Many of my clients think that they have to get dressed up to incorporate some glitz and glam into their wardrobe---not true! Have some fun and add metallics, animal prints and fun jewelry into your every day look. Here are some ideas:

Here in Massachusetts, the weather is freezing! The wind is howling, the temps are only in the teens and all we feel like wearing is layers and layers of polar-fleece (not so fashionable!). So how do you look stylish while still staying warm? Here are some ideas:





Tuck your pants into some fabulous warm boots (these are from Rocket Dog for under $50).

Don'ts

• If you can wear jeans to work, make sure that they are not ripped (no boyfriend jeans) and that the rise is not ultra low. Also, stay away from fading, whiskering or embellishments (such as rhinestones)
  
• No graphic tee shirts, baseball caps and sneakers.
• No sweatsuits or yoga pants (you wouldn't believe how many people I see wearing these to work!)
  
• Watch skirt lengths (no minis)
• No flip-flops in the summer
• No tank tops
• No wrinkled clothes!
  

Do's

• Choose jeans in a dark blue, gray or black wash. Trouser cut jeans are the most tailored and professional looking as they tend to look more like pants than jeans.
• Use cardigans and jackets to layer over silk tops or tees.
• Instead of wearing sneakers for comfort, try a cute pair of flats instead
• Casual skirts with a sweater boots and tights
• Knit or shirt-dresses
• Casual khaki pants with a blouse, sweater, jacket or cardigan
  
• Keep jewelry simple
  

Here is an outfit ideas (which also makes great weekend look!).



Fabulous dark wash trouser jeans paired with a purple sweater, tweed blazer & flats. Accessorize with a metallic bag, silver hoop earrings and a cashmere scarf.

Don't forget to post comments, ask questions, and share ideas. I want to hear from you!

Have a fabulous Friday!
Every woman's stylist
Susan Kanoff
www.agreatewlook.com

Ladies, the sales are amazing right now! If you need to re-stock your wardrobe, it's the time! The best way to keep on top of the sales is to get on the stores' e-mail list. This way you'll know where and when the sales are and you'll also receive codes & coupons.

Here are some sales worth checking out:

• J. Crew extra 30% off sale items. On-line and in-stores--enter extra30 at checkout. This ends today so hurry!
• Ann Taylor Loft is offering an additional 50% off their sale prices, meaning tee shirts $10.00, cardigans $15.00 and dresses for $17-$25.00! Many of these pieces are so versatile that they can be worn year round.
• Clearance at Peruvian Connection http://www.peruvianconnection.com
• New York & Co. $20 off of $60 with code 2087, or $50 off of $125 with Code 2088. Offer ends Jan 31st.
• Huge sale a The Gap. Check out the markdowns on-line and in stores! www.gap.com
• New reductions taken at Banana Republic--40% and more!
• Extra 50% off sale at www.myshape.com. Enter 50SALE at checkout. Offer ends 2/1
  

Outfit of the day:
Many of my readers have a difficult thinking that they can mix gray and brown. Here is a simple outfit idea that shows how great the colors look together. Remember, brown and gray are neutrals so they go with just about every color!

Start with a dark brown pair of trousers or cords, add a cream tee or top and layer with a gray cardigan (which you can wear belted or unbelted). Pull the outfit together with a great necklace, earrings, pumps or boots and a fabulous bag!

Thank you to everyone for all the great blog feedback. I can tell that this is going to be a fun project!

So, yesterday I gave you some ideas for transforming a simple black dress into a fabulous outfit. Today I want to focus on your closet since it's key to developing a great wardrobe.

What's the inside of your closet like? Is it stuffed with clothes that you don't wear, or don't know that you even have? The experts say that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. This is SO true! We tend to gravitate toward the clothes that look the best on us, are the most comfortable, and are the easiest to make outfits with. The rest just gather dust, take up space and go unworn.

Closet cleaning can be a huge and overwhelming project. I offer closet revamping sessions as one of my services and some jobs can take over 7 hours! If the task of going through your closet is too daunting, try doing it in sections. My challenge to you is to start with one side of your closet and each day take 15 minutes sorting through 5 or 6 pieces of clothing. Try each piece on and ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I love how this looks on me?
• Does the color work for me? Does it make my skin glow and my eyes sparkle OR does it wash me out?
• Does it fit? If not, can it be tailored?
• Do I have something to wear with it? (If the piece is great but you need something to go with it, start a shopping list).
• Is it comfortable?
• Is it in good condition or is it pilled, ripped, stained, etc?

