Fashion: F-A-C-E-S (Five Easy Steps to Shopping like a Pro)

If you find yourself overwhelmed with all the choices when you go shopping or easily swayed by the sales rack and wish you had a pocket stylist, then this acronym is for you. I use this acronym every time I  go shopping and it's served me well each time. Each piece of clothing or accessory you buy must meet each of the five criteria.

F: fit

A: age appropriateness

C: color

E: expense

S: situation 

Fit: Clothing, shoes, sunglasses, handbags, or whatever else it is must fit you properly and be right for your body or face shape. If it doesn't already fit perfectly (and few things do) it should be easily altered. If not, then put it back. Finding a tailor you trust is very important. A great fit can make anything look great, and makes everything look more expensive. 

Age Appropriateness: Just because you can fit into a miniskirt or into junior sizes doesn't mean that you should. Age inappropriate clothes make things look cheap and like you're trying too hard. Think of it as a bad botox job. 

Color: Certain colors can make you look great and awake, others just wash you out. Know what colors look great on you and stick to them. Blondes look great in light colors such as pinks, whites, and light blues. Dark brunettes look great in darker colors such as reds, turquoise, and deep purples. If you look great in white gold then you probably have cool tones and light colors look great on you. If you look great in yellow gold then you probably have warm tones and darker colors look great on you. There are few people who have a neutral tone, and they're the lucky ones because they can wear a wide range of colors. The right color can change an outfit from looking just okay to "Wow, you look great!"

Expense: Usually at department stores or high end boutiques people say to themselves, "this is too expensive" and become discouraged. If you find yourself doing that, you might be missing out on great style opportunities. Now, if you can't afford it, then you should put it back. But, don't put it back, just because you think it might be too expensive. This is where you need to do a cost per wear analysis (CPW). For example, a winter coat that costs $500 is expensive. But, if you wear this coat every day during the winter say for three months, then your CPW for that year is $5.50 and becomes even less year after year. All of a sudden that expensive $500 coat has become as affordable as a daily cup of coffee. 

Situation: Lastly, do you have anywhere to wear it? For example, that beautiful evening dress may fit properly, be age appropriate, be in a great color, and on sale, but if you have nowhere to wear it then it's just going to sit in the back of your closet and collect dust and most likely be forgotten. Make sure you have somewhere to wear it and it easily fits into your personal style, otherwise put it back. 

If you follow this five step acronym, then slowly you can build a wardrobe fit for a fashion stylist with clothes that you love and look great on you!