Shop Your Closet: Let Work and Play Mingle By Julee A. Wilson
Blending business attire with weekend wear is the solution to an overcrowded closet.
Her Wardrobe Has an Identity Crisis
The problem: The cramped armoire in Charissa Almonte’s West Orange, New Jersey, apartment just isn’t cutting it. (And it doesn’t help
that her work commute includes a shortcut through a mall, where she is tempted to buy more.) But close quarters isn’t the
only issue. During the week, Charissa, 32, a sales consultant for an investor service, spends her days buttoned up in business
suits―a far cry from her charismatic nature, as demonstrated by the statement-making tops, jewelry, and shoes she saves for
the weekend. “I feel like I have an eclectic sense of style,” she says. “But for work I’ve fallen into the monotony of basic
suits.”
The expert advice: Mix business with pleasure. “Charissa needed to break up her suits,” says stylist Sarah Davidzuk. By combining her “strictly
weekend” clothes and accessories with her work attire, she can multiply her options instantly. “I’ve learned to make sure
that the pieces I keep are in line with my personality,” says Charissa. One of her new favorites is a slim-cut leather jacket
that can take the place of a blazer when it’s layered over a workday sheath. “I see my closet differently now, and I’m finding
new ways to pull together a fashionable yet professional look.” Mostly, though, she says, “I realize that I do have enough
to wear.”
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Gap and Banana Republic both mark down merchandise midweek. Shop on Wednesday and you’ll find a large selection of sale items. Ask favorite stores about their policies.
