InStyle Workbook Interview: Help in Your Closet Refresh

Remember back in the day when we didn't have Pinterest or Instagram? I'd anxiously await for each monthly issue of Glamour, InStyle, Vogue, or Woman's Wear Daily. I'd scoured the pages for pictures of color and style trends. I'd read the short articles about accessories and up and coming shoe trends. Now, so much of it is online. Today, I was looking through an old InStyle workbook that included a booklet with a list of style questions. As I read it, I began to play along and write out my answers. It was fun and a little interesting, probing into my personal style preferences. Here are the questions and my answers for myself. You may want to ask yourself these questions, too.

My top five all-time favorite pieces of clothing?

1. A Good Pair of Jeans - This changes about every year and a half due to trends evolving. At the moment, I'm loving my Levi's flared leg jeans. I bought two pairs and had them hemmed at two different lengths (one for flats and one for heels).

2. A Statement Blazer - I have a straight body shape; I'm an Apple. A fantastic way to camouflaged lack of curves is to wear a third piece item ( a blazer or cardigan). So, I am drawn to blazers with personality! I recently was asked how many blazers I own and I gave a rough estimate. The person I was talking to looked unbelieving. I went home and counted and I was spot on. Let me just say, "I really love blazers!"

3. LBD (Little Black Dress) - Every girl needs at least one LBD. But, two, three, or more Little Black Dresses are fun, and can go to numerous occasions! LOL. There are so many varieties! But, one can often switch out the accessories to dress it up or style it more casually.

4. Black heel booties for Fall/Winter and White Sneakers for Spring/Summer - Again, these change yearly as the trends evolve. It's okay because, I wear them so much that they are tired by the time I need a refresh. booties Sneakers

5. A Simple Shell Top - For years I always bought the statement blazer and then went home and struggled to pair it with blouses. Once I found a simple black shell top, I realized everything looked good with it. So, I bought an Ivory and a Navy shell top, too. They are plain basics that are a must-have in a wardrobe. If you want to wear the statement pieces, you have to have the foundational pieces.

Thrifting Find - Cat Print Jacket @MODAInternational

Photo by Lucy Davis

Green Blazer @BananaRepublic

My Go-To Jewelry?

Photo by Lucy Davis

1. Gold Chain Necklace - to wear alone or to wear layered with other necklaces. When I started wardrobe consulting twelve years ago, big gaudy jewelry was in. It's taken a turn and gone more minimal the last few years but, I see a shift happening again. Don't throw that jewelry out! What goes around, comes back around.

2. Over-sized Pearl Earrings - I love these! They are classic and yet, not minimal.

3. Statement Ring - What can I say? It feels feminine.

4. A Watch - I have to have a watch. I've been wearing one since 3rd grade. Last week the battery went out and I had to take it into the jewelers to get it replaced. I was a bit lost without it.

The Outfit or Item People always compliment me on?

I get compliments when I wear any of my green blazers. They look good over a black suit dress, navy foundation or paired with jeans. The green highlights my eye color.

Blazer @AnnTaylor

Thifting Find - Green Velvet Blazer @NineWest

Green Blazer @BananaRepublic

What's something I've always wanted and never bought?

Oh, I've always wanted an expensive purse. BUT...I'm really hard on purses. I stuff them with work items and personal items and I throw them around. My purses take a beating. I would feel horrible using an expensive purse for utility purposes. But, if I were to give into whims, I love the look of this Chloe purse.

Chloe

What's something I keep buying too many of and need to reconsider?

I have a weakness for buying jeans, even when I don't need them. The trends evolve and so, a new pair here and there is to be expected but, I have to limit myself so, I don't over indulge. When I was young, I often wore floods or jeans that were too tight, needing the next size up. I wanted new jeans but my folks couldn't afford them. I know this desire to buy more jeans is purely phycological. This is a common issue with women who just can't part with clothing in their wardrobes. It's good to know our issues and know the reasons behind our hang-ups, setting reasonable limits. My favorite fit is a pair of Levi's mid-rise bootcut. I do go through my jeans yearly and donate what's dated or not being used.

