YOUR STYLE MAKEOVER

    TIME FOR WARDROBE RENOVATION

Here's your action plan for a new, classy, fashionable,  seductive YOU:
       1. Find a PFA
       2. Clean out that closet
       3. Plan your new wardrobe
           (And some recommended guides)
       4. Let's go shopping!
       5. A few tidbits about sexy clothing

                         STYLE MAKEOVER 
                      FIND A PFA   

What you need first is a fresh new eye...someone to take a critical  look at the way you dress...and suggest improvements.  Now, think  about this...

Do you have a girlfriend whose fashion sense you admire? She seems  to know what looks good, and always shows up looking smart and  fashionable? Use her! Tell her what you  plan to do, and why you chose  her to help you.... flattery will get you everywhere.

You could also use your guy, if he's willing.

You now have your very own PFA:
Personal Fashion Advisor.

              STYLE MAKEOVER 
            CLEAN OUT THAT CLOSET 

Your style makeover...
Time to take a tour of your closet... scary, isn't it?

                                         
Take your time; set aside an afternoon for this project. Look at  each  item in your closet-- try it on if necessary--

• Have you worn it in the past year? No? Unless it's formal or special occasion stuff...out it goes.
• Is it frumpy, dowdy, boring or mannish? Reject pile.
• Did your mother give it to you second-hand? You know where it goes.
• Does your boyfriend hate it? Burn it.
• Put it to the ultimate test: Is it feminine? Is it sexy? If it's neither, out with it!

Be ruthless and hardcore. Toughlove here! Sweep out your closet  and  liberate yourself. Remember this: Mess is Stress!

Here's the idea:
Even if your wardrobe ends up just a fraction of it's former self, you'll have less quantity and more quality. Every time you reach in  there for something to wear, you'll come out with something stylish,   alluring or flattering.

   Happiness is a short, sweet closet!
                                                        
What do you do with that pile of rejects on the floor? Throw away  the damaged goods. Useable stuff goes to the charity/thrift shop.   (Recycle).

And if you have some nice business outfits in good repair, but they're not for you (or don't fit)--put them to good use. Donate them to the Women's Alliance. These folks provide career skills training and professional attire to low income women seeking employment. To see if there is a donation outlet in your area, visit their site and click on Member Locations: www.thewomensalliance.org  
 
          "Because someone's future
                             is hanging in your closet"

        PLAN YOUR NEW WARDROBE  
           STELLA'S STYLE MAKEOVER

Your style makeover...
Now then, you've got room in your closet for new clothes...

You don't have to have a closet full of designer clothes. But you do  need a basic wardrobe that makes you look as fabulous as possible.  Grab some fashion magazines that suit your age and lifestyle. What's  in vogue these days?

Keep your eyes peeled at the mall. What are the sexy young women  wearing? You needn't dress like a teenager if you are 40-something,  but study what's hot and incorporate appropriate styles into your  new wardrobe.

Now, time to map out a plan. Make a list of what you have, and what  you need. Plan for a compact, basic but versatile selection for all  occasions. Ask your PFA for help in compiling your list and formulate a "master plan".

If you need help planning and building a career wardrobe, check out  "How to Look Your Professional Best" at:
   www.msucares.com/pubs/publications/p1476.htm

              STYLE MAKEOVER   
                LET'S GO SHOPPING ! 

Your style makeover...
You know, there's some tricks to sane clothes shopping. Some of our  staff here loves the mall, while others hate it, and order everything  online. We've put our heads together and come up with these tips to help develop you into a...
                         POWER SHOPPER

STYLE MAKEOVER--WHERE TO GO 

Your style makeover...
Start with upscale department stores. You'll soon find two or three favorites that carry "your brands". Nice, flattering fashions don't have to cost an arm and a leg. JCP is still one of our favorite spots.

And, listen to this: there are some very high-quality elegant pieces to be found at thrift shops. Okay, so you'll have to dig through some  torn t-shirts to find those hidden treasures, but they are there!  Designer clothes you could never afford new can be had for a few  dollars. Inspect every  inch of used clothing for stains, holes and runs. And smell  them.
 ... And good luck...
                               
 

STYLE MAKEOVER- BE PREPARED 

Take your list with you---don't buy impulsively---work slowly toward  completing your basic wardrobe. Only go shopping when  you've got lots of time. Never hurry clothes shopping. Take your  PFA along with  you... promise her lunch...

STYLE MAKEOVER- GO FOR IT!  

Try on lots of different clothes. Try something new---styles you  never would have considered. Give a critical eye to everything. Learn  your figure faults and steer away from them.

As you try on a garment, sit down in it. Raise your arms over your head. Bend over. Squat. Is this dress gonna split on you? Is it  comfortable? Does it "hang well" on you? Size doesn't matter, fit  does. Tight clothes just make you look heavy,  not sexy. Ask your PFA or the salesgirl for their opinion.

Got your choices narrowed down to two or three? Great, now it's time for the final test. Try each one on, and look at yourself in the  mirror. Is this outfit sexy or feminine ? Does it make you feel  happy  and special? If the answer is yes to both, it has passed the test! Take it home.

Stella's Law:  If you absolutely fall in love with an item, buy it then and there. It won't be there tomorrow.

              STYLE MAKEOVER 
             A FEW OTHER TIDBITS

Your style makeover...

• Buy the prettiest, sexiest,  highest quality underthings you can afford. Always wear attractive underwear... maybe no one's going to see them tonight... but you know they're there. Sexy underwear make you feel (and look) sexier.
   
• Splurge on 2 or 3 complete "first date" outfits that you love, and that make you look terrific. Save them for these special nights out.
   
• Accessories- buy the very best belts, shoes, purses and hats you can afford. Nice leather, classic lines. Quality shows here. No cracked vinyl for you!
   
• Simple but classy jewelry for you. Buy the real deal if you can. Better one or two real diamonds and pearls than a drawer full of cheap imitations. Real shows... real well.

Here's another tip from Stella:

Put on a dress sometimes! Men LOVE them. Nothing like a dress  to say... "Girl here".

        Try this little experiment:
        Dress in jeans, t-shirt and sandals. Go to the
        nearest grocery store. Walk up and down the aisles,
        pretending you're looking for something. Notice
        what little help is offered. Wait two hours...go home
        and put on a nice dress, hose and heels, makeup,
        nice sunglasses. Repeat your grocery store
        performance. And notice how the stock boys come
        out of the woodwork to help you find your missing
        item! 
 
                      See what we mean?
 

Nothing is more seductive than fashion--the ability of clothes that fit and flatter to transform us. Wearing great clothing  provides armor and enhances self-esteem and courage.
                                     
Our choice of clothes can be one of our most creative forms of self expression. And, like it or not, we are assessed in seconds--- many times each day---based on what we are wearing.