Streamline your dress clothing

How many dress clothes do you have in your closet that don't fit? Summer is a great time to looks for suits on those closeout racks and get them for bottom dollar. You can also purge those dress clothes and take the "in season" items to a consignment shop to make a few extra dollars. Then take the "off season" items to a local job training center. Job training centers often struggle in finding items for their trainees to wear for job interviews. Larger sized clothing being the most difficult to find. Your purged dress clothes could help them land "that job".
If its time to streamline your dress wardrobe, here are some recommendations for you -

• Stick with classic styles. If you don't wear dress clothes everyday, odds are good that the trendy styles will be long gone before you show much wear on your dress clothes.
• Skirts should be knee length. Knee length is defined as a skirt that is 1-2" above or below the knee. Anything beyond that is considered trendy.
• Stick with solid colors, or pinstripes. Staying away from pattern and textured fabrics make them easier to mix and match.
• Suits come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Having a basic suit in a classic color will ensure you have the classic pieces you need for nearly any occasion. Suits don't have to be "stuffy", find something that screams "you". If you love color, still stick with a basic color suit, but show your "colors" in your shirts, shoes and accessories.
• Make sure you have a "little black dress". This wardrobe staple can be dressed up and down making it versatile. Versatility is not only great for your wardrobe, but it is also a great item to take on vacation for those unexpected nights out.
• When it comes to shoes, you need two basic dress pairs. One pair of black and one pair of nude. Anything beyond that is personal preference. Those two colors in a classic pump or stiletto will match any color you need them to.
• Accessories - this is your chance to put in tons of color (if you want) and style. Accessories don't have to be expensive, a $5 necklace from the closeout rack works just fine. Consider use of necklaces, bracelets, scarves and belts along with earrings.
• If you are starting over, here are the key pieces I recommend you shop for..
• Short sleeve black dress
• Suit jacket
• Suit pants
• Suit skirt
• Suit coordinating vest (ie pin stripe vest with solid suit)
• Solid color shell
• Solid color long sleeve shirt
• Pumps or stilletto
• Nude
• Black