What's My Favorite Trends from Spring 2024 Runways?

These are Trends I've been seeing but, my favorites are brooches, Trench Coats, and the Yellow Butter Color.

1. Brooches - I love vintage brooches so, seeing them in large sizes and clusters on blazers this Spring is exciting.

2. Satin Fabrics - Satin in bold and pastel colors has an energetic vibe.

3. Lace - It's feminine and pretty

4. Trench Coats - But, not a boring trench.

5. Sheer Skirts - Sheer skirts over Hot Pants is the thing. Maybe not at Grandma's but, it is on the runways.

6. Short Coats

7. Dresses over Pants

8. Yellow Butter Color

9. Denim on Denim
   

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera

Georgio Armani

Givenchy

Cinq a Sept

Cinq a Sept

Michael Kors

Sergio Hudson

Kenzo

Akris

Ask yourself these questions:

What are your top five favorite wardrobe pieces?

What is your go-to jewelry?

What outfit or item do you get compliments on?

What's a wardrobe item you've always wanted and never bought?

What's something you keep buying too many of and you need to reconsider?

Questions help us understand ourselves better. Are you in a wardrobe rut? Do you need help going through your closet to find those quality, go-to pieces? Do you need styling for your lifestyle?

Reach out to me and let's make a plan. Kathy@KathyBanta.com

Happy Wardrobing!!

Kathy Banta - Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant/Stylist

Featured Boutique: Swan and Bower Emporium

My Sister-in-law had been telling me I needed to check out the new boutique in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. I've meant to for months. Friday I travelled into Cannon Falls to do a little early gardening in the local graveyard, and afterwards, my husband and I went for lunch at the Mill Street Tavern on 6th Street North. We had the salmon on a sour dough with a pineapple slice and pineapple sauce, bacon and cheese. It was fantastic!! We walked around the Falls and saw the swans. They're a new young pair to the city park. One of the former pair had passed away last year and since swans mate for life, they sent the remaining swan to a sanctuary and got a new couple, in hopes of seeing cygnets.

It was warming up outside and I was in my gardening attire but, it dawned on me that I had time to stop in and check out this new boutique. I thought, I'll avoid being noticed and just be subtle, take some pictures and get out without being seen in my garden clothes. But, Julie Anderson, the owner, is a good host. She greets her clientele as they come in and finds out what they're looking for; I didn't keep my secret for long. She showed me around her showroom and told us some history of the building and her journey to opening the store. She had driven by this building for years and dreamed of having a clothing store in this location. Her opportunity came at the perfect time and the emporium just celebrated its one year anniversary.

Swan and Bower Emporium is on the corner of 4th Street and Main. Coming into Cannon Falls from Hwy 52, you can't miss it! The beautiful building stands proudly on the corner. When I walked in the front door my eyes were delighted with the beautiful displays of candles and honey, ceramic birds and flower vases, art and children's novelty toys and books. If you need a gift, this is the place to come. Each section had displays that drew me in to investigate and see what was offered.

Beyond the front room was a larger room with women's clothing and a small section for men's. Julie said that since she was a mom of sons, she wanted to remember the guys, too.

The first item I picked up was this Kut from the Kloth denim jacket for $109.00. Kut from the Kloth is a quality on-trend brand that I often pick up for clients at Nordstrom. Cannon Falls is about an hour from the Mall of America and I thought to myself, "how great to have a retail option of this caliber in town"!

As I moved from section to section I saw the jeans hanging above on display and pulled a pair out to see the embroidery detail on the cuff. These Charlie B. jeans were selling for $79.99. This is why I love small-town boutiques; I can find unique pieces with details and personality that the chain stores aren't carrying. I can see Julie's good eye for product that women want.

I moved on and took several shirts to the fitting room to try on. This teal flouncy short sleeve top by MINE sells for $29.99 and this THML golden floral patterned top sold for $54.99. I took home the floral top.

As I purchased this blouse Julie told us about the luxury short term apartment on the upper level that had been made into an Airbnb; the pictures are lovely.

