a terrific coat...

ok...i know for a lot of you...you are not thinking about coats...at least not here in the bay area...as we are having some rather pretty perfect eighty degree weather kind of days...but coat season will be upon us soon...and the days will turn chilly...

and although we may not be thinking about coats...they are already filling up the stores...

as your most public piece of clothing...your coat has a lot to do not only with how warm you are but with your mood...if you feel good about how you look coming and going...you're likely to feel good when you're there...what counts as terrific is up to you...

for some women...only black will do...another woman says she'll never go through another winter without a bright coat to cheer her up...for still another it's the ultimate classic camel coat or navy polo...

a good coat is a steep investment...but keep in mind that you really do wear your coat nearly every day for maybe six months or so a year...and that a good coat should last three years minimum...that's about 350 to 400 wearings...so when you think cost per wear...a terrific one is well worth a dollar or two (or even more) per wear...

burberry brit double breasted peacoat
nordstrom.com

versatility...

...the ability to take a garment in your wardrobe...mix and match with a variety of wardrobe fundamentals...this then equals...value...and by mixing and matching a variety of wardrobe fundamentals...it doesn't mean you can use it to dry the dog and polish the silverware...but you may be able to wear a piece to the office and then on to a blind date that nite with just a change of jewelry and/or shoes...

always look for colors that fit into the basic palette of your wardrobe...look for classic design and style that is consistent with your own...look for fabrics that are seasonless...tropical wools and medium weight cottons...for example...seasonal fabrics...like linen or velvet...may be well worth the investment...but they won't necessarily be appropriate year round...

it almost becomes like a game...how many outfits can you prepare out of one piece of garment...try for a casual...then a work appropriate...and then an evening look...the more you do it...the easier it becomes...and then you really start maximizing your purchases...

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when to not wait for the sale...

who doesn't love a sale? there is something wonderful about getting that absolutely perfect piece that will enhance your wardrobe...while it is on sale...but can there be times where a sale may actually waste your money?

some things...are not worth waiting for the sale...when would that be? let's say you are looking for a black skirt...and let's say you find this perfect skirt for $100...now you like the skirt...this skirt fits and looks good on you...and this skirt makes sense for your wardrobe...in many ways...no problems there...but still...you hold up this plain black skirt...with three seams and a zipper...twenty inches square...and you feel that something is not quite right...and what's not quite right is that you can't figure out why this very simple item should cost $100...

one of the things that i will often go over with my clients is the cost per wear...or what i like to call "fashion accounting 101"...and if you find a piece of clothing that fits you perfectly...and you know that you will be wearing it over and over and over...if the item is within your budget...don't skimp...

the savvy buyer holds out for big discounts whenever possible...i mean...why shouldn't you? however...the problem is that there are also many ways to make a mistake saving money on clothes...or waiting for that big sale...

and here would be some reasons...

- if you have trouble finding clothes that fit...

- if your rushed for time...

- if you need something for a special occasion...

- if you need to replace a staple in your wardrobe...

while i am not saying that you wouldn't be able to find an item on sale...holding out for a discount can prove to be a mistake...if you find yourself continually sacrificing comfort or quality or style...to the bottom line...that can be a mistake...

and perhaps the biggest spending mistake that can be made...is buying bargain clothes that don't fit correctly or aren't flattering or don't go with anything else in your wardrobe...and then never get worn...

say for example...you go through a store and that purple blouse that's on sale attracts you...you don't have any idea what that purple blouse is going to go with...but..."it is such a great price"...you end up never wearing it...but because it was such a bargain you "had to own it..."

if you hadn't done that...if instead of that purple blouse at $50...and the other 9 items that you purchased...because "they were such great deals"...at $50 a piece...you could have put the $500 into one item you wear over and over and over again....the $500 ends up being a better deal...

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