Fashion Feng Shui

By now we've all heard of Feng Shui - The Chinese philosophy which teaches that your life is influenced by the conditions within your habitual surroundings. When your home is harmonious, balanced and aligned with who you are and what you desire to be, do and have, so is your existence. The same principles apply to your clothes.

According to Evana Maggiore, president of Fashion Feng Shui International, "When your closet is filled with efficiently arranged, well cared for garments that you love, need and wear all the time, your every clothes encounter fuels you with positive energy, empowering your existence. However, if the condition of your closet is overwhelming, frustrating or depressing, you can expect the same kind of negativity to manifest around you. Negative energy depletes you, reducing your inner and outer magnificence and undermining your potential. "

"To help keep chaos out of your life, conquer it in your closet!"

FASHION FENG SHUI's CLOSET CHAOS CURES:

1. If you haven't worn it in the last year or absolutely do not love it, donate it or give it away.

2. Never keep anything for just in case. You'll create clutter.

3. When new comes in, old goes out. For each new thing you purchase, get rid of one item.

4. Discard clothes that are no longer in style or don't support you now.

5. When you think you can't afford NOT to buy something, DON'T!

6. Don't shop just to shop. Shop with a goal and a purpose.

7. Change of mind, body or spirit calls for change of clothes.

Create a closet full of clothing that you love and that supports your life as it is right now - not the life you had ten years ago or the life you wish you had. When your closet is filled with clothes that fit you well that are in your best colors and styles, getting dressed will become something you look forward to each day rather than something you dread. Don't you want to start each day with a renewed sense of energy and inspiration?

The White Dress

This spring the White Dress is a huge trend that translates nicely from runway to everyday. The White Dress is a glamorous choice and looks lovely in ruffles, maxi-lengths and sheer fabrics. Think Goddess! But please, don't wear the White Dress to weddings, unless its your own.

*Rachel Pally "Beatriz" Dress from Nordstrom ($216)

Avoid a Blackout

"Have you ever seen a happy goth?" Carson Kressley thinks not, and states "I think everyone needs color to feel good. Too many women rely on head-to-toe black as a form of camouflage." The reality is that any hue can be slimming if worn monochromatically - so instead of black, reach for plum, gray or chocolate brown. Choose a color that looks great on you and wear it well. You'll look slim, cheerful and chic!

Stock Up, Dress Up

We all want to have that one go-to dress in our closets, ready at a moment's notice for a girls' night out, an impromptu invitation for cocktails or dinner with the boss. Here's a great chance to stock up and save!

Stewart and Brown already bring us chic dresses crafted from the finest natural and organic fibers - now you can stock up and save 50%. Simply use code "DRESSY" at checkout. But act fast because this offer is only good for 24 hours.

Shop Your Closet

You've probably been hearing the phrase "shop your closet" recently, and there's no better time to do it than now! Inspired by working with my clients through our "closet clarity" sessions, it dawned on me that all women can benefit from having a fresh perspective to get the most mileage from what they already own.

Face it, most of us have way more clothes than we actually need and are bound to have few gems that get pushed to the back of the closet and forgotten. So next time you find yourself saying "I have nothing to wear!", step back, take a deep breath, and shop your closet.

Shopping your closet can be fun. The main factor that will make it a success is the ability to see your wardrobe through fresh eyes. Here are my tips to make the most of shopping your closet and maximizing your wardrobe:

1/ Distance Yourself - You're all too familiar with the old friends who hang in your closet, staring at you day after day and begging to be worn. Forget their sordid past (the sweater worn during big argument with hubby or the top worn when you last caught the stomach flu) and pretend you're looking at someone else's clothes. Things may pop out that you've never really noticed before. Get inspired!

2/ The Big Break-Up - Brad and Angelina may be inseparable, but your twinsets and suits certainly don't have to be. Take them apart and place them on separate hangers. View them individually, not just as a couple, and see how they each have a personality all their own!

3/ Mix and Match - Forget the term "match". It does not belong in your closet. Instead, use the term "coordinate". Matching is what your grandmother did with her hat, her purse and her shoes. Coordinate is what modern women do when they wear things together that aren't in the same color, but play well together. Your purse does not have to match your shoes - ever!

4/ Seeing is Believing - Remember the phrase "out of sight, out of mind"? Well, that's pretty much how your wardrobe works, too. Your goal is to have as many of your items in clear view as possible. Hang as many pieces as you can, store your scarves in a basket in your closet, hang your jewelry up on hooks or keep it in dishes where you can see it, keep your shoes where you can have easy access to them so you can try on several pairs if you need to. If you can't see it, you won't wear it - trust me!

5/ All's Well that Mends Well - Take an afternoon (or even just a few minutes) and go through your closet. Does anything need repairs? Are buttons missing? Do your shoes need repair? If you keep your clothing in good repair, mended, ironed, dry cleaned, and nicely hung, getting dressed will go so much more smoothly. You'll make your mom proud!

6/ The Icing on the Cake - If you just can't resist all those sales going on right now and need to buy something, add a few good accessories. By just adding a pretty scarf, a chic bangle or a new pair of textured or colored tights, you can breathe new life into your basics and not spend a fortune.

Got it? Great. I'd love to hear what new outfits you come up with, made from items you already own!

* Reprinted from One Chic Mama.

Give 'Em the Slip

Wrap dresses can be a wonderful thing, flattering your curves while camouflaging your trouble spots. Yet, if there's a breeze in the air or children running around, you can end up showing off more than you'd like (no one needs to know your undies read "foxy lady" except you and your man).

Next time you step out in a wrap dress, protect your assets with a Full Slip from Commando ($88). Not only will it keep you under wraps, but it'll help give you a smooth and sleek look under your clingy dress.

The New Neutrals

Have you heard the news? Grays, purples and blues are the new black! We all know (and love) our ever-popular black that goes with anything and everything. But why not incorporate some of the season's hottest colors into your wardrobe as neutral, core pieces rather than just as accents?

This really is a simple way to integrate color into your wardrobe. Take a versatile item such as a trench coat, a sweater or a simple wrap dress and instead of buying it in black, get one in a deep shade of indigo, a modern shade of gray or a vibrant eggplant. Then look at all your options. You'll find that there is very little that will go with these colors. You can wear them with brights, prints or yes, even black (if you must). But the goal here is to find new ways to add color to your life, and this is certainly an easy way to go! And when you see how a simple act such as donning a purple trench coat, rather than a black one, sets you apart, you'll love feeling like you're in on a little secret. If only all those who drape themselves in a sea of black knew, too!