Kathy Friend is a personal wardrobe stylist image consultant in Indiana who provides fashion advice, fashion workshops and style makeovers.
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random thoughts, opinions and musings

What to wear for easter family pics

3/29/2021

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Multiple prints in family pics can work beautifully. Love this family look? Click HERE to shop: gdpx.co/b/6061f8e22d30600df5191779/kathyfriend
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Spring

3/9/2021

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Are you ready for Spring?  Here are some things I have my eye on from all over the interwebs. Click the image to shop pieces that catch your eye!
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Save 106 Hours A Year Wondering What To Wear!

12/2/2020

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from the October 2013 issue of Sassy Magazine

When you get ready for your work day, are you mindful about the image your clothing will project? That outward image not only will enchant some and disenchant others; it can determine your mood for the day.  This is something we all need to think about, not just professional career driven women; but even stay-at-home moms, work from home gals, part time job ladies.  Are you getting the responses in your job, career, community, kids, family that you want? Maybe it’s time for an image check.  Maybe it’s time to polish your image.

A study was done by a UK organization that polled 2,491 women.  Apparently, we spend an average of 16 minutes every weekday morning, 14 minutes on the weekend, and up to 20 minutes before a night out pondering what to wear. That's a lot of time! Annually, that’s about 6.396 minutes a year, or 106.6 hours. Who has that kind of time?

Waiting until the morning to figure out what you are going to wear is too late.  The morning can be the most hectic time of our day, especially if we have kids.  The additional stress of pulling something to wear out of our closets only to find that it is wrinkled, stained or doesn’t fit isn’t a great start to the day.

A better way is to consider your outfit based on the image you want to project.  Do this ahead of time in the same way you would approach any organizing project. 

FIRST – make sure the things in your closet are organized. The way it is organized it up to you. I suggest organizing alike items together by color.  In other words, all white shirts together – all black pants together. 

NEXT – get inspiration. I love Pinterest for this. I browse my favorite stores and pin outfits that I love.  Then on those occasions I’m at a loss for what to wear, I head to my Pinterst board and look for an idea.  

FINALLY – choose your clothing ahead of time.  If your schedule and space permits, you might want to do this on Sunday night for the week.  If you have kids, this is a great exercise to do together as a family (trust me, it will save a lot of morning arguments about what to wear!).  Use a door hook for your outfit combinations. When thinking about your clothes look at your calendar and consider:
  • What you will be doing?
  • Where you will be going?
  • What is the weather forecast to be?
  • Who you will be seeing?
  • What is your goal for the day/week
  • What impression do you want to make?

OTHER TIPS:
  • Capsule Wardrobe is a Must!: this is a wardrobe that includes groups of items that work with each other in color, cut and pattern. For example:

PANTS      
Black trousers
Skinny jean

TOPS 
White blouse
Stripe top
Print sweater
tunic

JACKETS 
Black jacket
Red jacket
 (jean) jacket

​SKIRTS
Black pencil skirt
Animal print skirt
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  • INVEST IN STATEMENT ACCESSORIES: The same trousers and blouse can look very different based on the jewelry and shoes you wear with them. Investing on some great statement pieces and sassy shoes will allow you many more options in your wardrobe. And don’t get too hung up on being matchy-matchy…things that don’t exactly “go together” can make for a great style statement!
  • TAKE PICTURES: Ya know those days when you pull together a really cute outfit? Take a selfie! Yes, I am giving you permission to take a picture of yourself in your bathroom mirror. Remember this look the next time you have no idea what to wear, or have one of those days when you aren’t feeling your best.  Also, if you are wearing something you seem to be getting a lot of compliments on – document it!
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Avoid Grey weather turning into a Grey mood

12/2/2020

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This time of year, all we see is the cold, grey of winter. It’s easy to fall into a grey mood as we patiently (or not so patiently) wait for spring.  Here are 2 easy ideas to help you avoid the doldrums:
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Brighten up your outfits.  When the temperatures outside fall below freezing, it seems we tend to think that means we should be dressing in dark dull colors. Liven up your dark ensembles with pops of bright colors. Things to look for at your local Goodwill Store include scarves, tank tops, belts or other layering pieces.

