Proper fit applies to homes and clothes

Did you ever meet someone and know right away that you need to work with them? That is what happened when I met Scarlett De Bease of Scarlett Image, a professional woman’s stylist, who was a speaker at a recent Association of Design Education conference in Connecticut.

How can one have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? The same items get worn all the time, and the rest just hang there.
How can one have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? The same items get worn all the time, and the rest just hang there.

As a petite woman, I find that most clothing, including petite, does not fit properly. How can one have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear? The same items get worn all the time, and the rest just hang there.

Working with a stylist always intrigued me. I tried the personal shopping experience at Nordstrom’s twice. It was a disaster. I returned most of the items. The second time, I was placed in the fitting room with mostly non-petite clothes that made me look like a little girl trying on her mommy’s stuff.

De Bease told me to have coffee and eat before she arrived. She immediately showed me what colors, neckline and jewelry tone are best for me, and then we hit my closet. We spent four hours in my room with me in various states of undress. She also created outfits combining my clothes in ways I never would have thought of, and I actually looked thinner and taller. She took photos of these combinations, which helps, because it is a whirlwind of a process.

Once you're shown how clothes are supposed to look and fit, it's easy to assess what to keep in your closet.
Once you’re shown how clothes are supposed to look and fit, it’s easy to assess what to keep in your closet.

My pile of “nopes” was thrown on the floor based on fit, color or as De Bease, “that makes you look sad” or “it looks like a mistake.” There were lots of laughs, as the pile grew taller than my bed.

Proper pants and sleeve length were an issue, as she would point out it was not falling at the right spot. I honestly had no idea what this means, as everything is long. So much money wasted on the wrong clothes, but I believe in paying it forward. A few friends will shop my now neatly stacked piles of “nopes,” and the rest will be donated. A few keepers will go to the tailor.

The closet purge felt good! De Bease sent me a list of colors to wear, avoid and what I need for my wardrobe. After she left, I went through a laundry basket that was sitting on the bed and I got rid of a few more pieces. Then I started trying on a few pants that were swimming on me and tossed them to the pile. Once I was shown how clothes are supposed to look and fit on my body, it was easy to assess what to keep on my own.

What I learned: no bright jewel tone colors for me. Gold looks better than silver. My shoes were purged on my own as I started to look at what I own differently. I was on a roll! Now I walk into my closet knowing everything fits.

Less is more when you know what works, says Scarlett De Bease.
Less is more when you know what works, says Scarlett De Bease.

Less is more when you know what works. De Bease, “You’ll have more outfits with fewer clothes once I show you what you should and shouldn’t wear.”

This truly was life-changing, and I can see the floor of my closet with plenty of space and room for a few new pieces that I actually need. I realized this is something I do with clients with their furniture and accessories in their homes. Proper placement and fit can apply to anything. Next step is to go shopping with De Bease. Can’t wait!


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Stop Stressing about Dressing

More info about Scarlett De Bease, the professional woman’s stylist, can be found below:

Author – Stop Stressing About Dressing.
ScarlettImage.com | 914 441-0756

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