To the delight of your boss, your sartorial restraint will signify a comforting subservience.”

SIMON DOONAN
Author, writer for The New York ObserverNo industry standard is foolproof different companies within the same industry often have their own rules but there are some general guidelines that tend to remain consistent within a particular profession.

ACADEMIC

Till tweedy after all these years. While suits are not out of the question, most professors tend to wear business appropriate clothes: Jackets and ties, sweaters, turtlenecks, etc.

ACCOUNTING

Those in executive accounting positions tend to dress in corporate attire. But for all other accountingTitles bookkeepers, assistants it’s more casual. In smaller accounting firms, corporate casual attire can mean anything from jeans and khakis to a sport jacket. Larger firms, however, often require their paraprofessionals to dress professionally, or business appropriate.

ADVERTISING

Like many creative media, the dress code in advertising tends to be corporate creative. For entry-level positions, that means looking sharp, but not stiff and too dressed up a nice pair of pants and a dress shirt should do it. Midlevel employees can take liberties within a corporate casual to business appropriate range, but if they’re meeting clients outside the office, they should do their homework and know how the clients dress. Senior executives dress with similar freedom, in everything from Armani to jeans. Clearly, the more conservative the firm or a particular client the more conservative the dress code.

ARCHITECTURE

The dress code in architecture is similar to that in advertising: Casual but neat. Business appropriate is always acceptable, but suits are not necessary unless you’re meeting clients who are unless you’re meeting clients who are likely to wear them.FINANCIALBanking has eased its dress code in the last decade, but the standard seems to be regressing. If you don’t have to wear a suit, you should at least remain business appropriate.

INTERNET

Ever since the dot-com bubble broke, the dress code for the industry has gotten somewhat more serious. (When your company is worth billions on paper you can wear what you want. When it’s no longer worth the paper that paper was printed on, you have to look professional. Still, business casual to business appropriate is the norm here.LAWThe law is still very serious business. Corporate dress codes still apply at most white-shoe firms, but you could get away with business appropriate at some smaller firms.MEDIAJobs in the media television and film production, publishing generally inspire a creative take on business attire. Anyone who is a producer tends to be at the higher end of the style spectrum. But, in general, business casual to business appropriate is the way to dress.

MEDICINE

Aside from the white lab coat, doctors tend to wear a shirt and tie underneath or at least a nice dress shirt. As with everything in medicine, neatness counts.

REAL ESTATE

If you’re selling real estate, you want to dress in a manner that your clients can relate to. So, if you’re selling high-end homes, dress high-end. Affordable housing, dress business appropriate. The key here is making your clients feel, well, at home.

RETAIL

Looking presentable is goal. Most stores will either want you to wear their clothes or at least represent the clientele. In other words, if you work at a high-end store, you should have a reasonably high standard of dress. After all, if you are recommending a $1,500 suit to someone, you can’t be seen in a T-shirt and jeans.

SERVICE INDUSTRY

Service position hotel managers, restaurant workers often require a uniform. Otherwise, the rule of thumb is to wear crisp, well-ironed, and presentable clothes that fall into the business casual or business appropriate range, depending on the position.

FOUR-IN-HAND

Your first goal is to learn how to tie your tie. There are four basic styles, but for your job interview,Simple and straightforward is best-the four-in-hand

STEP BY STEP

1. Begin with the tie’s wide end approximately one foot below the narrow end. Cross it over the narrow end and bring it back underneath.
2. Cross the wide end over again and bring it up through the loop.
3. Holding the front of the knot loosely with the thumb and index finger, take the wide end through the loop in front.
4. Tighten the knot slowly, holding the narrow end and sliding the knot to the collar.

Dressing for Your Goals Throughout Your Career

How you dress at a certain point in your career is often based on what level you attained or hope to attain. Are your clothes ready to climb the ladder of success?

GET A JOB

Whether you are just out of college, between engagements, or looking to get back to work after a layoff of years, getting a job is your mission. And every detail matters.The main goal for you is to dress the part and let your potential employer know that you seem competent and would fit in. Research the company and determine how its employees dress. Then outfit yourself accordingly so that your first impression is a good one. Of course, if you have to alter that you are dramatically just to get a job; perhaps that job isn’t right for you after all. When you step through the door for that initial interview, let them think you already work there.

SUCCEED IN A JOB

Once you’re in the door, the object is to stay there. To do that, you need a wardrobe that works overtime right alongside you. It must be filled with versatile clothes that you can wear in every foreseeable situation and even a few you never saw coming. One again, though, looking the part will only get you so far. You have to back up your style with substance.

GET A BETTER JOB

In order to get ahead, you have to dress for the job you want to have, not for the job you are hired to do. Reassess yourself. Do you look like the kind of man who can be an authority figure? Do you respect clothes command? Or are you still dressing like someone’s slacker assistant?Now that you’ve proved yourself for a while, you feel you’re entitled to some more money, a bigger office, and greater responsibilities. If your superiors see that you look worthy of a better job it will likely influence them to give you that opportunity.

DRESSING SMART-THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREERS

No job lasts forever. Most career paths are long and winding. As you change jobs, careers, cities, and perhaps even worldviews, reassess your wardrobe and what your goals are. Are you still dressing for your last career? Do your suits look as though they belong in a time capsule? Has your body changed dramatically, but no one notified your clothes? Along the way, every few years, reflect on where you have been and where you are going. Then take a look at your closet and determine if your clothes should come along for the ride.

We Remain with Best Regards,
E-tailor at www.mycustomtailor.com

Clothes Talk, People Listen

“We’d all like to be taken for what we’d like to be.”MALCOLM FORBES“

In corporations where a shirt-sleeve atmosphere reigns, it is possible to acquire high visibility by always wearing a jacket, which makes one look more solid, conservative and reliable than anyone else.MICHAEL KORDAPower

!In the high-tech, high-speed world we live in, instant gratification is often not soon enough. We like our news 24 hours a day and expect tomorrow’s information to be here yesterday. Among the many perils of this fast-paced society is that we are quick to make judgments about the appearances of others. In such a world, we need to send signals immediately and hope that people get the message we intend to send.

When Steven Case, chairman of America Online, and Gerald Levin, chairman of Time Warner, nearly as much news as their two companies, their clothing generated nearly as much news as their business deal. Case, the epitome of a laid-back dot-com mogul, appeared at the press conference in a tie, while Levin, a lifelong corporate soldier, chose not to wear one. Of course, at the CEO level, one can, for the most a clear signal that two corporate worlds had already begun to blend.

CLOTHES-MINDED
So what are your clothes saying about you? It’s not always easy to know because, like having bad breath or spinach in your teeth, people are not likely to tell you when you are dressed inappropriately. The goal is to determine the ultimate message you want to send. And for the most part, that message is simple: You want to appear competent at all times and show people that you belong.
Each office, whether it’s a white-show law firm or a red-hot advertising agency, has a dress code. Adhere to it and you signal to everyone that you are part of the team. This Is not to say that individuality can’t be expressed, but sometimes the best impression is no impression at all. In other words, you dress so appropriately for the office that no one notices. It is simply assumed that always look the part.Of course, adhering to the clothing standards of an office or industry does not guarantee that you will make a good impression. Imagine the two junior salesmen with very similar skill sets are up for the same promotion at an insurance company where the men all wear suit or sport and most wear ties. One of the candidates always dress in a sport jacket, crisp white shirts, and creased trousers, but he never wears a tie. The other always wears a suit and tie to the office, but his shirts are usually wrinkled, his ties are frequently stained, and his shoes look as though they haven’t been shined since he bought them. Who gets the job? Well, the first guy may never wear a tie, but he clearly pays attention to other clothing details, and others will relate that to his work ethic. He looks sharp and ready for action and eventually, perhaps from the money he’ll get from the promotion, he’ll get himself a few ties.

The lesson here is that dressing smart is not always about dressing formally. Paying attention to the subtleties of style may impact your appearance far more than simply adhering to an overall dress code.

DRESSING AS IF YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE DEPENDED ON IT

In today’s business environment, there are more potentially hazardous clothing situations than ever breakfast meetings, client lunches, black-tie dinners, golf outings, board presentations, TV appearances and dressing smart means you have to be prepared for every one of them. Clearly, you cannot wear the same outfit for all of those occasions, but you can maintain a certain standard that suggests you could be ready for any one of then at a moment’s notice. For instance, a coworker calls in sick and can’t make in to a charity dinner that night. Your boss mentally runs through replacement options. He knows that you come to work in a suit every day, so he asks if you have a tuxedo. You do, of course, and suddenly you become the tenth person at the table seated two places away from the CEO.How to Dress Smart-The Chic Simple Process

ASSESS, DEJUNK, RENEW-UNDERSTANDING THE CHIC SIMPLEE PROCESS
Building the perfect work wardrobe does not happen by accident. You could go to work for a decade and not have a proper wardrobe because you didn’t identify your needs carefully enough. You could have built one in several years, but because you didn’t take care of your clothes properly, they are actually working against you. Or perhaps you simply have a wardrobe that is outdated.

The key to an ideal work wardrobe can be explained in there easy steps:

1. ASSESS: YOUR LIFE, YOUR CLOSET
When you are finally ready to be serious about professional life, you have to accept this reality: All the clothes you normally wear are play clothes. Sure, you may get compliments on them and they might even look fine in a nice restaurant, but your career is serious business and you should now understand now understand that you must have work clothes to match.
The first step in assessing your clothing needs is to recognize that your closet is like your desk. The better organized your desk is, the easier it is to find that stapler you need. The same is true is true for shirts and ties, shoes and suits. Arrange your closet by work and play, week and weekend. The suits stay with the sport jackets, the jeans and khakis are arranged with each other. Your dress shirts should be easily delineated from the casual shirt you wear on Saturdays. Sneakers don’t mix with dress shoes, and so no. With a little bit of work your closet will be ready for work.

2. DEJUNK: TAKING INVENTORY
Now that your closet is neatly arranged, what do you have in there? Are there clothes you haven’t worn is a year or so? Get rid of them. Are there sport jackets that are too big? Take them to the tailor. Pants that are two sizes too small? Give them to a thinner friend. Ties with soup stains? Let the dry cleaner hit the spot. Shoes with holes in them? Walk away.
The best way to determine your needs is to make a list. In one column, list all the thing in your closet. In the column next to it, name all the clothing that would make that item more versatile Left: Black-and-white houndstooth jacket. Right: White shirt, black tie, gray pants, black pants, black shoes, gray polo sweater>. The right-hand side will then become your shopping list. And if there are items in the list that can go with several other things in your closet such as the gray trousers, then circle those items and make them a priority when shopping. The more versatile the purchase, the smarter the shopper.

GOT SILK?
Too overwhelmed to deal with your closet? Start small. Look at your collection of ties the gifts, the mistakes and start to divide into recycle and keepers. Next week take the keeper pile and do it again.

We remain with Best Regards,
E-tailor at www.mycustomtailor.com