Spring clean – a little early. After the holidays, my office is a disaster. Well, if I am being honest, everything in my house feels cluttered and unorganized.  We all have that room in our home that seems to accumulate all the “stuff” over the holidays. Take an afternoon and re-organize that space. Focusing on just one room isn’t as overwhelming as thinking about your entire home. Take all the extra things and duplicate items that you find and donate them to Goodwill. Keep the other rooms of your home free from clutter by not re-storing things you don’t use over the holidays.

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50 Pieces your wardrobe needs

11/15/2020

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Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels
I originally wrote this in 2015 - but the advice holds true today.

Over the years, I have helped hundreds of women transform their wardrobes into perfectly functional, fabulous collections of outfit options. There is a common thread to all great wardrobes: a balance between basics and statement pieces.

 
After trying to remember all the things (and reasons why) that make up a great wardrobe, I have compiled a list. This list isn’t intended to be a “run out to the mall now and buy all these things”, but rather it should be viewed as a “work- in-progress checklist”.

PANTS
  1. Jeans – something a little sassy, boot cut or flared. I suggest finding something with a bold contrast stitch on the inside of the leg.
  2. Dark basic skinny jeans – these are an essential regardless of your age or personal style.  The perfect skinny jean will do double duty as leggings and can be dressed up with a great jacket and heels.
  3. Leggings – need I say more?  I honestly think you should have several pairs of basic black leggings in your wardrobe: ankle length thicker fabric, knee length and one with something different (like leather or embellishment).
  4. Trouser – call this your basic pant.  Even for those of us who don’t wear pants very often, there is always an occasion we need a good pant that isn’t a jean. I suggest something in black.
TOPS
  1. Denim Shirt – the denim shirt has made a strong comeback in fashion, and I am thrilled!  The denim shirt should be a thinner fabric, and a long sleeve you can easily roll up.  The denim shirt can dress down a very dressed up skirt, and is simply something that looks good on everyone.
  2. White Blouse – another basic and something I searched a long time for. It is a good idea to have two white blouses: one that is a little longer (tunic length) that you can wear with leggings, and one that is a slimmer fit that would be perfect under a jacket or sweater.
  3. White tee – when the white blouse is too much, try the white tee!  Find something that is made of a good fabric (spend a little money on this) that fits you well (i.e. don’t buy it oversized).
  4. Embellished Tee – for some this might be a striped tee, for others it might be something with some kind of sparkle on the front. Whatever your style personality, the embellished tee will be a favorite in your closet.
  5. Cardigan – what color do you know looks amazing on you?  Blue? Pink? THAT is the color you will need to find in a cardigan. Use as a layering piece to break up monochromatic looks.
  6. Tunic – the tunic is something that you might be able to wear with leggings and flats, or with tights and boots. In the summer months, your tunic might be a great bathing suit cover up!
  7. Chunky Sweater – Ya know those cold weekends when a warm sweater, boots and skinny jeans are perfect?  THAT is the sweater you need in your closet.
  8. Cami – If I am being honest, you probably need several camis.  I wear one just about every day. Wear under those tops with plunging necklines (that might be a bit much for work) and of course, use as a layering piece.
JACKETS
  1. Jean jacket – basic, no embellishment, looks chic with a pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse (of course with oodles of jewelry)
  2. Basic Jacket – the basic jacket should be in your signature neutral color (brown, black or navy for example), and about hip length.
  3. Leather Jacket – the great thing about leather is it has become very affordable. The faux-leather options are plentiful! Find a jacket that has some rugged details, maybe in a motorcycle style.
  4. Chanel-esque Jacket – You know the style. This is something you could add in as an afterthought to your wardrobe, or be a key signature piece in your closet. It can be the thing that you wear when you need to look like a million bucks (with a pencil skirt), or be something you wear with jeans when your mood is a little sophisticated sassy.
  5. Spa jacket – This is the thing I see missing from most wardrobes.  A sporty jacket that you can wear when everything else seems to be too formal.
