CAMROSE, Alta. – How many women look in their closets and declare: “Oh look at the selection,” Carrol Burkard asked a rural women’s conference.
The women at the meeting reacted as would many women saying they had a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.
But according to Burkard, the secret is not how many clothes you own, but how well your clothes mix and match.
During a wardrobe planning session at the Fall Focus conference here, Burkard, who farms with her husband at Rosalind, Alta., and works at Augustana University College, told the women they should start by looking at the clothes in their closet and decide why they need them.
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Are most of the clothes for farm work, or an off-farm job, or for attending church, clubs, meetings or parties?
Many people make judgments of others based on their clothes before they even hear them speak, so it’s important to dress appropriately, Burkard said.
Comfort brings confidence
“It doesn’t have to be high fashion or a fad, it just has to look good on you. It’s important to wear things that make you look and feel good so you have confidence and project confidence.”
Burkard told the women to start with an inventory of the clothes in their closet.
“Sort into piles the clothes you wear frequently, occasionally, need updating and clothes you haven’t worn in the past year. Evaluate each garment. Try it on in front of a full-length mirror. Ask yourself is it in good repair, in style or suitable for at least one of your occasions.”
If the clothes don’t fit the criteria she told the women to be ruthless and give them to friends or charities or sell them on consignment.
Once a few color themes emerge, Burkard suggested building on those colors to allow the wardrobe to be mixed and matched.
Depending on lifestyle, a basic wardrobe should include:
- Two jackets.
- Three skirts, or two skirts and one pants, or one skirt and two pants and walking shorts.
- Four blouses.
- Two sweaters.
- One dress.
All the clothes should work with one another in color, fabric and shape to allow them to be interchanged.
Burkard suggested one jacket and skirt should be in the same plain material in a neutral shade. The other jacket could be a brighter shade or a herringbone pattern that co-ordinates with the neutral shade. Each new blouse or pants bought should fit with the basic wardrobe.
Burkard also advised not to be slaves to fashion. She suggested sticking with classic clothes for every day and being more outrageous for party or evening wear.
“Go for the dramatic in party clothes.”
