[nabs-l] clothes shopping and organizing

[Greg Aikens]

Hi Ashley,
As a recent student who has just entered the workforce, this is something I have been working on lately.  I have tried several things and will share them here in case they can spark an idea.

Shopping:
I prefer to go shopping with someone I trust has a decent fashion sense and will tell me if something doesn't look right etc.  I love to go with my sister because she is about my age and I know she has a grasp on what looks good.  She also really enjoys it so its a good opportunity to have brother/sister time.  For many people, shopping is a social event, so don't be afraid to take someone with you if you can.  

Organization in the closet:
Maybe it is different with women's clothes, but I can't tell most of my dress shirts apart by touch.  The same is true for my nicer pants, especially because if I find a cut that fits me really well, I generally buy a few pants or shirts in different colors.  
The most complicated strategy I have used to keep my closet organized was to use puff paint to put a braille number on the tag of each item in my closet.  I then created a spreadsheet with descriptions of each item and possible matches.  This got really crazy when you start to add vests, jackets, ties, etc.  It took a lot of prep work in the beginning and help from others, but I had tons of information about what I was wearing and felt more confident getting creative with what I wanted to wear.  
The strategy I am using now is the "Keep it simple" strategy.  I have navy and khaki pants that I wear to work.  I have several shirts in various colors that will match either the navy or the khaki pants.  I use a color identifier app on my phone to double check sometimes, but in general, I know I can't mess up too bad.  There are one or two items that will not go with the navy, but I know what those feel like or make sure to use the color identifier if I am not sure.  

Using both strategies I was confident that I looked professional.  It just depends on how much info you want and how much time/assistance you have to get things set up in the first place.  

Hopefully some of this was helpful.

-Greg

On Oct 17, 2012, at 10:27 PM, "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> So, I was wondering about clothes shopping. Do you shop alone or with friends or family?
> If you go alone, who assist you? Do you use a personal shopper and if so, how does that work?
> 
> I wonder if most major department stores have personal shoppers; whether they do or not, I know they will accommodate and help us, but a personal shopper would know how to find clothes for different types of people and be used to suggesting clothes. 
> 
> I’ve only shopped a little alone for clothes; in my experience they seem short staffed and they did help me but I usually had to wait a while.
> My mother tends to select things she feels look good, but I think they are  probably her style, not always mine. 
> 
> Also, anyone know what business casual means? I ask because offices I’ve worked at often say this but that seems to be a
> big catch all phrase. I realize it means nice clothes; no jeans; slacks of course; maybe nice blouses and vests.
> 
> Also, anyone want to share a system for organizing clothes in the closet? How do you know pieces of outfits go together once you wash them?
> 
> Thanks.
> Ashley
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