I will be returning to Swan and Bower Emporium next time I'm in Cannon Falls. I understand why my sister-in-law was giving it rave reviews. It's worth the stop! Even better, make a girls trip of it. Stay at the Airbnb and come shopping, get lunch at the Mill Street Tavern and walk across the street to the Cannon River Winery for a little music and a glass of wine. I love Cannon Falls!

Happy Shopping!

Shopping is what I do and I'd love to shop with You!

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta

Frustrations I Often Find In Women's Closets

Women hire me to come into their closets for a number of reasons. Often they have hit a wall and like their clothes but, are having a hard time putting them into outfits. Other times they've gotten a promotion and they're wardrobe is too casual. Maybe they've gained weight or lost weight and they're not sure of fit anymore. Here are a few things that I often find in closets that could be helpful to you.

1. Foundational Pieces - When women say they are having a hard time putting outfits together that often means they're missing foundational pieces. I love wearing blazers! If I'm gonna buy something, I'm drawn to a fun statement piece blazer. But, a statement blazer is worthless without the shell top underneath. Shell tops are kind of boring to buy but, they make your wardrobe come together.
   

Ann Taylor Mixed Media Tank Top

Ann Taylor Dot Bow V-Neck Shell

Chico's Cool Satin Trim Tank

Nordstrom-Vince Camuto Cowl Neck

2. Textures and Patterns - Sometimes when I'm in women's closets they have quite a few shell tops but, they've collected shell tops with patterns that are dated or so busy that they're hard to pair with third piece items (blazers, cardigans). If you have a jacket with a heathered texture, you won't want to pair it with a textured top or an overly busy pattern. The texture and pattern will compete with the texture or pattern of the jacket. (Rules are meant to be broken and sometimes this does work but, most of the time it doesn't.) On the other hand, if you lean towards solid colored suiting or third piece items, you may want to add some interest to your outfit with a print in your foundational tops. Remember, prints cycle in and out with the color and print tends. They will only be useful for about five years.

Ann Taylor Floral Mock Neck Top

WHBM Yarn Tank

Nordstrom-Ted Baker Floral Top

3. Sizing - Another problem I often come across is women being modest or doubtful of their proper size, erroring on the generous side, wearing a size, or two, too large. When we wear clothing too big it makes us look frumpy and sloppy, and it puts the appearance of weight on us. I worked with a beautiful petite professional woman who had bought a lot of clothing just before I visited her closet. She was little in stature. Wide leg pants are really in right now and she'd bought about six pairs with pleats. You have to be really careful with pleats because if they don't land in the right place on your tummy, they just make it look rounded. She could totally rock the wide leg pant but, she had purchased too large of a size and the pleats were overwhelming her small body. Maybe the pleats would have worked in a smaller size but, all I had to go off of was what she had in her closet and it wasn't flattering.

Zara Flowy Pleated Pants

Nordstrom-Open Edit Wide Leg Trousers

Banana Republic Lido Wide-Leg pant

4. Shoes - I'm amazed at how long women keep their shoes. My former boss, Carly Gatzlaff use to say, "Start your outfit with your shoes". I don't know about that but, I can tell you that your shoes tell a lot about you. They aren't a finishing touch; they are just as important as the blazer or the pant. Here are signs you need to replace your shoes.

• the heel is scratched

• the toe is peeling

• the lining is disintegrating

• you avoid wearing them due to discomfort

For a professional attire, basic shoe needs are black, brown, and nude.

Banana Republic Arden Pump

Nordstrom Frye Kenzie Flat

5. Finishing Touches - Rarely, but sometimes, the only thing a client needs are some finishing touches to complete their looks. A watch, belts, a necklace or purse. These are items that can be used over and over completing an outfit.

Basic for belts, watches and purses are just like the basics of shoes; it's good to have a black, brown and colorful option.

JCrew Calf Hair Belt

Madewell Three pack Necklace

Basics for necklaces are a long and short option.

It's always interesting going into women's closets, listening to what their frustrations are and figuring out solutions. Every woman is unique.

If you find yourself stumped and are finding it frustrating to dress each morning, maybe it's time to make an appointment with me.

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta