Advice Directly from Stacy and Clinton- Part 2

So I was telling you about meeting What Not To Wear’s Stacy and Clinton at the Discovery Communications’ 25^th anniversary gala.  Despite being overwhelmed with eager admirers and reporters, they took time to speak directly to FH readers.

We had a fabulous conversation about the stresses women face and how someone can empower herself by taking control of her style.  Stacy expressed it like this: You should think of yourself as a snowflake.  No one else has your eyes, your hair, your features, and your personality. Of course, at the end of a long day (or the start of a long one), a lot of us don’t feel like delicate snowflakes.  But you know, when I think of the way I can stare at my nieces and nephews, they all seem like snowflakes to me- totally unique, precious, and irreplaceable.  I can only imagine how overwhelming that feeling must be when you’re watching your own children!  And at some point in our lives, someone’s felt that way about each of us, probably more times than we could guess.  So I think hanging onto a little of that feeling can help us treat ourselves like the unique, special snowflakes Stacy described, and that’s crucial to making your style a priority.

If you watch WNTW, you know that this idea is integral to the whole approach.  Unlike a lot of the “makeover” show imitators that just slap a new outfit on a woman and send her back out into the world, Stacy and Clinton help each participant craft a message with her clothing.  In fact, many of the women who appear on WNTW go on to make big life changes- everything from ending a destructive relationship to going after a dream job.  It all starts with a great, new look!

Naturally, if you want to create that great look, you’ve got to have the right building blocks, and you have to make room for those building blocks by clearing out the pieces that aren’t doing your wardrobe any favors.  In the last post, we started talking about Clinton’s 4 Items That Don’t Belong in Your Closet.  Here’s #2:

Item #2 That Doesn’t Belong in Your Closet = Tee-Shirts

Wow.  This is a tough one.  Tees are staples for the gym, and can’t they transition to other areas of your life?  Personally, I use them as layering pieces, and since you can often buy them for $5 a piece at Old Navy, why not?  Still, there’s no denying Clinton’s point when he says that a blouse is more polished.  Now, I know the word “blouse” has a “Great Grandmama’s bridge party” connotation, but Clinton just described it as something with structure, maybe darts.  At its most basic, a blouse is an item that is likely to keep its shape after multiple wears.  (Sorry Old Navy tees, but you know that doesn’t apply to you.)

You might prefer bright colors or neutrals or patterns, but in general it’s a good idea to own some variety.  Different necklines are great, too, but even casual viewers of WNTW know how much Stacy and Clinton LOVE V-necks, which elongate and flatter many figures.  I put together a selection of blouses I like, and there’s a bonus- everything below costs less than a pedicure (and I’m not just talking about the “treat yourself” kind from a spa, but even the cheap kind you get at the spur-of-the-moment)!

L to R: JM Collection printed top ($46.00 to $27.60), Style & Co. printed top ($14.98), Style & Co. printed top ($14.98)

L to R: AGB scoopneck top ($44.00 to $24.20), Talbots Starburst blouse ($79.00 to $29.99), Worthington blouse ($30.00 to $17.99)

L to R: Worthington wrap top ($36.00 to $21.99), Merona smocked hem top ($17.99), Newport News sash-tie blouse ($39.00 to $19.00)

L to R: east 5th ruched blouse ($30.00 to $14.99), Victoria’s Secret V-neck top ($28.00), Mossimo Cascade top ($19.99)

Next, Clinton’s last two Items that Don’t Belong in Your Closet…

Lucie Amberg is the Director of ZinaBeverlyHills.com.

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