If you've answered "no" to any of these questions, chances are there are clothes you're not wearing. My advice? Move them out! Your closet should only contain the clothes that fit you well and look great on.

So what can you do with the "to go" pile?
1. Consign. If your clothes are in-style and in good condition, you can make a few extra dollars at your local consignment shop.
2. Donate. Many social service organizations are happy to get clothing donations. Try homeless shelters, The Salvation Army, and Dress for Success. Many times you can get a receipt for your donations which you can use for tax purposes.
3. Throw out. If your clothes have seen better days, throw them away!

By cleaning your closet in sections (perhaps a section a night or a couple of sections a week) you will be on your way to a clean and organized closet!

One last tip, make sure that your clothes are hung on the proper hangers. Wire and plastic tube hangers can stretch out shoulders and ruin clothes. I like anti-slip thin velvet covered hangers since clothes don't slip off and the hangers take up less space than thicker ones. These can be found at most stores including Target, Bed & Bath, and Walmart.





Enough about closets for today---onto clothes...

The white blouse is a piece that every woman should own. It's timeless style and versatility make it a wardrobe staple. Some of my favorite blouses are:

*Dayanne Danier's Collection Bien Abye www.dayannedanier.com--Her blouses all have gorgeous feminine details!
*Banana Republic--love the no wrinkle collection
*Ann Taylor
*Tahari

Just like the little black dress, the white blouse can easily be taken from day to night. Here are some ideas:







That's it for this blog entry. Have fun with you clothes!
Susan Kanoff, Every woman's stylist
www.agreatnewlook.com

Welcome to my blog! My name is Susan Kanoff and I'm a wardrobe stylist, or fashion coach as I call myself. My background is in social work & my passion is clothes! I truly believe that the way you look is deeply connected to how you feel--inside and out. Close your eyes and imagine how you feel when you hate what you're wearing. Does your motivation diminish? Your self-esteem fall a few notches? Is your self-confidence not quite what it should be? Now imagine how you feel when you LOVE how you look! You feel radiant, polished, happy, and confident. You could even have a better day! Yes, it may sound shallow, but clothes are important.

After posting daily outfit ideas on Facebook and Twitter, a friend of mine encouraged me to start this blog, and together we came up with the name Dress your best--one outfit at a time. This blog is a place for women to visit to get fashion advice and ideas on how they can improve their wardrobe and their look. Every day I'll post simple tips as well as an easy outfit to put together.


My goal in starting this blog is to help women develop a fabulous wardrobe. This blog is not for the big time fashionista, those who are interested in runway fashions or haute couture, but for every woman. It's for us teachers, nurses, librarians, businesswomen and stay-at-home moms. It's for us middle-aged women who don't want to look like we're 20 but don't want to look like our grandmothers either. It's for those of us who want to look put together but not trendy. It's for "every woman".


I'd love to hear from you. Please post comments--ask questions--and let me know what is important to you. I'm excited to start this new venture so let's begin with outfit #1!


Susan Kanoff, Every woman's stylist

The little black dress (if you don't have one, put it on your shopping list!)

This practical and versatile dress is a closet must have! It's amazing how many great outfits you'll be able to get out of just one dress. I encourage you to look in your closet and see if you have a simple black dress. I'm not talking about a fancy cocktail dress, but a casual dress with clean lines--even a tank dress will do. Now, tomorrow pull the dress out of your closet, pair it with black or gray tights, high black boots, and add a jacket or cardigan in any color or pattern. If you prefer to belt, you can belt the jacket or sweater with a metallic, snakeskin or plain leather belt. Polish off your outfit with some hoop earrings, a watch, a great bag and you're ready for work or lunch with friends.








Now keep in mind that this same simple black dress can transform into a night-time look with just a change of shoes, bag and jewelry. So, if you're at the office and want to take your dress from day to night, add chandelier earrings, hose, heels, a sparkly clutch and off you go, looking fabulous!