Fresh Style How To Look Fab Fast

Hint: Get the outfit together before the invite arrives.

As social calendars light up with the upcoming holidays, having a few outfits ready to go can take the stress out of getting dressed—and have you out of the house in record time.

I recently went to an event which required me to trade in my jeans for an evening look. With literally 10 minutes to throw myself together before Uber arrived, I stayed calm and reached for a dress I had added to my closet a while ago.

When I bought this navy number, I had nowhere to go, but knew the dress would make an appearance eventually. I had mentally paired it with accessories and shoes, and filed it away in my closet. So on that night in October, with minutes to get ready…I was actually ready. In every sense of the word.

I guess you could say I’m not a big fan of occasion shopping. It’s too much pressure and often leads to settling for an over-priced, one-wear, what-was-I-thinking piece. (Ugh).

Do you plan out your daily schedule or prep your meals in advance? Try applying the same idea to getting dressed up—or just getting dressed in general. Having a game plan makes it so much easier to get pulled together and out the door.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Know what’s in your closet.
Take a quick inventory of your closet to find the dressy items that make you look and feel good. Try pairing things you’ve never considered for a fresh look. Extra credit: donate any items you haven’t worn in a year to make room for some new pieces.

2. Purchase items when you see them.
Next time you’re shopping, snap up that knockout dress, jumpsuit, top, or whatever it may be. If it fits well and feels good, it’ll find a place in your life. You’ll be glad you have exactly what you need whenever you need it.

3. Don’t forget the details.
Remember the accessories—shoes, jewelry, bag, undergarments, coat or shawl. Put together the entire look—even if it’s just filed away in your head. Consider whether your clothes could use a press or steam. Having the items in turnkey shape eliminates any last-minute fussing.

Karin Monfredo Fresh Style

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