DRESSES
  1. LBD – or LRD or LBD (you get the picture). A basic no frills dress that looks amazing on you.  Something in a color that is perfect for your skin tone, which is easily dressed up or down.
  2. Day Dress – I suggest a wrap dress.  This style looks great on everyone and is very easy to find.
  3. “Look At Me” Dress – A party dress (that isn’t black) with some kind of glitz and shine on it. This might be the thing you wear to a cocktail party or holiday party
SKIRTS
  1. Pencil Skirt – the workhorse of your wardrobe. I suggest black. If a pencil skirt isn’t a style you are fond of, try an A-Line style
  2. Patterned Skirt – maybe a tweed or floral, whatever your style dictates this is a skirt you love to live in.
  3. Little Knit Skirt – or 2, or 3!  This is the little black skirt you pull on with a tee and flip flops in the summer, or pair with tights and a sweater in the winter. It is what you want to wear when it is in the laundry.
UNDER THINGS
  1. Bra wardrobe – A wise investment is to have a few great fitting bras.  Skip the white ones (really…no need for them). Be sure you have at least 2 nude and 1 black bra.  Convertible straps are a must! 
  2. Undies wardrobe – Everyone needs some undies that will eliminate panty lines…need I say more?
  3. Compression garment – This is a fancy word for Spanx.
ACCESSORIES 
  1. Black skinny belt – Make sure this key piece in your accessory arsenal has a buckle that can be worn over things.
  2. Brown braided thick belt – I love wearing my braided belt buckled and looped through (looks like I tied it around my waist).
  3. Trendy Sunglasses – In today’s sunglass world, that might be the aviator or the Jackie-O
  4. Scarf (or pashmina) – I suggest you have 2 of these in your treasure chest.  One in a pop color, and a basic neutral (like black)
  5. Dark opaque tights – They key is opaque, a thick tight that you can’t see your skin through.  I like the Spanx version (serves double duty!)
JEWELRY
  1. Statement necklace – Something that is neutral, but ‘wow’ enough that people notice.  Look for something that is a ‘collar’ style
  2. Long necklace – I like one that has a few charms.
  3. Bangle bracelets – Stack them on your wrist, and your outfit gets at least 5 style points!
  4. Everyday pendant necklace – This is the necklace you wear just about every day, that you can layer with other things
  5. Right Hand ring – Something big, bold that tells your style story.  It might be a big flower, or a cluster of diamonds.
  6. Stud earrings – Diamond, yes I am giving you permission to get a pair of diamond earrings (or glass that just looks like diamond studs). When you have no idea what earrings to wear, pull these out of your jewelry box. Trust me. I wear mine every single day (even to the gym).
  7. Hoop earrings – When you want to make your outfit a little more casual, or you feel like your look just need a little something more, in walks the hoop earring.
  8. Signet ring – I believe that this classic ‘initial ring’ is something every woman should have…and if you don’t, it would make a great gift. (hint, hint.)
HANDBAGS
  1. Basic every day handbag – Something that is big enough that you can shove a bottle of water and a snack inside, but not so big that it could be mistaken for a gym bag.
  2. Weekend clutch – This is something you can use with your LBD or jeans, white tee and sassy heels.
  3. Power color purse – What is the dominant color in your wardrobe? Red? Blue? This is the color you need in a handbag. When you are in one of those “I am wearing all black” moods, use this to perk up your mood.
SHOES
  1. Black pump – basic, timeless.
  2. Boot in your signature neutral – Riding boots are something you will wear time and time again.
  3. Non-athletic tennis shoe – Ya know those cute little flats that kinda look like tennis shoes but they really are more of a ballet flat? That is what you need.
  4. Sassy heel – Something that makes you fees sexy and alive. And, it’s OK if you can only stand for 10 minutes and take 15 steps in them. You should be sitting in these shoes to show them off (wink!).
  5. Stiletto with sparkle – I will admit I am a sparkly shoe addict. I have far too many. But I do wear them with everything! Wear with your sassy jeans and a basic tee on the weekend, and of course with your ‘Look At Me’ dress.
  6. Neutral wedge – When you don’t know what shoes to wear, go for the neutral wedge!
  7. Shoe-Bootie – This shoe is one of the season’s biggest style stories. Wear with everything, yes EVERYTHING (including skirts!)
  8. Flip Flop – Make sure your flips are of a grown-up variety, something you can wear all day without worrying about the damage they might cause your feet.
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