Dressing Up and Paring Down
Dear Fashion Police: Would you give me some ideas on what to wear with a pair of red (not screaming red) leather pants? I would love to find a black turtleneck or scoop-neck top that’s form-fitting and has some sparkle. I received a beautiful gold belt with a diamond buckle for my birthday and would like to include that in the outfit. I also have a waist-length black leather jacket I could use. I’m 56 and slim.
Another thing: Can a woman ever have too many clothes? I’m often embarrassed at all the stuff I own and am trying desperately to pare the wardrobe down.
I have too many white tops but am addicted to black and white. Can you come over one day and help me out?
--DROWNING IN A
SEA OF CLOTHES
Dear Drowning: First things first. We’re going to have to yank the idea of the leather pants with the tight sparkly top and the gold belt. We’re not saying that a 56-year-old woman can’t wear some funky things, but this outfit could have that trying-too-hard-to-recapture-your-youth look, and we’d like to save you from that.
You can wear the pants with a body-conscious turtleneck, but one that isn’t shiny and doesn’t look painted on. A scoop-neck top is also OK, but make sure the cleavage is in check. If you want to go trendier, we recommend a romantic blouse (something with some frills and ruffles) with vintage jewelry, or a chunky sweater that will be a nice contrast to the leather.
We’re also not crazy about a leather jacket with leather pants. That’s just a little too much animal skin on one body. Instead, try a short, belted microfiber trench coat, a classic denim jacket, or a long (past the knee) sweater coat.
As for the second part of your question, yes, a woman (or a man) can have too many clothes. How can you tell when you’re on the cusp of--or beyond--overload? There are the classic signs: clothes left in drawers or closets for months or years, never worn, some with tags still hanging; clothes, shoes and accessories crammed into every nook and cranny; shopping not because you need clothes but because you want them; and an inability to part with any item of clothing. In extreme cases symptoms include overextended credit cards, a shopping “high” followed by feelings of remorse or dread, hiding purchases and lying about your shopping habits.
You’re not the only one reconsidering her rampant consumption of things. Clothes are necessary items, and if you get a particular thrill out of them, terrific. But the thrill shouldn’t overshadow spending time with family and friends or volunteering for a good cause. If you feel embarrassed by the amount of clothes you own it’s definitely time to do some purging. It takes discipline, so you must be committed to the task. But think of the less fortunate people who will benefit from your generous donation via charity. You will donate your castoffs, yes? Good. Start by separating your clothes into three piles: yes, no and maybe. The yeses are clothes that you wear often and are in good shape. The nos are items you can’t stand to look at or haven’t worn in a very long time and never will again. The maybes are items you’re ambivalent about--they might work if you had the right things to go with them, they look good when you’re about 10 pounds lighter, they’d be wearable if you got them hemmed/repaired/cleaned. This is where you have to get tough with yourself. If you’re not going to lose the 10 pounds or make a trip to the tailor, those clothes are gone.
After whittling that pile down, take the items you’re still on the fence about and place them in one drawer or a specific area of your closet. After six months (or up to a year) if you still haven’t worn them, say bye-bye. Trust us, you’ll feel so much better with a manageable wardrobe of clothes you really like.
The next time you go shopping, think before you make a purchase. Ask the salesperson to hold it for an hour, then take some time and decide whether or not you really need it. If you have 20 white tops, will your life be that much better if you buy another?
Fashion should be fun, and you should feel good in the clothes you choose--not guilty because you have more than you can wear.
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Write to Fashion Police, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to jeannine.stein@latimes.com.
