VOIR COUTURE

Spring time means spring cleaning, even for your closet. This time, a few suggestions. If you are planning a vacation or trip, use this occasion to accomplish two things at once: a quick inventory of your closet and choosing your travel clothing!

Enclosed is a form you can use to easily review your wardrobe. Remember, if you have clothing you haven't worn for a year or have worn during the last twelve months but don't like, recycle through a used clothing boutique for cash or your favorite charity for tax credit. If clothing has an unhappy emotion attached to it, or if it doesn't make you feel good, then recycle this too. If you are not happy wearing it, these feelings will keep you from projecting your most perfect you.

As you go through your closet, eliminate wire hangers unless they are used for a garment like a laundered blouse or shirt (i.e., worn once and laundered). Your hangers and closet may wear your garments out before you can!

Try to hang like things together, in that suits should be hung together, blouses together, etc. This is the easiest form of organization to accomplish. If you use your suits as separates, then hang them as separates on two hangers. If all of this seems confusing to you and you need some help, call; this is part of my service. One of my clients, stockbroker Anne Sonnier, says she now has a "happy closet".

Organize so that you don't have to do it again. Take your "wardrobe inventory" form with you when shopping to avoid mistakes and to continue building on your wardrobe. It isn't just conservation of your money, but also conservation of your time and energy. It prevents mistakes and enhances you as a person. Another client, organization consultant Joan Mahone, assisted in the form's design and says it has really helped her differentiate between the "what I need's" and the "what I would like's".

What do I consider a good foundation wardrobe for professional wear? A minimum of three suits and six blouses; preferably each item can be worn with more than one of the other items.

Jan Lewis, Uniglobe Travel, recently asked me to construct a travel wardrobe for her. Her exercise was so valuable, I asked her to give me her best advice for Voir...

"Does creating a suitcase of wearable items that work together for different activities and that are easy to maintain, light to pack and accommodate changes in climate seem impossible? With a few easy hints, packing can be quick and simple," explains Jan.

"First, list all activities on your trip, i.e., sightseeing, cruising, skiing, diving, business, etc. Second, note the number of times for each event and the type of clothes needed for each activity. Third and most important, select a maximum of 2 luggage pieces that are manageable, preferably with wheels! Remember, luggage gets heavier each day of your trip.

"Then, apply these basic principles to your existing wardrobe:

a) Limit a color scheme to two to three foundation colors (example: black, white, brown).

b) Make certain each item works with several outfits; avoid one-piece dresses and jumpsuits (example: a white blouse with a business suit works with a dressy black skirt and pearls for evening).

c) Achieve color accents with lightweight accessories (example: a bright red silk scarf around the neck or used as a belt). I suggest leaving valuable jewelry in a safe deposit box and travelling with fakes.

d) Choose fabrics that are wrinkle-free, hand-washable and dry quickly (example: knits, washable silks). Avoid 100% cotton that needs ironing and synthetics that wrinkle and are not washable. Try to leave the iron at home! For colder climates, lightweight gabardines and tightly woven sweaters reduce bulk in the suitcase.

e) Layer your basic outfits with jackets, sweaters and foldable rain ponchos for climate changes.

f) Try to pack only two to three pairs of shoes (for example: one pair each for day, evening and athletic wear).

"Ideally," Jan says, "you'd like to travel for a week with a 5-piece ensemble that is washable, lightweight, and makes into 20 outfits, such as Judith has just designed for my upcoming week in Hawaii."

Jan Lewis, Travel Consultant with Uniglobe Preston North Travel, specializes in first class travel to Hawaii, mainland USA, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Her clients benefit from firsthand expertise and 20 years of extensive travel knowledge. Jan can be reached at Uniglobe at 964-8700 for a free consultation and delivery of brochures and documents.

Voir Couture is the recognition and confirmation of each Judith, Couturiere client. You are confident and distinctive, value tradition, and demand quality and individuality. Voir celebrates your uniqueness!